Rail Vehicle Image Sensor Track Occupancy Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail vehicle control systems face challenges in ensuring adequate separation between rail vehicles on parallel or adjacent tracks, particularly in validating track occupancy and determining the upcoming direction of movement, as they lack the use of static image data and validation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A train monitoring system equipped with an image sensor on a rail vehicle generates static image data to determine track occupancy and upcoming direction of movement, using a processor to filter and process sensor signals, and validates these determinations based on time series data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS receivers, track circuits, and inertial navigation sensors are used to detect track occupancy, then track occupancy detection capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and electronic detection systems (GPS receivers, track circuits, inertial navigation sensors) with an optical imaging system. The image sensor captures visual data of the track geometry, and through image processing, determines track occupancy and direction of movement. This substitution of mechanical/electronic systems with optical sensing reduces system complexity while maintaining detection capability.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and validation methods are implemented, then reliability of track occupancy determination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a validation mechanism where the determined direction of movement is used to verify the track occupancy determination. The system cross-checks the occupancy status against the movement direction to ensure consistency, providing feedback validation that improves reliability without requiring additional external sensors or complex multi-source data fusion.
3Measurement precision
If static image data processing is used to determine upcoming direction of movement, then measurement precision is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs image processing and analysis in advance to determine the upcoming direction of movement before it becomes critical for safety decisions. By continuously processing static image data and pre-determining the direction of movement based on track geometry analysis, the system prepares validation information proactively, reducing the critical processing time needed during actual occupancy validation events.
Data Source
AI summary
A train monitoring system includes an image sensor positioned on a rail vehicle to sense an area in front. The image sensor generates sensor signals. At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium has program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor in communication with the image sensor, causes the at least one processor to: (a) generate static image data based on the sensor signals, the static image data including a line representation of rails located in the area in front of the rail vehicle; (b) determine track occupancy of the rail vehicle by determining the set of rails occupied by the rail vehicle based on the static image data; and (c) determine an upcoming direction of movement of the rail vehicle by determining a direction of the set of rails occupied by the rail vehicle based on the static image data.