System and method for signalling events through a visibility marker associated with a train
AssigneeSiemens Mobility GmbH
InventorHarsh Piparsaniya
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An End-of-Train device, a system and a method for signaling events through a visibility marker is provided. The method includes identifying an illumination pattern generated by the visibility marker associated with an End-of-Train device on a leading train, wherein the illumination pattern is identified based on output of one or more secondary sensors on the follower train, and wherein the illumination pattern is indicative of an event affecting an operation of the leading train. Based on the identified illumination pattern one or more instructions to be executed are determined. Further, the one or more instructions are executed for signalling events through the visibility marker associated with the follower train.
Claims15
An End-of-Train device for mounting on a train, the End-of-Train device comprising:
- at least one sensor for detecting an event affecting an operation of the train;
- a visibility marker comprising one or more LEDs, wherein the one or more LEDs is selectively activated to generate an illumination pattern based on the event, wherein the illumination pattern is indicative of an instruction for controlling operation of a follower train;
- and
- a control circuitry housed by the End-of-Train device and configured for generating trigger signals for the one or more LEDs based on the event detected by the control circuitry based on digital inputs received by the at least one sensor coupled to the control circuitry, wherein the trigger signals selectively activate the one or more LEDs to generate the illumination pattern;
- wherein the illumination pattern comprises a predetermined timing sequence of LED activation and deactivation that is specific to a type of the event, wherein different types of events generate different predetermined timing sequences that are mapped to different actions automatically performed by the follower train.
A system for managing operation of a follower train based on events signaled by a visibility marker on a leading train, the system comprising:
- an End-of-Train device mounted on the leading train, the End-of-Train device comprising:
- at least one sensor for detecting an event affecting an operation of the leading train;
- a visibility marker comprising one or more LEDs;
- and
- a control circuitry configured to generate an illumination pattern by selectively activating the one or more LEDs based on the event, wherein the illumination pattern is indicative of an instruction for controlling operation of the follower train;
- a secondary sensor installed on the follower train, wherein the secondary sensor is configured to detect the illumination pattern generated by the visibility marker on the leading train;
- and
- a sensing subsystem on the follower train comprising a database storing mappings between illumination patterns and instructions for controlling the follower train, the sensing subsystem configured to automatically execute an instruction mapped to the illumination pattern detected by the secondary sensor.
A method for managing operation of a follower train based on events signaled by a visibility marker on a leading train, the method comprising:
- identifying, by a sensing subsystem on the follower train, an illumination pattern generated by a visibility marker associated with an End-of-Train device on the leading train, wherein a control circuitry housed by the End-of-Train device generates trigger signals for one or more LEDs of the visibility marker based on an event detected by the control circuitry based on digital inputs received by at least one sensor coupled to the control circuitry, wherein the illumination pattern is identified based on output of one or more secondary sensors on the follower train, and wherein the illumination pattern is indicative of an instruction for controlling operation of the follower train, wherein the illumination pattern comprises a predetermined timing sequence of LED activation and deactivation that is specific to a type of the event, wherein different types of events generate different predetermined timing sequences;
- determining, based on a database storing mappings between illumination patterns and instructions for controlling the follower train, an instruction mapped to the identified illumination pattern;
- and
- automatically executing the instruction for controlling operation of the follower train.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.