Abstract: A system and method for inspecting components of a moving train having a locomotive and a plurality of rail cars is disclosed. An inspection unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be deployed from the locomotive or one of the rail cars of the train, and the inspection UAV may fly to an initial inspection position relative to the moving train. The inspection UAV performs an inspection function on components of the moving train via inspection equipment mounted on the inspection UAV and starting at the initial inspection position. The inspection UAV then returns to the locomotive and the rail car after the inspection of the components of the moving train is complete.

Abstract: A system for detecting a temperature of a railroad train wheel or bearing includes a thermal line scanner and a processor. The thermal line scanner is positioned to capture a plurality of thermal line scans of the wheel or bearing. The processor is configured to analyze each of the plurality of thermal line scans, identify a selected line of the plurality of thermal line scans, and calculate the temperature of the wheel or the bearing based on the selected line. Thus, the system and method disclosed herein reduce the acquired thermal data first to a single line for one or both of the wheel temperature and bearing temperature and then to single values.

Abstract: A temperature detection system for railway applications is provided. The system may include at least one infrared (IR) sensing element configured to detect IR signals emitted by a rail or a railcar, and a controller in communication with the at least one IR sensing element. The controller may be configured to receive the IR signals from the at least one IR sensing element, extract IR data corresponding to at least one of a rail and an undercarriage of the railcar from the IR signals, and generate a characteristic thermal profile of at least one of an ambient temperature and a rail temperature based on the IR data.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting components of a moving train having a locomotive and a plurality of rail cars is disclosed. An inspection unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be deployed from the locomotive or one of the rail cars of the train, and the inspection UAV may fly to an initial inspection position relative to the moving train. The inspection UAV performs an inspection function on components of the moving train via inspection equipment mounted on the inspection UAV and starting at the initial inspection position. The inspection UAV then returns to the locomotive and the rail car after the inspection of the components of the moving train is complete.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for locating lost or stolen [BDS1] objects. In use, it is determined whether there are any RFID tags within a set range of a transceiver. If at least one RFID tag is determined, the at least one RFID tag is queried, and each of the at least one RFID tag is identified. Next, the identification of the at least one RFID tag is saved, and it is determined whether the RFID tag is no longer in a sensing zone. Additionally, a video is recorded, using at least one video camera, of the surroundings associated with the at least one RFID tag. Further, an audio is recorded, using at least one microphone, of the surroundings associated with the at least one RFID tag Next, the video recording and the audio recording are saved. Additionally, access to view the saved identification, the saved video recording, and the saved audio recording is provided. Additional systems, methods, and computer program products are also presented.

Abstract: A system for detecting a temperature of a railroad train wheel or bearing includes a thermal line scanner and a processor. The thermal line scanner is positioned to capture a plurality of thermal line scans of the wheel or bearing. The processor is configured to analyze each of the plurality of thermal line scans, identify a selected line of the plurality of thermal line scans, and calculate the temperature of the wheel or the bearing based on the selected line. Thus, the system and method disclosed herein reduce the acquired thermal data first to a single line for one or both of the wheel temperature and bearing temperature and then to single values.

Abstract: A temperature detection system for railway applications is provided. The system may include at least one infrared (IR) sensing element configured to detect IR signals emitted by a rail or a railcar, and a controller in communication with the at least one IR sensing element. The controller may be configured to receive the IR signals from the at least one IR sensing element, extract IR data corresponding to at least one of a rail and an undercarriage of the railcar from the IR signals, and generate a characteristic thermal profile of at least one of an ambient temperature and a rail temperature based on the IR data.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for detecting a condition associated with a wheel bearing on a train car. The method may include detecting a size and a location of the wheel bearing. The method may also include detecting a temperature associated with the wheel bearing based at least in part on the size and the location of the wheel bearing. The method may further include determining a wheel bearing condition based on the detected temperature.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for locating lost or stolen [BDS1] objects. In use, it is determined whether there are any RFID tags within a set range of a transceiver. If at least one RFID tag is determined, the at least one RFID tag is queried, and each of the at least one RFID tag is identified. Next, the identification of the at least one RFID tag is saved, and it is determined whether the RFID tag is no longer in a sensing zone. Additionally, a video is recorded, using at least one video camera, of the surroundings associated with the at least one RFID tag. Further, an audio is recorded, using at least one microphone, of the surroundings associated with the at least one RFID tag Next, the video recording and the audio recording are saved. Additionally, access to view the saved identification, the saved video recording, and the saved audio recording is provided. Additional systems, methods, and computer program products are also presented.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for detecting a condition associated with a wheel on a train car. The method may include detecting a position of the wheel. The method may also include detecting a position of a rail on which the wheel travels. The method may further include comparing the position of the wheel relative to the position of the rail, and determining a wheel condition based on the comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for detecting a condition associated with a wheel bearing on a train car. The method may include detecting a size and a location of the wheel bearing. The method may also include detecting a temperature associated with the wheel bearing based at least in part on the size and the location of the wheel bearing. The method may further include determining a wheel bearing condition based on the detected temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for detecting a condition associated with a wheel on a train car. The method may include detecting a position of the wheel. The method may also include detecting a position of a rail on which the wheel travels. The method may further include comparing the position of the wheel relative to the position of the rail, and determining a wheel condition based on the comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of a component. The temperature detector may receive a first signal indicative of the temperature of the component, with the first signal being received from a first type of temperature sensor. The temperature detector may further receive a second signal indicative of the temperature of the component, with the second signal being received from a second type of temperature sensor different from the first type of temperature sensor. The temperature detector may combine the first and second signals to generate an output indicative of the temperature of the component.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of retrofitting an existing single-beam infrared scanner assembly for detecting the temperature of an object. The method may include removing optics and optoelectronic components contained within an existing housing of the single-beam infrared scanner assembly. The optics and optoelectronic components of the single-beam infrared scanner assembly may be replaced with optics and optoelectronic components for a multi-beam infrared scanner assembly. The replacement optics and optoelectronic components for the multi-beam infrared scanner assembly may be installed in the existing housing of the single-beam infrared scanner assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for identifying a hot bearing. A processor may be configured for receiving a plurality of infrared (IR) signals emitted by a bearing as the bearing passes through a view window being monitored by one or more IR sensing elements positioned to receive IR radiation emitted from a target area of the bearing. The processor may extract IR data from IR signals emitted from an area within the target area of the bearing defined by a narrow window extending along a longitudinal axis for a length corresponding to substantially an entire length of the bearing. The processor may also establish a characteristic thermal profile from the extracted IR data, the characteristic thermal profile exhibiting identifiable boundaries of an area of interest on the bearing. The processor may compare temperatures of the bearing within the area of interest to a threshold, and produce an alarm signal if temperatures of the bearing within the area of interest exceed the threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of retrofitting an existing single-beam infrared scanner assembly for detecting the temperature of an object. The method may include removing optics and optoeleetronic components contained within an existing housing of the single-beam infrared scanner assembly. The optics and optoelectronic components of the single-beam infrared scanner assembly may be replaced with optics and optoelectronic components for a multi-beam infrared scanner assembly. The replacement optics and optoelectronic components for the multi-beam infrared scanner assembly may be installed in the existing housing of the single-beam infrared scanner assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of a component. The temperature detector may receive a first signal indicative of the temperature of the component, with the first signal being received from a first type of temperature sensor. The temperature detector may further receive a second signal indicative of the temperature of the component, with the second signal being received from a second type of temperature sensor different from the first type of temperature sensor. The temperature detector may combine the first and second signals to generate an output indicative of the temperature of the component.

Abstract: A device implemented with the present invention senses and converts unseeable electromagnetic (EM) energy such as high frequency radio, infrared, ultraviolet, etc. to an image in the human visual spectrum (red to violet—i.e. the rainbow). The size of the image and quality of the image is improved by rotating or oscillating the sensors in order to scan a broader array of electrometric energy. The electromagnetic radiation detector (EMR) comprises: a sensor circuit that generates EMR signals of the scanned electromagnetic energy of the desired band of electromagnetic spectrum. The EMR detector further comprises processors that convert the EMR signals into image data that is used to generate the visible image of the scanned electromagnetic energy; and a motor that allows the sensor circuit to scan the electromagnetic energy. The sensor circuit may be a plug-in PCB module to allow ready selection of the desired frequency band.

Abstract: A hands-free headset adapter comprises a first telephone connector configured to couple with the base unit of a landline telephone; a second telephone connector configured to couple with the handset of the landline telephone, the second telephone connector coupled to the first telephone connector via a communication channel; receive and transmit circuits coupled to the communication channel and configured to receive and transmit audio information with the base unit of the landline telephone; and a hands-free transceiver coupled to the receive and transmit circuits and configured to communicate over a desired standard, e.g., the Bluetooth® standard, with a hands-free headset. The second connector may be configured to reconnect the original telephone handset, thereby maintaining the original integrity of the desk/wall-mount telephone. The desired standard may include the same wireless standard as a user's cellular telephone.

Abstract: A portable printer including paper feed apparatus for utilizing sheet, roll or continuous form paper. The paper feed apparatus having pin feed drive members and friction rollers for feeding all three forms of paper. The printer also includes apparatus for selecting printing different character pitches to reduce the memory capacity required. A method is provided for operating the printer to obtain alignment of the paper feed drive motor prior to printing.