Method and device for logging an item of information relating to a rail vehicle

Abstract

A method for logging an item of information relating to a rail vehicle, includes recording a speech input having the item of information, by a user of the rail vehicle and saving the recorded speech input as an audio file. The saved audio file is sent via a wireless communications network to a subscriber, remote from the rail vehicle, of the communications network. A device logs the subscriber, remote from a rail vehicle, of the communications network.

Claims

1. A method for logging an item of information relating to a rail vehicle, which comprises the following steps of: recording a voice message, including the item of information, by a user of the rail vehicle, wherein the item of information in the voice message that is recorded includes a defect of the rail vehicle; checking, with a processor located on the rail vehicle, whether the recorded voice message includes at least one predetermined key word, wherein if the recorded voice message does not include the at least one predetermined key word, a notification is output to the user stating that the at least one predetermined key word is missing from the recorded voice message, and wherein the at least one predetermined key word identifies a part of the rail vehicle that has the defect; after checking whether the recorded voice message includes the at least one predetermined keyword, saving the recorded voice message as a saved audio file in an electronic memory located on the rail vehicle; sending the saved audio file via a wireless communication network from a communication interface located on the rail vehicle to a subscriber of the wireless communication network, wherein the subscriber is remote from the rail vehicle; and wherein the subscriber, which is remote from the rail vehicle, converts the at least one predetermined key word into a defect code according to a predetermined defect code list.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein after the notification is output the system waits for a user input which indicates whether the user wishes to save the recorded voice message without the at least one predetermined key word or whether the user wishes to add to the recorded voice message before the saving step, wherein when the user input is detected, either a further voice message of the user which adds to the recorded voice message is recorded, wherein the recorded voice message and a recorded further voice message are saved as the audio file, or the recorded voice message is saved as the audio file, without the at least one predetermined key word.

3. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises selecting the at least one predetermined key word from a following group of key words: operating material identifier, locality identifier, assembly, and defect code.

4. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises: starting the recording of the voice message only in response to detection of a recording start command of the user; and/or ending the recording of the voice message only in response to detection of a recording stop command of the user.

5. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises sending a rail vehicle identifier and/or a user identifier and/or a saving date of the saved audio file to the subscriber via the wireless communication network.

6. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises saving the saved audio file only in response to detection of confirmation by the user that the saved audio file is to be sent.

7. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises generating an electronic work slip on a basis of the saved audio file which has been received by means of the subscriber.

8. The method according to claim 7, which further comprises linking the electronic work slip to a received audio file.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the part of the rail vehicle that has the defect is located outside of a cab of the rail vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the part of the rail vehicle that has the defect is part of a bogie.

11. A device for logging an item of information relating to a rail vehicle, the device comprising: an acoustic recording apparatus for recording a voice message, including the item of information, by a user of the rail vehicle, wherein the item of information in the voice message that is recorded includes a defect of the rail vehicle; an electronic memory for saving a recorded voice message as an audio file; a processor configured for, before the saving, checking whether the recorded voice message includes at least one predetermined key word, wherein if the recorded voice message does not include the at least one predetermined key word, a notification is output to the user stating that the at least one predetermined key word is missing from the recorded voice message, and wherein the at least one predetermined key word identifies a part of the rail vehicle that has the defect; and a communication interface for transferring the saved audio file via a wireless communication network from the rail vehicle to a subscriber remote from the rail vehicle, of the wireless communication network.

12. A combination, comprising: a rail vehicle; a device for logging an item of information relating to the rail vehicle, wherein the item of information includes a defect of the rail vehicle; and a subscriber of a wireless communication network, the subscriber located remote from the rail vehicle; the device located on the rail vehicle and the device including: an acoustic recording apparatus for recording a voice message, including the item of information, by a user of the rail vehicle; an electronic memory for saving a recorded voice message as an audio file; a processor configured for, before the saving, checking whether the recorded voice message includes at least one predetermined key word, wherein if the recorded voice message does not include the at least one predetermined key word, a notification is output to the user stating that the at least one predetermined key word is missing from the recorded voice message, and wherein the at least one predetermined key word identifies a part of the rail vehicle that has the defect; and a communication interface for transferring the saved audio file via the wireless communication network from the rail vehicle to the subscriber of the wireless communication network; wherein the subscriber, which is remote from the rail vehicle, is configured for converting the at least one predetermined key word into a defect code according to a predetermined defect code list.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions when run on a computer performing a method for logging an item of information relating to a rail vehicle, which comprises the following steps of: recording a voice message, including the item of information, by a user of the rail vehicle, wherein the item of information in the voice message that is recorded includes a defect of the rail vehicle; checking, with a processor located on the rail vehicle, whether the recorded voice message includes at least one predetermined key word, wherein if the recorded voice message does not include the at least one predetermined key word, a notification is output to the user stating that the at least one predetermined key word is missing from the recorded voice message, and wherein the at least one predetermined key word identifies a part of the rail vehicle that has the defect; after checking whether the recorded voice message includes the at least one predetermined keyword, saving the recorded voice message as an audio file in an electronic memory located on the rail vehicle; and sending the saved audio file via a wireless communication network from a communication interface located on the rail vehicle to a subscriber of the wireless communication network, wherein the subscriber is remote from the rail vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram of a method for logging an item of information relating to a rail vehicle,

(2) FIG. 2 shows a device for logging an item of information relating to a rail vehicle,

(3) FIG. 3 shows a rail vehicle, and

(4) FIG. 4 shows a further device for logging an item of information relating to a rail vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram of a method for logging an item of information relating to a rail vehicle.

(6) According to a step 101 there is provision that a recording start command of a user is detected by means of a human-machine interface, for example by means of a microphone and/or a touch-sensitive screen.

(7) In response to the detection according to step 101 there is provision according to a step 103 that recording of a voice message, comprising the item of information, of the user of the rail vehicle is started, and that the voice message of the user is recorded.

(8) According to a step 105 there is provision that a recording stop command of the user is detected by means of the human-machine interface, wherein the recording of the voice message is ended or stopped in response to this command.

(9) In a step 107 there is provision that before a saving of the recorded voice message as an audio file it is checked whether the recorded voice message comprises at least one predetermined key word or a plurality of predetermined key words.

(10) For this, e.g. a voice recognition process or voice analysis of the recorded voice message is carried out.

(11) If the checking according to step 107 has revealed the recorded voice message does not comprise the at least one predetermined key word, according to a step 109 a notification that the at least one predetermined key word is missing from the recorded voice message is output to the user, for example by means of the human-machine interface.

(12) For example, a visual notification is output by means of a screen, for example by means of a touch-sensitive screen.

(13) For example, an acoustic notification is output via one or more loudspeakers.

(14) According to a step 111 there is provision that a voice message of the user which adds to the already recorded voice message is recorded.

(15) This recording according to step 111 can be started, in a way analogous to the recording according to step 103, using a further recording start command of the user and/or can be ended using a further recording stop command of the user.

(16) The already detected voice message and the additional voice message are subsequently saved in an electronic memory according to a step 113.

(17) If the checking according to the step 107 has revealed that the already recorded voice message contains the at least one predetermined key word, the already recorded voice message is saved as the audio file in the electronic memory according to step 113.

(18) The audio file saved in the electronic memory is sent, according to a step 115, via a wireless communication network to a subscriber of the communication network which is remote from the rail vehicle.

(19) In one embodiment, the remote subscriber is included in a service station for rail vehicles or in a workshop for rail vehicles.

(20) FIG. 2 shows a device 201 for logging an item of information relating to a rail vehicle, comprising:

(21) an acoustic recording apparatus 203 for recording a voice message, comprising the item of information, by a user of the rail vehicle,

(22) an electronic memory 205 for saving the recorded voice message as an audio file and

(23) a communication interface 207 for transferring the saved audio file via a wireless communication network to a subscriber remote from the rail vehicle, of the communication network.

(24) In one embodiment, the device 201 comprises a processor which is designed to carry out a voice analysis of the recorded voice message or of the further recorded voice message. On the basis of this voice analysis the processor checks e.g. whether the recorded voice message or the additional voice message comprises the at least one key word or the plurality of predetermined key words.

(25) FIG. 3 shows a rail vehicle 301.

(26) The rail vehicle 301 comprises a driver's position 303.

(27) The rail vehicle 301 also comprises the device 201 according to FIG. 2.

(28) In one embodiment, the acoustic recording apparatus 203 is arranged within the driver's position 303.

(29) In one embodiment, the electronic memory 205 is arranged within the driver's position 303.

(30) In one embodiment, the processor is arranged within the driver's position 303.

(31) FIG. 4 shows a further device 401 for logging an item of information relating to a rail vehicle.

(32) The device 401 is included in a rail vehicle 403 which is merely represented symbolically by a rectangle.

(33) In one embodiment (not shown), the device 401 is also disclosed without the rail vehicle 403.

(34) The device 401 comprises an acoustic recording apparatus 405 for recording a voice message, comprising the item of information, of a user of the rail vehicle 403.

(35) The recording apparatus 405 comprises a microphone 407 for detecting the voice message.

(36) The recording apparatus 405 also comprises a processor 409 for carrying out voice recognition of the recorded voice message. Therefore, for example the recorded voice message can be checked to determine whether it comprises one or more predetermined key words.

(37) The recorded voice message, identified symbolically in FIG. 4 by a rectangle with the reference symbol 411 is saved in an electronic memory 413 as an audio file. The memory 413 is included in the apparatus 401.

(38) In one embodiment, the device 401 comprises an audio recorder which comprises the recording apparatus 405 and the memory 413.

(39) The device 401 also comprises a screen 415 which is, for example, a touch-sensitive screen.

(40) The screen 415, for example, can display the audio file, for example display a file name of the audio file.

(41) This display is indicated symbolically in FIG. 4 with a rectangle with the reference symbol 417.

(42) Furthermore, in the case of a touch-sensitive screen it is made possible for the audio file to be processed directly on the screen.

(43) For example the audio file can be selected or deleted on the screen.

(44) The device 401 also comprise a loudspeaker 419 via which the audio file can be output acoustically.

(45) For example, the user can select, by means of a touch-sensitive screen, the audio file which is to be output, insofar as, for example, a plurality of audio files are saved in the memory 413, in order to play it back acoustically via the loudspeaker 419.

(46) Furthermore, a notification, identified symbolically by means of a rectangle with the reference symbol 421, can be played back via the loudspeaker 419 insofar as the checking by the processor 409 has revealed that the recorded voice message does not comprise the at least one predetermined key word.

(47) The device 401 also comprises a communication interface 423 which is designed to communicate via a wireless communication network 426.

(48) The communication network 426 is represented symbolically in FIG. 4 by a cloud symbol.

(49) The saved audio file is sent by means of the communication interface 423 via the wireless communication network 426 to a subscriber 425, remote from the rail vehicle 403, of the communication network 426.

(50) The remote subscriber 425 comprises a further communication interface 427 by means of which the audio file which has been sent is received.

(51) The subscriber 425 also comprises a further processor 429. The further processor 429 is designed, for example, to process and/or evaluate the received audio file.

(52) The received audio file is saved in a further electronic memory 431 which is included in the subscriber 425.

(53) The audio file saved in the electronic memory 431 is represented symbolically in FIG. 4 with a rectangle with the reference symbol 433.

(54) In one embodiment, the audio file is assigned a rail vehicle identifier and/or a user identifier and/or a saving date of the saved audio file so that this information is saved together with the audio file.

(55) A saving date in the sense of the description comprises, in particular, a date and/or a time.

(56) The subscriber 425 is therefore located on a land side with respect to the rail vehicle 403.

(57) The subscriber 425 is included, for example, in a service station for rail vehicles or a workshop for rail vehicles.

(58) In summary, the invention is based on the concept of no longer entering transfer notifications or defects on the rail vehicle manually into a transfer book but rather dictating them. That is to say that according to the invention there is provision for detection of a voice input or of a corresponding voice message which comprises the item of information relating to the rail vehicle.

(59) According to one embodiment, recording of the voice message which comprises the item of information is initiated or started only in response to detection of a recording start command.

(60) According to one embodiment, the recorded voice message is saved in an electronic memory as an audio file. According to one embodiment, the electronic memory is included in a database which is arranged within the rail vehicle.

(61) In one embodiment there is provision that the recording of the voice message is ended only in response to detection of a recording stop command.

(62) In one embodiment there is provision that before the recorded voice message is saved it is checked whether the recorded voice message comprises one or more predetermined key words. Such key words are e.g.: operating means identifier, location identifier, assembly and defect code.

(63) In one embodiment there is provision that insofar as all the expected, that is to say predetermined, key words are not present, a notification is output as an audio output via a loudspeaker. This loudspeaker is located, for example, within a driver's position of the rail vehicle.

(64) The rail vehicle driver then has the possibility of inputting, that is to say adding, the still missing details or information by means of a voice input or audio input.

(65) In one embodiment there is provision that the recorded voice message is made without additional inputting of the key words which are still missing.

(66) According to one embodiment, the saved audio file can be selected on a screen and output via a loudspeaker.

(67) In one embodiment, the saved audio file can be deleted by means of a corresponding input on a touch-sensitive screen.

(68) The saved audio file is transmitted to the land side via a wireless communication network, which corresponds to the step of sending the saved audio file to the remote subscriber.

(69) According to one embodiment, there is provision on the land side that the sent audio file is saved in a further electronic memory. According to one embodiment, the further electronic memory is included in a further database.

(70) The audio file which is saved in the further electronic memory is assigned e.g. a user identifier and/or a rail vehicle identifier and/or a saving date.

(71) In one embodiment, the user identifier is a rail vehicle driver identifier.

(72) In one embodiment there is provision that the audio file received by means of the remote subscriber is converted into a text file.

(73) In one embodiment there is provision that for servicing or repair of the rail vehicle, an electronic work slip is generated from the audio file received by means of the subscriber.

(74) In one embodiment there is provision that the electronic work slip is linked to the audio file received by means of the subscriber. As a result, e.g. a service technician has the possibility of listening to the recording during the servicing, e.g. on a service PC.

(75) In one embodiment there is provision that the starting of the recording or the ending or stopping of the recording are/is carried out by means of an input on a touch-sensitive screen.

(76) This detected input, that is to say the detected recording start command or the detected recording stop command, is then sent from the touch-sensitive screen to the recording apparatus which starts or ends the recording in response to the corresponding command.

(77) Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of the preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.