MODULE FOR COLLECTING DATA CONCERNING A DEVICE FOR A PASSENGER TRANSPORT VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a data collection module for at least one piece of equipment in a passenger transport vehicle.

[0002] It also relates to a system and a process for processing this data.

[0003] The invention applies in particular to railway transport vehicles such as trains, subways, trams, trolleybuses, etc.

[0004] Passenger transport vehicles, such as rail vehicles, include numerous pieces of equipment designed primarily for vehicle operation and passenger comfort. Examples of such equipment include the braking system, the air handling and generation unit, the door opening / closing control system, the air conditioning system, etc. In this document, the term " équipements » to one or more pieces of equipment present in the rail transport vehicle.

[0005] Generally, each piece of equipment is associated with an equipment controller designed to control its operation. Sometimes, the controller is part of the equipment itself. In some cases, a single equipment controller can manage the operation of multiple pieces of equipment.

[0006] In modern rail vehicles, various pieces of equipment, particularly equipment controllers, communicate with an on-board computer via a network. This equipment consists of electronic, or "smart," devices managed by one or more microprocessors. The on-board computer is known in English as TCMS (for "Train Control Module"). Train Control and Monitoring System "). The on-board computer is designed to communicate with the equipment controllers in the vehicle in order to manage the operation of the equipment on board the vehicle and to monitor its proper functioning.

[0007] The networks equipping railway transport vehicles for communication between equipment and the on-board computer allow the exchange of data in varying quantities depending on the era in which the train was built.

[0008] Although the exchange capacity of these networks improves over time, in older trains, the exchange of data between equipment and the on-board computer, and consequently the functionalities of the on-board computer using data relating to the equipment, remain quite limited.

[0009] In order to increase the amount of information collected in relatively old railway vehicles, it is known to install next-generation wired networks, such as Ethernet networks, which have better performance than older networks.

[0010] However, this solution is highly intrusive as it requires the removal of partitions and trim necessary for running cables throughout the vehicle. Furthermore, the equipment controllers and the onboard computer become obsolete and must be replaced to be compatible with next-generation networks. Consequently, this type of solution is very expensive. In addition, other components involved in communication between the equipment, such as the coupler that enables the transmission of wired signals between vehicles, must be replaced, which can significantly increase the overall cost.

[0011] Another, less expensive and widely used solution today involves installing sensors, for example wireless ones, at suitable points on the vehicle to acquire information about the equipment. This information could include, for example, the temperature in the passenger compartment or the open / closed position of the doors. However, such a solution only allows for the collection of a limited amount of data, dependent on the number of sensors installed in the rail vehicle. Furthermore, the reliability of the rail vehicle is affected by the addition of sensors, as these are active components susceptible to failure. Moreover, this solution does not allow for the utilization of the equipment controllers' functionalities, even though they already have access to equipment information to ensure their own operation.For example, the climate control unit knows the temperature inside the vehicle, while the door control unit knows the door's position. Therefore, adding such sensors is redundant from the perspective of information retrieval.

[0012] Document CN 109 413 614 A describes a data collection module for passenger vehicle equipment, with an integrated analysis platform comprising an acquisition subsystem that collects information reflecting the operation of on-board equipment. The document describes a maintenance terminal interface unit that collects monitoring data via a maintenance terminal, and a vehicle-to-ground interface that collects data reflecting the operation of the on-board equipment.

[0013] The present invention aims to provide a data collection module relating to at least one piece of equipment in a passenger transport vehicle, which can obtain a large amount of data on its own, without modifying the equipment installed in the vehicle.

[0014] To this end, the present invention aims, according to a first aspect, at a data collection module relating to at least one piece of equipment of a passenger transport vehicle.

[0015] According to the invention, the data collection module comprises: connection means configured to be linked to the maintenance port of an equipment controller managing the operation of said at least one piece of equipment and to establish communication with the equipment controller through the maintenance port; and data retrieval means configured to collect, during the operation of said at least one piece of equipment at predefined times, data relating to said at least one piece of equipment via the established communication.

[0016] The collection module can thus retrieve, through the maintenance port of an equipment controller, data relating to the equipment itself without requiring the installation of additional elements, such as sensors.

[0017] Data collection is implemented at predefined times allowing data to be collected as the said at least one piece of equipment is in operation.

[0018] A collection module with the characteristics specified below can be installed in a rail transport vehicle, by a simple connection to the maintenance port of an equipment controller and without having to modify the equipment, equipment controllers and networks already installed in the vehicle.

[0019] Installing the data collection module in the rail transport vehicle thus allows for the acquisition of a large amount of data without modifying the on-board equipment of the vehicle, regardless of its generation.

[0020] The data retrieval means are configured to issue data read commands relating to at least one piece of equipment.

[0021] Data read commands are issued once communication is established between the data collection module and the equipment controller.

[0022] For example, the communication between the data collection module and the equipment controller is a serial type communication.

[0023] The data collection module also includes verification means configured to verify the authenticity of read commands.

[0024] The presence of verification means makes communication between the data collection module and the equipment controller, and the obtaining of data relating to the equipment, secure.

[0025] For example, a table of authorized commands is implemented in the data collection module during the production phase and allows verification of the validity of requests sent to the equipment controller. Furthermore, the data collection module monitors the frequency of exchanges with the equipment controller and blocks any request that is inconsistent with this frequency.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the verification means include a programmable component, for example of the FPGA type.

[0027] According to one characteristic, the data collection module (and in particular the retrieval means) is configured to allow communication between the data collection module and the equipment controller, and to collect data relating to the equipment. For example, a microprocessor implements software comprising a sequence of instructions enabling communication between the data collection module and the electrical equipment and the collection of data relating to the equipment.

[0028] Thus, the data collection module can be configured to adapt specifically to equipment controllers that operate differently and can therefore exchange data with the equipment controller to which it is connected. Consequently, the collection module can be modified and adapted depending on the equipment from which it will collect data, or in other words, depending on the equipment controller with which it will exchange information.

[0029] In particular, the data relating to at least one piece of equipment may include input or output parameters of said equipment controller and / or parameters determined by said equipment controller and / or fault states determined by said equipment controller.

[0030] Obtaining the input and output parameters of the equipment controller allows for real-time monitoring of the equipment's status and the controller's actions, i.e., the commands sent to the various components of the equipment. This data allows for verification of the equipment's proper operation.

[0031] The parameters determined by the equipment controller, which are functional parameters of the equipment or rail vehicle, can also be retrieved. This data can be used to analyze the behavior of the equipment and rail vehicle in real time in depth.

[0032] Furthermore, the data collection module uses the self-diagnostic capabilities of the equipment controller since it also collects faults detected by the equipment controller, this data making it possible to know the fault states in real time during the operation of the equipment.

[0033] Therefore, the data obtained by the collection module, in addition to being quantitatively significant, is also qualitatively valuable, as it provides comprehensive information on the equipment's operation in real time. This information can then be used to monitor equipment performance and to schedule maintenance interventions quickly.

[0034] According to one characteristic, the data collection module includes transmission means configured to transmit the collected data to a data concentrator module.

[0035] Transmitting data to a data hub allows for global processing of data from different collection modules, thus standardizing and facilitating data processing.

[0036] The present invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a data processing system for a set of equipment in a passenger transport vehicle, comprising a set of data collection modules according to the invention. Each data collection module is associated with an equipment controller managing the operation of at least one piece of equipment in the set of equipment.

[0037] A data processing system can therefore include collection modules associated respectively with equipment controllers, the equipment controllers being able to manage the operation of one or more pieces of equipment.

[0038] According to one feature, the data collection system further includes a data concentrator module configured to receive data from the data collection modules of the module set.

[0039] The concentrator module thus groups together data relating to several pieces of equipment.

[0040] According to one characteristic, the data concentrator module is configured to store and transmit data to a ground server.

[0041] Thus, the ground server receives real-time data about the equipment during operation. This data can be analyzed to monitor the equipment's proper functioning and to prepare maintenance operations. For example, maintenance operations can be planned in advance before the arrival of a vehicle carrying malfunctioning equipment at a station.

[0042] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a passenger transport vehicle comprising a data processing system according to the invention. The passenger transport vehicle is, for example, a railway vehicle.

[0043] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a method for processing data relating to at least one piece of equipment on board a passenger transport vehicle, comprising the following steps: establishing communication between a data collection module relating to said at least one piece of equipment and an equipment controller managing the operation of said at least one piece of equipment, the communication being established through the maintenance port of the equipment controller; and retrieving data relating to said at least one piece of equipment during the operation of the equipment at predefined times, via the established communication.

[0044] The treatment process also includes: a step of issuing a command to read data relating to at least one piece of equipment, and a step of verifying the issued read command to check if it is authorized, the retrieval step being implemented if, at the verification step, the read command is authorized.

[0045] According to one characteristic, the processing method also includes a transmission step to transmit the data collected during the recovery step to a data concentrator module.

[0046] According to one characteristic, the processing method also includes a step of retransmitting the data received from the data concentrator module to a ground server.

[0047] The data processing system, the rail transport vehicle and the data processing method have characteristics and advantages similar to those described previously in relation to the data collection module.

[0048] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below.

[0049] The attached drawings are given as non-exhaustive examples: There figure 1 is a diagram representing a data processing system conforming to an embodiment of the invention; The figure 2 is a diagram representing a data collection method conforming to an embodiment of the invention connected to a piece of equipment; and The figure 3 illustrates steps in a data processing method according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0050] The invention finds application in the field of passenger transport vehicles, in particular in railway transport vehicles, whether they are dedicated to traveling long or short distances, such as urban railway transport vehicles, such as metros and trams.

[0051] In particular, the invention applies to any type of passenger transport vehicle having so-called equipment "intelligents", that is to say, equipment whose operation is managed by an electronic equipment controller.

[0052] In general, in the case of rail transport vehicles, each car of the vehicle is equipped with several equipment controllers managing the operation of the equipment present in the car, such as the braking systems, door control systems, air conditioning system, etc.

[0053] In some rail transport vehicles, an equipment controller is associated with a single piece of equipment to manage its operation.

[0054] In other types of rail transport vehicles, several equipment controllers manage the operation of a piece of equipment. In this case, there is generally a master equipment controller that commands the operation of the slave equipment controllers, which manage the operation of the equipment and collect all the data relating to that equipment.

[0055] In other types of rail transport vehicles, a single equipment controller can manage the operation of several pieces of equipment, the equipment being of the same type or of different types.

[0056] Thus, depending on the configurations, each piece of equipment is associated with at least one equipment controller intended for managing the operation of that equipment.

[0057] As a non-exhaustive example, a car may contain an air conditioning controller, a brake controller, a controller for display devices such as screens, a passenger counting system controller, a sanitary facilities controller, etc. For example, each door of the same car is controlled by an equipment controller, and a master door controller centralizes the operation of the various door controllers.

[0058] There figure 1 represents a data processing system relating to a set of equipment in a passenger transport vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the described embodiment, the passenger transport vehicle is a rail transport vehicle. However, as indicated above, the invention applies to other types of passenger transport vehicles.

[0059] The embodiment represented by this figure comprises a first part mounted in a railway transport vehicle 100 and a second part located on the ground 200.

[0060] According to other embodiments not shown, the data processing system is embedded in the entire railway transport vehicle.

[0061] Part 1 of the data processing system embedded in the rail transport vehicle 100 comprises a set of data collection modules 10a, 10b (also referred to as 10 for the sake of simplification).

[0062] The 10 data collection modules are distributed in the 101 cars of the rail transport vehicle 100.

[0063] According to an embodiment such as that shown in the figure 1 , each data collection module 10 is associated with an equipment controller 20a, 20b (also referred to as 20 for simplicity) managing the operation of at least one piece of equipment (not shown) of the rail transport vehicle 100.

[0064] There figure 1 represents two data collection modules 10a, 10b, associated respectively with two equipment controllers 20a, 20b. Of course, as stated above, the number of data collection modules and equipment controllers in a car of the rail transport vehicle may be different.

[0065] To simplify the description, we consider that an equipment controller 20 manages the operation of a single piece of equipment.

[0066] Of course, as mentioned above, a single equipment controller can manage the operation of multiple pieces of equipment, or multiple equipment controllers can manage the operation of a single piece of equipment.

[0067] In order to simplify the figure 1 Data collection modules 10 and equipment controllers 20 present in a single car are shown. Note that the type and number of data collection modules 10 and equipment controllers may be the same or different for each car 101 of the rail transport vehicle 100. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, an equipment controller 20 is associated with a data collection module

[0068] The data collection system 1 may also include several ground computer servers 201 200 (also called ground server 201) at different geographical locations.

[0069] The ground-based computer servers 201 can communicate through a communication network, such as the internet, with a data analysis center 202.

[0070] A data collection module 10, according to one embodiment, is represented on the figure 2 and will be described in detail below.

[0071] As will be described later with reference to the figure 2 , the data collection module 10 is connected to the equipment controller 20 at the maintenance port 21.

[0072] Through a connection implemented between the data collection module 10 and the associated equipment controller 20, the data collection module 10 collects data relating to the equipment managed by the equipment controller 20.

[0073] The equipment data may include input and / or output parameters of the equipment controller 20, parameters determined by the equipment controller 20, and / or fault states terminated by the equipment controller 20.

[0074] The input or output parameters of the equipment controller 20 correspond, for example, to commands sent to the various elements of the controlled equipment. Obtaining this type of parameter allows for the evaluation of the equipment's condition and verification of its proper functioning. Furthermore, the equipment controller 20 can determine parameters such as the functional parameters of the equipment or the rail transport vehicle 100. Finally, the equipment controller 20 can generally diagnose when a fault condition is present in the electronic equipment.

[0075] The data collected can be used to analyze in depth the behavior of the equipment and / or the rail transport vehicle 100.

[0076] Thus, a significant amount of equipment data is obtained by the data collection module 10 in real time, while the equipment is operating. This data can be used to verify the proper functioning of the equipment at any time and to detect potential malfunctions in real time. Maintenance operations can therefore be planned quickly and efficiently.

[0077] In an embodiment such as the one shown, the data collection system includes a data concentrator module 30 which is configured to receive data from the data collection modules 10.

[0078] In the embodiment shown, a single data concentrator module 30 collects data from all the data collection modules 10 on board the rail transport vehicle 100.

[0079] In other embodiments, the data collection system comprises several data concentrator modules, each data concentrator module receiving data from a group of data collection modules.

[0080] The data concentrator module 30 includes, according to one embodiment, storage or memorization means intended to store the data received from the data collection modules 10.

[0081] Thus, the data concentrator module 30 can store data relating to all or part of the equipment on board the rail transport vehicle 100.

[0082] In data collection systems with multiple data hub modules, each data hub module stores data related to a specific set of equipment. For example, a data hub module can be associated with equipment of a particular type.

[0083] The data concentrator module 30 includes control means for managing its operation. In some embodiments, the data concentrator module is configured for local processing of data from the data collection modules 10.

[0084] The data collection module 10 and the data concentrator module 30 include, according to one embodiment, means of communication, such as wireless means of communication, intended for communication between them.

[0085] The data collection modules 10 address, by means of this communication implemented between the data collection modules 10 and the data concentrator module 30, the collected data relating to the equipment whose operation is managed by the equipment controller 20.

[0086] The data collection module 10 and the data concentrator module 30 can connect via wireless communication means to a private wireless communication network (not shown) in the vehicle 100.

[0087] For example, these wireless communication methods include, as is known, interfaces adapted to implement short-distance radio links, for example established using WiFi technology, via "Bluetooth" radio technology (registered trademark) or others.

[0088] In other, less advantageous embodiments, the connection between the data collection modules and the data concentrator module is a wired link. In other words, the communication means of the module and the data concentrator module may include wired communication means.

[0089] The data concentrator module 30 may further include transmission means configured to transmit data to a ground server 201, such as data from the data collection modules 10.

[0090] In one embodiment, the equipment data received by the data concentrator module 30 is regularly sent to the ground server 201. In the event of an interruption of the train-ground connection during data transmission, for example due to poor coverage of the network implementing the train-ground connection, the data is stored in the data concentrator module 30 and transmitted to the ground server 201 later.

[0091] The transmission means of the data concentrator module 30 include wireless transmission means which can be configured for short-range or long-range communications.

[0092] In the embodiment shown in the figure 1 , the data concentrator module 30 is configured to establish connections with a separate computer server 201 via a communication network.

[0093] The wireless communication means of the data concentrator module 30 can establish a connection with the ground server 101, and send it data, by means of a mobile telephone communication network operating for example according to 3G or 4G standards or by using a private WiFi network.

[0094] The wireless communication means of the data concentrator module 30 can also send data to the ground server 201 via a communication network such as the internet to which they are connected by means of a short-range connection such as a WiFi connection.

[0095] The data concentrator module 30 may also include wired communication means that can establish a wired link with the ground server, for example when it is located in a station.

[0096] Short-range wireless communication methods can also be used when, for example, the electric transport vehicle is at the depot where the ground server 201 is installed.

[0097] The presence of a data concentrator module 30 in the rail transport vehicle 100 makes it possible to limit the number of connections between the rail transport vehicle 100 and the ground 200 for sending data relating to the equipment in the vehicle 100. In addition, the data concentrator module 30 makes it possible to implement the sending of this data in a coordinated manner.

[0098] Reducing the number of train-to-ground connections helps to reduce the costs associated with subscriptions to the various communication networks.

[0099] In addition, the overall power of the system is reduced due to the reduction in the number of connections between the rail transport vehicle 100 and the ground server 201.

[0100] There figure 2 represents a data collection module 10 conforming to an embodiment of the invention, connected to an equipment controller 20.

[0101] As stated above, the equipment controller 20 manages the operation of at least one piece of equipment present in the rail transport vehicle 100.

[0102] The data collection module 10 includes connection means 13 which are configured to be connected to the maintenance port 21 of the equipment controller 20. In one embodiment, the connection means 13 include a serial port.

[0103] The connection means 13 are further configured to establish communication with the equipment controller 20 once the data collection module 10 and the equipment controller 20 are connected through the maintenance port 21.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the communication between the data collection module 10 and the equipment controller 20 is a serial communication implemented through the serial port 13 of the data collection module 10.

[0105] The data collection module 10 further includes data retrieval means 11 configured to collect data relating to the equipment whose operation is managed by the equipment controller 20.

[0106] The data retrieval means 11 are configured to collect data during equipment operation, at predefined times.

[0107] In an embodiment such as the one shown, the recovery means 11 include a microprocessor 110 configured to implement communication between the data collection module 10 and the equipment controller 20. For example, the microprocessor 110 implements embedded software in the data collection module 10 which implements communication between the data collection module 10 and the equipment controller 20 and the collection of data relating to the equipment.

[0108] The embedded software is thus configured to implement communication between these two elements using their respective communication protocols.

[0109] In addition, depending on the equipment and equipment controller 20, the software is configured to select parameters related to that equipment, to the specific memory addresses where the parameters to be retrieved are located.

[0110] Therefore, thanks to this embedded software, the data collection module 10 adapts to communicate with different equipment controllers and to retrieve data from different electronic devices. This type of embedded software thus adapts to different communication protocols and different equipment that are familiar to those skilled in the art and do not require detailed description.

[0111] The software can be loaded into the data collection module 10 during its manufacture or during the installation of the data processing system in the rail transport vehicle 100. The software is specific to the communication between the data collection module 10 and the equipment controller 20. It should be noted that each equipment controller 20 has a specific operation depending on the equipment whose operation it manages.

[0112] The software can be loaded, for example, into storage media such as non-volatile memory, for example ROM (for " Read Only Memory "), EEPROM (for " Electrically Erasable Read Only Memory " or a Flash memory.

[0113] Thanks to the software in the data collection module 10, the data retrieval means 11 are configured to issue commands to read the data relating to the equipment. The equipment controller 20 responds to these read commands by addressing the parameters requested in these read commands, which were stored in memory.

[0114] The data retrieval means 11 further include second storage or memorization means 112, in which the data received from the equipment controller 20 is stored.

[0115] The second means of storage 112 may, for example, include random access memory or RAM (for " Random Access Memory " .Random access memory (RAM) includes registers adapted for storing, in addition to the collected data, variables and parameters created and modified during the execution of a computer program comprising instructions for implementing a method according to the invention. The instruction codes of the program stored in non-volatile memory are loaded into RAM for execution by the microprocessor 110.

[0116] Non-volatile memory is, for example, rewritable memory of the EEPROM or Flash type that can constitute a medium within the meaning of the invention, that is to say, that can include the software or computer program comprising instructions for the implementation of the process according to the invention, the software having been previously adapted to the type of equipment controller.

[0117] The different elements of the data collection module 10 are connected to a communication bus (not shown) allowing the exchange of data between them.

[0118] In one embodiment, the data collection module 10 further includes verification means 12 configured to verify the authenticity of the read commands issued by the data retrieval means 11.

[0119] The verification means 12 make it possible to secure the communication between the data collection module 10 and the equipment controller 20 as well as the obtaining of data relating to the equipment.

[0120] According to one embodiment, a set of authorized read commands is stored in the data collection module 10. This set of authorized read commands can be stored in the data collection module 10, for example, during the manufacture of the data collection module 10 or during the installation of the data processing system 1 in the rail transport vehicle 100.

[0121] The verification means 12 are configured to verify that the read commands issued by the data retrieval means 11 belong to the set of authorized read commands so as to permit or deny the issuance of the read command generated by the retrieval means, to the maintenance port 21 of the equipment controller 20.

[0122] In some embodiments, the verification means 12 are further configured to monitor the frequency used in communications between the data collection module 10 and the equipment controller 20, so as to permit or block communication depending on the frequency used.

[0123] When the verification means 12 find that the frequency used in the exchanges between the data collection module 10 and the equipment controller 20 (even though it has been verified that the read command belongs to the set of authorized read commands) does not correspond to a predefined frequency, the verification means 12 prevent communication between these two elements.

[0124] In one embodiment, the verification means 12 are formed by a programmable component 120, for example of the FPGA type. The programmable component can be programmed during the manufacture of the data collection module 10, or reprogrammed subsequently according to the equipment controller 20 to which it will be connected.

[0125] The programmable component 120 can thus be programmed to allow the sending of read commands generated by the retrieval means 11 to the maintenance port 21 of the equipment controller 20 if the read command is part of the set of authorized read commands. The set of authorized read commands can be stored within the programmable component 120 or in a separate memory within the verification means 12.

[0126] In the embodiment shown, the verification means 12 include switching means 121 arranged between the output of the retrieval means 11 and the connection means 13. The switching means 121 may have an open position in which sending a read command generated by the verification means 11 to the maintenance port 21 of the equipment controller 20 is prevented, or a closed position in which sending a read command generated by the verification means 11 to the maintenance port 21 of the equipment controller 20 is permitted.

[0127] In the embodiment shown, the programmable component 120 controls the opening and closing of switching means 121 according to the result of the verification of the membership of the generated read command in the set of authorized read commands.

[0128] As previously stated, the data collection module 10 also includes communication means 113 which are configured to transmit the data collected and stored in memory 112 to the data concentrator module 30.

[0129] The data concentrator module 30 may, in certain embodiments, include an input / output interface (not shown), for example a screen, a keyboard, a mouse, or another pointing device such as a touchscreen, allowing a user to interact with the data collection system 1 on board the vehicle 100 via a graphical interface. This feature may, in particular, allow the driver to view in real time critical states or events captured by the modules (fault of safety equipment such as doors or brakes, door closure status, inability to close a door due to an obstruction, insufficient sand level preventing adequate adhesion to the rail, etc.).

[0130] As indicated below, in some embodiments, the data concentrator module has capabilities for analyzing data received from the data collection modules.

[0131] Steps in the data processing procedure relating to at least one piece of equipment on board a railway transport vehicle, according to one embodiment, are shown in the figure 3 .

[0132] When the data collection module 10 and the equipment controller 20 are connected, a communication establishment step E10 between the data collection module 10 and the equipment controller 20 is implemented. As mentioned above, the communication is established through the maintenance port 21 of the equipment controller 20.

[0133] Next, the data retrieval means 11 implement a data retrieval step E22 for the equipment during equipment operation at predefined times, via the communication established in step E10. To do this, the retrieval means 11 issue a read command in an emission step E20. The verification means 12 verify that this read command is authorized in a verification step E21.

[0134] If in the data verification step E21 it is verified that the read command is allowed, or that for example it belongs to the set of allowed read commands, the data retrieval step E22 is implemented.

[0135] The data collected during the E22 retrieval step is then processed and transmitted, during a transmission step E30, to the data concentrator module 30.

[0136] The data concentrator module 30 implements a retransmission step E40 of the data received from said data concentrator module, to a ground server.

[0137] Thus, thanks to this data collection system, a significant amount of data relating to equipment in a passenger transport vehicle can be retrieved, allowing for verification of proper equipment operation and rapid intervention in case of malfunctions. Furthermore, analyses of equipment behavior during vehicle journeys, as well as the vehicle's own performance, can be carried out.

Claims

1. Data collection module relating to at least one piece of equipment of a passenger transport vehicle (100), characterised in that it comprises: - connection means (13) configured to be connected to the maintenance port (21) of an equipment controller (20) that manages the operation of said at least one piece of equipment and to establish communication with said equipment controller (20) through said maintenance port (21); - data retrieval means (11) configured to collect, during the operation of said at least one piece of equipment at predefined times, data relating to said at least one piece of equipment via said established communication, and further configured to issue data read commands relating to the at least one piece of equipment; and - verification means (12) configured to verify the authenticity of the read commands.

2. Data collection module according to claim 1, characterised in that said verification means (12) comprise a programmable component (120).

3. Data collection module according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the retrieval means (11) are configured for communication between the data collection module (10) and the equipment controller (20), and for collecting the data relating to the equipment.

4. Data collection module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the data relating to the at least one piece of equipment comprises input or output parameters of said equipment controller (20) and / or parameters determined by said equipment controller (20) and / or fault states determined by said equipment controller (20).

5. Data collection module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises transmission means (113) configured to transmit the collected data to a data concentrator module (30).

6. Data-processing system relating to a set of pieces of equipment of a passenger transport vehicle (100), characterised in that it comprises a set of data collection modules (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, each data collection module (10) being associated with an equipment controller (20) managing the operation of at least one piece of equipment of the set of pieces of equipment.

7. Data collection system according to claim 6, characterised in that it further comprises a data concentrator module (30) configured to receive data from the data collection modules (10) of the set of modules.

8. Data collection system according to claim 7, characterised in that said data concentrator module (30) is configured to transmit data to a ground-based server (201).

9. Passenger transport vehicle comprising a data-processing system according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. Data-processing method relating to at least one piece of equipment on board a passenger transport vehicle, characterised in that it comprises the following steps: - establishing (E10) communication between a data collection module (10) relating to said at least one piece of equipment and an equipment controller (20) that manages the operation of said at least one piece of equipment, the communication being established through the maintenance port (21) of said equipment controller (20); - retrieving (E22) said data relating to said at least one piece of equipment during the operation of the equipment at predefined times, via said established communication, - issuing (E20) a data read command relating to said at least one piece of equipment; and - verifying (E21) the read command issued to verify whether it is authorised, the retrieval step being implemented if, at said verification step (E21), the read command is authorised.

11. Processing method according to claim 10, characterised in that it further comprises a transmission step (E30) for transmitting the data collected during the retrieval step (E22) to a data concentrator module (30).

12. Processing method according to claim 11, characterised in that it further comprises a step of retransmitting (E40) the data received from said data concentrator module (30) to a ground-based server (201).