Abstract

Pantograph identification methods and devices including computer-implemented methods, software, computer systems for identifying a pantograph of an electric vehicle represented in an image captured by a camera. The method includes, for each pair of adjacent edges represented in the image, determining distances between the adjacent edges, wherein the distances are in a same direction for each of the distances. Then determining a point weight for points of the image associated with the distance by comparing the distance to a value or a value range representing a dimension of the pantograph. Further determining a region of the image that represents the pantograph based on the point weights.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06T 7/70 - Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras
• B60L 3/12 - Recording operating variables
• B60M 1/28 - Manufacturing or repairing trolley lines
• G06T 7/00 - Image analysis
• G06T 7/13 - Edge detection
• H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
• G06K 9/46 - Extraction of features or characteristics of the image

Abstract

Computer-implemented methods, software, and computer systems for identifying a contact point between a pantograph of an electric vehicle and a power supply line represented in an image. The method includes, based on edges represented in the image, determining a first intersection point P1 and a second intersection point P2 that are sufficiently separated. The first intersection point P1 is formed by an intersection of a first edge Line with a top edge of the pantograph, and the second intersection point P2 is formed by an intersection of a second edge with the top edge of the pantograph. Then determining a first slope associated with the first edge, and a second slope associated with the second edge. Further, identifying the first intersection point P1 or the second intersection point P2 as the contact point between the pantograph and the power supply line by comparing the first slope and the second slope.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60M 1/28 - Manufacturing or repairing trolley lines
• G06T 7/13 - Edge detection
• B60L 3/12 - Recording operating variables

Abstract

A method of detecting arcing between two electrical conductors the method including generating an image of the electrical conductors; determining a region of interest in the image where arcing between the electrical conductors is likely to occur, isolating the region of interest processing arcing candidates captured in the image and falling within the region of interest to screen the arcing candidates to reject artifacts likely to have been caused by factors other than arcing, and validating that a selected arcing candidate is an arc by further processing the selected arcing candidate.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
• G06T 7/00 - Image analysis
• B60M 1/28 - Manufacturing or repairing trolley lines
• G06T 7/64 - Analysis of geometric attributes of convexity or concavity
• G01R 31/00 - Arrangements for testing electric propertiesArrangements for locating electric faultsArrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
• G01R 31/12 - Testing dielectric strength or breakdown voltage
• G06K 9/32 - Aligning or centering of the image pick-up or image-field
• B60L 5/00 - Current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles
• H01H 9/50 - Means for detecting the presence of an arc or discharge

Abstract

A system for detecting arcing between two electrical conductors includes an image capture arrangement including a plurality of image capture devices configured to be arranged in spaced relationship relative to one another and to a contact region between the electrical conductors so as to provide depth information. A processor is responsive to the image capture arrangement for computing a depth range of the contact region between the electrical conductors relative to a first image capture device of the image capture arrangement and determining if an arcing candidate appears within the computed depth range for the first image capture device of the image capture arrangement and at least one further image capture device of the image capture arrangement and, if it does, flagging the candidate as arcing at the contact region.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• B60M 1/28 - Manufacturing or repairing trolley lines
• H04N 13/271 - Image signal generators wherein the generated image signals comprise depth maps or disparity maps
• H04N 13/296 - Synchronisation thereofControl thereof
• H04N 5/247 - Arrangement of television cameras
• G06T 7/00 - Image analysis
• G06T 7/593 - Depth or shape recovery from multiple images from stereo images
• B60L 5/00 - Current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles

Abstract

A method of detecting arcing between two electrical conductors (14, 24), the method including generating an image of the electrical conductors; (14, 24), determining a region of interest (28) in the image where arcing between the electrical conductors (14, 24) is likely to occur, isolating the region of interest (28), processing arcing candidates captured in the image and falling within the region of interest (28) to screen the arcing candidates to reject artefacts likely to have been caused by factors other than arcing, and validating that a selected arcing candidate is an arc by further processing the selected arcing candidate.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06T 7/60 - Analysis of geometric attributes
• B60M 1/12 - Trolley linesAccessories therefor
• B60M 1/13 - Trolley wires
• B60L 5/00 - Current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles
• H01H 9/50 - Means for detecting the presence of an arc or discharge
• H01H 33/26 - Means for detecting the presence of an arc or other discharge

Abstract

12 ABSTRACT A system 10 for detecting arcing between two electrical conductors 20, 22 includes an image capture arrangement 12 comprising a plurality of image capture devices 14, 16 configured to be arranged in spaced relationship relative to one another and to a contact region 26 between the electrical conductors 20, 22 so as to provide depth information. A processor 28 is responsive to the image capture arrangement 12 for computing a depth range 30 of the contact region 26 between the electrical conductors 20, 22 relative to a first image capture device 14 of the image capture arrangement 12 and determining if an arcing candidate appears within the computed depth range 30 for the first image capture device 14 of the image capture arrangement 12 and at least one further image capture device 16 of the image capture arrangement 12 and, if it does, flagging the candidate as arcing at the contact region.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01B 11/00 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
• B60L 5/00 - Current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles
• B60M 1/28 - Manufacturing or repairing trolley lines

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to pantograph identification methods and devices. The present disclosure includes computer-implemented methods, software, computer systems (191) for identifying a pantograph (130) of an electric vehicle (110) represented in an image (420) captured by a camera (190). The method comprising, For each pair of adjacent edges represented in the image, determining (210) a plurality of distances between the adjacent edges, wherein the plurality of distances are in a same direction; for each of the plurality of distances. Then determining (220) a point weight for points of the image associated with the distance by comparing the distance to a value or a value range representing a dimension of the pantograph. Further determining (230) a region of the image that represents the pantograph based on the point weights.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06T 7/60 - Analysis of geometric attributes
• G06T 7/00 - Image analysis
• B60L 3/12 - Recording operating variables
• B60M 1/12 - Trolley linesAccessories therefor

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented methods, software, and computer systems for identifying a contact point (131) between a pantograph (130) of an electric vehicle (110) and a power supply line (120) represented in an image. The method comprises, based on edges represented in the image (420), determining (210) a first intersection point P1 and a second intersection point P2 that are sufficiently separated, wherein the first intersection point P1 is formed by an intersection of a first edge Line 1 with a top edge of the pantograph (130), and the second intersection point P2 is formed by an intersection of a second edge with the top edge of the pantograph. Then determining (220) a first slope associated with the first edge, and a second slope associated with the second edge. Further, identifying (230) one of the first intersection point P1 or the second intersection point P2 as the contact point (131) between the pantograph (130) and the power supply line (120) by comparing the first slope and the second slope.

IPC Classes  ?

• G06T 7/60 - Analysis of geometric attributes
• G06T 7/00 - Image analysis
• B60L 3/12 - Recording operating variables
• B60M 1/12 - Trolley linesAccessories therefor