Method and apparatus for a train control system
OwnerNabil N. Ghalyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and an apparatus for a train control system are disclosed, and are based on virtualization of train control logic and the use of cloud computing resources. A train control system is configured into two main parts. The first part includes physical elements of the train control system, and the second part includes a virtual train control system that provides the computing resources for the required train control application platforms. The disclosed architecture can be used with various train control technologies, including communications based train control, cab-signaling and fixed block, wayside signal technology. Further, the disclosure describes methodologies to convert cab-signaling and manual operations into distance to go operation.
Claims30
A train control system comprising:
- physical train control elements located at a transit or rail property, wherein the physical train control elements generate operating data,
- a virtual train control installation located in a cloud computing facility that include computing resources that virtualize control functions for the train control system, wherein the virtual train control installation generates control data that are transmitted to the physical train control elements, and
- a communication network that provides two-way communications between the physical train control elements and the cloud computing facility.
A train control system comprising:
- a physical train control installation that includes at least one of control modules on board trains and wayside train control equipment, wherein a train control module generates messages that include data related to the operation of the associated train, and wherein wayside train control equipment generates operating data,
- a virtual train control installation in a cloud computing facility, which includes computing resources that virtualize train control functions, wherein the computing resources generate messages that include control data needed for the operation of the physical train control installation, and
- a communication link that provides two-way communications between the physical train control installation and the virtual train control installation.
A method for a train control system, wherein the train control system includes two main parts, wherein the first part comprises a physical train control installation having a plurality of physical train control elements that include at least one of control modules on board trains and wayside train control equipment, wherein a train control module on board a train generates messages that include data related to the operation of the associated train, wherein wayside train control equipment generates operating data, wherein the second part is implemented in a cloud computing facility that includes computing resources that are programmed to provide virtualization of train control functions, and to generate messages that include control data needed for the operation of the physical train control installation, and wherein a data communication link provides two-way communications between said two main parts, comprising the following steps:
- determining operational data of physical train control elements in the first part, including at least one of data related to the operation of trains and operating data of wayside train control equipment,
- transmitting messages that include said operational data from the first part to the second part,
- generating control data that include at least one of data needed for the operation of physical trains and data required for the control of wayside train control equipment, and
- transmitting messages that include said control data from the second part to the first part.
A train control system comprising:
- a physical train control installation that includes at least one on-board computer that controls the operation, and generates messages related to the movement, of associated train,
- a virtual train control installation in a cloud computing facility, which includes computing resources that virtualize train control functions, wherein the computing resources generate messages that include control data needed for the operation of the physical train control installation, and
- a communication link that provides two-way communications between the physical train control installation and the virtual train control installation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.