Method and apparatus for automatic zone occupation detection via video capture

• US 7,844,078 B1
• Filed: 06/05/2007
• Issued: 11/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aydin Arpa, Gianni Arcaini, Zhipeng Liu
• Original Assignee: Aydin Arpa, Gianni Arcaini, Zhipeng Liu
• Inventors: Liu, Zhipeng, Arcaini, Gianni, Arpa, Aydin
• Primary Examiner(s): Tabatabai; Abolfazl
• Application Number:
  US11/758,427
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 382/104, 701/19, 701/29, 701/117, 701/204, 701/205, 701/207, 701/211, 701/213, 701/20, 701/35, 701/210, 340/10.51, 340/993, 340/995.19, 340/991, 104/26.1, 104/162, 104/26.2, 104/88.04, 104/118, 246/3, 246/36, 246/70
• US Class Current: 382/104
• CPC Class Codes: B61B 1/005 Rail vehicle marshalling systems; Rail freight terminals transferring or trans-shipping at storage areas or railway yards; marshalling yard installations B65G63/00
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 17/02 Details, e.g. indicating degree of track filling
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 23/041 Obstacle detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/54 of traffic, e.g. cars on the road, trains or boats

Abstract

This is a device by which certain areas of classification yards and railcar systems may be monitored via video capture in order to detect certain occupants in a particular area. This would ensure greater rail yard safety in terms of personal property and also minimize the risk of personal injury to a worker or the general population.

Claims

1. An apparatus for automatic zone occupation and detection of video capture, which is comprised of:

a. a video capture device;

wherein a video capture device is provided;

wherein the video capture device is positioned at a predetermined location;

wherein the placement of the video capture device is positioned to obtain the greatest area of coverage of a predetermined area;

b. a classification yard;

said classification yard is comprised of a series of tracks on which a plurality of rail cars will travel;

railcars to be directed to particular locations within the yard;

c. a buffer zone;

wherein a buffer zone is established within the classification yard;

wherein the buffer zone is a predetermined area within the classification yard;

d. a switching mechanism;

wherein the switching mechanism directs railcars on the tracks in the classification yard;

wherein a plurality of switches directs the flow or rail cars in the classification yard;

e. software;

wherein software processes the captured video image;

wherein the software produces an algorithm of the information that is processed;

wherein the algorithm that is produced is transmitted to a remote location;

wherein the software may be altered to accommodate changes in environmental conditions.

2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the captured image is black and white.

3. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the captured image is a color image.

4. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the video capture device has infrared capability.

5. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the video capture device operates in low lighting environments.

6. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the classification yard is a flat shunted yard.

7. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the classification yard is a hump yard.

8. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the classification yard is a gravity yard.

9. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the algorithm that is produced is further comprised of four separate phases;

wherein the first phase is a frame processing phase;

wherein the second phase is a feature extraction phase;

wherein the third phase is an occupation detection phase;

wherein the fourth phase is an alarm feature phase.

10. The apparatus as described in claim 1 is further comprised of a visual alarm.

11. The apparatus as described in claim 1 is further comprised of an audible alarm.

12. A method for automatic zone occupation and detection of video capture, which is comprised of the following steps:

a. employing a video capture device;

wherein the video capture device is positioned at a predetermined location within a rail yard;

wherein the placement of the video capture device is positioned to obtain the greatest area of coverage of a predetermined area;

b. providing a buffer zone;

wherein a buffer zone is established within a classification yard;

said classification yard is comprised of a series of tracks on which a plurality of rail cars will travel;

wherein a classification yard allows certain railcars to be directed to particular locations within the rail yard;

wherein the buffer zone is a predetermined area within the classification yard;

c. providing a switching mechanism;

wherein the switching mechanism directs railcars on the tracks in the classification yard;

wherein a plurality of switches directs the flow or rail cars in the classification yard;

d. software;

wherein software processes the captured video image;

wherein the software produces an algorithm of the information that is processed;

wherein the algorithm that is produced is transmitted to a remote location;

wherein the software may be altered to accommodate changes in environmental conditions;

e. providing alarms;

wherein alarms are provided to alert the operator of the system based on preset configurations.

13. The method as described in claim 12 wherein the classification yard is a flat shunted yard.

14. The method as described in claim 12 wherein the classification yard is a hump yard.

15. The method as described in claim 12 wherein the classification yard is a gravity yard.