Optical route examination system and method

US11767016B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Transportation IP Holdings, LLC · US

Inventors

• Nidhi Naithani · Bengaluru, IN
• Dattaraj Jagdish Rao · Bengaluru, IN
• Anju Bind · Bengaluru, IN
• Sreyashi Dey Chaki · Bengaluru, IN
• James D. Brooks · Schenectady, US
• Jeffrey S. Armstrong · Albuquerque, US
• Michael Scott Miner · Melbourne, US
• Shannon Joseph Clouse · Lawrence Park, US
• Harry Kirk Mathews, Jr. · Clifton Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 27, 2021
• Grant date: Sep 26, 2023
• Expiry date: Sep 15, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60W2420/403
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method includes obtaining one or more images of a segment of a route from a camera while a vehicle is moving along the route. The segment of the route includes one or more guide lanes. The method also includes comparing, with one or more computer processors, the one or more images of the segment of the route with a benchmark visual profile of the route based at least in part on an overlay of the one or more images onto the benchmark visual profile or an overlay of the benchmark visual profile onto the one or more images. The one or more processors identify a misaligned segment of the route based on one or more differences between the one or more images and the benchmark visual profile and respond to the identification of the misaligned segment of the route by modifying an operating parameter of the vehicle.