초록 ▼

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 infrar

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of evaluating a vehicle, the method comprising: obtaining evaluation data for the vehicle on a computer system including at least one computing device, wherein the evaluation data for the vehicle is concurrently acquired in a single pass, the obtaining including: obtaining infrared data

1. A method of evaluating a vehicle, the method comprising: obtaining evaluation data for the vehicle on a computer system including at least one computing device, wherein the evaluation data for the vehicle is concurrently acquired in a single pass, the obtaining including: obtaining infrared data for a plurality of sides of the vehicle on the computer system;in response to obtaining the infrared data, processing the infrared data using the computer system 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; andobtaining vehicle identification data for distinguishing the vehicle from another vehicle on the computer system;automatically analyzing the processed infrared data to determine a presence of the at least one anomaly using the computer system, wherein the analyzing includes determining whether a wheel of the vehicle comprises an infrared signature outside of an expected infrared signature range using the processed infrared data; andproviding a result of the analyzing and the vehicle identification data from the computer system for use at an inspection station. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically detecting a presence of the vehicle, the obtaining evaluation data being automatically performed in response to the detected presence. 3. The method of claim 1, the obtaining vehicle identification data including obtaining a visible image of the vehicle. 4. The method of claim 1, the obtaining infrared data including: acquiring a first infrared image for a first side of the vehicle; andacquiring 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 a wheel of the vehicle. 6. The method of claim 5, the examining including comparing a brightness of a portion of at least one of the first or second infrared images corresponding to a portion of the wheel 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 1, further comprising inspecting the vehicle based on the result of the analyzing. 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: obtaining evaluation data for the vehicle, the obtaining including: obtaining infrared data for a plurality of sides of the vehicle, wherein the infrared data is acquired in a single pass;in response to obtaining the infrared data, 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, 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; andobtaining vehicle identification data for distinguishing the vehicle from another vehicle;automatically analyzing the processed infrared data to determine a presence of the at least one anomaly, wherein the analyzing includes determining whether a wheel of the vehicle comprises an infrared signature outside of an expected infrared signature range using the processed infrared data; andproviding a result of the analyzing and the vehicle identification data for use at an inspection station. 10. The system of claim 9, the method further comprising: automatically detecting a presence of the vehicle, the obtaining evaluation data being automatically performed in response to the detected presence. 11. The system of claim 9, the obtaining evaluation data further including obtaining a visible image of the vehicle, the analyzing further analyzing the visible image to determine the presence of at least one anomaly. 12. The system of claim 9, the obtaining evaluation data further including obtaining non-image data for the vehicle, the analyzing further analyzing the non-image data to determine the presence of at least one anomaly. 13. The system of claim 9, the obtaining infrared data including: acquiring a first infrared image for a first side of the vehicle; andacquiring a second infrared image for a second side of the vehicle. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the obtaining infrared data includes a device located in a path 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: a computer system configured to evaluate a vehicle, the computer system including at least one computing device for performing a method comprising: automatically detecting the vehicle;obtaining evaluation data for the vehicle in response to detecting the vehicle, wherein the evaluation data includes infrared data corresponding to a component of the vehicle enhanced and extracted from infrared data captured by at least one infrared device, and wherein the infrared data is enhanced and extracted using 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 the component of the vehicle in the infrared data; andautomatically analyzing the evaluation data to determine a presence of the at least one anomaly, wherein the analyzing includes determining whether the component of the vehicle comprises an infrared signature outside of an expected infrared signature range using the evaluation data; andan identification device for obtaining vehicle identification data for distinguishing the vehicle from another vehicle, wherein the evaluation data further includes the vehicle identification data obtained by the identification device. 17. The system of claim 16, the method further comprising providing a result of the analyzing and the vehicle identification data for use at an inspection station. 18. The system of claim 16, further comprising a system for obtaining non-infrared data for the vehicle, wherein the evaluation data further includes the non-infrared data. 19. The system of claim 18, the non-infrared data including at least one of: a visible image or acoustic data. 20. The system of claim 16, further comprising: a first infrared device on a first side of the vehicle; anda second infrared device on a second side of the vehicle, distinct from the first side, the at least one anomaly including at least one of: a brake anomaly, a bearing anomaly, or a wheel anomaly.