Input of ETCS data into a rail vehicle

Abstract

A method for inputting ETCS data into a rail vehicle inputs the ETCS data by using an apparatus which is separate from the rail vehicle. The apparatus can, for example, be constructed to be mobile and the ETCS data can be input flexibly at different locations and be transmitted to the rail vehicle, for example, by SMS. The advantage of this approach is that delays resulting from the inputting of ETCS data can be reduced and thus the rail vehicle reaches a “Start of Mission” state more quickly. An apparatus for inputting ETCS data into a rail vehicle and a rail vehicle with an ETCS device are also provided.

Claims

1. A method for inputting train control system data into a rail vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: capturing the train control system data by a unit, wherein the unit is selected from the group consisting of a mobile computer, a tablet personal computer, a smartphone, and a stationary computer; transmitting the train control system data from the unit to an interface of the rail vehicle; displaying the transmitted train control system data on an input terminal of the rail vehicle as preselected data values; and accepting the train control system data displayed as preselected data in the rail vehicle as soon as the train control system data have been received and checked by the train control system with an option for confirmation of the train control system data by the user.

2. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises providing the train control system data with at least one of the following items of information: train data, a train control system Level, or a train control system Mode.

3. The method according to claim 2, which further comprises providing the train data with at least one of the following items of information: a maximum speed of the rail vehicle, a length of the rail vehicle, or a brake power of the rail vehicle.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the unit is the mobile computer, the tablet personal computer, or the smartphone.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the unit is the stationary computer.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the stationary computer is an operator terminal.

7. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises carrying out the step of transmitting the train control system data to the interface of the control system device of the rail vehicle by using at least one message.

8. The method according to claim 7, which further comprises providing the at least one message as an SMS message.

9. The method according to claim 7, which further comprises providing the at least one message as at least one of a sender identifier or a destination identifier.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: the sender identifier is a telephone number; valid sender identifiers are stored in the rail vehicle; and the stored sender identifiers are used in checking if the sender identifier of a message is valid.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the interface is selected from the group consisting of a wireless interface, a wired interface, and a combination of a wireless interface and a wired interface.

12. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises performing the step of transmitting the train control system data from the unit to the interface of the control system device of the rail vehicle by transmitting at least a portion of the train control system data from the unit to a center and then from the center to the interface of the control system device of the rail vehicle, wherein the center is selected from the group consisting of a computer and a computer network.

13. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises determining the train control system data at least partially automatically from dispositive data from vehicle operation and transmitting the train control system data to the interface of the control system device of the rail vehicle.

14. A rail vehicle, comprising: a train control system device including: an interface configured for receiving train control system data; and an input terminal configured for displaying the received train control system data as preselected data values; wherein the train control system device is configured for accepting the train control system data displayed as preselected data on the input terminal as soon as the train control system data have been received and checked by the train control system with an option for confirmation of the train control system data by the user.

15. The rail vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the train control system device is configured for using the confirmation of the train control system data by the user as a prerequisite for an ability of the rail vehicle to carry out a subsequent journey.

16. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises using the confirmation of the train control system data by the user as a prerequisite for an ability of the rail vehicle to carry out a subsequent journey.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) The drawings show:

(2) FIG. 1 an exemplary scenario with a rail vehicle with an ETCS device;

(3) FIG. 2 an exemplary schematic flow chart with steps of the method presented here for inputting ETCS data into a rail vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(4) A possibility of inputting ETCS train data with a selection of Level and Mode is created, that requires fewer operator actions of the traction vehicle driver on-site on the rail vehicle and can therefore be carried out in a shorter time.

(5) For this it is suggested that the train data to be input, the Level and/or Mode be input into a unit (e.g. a computer or a terminal), in particular a portable unit (e.g. a portable handheld unit, a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a notebook etc.) and transmitted by this via a wireless or wired interface, in particular a radio interface of a telecommunications network (e.g. by use of the Short Message Service SMS) to the ETCS vehicle device. Preferably the (portable) unit incorporates for this purpose a suitable interface to the wired or wireless network, so that the inputs, e.g. in the form of at least one message, can be transmitted. It should be noted here that there also exist stationary units that can send a message, e.g. an SMS, via a wired or wireless interface, e.g. a connection to the Internet, to the ETCS vehicle device.

(6) By way of example the unit, in particular in the form of a portable handheld unit, can be operated by a user, e.g. a traction vehicle driver, a shunter, a dispatcher etc.

(7) The message, in particular the SMS, can be received by a GSM-R module of the ETCS vehicle device. The SMS can correspondingly be processed in a processing unit of the rail vehicle. By way of example, train data, Level and Mode can be extracted from the message and transmitted to the DMI.

(8) In place of the GSM-R module, a separate GSM unit or an existing train radio unit (that is, for example, SMS-capable) can be used.

(9) Train data, Level and Mode are displayed on the DMI by way of example as suggested values that the user, in particular the traction vehicle driver, can confirm. Through the confirmation the safety-related input continues to lie in the sphere of the ETCS vehicle device or with the actual input of train data.

(10) In addition the message can have a sender identifier that can be displayed to inform the user, e.g. the traction vehicle driver, about the source of the data. Optionally a receiver identifier (e.g. a train number) can be displayed to show the destination of the data to the user so that the latter can quickly determine that it is the correct data for the current rail vehicle.

(11) For the avoidance of receiving incorrect messages the valid sender telephone numbers or the valid sender identifiers can be stored in the ETCS vehicle device and automatically evaluated. An extension of the sender list can also be done using a message, e.g. SMS. If a sender identifier or sender telephone number is not stored in the ETCS vehicle device, a message from this sender in this scenario is not recognized as valid. Under some circumstances an error message can be issued or the message from a sender that is invalid in this way can be entirely suppressed.

(12) The functionality presented here can be employed in all places to which the message, e.g. as SMS, can be sent and received.

(13) A further option is that train data, Level and Mode can be automatically or semi-automatically derived from dispositive data and sent from a dispositive system (possibly also manually) to the ETCS vehicle device of the rail vehicle.

(14) The approach presented here thereby makes it possible to transmit the train data, Level and Mode from a portable or stationary unit to the ETCS vehicle device of a rail vehicle. In this manner, previously necessary tasks of the traction vehicle driver can be transferred to other persons or from the location of the driver cab of the rail vehicle to other locations. By this means job sequences can be optimized and preparation times shortened.

(15) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary scenario with a rail vehicle 101 with an ETCS device (also called ETCS vehicle device) comprising, among others, a computer 102, a wireless interface 103 and a driver-machine interface 104. The driver-machine interface 104 has means of input and output (a user interface) which enable a user, e.g. train driver, to interact with the computer 102.

(16) In addition FIG. 1 shows a mobile unit 105, e.g. a smartphone or a laptop, in addition to a stationary unit 106, both of which have a connection to a network 107. The network 107 can be or can include, for example, a WLAN, a fixed network, a (mobile) telecommunications network or similar. By use of the network 107 the units 105, 106 can communicate with the rail vehicle 101, in particular transmit messages, e.g. in the form or one or more SMS, to the rail vehicle.

(17) In addition a center 108 is provided that, for example, can receive messages from the units 105, 106. In addition the center 108 can transmit messages to the rail vehicle 101.

(18) The center 108 is, by way of example, a computer or a computer network (that can also be arranged in a distributed manner). The center can be operated by an operator of the rail network or by a service provider.

(19) The units 105, 106 can send messages, for example SMS messages, over the network 107 indirectly through the center 108 or directly to the rail vehicle 101. If a message is initially sent to the center 108, the center 108 can process this message, for example check its validity or content or complement it. The center 108 can, after processing the message, pass it onwards to the rail vehicle 101. In addition be it noted that the center 108 can itself also transmit a message to the rail vehicle 101.

(20) The rail vehicle 101 receives the message via the wireless interface 103 and extracts ETCS data from the message (e.g. by means of the computer 102). The ETCS data can be checked, e.g. by means of a sender identifier and/or destination identifier contained in the message. The ETCS data can be entered as suggested values on the driver-machine interface 104, so that it only requires to be confirmed by a user, e.g. train driver. A tedious input procedure by the user himself is no longer required. Alternatively or additionally it is possible to use the ETCS data from the message to set up the rail vehicle. After successful receipt and/or checking of the ETCS data the status “Start Of Mission” can be reached in the rail vehicle 101, and the rail vehicle 101 is thus ready to carry out the next journey.

(21) FIG. 2 shows an exemplary schematic flow chart with steps of the method presented here for inputting ETCS data into a rail vehicle.

(22) In a step 201 the inputting of the ETCS data is done by means of a unit, e.g. a portable computer, a smartphone or a stationary terminal. In a step 202 the ETCS data is transmitted to the rail vehicle in the form of a message. Such a transmission can in some circumstances also be done via a center (see above embodiments).

(23) In a step 203 the message is received in the rail vehicle and there follows optionally a check of the ETCS data contained in the message. By way of example in the context of such a check further data of the message, e.g. a sender identifier and/or a destination identifier can be taken in to account.

(24) In a step 204 the ETCS data values are displayed as suggested values on a user interface of the driver-machine interface of the rail vehicle. The ETCS data can also be directly used for setting up the ETCS device of the rail vehicle.

(25) In a step 205 the ETCS data is confirmed, e.g. by the train driver in the driver cab of the rail vehicle. The rail vehicle is then ready to carry out the next journey (step 206).

(26) Although the invention was illustrated and described in detail by at least one exemplary embodiment, the invention is not limited to this and other variants can be derived from this by the person skilled in the art without departing from the protected scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(27) 101 Rail vehicle 102 Computer of the rail vehicle (also designated ETCS computer or EVC) 103 Radio interface (e.g. GSM-R transmission device) 104 Driver-Machine Interface (DMI), input terminal 105 Mobile unit 106 Stationary unit 107 Network including, for example, a mobile telecommunications network, a fixed network, a WLAN and/or the Internet. 108 Center 201-206 Steps of a method for the input of ETCS data into a rail vehicle