WO2022238307A1

WO2022238307A1 - Computer-implemented method for creating measurement data describing a railway network or a vehicle travelling on a track

Info

Publication number: WO2022238307A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/062446
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias Lehner; Benjamin STUNTNER
Original assignee: Track Machines Connected Gesellschaft M.B.H.
Priority date: 2021-05-10
Filing date: 2022-05-09
Publication date: 2022-11-17
Also published as: CA3209446A1; KR20240006623A; EP4337514A1; MX2023012962A; AT524980A1; CN117279820A; AU2022273169A1; JP2024518078A

Abstract

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for creating measurement data describing a railway network or a vehicle travelling on a track, wherein measurement values are detected by a sensor situated on the vehicle or on the track; wherein a sensor processor in communication with the sensor requests a time value describing a time point t and/or a position value describing a position and/or a measurement sample from a processor situated on the vehicle, and the time value and/or the position value and/or the measurement sample are transmitted from the processor to the sensor processor; wherein the sensor processor assigns a measurement value to the time value or the position value or the measurement sample, such that the time value and/or the position value and/or the measurement sample describe a measurement time point or measurement position, and measurement data comprising the measurement value and the time value and/or the position value and/or the measurement sample are stored in a database.

Description

- 1 -

Computer-implemented method for creating measurement data describing a railway network or a vehicle driving on a track

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for creating measurement data describing a railway network or a vehicle traveling on a track, measurement values being determined by means of a sensor arranged on the vehicle or on the track.

The term railway network can essentially be understood to mean the track body with the rails and sleepers laid in the track body, together with switches, overhead lines, masts and other systems. The concept of the railway network can also include the environment around the track. The question of the definition of the term railway network can also be answered as a possible measuring space, which measuring space around a sensor can be described by the measured values determined by the sensor.

The term vehicle includes any vehicle that can be moved on the track. The vehicle can be, for example, a locomotive, a wagon, a measuring car or a measuring wheel.

The vehicle can also be moved along a path that is not predetermined by the track. The vehicle can be, for example, a drone, a flying object or a car driving on a road.

The sensor can be arranged either in a fixed location on the track or in a location-independent manner on the vehicle.

A sensor arranged on the track acquires measured values which describe a current condition of the track or a condition of the track over a measurement period. A sensor arranged on the track can, for example, determine measured values describing a deformation and/or an acceleration and/or a force state of the track and of a part of the track such as a rail. A sensor arranged on the vehicle can, for example, determine measured values describing an acceleration state and/or an operating state such as the energy consumption of the vehicle and of a part of the vehicle. The measured values given here as examples are in no way to be understood as limiting.

The person skilled in the art is able to select a suitable sensor for determining a desired measured value of the track or the vehicle or a part of the track or the vehicle.

In principle, the method according to the invention can also be applied to the measured values created by a plurality of sensors.

The invention disclosed here sets itself the technical task of offering a method for creating synchronized measured values. In particular, the invention disclosed here sets itself the technical task of offering a method for creating measured values that are synchronized over time and/or over a location. This enables the measured values to be compared. 2

With the help of this method, an unambiguous and sufficiently precise assignment of the measured values to a measuring location should be possible.

This technical task is achieved by claim 1. The solution of the method according to the invention is that the measured values are linked to a single time value and/or a position value. This solution can be achieved in several ways, which are described below.

The solution presented below provides that the measured values created by a sensor at a point in time t are linked to a single time value specified by a single computing unit.

When the method according to the invention is applied to a plurality of sensors, a single time value specified by a computing unit is linked to the measured values created by the sensors at a point in time t.

The description that there is a single time value describing a point in time t is to be understood in such a way that in the method according to the invention a point in time t is described by a single time value. The time value can be increased by time increments to describe a period of time, with only one time value always being present at each point in time t+1. A point in time t is described by a single time value, while further points in time t+1 or t-1 are described by further single time values. These single time values are output by a single arithmetic unit.

According to the invention, this is achieved in that a single time value describing a point in time t is requested by a sensor processing unit in communication with the sensor from a processing unit arranged on the vehicle and the time value is transmitted from the processing unit to the sensor processing unit, with a measured value of the sensor processing unit being assigned in the sensor processing unit single time value describing the time t is assigned, so that the time value describes a measurement time or a measurement position, and measurement data including the measured value and the time value are stored in a database.

The basic technical solution of the method according to the invention, in contrast to methods according to the prior art, provides that no sensor time values specified by the individual sensor are processed as relevant time values. According to the prior art, the sensor time values are not sufficiently accurate because the sensor measurement values according to the prior art are not linked to selected, in principle any and not comprehensible time values, or are subject to fluctuations caused by the operation of the sensor.

In particular, when carrying out measurements with a large number of sensors, the processing of a large number of sensor time values describing a point in time t, which sensor time values are specified by an individual sensor or by groups of sensors, can lead to measured values which measured values actually being at the same point in time be carried out as to - Measured values taken at 3 different points in time are included in a procedure because the sensor time values output by the individual sensors are different.

The solution according to the invention provides that the measured values are linked to a single time value which describes a point in time t and is predetermined by the processing unit. The person skilled in the art can design the one computing unit in such a way that the time values output by the possibly one computing unit are sufficiently accurate. A sufficiently precise configuration of the generation of the individual sensor time values would be a complex and simply not executable process in comparison to the sufficiently precise configuration of the single time value output by the computing unit. The method according to the invention thus has the technical effect of efficiency.

The above description of the advantageous effect of the method according to the invention relates essentially to a vehicle with a computing unit. The technical effect of efficiency can also be achieved in a broader sense if there are several vehicles and a computing unit is arranged on each vehicle. The advantageous efficiency can also be achieved in that, for example, if there are a number of vehicles, only such a number of computing units has to be controlled in such a way that the time values are output with sufficient accuracy. The measurement data created with the individual vehicles or by the individual computing units are comparable.

According to current teaching, a position in a railway network can also be determined using a time value t. The linking of a measured value with a single time value that describes a point in time t with sufficient accuracy allows the measurement position to be determined with sufficient accuracy. If necessary, the determination of the position by means of, among other things, the time value can be supplemented by other methods according to the prior art.

The linking of the time value with the measured value can be designed in such a way that the sensor processing unit controlling the sensor requests the single time value from the processing unit and links this time value with the measured value after the transmission of the single time value from the processing unit to the sensor processing unit.

The measured value created in this way is a value which is independent of the sensor time value possibly created by the sensor. A method downstream of the method according to the invention can be characterized in that only time values specified by the computing unit are processed.

A synchronization of the measured values can be achieved by the output of the single time value by the computing unit and the linking of the measured values with the single time value.

When considering a sensor, the measured values can be synchronized at the individual points in time of a time span that encompasses the points in time.

When several sensors are considered, the determination of a first measured value determined by a first sensor and the determination of one by a second sensor are synchronized 4 determined second measured value reachable. Furthermore, the first measured value and the second measured value, which measured values are determined at a point in time t described by the single time value, are comparable.

Furthermore, the method according to the invention is not limited to sensors which output a sensor time value with the measured value. The method according to the invention can be carried out independently of a property of a sensor for outputting sensor time values.

According to current teaching, sensors are known which sensors also output a sensor time value in addition to the measured value. According to the inventors, this sensor time value is not sufficiently accurate for processing railroad-specific applications, which is why it is proposed to link the measured value to a time value created by the computing unit. The sensor time value created by the sensor is basically irrelevant when using the method according to the invention. The sensor time value can be deleted when carrying out the method according to the invention. However, the measurement data can also include the sensor time value.

The process according to the invention is characterized at best by a high level of efficiency. The individual sensor time values are not synchronized, but rather the measured values are linked to a single time value that is centrally specified by a computing unit and describes a point in time t, so that the step of synchronizing the sensor time values can be omitted.

The advantageous effect of the method according to the invention will be described using the example of determining the position of a vehicle in a route network. The person skilled in the art can also achieve this advantageous effect by using sensors other than sensors for position determination, in order to achieve this advantageous effect for the operation of the other sensors as well.

According to current teaching, the position of a vehicle in a route network can be determined by a number of sensors. The individual position values determined via the individual sensors or the individual position values that can be derived from the individual measured values are compared with one another using methods according to the prior art in order to be able to determine the position of the vehicle with sufficient accuracy. However, in the opinion of the inventors of the method discussed here, these methods are not sufficiently accurate, since the methods according to the prior art are all based on localization using the individual sensor time values of the individual sensors. According to the experience of the inventors, the individual sensor time values have time differences, which time differences make the localization methods according to the prior art inaccurate.

A possible application of the method according to the invention for locating a vehicle is that the measured values, which measured values are determined using sensors for position determination, are assigned a single time value, which single time value is specified by the computing unit. A single time value is thus assigned to all measured values for position determination, which measured values are determined by a plurality of sensors or also by one sensor. Referring to the discussion here, the assignment of the single time value also includes the creation of the - 5 -

Measured values at a point in time t, which point in time in the method according to the invention is defined exclusively by the single time value.

When using a sensor, it is ensured that measured values at the points in time t, t+n with n=1, 2, 3 . . . When using several sensors, the time difference described above is prevented.

The sclerosing of the vehicle can be carried out more precisely when using the method according to the invention.

The solution according to the invention can also be achieved in that a single position value describing a position is requested by a sensor processing unit in communication with the sensor from a processing unit arranged on the vehicle and the position data is transmitted from the processing unit to the sensor processing unit, with the sensor processing unit a measurement value is assigned to the position value, so that the position value describes a measurement position and measurement data including the measurement value and the time value and/or the position value and/or the measurement pattern are stored.

According to current teaching, various methods for determining a position in a railway network are known, which methods supply position data in different forms. The determination of position data is not part of the method according to the invention. Reference is made here to the relevant prior art.

Similar to the single time wed mentioned above, the single position wed describes a single position. Other unique positions We described other unique positions.

In analogy to the single time value, the measurement value can be linked to a single position value, which position value is specified by the computing unit. This solves the problem described above on which the invention disclosed here is based in an equivalent manner.

The user can review the methods described above of linking the measurement data or the measurement data to a single time data or a single position data. The measurement data created in this way can include one or more measurement values, a time value and a position value.

The above linking of a measurement value or several measurement values with a single time value is aimed at assigning this single time value to a measurement value determined at a point in time t described by a single time value. In addition or as an alternative to this, a single position word describing a position can be assigned to a measurement word or to a plurality of measurement words.

According to current teaching, the determination of measurement values at times t1, t2...tn (n=1, 2, 3...) or at a measurement position can be described by a measurement pattern. 6

The solution according to the invention can be achieved in that a single measurement pattern is requested by a sensor processing unit in communication with the sensor from a processing unit arranged on the vehicle and the measurement pattern is transmitted from the processing unit to the sensor processing unit, with measured values being assigned to the measurement pattern in the sensor processing unit , so that the measurement pattern describes a measurement time or a measurement position and measurement data including the measured value and the time value and/or the position value and/or the measurement pattern are stored.

A measurement pattern can include information about the times t1, t2...tn (n=1, 2, 3...) and/or the locations at which a measured value is determined by the sensor. As a result of the central specification of a single measurement pattern by the computing unit, it is achieved that a measured value by the sensor or measured values by the sensors are created exclusively following the one single measurement pattern. This also includes that only measurement data is stored in a database, which measurement data exclusively includes a measurement value created according to the single measurement pattern or measurement values created according to the single measurement pattern.

The above description includes the method step that a single time value and/or a single position value and/or a single measurement pattern is requested by the sensor computing unit from the computing unit. This process step can also be omitted.

Using methods according to the state of the art, the position of a vehicle located on a track can be determined with sufficient accuracy using the time values and/or position values. The position of the computing unit can be determined with sufficient accuracy in particular if the position of the vehicle is determined via this computing unit and the processed time value is sufficiently accurate. The latter can be achieved and thus generated by the computing unit outputting the time value. The specification of the single time value and/or the single position value and/or the single measurement pattern by a computing unit and a position determination by a further computing unit could entail an easily avoidable inaccuracy, since there could be operational fluctuations or a latency between the computing units used.

The method according to the invention has the technical effect that the position of the sensor and thus the measurement position for carrying out the measurement can be determined with sufficient accuracy, since this position determination can be made using values or mathematical functions output by the computing unit, in particular using the time value and/or or position value and/or measurement pattern.

The time value and/or position value and/or pattern specified by the computing unit is independent of the clocking of a sensor. 7

The method according to the invention can be characterized in that the time value is created according to a network protocol such as Network Time Protocol (NTP), Precision Time Protocol (PTP) or according to a predetermined time format.

The single time value can exist in different time formats, with the single point in time in the different formats being specified centrally by the processing unit. The step of requesting the time value described above implies that the sensor processing unit requests the time value in the required time format.

The method according to the invention can be characterized in that the measurement data include a uniform time format.

The measurement data can be saved with a time value in the format mentioned above. Converting the time format contained in the measurement data into a uniform time format has no influence on the effects of the method according to the invention described above, since the time value is not changed by the change in the time format.

The method according to the invention can be characterized in that the position value is a relative position statement and/or an absolute position statement and/or a position statement in the track network specified according to relevant standards.

The method according to the invention can be characterized in that the measurement pattern includes information about the determination of measured values per period of time or an indication of the measurement locations at which measurement locations the measured values are determined, or an indication of the determination of measured values in a route covered by the vehicle.

The measurement pattern can include a mathematical function at which time values and/or at which positions the measured values are determined. In this case, the time values and/or the positions are specified centrally by the computing unit. There is a single time value or position.

The method according to the invention can be characterized in that the single time value is compared with a reference time value at a point in time t and, if necessary, a time difference between the time value and the reference time value by a change made in an adjustment period, which according to mathematics is constant, after the point in time t time increments of the time value is minimized.

The method proposed here of comparing the time value and the reference time value and further adjusting the time value and the reference time value can in principle be carried out independently of the above-described linking of the measured value or measured values with a single time value or a single position value or a single measurement pattern. The method of adjusting the time value and the reference time value and further adjusting the time value and the reference time value can be executed as an independent method. 8th

The reference time value can be defined by the atomic time clock, for example. According to current teaching, the atomic time clock can be queried via data communication means. Since such a query is not possible at all locations in a railway network, a permanent comparison between the time value and the atomic time is not possible. It may be possible for the time difference to arise. The adjustment of the time value in an adjustment period is explained with reference to a figure in the figure description below.

The method according to the invention can be characterized in that the time increments are changed linearly or following a mathematical function. State-of-the-art methods can be used here.

The method according to the invention can also be distinguished, independently of the method described above for creating synchronized measured values, in that a sensor identifier is read out from the sensor by the sensor computing unit and this sensor identifier is transmitted to the computing unit.

Reading out the sensor identifier and transmitting the sensor identifier to the processing unit can be carried out as an independent method. This can prevent sensors from being exchanged by unauthorized persons.

The method according to the invention can be characterized in that improved measured values are created from first measured values, which first measured values are determined by a first sensor, and second measured values, which second measured values are determined by a second sensor, which improved measured values are determined by a mean value from the first measured values and the second measured values or by interpolating the first measured values and second measured values

The method according to the invention can be characterized in that first measurement data, which comprise first measurement data by a first sensor at a point in time specified by a standardized time format, and second measurement data, which second measurement data by a second sensor at a specified by a standardized time format Measurements created at the time include improved measurement data being created, which improved measurement data are determined by an average of the first measurement data and the second measurement data or by interpolation of the first measurement data and the second measurement data.

The mentioned first sensor and the mentioned second sensor can be different sensors.

The first sensor mentioned and the second sensor mentioned can relate to the same sensor, which sensor determines measured values at different points in time, for example. With reference to known methods, the first sensor and the second sensor can relate to the same sensor, particularly during calibration trips. 9

The above method step can also relate to the comparison of first measured values or first measured data with second measured values or second measured data, with the measured values or measured data being determined using different measuring methods or measuring systems.

In principle, the improved measurement data are created from the first measurement data and second measurement data, with any difference between the first measurement data and second measurement data being interpolated or smoothed using mathematical methods known from the prior art. The simplest form of such a mathematical smoothing is the formation of an average value from the two measured values without considering the individual measured values. This averaging can be supplemented by a first weighting of the first measured value and a second weighting of the second measured value.

The method according to the invention can be characterized in that the measured values are compared with reference measured values, which reference measured values describe a reference object, and the measured values are assigned to a reference object while determining a measure of similarity.

The above term of the measured values can be understood as the measured value or the measured values at a point in time and/or as the temporal or spatial development of the measured values in a period of time. The temporal or spatial development of the measured values in a period of time can be described by means of a mathematical function, which mathematical function can be determined using current teaching.

The method according to the invention can be characterized in that a centrally specified time value or a centrally specified position value (or vice versa) is assigned to the measured value or the measured values. The method according to the invention can be characterized in that a number of measured values are assigned to a number of centrally specified time values or to a number of centrally specified position values (or vice versa).

The measured values assigned to the point in time or points in time or the position are more precise, at least with regard to the assignment mentioned. The possible inaccuracy is reduced to the determined measured value.

Correspondingly, the reference measured value can be understood as a reference measured value determined at a reference point in time and/or as a temporal or spatial development of the reference measured values in a reference time span. The temporal or spatial development of the reference measured values in a reference time period can also be described using current teaching.

Each comparison of the measured values with reference measured values or the measured data with reference measured data is therefore more accurate.

In the railway system, the temporal and/or spatial development of measured values with the temporal and/or spatial development of reference time values is used, for example and thus not restrictively, when an object in the railway network is deserted. It can, for example, use a comparison 10 a temporal and/or spatial development of measured values describing the track width with corresponding reference measured values, the localization can be carried out. The above-mentioned measured values describing the track width are mentioned here only as an example and not as a limitation as measured values which measured values are suitable for locating. In addition or as an alternative to the measured values describing the track width, measured values such as a GPS signal can also be used according to current teaching.

The required measured value at a point in time can be determined more precisely by the central specification of the time value described above. Furthermore, the temporal and/or spatial development of the measured values can be determined more precisely. The subsequent methods, such as the localization of which methods are based on a comparison of the measured values with reference measured values, can be carried out more precisely overall because the determination of the measured values is subject to fewer inaccuracies.

The above description mentions the readings and the reference readings. The person skilled in the art can also apply this description to the processing of measurement data and reference measurement data.

The method according to the invention can also be characterized in that the measurement data are compared with reference measurement data, which reference measurement data describe a reference object, and measurement data are assigned to a reference object while determining a measure of similarity.

According to the above definition, the measurement data differ from the measurement values in that the measurement data include a time value and/or a position value and/or a measurement pattern in addition to the measurement value or measurement values.

The invention is explained in addition using the following embodiments shown in the figures:

1: illustrates an arrangement on a vehicle for carrying out the method according to the invention,

2: shows a further embodiment of the method according to the invention,

3: shows a further embodiment of the method according to the invention,

4: shows a further embodiment of the method according to the invention,

5: shows a further embodiment of the method according to the invention,

6: shows a further embodiment of the method according to the invention,

Fig. 7: illustrates the technical effect of the method according to the invention,

8: shows a further embodiment of the method according to the invention.

The embodiments shown in the figures only show possible embodiments, it being noted at this point that the invention is not limited to these specifically illustrated embodiment variants of the same, but also to combinations of the individual ones 11

Variants among themselves and a combination of an embodiment with the above general description are possible. These other possible combinations do not have to be mentioned explicitly, since these other possible combinations are within the ability of a person skilled in the art working in this technical field on the basis of the teaching on technical action through the present invention.

The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and drawings should be used to interpret the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments shown and described can represent independent inventive solutions. The task on which the independent inventive solutions are based can be found in the description.

In the figures, the following elements are identified by the preceding reference symbols:

1 unit of account

2 (free)

3, 4, 5 sensors on the vehicle

6 sensor on the track

7 track

8, 9 graphs of prior art measurements

10, 11 graphs of measured values according to the method according to the invention

12, 13 reference graphs

14 time span

The method according to the invention for creating measurement data is illustrated using a track processing machine. The measured values processed in this method describe a railway network or a vehicle driving on a track. The measured values can be determined by means of sensors 3 , 4 , 5 arranged on the vehicle or sensors 6 arranged on the track 7 .

Sensors 3, 4, 5 are arranged on the vehicle in FIG. 1 by way of example. The sensors 3, 4, 5 on the vehicle can, for example, determine measured values which measured values are relevant for the desolation of the vehicle in a track network. Even if the following description mentions sensors for determining measurement data relevant to the location of the vehicle, the sensors can also provide measurement data for determining a relative or absolute position of a part of the device, which measurement data is fed into a control of a (partial) device on the vehicle. The method according to the invention is not limited to the obliteration of relevant measurement paths or such sensors.

The method according to the invention can also be used on sensors 6 arranged on the track 7 .

The method according to the invention can be applied to sensors according to the prior art for determining measurement values relevant in the railway sector. 12

A time value describing a time t is requested by a sensor processing unit (not shown in FIG. 1) which is in communication with the sensor from a processing unit 1 arranged on the vehicle. The single time value exclusively describing a point in time t in the method according to the invention is transmitted from the computing unit 1 to the sensor computing unit. A measured value created by the sensor 3, 4, 5 is assigned to the time value by means of the sensor computing unit. Furthermore, measurement data can also be determined according to the above description.

The sensor 3 is, for example, a sensor for determining the distance covered by the vehicle. According to the current theory, the position of the vehicle in a track network can be calculated from the distance covered.

It is the sensor 4, for example, a sensor for determining the track width. According to the prior art, the change in the track width over time can be an input parameter for the obliteration of the vehicle.

Let the sensor 5 be a GPS sensor which, depending on the availability of the GPS signal, allows the vehicle to be obliterated.

According to current teaching, the position of the vehicle at a point in time t can be determined from the measurement values mentioned above by way of example and/or from the temporal development of these measurement values. However, this presupposes that the individual measurement signals are actually determined at the single point in time t. The method according to the invention achieves this by creating a single time wed, which only describes the point in time t in the method according to the invention. By creating the measurement path for a time path that is exclusively described by the time path and by linking the measurement path to the only time path, a time difference in the creation of the measurement path is prevented.

FIG. 2 shows a possible embodiment of the method according to the invention. The essential components for carrying out the method according to the invention are also entered in FIG.

The arrangement of the components for carrying out the method according to the invention comprises at least one sensor for determining the measured value, a sensor processing unit and a processing unit. FIG. 2 only shows a basic structure and a basic arrangement of the components mentioned. The disclosure of the invention does not exclude that the components mentioned can also be integrated into one or more electrotechnical components.

The measuring values describing a condition of the track or the vehicle are determined with the sensor. The user can use state-of-the-art sensors to carry out the method according to the invention.

The sensor can be arranged on the vehicle, for example, and can measure the state of the vehicle or the railway network in a descriptive manner. The sensor can also be arranged on the track - 13 - and, as a sensor arranged there, determine measured values describing the condition of the railway network, in particular the track bed or the vehicle.

At least one measured value and possibly a sensor time value are transmitted to the sensor processing unit. If the sensor is arranged on the vehicle, this data transmission takes place preferably, but not restrictively, via a wired network after the sensor processing unit is also arranged on the vehicle. If the sensor is arranged on the track, this data transmission preferably takes place via radio, especially since cable-based data transmission cannot be carried out. The forms and routes of data transmission used, in particular the wired forms of data transmission such as cables, switches, etc., are preferably standardized in order to prevent dangling between the data transmission paths. In principle, the person skilled in the art can use his or her specialist knowledge to create the appropriate data transmission option and design it in such a way that the data transmission that is established is subject to minor disruptions such as delays.

The method according to the invention allows the use of sensors which supply a sensor time value or do not supply this in addition to the measured values. The property of the sensor to be able to supply sensor time values is not relevant for the method according to the invention.

The method according to the invention can include the method step that the sensor computing unit requests the time value from the computing unit. With this request, the property of the requested time value is defined so that the time value is available in the time format required for further data processing. This is done according to the common practice of defining the communication protocol, such as Network Time Protocol (NTP) or Precision Time Protocol (PTP).

The time value is transmitted from the computing unit to the sensor computing unit, taking into account the required communication protocol. This transmitted time value is the only relevant time value when carrying out the method according to the invention. When the method according to the invention is carried out, no further time values are processed in a relevant manner; these further time values such as the sensor time values have no influence on the further method steps, in particular no relevant influence on the synchronization of the measured values that can be achieved by the method according to the invention.

The processing unit can be controlled in such a way that the processing unit supplies the time values in the communication protocol requested by the sensor processing unit. The property of the time values can be adapted to the respective request.

The computing unit can also be controlled in such a way that the computing unit supplies the time values in a rigid format.

The measured values are linked to the time value in the sensor processing unit. The measurement data created from this are transmitted to the computing unit and, if necessary, stored in a database. The database in FIG. 2 is not entered. 14

The computing unit can include several units, which units have individual tasks (pattern, database, ....) separately from one another.

With reference to the above description of the occurrence of further time values, it is noted that the measurement data can in principle include sensor time values. However, the sensor time values are no longer relevant for the basic implementation of the method according to the invention or subsequent methods. These methods can also be carried out as additional time values without the sensor time values.

Since the other time values, such as sensor time values, have no relevant significance when carrying out the method according to the invention, the sensor time values can be deleted or the measurement data can be designed in such a way that the measurement data only includes measurement values and time values.

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement in which only one sensor 10 is coupled to the sensor computing unit 1 and only one sensor 20 to the sensor computing unit 2 . This exemplary arrangement in no way excludes an arrangement of a large number of sensors with the respective sensor processing unit. In this sense, a multiplicity of sensor computing units can also be coupled to the computing unit, which sensor computing units are in turn coupled to one sensor or to a plurality of sensors. FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, the coupling of two sensor computing units to one computing unit.

According to current teaching, a sensor may require a time value in a different format, as specifically specified by the communication protocol. Referring to FIG. 2, processing of sensor 10 readings may require a time value in NTP format, while processing of sensor 20 readings may require a PTP time value. The time logs mentioned here are only to be understood as examples. In general, the processing of the measured values of a sensor can require a specified time format. The time value is created in the requested format in the arithmetic unit and transmitted to the sensor arithmetic unit.

The measurement data can include a uniform time format. The linking of the measured values with the single time value, which single time value can be present in different time formats, allows the measurement data to be stored with a uniform time format.

As explained above in the general description, the method step of querying a time value can be omitted. Within the scope of the disclosure of the invention, it is also conceivable that the time value to which the measured value is assigned is specified by the central processing unit. This specification can, for example, be a timing or a measurement pattern or a large number of time values.

Clocking is understood to mean the determination of a number of measured values in a period of time. With a measurement pattern, the number of measurement values in a period of time is specified using a mathematical function. 15

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the method according to the invention, in which method the sensor computing unit does not query the time value.

The above description mentions the determination of measured values per period of time. At the same time, the determination of the measured values per distance can be defined. The determination of the measured values per distance can be defined, for example, by a distance measuring wheel or by another sensor and system for position determination.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the method according to the invention. The feasibility of the method illustrated on the basis of FIG. 4 is by no means restricted to the above-restricted combination of measured values from possibly a number of sensors with a single time value (see FIG. 2). The method illustrated in FIG. 4 can be viewed as a possible, advantageous effect of the method described above of linking measured values from possibly a number of sensors with a single time value. The method described in FIG. 4 can also be carried out as an independent method.

The time value is created by the computing unit. However, the time value output by the computing unit can be different from a reference time, such as atomic clock time. The user could solve this problem of preventing such a time difference by comparing the time value and the reference time value. This adjustment is preferably carried out permanently in order to prevent the time difference from occurring. However, such a comparison requires a data connection between the computing unit and the unit creating the reference time, which is only available to a very limited extent in the railway system. Such a data connection does not exist in a tunnel, for example.

FIG. 4 includes a diagram in which the time value specified by the computing unit is plotted on the x-axis and the reference time value is plotted on the y-axis. A graph representing a time difference between the time value and the reference time passes through the zero point when there is no time difference and has a slope of 1:1.

The process illustrated in FIG. 4 can be broken down into the following phases, although not all phases are part of the process according to the invention.

In phase 1, the reference time value and the time value match. The graph (or its ray) extends through the origin and has a slope of 1:1.

In phase 2, a time difference occurs between the reference time value and the time value. The graph (solid line) deviates from the dashed line, which dashed line illustrates a match between the reference time value and the time value. In the method shown in FIG. 4, the time value is increased in smaller time increments than the reference time value. The graph therefore runs below the dashed line in phase 2. The graph runs in phase 2 with a lower slope than the dashed line. 16

It is assumed, for example, that in phase 2 there is no data connection between the computing unit that outputs the time value and the reference time that outputs the reference time, so that the time difference cannot be determined. At the transition from phase 2 to phase 3, the time difference can be determined. The time difference is illustrated in Figure 4 by the distance of the graph from the dashed line.

In phase 3, the time value is “slidably” adjusted to the reference time using the method according to the invention. The "sliding" adjustment can be made using conventional teaching techniques. The RFC 5905 method, which is described for example on the website http://www.ntp.org/, is mentioned here as an example and not as a limitation. A phase 4 following phase 3 is characterized in that the single time value corresponds to the reference time.

The advantageous effect of the method according to the invention is also presented as follows. Methods according to the prior art are based on linking the measured values determined by individual sensors with the individual sensor time values. Each individual sensor time value can have a time difference to the reference time, so that individual time values of the individual sensors have to be adjusted by a single, stand-alone method similar to the method described above. With a large number of sensors and the occurrence of a large number of time differences at different points in time, a large number of adjustments of the sensor time values to the reference time values have to be carried out, so that the adjustments can no longer be understood by a person skilled in the art.

In contrast to this, when using the method according to the invention, only a single time value has to be adjusted to the reference time. In contrast to the prior art method described above, the adjustment is understandable.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate methods for creating measured values by a sensor, which measured values are linked to a single time value specified by a central processing unit. The communication between the sensor processing unit and the sensor is shown over the time defined by the single time value. The communication between the sensor processing unit and the sensor via the position defined by the single position value would look too similar here.

Regarding Figure 5, the following is put forward. As shown in FIG. 2 and as described above, the sensor computing unit receives the single time value (or position value). The sensor computing unit issues the command to the sensor to determine a measured value at this single point in time (or at this single position value) and to transmit this measured value to the sensor computing unit. In the sensor computing unit, the determined measured value is linked to the single time value (or to the single position value), possibly with the creation of measurement data. This method shown in FIG. 5 is based on the use of sensors with a non-specified clocking of the determination of the measured values. 17

FIG. 6 illuminates the use of sensors with a predetermined clocking of the determination of measured values. The sensor computing unit gives the command to create the measured value at a point in time TI. Since the timing and the point in time TI match, the sensor can determine a measured value at a point in time t1 equal to the point in time TI and transmit it to the computing unit.

However, there is also the possibility that the timing and the point in time T2 do not match. In order nevertheless to create a measured value at a time t2 equal to the time T2, at which time T2 the command is to determine the measured value, a fictitious measured value created at a time t2 is transmitted to the processing unit. The fictitious measured value created at the time t2 is a measured value averaged or interpolated from a number of measured values, which a number of measured values are determined in a time period encompassing the time T2 equal to t2. In FIG. 6, the measured values created at a point in time t2.1 or t2.2 are entered as an example, with the points in time t2.1 and t2.2 falling within the time span.

Furthermore, measurement data comprising the measured value and the time value can be created from a measured value and a time value.

Among other things, FIG. 7 illustrates the technical effect of the method according to the invention in the context of a comparison of determined measured values with reference measured values.

FIG. 7 comprises three diagrams. Diagram 3 illustrates the development of measured values over time, which measured values are determined using methods according to the prior art. The time is plotted on the x-axis and the measured values are plotted on the y-axis; this principle is also observed in diagrams 1 and 2. Diagram 3 comprises two graphs 8, 9, which represent graphs of measured values determined using methods according to the prior art as a function of time.

As explained in detail above, there is the technical problem with methods according to the prior art that a really single point in time is described by different time values. This problem is illustrated in the diagram by different time positions of the times tl graphs 8, 9 on the x-axis as a time axis.

Diagram 2 in FIG. 7 illustrates the development over time of measured values, which measured values are created using the method according to the invention, in particular by assigning a single time value describing a point in time t1. The method according to the invention has the technical effect that a point in time t1 is described by a single time value and only this single time value is assigned to the measured values. This is illustrated in Diagram 2 of FIG. 7 in such a way that the points in time t1 of the graphs 10, 11 are assigned to the same positions on the x-axis as the time axis.

Diagram 1 includes graphs 12, 13 as reference measured values.

A possible technical effect of describing a point in time t1 using several time values according to the prior art can be that the graphs 8, 9 of a time span 14 cannot be assigned to the reference graphs 12, 13 of this time span. In the case that the graphs 8, 9 for example - 18 - the temporal development of measured values for describing a position such as GPS signal, track width et cetera, the vehicle could be localized only with difficulty or not at all, at best it could be imprecise. It is not possible to find a single time period in the profile of the reference graphs 12, 13 in which a single time period the graphs 8, 9 are similar to the two reference graphs 12, 13 with a high degree of similarity.

Experiments have shown that the graphs 10, 11 of the measured values, which have been determined using the method according to the invention, could be compared with the reference graphs 12, 13 with an acceptable level of effort. In the already mentioned case that the graphs 10,

11 describe measured values for localization, the vehicle would be able to be located with sufficient accuracy.

A localization by comparing the graphs 8, 9 with the reference graphs 12, 13 can only take place effectively if the time difference between the time t1 of the graph 8 and the time t1 of the graph 9 is minimized. The process of minimizing this time difference also includes, for example, recognizing this time difference. This recognition alone is subject to an inaccuracy, which inaccuracy has an effect on the subsequent adjustments.

The above description of FIG. 7 is aimed at showing the measured values or reference measured values as a function of time. Those skilled in the art can also apply this description to a representation of the measurement values as a function of position.

In addition to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, reference is made to the embodiment of the method according to the invention shown in FIG. 8, which embodiment is basically similar to the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.

The sensor 10, the sensor computing unit 1 and the computing unit can be designed as one component within the meaning of the disclosure of the invention. The sensor 10 transmits the measured value and the sensor time value to the sensor processing unit 1. The sensor processing unit 1 transmits the measured value in the form of measurement data and the sensor time value as a time value to the processing unit.

The central processing unit transmits the time value determined from the sensor time value to the sensor processing unit 2. This method step can be carried out as a result of querying a time value; querying the time value is not absolutely necessary, as explained above in sufficient detail.

The method shown in FIG. 8 differs from the methods described above in that the time value is created on the basis of the sensor time value.

Claims

- 19 -Claims

1. Computer-implemented method for creating measurement data describing a railway network or a vehicle traveling on a track, with measurement values being determined by means of a sensor arranged on the vehicle or on the track, characterized in that a sensor computing unit in communication with the sensor is computing unit arranged on the vehicle, a time value describing a time t and/or a position value describing a position and/or a measurement pattern are requested and the time value and/or the position value and/or the measurement pattern are transmitted from the computing unit to the sensor computing unit, with the Sensor processing unit a measured value is assigned to the time value or the position value or the measurement pattern, so that the time value and/or the position value and/or the measurement pattern describe a measurement time or a measurement position, and

Measurement data comprising the measured value and the time value and/or the position value and/or the measurement pattern are stored in a database.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the time value is created according to a network protocol such as NTP, PTP or according to a predetermined format.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the measurement data include a uniform time format.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the position value is a relative position specification and/or an absolute position specification and/or a position specification in the track network defined according to relevant standards.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the measurement pattern includes information about the determination of measured values per period of time.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the time value is compared with a reference time value at a time t and a time difference between the time value and the reference time value by a change made in an adjustment period of a time increment of the time value following the time t is minimized.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the time increments are changed linearly or following a mathematical function. - 20 The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a sensor identifier is read from the sensor by the sensor processing unit and this sensor identifier is transmitted to the processing unit. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that improved measured values are created from first measured values and second measured values, which improved measured values are determined by a mean value from the first measured values and the second measured values or by interpolating the first measured values and second measured values and /or improved measurement data from first measurement data, which includes first measurement data by a first sensor at a time specified by a standardized time format, and second measurement data, which includes second measurement data by a second sensor at a time specified by a standardized time format, improved measurement data are created, which improved measurement data are determined by an average of the first measurement data and the second measurement data or by interpolation of the first measurement data and second measurement data. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the measurement data are compared with reference measurement data, which reference measurement data describe a reference object, and the measurement data are assigned to a reference object, determining a degree of similarity, or the measurement data are compared with reference measurement data, which reference measurement data describe a reference object , and measurement data are assigned to a reference object while determining a measure of similarity.