Railway Route Detection via Light Panel Image Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current railway route data from light control panels is not accessible in an automated manner, limiting the ability to efficiently manage maintenance, accident prevention, and operator training, as these panels do not provide digital or analog data for subsequent use.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that analyze images of light control panels to determine railway routes automatically, without physical or electrical interaction, by comparing current and previous images to identify route segments, allowing for dynamic tracking and storage of route data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If light control panels are used to display railway journeys, then visual information is provided, but digital or analog data for automated processing is not available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to route dataVSAvoidautomated data access
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses image capture devices (cameras) to create visual copies of the light control panel displays. These images are then processed through image recognition algorithms to extract route information, effectively copying data from an optical display format into a digital format that can be automatedly processed and stored.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If automated methods are implemented to access route data, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute determination speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual observation and documentation methods with automated image capture and processing systems. Cameras and image recognition software automatically capture and analyze the light control panel displays, eliminating the need for manual data transcription and significantly improving productivity while managing complexity through software-based solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If image analysis methods are used to determine routes, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute determination simplicityVSAvoidroute identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system captures images of the light control panel, processes them through image recognition, and then validates the extracted route information against known route patterns and databases. This feedback loop allows the system to correct errors and improve accuracy while maintaining ease of operation through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2939902B1Method and device for determining a railway itinerary
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 SNCF RESEAU
  • EP2939902B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2939902B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (100) for determining at least one railway route displayed on a light display device, said method (100) comprising several iterations of an analysis phase (104) including the following steps: - acquisition (106) of an image, referred to as the current image, of said light display device; - comparison (110) of said current image with an image, referred to as the previous image, of said display device acquired during a previous iteration; and - determination (112, 114), based on said comparison, of at least one railway route. It also relates to a device implementing such a method.