Vehicle Evaluation Using Infrared Data

• US 20130268155A1
• Filed: 06/06/2013
• Published: 10/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
• Original Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corp.
• Inventors: Mian, Zahid F., Foss, Robert W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,649,932 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29.6
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/0033 Wheel
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2005/0077 Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0022 for sensing the radiation of moving bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/20 using resistors, thermistors or semiconductors sensitive to radiation, e.g. photoconductive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/007 Wheeled or endless-tracked vehicles G01M17/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/013 Wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/88 Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/00 Registering or indicating the working of vehicles

Abstract

A solution for evaluating a vehicle using infrared data is provided. In particular, evaluation data for the vehicle is obtained, which includes infrared data for a plurality of sides of the vehicle as well as vehicle identification data for distinguishing the vehicle from another vehicle. The infrared data is processed to enhance a set of signal features. Additional non-infrared based data also can be obtained for evaluating the vehicle. The evaluation data is analyzed to determine whether one or more anomalies are present. The anomaly(ies) can be correlated with a possible problem with a component of the vehicle. Data on the anomaly, problem, and/or vehicle identification can be provided for use on another system, such as a remote inspection station, maintenance system, and/or the like.

Claims

1. A method of evaluating a vehicle, the method comprising:

processing infrared data corresponding to at least one side of the vehicle acquired in a single pass of the vehicle using a computer system including at least one computing device to enhance a set of signal features in the infrared data and extract infrared wheel data corresponding to each of a plurality of wheels on the vehicle from the infrared data, wherein the processing uses at least one enhancement process selected from a group of enhancement processes based on at least one anomaly, the group of enhancement processes including;

segmentation, fusion of multiple infrared images in the infrared data, edge detection within an infrared image in the infrared data, applying thresholding to assign a pixel in the infrared data to white or black, and feature detection of a wheel of the vehicle in the infrared data; and

analyzing the infrared data to determine a presence of at least one anomaly; and

providing a result of the analyzing for use by an inspection station.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically detecting a presence of the vehicle; and

automatically obtaining evaluation data in response to the detected presence.

3. The method of claim 2, the obtaining vehicle identification data including obtaining a visible image of the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 2, the obtaining evaluation data including:

acquiring a first infrared image for a first side of the vehicle; and

acquiring a second infrared image for a second side of the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4, the analyzing including examining a portion of each of the first and second infrared images that includes at least one of:

a wheel or a brake of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 5, the examining including comparing a brightness of a portion of the at least one of:

the wheel or the brake with an expected brightness.

7. The method of claim 6, the portion of the wheel comprising at least one of:

a wheel rim or a tread surface.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein at least one of the acquirings uses an infrared imaging device located below the vehicle.

9. A system comprising:

a computer system configured to evaluate a vehicle, the computer system including at least one computing device for performing a method comprising;

processing infrared data corresponding to at least one side of the vehicle acquired in a single pass of the vehicle using a computer system including at least one computing device to enhance a set of signal features in the infrared data and extract infrared wheel data corresponding to each of a plurality of wheels on the vehicle from the infrared data, wherein the processing uses at least one enhancement process selected from a group of enhancement processes based on at least one anomaly, the group of enhancement processes including;

segmentation, fusion of multiple infrared images in the infrared data, edge detection within an infrared image in the infrared data, applying thresholding to assign a pixel in the infrared data to white or black, and feature detection of a wheel of the vehicle in the infrared data; and

analyzing the infrared data to determine a presence of at least one anomaly; and

providing a result of the analyzing for use by an inspection station.

10. The system of claim 9, the method further comprising:

automatically detecting a presence of the vehicle; and

automatically obtaining evaluation data in response to the detected presence.

11. The system of claim 9, the method further comprising analyzing visible image data corresponding to the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising an acquisition component located in a path of the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the acquisition component includes a set of infrared imaging devices configured to acquire the infrared data while located below the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the set of infrared imaging devices includes a single infrared imaging device configured to acquire infrared image data for both a first side of the vehicle and for a second side of the vehicle opposite the first side of the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 9, the at least one anomaly including at least one of:

a brake anomaly, a bearing anomaly, or a wheel anomaly.

16. A system comprising:

an acquisition component located in a path of a vehicle to be evaluated, wherein the acquisition component includes a set of infrared imaging devices configured to acquire infrared data while located below the vehicle during a single pass of the vehicle;

a computer system configured to evaluate the vehicle, the computer system including at least one computing device for performing a method comprising;

processing the infrared data to enhance a set of signal features in the infrared data and extract infrared wheel data corresponding to each of a plurality of wheels on the vehicle from the infrared data, wherein the processing uses at least one enhancement process selected from a group of enhancement processes based on at least one anomaly, the group of enhancement processes including;

segmentation, fusion of multiple infrared images in the infrared data, edge detection within an infrared image in the infrared data, applying thresholding to assign a pixel in the infrared data to white or black, and feature detection of a wheel of the vehicle in the infrared data.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the set of infrared imaging devices includes a single infrared imaging device configured to acquire infrared image data for both a first side of the vehicle and for a second side of the vehicle opposite the first side of the vehicle.

18. The system of claim 16, the method further comprising:

analyzing the infrared data to determine a presence of at least one anomaly; and

providing a result of the analyzing for use by an inspection station.

19. The system of claim 18, the at least one anomaly including at least one of:

a brake anomaly, a bearing anomaly, or a wheel anomaly.

20. The system of claim 16, further comprising a system for obtaining non-infrared data for the vehicle during the single pass of the vehicle.