System and method for installation of train detection apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12332340-B2
Application number	US-202217960248-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 5, 2022
Priority date	Oct 5, 2022
Publication date	Jun 17, 2025
Grant date	Jun 17, 2025

Abstract

Methods and systems for train detection apparatus angle alignment is described. A train detection system includes a train detection apparatus configured for installation at an installation site at a defined angle with respect to railroad tracks and a processor configured to execute a method for aligning the train detection apparatus to the defined angle. The processor configured to determine a railroad tracks angle with respect to a reference angle based on an image captured of the installation site, obtain, from a sensor, a train detection apparatus angle with respect to the reference angle, determine an alignment angle based on the railroad tracks angle and the train detection apparatus angle, and send the alignment angle to substantially align the train detection apparatus to the railroad tracks in accordance with the defined angle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A train detection system comprising:
a train detection apparatus configured for installation at an installation site at a defined angle with respect to railroad tracks; and
a processor configured to:
determine a railroad tracks angle with respect to a reference angle based on an image captured of the installation site;
obtain, from a sensor, a train detection apparatus angle with respect to the reference angle;
determine an alignment angle based on the railroad tracks angle and the train detection apparatus angle; and
send the alignment angle to the train detection apparatus to substantially align the train detection apparatus to the railroad tracks in accordance with a defined angle.

2. The train detection system of claim 1 , wherein the train detection apparatus includes an actuator, the actuator configured to:
receive, from the processor, the alignment angle; and
adjust an angle of the train detection apparatus based on the alignment angle to substantially align with the defined angle.

3. The train detection system of claim 2 , wherein the train detection apparatus is a radar and the actuator is a stepper motor, the radar configured to be installed at a defined height.

4. The train detection system of claim 1 , wherein the train detection apparatus includes a radar which is equipped with a stepper motor, the stepper motor configured to adjust an angle of the radar based on the alignment angle to substantially align with the defined angle.

5. The train detection system of claim 4 , wherein the train detection apparatus includes a camera which is equipped with a camera stepper motor, the camera stepper motor configured to adjust an angle of the camera based on the alignment angle to substantially align with the defined angle.

6. The train detection system of claim 5 , wherein the camera includes an adjustable lens and wherein a device configured for use by a technician is configured to:
receive, from the processor, a camera stream;
display camera stream to the technician; and
send commands to adjust the adjustable lens for focal alignment.

7. The train detection system of claim 4 , wherein the defined angle is substantially 30°.

8. The train detection system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
convert the image to a greyscale image;
draw lines using collinear points detected in the greyscale image using a defined threshold; and
detect the railroad tracks based on drawn lines.

9. The train detection system of claim 8 , wherein the defined threshold is adjusted if a number of drawn lines is greater than a defined value.

10. The train detection system of claim 1 , wherein a device configured for use by a technician is configured to:
receive, from the processor, the alignment angle;
display at least the alignment angle to the technician; and
indicate substantial alignment when the train detection apparatus is moved based on the displayed alignment angle.

11. The train detection system of claim 10 , wherein an indication can be at least one of a visible indicator or an audible indicator.

12. A method for providing a calibration angle, the method comprising:
determining, by a processor, a train tracks angle with respect to a defined angle based on an image captured of an installation site;
obtaining, from a sensor for an apparatus, an apparatus angle with respect to the defined angle;
determining, by the processor, a calibration angle based on the train tracks angle and the apparatus angle; and
sending, by the processor, the calibration angle to align the apparatus to the train tracks to substantially match the defined angle.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein an actuator adjusts an angle of the apparatus based on the calibration angle.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the apparatus includes a radar installed at defined height and the actuator is a stepper motor.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the apparatus includes a camera which is equipped with a camera stepper motor which adjusts an angle of the camera based on the calibration angle.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
receiving, at the processor, a camera stream;
displaying, by the processor, the camera stream to a technician; and
sending, by the processor, commands to adjust an adjustable lens for focal alignment.

17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
displaying, by the processor, the calibration angle to a technician; and
indicating, by the processor, substantial alignment when the apparatus is moved based on the displayed calibration angle.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
converting, by the processor, the image to a greyscale image;
generating, by the processor, lines using collinear points detected in the greyscale image using a defined threshold; and
detecting, by the processor, train tracks based on drawn lines.

19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
receiving, from the sensor by the processor, updated apparatus angles; and
repeating, by the processor, when the apparatus is out of alignment in accordance with the defined angle.

20. A method for providing a calibration angle angle alignment, the method comprising:
determining, by a processor, a reference object angle of a reference object with respect to a reference angle from an image;
determining, by the processor, an installation object angle of an installation object with respect to the reference angle;
determining, by the processor, a calibration angle between the reference object and the installation object based on the reference object angle and the installation object angle; and
sending, by the processor, the calibration angle to align the installation object.

Assignees

• Charter Communications Operating Llc

Inventors

• Daoud Mohamed
• Heikal Hany
• Chopade Vishal G
• Hmimy Hossam

Classifications

• H04N23/698

  for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture · CPC title

• H04N23/695 Primary

  Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects · CPC title

• G01B21/24

  for testing alignment of axes · CPC title

• B61L25/023

  Determination of driving direction of vehicle or train · CPC title

• G06V20/50

  Context or environment of the image · CPC title