Railway Process Image Automation via Embedded QR Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating process images of technical systems, such as railroad track systems, lack efficient and automated evaluation and control capabilities, particularly in control centers or signal boxes, where human interpretation is limited and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
Integration of two-dimensional code symbols into image objects that represent components or sections of the technical system, using pixels defined by color and brightness, allowing for machine recognition and automatic evaluation by hiding the code within the image content, thereby providing redundant information for both human and machine interpretation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If two-dimensional code symbols are integrated into image objects for machine recognition, then automation and evaluation speed improve, but image complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the code symbol and image object into a single integrated structure. The code symbol is not added as a separate element but is embedded within the image object itself, combining identification and visualization functions into one unified component.
Solution Approach 2:
The image object serves multiple functions simultaneously: it visualizes the component status for human operators and contains the code symbol for automated machine recognition. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate identification elements.
2Measurement precision
If code symbols are integrated by modifying pixel parameters, then code recognition accuracy improves, but visual quality and human interpretability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only specific pixel parameters (such as brightness or color intensity) within the image object to encode the code symbol, while leaving other pixels unchanged. This localized modification preserves overall visual quality while enabling machine recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The code symbol is integrated by changing parameters of existing pixels (such as brightness levels or color values) rather than adding separate elements. These parameter changes encode information while maintaining the image's visual integrity for human interpretation.
3Reliability
If redundant information is provided through code symbols, then system reliability and error detection improve, but information processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The code symbol creates a redundant copy of the image object's identification and status information in a machine-readable format. This copying enables automated verification and error detection without requiring additional physical components or separate information sources.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for generating a process image (PA) of a technical system, in particular a railway track system (50). In the method, image objects (B1-B5) are displayed on a display device (30), each said image object visualizing a component (100, 130, 180) or a section of the technical system and the state of the respective component or section. According to the invention, at least one of the image objects (B1-B5) is provided with a two-dimensional code symbol (110, 120, 160, 170, 210) which uniquely identifies the component (100, 130, 180) represented by the image object (B1-B5) or the section represented by the image object (B1-B5) within the technical system.