Description:BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system for detecting visual defects and particularly to an Internet of Things Based system for the detection of the obstacles and the cracks in a railway track.
Description of Related Art
[002] The safety and integrity of railway tracks are paramount for the efficient and secure operation of rail networks worldwide. However, ensuring the continuous assessment and maintenance of tracks, particularly in expansive rail networks, presents a significant challenge. The timely detection of visual defects along railway tracks is crucial to preempt potential hazards and prevent accidents.
[003] Existing methods for track inspection predominantly rely on manual inspections, which are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and subject to human error. Additionally, traditional methods may lack the precision required to identify minute cracks or hidden obstacles, leaving room for critical oversights. Furthermore, adverse weather conditions or inaccessible terrains can further hinder thorough track assessments.
[004] There is thus a need for an improved and advanced system for the detection of the visual defects in a railway track that can administer the aforementioned limitations in a more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a system for detection of visual defects in a railway track. The system comprising: a first ultrasonic sensor adapted to detect the cracks in a first railway track. The system further comprising: a second ultrasonic sensor adapted to detect the cracks in a second railway track. The system further comprising: an infrared sensor adapted to detect the obstacles on the railway track. The system further comprising: a control unit communicatively connected to the first ultrasonic sensor, the second ultrasonic sensor, and the infrared sensor. The control unit is configured to: receive the detected cracks in the first railway track, the detected cracks in the second railway track, and the obstacles on the railway track from the first ultrasonic sensor, the second ultrasonic sensor, and the infrared sensor; and activate a display unit to display a message of ‘CRACK DETECTED’ when cracks are detected in the first railway track or the second railway track, and display a message of ‘OBSTACLE DETECTED’ when obstacles are detected on the railway track.
[006] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on their particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for detection of visual defects in a railway track.
[007] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for detection of visual defects in a railway track that is easy to implement.
[008] Next, embodiments of the present application may provide a system for detection of visual defects in a railway track that is easy to maintain.
[009] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[0010] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a system for detection of visual defects in a railway track, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 1B illustrates the system for detection of the visual defects in the railway track, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 1C illustrates a display unit of the system for detection of the visual defects in the railway track, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1D illustrates the display unit of the system for detection of the visual defects in the railway track, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for detection of the visual defects in the railway track, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising", "comprises”, and the like (which are synonymous with "including", "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of", “consists essentially of", and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of", "consists of”, the like.
[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0021] FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 for detection of visual defects in a railway track, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 may utilize Internet of Things (IoT) technology for detecting the visual defects in the railway track. The visual defects may be, but not limited to, cracks, obstacles, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the visual defects including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0022] According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise a first ultrasonic sensor 102a, a second ultrasonic sensor 102b, an infrared sensor 104, a control unit 106, a display unit 108, brakes 110, a location tracking unit 112, a communication unit 114, a database 116, a user device 118, and a power supply unit 120.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first ultrasonic sensor 102a may be adapted to detect cracks in a first railway track. The second ultrasonic sensor 102b may be adapted to detect cracks in a second railway track, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the infrared sensor 104 sensor may be adapted to detect obstacles on the railway track.
[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 106 may be connected to the first ultrasonic sensor 102a, the second ultrasonic sensor 102b, and the infrared sensor 104. The control unit 106 may be configured to receive the detected cracks in the first railway track, the detected cracks in the second railway track, and the obstacles on the railway track from the first ultrasonic sensor 102a, the second ultrasonic sensor 102b, and the infrared sensor 104.
[0025] The control unit 106 may further be configured to activate the display unit 108 to display a message of ‘CRACK DETECTED’ when cracks may be detected in the first railway track or the second railway track and display a message of ‘OBSTACLE DETECTED’ when obstacles may be detected on the railway track, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 106 is may further be configured to actuate the brakes 110 of a train when obstacles may be detected on the railway track.
[0026] The control unit 106 may further be configured to execute computer-executable instructions to generate an output relating to the system 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 106 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control (PLC) unit, a microprocessor, a development board, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 106 may be an Arduino Mega 256. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the control unit 106 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 108 may be adapted to display the message of ‘CRACK DETECTED’ when cracks may be detected in the first railway track or the second railway track, and display the message of ‘OBSTACLE DETECTED’ when obstacles may be detected on the railway track. According to embodiments of the present invention, the display unit 108 maybe, but not limited to, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, and so forth. Further, the display unit 108 may feature a backlight that may be turned on and/or turned off based on a requirement. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the display unit 108 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the location tracking unit 112 may be adapted to flag a location of detected cracks and detected obstacles. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the flagged location may be represented in x° North, y° East coordinated format. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the flagged location may be in x° North y minute and z second, a° East b minute and c second coordinated format. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the flagged location may be in any format. According to embodiments of the present invention, the location tracking unit 112 may be of any type such as, but not limited to, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), a Real-time locating system (RTLS), and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the location tracking unit 112 may be a Global Positioning System (GPS). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the location tracking unit 112, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 114 may be adapted to establish communication among the location tracking unit 112, the database 116, and the user device 118. The communication may be facilitated using the communication unit 114 by generation and establishment of a communication link, in an embodiment of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the communication unit 114 may be, but not limited to, a Wi-Fi communication unit, a Bluetooth communication unit, a millimeter waves communication unit, an Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) communication unit, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 114 may be a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM). Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication unit 114, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the database 116 may be adapted to store the flagged location of the detected cracks and the detected obstacle. According to embodiments of the present invention, the database 116 may be for example, but not limited to, a distributed database, a personal database, an end-user database, a commercial database, a Structured Query Language (SQL) database, a non-SQL database, an operational database, a relational database, an object-oriented database, a graph database, and so forth. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the database 116 may be a cloud database. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the database 116 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0031] Further, the database 116 may be stored in a cloud server, in an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server may be remotely located. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server may be a public cloud server. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server may be a private cloud server. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server may be a dedicated cloud server. According to embodiments of the present invention, the cloud server maybe, but not limited to, a Microsoft Azure cloud server, an Amazon AWS cloud server, a Google Compute Engine (GEC) cloud server, an Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) cloud server, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the cloud server including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the user device 118 may be a device used by authorities. The user device 118 may be adapted to receive the flagged location of the detected cracks and the detected obstacles. alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user device 118 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. In an embodiment of the present invention, the personal computer may be, but not limited to, a desktop, a server, a laptop, and alike. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the personal computer including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the consumer device may be, but not limited to, a tablet, a mobile phone, a notebook, a netbook, a smartphone, a wearable device, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the consumer device including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the power supply unit 120 may be adapted to supply operational power to the control unit 106.
[0034] FIG. 1B illustrates the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 1C illustrates the display unit 108 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 108 may be adapted to display the message of ‘CRACK DETECTED’ when cracks may be detected in the first railway track or the second railway track.
[0036] FIG. 1D illustrates the display unit 108 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 108 may be adapted to display the message of ‘OBSTACLE DETECTED’ when obstacles may be detected on the railway track.
[0037] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method 200 for detection of visual defects in the railway track using the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] At step 202, the system 100 may receive the detected cracks in the first railway track from the first ultrasonic sensor 102a.
[0039] At step 204, the system 100 may receive the detected cracks in the second railway track from the second ultrasonic sensor 102b.
[0040] At step 206, the system 100 may display the message ‘CRACK DETECTED’.
[0041] At step 208, the system 100 may receive the detected obstacle on the railway track from the infrared sensor 104.
[0042] At step 210, the system 100 may display the message of ‘OBSTACLE DETECTED’.
[0043] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims.
[0044] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A system (100) for detection of visual defects in a railway track, the system (100) comprising:
a first ultrasonic sensor (102a) adapted to detect cracks in a first railway track;
a second ultrasonic sensor (102b) adapted to detect the cracks in a second railway track;
an infrared sensor (104) sensor adapted to detect obstacles on the railway track; and
a control unit (106) communicatively connected to the first ultrasonic sensor (102a), the second ultrasonic sensor (102b), and the infrared sensor (104), characterized in that the control unit (106) is configured to:
receive the detected cracks in the first railway track, the detected cracks in the second railway track, and the obstacles on the railway track from the first ultrasonic sensor (102a), the second ultrasonic sensor (102b), and the infrared sensor (104); and
activate a display unit (108) to display a message of ‘CRACK DETECTED’ when cracks are detected in the first railway track or the second railway track, and display a message of ‘OBSTACLE DETECTED’ when obstacles are detected on the railway track.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (106) is adapted to actuate brakes (110) of a train when obstacles are detected on the railway track.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (106) is an Arduino Mega 256.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display unit (108) is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a power supply unit (120)120to supply operational power to the control unit (106).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a location tracking unit (112) to flag a location of detected cracks and detected obstacles.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (106) is configured to save the flagged location of the detected cracks and the detected obstacles to a database (116).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (106) is configured to transmit the flagged location of the detected cracks, and the detected obstacles to a user device (118) using a communication unit (114).
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication unit (114) is a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM).
10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the database (116) is a cloud database.
Date: November 30, 2023
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)