Masking method and axle counting device with masking function

Abstract

Masking method and axle counting device with masking function Abstract The invention relates inter alia to a method for masking a malfunction of a counting point (ZP2) disposed between a first track section (GA1) and an adjoining second track section (GA2), wherein said masking method involves taking into account a virtual track section (VGA) spanning the first and second track sections (GA1, GA2). It is inventively provided in this regard that the masking method requires prior activation, wherein activation of the masking method requires that, after the first and second real track sections (GA1, GA2) have been normalized, a complete train passage through the two track sections (GA1, GA2) is detected and the virtual track section (VGA) is confirmed to be clear by the train passage, wherein, in the event of prior activation of the masking method, the malfunction of the counting point (ZP2) is masked if the monitoring of the virtual track section (VGA) confirms that the virtual track section (VGA) is clear but the counting point (ZP2) is deemed to be faulty because it outputs contradictory information or no information at all, and the masking of the malfunction is terminated if the malfunction of the counting point (ZP2) persists for longer than a predefined maximum fault duration (Tmax). Figure of the abstract: Fig. 5 Masking method and axle counting device with masking function Abstract The invention relates inter alia to a method for masking a malfunction of a counting point (ZP2) disposed between a first track section (GA1) and an adjoining second track section (GA2), wherein said masking method involves taking into account a virtual track section (VGA) spanning the first and second track sections (GA1, GA2) It is inventively provided in this regard that the masking method requires prior activation, wherein activation of the masking method requires that, after the first and second real track sections (GA1, GA2) have been normalized, a complete train passage through the two track sections (GA1, GA2) is detected and the virtual track section (VGA) is confirmed to be clear by the train passage, wherein, in the event of prior activation of the masking method, the malfunction of the counting point (ZP2) is masked if the monitoring of the virtual track section (VGA) confirms that the virtual track section (VGA) is clear but the counting point (ZP2) is deemed to be faulty because it outputs contradictory information or no information at all, and the masking of the malfunction is terminated if the malfunction of the counting point (ZP2) persists for longer than a predefined maximum fault duration (Tmax) Figure of the abstract: Fig. 5 20 25 20 48 42 26 J un 2 02 5 2 6 J u n 2 0 2 5 2 0 2 5 2 0 4 8 4 2 2 6 J u n 2 0 2 5 2 0 2 5 2 0 4 8 4 2 202410150 20 20 0 21 1 FI G 7 7 / 10 ZS (G A 2) 21 0 ZS (G A 1) ZS (V G A ) ZP M (Z P1 )- ZP M (Z P3 ) S B ZP M (Z P1 )- ZP M (Z P3 ) ZM ZS (G A1 ), Z S( G A2 ) ZS (V G A) 21 2 21 3 21 4 S PM N S B1 N SB 1( ZS (G A1 )= 0! ; Z S (G A2 )= 0! ) 20 SPM 213 ZPM(ZP1)-ZPM(ZP3) NSB1 212 SB 200 7 / 10 NSB1(ZS(GA1)=0!; ZS(GA2)=0!) ZS(VGA) 214 ZS(GA2) WZ ZS(VGA) ZS(GA1), ZS(GA2) ZS(GA1) 211 210 L DH 20 25 20 48 42 26 J un 2 02 5 2 0 2 5 2 0 4 8 4 2 2 6 J u n 2 0 2 5 2 0 2 5 2 0 4 8 4 2 2 6 J u n 2 0 2 5

Description

[0001] The application relates to European Patent Application No. EP24189805, filed on 19 July 2024, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The invention relates to masking methods and axle counting devices with a masking function; such methods and devices are used in the field of railway engineering for monitoring track installations.

[0003] More specifically, the invention relates to a method for masking a malfunction of a counting point disposed between a first track section and an adjacent second track section, constituting a masking method wherein a virtual track section spanning the first and second track sections is taken into account as part of said masking method. A method of this type is known from the German patent specification EP 0 739 802 B1.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for masking a malfunction of a counting point disposed between a first track section and an adjoining second track section, constituting a masking method, wherein a virtual track section spanning the first and second track sections is taken into account as part of said masking method, wherein the masking method requires prior activation, wherein activation of the masking method requires that, after 2025204842   26 Jun 2025 complete train passage through the two track sections is detected and the virtual track section is confirmed to be clear by the train passage, and wherein, in the event of prior activation of the masking method, the malfunction of the counting point is masked if monitoring of the virtual track section confirms that the virtual track section is clear, but the counting point is deemed to be faulty because it outputs contradictory or no information, and the masking of the malfunction is terminated if the malfunction of the counting point persists for longer than a predetermined maximum fault duration.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an axle counting device having at least one input terminal for connection to a counting point disposed between a first track section and an adjoining second track section and for connection to additional counting points which delimit the two real track sections externally, and at least one output terminal for connection to a higher-order device, wherein the axle counting device is designed to carry out a method as described above.

[0007] Another object of the invention is the ongoing development of a method of the type described.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features as detailed in the above method. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are described below.

[0009] Accordingly, it is inventively provided that the masking method requires prior activation, wherein activation of the masking method requires that, after normalization of the first 2025204842   26 Jun 2025 and second real track sections, a complete train passage through the two track sections is detected and the clearance of the virtual track section is confirmed by the train passage, wherein, in the event of prior activation of the masking method, a malfunction of the counting point is masked if the monitoring of the virtual track section confirms that the virtual track section is clear, but the counting point is deemed to be faulty because it outputs either contradictory information or no information at all, and the masking of the malfunction is terminated if the malfunction of the counting point persists for longer than a predetermined maximum fault duration.

[0010] A significant advantage of the method according to the invention is that the inventively provided passage-dependent activation of the fault masking, in combination with a time limit for the fault masking, significantly improves operational safety compared to conventional masking methods, because the masking is initiated / enabled only after the functionality of the counting points involved has been checked, and is autonomously terminated again, for example on the axle counter side, as soon as it is recognized that continuation of the masking is problematic due to it persisting too long for what was only a temporary fault. Non- critical faults are most frequently caused by strong external electromagnetic interference, such as that generated by arcing in the area of the pantographs of rail vehicles, for example when the pantographs become misaligned; such faults are usually very short, in the order of a few seconds, and therefore do not pose a risk to railway operation. On the other hand, implausible counting point messages that persist for significantly longer indicate a serious safety issue, such as a genuinely defective counting point or a rail vehicle not 2025204842   26 Jun 2025 known to the interlocking actually passing a counting point; such a passage of a counting point usually takes significantly longer than the abovementioned faults due to arcing. The inventively provided necessary prior activation for primary confirmation of the functionality of the counting points, combined with a time limit for masking, significantly reduces problems for operational safety that can be caused by rail vehicles unknown to the interlocking, ghost trains, or defective counting points.

[0011] It is considered advantageous if the real track sections are deemed to be clear and externally reported as such as long as masking of the malfunction continues.

[0012] The real track sections are preferably externally reported as occupied if the counting point fault lasts longer than the predefined maximum fault duration. The maximum fault duration is preferably between 4 and 20 seconds so that, for example, the abovementioned faults due to arcing can be disregarded.

[0013] If the fault ends during the masking period, any internal assumption, caused by the fault, that the first and / or second real track section is occupied is preferably normalized by internally defining the affected real track sections as clear.

[0014] If the fault causes a first section-specific counter reading error affecting the first real track section and / or a second section-specific counter reading error affecting the second real track section, the normalization of the first and / or second real track section preferably involves 2025204842   26 Jun 2025 correcting the affected section-specific counter readings — for example, by setting them to zero.

[0015] In the event of repeated occurrence of fault events, these are preferably regarded as belonging to the same fault referred to above, the duration of which is compared with the predefined maximum fault duration, if the time interval between consecutive fault events is shorter than a predefined separation period. In the latter case, the occurrence of the first fault event is preferably regarded as the start of the fault. The separation period can allow for the latency or transmission delay between the counting points and an axle counting device connected thereto, thereby preventing a single fault event from being recorded multiple times by the axle counting device or misinterpreted as multiple fault events due to the latency; the separation period is preferably a maximum of 5 seconds.

[0016] The method is preferably carried out by an axle counting device that is connected on the input side to the counting point disposed between the first track section and the adjoining second track section and, on the output side, to a higher-order device, and masks the malfunction of the counting point from the higher-order device by reporting the real track sections to the higher-order device as clear despite the counting point malfunction. The higher-order device is preferably an interlocking.

[0017] If the fault ends while masking is still in progress, the axle counting device will preferably normalize any internally held assumption, caused by the fault, that the first and / or second real track is occupied by internally defining the affected real track section(s) as clear. 2025204842   26 Jun 2025

[0018] As part of correcting the internal assumption of track occupancy, the axle counting device will rectify a first counter reading error caused by the fault and affecting the first real track section and / or a second counter reading error caused by the fault and affecting the second real track section, preferably by correcting the affected counter readings, in particular by setting them to zero.

[0019] The two real track sections can be delimited externally by additional counting points. In such a case, the axle counting device is preferably also connected to these additional counting points and initiates the prior activation of the masking method if, after normalization of the first and second real track sections, it has detected the passage of a train through the virtual track section also on the basis of the counter event messages provided by the additional counting points.

[0020] The first and second real track sections are preferably normalized in response to an external command from the higher-order device, i.e. by a command issued by a device other than the axle counting device.

[0021] The invention also relates to an axle counting device comprising at least one input terminal for connection to a counting point disposed between a first track section and an adjacent second track section, and for connection to additional counting points that externally delimit the two real track sections, as well as at least one output terminal for connection to a higher-order device. An axle counting device of this kind inventively provides a facility that is designed to carry out a method as described above. 2025204842   26 Jun 2025

[0022] With regard to the advantages of the axle counting device according to the invention and advantageous embodiments of the axle counting device according to the invention, reference is made to the foregoing explanations in connection with the method according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments.

[0023] It is advantageous if the axle counting device comprises a computing device and a memory in which a control program module is stored, the latter being designed to carry out the method described above when executed by the computing device.

[0024] It is advantageous if the control program module comprises a counting module that records the counting point messages from the counting points and determines a sectionspecific counter reading for each of the two real track sections and the virtual track section.

[0025] It is advantageous if the control program module comprises a normalizing module which, on receiving a control command from an interlocking instructing the normalization of the two real track sections, sets the counter readings associated with the two real track sections to zero by transmitting a zeroing command to the counting module.

[0026] It is advantageous if the control program module comprises a monitoring module which, after the counter readings associated with the two real track sections have been normalized at the request of the interlocking, monitors the counting point messages from the counting points for the occurrence of a complete train passage event, as explained above; in addition, after detecting such a passage event, the 2025204842   26 Jun 2025 monitoring module preferably sets the counter reading associated with the virtual track section to zero by means of a zeroing command and activates the masking method by issuing an activation command.

[0027] It is advantageous if the control program module comprises a masking module which, on receiving the activation command, carries out the masking method described above. If, for example, a malfunction of the second counting point occurs, as explained above, the masking module preferably masks this fault from the interlocking by continuing to report the real track sections as clear by means of a corresponding interlocking message. If the fault condition is resolved before the expiry of a maximum fault duration, the masking module preferably transmits a reset command to the counting module, whereby the counter readings of the two real track sections are set to zero, and resets the masking method to its active initial state, i.e. to the state after its activation by the monitoring module; otherwise, the masking module preferably terminates the masking and reports the real track sections as occupied by means of an interlocking message and / or transmits a fault report to the interlocking by means of the interlocking message. As long as the masking method is inactive, the masking module preferably transmits the counter readings of the real track sections and / or the resulting occupied and / or clear reports for the respective track sections directly as part of the interlocking message.

[0028] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, wherein: 2025204842   26 Jun 2025

[0029] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a railway track installation equipped with an exemplary embodiment of an axle counting device according to the invention,

[0030] Figs. 2-5    show the axle counting device according to Fig. 1 during exemplary operation, wherein the figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention,

[0031] Figs. 6-9    show a preferred variant of the axle counting device according to Figs. 1 to 5 in greater detail, illustrating different operating phases of the axle counting device, and

[0032] Figure 10    shows another railway track installation equipped with an exemplary embodiment of an axle counting device according to the invention, for example the axle counting device from Figures 6 to 9.

[0033] For the sake of clarity, the same reference characters are used in the figures for identical or comparable components.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a first real track section GA1 and an adjacent second real track section GA2 of a railway track installation 10. The first track section GA1 is delimited by a first counting point ZP1 and a second counting point ZP2; the second track section GA2 is delimited by the second counting point ZP2 and a third counting point ZP3. The second counting point ZP2 is thus disposed between the first track section GA1 and the second track section GA2 and separates or connects them. The counting points ZP1 to ZP3 are typically designed to 2025204842   26 Jun 2025 detect passage events and to output corresponding counting point messages ZPM.

[0035] The counting points ZP1 to ZP3 are connected to an axle counting device 20 which evaluates the counting point messages ZPM from counting points ZP1 to ZP3 and determines whether the track sections are occupied or clear by evaluating the counting point messages ZPM. For example, based on the counting point messages ZPM from the counting points ZP1 to ZP3, the axle counting device 20 can create a section-specific counter reading ZS for each of the two track sections GA1 and GA2, which indicates the number of rail vehicle axles located in the respective track section GA1 or GA2: if the sectionspecific counter reading ZS is zero, the respective track section GA1 is considered clear; if, on the other hand, the counter reading ZS is not zero, the respective track section GA1 is considered not clear, i.e. occupied.

[0036] The axle counting device 20 according to Figure 1 also monitors the occupancy status of a virtual track section VGA spanning the two track sections GA1 and GA2. The axle counting device 20 determines its status, i.e. whether it is occupied or clear, based on the counting point messages ZPM provided by the first counting point ZP1 and the third counting point ZP3, i.e. independently of counting point messages from the second counting point ZP2; the counting point messages from the first and third counting points ZP1 and ZP3 define a counter reading ZS which indicates the number of axles located in the virtual track section VGA.

[0037] Detecting passage events and counting wheels or axles, generating corresponding counting point messages ZPM, and determining section-specific counter readings ZS are generally 2025204842   26 Jun 2025 known and, in this regard, reference is therefore made to the prior art, in particular to the patent specification mentioned in the introduction.

[0038] The counting point messages ZPM from the counting points ZP1 to ZP3 can, for example, be event messages that report each passage event individually; alternatively, it can be provided that the counting points ZP1 to ZP3 detect passage events by incrementing or decrementing internal counter point counter readings and transmit these counter point counter readings to the axle counting device 20. The specific design of the counting point messages ZPM is irrelevant, provided the axle counting device 20 is capable of determining the section specific counter readings ZS and thus the occupancy status of the real and virtual track sections GA1, GA2, VGA on the basis of the counting point messages ZPM.

[0039] Under certain circumstances, one of the counting points ZP1 to ZP3 may fail or may be only temporarily disrupted by external influences and not output any counting point messages ZPM or output counting point messages ZPM that are incorrect. In order to prevent incorrect counting point messages ZPM from the counting points ZP1 to ZP3 from immediately or prematurely triggering a corresponding message to a device of higher order than the axle counting device 20, typically an interlocking 30, the axle counting device 20 is designed to carry out a masking method whereby counting point errors are concealed from the interlocking 30 for a limited period of time.

[0040] The axle counting device 20 according to Figure 1 is designed for fault masking in such a way that the masking method requires prior activation and also terminates the masking method if a fault condition persists for longer than a 2025204842   26 Jun 2025 predefined maximum fault duration Tmax. The operation of the axle counting device 20 in connection with the masking method is explained below by way of example for the case that the second counting point ZP2 has failed or is malfunctioning and delivers an erroneous counting point message ZPM.

[0041] The prior activation of the masking method in the axle counting device 20 according to Figure 1 requires two things, namely, first, a normalization of the real track sections GA1 and GA2 from the interlocking and, subsequently, a complete train passage through the virtual track section VGA.

[0042] Figure 1 shows a point in time t1 after a normalization command SB has been transmitted from the interlocking 30 to the axle counting device 20 and the axle counting device 20 has internally normalized the track sections GA1 and GA2 by internally setting the section-specific counter readings ZS for the real track sections GA1 and GA2 to zero. The virtual track section VGA is not yet affected by the normalization, so its counter reading has not yet been set to zero and remains at a default value DW; normalization of the virtual track section VGA only occurs when the axle counting device 20 has been able to detect a complete train passage based on the counting point message ZPM from the counting points ZP1 to ZP3, thereby substantively confirming the normalization of the real track sections GA1 and GA2 imposed by the interlocking and also confirming correct functioning of the counting points independently of the axle counting device 20.

[0043] Accordingly, activation of the masking method has not yet taken place at the time t1 shown in Figure 1, since no complete train passage has yet occurred following the normalization of the real track sections GA1 and GA2. 2025204842   26 Jun 2025

[0044] Figure 2 shows a later second point in time t=t2 (t2>t1) after the axle counting device 20 has been able to detect the complete passage of a rail vehicle 50 based on the counting point messages ZPM from the counting points ZP1 to ZP3, thereby substantively confirming the normalization of the real track sections GA1 and GA2 imposed by the interlocking. After the train passage, the axle counting device 20 considers the virtual track section VGA to be clear, sets the counter reading ZS of the virtual track section to zero, and activates the masking method. In the illustration in Figure 2, it is assumed, for example, that the counting points ZP1 to ZP3 are still working correctly and that the section-specific counter readings ZS are accordingly zero.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a later third point in time t=t3 (t3>t2) at which a fault has occurred at the second counting point ZP2; it is assumed in this example that, due to external interference from an electromagnetic field caused by arcing in the area of an adjacent track, for example, the second counting point ZP2 has reported a train passage event that did not actually take place. The internal section-specific counter readings ZS for the two real track sections GA1 and GA2 are therefore no longer zero, but “-1” and “+1” in the example described. However, the counter reading ZS for the virtual track section VGA remains at zero because the first counting point ZP1 and the third counting point ZP3 are functioning correctly and have not signaled any passage events.

[0046] In the situation described, the axle counting device 20 now performs masking of the malfunction of the second counting point ZP2 by continuing to report the two real track sections 2025204842   26 Jun 2025 interlocking message ZM. In addition, the axle counting device 20 starts a timer and monitors the further counting point messages ZPM of the second counting point ZP2.

[0047] Figure 4 shows a later fourth point in time t=t4 (t4>t3) which lies within a predefined maximum fault duration Tmax after the timer has started, meaning that: t4-t3 < Tmax

[0048] The maximum fault duration Tmax is preferably within a range of 4 to 20 seconds.

[0049] In the example shown in Figure 4, it is assumed that the second counting point ZP2 has not transmitted any further incorrect counting point messages ZPM to the axle counting device 20 for a predefined separation period Tmin (Tmin < Tmax) after the incorrect counting point message at time t3. The separation period Tmin preferably ranges between 2 and 10 seconds.

[0050] Upon expiry of the separation period Tmin at time t4 = t3 + Tmin, the axle counting device 20 assumes that the second counting point ZP2 is no longer faulty, so that the sectionspecific counter readings ZS can be reset, i.e. the real track sections GA1 and GA2 can be internally defined as clear, i.e. normalized.

[0051] After the counter readings of the real track sections GA1 and GA2 have been normalized internally, the state shown in Figure 2 is re-established, in which the masking method is activated and a subsequent counting point fault can be masked again. 2025204842   26 Jun 2025

[0052] Based on the state shown in Figure 3, Figure 5 shows another scenario, i.e. a scenario different from that shown in Figure 4, at a later fifth point in time t5, where: t5 = t3 + Tmax and for the case that, after the second time t2 shown in Figure 3, the second counting point ZP2 has continuously transmitted incorrect counting point messages ZPM at intervals shorter than the separation period Tmin, and the maximum fault duration Tmax has elapsed.

[0053] The axle counting device 20 terminates the masking method upon expiration of the maximum fault period Tmax and reports to the interlocking 30 via the interlocking message ZM that the real track sections GA1 and GA2 can no longer be regarded as clear, i.e. must be regarded as occupied; the interlocking message ZM can be used, for example, to transmit occupancy signals B for the real track sections GA1 and GA2.

[0054] Figure 6 shows components of an exemplary embodiment of the axle counting device 20 according to Figures 1 to 5. The axle counting device 20 comprises a computing device 200 and a memory 210. The memory 210 has stored therein a control program module SPM which, when executed by the computing device 200, controls the operation of the axle counting device 20 and thus also determines the masking method described above.

[0055] The control program module SPM comprises a counting module 211 which detects the counting point signals ZPM from the counting points ZP1 to ZP3 and determines a sectionspecific counter reading ZS for each of the two real track sections GA1 and GA2 and the virtual track section VGA. 2025204842   26 Jun 2025

[0056] The control program module SPM also comprises a normalization module 212 which, on receiving a control command SB from the interlocking 30 instructing the normalization of the two real track sections GA1 and GA2, sets the counter readings ZS associated with the two real track sections GA1 and GA2 to zero by transmitting a zeroing command NSB1 to the counting module 211 (see Figure 7).

[0057] The control program module SPM further comprises a monitoring module 213 which, after the normalization of the counter readings ZS associated with the two real track sections GA1 and GA2, monitors the counting point signals ZPM from the counting points ZP1 to ZP3 for the occurrence of a complete train passage event, as explained above in connection with Figure 2; in addition, after detecting such a passage event, the monitoring module 213 sets the counter reading ZS associated with the virtual track section VGA to zero by means of a zeroing command NSB2 and activates the masking method by means of an activation command AB (see Figure 8).

[0058] The control program module SPM further comprises a masking module 214 which carries out the masking method described above on receiving the activation command AB. If, for example, there is a malfunction of the second counting point ZP2, as explained above in connection with Figure 3, the masking module 214 masks this fault from the interlocking 30 by continuing to report the real track sections as clear by means of an appropriate interlocking message ZM.

[0059] If the fault situation ends before the maximum fault duration Tmax expires, the masking module 214 transmits a reset command RS to the counting module 211 (cf. Figure 9), 2025204842   26 Jun 2025 which command internally sets the counter readings of the two real track sections to zero and returns the masking method to its active initial state, i.e. to the state following its activation by the monitoring module 213 (see Figure 8); otherwise, the masking module 214 terminates the masking and reports the real track sections GA1 and GA2 as occupied by means of the interlocking message ZM and / or transmits a fault report to the interlocking 30 by means of the interlocking message ZM.

[0060] As long as the masking method is inactive, the masking module 214 directly transmits the counter readings ZS of the real track sections GA1 and GA2, and / or the resulting occupancy and / or clear status for the respective track sections, as part of the interlocking message ZM.

[0061] Otherwise, the above explanations provided in connection with Figures 1 to 5 apply correspondingly to the axle counting device 20 according to Figures 6 to 9.

[0062] The two real track sections GA1 and GA2 can also be externally delimited by additional counting points ZP4 and ZP5, so that more complex track topologies can be covered, as shown by way of example in Figure 10. In such a case, the axle counting device 20 can be connected to these additional counting points. The axle counting device 20 preferably initiates the prior activation of the masking method when, after normalization of the first and second real track sections GA1 and GA2, it has detected a train passage through the virtual track section VGA also based on the counting point messages ZPM provided by the other additional points ZP4 and ZP5. 2025204842   26 Jun 2025

[0063] Otherwise, the above explanations provided in connection with Figures 1 to 9 apply correspondingly to the system topology according to Figure 10.

[0064] Finally, it should be mentioned that the features of all the exemplary embodiments described above may be combined with one another in any manner to form further additional exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0065] All the features of dependent claims may also be combined individually with any of the independent claims, either individually or in any combination with one or more other dependent claims, to yield further additional exemplary embodiments. 2025204842   26 Jun 2025 List of reference characters 10 Railway track installation 20 Axle counting device 30 Interlocking 50 Rail vehicle 200 Computing device 210 Memory 211 Counting module 212 Normalization module 213 Monitoring module 214 Masking module AB Activation command B Occupied signal DW Default value GA1 First real track section GA2 Second real track section NSB1 Zeroing command NSB2 Zeroing command RS Reset command SB Normalization command SPM Control program module t1 Point in time t2 Later second point in time t3 Later third point in time t4 Later fourth point in time t5 Later fifth point in time Tmax Predefined maximum fault duration Tmin Predefined separation period VGA Virtual track section ZM Interlocking message 2025204842   26 Jun 2025 ZP1-ZP5 Counting point ZPM Counting point message ZS Counter reading

Claims

1. A method for masking a malfunction of a counting point disposed between a first track section and an adjoining second track section, constituting a masking method, wherein a virtual track section spanning the first and second track sections is taken into account as part of said masking method,whereinthe masking method requires prior activation, whereinactivation of the masking method requires that, afternormalization of the first and second real track sections, acomplete train passage through the two track sections isdetected and the virtual track section is confirmed to beclear by the train passage, andwherein, in the event of prior activation of the masking method, the malfunction of the counting point is masked ifmonitoring of the virtual track section confirms that thevirtual track section is clear, but the counting point isdeemed to be faulty because it outputs contradictory or noinformation, andthe masking of the malfunction is terminated if the malfunction of the counting point persists for longer than apredetermined maximum fault duration.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the real tracksections are considered clear and are reported externally as clear as long as the masking of the malfunction continues.

3. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,wherein the real track sections are reported externally asoccupied if the malfunction of the counting point persists forlonger than the specified maximum fault duration.2025204842   26 Jun 20254.  The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,wherein if the malfunction ends during masking, any internal assumption, caused by the malfunction, that the first and / orsecond real track section is occupied is normalized by internally defining the affected real track sections as clear.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein if themalfunction causes a first section-specific counter readingerror affecting the first real track section and / or a secondsection-specific counter reading error affecting the second real track section, the normalization of the first and / orsecond real track section includes correcting the affected section-specific counter readings, in particular by setting them to zero.

6. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the event of repeated occurrence of fault events, if the time interval between the successive faultevents is shorter than a predefined separation period, these are considered to belong to the same aforementionedmalfunction, the duration of which is compared with the specified maximum fault duration.

7. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method is performed by an axle counting device which is connected on the input side to the counting point disposed between the first track section and the adjoining second track section and on the output side to a higher-orderdevice, and which masks the malfunction of the counting pointfrom the higher-order device by reporting the real tracksections to the higher-order device as clear despite themalfunction of the counting point.2025204842   26 Jun 20258.  The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the higher-leveldevice is an interlocking.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein if themalfunction ends while masking is still in progress, the axle counting device corrects an internal assumption, caused by the malfunction, that the first and / or second real track sectionis occupied by internally defining the affected real tracksections as clear.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein as part of correcting the internal assumption of track occupancy, theaxle counting device rectifies a first counter reading errorcaused by the fault and affecting the first real track sectionand / or a second counter reading error affecting the secondreal track section by correcting the affected counterreadings, in particular by setting them to zero.

11. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 7 to 10, whereinthe two real track sections are delimited externally byadditional counting points andthe axle counting device is connected to these additionalcounting points and initiates the prior activation of the masking method when, after normalization of the first andsecond real track sections, it has detected the train passagethrough the virtual track section based on the counting pointmessages supplied by the additional counting points.

12. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 7to 11, wherein the normalization of the first and second real track sections is carried out in response to an external instruction from the higher-order device.2025204842   26 Jun 202513. An axle counting device having at least one input terminalfor connection to a counting point disposed between a firsttrack section and an adjoining second track section and for connection to additional counting points which delimit the two real track sections externally, and at least one output terminal for connection to a higher-order device, whereinthe axle counting device is designed to carry out a methodas claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12.

14. The axle counting device as claimed in claim 13, whereinthe axle counting device comprises a computing device and amemory in which a control program module is stored, andwherein the control program module is designed to carry outthe method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to12 when executed by the computing device.Siemens Mobility GmbHPatent Attorneys for the Applicant / Nominated PersonSPRUSON & FERGUSON

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