ES2325850A1 - System providing assistance in the operation of radio-based railway blocking management - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system providing assistance in the operation of radio-based railway blocking management, consisting of an electronic system formed by an industrial computer having a touch screen and a series of programs or applications and an electronic circuit including a receiver of a satellite-based positioning system (GPS or similar), a rotation sensor and a series of circuits for conditioning different signals originating from the train, which determine the state of same: running, stopped, state of the doors, etc.

Description

Management assistance system for railway blocks via radio.

The object of the invention is a support system for the railway block management operation via radio, which includes a series of electronic equipment that are installed in a train to determine the exact position of the train on the tracks, provide diverse information to the train driver, provide information to the Service Command Post railway and exchange information between the train driver and the Railway Service Command Post. With this team you achieves an improvement of the railway operation system of a train service

Technical field

The invention (hereinafter Help System) It comes to solve various problems that arise in the operation railway as they are: the determination of the exact position of all trains of a railway operator, the transmission of information to the driver, communication between the train as machine and the Command Post of the railway system and the communication via messages from the Command Post with the machinist.

For example, it is important to transmit between a Train and Command Post the following information: position exact train at every moment, service that the train, road map or itinerary book that the driver in the current service, messages about the operation as indications of eventualities or situations temporary, information on railway facilities provision of tracks, track changes, etc.

In addition all this information must be transmitted to the driver with: reliability, clarity, promptness and simplicity. He Help System must complete the driver's job by adding facilities and avoiding distractions regarding their functions main.

For the Command Post controller of the Rail service this information must be: reliable, complete, immediate and clear. The Help System should facilitate its control on the operation of all trains in the service.

For the railway operation company he adds reliability in service, immediate information, ease of transmit temporary or variable information, etc. The System of Help also represents a security system because it can Perform train positioning tasks when the Current or traditional systems.

Background of the prior art

Currently the operations mentioned more above are done by various methods that do not allow so much reliability

The positioning of the trains is done by telephone blocking or based on the installation of detectors in the tracks. These methods do not provide high accuracy in the position although they provide high reliability. Lack of precision limits the number of services that a operator on a railway line.

Currently the communication between the Post of Command and driver is performed orally by means of systems of radio of various types. Oral communication is subject to communication protocols, but still and everything is not exempt from the possibility of errors in the transmission of information, forgetting about the transmitted information and all possible failures that can be give for the fallible performance of the person. This communication is becomes extremely sensitive when, in the event of system failures of centralized traffic control, the Command Post must transmit traffic control orders directly through Oral to the machinists.

Currently the information available on railway machinist is printed on paper, books or documents that he carries with him or that they are in the train cabin. This entails problems of information management, cost and difficulty of the documentation update and, in general, an abandonment of the documentary system.

To better understand the purpose of this invention, a preferred form of practical realization, susceptible to accessory changes that do not distort its foundation.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 constitutes the block diagram of the electronic systems of the Help System (40). In the figure you can see the industrial computer (1) attached to the card electronics (2) with position sensors (GPS) with its antenna (3), inertial sensors (gyrometer) and adapters for other connections (4) such as train signals that determine the door status, running or stopping of the train, etc. In addition, the figure shows the optional communication with a mobile communications system (5) type GSM / GPRS or similar, together with its antenna (6), for simple rolling equipment such as locomotives or maintenance teams. Other items shown are the power supply (7), and communications systems (8) between the different teams.

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Figure 2 shows the block diagram of the system where it is located and with which the System of Help (40). In the upper part the train is represented with its teams (100). The Post of Command (20) of the railway operator with other equipment. Through represent wireless communication systems where it fits highlight the communications operator (30). On the train (100) you You can see the Help System (40). This team communicates with the Euroloop system (60) and other equipment through a line Ethernet (70). All these devices are connected to a computer wireless communications (50) in charge of transmissions wireless between the train (100) and the Command Post (20). Located In the Command Post you can see the BRAP Via Lock system Position Assisted Radio (11) and the Remote Configurator of the Help System (13), in addition to other equipment (14). Everybody These devices communicate through an Ethernet network (15). The communication between the train (100) and the Command Post (20) can be perform with short-range communications systems (8) such as Wifi or with long-range communications that require a operator (30). This long-range communication can be performed between the train and the operator by wireless means such as GSM / GPRS (9) and between the operator and the Cable Command Post as per example Internet via private VPN line (10). For this, the Post Command will have a Ground Communications Module (12) that will manage said communication.

Figure 3 reflects the general architecture of the software installed in the industrial computer (1) and the elements That composes. Integration elements: communication intermodules (31), compilation of software elements (32) and execution or operating system (33). Main modules: positioning (34), historical record (35), expert system (36), communications (37), and graphical user interfaces (38). This The last module is broken down into the submodules: information to the machinist (39), blocking management via Radio Assisted by Positioning (310) and on-board electronic library (311).

Figure 4 corresponds to a possible distribution of the main screen (400) shown in the industrial computer (1) located on the train (100) and used to Provide information to the train driver. In the center of screen (46) the roadmap or book is written regularly of itineraries of the service the train is developing. Too in this area (46) the messages sent by the Post of  Command (20), alarms and any other character information principal. At the top of the screen it shows diverse information: the current date and time (41), the limitation of speed in the current section (42), the railway service that is performing (43), GPS and GPRS coverage status (44) and the kilometer point where the train is located instantly current (45). At the bottom are the buttons virtual access emergency information (SOS button) (47) or of access to other information stored in the computer and arranged by the railway operator for machinists information (library button) (48).

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Description of the invention 1. Introduction

The Help System (40) for the operation of management of railway blocks via radio involves a series of electronic equipment that allows to know the position of the train with high precision and transmit it to the Command Post (20) of railway control

It also has a touch screen (400) so that the driver can find out about: the exact Kilometer Point where the train is located, the maximum speed allowed in the section, milestones of the itinerary book, messages received from the Command Post of the railway system, documents related to driving,
etc.

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2. General diagram

The electronic equipment that is part of the Help System (40) object of the invention can be seen in the
Figure 1.

From the physical point of view there are two teams basic:

- A computer with a touch screen (1), where all applications described in the following are executed sections. An industrial PC of the so-called can be used PC panel or similar.

- An electronic card (2) containing a GPS receiver and its antenna (3), a turn sensor (gyro) and adapters for various power signals coming from the train or acting on train mechanisms.

In addition to these two teams there is a system of  power (7) and connection with other train equipment (4).

Considering the Help System object of the invention in its relationship with other equipment embarked on the train or arranged on land, we have the block diagram of the figure 2.

In said figure 2 it can be seen that the Help System (40) communicates through an Ethernet or similar line (70) with an Embedded Communications Module (MCE) (50) that is responsible for carrying out train communications with the exterior (8) and (9). Regarding this patent, it is in charge of contacting the Help System
with:

- A Radio Assisted Locking System by Positioning (BRAP) (11) located in the Command Post (2) (at outside of the train) that is filled with the position data of the trains supplied by the Operation Assistance Systems located on the different trains of the operating company of railroads,

- A System remote configuration system of Help (13), also located in the Command Post, which allows modify the programmable operating parameters of the System Help

The Help System is also communicated with Different electronic communications system:

- A Euroloop or similar system (60) installed on trains and that provides information on train position from a wireless communication with systems arranged in the tracks.

- A Train Communication communication system Network (TCN, IEC 61375) or similar that will provide information About the state of the train.

In addition to the equipment presented in the figure 2, the Help System has the ability to connect directly to a GSM / GPRS mobile communications module or similar represented in figure 1 (5) to make communications directly with ground systems. This is useful for installation in auxiliary rolling stock (batters, for example) that does not have Ethernet line or equipment described in Figure 2.

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3. Description of the Help System modules

From a general or useful point of view what What really interests are the applications or functions that can Perform the Help System. All these applications are implemented through the software arranged in the computer industrial located in the train driving cabin.

The general diagram of this software has the aspect shown in figure 3.

On the one hand we can appreciate the elements more exteriors that constitute the base or operating system. This part It cannot be perceived by the user. It consists of the elements that implement the integration of the System's software modules Help: the common definition of symbols for compilation (32), a variable exchange system for communication between the modules (31) and the initialization, coordination and control of the context of execution of these modules (33).

On the other hand we can see the own elements of the applications.

Submodules are the elements that implement jointly a functionality (graphical interface) but that they present a differentiated objective within it.

A software module is considered that element of the software that implements a differentiated functionality that corresponds to some objective of the final application.

Although there are relationships between modules, the Design principle of a modular architecture is to achieve the greatest independence between them. In this way, the operation of each module is affected to the minimum extent possible by the Operation of other modules.

Functionally there are five modules in the Help System software (40).

Positioning Module (34): This module provides the calculation of the position of the vehicle on the network railway, in terms of kilometer point, line and track. For this uses the global positioning information via satellite, information about the inertial circumstances that act on the vehicle, the data provided by the odometer of the vehicle and the plans of the railway network.

Communications Module (37): Its function is provide services for sending and receiving data with entities external to the Help System: the Help System hardware, on-board devices (EUROLOOP) and job control elements of command.

Rule-based Expert System Module (36): System that determines when the shipment to the Post of Command of positioning information and vehicle status according to A few rules of operation. These rules must be previously established by an expert in the criteria for communications from the Help System to the Command Post.

Graphical User Interface Module (38): it is the set of elements that constitute the graphical interface of user and that allow interaction between the Help System and the Machinist. Within this set they are distinguished, by having a differentiated functionality: the driver information system (39), the positioning-assisted radio locking system (BRAP) (310) and the on-board electronic library (BEE) (311).

Historical Module (35): This module has as object the storage in state information files of the Help System for its subsequent exploitation. It's about a relatively high volume of information and that will be accessed in occasions spaced in time.

The functionality of each module is described with more detail in the following sections.

4. Positioning

Positioning is the main application of the Help System. It basically consists in calculating the position from the following elements:

- A satellite position receiver (GPS or similar) that provides the absolute position of the train in terms of latitude and longitude. Provides great positioning precision and is the main instrument for calculating the position.

- A rotation sensor: gyro. The accuracy of a satellite positioning system is not enough to determine changes of track or parking of a train in a beach tracks. This sensor allows to measure the turns made by the train in the track changes and thus discriminate the track selected

- Euroloop information. The Euroloop system wirelessly provides the position of the train in a track loop. This information is used to determine the sections of track and track used at all times. Instead of the Euroloop system an odometer or any other system could be used relative train positioning.

- Road plans. The calculated position is moves to the road plans provided by the owner of the railway infrastructure to determine the kilometer point (PK) agreed. That is, the kilometer point number that you corresponds within the denomination used by the owner of the railway infrastructure. The road plans are divided into routes or services performed by the operator railway The routes are in turn divided into sections between different populations. The sections in turn are divided into the roads that make up the section, either the main roads of the section or the various branches of stations or car parks of trains. In summary, the plane is identified in a way biunivocal each position through the agreed kilometer point and the identification of the route, section, track number or relationship similar identification.

The position, in addition to being displayed, is transmits through the Communications Module Embedded to the system Locking via Radio Assisted by Ground Positioning which uses it to perform an appropriate Operation Management of the rail system.

5. Communications system

The communication of a train with the Post Railway control must obviously take into account the mobility characteristic. In this invention the Independence of the Systems Help System or infrastructures based on elements arranged on land, so that the communication is carried out by wireless means, through any of the procedures currently in existence: WIFI, WIMAX, GSM / GPRS, etc. Specifically inside the train it has been considered the existence of a wireless communications team that has called Embarked Communications Module that uses different wireless communications depending on coverage, the cost of operation, etc. The possibility that in certain railway vehicles, with more equipment limited, the Help System directly employs devices of Wireless communication (GPRS modem or similar).

Good through the Communications Module Embarked or directly by means of a device wireless communication, a transmission line of continuous information between the Command Post of the system Railway and train. The Help System uses this system of communications for:

- Update any of the information available on the train: messages, itinerary book, service, library documents, etc.

- Transmit train status information in real time: positioning, speed, door condition of the vehicle, etc.

- Receive messages from the Command Post of rail system to display them on the screen.

- Transmit to the Command Post of the system railway confirmation of receipt of messages and other additional information

The Help System communicates, in addition to the Command Post wirelessly, with other elements embarked on the vehicle and connected to the internal network (Ethernet) of the same. Through an industrial communications mechanism based on the publication and subscription of information variables (OPC or similar), the Help System makes available to all the equipment connected to the internal train network the information of train positioning and status than the positioning module Calculate

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6. Expert system

The transmission of the position and other variables status of the train to the Command Post of the railway system, it serves as a simple expert system that determines the cadence with That information is transmitted. The purpose of this expert system it is, fundamentally, to vary the transmission frequency of the information. Higher frequency when position is varying quickly or determined by an event and less frequently when the Train is stopped and its position does not change. This is a saving in the cost of transmission and traffic density of information.

This adaptation of the transmission frequency to Traffic circumstances are determined by an expert in the rail traffic operation. Said expert establishes a flexible set of rules that set the various conditions in which status information must be transmitted. These rules are created using the Remote Configurator of the Help System and transmitted to the Help System.

The expert system, based on the conditions set in these rules and their comparison with the circumstances of its environment (elapsed time, distance traveled, time absolute, absolute position and train status: stopped, running, with open doors, etc.) orders the communications module to sending positioning information and train status when The conditions of the rules are met.

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7. Information to the driver

The touch screen (400) of the computer industrial (1) serves to show information to the driver. Bliss information can:

- Proceed from the internal memory of the computer Industrial as an electronic library.

- Be generated automatically by the computer industrial depending on the operation: position, time, etc.

- Receive from the Operator Command Post railway: transmission of written messages to the driver.

Figure 4 shows the main screen typical of the system in operation.

In the center (46) the road map or itinerary book with its milestones along with the messages received in different colors It also stands out in another color or shape the next event.

Information is shown at the top diverse (41) to (44). In the upper right corner the point appears kilometer (45) within the stretch of track where the head of the train.

At the bottom are the virtual buttons of access to the on-board electronic library (48) and help before emergency (47).

These three are described below. graphic utilities in greater detail since they constitute a part important of the invention.

7.a. Main screen

The main screen has the function of show the driver information on the evolution of various information during the course of the tour.

The information normally existing in the main screen can be general, such as date and hour (41), of a general nature within the railway service, such as the railway service number (43) you are performing currently the train or specific Help System.

The specific information of the Help System is the next:

- Coverage of the positioning system by satellite (GPS or similar) (4). Indicate by different colors if coverage exists or does not exist at all times.

- Coverage of the communications system Wireless, GSM / GPRS or similar (44) through the Module Communications shipped or directly from the module GSM / GPRS communications. This coverage is gradual, therefore represented by an analog control: number, ruler or circle graduate.

- Mileage point (45) where the train at every moment, expressed by the kilometer point within the current section or track with the precision expressed for example in meters. This value is continually updated as the train moves.

- The central part of the main screen is occupied by the road map or itinerary book (46). Leaf route or itinerary book contains information about the transit times for each station, the planned crossings with others trains and any other information that is of interest for the driver's driving and the safe performance of the service railway Normally a roadmap will take up enough space so the screen shows the part of interest at the moment current, consisting of the last milestone or event elapsed, the next event and the following events or milestones in the sense of train march Because it is important, the next event stands out by a strip in another color. Towards the end of the tour, when there are few events left to show, the strip that highlights the next event is scrolling through the list until concluding with the Last event at the end of the list displayed on the screen. I also know they can use other shapes or colors to highlight events or Roadmap milestones.

7.b. Message Exchange

Another important aspect to reflect and handle through the Help System are the messages transmitted from the Command Post and received in the Help System. These messages are usually transmitted orally via radio, but in this invention a method for transmitting them is added in written form and improve the security and transmission of posts.

In the Command Post there is a system of message generation and transmission to the train. It can be done to a specific train of the railway service, to a group of trains that They make a certain route or to a specific train.

The message received from the Command Post is received on the industrial computer that can perform various operations depending on the type of message sent by the Post Command and indicated in one of the information fields. The possibilities without being exhaustive are the following:

- Show the message about the road book within its position based on the Point Kilometer associated. It will appear as one more event but highlighting in a different color to make its difference clear with other milestones on the road map. When the next event to occur as announced in the message, it stands out in a color other than the color used to show the events of the road book.

- If the message is of greater importance, this can be shown occupying most of the screen main and standing out in a striking color. Also the driver must click on the message area of the screen touch to return to the situation of displaying the usual screen with the message added in the road map to the mode explained in the previous paragraph.

- With a message of greater importance, in addition to Everything said for the previous messages, this message will become to stand out occupying most of the main screen and standing out in a striking color near the Point Kilometer associated. Again the driver will press on the screen to indicate that he has been reminded again message and the data associated with it.

- With an especially important message, may activate the train stop mechanisms, such as opening of loop wire, if the driver does not recognize the posts.

- Some messages may be in addition to transmitted to the driver interpreted by the computer industrial. These are messages that refer to the train stop before from a Kilometer Point, to a speed restriction in an area determined, or similar messages and actions. These messages In addition to being displayed on the screen of the forms outlined in the previous paragraphs, may be interpreted by the computer industrial to act on the train braking system of automatically and indicating to the driver the operation that is going to be done or has been done. These functions can be canceled. by the driver or the Command Post keeping record in all moment of the events: recognition, authorization, appearance of messages, etc.

- In addition to the operations described based on the reception of the messages, you can activate audible alarms or bright if the message types determine it.

7.c. Embarked Electronic Library

The Embarked Electronic Library (311) is a documentation system installed in the industrial computer (1) of the Help System that the driver can use to Find out about certain issues, rules, plans, etc.

These documents and their structure will be determined by the railway operator according to interests that you consider appropriate and using the tool called Remote Help System Configurator described more ahead.

From the functional point of view the operation about the Embarked Electronic Library (311) describes continuation.

In stop situation, by pressing the button virtual (48) called main screen library it access a browser that allows you to select the different documents in text menu mode or graphic or synoptic menu mode of stations, that is to say by means of a horizontal bar where They show the stations as they are arranged along the way.

The information is presented with the appearance of a document screen (text mode) or with the appearance of a graphics screen for documents corresponding to plans, circuits, etc.

All this information can be useful when machinist, it is easy to configure and can be updated automatically through the Wireless Communications Module Embarked on the train.

Another virtual button called SOS and arranged in the main screen, allows immediate access, regardless of the state of travel or stop of the train, at a single document where special information must be contained interest for an emergency case. This document will also be prepared by the railway operator and selected for access using this virtual button using the Remote Configurator of the Help System

8. Historical generation

Much of the information generated in the Help system is stored in a secondary memory (for example a Compact Flash) arranged in the industrial computer generating A historical file. This file can be downloaded for evaluate in detail the operation of the equipment or a certain event.

9. Remote Help System Configurator

The Help System is a great system complexity whose operation can adapt to various needs and new situations. The Configurator software Remote Help System serves to vary: parameters Main, the system of shipping rules of the train position, the data located in the electronic library, the types of messages, etc.

The appearance of the main screen of the Remote Help System Configurator shows the different configuration options: general data, rule configuration of the expert system, contents of the electronic library embarked, etc.

From this screen you can select, for example, the modification of the main parameters, which shows an electronic printed type screen where you can define the general operating parameters, or generate the library content, allowing the design of all levels of document access menus and the definition of Documents associated with a selection.

The information generated by the configurator is transmits to the train through the communications system On-board Communications Module wireless.

Claims (7)

1. Aid system for the operation of railway block management via radio, which is embarked on the train, characterized by being composed of:

to)

an industrial computer (1) that has from

a1)

a positioning module (34) that provides the  calculation of the position of the train on the railway network, in terms of kilometer, line and track;

a2)

a communications module (37) for interconnect with entities external to the system;

a3)

a graphical user interface module (38) for the interaction between the system and the driver through a touch screen (400)

b)

an electronic card (2) consisting of a satellite position receiver (GPS), a turn sensor (gyrometer) and wireless means (Euroloop) that give the position of the train in a track loop from means arranged in the tracks.

2. Aid system for the operation of railway blocking management via radio, according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning is based on an algorithm that relates the data supplied by the satellite position receiver (GPS), the gyrometer data, the data provided by the wireless means (Euroloop) and the plans provided by the owner of the railway infrastructure. 3. Aid system for the operation of railway block management via radio, according to claim 1, characterized in that the industrial computer (1) has:

to)

an expert system module (36) for exchanging messages between the Command Post and the driver.

b)

elements that implement the integration of software modules to display these messages when received associated to the kilometric point where the message is relevant; Y

C)

a historical system module (35) of memory of  message when activated again near the point kilometric.

4. Aid system for the operation of railway block management via radio, according to claim 1, characterized in that the touch screen (400) provides the driver with at least:

-

\ vtcortauna information (45) of the exact kilometer point where it is located or where the train is running;

-

\ vtcortauna information (46) from the road map or itinerary book of the service to be performed; Y,

-

\ vtcortauna information (42) of the maximum speed in the current section that must not exceed.

5. Aid system for the operation of railway block management via radio, according to claim 4, characterized in that said information system for the driver is an on-board library (311), which allows the driver to access, by electronic and computer means, documents arranged by the rail service operator. 6. Aid system for the operation of railway block management via radio, according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an update and configuration system that allows remote modification through the wireless communications systems arranged in the train, large number of system parameters and update said on-board library (311). 7. Aid system for the operation of railway block management via radio, according to claim 1, characterized in that it has means for exchanging information with the Command Post systems for the remote configuration of the system, the exchange of messages or the sending of information of train status, either by means of the wireless communication facilities installed on the train or by wireless communication elements directly connected to the railway vehicle.