DE102020202506A1 - Procedure for the documentation of a speech-based communication - Google Patents

Abstract

In one embodiment, the method is used to document voice-based communication and comprises the steps: - providing a transmitter-side and / or a receiver-side voice recognition device (4), - speaking and transmitting a message (M) via a communication channel (3) from a transmitter (A ) to a receiver (B) and digitizing at the sender and / or receiver side and storage of the message (M) by means of the speech recognition device (4), and speaking of a confirmation (C) of the message (M) by the receiver (B) and sender-side and / or digitization at the receiver end and storage of the confirmation (C) by means of the speech recognition device (4).

Description

A method for documenting speech-based communication is specified. In addition, a route component, a vehicle component, a speech recognition device and a system for such a method are specified.

The pamphlet WO 2019/243181 A1 relates to a method and a device for controlling a rail vehicle by means of voice messages.

One task to be solved is to provide a method with which speech-based communication can be efficiently documented.

This object is achieved, inter alia, by a method, by a route component, by a speech recognition device and by a system with the features of the independent claims. Preferred developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The method described here enables automatic speech recognition and digitization of voice radio, as well as display of transmitted messages and securing of communication via a return channel, in particular when operating rail vehicles. In this way, security-relevant information can be transmitted by voice radio and handwritten notation of messages and / or confirmations is no longer necessary.

• - Bereitstellen einer senderseitigen und/oder einer empfängerseitigen Spracherkennungseinrichtung,
• - Sprechen und Übermitteln einer Nachricht über einen Kommunikationskanal von einem Sender an einen Empfänger und senderseitiges und/oder empfängerseitiges Digitalisieren sowie Speichern der Nachricht mittels der Spracherkennungseinrichtung, und
• - Sprechen einer Bestätigung der Nachricht durch den Empfänger und senderseitiges und/oder empfängerseitiges Digitalisieren sowie Speichern der Bestätigung mittels der Spracherkennungseinrichtung.

In at least one embodiment, the method is used to document voice-based communication and comprises the following steps, in particular in the specified order:

• - Provision of a transmitter-side and / or a receiver-side speech recognition device,
• Speaking and transmitting a message via a communication channel from a transmitter to a receiver and digitizing at the transmitter and / or receiver side and storing the message by means of the speech recognition device, and
• - Speaking of a confirmation of the message by the recipient and digitization by the transmitter and / or by the receiver and storage of the confirmation by means of the speech recognition device.

1. 1. Der Fahrer und der Fahrdienstleiter kontaktieren einander, normalerweise über Telefon mittels des konventionellen Zugfunks.
2. 2. Der Fahrdienstleiter diktiert die Anweisung oder den Befehl dem Fahrer.
3. 3. Der Fahrer füllt dann ein Formular aus gemäß den Instruktionen des Fahrdienstleiters.
4. 4. Aus Sicherheitsgründen muss der Fahrer die Informationen, die er in das Formular eingetragen hat, an den Fahrdienstleiter berichten.
5. 5. Nachdem der Fahrer die Anweisungen vollständig ausgeführt hat, muss er dies in dem Formular vermerken, so dass später eine Rekonstruktion möglich ist, um speziell im Falle eines Unfalls festzustellen, welche Aktionen hätten vorgenommen werden sollen oder vorzunehmen waren. Insbesondere nach dem Ausstreichen von Befehlen aus dem Formular sollen ausgestrichenen Befehle weiterhin lesbar bleiben.
6. 6. Der Fahrdienstleiter füllt ein separates Formular aus, das zu Beweiszwecken in der Betriebszentrale verbleibt.

If a signal transmission intended for a certain operating situation is not possible or deviates from the normal operating mode, especially of a railway, it is helpful to be able to transmit an instruction or an order from a dispatcher to a driver in some other way. The verbal transmission of instructions or commands is also referred to as “travel on command”, or “Travel Permitted on Command”. A common application for this is driving into a hazard area without adequate trackside and / or vehicle-specific signals, for example in shunting operations or in a disturbed operation. In such a case, the process is as follows:

1. 1. The driver and dispatcher contact each other, usually by telephone using conventional train radio.
2. 2. The dispatcher dictates the instruction or command to the driver.
3. 3. The driver then fills out a form as instructed by the dispatcher.
4. 4. For safety reasons, the driver must report the information that he has entered in the form to the dispatcher.
5. 5. After the driver has carried out the instructions in full, he must note this in the form so that a reconstruction is possible later in order to determine, especially in the event of an accident, which actions should or should have been carried out. In particular, after commands have been crossed out from the form, crossed out commands should remain legible.
6. 6. The dispatcher fills out a separate form that remains in the operations center for evidence purposes.

The entire process, especially the documentation and confirmation of the instructions, is time-consuming and error-prone. Not only, but mainly because of the high level of human involvement. Another complicating factor is that the voice channel can be noisy. This enables both a simplification of this process and a relief for people through partial or complete automation of the process steps specified above, in particular through the use of artificial intelligence, or AI for short, for speech recognition and digitization of speech information and for generating and Processing a digital image.

The method described here enables language communication to be supported and secured in critical systems and, in particular, in railway operations. Thanks to the automatic speech recognition, the spoken message can be sent in digitized form to ensure greater reliability and security of communication. Digitizing and sending the message along relieve the recipient, as he does not have to memorize all the details of the information. Ultimately, the results of speech recognition can be used in operational situations in which a person controls a device with speech.

• - transaktionsbasierte Sicherung der Kommunikation in einem für die Sprechenden transparenten Rücksendekanal,
• - Spracherkennung und Digitalisierung von Sprachfunk und Anzeige auf einen HMI (Human Machine Interface),
• - zuverlässige Spracherkennung und -verarbeitung sowie Unterdrückung negativer Auswirkungen akustischer Störungen.

This is made possible in particular by:

• - transaction-based security of communication in a return channel that is transparent for the speaking,
• - Speech recognition and digitization of voice radio and display on an HMI (Human Machine Interface),
• - reliable speech recognition and processing as well as suppression of negative effects of acoustic disturbances.

The procedure described here can be used on all railway lines. By increasing the reliability of existing and by introducing new technical barriers, in the sense of technical safety, a simplification of the application of the procedure for drivers and dispatchers is achieved. As a direct consequence of this, faster and more efficient operation can be guaranteed. In particular, the method can serve as an operational fallback level for a disturbed ETCS level 3 operation, so that if the ETCS infrastructure fails, the train radio can be used to at least partially maintain operation.

According to at least one embodiment, the sender of the message is a vehicle component, in particular in a rail vehicle such as a train, and the receiver is a route component, or vice versa. The messages and confirmations are thus preferably exchanged between a driver, English driver, and a dispatcher, English dispatcher.

According to at least one embodiment, the speech recognition device compares whether the message and the confirmation have the same content. This means that the content of the message and the associated confirmation can be checked by means of the speech recognition device.

According to at least one embodiment, the speech recognition device issues a warning if a content-related agreement between the message and the confirmation is uncertain. This ensures that an automated content check of the messages and confirmations does not lead to any security risks.

According to at least one embodiment, the message and the confirmation are digitized in real time and localized at the sender and / or recipient. This means that the speech recognition device does not need any access to external computers or servers. This means that speech recognition can be carried out independently of external components.

According to at least one embodiment, a structure and a content of the message and of the confirmation are regulated. In particular, there is regulation by a set of rules of the operator of the corresponding railway line. In other words, due to the specific speaking situation, certain terms and sequences of the information contained are given. As a result, the speech recognition is fixed and / or limited to a limited vocabulary and to a certain regulated structure. This makes speech recognition easier and increases the level of security when checking the correspondence between the content of the message and the associated confirmation. For example, the vocabulary required for speech recognition is 1000 words or less or 500 words or less.

According to at least one embodiment, the message contains a command to be executed by the recipient. After executing the command contained in the message, the recipient confirms this to the sender with a spoken message. This message is digitized at the transmitter end and / or at the receiver end by means of the speech recognition device and preferably also stored. This can be used to automatically document whether the transmitted commands are being carried out. Optionally, a warning or a note can be generated automatically if there is no notification or if the notification is too long in coming.

According to at least one embodiment, a large number of messages, confirmations and, optionally, messages are transmitted via the communication channel. Depending on the operating mode of the rail vehicle in particular, the frequency of messages and associated confirmations can be in the region of one per minute. Without automation and speech recognition, the achievable frequency of messages and confirmations would be significantly reduced.

According to at least one embodiment, the speech recognition device creates a log of the messages, confirmations and, optionally, notifications. The log can be continuously updated and saved. It is also possible that the log at predetermined intervals, for example at the end of a trip of the Rail vehicle, is automatically sent to a specified test center.

According to at least one embodiment, the communication channel is a train radio. In particular, the communication channel is a radio link in accordance with the GSM-R standard.

According to at least one embodiment, the speech recognition device is only present at the transmitter. Alternatively, the speech recognition device is only available at the recipient. This means that the method described here can also be carried out unilaterally, i.e. only on the receiver side or only on the transmitter side.

According to at least one embodiment, the speech recognition device is present both at the sender and at the receiver. In other words, both the transmitter and the receiver then preferably each have their own speech recognition device. This means that the message and the confirmation, and optionally the message, can be digitized and stored on the sender and recipient sides.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, the method described here is carried out in the event of failure of a train control system as a bridging for train routing. The train control system is in particular ETCS.

In addition, a route component is specified. The route component, which is contained in a signal box, for example, is set up to carry out a method described here. Features of the method are therefore also disclosed for the route component and vice versa.

In addition, a vehicle component is specified, in particular a vehicle component in a rail vehicle, for example a train. The vehicle component is set up to carry out a method described here. Features of the method are therefore also disclosed for the vehicle component and in particular the rail vehicle, and vice versa.

In addition, a speech recognition device for a vehicle component, in particular in a rail vehicle, and / or for a route component is specified. The speech recognition device is set up to carry out a method according to one or more of the above-mentioned embodiments. Features of the method are therefore also disclosed for the speech recognition device and the vehicle component, and vice versa.

Furthermore, a system with a route component and with one or more vehicle components, in particular in rail vehicles, is specified. The system is set up for a method in accordance with one or more of the above-mentioned embodiments. Features of the system are therefore also disclosed for the method and vice versa.

The above-mentioned properties, features and advantages of the invention and the manner in which they are achieved are further explained by the following description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the corresponding figures, wherein
the 1 and 2 show schematic block diagrams of exemplary embodiments of the methods described here, and
the 3 until 5 illustrate schematic representations of exemplary embodiments of the methods described here.

In the exemplary embodiments described here, both the transmission of the voice information and the transmission of the generated digital image and associated data take place, for example, using conventional train radio as the communication channel 3 . As an alternative or in addition to train radio, other communication channels can also be used 3 be used.

In general, train control takes place through an interaction of track-side and vehicle-side, in particular train-specific system components, which can originate from different technological epochs and from different manufacturers. The method described here can fall back on different implementation possibilities in different scenarios, for example on a vehicle-specific solution, a track-side specific solution and a solution for the implementation of automatic functions on both sides. This allows the method to be used in scenarios with different operating modes. The basic principle of “drive on command” and the associated interactions between the driver and the dispatcher can be retained.

For speech recognition, speech processing and the transmission of a digital image of the voice message M. , sent by dispatcher as sender A. to the driver as recipient B. , as well as for the associated confirmation C. an information validation step is required for security reasons. There are two main ways of realizing this, with a security feature such as a generated checksum of the digital image of the voice message M. may be enough to make a comparison of the message M. with the confirmation C. to allow.

In 1 a first variant is shown as an exemplary embodiment, in which a manual validation by the dispatcher, for example the transmitter A. , in particular by means of a display device such as a human machine interface, or HMI for short. The HMI is located on a line component 1 , for example in a signal box where the dispatcher is also located. The spoken message M. arrives at a speech recognition device 4th . In the speech recognition facility 4th speech recognition and speech processing of the message take place M. . Furthermore, in the speech recognition device 4th preferably a security feature such as a checksum is calculated. The associated information is exchanged, for example by means of train radio.

This means that it reaches the driver, who is the recipient B. the message M. and which is preferred in a rail vehicle 2 located the voice message 31 itself as well as a steganographic digital feedback 33 . The steganographic feedback 33 is thus also used as a communication channel via train radio 3 sent, but is sent by the driver B. not perceived as such. Furthermore, there is the speech recognition device 4th a digital feedback 32 to the dispatcher A. back, for example as a checksum, English checksum. The digital feedback 32 can be processed and / or displayed by the HMI. In the same way, a Driver Machine Interface, or DMI for short, can provide the respective information to the driver B. Show.

The recipient B. the message M. speaks a voice message 31 with a confirmation C. by the speech recognition device 4th processed in the same way as the underlying message M. . This means that steganographic feedback is also received 33 the voice transmission 31 to the recipient A. and the digital feedback 32 gets to the driver B. .

A manual check by the dispatcher can now be carried out on the recipient side A. done whether the confirmation C. with the message M. content is the same.

In the procedure according to 1 is not a handwritten transmission of the message M. and / or confirmation C. Required on the recipient side and / or on the sender side in the forms provided for this purpose. As an alternative to displaying the 1 speech recognition takes place only on the receiver side or only on the sender side. In addition, in 1 As in all other exemplary embodiments, the roles of recipient B. and transmitter A. be swapped, so that in principle the driver as the sender A. and the dispatcher as the recipient B. can act.

In the embodiment of 2 it is shown that in addition a validation unit 41 is present, as is also possible in all other exemplary embodiments. In the validation unit 41 a check is carried out to determine whether the confirmation C. with the message M. content is the same. It is possible that this review is based on the digital feedback 32 , so for example on the basis of checksums, takes place.

The validation unit 41 may be a separate component or may differ from the representation of the 2 , in the speech recognition facility 4th be integrated.

The remarks on 1 equally for 2 .

Thus, by the method as in 1 and 2 an example illustrates an improvement in reliability and time savings when driving in accordance with a driver's license on command, ie “driving on command”, achieved compared to a purely manual, handwritten recording of the messages M. and confirmations C. a simplified process flow is achieved.

In particular, the procedures as in the 1 or 2 can be illustrated in connection with a train control system 6th be used. In the case of an ETCS level 3 system 6, a track vacancy report is in principle no longer carried out on the track side, for example by means of an axle counter, but a position report from the ETCS vehicle equipment is sent to an RBC (Radio Block Center). When the current vehicle position is reported, the completion of the train is confirmed to the ETCS center so that route sections can be released accordingly. A safety-related check of the train integrity on the vehicle side is therefore necessary.

However, this very technology-centered approach requires high reliability and availability of the system components as well as continuous train-to-route communication, which requires a high-availability communication channel. If one of the system components is not available, in particular the communication channel between the train and the line, serious disruptions in operations are foreseen. This is almost inevitably the case, in particular, since national class B systems are usually no longer installed on new ETCS railway lines.

With the method described here, it is possible to use conventional train radio as a fallback level if ETCS components fail. The failure of the train control system 6th is in the 1 and 2 symbolized by the Train control system 6th is shown crossed out.

The train is then driven on the basis of commands that enable the journey. Such commands are particularly permitted from an independent ETCS stop signal to the next stop signal. The method described here can therefore be used to increase reliability, so that the method described here enables shadow operation or a fall-back level within the framework of ETCS level 3 operation. In this way, overall higher train speeds and an increased vehicle throughput can be achieved.

Several possible, preferred scenarios that may occur are explained schematically by way of example.

In a first step of the method of 3 contact the driver B. and the dispatcher A. each other, being the communication channel 3 is preferably a train radio. This process step takes place without additional assistance systems or automatic functions.

In the next step, the dispatcher dictates A. the message M. with one command 0 the driver B. . The trackside system 1 uses speech recognition to generate and process digital, steganographic feedback 33 that goes along with the voice message 31 to the driver B. is transmitted. Furthermore, by means of the speech recognition device 4th a checksum is generated and displayed by means of the HMI. In this method step there is therefore an assistance function, in particular through the speech recognition device 4th before.

On the vehicle side is done by the voice recognition device 4th at the vehicle 2 likewise a voice recognition for generating and processing the voice message 31 with the command O. A digital copy of the voice message 31 is preferably displayed on a DMI. An assistance function is thus also provided on the vehicle side.

In a subsequent process step, storage takes place automatically on the vehicle side S. the digital copy of the command 0 for reporting and for legal reasons. This also has an assistance function.

In a further process step, the driver must B. for security reasons the information he received from the dispatcher A. received, confirm. To do this, the vehicle's system uses speech recognition for generation and processing G a digital image as well as for the checksum generation of a report. For a validation, the checksum that was generated on the vehicle side is used as a route component 1 transmitted. This corresponds to a further assistance function.

A comparison is then made T between the message M. and confirmation C. .

In a first variant, the trackside system uses 1 the checksum of the digital image of the report to automatically validate whether the driver is B. the corresponding voice message 31 and with it the command 0 correctly confirmed. For final information by the dispatcher A. the validated result is preferred on the HMI of the system component 1 displayed. Again there is an assistance function.

In a second variant, the checksum of the digital image of the command is used 0 as well as the checksum of the digital copy of the confirmation C. displayed so that the dispatcher can manually validate whether the driver B. the associated message M. correctly confirmed. There is again an assistance function.

Finally, an execution occurs E. des in the message M. contained command 0 by the driver B. . In a message N the driver confirms B. correct execution E. of command O. This is preferably done by means of the DMI, which again has an assistance function.

In a further process step, storage is preferably carried out automatically on the track side S. the digital copy of the command 0 to the driver B. and optionally the message M. .

Furthermore, in 3 illustrates that optionally, for example on the vehicle side, a protocol P. is created over the message traffic. The protocol P. can be done automatically with the help of the speech recognition facility 4th be generated. Furthermore, the protocol P. for documentation purposes to a control instance, such as the line component 1 to be sent. It is also possible, as an alternative or in addition, to create a further log on the track side, preferably automatically. Such protocols can also be used in all other exemplary embodiments.

In the procedure according to 4th an automatic verification of the message takes place on the vehicle side M. and confirmation C. of the driver B. . The first step is to take the driver again B. and the dispatcher A. over the communication channel 3 Contact each other.

In the next step, the dispatcher dictates A. the message with the command 0 the driver B. , and on the vehicle side, the Speech recognition device 4th used for speech recognition and for generating and processing a digital image of the message M. . A digital representation of the message M. is preferred on the DMI to the driver B. shown. Herein lies an assistance function.

In a next step, the vehicle system automatically saves the digital copy of the message M. and thus the command 0 for reporting purposes and for legal reasons. This is preferably an automatic function.

The driver then confirms B. for security reasons the information he received from the dispatcher A. received.

The in-vehicle system uses speech recognition to generate and process a digital copy of the confirmation C. to automatically verify that the driver B. the associated message M. correctly confirmed. Again there is an assistance function.

The driver then confirms B. correct execution E. the command O, particularly displayed on the DMI; this confirmation is preferably also made at the DMI. This provides an assistance function by means of the speech recognition device 4th . In addition, there is an automatic saving S. the message N about the execution of the command O for reporting purposes and for legal reasons. Optionally, a message N about the execution of the command O to the dispatcher A. take place.

Finally the dispatcher fills up A. a separate form for the process described above F. that remains in an operations center for evidence purposes. In contrast, the digital images of the message are M. , the confirmation C. as well as the message N automatically stored on the vehicle for reporting purposes and for legal reasons.

According to 4th is the speech recognition device 4th so only in at least one vehicle component on the rail vehicle 2 and not forward on the track side.

In the procedure according to 5 is the speech recognition device 4th only on the track side of the track component 1 before. Again, the communication channel is used first 3 a connection between the dispatcher A. and the driver B. manufactured.

The dispatcher then dictates B. the message M. with the command O to the driver B. , where on the track side speech recognition for generating and processing a digital image of the message M. is used and the digital image is sent to the dispatcher A. is shown in particular by means of an HMI as an assistance function.

The driver B. then fills out a form F. from that the command 0 according to the message M. from the dispatcher B. contains. In this step, there is neither an assistance function nor an automatic function on the vehicle side.

For safety reasons, the driver confirms B. the information he received from the dispatcher A. received. The trackside system uses speech recognition to generate and process a digital image of the confirmation C. and preferably automatically validates whether the driver B. the associated message M. correctly confirmed. This step is preferably an automatic function.

After the driver B. the command O has carried out completely, the command must be crossed out and the associated form filed so that it can be reconstructed later, especially in the event of an accident, which action the driver will take B. should have been taken or what action was taken. After crossing out the command O in the form F. the associated information must still be legible for legal reasons. Again, there is no automatic or assistance function on the vehicle side. The notification is optional N about the execution of the command O to the dispatcher A. .

The trackside system automatically stores S. the digital image of the message M. , the confirmation C. and optionally the message N by.

The speech recognition and the speech processing by the at least one speech recognition device 4th are preferably checked for security and a risk assessment is preferably carried out, for example in accordance with EN 50129: 2018 and or EN 50159: 2010 .

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail using exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments and the specific combinations of features explained therein. Further variations of the invention can be obtained by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

List of reference symbols

A.

Channel

B.

recipient

C.

confirmation

E.

Execution of the instruction

F.

form

G

Generation and processing of a digital image

M.

news

N

Message

O

command

P.

protocol

S.

storage

T

comparison

1

Route component

2

Rail vehicle

3

Communication channel

31

Voice transmission, in particular by means of train radio

32

digital feedback

33

steganographic digital feedback

4th

Speech recognition device

41

Validation unit

5

system

6th

Train control system

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2019/243181 A1 [0002]

Non-patent literature cited

• EN 50129: 2018 [0071]
• EN 50159: 2010 [0071]

Claims (15)

Procedure for documenting voice-based communication with the following steps: - Provision of a transmitter-side and / or a receiver-side speech recognition device (4), - Speaking and transmitting a message (M) via a communication channel (3) from a transmitter (A) to a receiver (B) and digitizing and storing the message (M) by means of the voice recognition device (4) at the transmitter and / or at the receiver, and - Speaking of a confirmation (C) of the message (M) by the recipient (B) and digitizing at the transmitter and / or at the receiver and storage of the confirmation (C) by means of the speech recognition device (4). Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the transmitter (A) is a vehicle component, in particular a rail vehicle (2), and the receiver (B) is a route component (1), or vice versa. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the speech recognition device (4) compares whether the message (M) and the confirmation (C) are authentic and have the same content, wherein the speech recognition device (4) issues a warning if a content match between the message (M) and the confirmation (C) is uncertain. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the digitization of the message (M) and the confirmation (C) takes place in real time and localized at the sender (A) and / or at the recipient (B). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a structure and a content of the message (M) and the confirmation (C) are regulated, and wherein the speech recognition device (4) is set up for a limited vocabulary according to the regulated structure and according to the regulated content of the message (M) and the confirmation (C). Method according to one of the preceding claims, the message (M) containing a command (0) to be executed by the recipient (B), wherein the receiver (B) confirms this to the transmitter (A) with a spoken message (N) after executing the command (0) and the message (N) is digitized and stored by the voice recognition device (4) at the transmitter and / or receiver side. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a large number of messages (M), confirmations (C) and optionally messages (N) are transmitted over the communication channel (3), wherein the speech recognition device (4) creates a protocol (P) of the messages (M), confirmations (C) and optionally messages (N). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication channel (3) is a train radio. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the speech recognition device (4) is only present at the transmitter (A), or wherein the speech recognition device (4) is only present at the receiver (B). Method according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , the speech recognition device (4) being present both at the sender (A) and at the recipient (B), so that the message (M) and the confirmation (C) and optionally the message (N) are digitized and stored on the sender and recipient sides. Method according to the immediately preceding claim, which is carried out in the event of failure of a train control system (6) as a bridge to the train control. Route component (1), which is set up to a method according to Claim 9 perform. Vehicle component, in particular a rail vehicle (2), which is set up to use a method according to Claim 9 perform. Speech recognition device (4) for a route component (1) or for a vehicle component, in particular a rail vehicle (2), the speech recognition device (4) being set up to implement a method according to Claim 9 perform. System (5) with a route component (1) and with a vehicle component, in particular a rail vehicle (2), the system for a method according to one of the Claims 10 or 11 is set up.

Images