Light emission power control apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A system for inspecting a railway track, the system comprising:
- a power source;
a light emitting apparatus powered by the power source for emitting light energy toward a railway track;
a data storage apparatus in communication with a processor;
at least one sensor for sensing reflected light emitted from the light emitting apparatus and acquiring three dimensional range and intensity data of the railway track to be stored in the data storage apparatus; and
the processor wherein the processor includes an algorithm for adjusting the power of the light emitting apparatus, the algorithm comprising the steps of;
a. calculating one or more intensity histograms for an at least one sensor channel; and
b. adjusting a light emitter control output value based at least in part on the calculated one or more intensity histograms; and
a controller in communication with the processor wherein the controller is configured to control the light intensity of the light emitting apparatus in response to the light emitter control output value.
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Abstract
A system and method for adjusting light emitter output for a railway track inspection system based on data feedback from one or more sensors.
130 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for inspecting a railway track, the system comprising:
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a power source; a light emitting apparatus powered by the power source for emitting light energy toward a railway track; a data storage apparatus in communication with a processor; at least one sensor for sensing reflected light emitted from the light emitting apparatus and acquiring three dimensional range and intensity data of the railway track to be stored in the data storage apparatus; and the processor wherein the processor includes an algorithm for adjusting the power of the light emitting apparatus, the algorithm comprising the steps of; a. calculating one or more intensity histograms for an at least one sensor channel; and b. adjusting a light emitter control output value based at least in part on the calculated one or more intensity histograms; and a controller in communication with the processor wherein the controller is configured to control the light intensity of the light emitting apparatus in response to the light emitter control output value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of inspecting a railway track bed using a light source with real time adjustable light emission the method comprising the steps of:
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a. emitting light from a light source toward a railway track bed; b. detecting light reflected from the railway track bed using at least one sensor; c. calculating at least one intensity histogram for the at least one sensor channel; d. adjusting a light emitter control output value based on the calculated at least one intensity histogram; and e. controlling the light intensity of the light emitting apparatus in response to the adjusted light control output value. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification