Method for determining a carriage assembly of a track-guided vehicle assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the vehicle sequence of a track-guided vehicle train (FV) of vehicles (FZ1 ... FZ5), in which, during a registration process (RV), vehicle identification numbers of each of the vehicles (FZ1 ... FZ5) are successively and contactlessly recorded by a registration device (RD) in the order of the vehicle sequence. It is provided that an activation device (ADR, ADL) triggers a respective registration step of the registration process (RV) in each of the vehicles (FZ1 ... FZ5), in which a registration signal containing the vehicle identification number of the respective vehicle (FZ1 ... FZ5) is transmitted by a first transmitter (SD1) to the registration device (RD) and stored there. In addition to the vehicle identification number, a time referenced to the recording of this vehicle identification number is also stored in the registration device (RD) for each vehicle (FZ1 ... FZ5).Furthermore, an initial result of the vehicle sequence is determined by sorting the vehicle identifiers in chronological order of the times of recording after all vehicles (FZ1 ... FZ5) have been recorded.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention further comprises the following: a method for determining a vehicle sequence of a track-guided convoy of vehicles. The invention further comprises the following: a telematics device for a vehicle. The invention further comprises the following: a registration device for registering a vehicle. The invention further comprises the following: an identification device for identifying a user of a vehicle. The invention further comprises the following: a computer program comprising program instructions. The invention further comprises the following: a computer-readable storage medium. Technical background

[0002] According to the state of the art, it is known that after freight trains are assembled, train lists of the individual vehicles (freight wagons and, if applicable, at least one locomotive) are created. After each initial train assembly, a technical inspection of all vehicles is required to detect any damage or, for example, loading errors. This inspection must be performed from both sides of the vehicles. The inspection is normally carried out by a person (the operator) inspecting each individual wagon, starting at the front or rear of the train and then walking down the train in the opposite direction on the other side of the train.

[0003] The following procedures are currently known for recording the train list Manual recording by writing on paper Scanning or photographing vehicle identifications on the vehicle using an appropriate auxiliary device Manually entering the vehicle identifications into an application on a device carried on board Electronic reading of electronic IDs attached to the vehicle using an appropriate auxiliary device.

[0004] This process involves a certain amount of effort and is also prone to errors. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the invention is to resolve the problems described in the prior art. In particular, it is to further develop a method for determining the vehicle sequence, a telematics device for a vehicle, a registration device, and an activation device in such a way that it is convenient for personnel to determine the vehicle sequence and, moreover, a relatively reliable implementation of the recording process.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, a method is described for determining a wagon sequence of a track-guided vehicle convoy of vehicles (preferably defined by the wagon identifications of the vehicles of the vehicle convoy and their sequence in the vehicle convoy), in which, in a registration process, wagon identifications of each of the vehicles are recorded one after the other in the order of the wagon sequence using a registration device in a computer-assisted, contactless manner.

[0007] A device is computer-aided or computer-implemented if it has at least one computer or processor, or a method if at least one computer or processor carries out at least one method step of the method.

[0008] A computing environment is an IT infrastructure consisting of components such as processors, memory units, programs, and the data to be processed by the programs, which are used to execute at least one application that has to perform a specific task. The IT infrastructure can also consist of a network of these components. Computers are electronic devices with

[0009] Data processing properties. Computers can be, for example, clients, servers, handheld computers, communications devices, and other electronic data processing devices that may have processors and memory units and may also be connected to a network via interfaces.

[0010] Processors can be, for example, converters, sensors for generating measurement signals, or electronic circuits. A processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a digital signal processor, possibly combined with a memory unit for storing program instructions and data. A processor can also be a virtualized processor or a soft CPU.

[0011] Storage units can be implemented as computer-readable memory in the form of random-access memory (RAM) or data storage (hard disk or data carrier).

[0012] Program modules are individual software functional units that enable a program sequence of method steps according to the invention. These software functional units can be implemented in a single computer program or in several communicating computer programs. The interfaces implemented in this way can be implemented in software within a single processor or in hardware if multiple processors are used.

[0013] Interfaces can be implemented in hardware, for example wired or as a radio connection, or in software, for example as interaction between individual program modules of one or more computer programs.

[0014] To avoid any misunderstanding, it should be noted at this point that individual claim features are numbered consecutively with lowercase Latin letters, regardless of the claim numbering. This means that each letter appears only once in the entire set of claims, allowing the relevant claim features to be clearly addressed without mentioning the claim number. Therefore, the order of the letters is irrelevant.

[0015] According to the invention, it is provided that a) an activation device triggers a respective registration step of the registration process in each of the vehicles, during which the vehicle identification of the vehicle in question (contained in a transmitted identification signal) is transmitted to the registration device using a transmitter (the activation device is preferably part of the vehicle in each case and enables activation, for example, using a push-button switch or wirelessly using the operator's glove when approaching the vehicle), b) together with the vehicle identification for each vehicle, the time at which the vehicle identification was recorded is also stored in the registration device, f) a first result of the vehicle sequence is determined by sorting the vehicle identifications in the chronological order of the times of recording after all vehicles have been recorded.

[0016] The method described here represents an alternative to previously known methods and is particularly advantageous if the equipment used to provide the computing environment can also be used for subsequent safety checks, e.g., a brake test.

[0017] If the vehicle is equipped with a telematics device that can transmit information wirelessly to a central location (e.g., a computer) and then to a registration device, it is necessary to know which vehicle this information originates from. Using suitable measures, e.g., GPS or radio, all of these devices can determine a sufficiently accurate internal time, typically UTC (Universal Time Coordinated). Alternatively, a centrally determined time in the registration device is sufficient, so that the incoming vehicle identifications can be assigned an entry time. The time represents an absolute time; alternatively, however, a relative time can be measured (in the telematics devices or in the registration device) starting from any starting time, in particular the start time of the registration process (similar to the function of a stopwatch).For the purpose of registration, the wagon identifications, in particular the standardized and unique UIC numbers of the vehicles, are transmitted to the registration device (UIC stands for Union Internationale des Chemins de fe).

[0018] In addition, the time at which the vehicle identification was recorded is saved. Since the person walks through the vehicles in the order of the convoy, the time of registration allows a direct conclusion to be drawn about their order in the convoy.

[0019] The time can be recorded by a timer in the vehicle, for example, in the telematics device, or by a timer in the registration device at the time the vehicle's identification is transmitted. An external time signal can also be received by one of the computing devices involved in the process and, if necessary, transmitted for storage, e.g., via radio.

[0020] One advantage of the invention is that, for vehicles equipped with a telematics device, the available computer infrastructure can also be used to conveniently and relatively securely determine the vehicle sequence. This takes advantage of the requirement that a person must inspect the assembled convoy to perform the technical inspection. Each time this person passes one of the vehicles, the registration of this vehicle is initiated in a registration step. The person only has to manually activate the registration, or the person's approach to the vehicle in question triggers the activation automatically.

[0021] As will be explained in more detail below using variants of the invention, the detection can be made even safer and more convenient by further measures.

[0022] According to a further aspect of the invention, a telematics device for a vehicle is described in which a vehicle identification for the vehicle is stored.

[0023] In other words, this telematics device is suitable for installation in a vehicle so that it can be configured to carry out the method described above. The telematics device can consist of one or more devices and is to be understood as part of the computing environment that must be provided to carry out the method described above.

[0024] According to this aspect, the invention provides that the telematics device f) is configured to be activated according to step a), g) has a transmitting device configured to transmit a vehicle identification of the vehicle to a registration device according to step a).

[0025] By setting up the telematics devices of the vehicles to be detected in such a way that they can carry out step a), in particular, the method according to the invention can be implemented by the telematics devices, whereby the advantages explained above are achieved.

[0026] According to a further aspect of the invention, a registration device for registering a vehicle is described.

[0027] The registration device also forms part of the computing environment that can be set up to implement the above-mentioned procedure. The registration device is located outside the vehicles and can, for example, be part of a control center or a device carried by employees.

[0028] According to this aspect, the invention provides that this registration device is configured to h) store transmitted vehicle identifications of vehicles according to step a) of claim 1, i) store times directed towards the detection of the vehicle identifications according to step b) of claim 1.

[0029] By setting up the registration device in such a way that it can be involved in particular in step a) of the method according to the invention, the advantages already explained above can be achieved.

[0030] According to a further aspect of the invention, an identification device for identifying a user of a vehicle is described.

[0031] The identification device also forms part of the computing environment that can be configured to apply the method described above. The identification device is designed to be carried by users.

[0032] According to this aspect of the invention, it is provided that the receiving device is configured to transmit an identification signal containing an identification code to a first receiving device according to claim 2 upon approach. It is crucial that the identification device transmits its identification code to the activation device of the vehicle so that it can later be transmitted to the registration device together with the vehicle code.

[0033] As already described, when used within the framework of the procedure explained above, the identification device ensures that all vehicles in a convoy can only be registered if they have the required identification. The associated advantages have already been explained above.

[0034] According to a further aspect of the invention, a computer program is described comprising program instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to the method according to the invention.

[0035] According to the invention, a computer program product containing program modules is described with program instructions, wherein the program modules can run on the same or multiple processors. The method according to the invention and / or its exemplary embodiments can be implemented by means of the computer program product, which can comprise one or more computer programs, and the above-described advantages are achieved by the implementation.

[0036] According to a further aspect of the invention, a computer-readable storage medium is described on which the computer program product according to the last preceding claim is stored.

[0037] Furthermore, a provision device for storing and / or providing the computer program in the form of a computer-readable storage medium is described. The provision device is, for example, a storage unit that stores the computer program and makes it available for retrieval. Alternatively or additionally, the provision device is a network service, a computer system, a server system, in particular a distributed, for example, cloud-based computer system or virtual computer system, which stores the computer program on a computer-readable storage medium and preferably makes it available in the form of a data stream.

[0038] The provision takes place in the form of program data sets describing program modules as a file, in particular as a download file, or as a data stream, in particular as a download data stream, of the computer program. The computer program is transferred, for example, using the provision device into a computing environment, so that the method according to the invention can be executed in one or more computing instances of this computing environment. General embodiments of the invention

[0039] Variants describing further developments of the invention are explained below without limiting the basic idea of ​​the invention.

[0040] According to one variant, the above-explained aspects of the invention are determined by the fact that the first transmitting device is triggered to transmit the vehicle identification by being activated when an identification device approaches one of the activation devices on the vehicle by receiving an identification signal (preferably associated with an identification code) with a first receiving device (which, as shown, is arranged near the activation device or, not shown, is integrated into it). Additionally, it can be provided that, as a second prerequisite for activating the transmitting device, an activation action is required, for example, pressing a button on the vehicle (more on this below).

[0041] As soon as employees tasked with inspecting the convoy approach a specific vehicle, they come within range of a transmission between the identification device and the vehicle, preferably the activation device installed in the vehicle. This establishes a connection and transmits the identification code from the identification device to the activation device. Only then is the subsequent transmission of the vehicle identification number and the identification code, as well as the time associated with the transmission, possible. In addition, the transmission can be made dependent on a conscious action by the employee, for example, manual operation of the activation device or the use of an app on the identification device, to prevent accidental false activations.

[0042] The range for identification can advantageously be selected so small that only one activation interface can be established with the vehicle currently being examined. The range can preferably be less than 1 m. This advantageously prevents the activation interface between vehicles of a convoy from being activated in the wrong order and, in many cases, prevents the activation interface with vehicles of a different convoy from being activated.

[0043] The advantage of this variant is that transmission is only permitted if identification has previously taken place in the vehicle. It is essential that identification using the identification device is possible individually, i.e., that other identification devices can be distinguished from the identification device currently in use. This can be achieved by an identification code that makes the identification device uniquely identifiable. The identification code is therefore not the vehicle identification code described above, which is intended to make the vehicles identifiable, but one linked to the identification device, which, for the sake of distinguishability, is also referred to below as the identification code.

[0044] According to a variant, the aspects of the invention explained above are determined in that the registration device does not complete the registration process until all vehicles of the vehicle convoy have been recorded a second time and a second result of the vehicle sequence has been determined.

[0045] This variant takes advantage of the fact that employees who have to inspect a vehicle convoy always inspect it from both sides. This makes it advantageous to record the wagon sequence twice in a row (in the case of only one employee) or simultaneously (in the case of two employees) without having to accept any delay. This creates redundancy in the recording of the wagon sequence; in other words, two results are generated: a first result and a second result containing the content of the determined wagon sequence. To create redundancy, it would also be conceivable to record the wagon sequence twice in a row on the same side.

[0046] The advantage of redundantly recording the car sequence is that the first result can be compared with the second result to detect errors (more on this below). This increases the reliability of the process.

[0047] According to a variant, the aspects of the invention explained above are determined in that after the second detection of all vehicles, the car sequence is determined again by sorting the car identifiers in the reverse chronological order of the times of detection.

[0048] This variant is suitable if, as explained above, the convoy is inspected by a single person, who inspects one side of the convoy on the outward journey and the other side on the return journey. In this case, the advantage of recording the vehicle sequence twice is that there is no time loss, since the person has to inspect the entire convoy twice anyway to inspect both sides of the convoy.

[0049] According to a variant, the aspects of the invention explained above are determined in that the vehicle at the end of the carriage sequence is determined by determining the carriage identifier which occurs twice in direct succession in the chronological order of the times of detection.

[0050] This variant of the invention is suitable if employees first walk along the convoy of vehicles in one direction, walk around the end of the convoy and then walk along the convoy in the opposite direction. In this case, the vehicle at the end of the convoy is read twice in succession, once on one side and immediately afterwards on the other side. This can be determined by evaluating the recording times, the transmission times or the reception times of the vehicle identifications, whereby the last vehicle can be clearly identified. By determining the vehicle at the end of the convoy, it can also be determined which vehicle identifications need to be sorted in ascending order of the recording time and which vehicle identifications need to be sorted in descending order of the recording time in order to generate redundant recording (i.e. a first result and a second result that must be identical).

[0051] If, in this case, no vehicle ID is recorded twice in a row, this indicates an error. This could be, for example, that the last vehicle in question was recorded only once or that the recording times are incorrect.

[0052] According to a variant, the aspects of the invention explained above are determined in that first activation devices are used for detecting the carriage sequence in order to determine the first result on each vehicle and second activation devices are used for detecting the carriage sequence in order to determine the second result on each vehicle, wherein the first activation devices are mounted on one side of the vehicles in each case and the second activation devices are mounted on the other side of the vehicles in each case.

[0053] By arranging activation devices on both sides of the vehicles, it is ensured that the redundant activation of the transmitters per vehicle occurs once from one side and then from the other side. This ensures that the convoy must have been inspected on each side. The transmitter can be designed so that after it has been activated by the activation device on one side, it can only be activated again on the other side. If the transmitter is always active, alternatively the registration device can be designed so that it can differentiate between the transmission actions of the transmitter on each side. Based on this check, activation can thus be permitted or prohibited; in the latter case, an error message can preferably also be issued.An alternative option is for the registration device to check whether one activation device was used first and then the other. However, this requires that the activation devices can be distinguished from one another, preferably by sending an activation identifier. An activation identifier must ensure that the two activation devices in each vehicle can be distinguished. It should be noted that it is not possible to predict which of the two activation devices will be used first in a vehicle. This depends on which side of the vehicle convoy an employee starts to inspect. The only important thing is that after activation by one activation device, activation by the other activation device also occurs at some point.

[0054] By limiting the range of an activation interface to a maximum of 1 m, as already explained above, it can be advantageously prevented that an identification device inadvertently activates the activation device on the opposite side of a vehicle when employees approach it on the side of the vehicle to be inspected. This ensures additional functional reliability for the method according to the invention and the operation of the devices according to the invention.

[0055] According to a variant, the aspects of the invention explained above are determined by carrying out (preferably by the registration device) a plausibility test for the specified carriage sequence, in which d) the first result of the wagon sequence is compared with the second result of the wagon sequence, e) only if the first result matches the second result, the (resulting) result is released for further processing.

[0056] The comparison of the first result and the second result is carried out computer-aided by a comparator and has the advantage of increasing the functional reliability when determining the wagon sequence. If the first result matches the second result, the result (resulting from the comparison) thus corresponds to both compared results. If the first result differs from the second result, these results must not be used if it cannot be determined which of the two results is correct and which is incorrect. It is also possible that both results are incorrect. The determination of the wagon sequence must then be repeated (either by repeating the method according to the invention or, alternatively, by an unassisted, manual method, for example).

[0057] According to a variant, the aspects of the invention explained above are determined by generating an error signal when the first result does not agree with the second result.

[0058] The advantage of issuing an error signal is that it allows personnel to react to the error message. As already mentioned, it may be possible to identify the error and thus determine which of the results is correct or how the results need to be corrected, for example, using a computer-assisted procedure. If this is not possible, the car sequence determination process must be repeated.

[0059] According to a variant, the aspects of the invention explained above are determined by the fact that a start time and an end time for the registration process are also stored in the registration device.

[0060] Determining a start time and an end time for the registration process has the advantage that these two points in time can also be used to evaluate the result. For example, as part of a plausibility check, it can be examined whether the periods from the start time to the time of a duplicate registration of the same wagon ID on the last vehicle (see above) and from the time of the duplicate registration of the same wagon ID to the end time are equal, taking into account a specified tolerance. If this is not the case, this may indicate the presence of an error.

[0061] Furthermore, by generating a start time and an end time, the time window within which all times aimed at capturing vehicle identifications must fall can be defined. The start time and the end time can be determined, for example, by input from the person using the identification device or by the first and last recorded times aimed at capturing the vehicle identification of the vehicle at the front of the convoy during a switch-on time of the identification device. In the latter example, the determination can advantageously be carried out by comparing the first determined vehicle identification with all subsequently determined vehicle identifications until the first determined vehicle identification is determined a second time.This is equivalent to the fact that the procession of the vehicle convoy is completed, starting from the first vehicle to the last vehicle in the convoy and then back to the first vehicle on the other side.

[0062] According to a variant, the aspects of the invention explained above are determined in that a telematics device used has an activation device which can be triggered via an activation interface in order to send an activation signal to the transmitting device.

[0063] The activation device can consist of a button that is manually activated directly on the vehicle in question by the staff responsible for recording the vehicle sequence. However, the activation device can alternatively, but preferably additionally, also have a receiver that receives an activation signal via an activation interface and forwards it to the telematics device so that it can transmit the required vehicle identification. The telematics device preferably communicates with an identification device carried by the staff. Given the limited range, which can only be bridged in this case, identification is only possible when the staff approaches the vehicle in question. Known near-field communication methods (RFID tags, Bluetooth, etc.) can preferably be used for this purpose.

[0064] The identification device can, for example, consist of a glove worn by the personnel when determining the carriage sequence. A transponder can be integrated into the glove, which is triggered to transmit an identification signal by a transmitter and receiver in the telematics system. The receiver is preferably installed in or near the activation device. Of course, a combined transmitter / receiver device can also be used in the activation device, whereby the transmitter installed there can also be designed to activate the identification device.

[0065] The transmitter in the activation device can be triggered by manually pressing a button in the activation device. At this moment, the glove is in close proximity to the activation device, so the activation energy emitted by the transmitter can be relatively low. This advantageously prevents the activation energy from causing harm to the person wearing the glove. Exemplary embodiments of the drawing

[0066] Further details of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. Identical or corresponding drawing elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the individual figures and are explained repeatedly only to the extent that differences arise between the individual figures.

[0067] The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual, independently considered variants of the invention, which each further develop the invention independently of one another and are thus also considered as components of the invention, either individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described components can also be combined with the variants of the invention described above. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the inventive arrangement of devices with their functional relationships schematically. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a computing environment for the arrangement according to Figure 1as a block diagram, wherein the individual computing instances execute program modules, each of which can run in one or more of the computers shown as examples, and wherein the interfaces shown can accordingly be implemented in software in one computer or in hardware between different computers. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the method according to the invention as a flow chart, wherein the method steps shown can be implemented individually or in groups by program modules and wherein the computing instances and interfaces according to Figure 2 are indicated as examples.

[0068] Regardless of the grammatical gender of the terms concerned, persons with male, female or other gender identities are equally included. Detailed description of the drawing

[0069] In Figure 1an arrangement is shown, comprising a track system with one track GL and a control center LZ, wherein a vehicle convoy FV, comprising a first vehicle FZ1, a second vehicle FZ2, a third vehicle FZ3, a fourth vehicle FZ4 and a last vehicle FZ5 (each coupled via couplings KP), is parked on the track GL. An employee MA is shown walking along an indicated arrow along the vehicle convoy FV, first on one side from the first vehicle FZ1 to the last vehicle FZ5 and then on the other side from the last vehicle FZ5 to the first vehicle FZ1 (on the way back he is at the same height as the second vehicle FZ2). The employee MA has an identification device ID with him (e.g. a handheld device or a glove) which is equipped with an antenna AT in order to communicate with the registration device via a third interface S3 (e.g.(so that a start time and an end time for the registration process can be transmitted from the identification device to the registration device), which also has an antenna AT. Transmitting devices SD1 ... SD3 and receiving devices RC1L, RC1R, RC2, RC3 are each connected to the processors via transmit / receive interfaces SDS (bidirectionality indicated by two connecting lines each).

[0070] The vehicles FZ1 ... FZ5 are equipped with telematics devices (TE), which also have antennas (AT) for communication. Furthermore, the vehicles FZ1 ... FZ5 are each equipped with activation devices (ADR, ADL) on both sides, which activate a first transmitter (SD1) (not shown in detail) (see Figure 2). The control center (LZ) is also equipped with a registration device (RD), which can be used to register the vehicles FZ1 ... FZ5 of the vehicle group (FV).

[0071] In a computing environment RU, the Figure 1 and Figure 2The computing instances used and their and other functional components are connected by a first interface S1 (between a first transmitting device SD1 in the telematics device TE and a third receiving device RC3 in the registration device RD), by a second interface S2 (between a second transmitting device SD2 in the identification device ID and two first receiving devices RC1L, RC1R in the telematics device TE), by the aforementioned third interface S3, by a fourth interface S4 and by a fifth interface S5. Furthermore, a second receiving device RC2 is also present in the identification device ID and a third transmitting device SD3 is present in the registration device RD. Without going into detail, the respective transmitting devices and receiving devices are connected via transmit / receive interfaces to the respective processors P1 ... P3 in the identification device ID, in the registration device RD and in the telematics device TE.

[0072] According to Figure 2 In particular, in the computing environment RU, in the telematics device TE, a first processor P1 is connected to a first memory unit SE1 by an eleventh interface S11, in the identification device ID, a second processor P2 is connected to a second memory unit SE2 by a twelfth interface S12, and in a first computer C1 in which the registration device RD is implemented, a third processor P3 is connected to a third memory unit SE3 by a thirteenth interface S13, wherein the above-mentioned first to third processors are referred to jointly as processors P1 ... P3 and the above-mentioned first to third memory units are referred to jointly as memory units SE1 ... SE3.

[0073] In addition, Figure 2 which is also in Figure 1The activation devices ADR and ADL shown can be recognized. These consist, for example, of a button (not shown in detail), which is why they are mounted so that they can be accessed from the outside by the employee (MA). At the same time, a first receiver RC1L and RC1R are arranged on both sides of the vehicle for near-field communication within an indicated near field NF with a radius of less than 1 m with the identification device ID. This means that identification is only possible if the identification device ID is located at a distance of less than 1 m from the activation device ADR or ADL.

[0074] Activation occurs by pressing the button (1st alternative) or via the activation interface AS from the identification device (2nd alternative), whereby only one of the two mentioned alternatives needs to be implemented. The activation devices ADR, ADL are connected to the first processor P1 on one side of the vehicle FZ1 ... FZ5 via the fourth interface S4 and on the other side of the vehicle FZ1 ... FZ5 via the fifth interface S5. The first processor P1 can register an activation and also evaluate on which of the two sides of the vehicle FZ1 ... FZ5 the activation occurred. However, activation also requires that an identification code has been sent from the identification device ID via the second interface S2 to one of the first receiving devices RC1L (the same process is repeated later on the other side of the vehicle in a manner not shown; more on this below).

[0075] The two first receiving devices RC1L, RC1R and the two activation devices AD1, ADR are identical in construction and have equal capabilities. For the sole purpose of distinguishing them, for the purposes of this description of the invention, they are designated with the letters L for left and R for right; however, these characteristics are not permanently assigned to them. It should be noted that the vehicle convoy consisting of vehicles can operate equally in both directions, and their orientation within the convoy is also random. In another vehicle convoy, the right and left sides can be swapped, so to speak. However, since the activation devices and the first receiving devices are identical in construction, the method according to the invention functions in the same way, regardless of whether the right or left side of a vehicle in the convoy is detected first.

[0076] The following describes the procedure for determining the car sequence as shown in the flow chart according to Figure 3 presented and explained step by step. In Figure 3 is also indicated by boxes, in which functional components or computing instances according to Figure 1 and 2 the individual steps can be carried out. As far as the interfaces according to Figure 1 and 2 are used, these are also in Figure 3 marked.

[0077] In a first step 1 the process is started (short: START).

[0078] In a second step 2, to initiate the registration process RV (abbreviated to INI-REG), the devices involved in the process are put into a standby state. This applies at least to the registration device RD, which must be able to receive messages from the vehicle's telematics systems FZ at any time (see fourth step). This can be achieved, for example, with a button TS. Furthermore, the identification device is activated so that it can transmit an identification code.

[0079] In a third step 3 to trigger a registration step (ACT-REG for short), a transmitting device is activated. This activation requires the presence of the identification code of the identification device ID in the activation device, which is brought closer to the first activation device ADL by the employee MA. Additionally, pressing a button may be required, which is then implemented as part of the activation devices ADL and ADR. Alternatively, an activation button can be provided on the identification device, which triggers activation via the activation device, which in this case first receives the required activation signal from the identification device. The activation button can be physically implemented as a switch or virtually as a surface on a touchscreen.

[0080] In a fourth step 4 for transmitting a registration signal with a vehicle identifier, an identification signal with an identification identifier, and an activation signal with an activation identifier (SND-COD for short), the vehicle identifier of the vehicle FZ1 ... FZ5 whose telematics device TD or first transmitting device was activated for this purpose is sent to the registration device. The registration device RD has a third processor P3, which stores the vehicle identifiers together with the acquisition time in the third storage unit SE3 (see sixth step). In a first variant, the acquisition time is determined as a digital timestamp in the third processor P3 (in this case, the following fifth step can be omitted).

[0081] In a fifth step 5 for determining a time stamp (abbreviated to REC-TS), a second variant determines a time point related to the detection of the relevant vehicle identification and records it as a digital time stamp in the first processor P1 of the telematics device. In this variant, the time stamp must also be sent to the third processor P3 of the registration device RD. It then becomes part of the registration signal.

[0082] In a sixth step 6 for storing a data record (short: SVE-DAT) containing the wagon identification and the associated time stamp, the said data record is stored, as already explained, in the third storage unit SE3.

[0083] In a seventh step (7), for querying an identical result (abbreviated to: DAT-ID?), a query is made as to whether the same vehicle identification was sent to the third processor P3 twice in a row, triggered by different activation devices. If this is not the case, a recursion loop is executed and the process is repeated from the third step. If this is the case, this means that the end of the vehicle convoy FV has been reached by the employee MA and the last vehicle FZ5 has already been recorded for the second time. Therefore, the process can continue with the eighth step.

[0084] In an eighth step (8) for generating the first result (abbreviated to SET-R1), a wagon sequence is created as the first result based on the wagon identifiers of vehicles FZ1 ... FZ5 registered from step 3 onwards. The wagon identifiers are sorted in ascending order of recording times. However, one of the wagon identifiers recorded twice is only considered in the second result (more on this below).

[0085] In a ninth step 9 to trigger a registration step (ACT-REG for short), a transmitting device is activated (analogous to the third step).

[0086] In a tenth step 10 for transmitting a registration signal with a vehicle identification, an identification signal with an identification identifier and an activation signal with an activation identifier (short: SND-COD), the vehicle identification of the relevant vehicle FZ1 ... FZ5 is transmitted (analogous to the fourth step).

[0087] In an eleventh step 11 for determining a time stamp (abbreviated to REC-TS), a time point directed towards the recording of the relevant wagon identification is determined (analogous to the fifth step).

[0088] In a twelfth step 12 for storing a data record (abbreviated to SVE-DAT) containing the wagon identification and the associated time stamp, the data record is stored in the third storage unit SE3 (analogous to the sixth step).

[0089] In a thirteenth step, a query is made as to whether the acquisition has been completed (abbreviated to RDY?). As already explained, this can be achieved by querying whether the currently determined wagon ID matches the first determined wagon ID (with the oldest timestamp). If this is not the case, a recursion loop is executed and the process is repeated from step 9. If this is the case, step 14, described below, is executed.

[0090] In a 14th step, the RV registration process (STP-REG for short) is completed by the RD registration device. This means that no more vehicle identifications from vehicles FZ1 ... FZ5 are received, and evaluation can begin.

[0091] In a 15th step 15 for creating the second result (abbreviated: SET-R2), a wagon sequence is created as a second result based on the wagon identifiers of the vehicles FZ1 ... FZ5 registered from step 9, whereby the wagon identifiers are sorted in descending order of the recording times.

[0092] In a 16th step, a query is made as to whether the first result corresponds to the second result, i.e., is it identical (in short: R1=R2?). If this is the case, the process can be terminated. If this is not the case, the process continues with the 17th step.

[0093] In the 17th step, an error message (OT-ERR for short) is issued. This error message can have various effects. For example, it can automatically prevent the vehicle convoy FV from starting its planned journey (preventing route release). However, the error message can also be displayed in the control center (LZ) or on the identification device (ID) so that employees (MA) can initiate appropriate measures. This could, for example, involve manually repeating the recording of the vehicle identification numbers of vehicles FZ1 ... FZ5.

[0094] In a 20th step 20 the process is stopped (short: STOP). List of reference symbols

[0095] GL track LZ control center FV vehicle group FZ1 first vehicle FZ2 second vehicle FZ3 third vehicle FZ4 fourth vehicle FZ5 last vehicle KP couplings MA employees ATAntenna S3 third interface FZ1 ... FZ5 vehicles TETelematics device ADL, ADR first and second activation device left and right SD1 first transmitter RD registration device RU computing environment S1 first interface RC3 third receiver S2 second interface SD2 second transmitter RC1L, RC1R first receiver left and right S4 fourth interface S5 fifth interface RC2 second receiver SD3 third transmitter P1 ... P3 processors P1 first processor SE1 first storage unit S11 eleventh interface ID identification device P2 second processor SE2 second storage unit S12 twelfth interface C1 first computer P3 third processor SE3 third storage unit S1313. Interface SE1 ...SE3Storage units ASActivation interface RVRegistration process TSTaser NFNear field SESSend-receive interface.

Claims

1. A method for determining a wagon sequence of a track-guided vehicle convoy (FV) of vehicles (FZ1 ... FZ5), in which, in a registration process (RV), wagon identifications of each of the vehicles (FZ1 ... FZ5) are recorded one after the other in the order of the wagon sequence using a computer-assisted, contactless registration device (RD), characterized in thata) an activation device (ADR, ADL) triggers a respective registration step of the registration process (RV) in each of the vehicles (FZ1 ... FZ5), in which a registration signal containing the vehicle identification of the vehicle in question (FZ1 ... FZ5) is transmitted to the registration device (RD) by a first transmitter device (SD1) and stored there, b) in addition to the vehicle identification for each vehicle (FZ1 ... FZ5), a time point directed towards the recording of this vehicle identification is also stored in the registration device (RD), c) a first result of the vehicle sequence is determined by sorting the vehicle identifications in the chronological order of the times of recording after all vehicles (FZ1 ... FZ5) have been recorded.

2. Method for determining according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe first transmitting device (SD1) is only caused to transmit the vehicle identification if, upon approaching an identification device (ID), it has received an identification signal containing an identification code with a first receiving device (RC1L, RC1R).

3. Method for determining according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the registration device (RD) does not complete the registration process (RV) before all vehicles (FZ1 ... FZ5) of the vehicle convoy (FV) have been recorded a second time and a second result of the vehicle sequence has been determined.

4. Method for determining according to claim 3, characterized in that after the second recording of all vehicles (FZ1 ... FZ5), the wagon sequence is determined again by sorting the wagon identifications in the reverse chronological order of the times of recording.

5. Method for determining according to claim 4, characterized in thatthe vehicle (FZ1 ... FZ5) at the end of the wagon sequence is determined by determining the wagon identification that occurs twice in direct succession in the chronological order of the times of recording.

6. Method for determining according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that First activation devices (ADL) are used to record the wagon sequence to determine the first result on each vehicle (FZ1 ... FZ5) and second activation devices (ADR) are used to record the wagon sequence to determine the second result on each vehicle (FZ1 ... FZ5), whereby the first activation devices (ADL) are mounted on one side of the vehicles (FZ1 ... FZ5) and the second activation devices (ADR) are mounted on the other side of the vehicles (FZ1 ... FZ5).

7. A method for determining according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in thata plausibility test is carried out for the defined wagon sequence, in which d) the first result of the wagon sequence is compared with the second result of the wagon sequence, e) the result is only released for further processing if the first result agrees with the second result.

8. Method for determining claim 7, characterized in that an error signal is generated if the first result does not match the second result.

9. Method for determining according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a start time and an end time for the registration process (RV) are also stored in the registration device (RD).

10. Telematics device for a vehicle (FZ1 ... FZ5) in which a vehicle identification for the vehicle (FZ1 ... FZ5) is stored, characterized in thatthe telematics device (TE) f) is set up to be activated according to step a) according to claim 1, g) has a transmitting device which is set up to transmit a vehicle identification of the vehicle (FZ1 ... FZ5) to a registration device (RD) according to step a) according to claim 1.

11. Telematics device according to claim 10, characterized in that this has an activation device (ADR, ADL) which can be triggered via an activation interface (AS) in order to send an activation signal to the transmitting device.

12. Registration device for the registration of a vehicle (FZ1 ... FZ5), characterized in that this is set up, h) to store transmitted vehicle identifications of vehicles (FZ1 ... FZ5) according to step a) according to claim 1, i) to store times directed towards the detection of the vehicle identifications according to step b) according to claim 1.

13. Identification device ID for identifying a user on a vehicle (FZ1 ... FZ5). characterized in thatthis is set up to send an identification signal containing an identification code to a first receiving device (RC1L, RC1R) according to claim 2 when approaching said first receiving device.

14. A computer program comprising program instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 9.

15. A computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program product according to the last preceding claim is stored.

Images