US 8,335,606 B2 · Thermal imaging-based vehicle analysis

Abstract

Analysis of a vehicle is performed using multi-dimensional infrared image data acquired for the vehicle. A component of the vehicle can be identified within the infrared image data, and the infrared image data for the component can be analyzed to determine whether any condition(s) are present on the vehicle. One or more actions can be initiated in response to a determination that a particular condition is present. Additionally, visible image data can be used to supplement the infrared image data. Still further, infrared image data for similar components imaged concurrently with the component can be used to identify whether any condition(s) are present on the vehicle. Unlike prior art approaches in the rail industry, the analysis can be performed on rail vehicles within a classification yard.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for analyzing a vehicle, the system comprising:

a component configured to automatically process multi-dimensional infrared image data for the vehicle by performing a processing method including:
identifying at least one component of the vehicle in the infrared image data;
and
determining whether any one of a set of conditions are present on the vehicle based on a relative difference between at least one of a plurality of features in the infrared image data of the at least one component and at least one of a plurality of features in infrared image data for at least one other component of the same type as the at least one component;
and
a component configured to automatically determine a set of actions in response to a determination that at least one of the set of conditions is present on the vehicle.

3 more elements

A classification yard including:

at least one infrared imaging device for acquiring multi-dimensional infrared image data for a rail vehicle in the classification yard;
a component configured to automatically process the infrared image data for the rail vehicle by performing a processing method including:
identifying at least one component of the rail vehicle in the infrared image data;
determining whether any one of a set of conditions are present on the rail vehicle based on a relative difference between at least one of a plurality of features in the infrared image data of the at least one component and a plurality of features in infrared image data for at least one other component of the same type as the at least one component, wherein the at least one other component is included on at least one of:
the rail vehicle, a train including the rail vehicle, or a consist including the rail vehicle;
determining a set of actions in response to a determination that at least one of the set of conditions is present on the rail vehicle;
and
providing the set of actions for processing by a control center of the classification yard in response to the determination.

5 more elements

A system for analyzing a vehicle, the system comprising:

a component configured to automatically process multi-dimensional infrared image data for the vehicle by performing a processing method including:
identifying a first component of the vehicle in the infrared image data;
determining whether any one of a set of conditions are present on the vehicle based on the infrared image data of the first component, wherein the determining includes, for at least one condition in the set of conditions, comparing the infrared image data of the first component to at least one of a plurality of features in infrared image data for each of a plurality of other components of the same type as the first component to determine whether the at least one of the set of conditions is present;
and
determining a set of actions in response to a determination that at least one of the set of conditions is present on the vehicle.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thermal imaging-based vehicle analysis

Life of this patent

Thermal imaging-based vehicle analysis

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20