METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A LANE-BOUND VEHICLE IN A DRIVERLESS OPERATION ACCOMPANIED BY AN ACCOMPANIED PERSON

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and system for operating a rail-bound vehicle in driverless operation accompanied by an attendant. The invention further relates to a rail-bound vehicle and the use of a mass-produced mobile terminal and an output device arranged in a fixed location within the rail-bound vehicle.

[0002] In the method, a mobile device receives operating information relating to the operation of the rail-bound vehicle via a wireless access point that provides data access to a vehicle network of the rail-bound vehicle. The mobile device outputs the operating information.

[0003] Generally, rail-bound vehicles require the driver to remain in a driver's cab while driving. One reason for this is that operating information is provided exclusively via an output device in the driver's cab.

[0004] It is also known that rail-bound vehicles can be operated in automated mode, where control of the vehicle is at least partially or completely taken over by a control device. The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) has summarized different degrees of automation into four levels: Level 4 represents fully automated, driverless operation of the rail-bound vehicle, in which the vehicle is operated automatically without an accompanying person. In Level 3, the vehicle is operated automatically without a driver, with an accompanying person (so-called train conductor) accompanying the vehicle.

[0005] DE 197 43 306 A1 describes a mobile control device and an arrangement for operating a vehicle. The control device has a control display for displaying vehicle data to be monitored. The control device has an input unit configured to perform a predefined action. A computer is provided that is configured to display the data to be monitored on the control display and to perform the respective predefined action upon actuation of the input unit. The control device is a mobile, portable device that allows the driver of the vehicle to obtain information about the route using the control display, while also allowing the driver to intervene in the vehicle's control at any time using the control device.

[0006] Against this background, it is the object of the invention to provide a method which improves the accompanied driverless operation of a rail-bound vehicle.

[0007] This object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, in which, when an impairment of reception and / or output occurs, event information representing the impairment is output by means of an output device arranged in a fixed location within the track-bound vehicle, wherein the output device receives the event information via a wired access point which provides data access to the vehicle network.

[0008] The invention is based on the realization that the accompanying person in accompanied driverless operation must be informed about operational information, such as safety-relevant events. Particularly given that the accompanying person can move freely within the vehicle, it is desirable to provide the accompanying person with operational information and inform them about a safety-relevant event regardless of their location.

[0009] According to the invention, the operating information is output via a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal receives the operating information via a wireless access point. Against this background, the invention is based on the further finding that the reception and / or output of the operating information by the mobile terminal may be impaired, particularly due to the wireless transmission of the operating information.

[0010] The inventive solution solves these problems by outputting event information representing the impairment via an output device located stationary within the track-bound vehicle, which receives the event information via a wired access point to the vehicle network. This ensures that operational information reaches the accompanying person and that the accompanying person is informed of the impairment with increased reliability.

[0011] A further significant advantage of the invention is that a mass-produced mobile terminal can be used to receive operating information and output it to an accompanying person for accompanied driverless operation.

[0012] The track-bound vehicle is preferably a rail vehicle, which is further preferably designed as a multiple unit. Furthermore, the track-bound vehicle is preferably used for passenger transport in local and / or long-distance public transport.

[0013] The accompanying person is preferably an employee of an operator of a fleet of rail-bound vehicles. The accompanying person is also preferably a person qualified to drive the rail-bound vehicle (the so-called vehicle driver).

[0014] The mobile device is preferably a device carried by the attendant accompanying the rail-bound vehicle during operation. For example, the mobile device is a smartphone, tablet, wearable, service PC (PC: personal computer), etc. The mobile device preferably outputs the operating information in such a way that it can be perceived by the attendant carrying the mobile device.

[0015] The operating information preferably includes information concerning the current speed, position, acceleration, etc. of the vehicle and / or messages informing the attendant about the operation of the vehicle.

[0016] A person skilled in the art will understand the term "data access" to mean that data can be transmitted between the vehicle network and the terminal device. For example, data can be transmitted from the vehicle network to the terminal device in response to a request (triggered by the terminal device). Furthermore, data can be transmitted from the terminal device to the vehicle network.

[0017] The vehicle network is preferably a control network and / or an operator network of the track-bound vehicle.

[0018] Experts understand the term "control network" to mean a network that includes one or more components for vehicle control. This understanding is based on the realization that in today's rail-bound vehicles, in addition to traditional control systems (e.g., drive and braking functions), numerous tasks are performed automatically. These include, for example, the operation and management of a system for distributing information to passengers and on-board personnel, the automated operation of a sanitary facility, the management of communication between the rail-bound vehicle and the landside, etc. The corresponding components are interconnected via the control network for control and communication purposes.

[0019] Furthermore, those skilled in the art understand the term "operator network" to mean a network physically separate from the control network, which may be connected to the control network via data technology. For example, a passenger information system (PIS) and / or a camera surveillance system for monitoring the interior and exterior of the track-bound vehicle (CCTV: Closed Circuit Television) is connected to the operator network via data technology. The corresponding components of the PIS or camera surveillance system are connected to each other via data technology via the operator network.

[0020] The vehicle network is preferably designed as an Ethernet network.

[0021] The wired access point is preferably a port of a switch. The switch is also preferably a network component of the vehicle network.

[0022] The wireless access point is preferably a WLAN access point (WLAN: Wireless Local Area Network), where data is transmitted wirelessly between the wireless access point and the mobile device using the WLAN standard.

[0023] The mobile device preferably outputs the operating information via a display element. The display element is preferably a touch-sensitive display for graphically displaying information. Furthermore, the mobile device preferably has a loudspeaker element for acoustically outputting the operating information.

[0024] The operating information is preferably generated by a control device of the control network and transmitted to the mobile terminal via the control network and the wireless access point. The control device preferably generates the operating information based on information generated by a subsystem connected to the control network.

[0025] An impairment of the reception of the operating information preferably occurs when reception is disrupted by the mobile terminal. Further preferably, the impairment of reception includes an impairment of the transmission of the operating information from the control network to the mobile terminal. An impairment of transmission can be an impairment of secure transmission.

[0026] The impairment of reception and / or output may be a failure of the transmission of the operating information to the mobile device and / or a failure of the mobile device.

[0027] The impairment of the output may be a failure or a delay in the output of the operating information by the mobile device.

[0028] The event information is preferably output in such a way that the accompanying person perceives the output and is thus reliably informed of the impairment in reception and / or output. The event signal is preferably designed in such a way that it is recognized as such by the accompanying person.

[0029] After the accompanying person perceives the event information, he or she can go to a driver's cab of the rail-bound vehicle to obtain the operational information that should be issued via the mobile device.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, an intervention in the operation of the rail-bound vehicle can be triggered on the basis of an actuation of the mobile terminal by the accompanying person.

[0031] This has the advantage that the operation of the rail-bound vehicle can be intervened in without affecting the transmission of information between the mobile device and the vehicle network. The intervention in the operation includes, for example, braking and / or accelerating the rail-bound vehicle, which is triggered by the attendant operating the mobile device. A control element of the mobile device, which is used for operation, is preferably formed by a touch-sensitive display on the device.

[0032] According to a further preferred embodiment, the accompanied driverless operation is a partially automated operation with a level 3 automation level. The person skilled in the art will understand the phrase "level 3 automation level" to mean a level 3 automation level according to the definition of the Federal Highway Research Institute, the International Union of Public Transport (UITP) and / or the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

[0033] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the operating information is safety-relevant operating information which makes it possible to expect an intervention by an accompanying person in the operation of the rail-bound vehicle.

[0034] The expert understands the term "safety-relevant" preferably as relevant to the safety of the rail-bound vehicle.

[0035] Further preferably, the safety-relevant event is one that requires a response to the event to be triggered by an attendant. The event could, for example, be a fire that occurs in a section of the rail-bound vehicle. In this case, the control components, such as the control device, are not able to determine a stop location for the rail-bound vehicle. Rather, the attendant must decide whether the rail-bound vehicle should stop immediately or, for example, at a stop ahead.

[0036] According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the output device is an output device of a passenger information system. The passenger information system is preferably used during operation of the rail-bound vehicle to output information to passengers of the rail-bound vehicle. In this embodiment, the passenger information system is advantageously used to output the event information to the accompanying person. This embodiment is particularly advantageous because existing passenger information systems in the rail-bound vehicle can be used to output the event information.

[0037] The passenger information system preferably comprises a proprietary passenger information system.

[0038] According to a further preferred embodiment, the output device comprises a loudspeaker unit that outputs an acoustic signal reproducing the event information. Preferably, an output device with a loudspeaker unit is used, which serves to announce passenger information during operation of the rail-bound vehicle. Outputting the event information via a loudspeaker unit of a passenger information system is particularly advantageous when the accompanying person is in a passenger area. To increase safety, especially security, the loudspeaker unit is a loudspeaker unit of a proprietary loudspeaker system.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, according to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the output device comprises a display unit that displays a graphic object representing the event information. The display unit is preferably a display unit of a passenger information system. This is particularly advantageous when the accompanying person is in a passenger area.

[0040] The graphical object is preferably a symbol displayed by multiple display units distributed throughout the track-bound vehicle. The displayed symbol informs the attendant that reception and / or output are impaired.

[0041] According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the reception impairment is detected using a security protocol. The security protocol specifies, for example, that a satisfactory transmission of the operating information is determined when the mobile terminal reports back that the respective operating information has been received, and the feedback is received and recorded by the vehicle network.

[0042] In another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the transmission of operating information to the mobile device comprises an encrypted transmission. This ensures a satisfactory level of security during the transmission of information. In particular, it prevents passengers from reading or manipulating operating information themselves and triggering an intervention in the operation of the rail-bound vehicle.

[0043] According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the transmission of the event information to the output device is monitored using a security protocol. This ensures that the event information reaches the output device and the accompanying person is consequently informed of the impairment in reception and / or output.

[0044] The invention further relates to a system for operating a rail-bound vehicle in driverless operation accompanied by an attendant. The system comprises a mobile terminal configured to receive operating information relating to the operation of the rail-bound vehicle via a wireless access point providing data access to a vehicle network, and to output the operating information. The system is characterized by at least one output device arranged in a fixed location within the rail-bound vehicle, which is configured, upon the occurrence of an impairment in reception and / or output, to receive and output event information representing the impairment via a wired access point providing data access to the vehicle network.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment of the system, the output device is an output device of a passenger information system.

[0046] The invention further relates to a rail-bound vehicle comprising a system of the type described above.

[0047] The invention further relates to the use of a mass-produced mobile terminal for receiving operating information relating to the operation of a rail-bound vehicle via a wireless access point providing data access to a vehicle network, and for outputting the operating information during driverless operation of the rail-bound vehicle accompanied by an attendant. The invention further relates to the use of an output device arranged in a fixed location within the rail-bound vehicle for receiving event information representing an impairment of the reception and / or output of the mobile terminal via a wired access point providing data access to the vehicle network, and for outputting the event information when the impairment occurs.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment of the use, the output device is an output device of a passenger information system.

[0049] For advantages, embodiments and design details of the system according to the invention, track-bound vehicle and the use, reference is made to the above description of the corresponding features of the method according to the invention.

[0050] Embodiments of the invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a track-bound vehicle according to an embodiment of a system according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a data structure of the Figure 1 shown embodiment of the system according to the invention and Figure 3 a schematic flow diagram of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0051] Figure 1shows a schematic side view of a track-bound vehicle 1, which is designed as a rail vehicle 10. The rail vehicle 10 is designed as a train of carriages, in particular as a multiple unit. The train is equipped with a drive unit 14, which comprises electric traction motors (not shown in detail), each of which serves to drive at least one drive axle 16.

[0052] Figure 2 shows schematically the structure of the system and the flow of information between the individual facilities, units and elements of the system.

[0053] The rail-bound vehicle 1 has several output devices 2 and 4, which are provided for outputting information to persons inside the vehicle 1. The persons are present, for example, in a lounge 13, which is provided for the stay of passengers and one or more accompanying persons. In particular, the lounge 13 is a room that is not a driver's cab. In the lounge 13, two loudspeaker units 102 and 104 of the output device 2 and two display units 106 and 108 for displaying passenger information are arranged for outputting acoustic signals, for example in the form of announcements. The output devices 2 and 4—in particular the loudspeaker units 102, 104 and the display units 106, 108—are part of a passenger information system 70.

[0054] An accompanying person 44, who accompanies the rail-bound vehicle 1 during operation and who can stay in the rest area 13 during a journey, carries a mobile device 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the accompanying person 44 is a vehicle driver. The mobile device 50 is, for example, a smartphone 51.

[0055] The rail-bound vehicle 1 has a control network 20, which is designed as an Ethernet network. A control device 24 and various subsystem controllers, such as a drive controller 18, are connected to the control network 20.

[0056] A schematic flow diagram of the method according to the invention for operating the track-bound vehicle 1 is shown in Figure 3 shown.

[0057] In process step A, the rail-bound vehicle 1 is in accompanied driverless operation as a partially automated operation with a level 3 automation level according to the definition of the International Union of Public Transport (UITP). During a journey (according to process step A1), the rail-bound vehicle 1 moves in the direction of travel 7 along a route 8.

[0058] During the journey, operating information BI relating to the operation of the rail-bound vehicle 1 is generated in a control network 20 of the rail-bound vehicle 1 (method step A2). The operating information BI is transmitted wirelessly to the mobile terminal 50 via a wireless access point 22, for example, a WLAN access point (WLAN: Wireless Local Areas Network), and received by the mobile terminal 50 in a method step A3. The operating information BI is output to the accompanying person 44 via the mobile terminal 50 in a method step A4.

[0059] Operating information BI includes, for example, information on the speed, position, etc. of the vehicle 1 and messages relating to the operation of the vehicle 1. As operating information BI, the current vehicle speed, for example, is output to the accompanying person 44 in method step A4.

[0060] The accompanying person 44 has the option of intervening in the operation of the rail-bound vehicle 1 by actuating an actuating element, in particular the touch-sensitive display 52 (method step B). For example, the accompanying person 44 can accelerate or decelerate the rail-bound vehicle 1 by actuating the display 52. ​​The acceleration is triggered by the accompanying person 44 entering an acceleration command by actuating the mobile terminal 50. The mobile terminal 50 transmits acceleration information via the access point 22 to the control device 24. The control device 24 sends the acceleration command or a modified control command to the drive controller 18. The drive controller 18 implements the acceleration information by controlling the drive unit 14.

[0061] When a safety-relevant event occurs, for example, when a fire breaks out in an area 15 of the rail-bound vehicle 1, the event is detected in the control network 20 of the rail-bound vehicle 1 in a method step C: For example, the control device 24 receives at least one fire alarm signal from a fire alarm sensor (not shown) of the rail-bound vehicle 1. Upon receipt of the fire alarm signal, the control device 24 generates fire information representing the fire as operational information. In this case, it is desirable to output the fire information as operational information BI to the accompanying person 44 via the mobile terminal 50.

[0062] However, since the mobile terminal 50 receives operational information such as fire information from the control network 20 via a radio connection, reception interference during the radio transmission of the information and / or a data attack on the mobile terminal 50 can lead to an impairment of the reception A3 and / or the output A4 of the operational information BI. Furthermore, when using a mass-produced mobile terminal 50, in particular a COTS (Component Off The Shelf), an impairment, for example in the form of a delay, can occur.

[0063] The impairment of the reception A3 or the output A4 of the fire information is detected in a method step D using a security protocol. The security protocol is, for example, a communication protocol that detects an impairment of the transmission of the fire information to the mobile terminal 50. According to the security protocol, for example, upon receipt of the fire information by the mobile terminal 50, a feedback signal is transmitted from the mobile terminal 50 to the control network 20. If no feedback signal is received, the control device 24 detects that the transmission of the fire information and, consequently, the output of the fire information is impaired.

[0064] Upon detection of the impairment, event information EI, which represents the impairment of the output, is generated by the control device 24 in a method step E. The event information EI is transmitted to the output devices 2 and 4 via the control network 20 in a method step F.

[0065] The output device 2 outputs the event information EI in a method step G1 using the loudspeaker units 102 and 104. An acoustic signal 105 is output using the loudspeaker units 102 and 104, which represents the event information EI and informs the accompanying person 44 that the output of operational information BI using the mobile terminal 50 is impaired.

[0066] The output device 4 outputs the event information EI in a method step G2 using the display units 106 and 108. A symbol 107 is displayed using the display units 106 and 108, which informs the accompanying person 44 that the output of operating information via the mobile terminal 50 is impaired.

[0067] If the accompanying person 44 hears the acoustic signal 105 and / or the displayed symbol 107, they can go to a driver assistance device 60. The driver assistance device 60 is arranged, for example, in a driver's cab 62 of the rail-bound vehicle 1 and is intended for operation of the rail-bound vehicle 1 by the driver. The driver assistance device 60 is connected to the control network 20 via a wired connection and has an output unit 34. The fire information is output to the accompanying person 44 via the output unit 34.

[0068] The accompanying person 44 can then decide on the basis of the fire information whether the rail-bound vehicle 1 should stop immediately or, for example, at the next stop.

Claims

1. Method for operating a rail-bound vehicle (1) in a driverless operation that is accompanied by an accompanying person (44), in which - a mobile terminal (50) receives (A3) an item of operating information (BI), which relates to the operation of the rail-bound vehicle (1), via a wireless access point (22), which provides data-related access to a vehicle network (20), and - the mobile terminal (50) outputs (A4) the operating information (BI), characterised in that, on occurrence of an impairment of the receiving (A3) and / or the outputting (A4), - an item of event information (EI), which represents the impairment, is output (G1, G2) by means of an output facility (2, 4) arranged at a fixed location within the rail-bound vehicle (1), - wherein the output facility (2, 4) receives the event information (EI) via a wire-bound access point, which provides data-related access to the vehicle network (20).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that an intervention (B) in the operation of the rail-bound vehicle (1) can be triggered on the basis of an actuation (B) of the mobile terminal (50) by the accompanying person (44).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the accompanied driverless operation is a semi-automated operation at a level 3 degree of automation.

4. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operating information (BI) is an item of safety-relevant operating information, which makes it possible to expect an intervention by the accompanying person (44) in the operation of the rail-bound vehicle (1).

5. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the output facility (2, 4) is an output facility of a passenger information system (70).

6. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the output facility (2) comprises a loudspeaker unit (102, 104), which outputs an acoustic signal (105) that reproduces the event information (EI).

7. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the output facility (4) comprises a display unit (106, 108), which displays a graphical object (107) that reproduces the event information (EI).

8. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the impairment of the receiving (A3) is detected (D) with the application of a safety protocol.

9. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a transfer of the operating information (BI) to the mobile terminal (50) comprises an encrypted transfer.

10. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a transfer (F) of the event information (EI) to the output facility (2, 4) is monitored with the application of a safety protocol.

11. System for operating a rail-bound vehicle (1) in a driverless operation that is accompanied by an accompanying person (44), comprising: - a mobile terminal (50), which is embodied ∘ to receive (A3) an item of operating information (BI), which relates to the operation of the rail-bound vehicle (1), via a wireless access point (22), which provides data-related access to a vehicle network (20), and ∘ to output (A4) the operating information (BI), characterised by - at least one output facility (2, 4) which is arranged at a fixed location within the rail-bound vehicle (1) and which is embodied, on occurrence of an impairment of the receiving (A3) and / or the outputting (A4) by means of the mobile terminal (50), to receive and to output (G1, G2) an item of event information (EI), which represents the impairment, via a wire-bound access point, which provides data-related access to the vehicle network (20).

12. System according to claim 11, characterised in that the output facility (2, 4) is an output facility of a passenger information system (70).

13. Rail-bound vehicle, which comprises a system according to one of claims 11 or 12.

14. Use - of a mass-produced mobile terminal (50) ∘ for receiving (A3) an item of operating information (BI), which relates to the operation of a rail-bound vehicle (1), via a wireless access point (22), which provides data-related access to a vehicle network (20), and ∘ for outputting (A4) the operating information (BI) during a driverless operation, which is accompanied by an accompanying person (44), of the rail-bound vehicle (1) and - of an output facility (2, 4) arranged at a fixed location within the rail-bound vehicle (1) ∘ for receiving an item of event information (EI), which represents an impairment of the receiving (A3) and / or the outputting (A4) of the mobile terminal (1), via a wire-bound access point, which provides data-related access to the vehicle network (20), and ∘ for outputting (G1, G2) the event information (EI) on occurrence of the impairment.

15. Use according to claim 14, characterised in that the output facility (2, 4) is an output facility of a passenger information system (70).