Transmission of files using an intermediate storage process

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for transmitting a file from a communication participant of a first type (12) to a plurality of communication participants of a second type (14). In the process, the file to be transmitted is transmitted (102) from a communication participant of a first type (12) to different storage devices (18) arranged in a decentralized manner. Furthermore, at least one part of the file is transmitted (106) from one of the aforementioned sstorage devices (18) to one of the plurality of communication participants of the second type (14).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Transferring files using caching

[0003] The invention relates to a method for transmitting files and a communications system for implementing the method. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program and a computer-readable medium.

[0004] Network systems offer the great advantage of allowing a large number of participants access to the same data or files. This means that the same files with the same content, such as messages, advertising data or updates, can be transmitted to a large number of different recipients. However, such network systems reach technical limits as the number of recipients and file sizes increase. This is evident, for example, in the case of file transmission between a land-based system and several vehicles. As the number of vehicles that are to receive the same file from the land-based system increases, the volume of data to be transmitted also increases. However, the total transmission capacity is limited by the data transmission rate and potentially by the limited data volume in the case of communication via a mobile network.Therefore, the ever-increasing volume of data to be transferred leads to a risk of bottlenecks in data transmission and outages due to overload. This jeopardizes operational safety and the reliability of file transfer.

[0005] The object of the invention is to improve the reliability of a transmission of a file from one communication participant to a large number of communication participants.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method according to the features of claim 1. In addition, this object is achieved by a communication system having the features of the independent system claim.

[0007] Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a computer program and a computer-readable medium.

[0008] This object is achieved by a computer program according to the features of the independent claim 14 and by a computer-readable medium according to the features of the independent claim 15.

[0009] Further advantageous developments are the subject of dependent subclaims.

[0010] The inventive method for transmitting a file from a first-type communication participant to a plurality of second-type communication participants provides for the file to be transmitted from a first-type communication participant to various decentrally arranged storage devices. Furthermore, the method provides for the transmission of at least part of said file from one of said storage devices to one of the plurality of second-type communication participants.

[0011] In the present context, the storage device mentioned is a data storage device in the sense of information technology. In particular, the data storage device is set up so that digital data can be written to it or read from it. For example, the storage device is a solid-state memory or a flash memory. In a preferred embodiment, the storage device mentioned is part of a data processing device. This data processing device is preferably set up to store, read, write, transmit and / or manage data. The data processing device can be, for example, a computer, a microcontroller or a comparable programmable hardware component with the storage device mentioned.

[0012] In this way, an efficient method for transferring files can be provided. The storage devices can be used in the form of buffers as multipliers for transferring the file. This makes it possible to reduce the volume of data to be transferred by the communication participant of the first type. In particular, the transfer from a file to the storage devices can be achieved using a low data transfer rate. In addition, the files can be transferred regardless of the accessibility of the communication participant of the second type. Furthermore, a high transfer speed between a storage device and a communication participant of the second type can be provided, which speed can be increased considerably, in particular compared to a direct transfer of the files from the communication participant of the first type to a communication participant of the second type.This makes it easy to avoid the need for costly expansion of existing communication networks.

[0013] An advantageous development provides that, for the purpose of transmitting at least part of the file, a storage device is selected according to a parameter relating to the respective second-type communication participant. Said parameter can, for example, relate to a property or operating state of the second-type communication participant. This makes it possible to further improve the efficiency of the file transmission. Furthermore, an easily adaptable method can be provided.

[0014] A further advantageous development provides that at least one of the aforementioned storage devices is selected for the purpose of transferring the file in accordance with location information of the second-type communication participant. On the basis of the location information as a parameter relating to the second-type communication participant, a particularly rapid transfer of a file can be enabled. For example, the file can be downloaded on the basis of the location information from a storage device which is the shortest distance from the second-type communication participant. This offers both a fast and reliable transmission option. Furthermore, it can be made possible, for example, to avoid roaming charges by foregoing cross-border file transfer.

[0015] Furthermore, an advantageous development provides that at least one of the said storage devices is selected for the purpose of transferring the file in accordance with an event plan of the communication participant of the second type. In the present context, the said event plan is understood to be a plan in which tasks, operating states or other events relating to a communication participant of the second type are described as a function of a schedule. Such an event plan can be, for example, a timetable, a maintenance plan or an inspection plan. On the basis of the event plan, a simple and reliable transfer of the file can be planned with little effort. In particular, this makes it possible to easily use advantageous locations and longer downtimes preferentially for the purpose of transferring the files.In this way, a transfer of files during a movement of the communication participant of the second type can be advantageously avoided.

[0016] Another advantageous development provides that information regarding the storage locations of said files is transmitted to each of the second-type communication participants. For example, the information may be a list of URLs or GPS location data of the storage devices. This allows the second-type communication participants to decide, with knowledge of their own parameters, when and from which storage device the file should be downloaded.

[0017] An advantageous embodiment provides that, in addition to the aforementioned information regarding the storage locations of the file to be transmitted, a request for the purpose of downloading the file is transmitted to the second communication participant. This enables a simple and cost-effective adaptation of existing and / or standardized communication protocols. In particular, this enables a simple and reliable application of the IEC 61375 standard, which contains specifications for downloading files to vehicles.

[0018] In a further advantageous development, it is proposed that the file to be transferred is transferred to predetermined ones of the various decentralized storage devices according to an attribute of this file. The said attribute of the file can be, for example, a type of content, a number of data records, a number of data records per data record type, a creator of the file, an origin of the file, a size of the file, a predetermined group of recipients, a priority or a predetermined file type. The said type of content of a file can be, for example, advertising data, media data, process data, service data, maintenance data, communication data, timetable data, vehicle data or protocol data. In this way, a versatile and inexpensively adaptable method for file transfer can be provided.By selectively distributing the files depending on their properties, efficient use of available storage space can be achieved. In particular, a blanket distribution of all files to be transferred to all storage devices can be dispensed with. Furthermore, an advantageous development provides for the transfer of several files from the communication participant of the first type to the several communication participants of the second type. At least one of the several files to be transferred is selected according to at least one attribute of this file for the purpose of transfer to the various decentralized storage devices. The said attribute of the file can in particular be an attribute such as has already been described in the preceding context. In this way, the efficiency of the method can be further increased.Based on the attribute of a file, it can be decided whether this file should be temporarily stored on different storage devices and then transmitted to the communication participants of the second type or whether an immediate transmission of predetermined files should be carried out between the communication participant of the first type and one or more communication participants of the second type.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the several files to be transferred is transferred to decentralized storage devices according to a file size. In this way, the file transfer can be further optimized. It is conceivable that files which exceed a minimum size are transferred to storage devices. For example, files with a high priority and a small file size can be transferred directly between the communication participant of the first type and one or more communication participants of the second type. However, if the file size, for example, exceeds a limit and is possibly also intended for a large group of recipients, it can be decided that an indirect transfer is carried out using the storage devices.

[0020] Furthermore, an advantageous development provides that the file to be transferred is divided into data blocks. The said data blocks are then transferred to the various decentralized storage devices. It is conceivable that all of the data blocks or only some of the data blocks are distributed between the various decentralized storage devices. The data blocks are preferably transferred in accordance with a parameter relating to the communication participant of the second type and / or in accordance with attributes of the divided file. The said parameter is in particular one of the type which has already been described. This makes it possible to implement flexible control during the transfer of files. The transfer method can thus be adapted to different requirements as needed.For example, this makes it possible to transfer at least part of the file despite a relatively short duration or low transfer speed.

[0021] The method according to the invention can be carried out by means of the communication system according to the invention.

[0022] The communication system according to the invention has a communication participant of the first type and a plurality of communication participants of the second type. Furthermore, the communication system according to the invention has a data processing system with a plurality of decentrally arranged storage devices. The said storage devices are in particular storage devices of the type already described above in connection with the method according to the invention. The said storage devices are further connected to the communication participant of the first type by means of a network connection. Furthermore, a file can be transferred from the communication participant of the first type to at least one of the plurality of communication participants of the second type by means of the various storage devices.

[0023] In this way, a reliable and safe

[0024] File transfer can be realized. Furthermore, the data transfer speed and the data volume to be transferred via the network connection between the communication participant of the first type and the storage devices can be kept low.

[0025] An advantageous development of the communication system provides that the first-type communication user is designed as a stationary communication user. In particular, the first-type communication user is designed as a stationary server. Preferably, the first-type communication user is a so-called landside contact, which forms a stationary contact for mobile communication users. In this way, the load on a central server can be reduced simply and reliably. Resources of the central server can either be reduced or used for alternative tasks.

[0026] Furthermore, an advantageous development of the communication system provides that at least one communication participant of the second type is designed as a mobile communication participant. Preferably, at least one communication participant of the second type is designed as a vehicle. Particularly preferably, at least one communication participant of the second type is designed as a rail-bound vehicle. It is further conceivable that all communication participants of the second type are designed as mobile communication participants, in particular as rail-bound vehicles. Common problems in mobile data transmission, such as connection interruptions or weak data transmission rates in mobile radio networks, can thus be overcome simply and inexpensively. Furthermore, a reliable and cost-effective transmission of files can be enabled.

[0027] Furthermore, an advantageous development of the communication system provides that the said storage devices are arranged along a predetermined route of the at least one mobile communication subscriber. For example, storage devices are arranged at stops, maintenance depots and / or a marshalling yard. This makes it possible to provide and utilize a high transmission quality at the intended locations of the mobile communication subscriber. In particular, data loss or inefficient use of an available data volume, for example due to connection interruptions, can be avoided. Furthermore, it is conceivable for storage devices to be arranged at predetermined intervals along the said route.

[0028] Furthermore, the invention provides a computer program comprising instructions that, when the computer program is executed by a data processing device, cause the communication system according to the invention to carry out the method according to the invention. The data processing device mentioned is, in particular, the data processing device already described above.

[0029] The invention further provides a computer-readable medium. This has instructions which, when executed by a data processing device, cause the communication system according to the invention to carry out the method according to the invention. The data processing device mentioned is, in particular, the data processing device already described above. The computer-readable medium can be, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a USB or flash memory, or a non-physical medium, such as a data stream and / or a data carrier signal.

[0030] The properties, features and advantages of the invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, are explained in more detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description of the embodiments of the invention. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used in the figures for the same or corresponding elements of the invention. The exemplary embodiment and described variations thereof serve to explain the invention and do not limit the invention to the combinations of features specified therein, including with regard to functional features. Furthermore, all features specified in the exemplary embodiment can be considered in isolation and combined as appropriate with the features of any claim.

[0031] It shows :

[0032] FIG 1 is a schematic illustration of an example of a method for transmitting a file from a landside to multiple vehicles;

[0033] FIG 2 shows an embodiment of a communication system by means of which the example of the method illustrated in FIG 1 can be carried out.

[0034] FIG 1 shows a schematic sequence of an example of a method 100 for transmitting a file from a landside 12 to a plurality of rail-bound vehicles 14. Both the landside 12 and the vehicles 14 are shown as examples in FIG 2. Typically, different types of files, which relate, for example, to process data, maintenance data or media data, are transmitted between the landside 12 and the vehicles 14. In the example of the method 100 described here, files are selected 110 from the multitude of files to be transmitted according to an attribute of these files for the purpose of transmission to various decentralized storage devices 18. Such an attribute can relate, among other things, to a type of content, a type or a priority of the file.

[0035] In the present exemplary embodiment, a file to be transferred is selected 110, for example, based on an associated file size. As soon as a file to be transferred exceeds a first limit value of a file size, it is transferred 102 to the aforementioned decentralized storage devices 18. Remaining files can be transferred directly from the landside 12 to the individual vehicles 14 within the scope of the presently described example of the method 100. Furthermore, the present example of the method 100 provides that this file 110 selected in this way is transferred 102 only to selected ones of the aforementioned storage devices 18 based on a further attribute of this file. For example, a type of file content is selected as the attribute.If the selected file concerns maintenance data or inspection data, this file is transferred 102 only to storage devices 18 located in a maintenance depot 26. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that such a further attribute can relate to a designated group of recipients or a priority of the file, and that, according to this attribute, a transfer 102 of the file takes place to predetermined storage devices 18. For example, a file can be distributed only to a specified group of customers.

[0036] In addition, the method 100 illustrated by way of example in connection with FIG 1 provides that the file is divided into data blocks 112 as soon as its file size exceeds a second limit value. For the purpose of transmitting the file, all data blocks are transmitted 102 to the various decentrally arranged storage devices 18, in particular according to one of the aforementioned ways. In an alternative procedure, it is conceivable that a portion of the data blocks are transmitted 102 to different ones of the storage devices 18 in order to use possibly limited storage space efficiently. Both the aforementioned storage devices 18 and the aforementioned maintenance depot 26 are shown schematically as an example in FIG 2.

[0037] Furthermore, information I relating to storage locations of the file to be transmitted and / or its data blocks is sent 108 to each of the vehicles 14. This information I comprises, for example, a list of URLs on the basis of which an assignment of a storage location to a storage device 18 is described. In addition, a request for the purpose of downloading 106 the file from at least one of the storage devices 18 assigned to the said storage locations is sent 108 to the vehicles 14 together with the said information I. On the basis of the knowledge of the storage locations, each vehicle 14 selects one of the various storage devices 18 for the purpose of downloading 106 at least part of the file in accordance with a parameter relating to the respective vehicle 14 104.In the example of the method 100 described here, the selection 104 of the storage device 18 takes place primarily in accordance with location information, taking into account the information I from a maintenance plan for the vehicles 14. The location information mentioned is, for example, information I according to a GPS signal. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be location information determined on the basis of sensors or IP addresses. Based on the location information, for example, a storage location for the file to be transferred can be selected 104 such that it has the shortest distance from the vehicle 14 in question. In addition, with the addition of a maintenance plan, it can be determined whether a longer stay is planned.Once this is the case, a plurality of files to be transferred can be downloaded 106 reliably at a high data transfer rate from a storage device 18 arranged in the maintenance depot 26 upon arrival at a maintenance depot 26. In addition, a selection 104 of a storage device 18 based on a location of a vehicle 14 makes it possible to avoid roaming charges by permitting a download 106 of a file from the selected 104 storage device 18 only within predetermined national borders.

[0038] FIG 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a communication system 10. This communication system 10 has, for example, the aforementioned plurality of rail-bound vehicles 14 as well as the landside 12 having the stationary server. Furthermore, the embodiment of the communication system 10 has a data processing system 16. This data processing system 16 has the aforementioned decentralized storage devices 18. Each storage device 18 is, for example, part of a data processing device arranged at the same location. Furthermore, each of the aforementioned decentralized storage devices 18 is connected to the landside 12 by means of a network connection 20 for the purpose of transmitting a file or associated data blocks.In addition, the plurality of decentrally arranged storage devices 18 are configured to transmit a file from the land side 12 to at least one of the vehicles 14.

[0039] Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, that the aforementioned storage devices 18 are arranged along a designated route 22, which is traveled by a plurality of vehicles 14, for example. Storage devices 18 are arranged, by way of example, at stops 24 and in maintenance depots 26. Furthermore, it is conceivable that further storage devices 18 are distributed along the route 22 at predetermined intervals in a manner not shown in detail.

[0040] By means of the communication system 10 described by way of example in connection with FIG. 2, in particular the example of the method 100 described in connection with FIG. 1 is carried out.

[0041] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method (100) for transmitting a file from a communication participant of the first type (12) to several communication participants of the second type (14), in which - the file to be transferred is transferred (102) from a communication participant of the first type (12) to various decentrally arranged storage devices (18); - at least part of the file is transferred (106) from one of said storage devices (18) to one of the plurality of communication participants of the second type (14).

2. Method (100) according to claim 1, wherein for the purpose of transmitting at least part of the file, a storage device (18) is selected (104) in accordance with a parameter relating to the respective communication participant of the second type (14).

3. Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of said storage devices (18) is selected (104) for the purpose of transmitting the file in accordance with location information of the communication participant of the second type.

4. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of said storage devices (18) is selected (104) for the purpose of transmitting the file in accordance with an event plan of the communication participant of the second type (14).

5. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which information (I) concerning storage locations of said file is transmitted (108) to each of the plurality of communication participants of the second type (14).

6. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the file to be transferred is tributes of this file to predetermined ones of the various decentralized storage devices (18) is transferred (102) .

7. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which - a transfer of several files from the communication participant of the first type (12) to the several communication participants of the second type (14) is provided; - at least one of the plurality of files to be transferred is selected (110) according to at least one attribute of this file for the purpose of transfer to the various decentrally arranged storage devices (18).

8. The method (100) according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of files to be transferred is transferred (102) to decentrally arranged storage devices (18) in accordance with a file size.

9. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which - the file to be transferred is divided into data blocks (112); and - the data blocks are transferred (102) to the various decentralized storage devices (18).

10. Communication system (10) for carrying out the method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising - a communication participant of the first type (12); - several communication participants of the second type (14); - a data processing system (16) with a plurality of decentrally arranged storage devices (18), which are each connected to the communication participant of the first type (12) by means of a network connection (20) and by means of which a file can be transferred from the communication participant of the first type (12) to at least one of the plurality of communication participants of the second type (14).

11. Communication system (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the communication participant of the first type (12) is designed as a stationary communication participant, in particular as a stationary server.

12. Communication system (10) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one communication participant of the second type (14) is designed as a mobile communication participant, preferably as a vehicle and particularly preferably as a rail-bound vehicle.

13. Communication system (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that said storage devices (18) are arranged along a predetermined path (22) of the at least one mobile communication subscriber (14).

14. A computer program which, when executed, causes the communication system (10) according to one of claims 10 to 13 to carry out the method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

15. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which the communication system (10) according to any one of claims 10 to 13 to carry out the method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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