Locating a railbound vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for locating a railbound vehicle (10). The method (100) provides for a query concerning a location relating to a predetermined railbound vehicle (10) to be transmitted (102) to a stationary server (12) by means of a mobile terminal (14). As a result of said query, the stationary server (12) is used to identify (104) information relating to a location of the predetermined railbound vehicle (10). The thus identified (104) information relating to the location of the predetermined railbound vehicle (10) is output (106) to the mobile terminal (14).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Tracking a rail-bound vehicle

[0003] The invention relates to a method for locating a rail-bound vehicle, a system for carrying out the method, a computer program and a computer-readable medium.

[0004] In the event of extended service interruptions, rail vehicles are parked on sidings in marshalling yards, depots or external branch lines of railway stations. Unlike parked motor vehicles such as cars or buses, however, parked rail vehicles are often moved by shunting locomotives. It is therefore not certain that a rail vehicle initially parked on a predetermined siding will be found there again after the service interruption. Instead, the rail vehicle in question may have been moved to another siding in the same marshalling yard or depot, or even to a siding in a distant marshalling yard or depot. In individual cases, the rail vehicle in question may even be parked several kilometres away from where it was originally parked.Therefore, before starting a ferry service, a vehicle driver must first search for the rail-bound vehicle assigned to him. Because parked rail-bound vehicles are usually moved without their own propulsion using a shunting locomotive, the vehicle's control technology is inactive. The new location of the rail-bound vehicle is therefore unknown to either the vehicle or a land-based operator. This makes it considerably more difficult for the vehicle driver to find the rail-bound vehicle assigned to him. If the rail-bound vehicle in question has been moved to a different siding several kilometers away from its original parking location, it will take a lot of time to locate the rail-bound vehicle.In individual cases, this may hinder the commencement of operations and may even make it impossible for the rail-bound vehicle to commence operations.

[0005] The object of the invention is to make it easier for a vehicle driver to find a rail-bound vehicle assigned to him.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method according to the features of claim 1.

[0007] Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of specifying a system by means of which the method according to the invention can be carried out.

[0008] This problem is solved by a system according to the features of the subordinate system claim.

[0009] Furthermore, the invention is based on the objects of providing a computer program and a computer-readable medium.

[0010] These objects are achieved by a computer program according to the features of the independent computer program claim and by a computer-readable medium having the features of the independent claim 15.

[0011] The inventive method for locating a rail-bound vehicle provides that a request regarding a location of a predetermined rail-bound vehicle is transmitted to a stationary server by means of a mobile terminal. As a result of said request, information regarding a location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle is determined by means of the stationary server. This determined information regarding the location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle is output to the mobile terminal.

[0012] In this context, the mobile device is understood to be a programmable hardware component configured to read, write, transmit, and / or manage data. For example, the programmable hardware component can be a microcontroller or a processor. The mobile device is preferably a cell phone, a smartphone, a phablet, a smartwatch, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet, a notebook, a netbook, or a laptop.

[0013] In this context, the stationary server is a stationary computer, microcontroller, processor or other stationary programmable hardware component by means of which data can be read, written, transferred and / or managed. Furthermore, the stationary server can be a virtualized hardware resource, such as a computer cloud or a runtime environment with variable computing and / or storage capacities. In this context, the runtime environment should be understood in the sense of computer science. In particular, this runtime environment is set up to read, write, transfer and / or manage data.

[0014] This allows for the location of a specific rail-bound vehicle to be carried out quickly and reliably. Furthermore, the vehicle's own technology can be used without the need for additional components.

[0015] In an advantageous further development, it is provided that, for the purpose of determining the information concerning the location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle, a location query is transmitted to the predetermined rail-bound vehicle by means of the stationary server. Typically, the stationary server represents a central contact for rail-bound vehicles. The stationary server is therefore referred to in specialist circles as the "landside". As a central contact, the stationary server has a multitude of options available for the purpose of communicating with the rail-bound vehicle. In contrast, with a mobile device, only individual, predetermined communication channels can be used for data transmission.However, the latter communication channels are typically inactive during extended service interruptions, and therefore in the case of a rail vehicle parked on a siding. Therefore, the stationary server provides a reliable central point of contact for determining information regarding the location of the predetermined rail vehicle.

[0016] An advantageous embodiment provides that, as a result of the aforementioned standard query, the location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle is determined by means of a locating device. This determined location is transmitted to the stationary server as information concerning the location of the aforementioned vehicle. In this way, rapid location of the sought-after vehicle can be provided. The location determined in the aforementioned manner corresponds to a location of the sought-after vehicle at the time of the query. In this way, a driver assigned to the rail-bound vehicle can search for the rail-bound vehicle in a targeted manner.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that in the event of a lack of feedback regarding the said location query, an activation attempt is carried out for the purpose of activating at least part of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle. Preferably, within the scope of the said activation attempt, an attempt is made by means of a first communication channel to gain access to at least part of a control technology of the rail-bound vehicle. In this way, it is then possible to activate inactive parts of the vehicle for the purpose of determining a location and / or transmitting information relating to the location. The said parts can be, for example, a second communication channel and / or a locating device of the rail-bound vehicle.This makes it possible to wake up a rail-bound vehicle in a stationary operating state in such a way that at least a location determination and transmission of the location is possible. For this purpose, the so-called "ring-bell signal" is already known to those skilled in the art, for example, in which at least part of an inactive control technology of the rail-bound vehicle is activated by means of a permanently accessible communication channel set up specifically for the purpose of activating a vehicle.

[0018] If a successful activation of at least a part of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle takes place, an advantageous embodiment provides that a location of said vehicle is determined by means of a locating device of this vehicle and the location thus determined is then transmitted to the stationary server as information concerning the location of said vehicle.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be provided that, in the event of a lack of response regarding the aforementioned location query, information regarding this lack of response is transmitted to the mobile device. This allows a driver to easily recognize that further steps may be necessary to locate the vehicle they are looking for. For example, based on this information, the driver can visually compare vehicle identification features on vehicles in their immediate vicinity in order to locate the vehicle they are looking for without any additional loss of time.

[0020] A further advantageous embodiment provides that, in the event of a lack of feedback regarding said location query and / or an unsuccessful activation attempt concerning at least part of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle, a last known location of said vehicle is determined by means of the stationary server. This last known location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle is then output to the mobile terminal as information concerning the location of said vehicle. This information concerning the location preferably carries the additional information that the output location is the last known location and therefore possibly not the location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle at the time of the query.In this way, a vehicle driver can be given an initial clue for the purpose of locating the rail-bound vehicle he is looking for.

[0021] In an advantageous further development, it is provided that, as part of the information concerning the location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle, in addition to the location itself, an associated time at which this location was detected is output to the mobile device. In this way, a timestamp can be provided on the basis of which the timeliness of the information concerning the location can be verified. In this way, a vehicle driver can distinguish whether the location transmitted to him of the vehicle he is looking for corresponds either to a current location or to a last known location of the vehicle he is looking for. The vehicle driver can align his further search strategy on the basis of this additional information.

[0022] Preferably, an acoustic and / or optical signal is emitted by the predetermined rail-bound vehicle on the basis of location information relating to the mobile terminal device. This makes it easier to locate the vehicle being sought in the event of a cluster of several similar or identical vehicles. Furthermore, the vehicle being sought can be located particularly quickly. For the purpose of emitting an acoustic signal, for example, a horn or a loudspeaker system of the rail-bound vehicle being sought can be used. For the purpose of emitting an optical signal, for example, a lighting device in an interior of the rail-bound vehicle being sought or a headlight of the rail-bound vehicle being sought can be switched on.

[0023] Particularly preferably, the acoustic and / or optical signal is emitted by the predetermined rail-bound vehicle as soon as a minimum distance between the specified vehicle and the mobile device is exceeded. For example, if several vehicle drivers are searching for different vehicles, this can reduce the risk of misallocation. Furthermore, unnecessary noise or light pollution can be prevented.

[0024] Furthermore, an advantageous development provides that, based on the information provided by the stationary server regarding the location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle and based on the location information provided by the mobile device, a location aid is provided by the mobile device. This enables a vehicle driver to quickly and accurately locate the desired rail-bound vehicle.

[0025] Preferably, as a location aid, a route from a location of the mobile terminal to a location according to the information concerning the location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle is output by means of the mobile terminal. Alternatively, it is conceivable for a vehicle driver to be shown a map by means of the mobile terminal, on which map a location of the sought-after vehicle and a location of the mobile terminal are shown. In the absence of landmarks in a marshalling yard or depot, a direction for the purpose of locating the sought-after vehicle can be easily displayed to a vehicle driver. In this way, the sought-after rail-bound vehicle can be found in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner.

[0026] In another advantageous development, the request regarding the location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle is verified by the stationary server with regard to the existence of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle and / or the user's authorization to make the request. This ensures that unauthorized persons do not gain access to location information regarding predetermined rail-bound vehicles. Furthermore, an incorrect assignment between a vehicle and a vehicle driver can be reliably prevented in this way in individual applications.

[0027] The method according to the invention can be carried out by means of the system according to the invention.

[0028] The system according to the invention comprises at least one rail-bound vehicle, a stationary server, and a mobile terminal, which are jointly configured to carry out the method according to the invention. The stationary server and the mobile terminal are, in particular, the mobile terminal described above in connection with the method and the stationary server described above in connection with the method. With the aid of the aforementioned system, a reliable and targeted location of rail-bound vehicles can be carried out simply and inexpensively using existing resources.

[0029] Furthermore, the invention provides a computer program which, when executed, causes the system according to the invention to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0030] The invention also provides a computer-readable medium. This medium contains instructions that cause the system according to the invention to carry out the method according to the invention. The aforementioned 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 digital carrier signal.

[0031] 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 exemplary 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 embodiments 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 embodiments can be considered in isolation and combined as appropriate with the features of any claim.

[0032] It shows :

[0033] FIG 1 shows an embodiment of a system in a schematic representation and an illustration of an example of a method for locating a rail-bound vehicle;

[0034] FIG 2 is a schematic flow diagram of a particular embodiment of the method for locating the rail-bound vehicle described in connection with FIG 1

[0035] FIG 1 shows a system 18 by means of which a rail-bound vehicle 10 can be located. For this purpose, the exemplary embodiment of the system 18 has a mobile terminal 14. This is designed, for example, as a smartphone. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment of the system 18 has a stationary server 12. The stationary server 12 is set up to exchange data with the rail-bound vehicle 10 and the mobile terminal 14. In the present exemplary embodiment, direct communication between the rail-bound vehicle 10 and the mobile terminal 14 is not provided. For example, the stationary server 12 is set up as the central contact point for the rail-bound vehicle 10. For this reason, such a stationary server 12 is referred to in specialist circles as a landside.

[0036] Furthermore, FIG 1 illustrates an example of a method 100 for locating the rail-bound vehicle 10 shown as an example. For reasons of clarity, further rail-bound vehicles 10 have been omitted from the illustration. Nevertheless, it is conceivable that a plurality of rail-bound vehicles are located in the immediate vicinity of the rail-bound vehicle 10 shown, which makes finding the rail-bound vehicle 10 sought even more difficult. In order to locate the rail-bound vehicle 10 shown as an example, a request regarding its location is transmitted 102 to the stationary server 12 by means of the mobile terminal 14. As a result of this request, information regarding the location of the rail-bound vehicle 10 is determined 104 by means of the stationary server 12. The information determined 104 in this way is then output 106 to the mobile terminal 14.This enables a vehicle driver who is looking for the rail-bound vehicle 10 shown as an example to locate it in a simple manner.

[0037] For the purpose of determining 104 the information concerning the location of the sought-after rail-bound vehicle 10, the presently described example of the method 100 provides for a location query 108. This location query is transmitted 108 to the sought-after vehicle 10 by means of the stationary server 12. As a result of the said location query 108, the rail-bound vehicle 10 is requested to determine 110 its location by means of its locating device 16 shown as an example. The presently described method 100 then provides, by way of example, that the location 110 of the sought-after vehicle 10 determined in this way is transmitted 112 to the stationary server 12. This location is then output 106 to the mobile terminal 14 by means of the stationary server 12.

[0038] Furthermore, in this context, it is provided by way of example that, based on the location of the rail-bound vehicle 10 being sought and on the basis of location information concerning the mobile terminal 14, an orientation aid is issued 124 to a vehicle driver by means of this mobile terminal 14. In this way, a vehicle driver using said mobile terminal 14 is enabled to use the fastest route from his current position to the location of the rail-bound vehicle 10.

[0039] Furthermore, the presently described example of the method 100 provides that both an acoustic and an optical signal is output 120 by means of the searched rail-bound vehicle 10 as soon as a minimum distance between the searched vehicle 10 and the mobile terminal 14 is undershot. For example, the searched vehicle 10 has a horn for this purpose, by means of which an acoustic signal can be output 120. Furthermore, the searched vehicle 10 has a headlight for this purpose in order to output an optical signal 120.

[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a particular embodiment of the example of the method 100 already described in connection with FIG. 1, based on the system 18 shown therein as an example, in the form of a schematic flow diagram. The particular embodiment of the method 100 provides that the query transmitted 102 to the stationary server 12 by means of the mobile terminal 14 regarding the location of the sought-after rail-bound vehicle 10 is checked 122 by the stationary server 12 with regard to the existence of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle 10 and the query authorization of a user of the mobile terminal 14. For this purpose, it can be provided, for example, that the vehicle driver must identify himself with one or more security identifiers or create an access authorization.Furthermore, based on the driver's duty roster, it is possible to check, for example, whether the vehicle 10 being sought is actually the vehicle assigned to that driver according to the duty roster. Input errors by the driver when identifying the vehicle assigned to him can thus be quickly detected.

[0041] Furthermore, in the special embodiment of the method 100 described in connection with FIG. 2, those cases are also taken into account in which a response from the sought-after rail-bound vehicle 10 is missing after a transmission 108 of the location query F .

[0042] Due to the fact that rail-bound vehicles 10 are usually parked on sidings in a resting or dismantled operating state and are then moved to other locations in this operating state, it is to be expected that the sought-after vehicle 10 will not be able to respond to the transmitted 108 location request. In the event of a missing response F after a transmission 108 of the location query, the special embodiment of the method 100 provides that information regarding the missing response F is first transmitted 116 to the mobile terminal 14. In this way, a vehicle driver can be informed early on that the sought-after vehicle 10 is in an inactive operating state.Furthermore, the presently described embodiment of the method 100 provides that, in the event of missing feedback F, an activation attempt is carried out 114 by means of the stationary server 12 for the purpose of activating at least part of the sought-after rail-bound vehicle 10. For example, an attempt is made to gain access to at least part of a control technology of the sought-after vehicle 10 using a first communication channel. If this activation attempt is successful J, provision can be made to activate the locating device 16 of the sought-after vehicle 10 for the purpose of determining the location 110 and / or a communication device for the purpose of transmitting the information 112 relating to the location.

[0043] After the successful activation attempt J, the location query is transmitted 108 to the rail-bound vehicle 10, as already described in connection with FIG. 1. Based on this location query, the rail-bound vehicle 10 being sought is requested to determine its location 110 using the vehicle's own locating device 16. The location 110 thus determined is then transmitted 112 to the stationary server 12. The information concerning the location of the rail-bound vehicle 10 being sought is then output 106 to the mobile terminal 14 via the stationary server 12.

[0044] If, however, the activation attempt is unsuccessful N, the embodiment variant of the method 100 described here provides, by way of example, for determining 104 a last known location of the sought-after vehicle 10. Together with information that this determined 104 location is the last known location and not a verified location of the sought-after vehicle 10 at the time of the query by the mobile terminal 14, this information is output 106 to the mobile terminal 14. As already described in connection with FIG 1, in the case of an output 106 of information determined 104 after an activation attempt concerning the location of the sought-after vehicle 10, it is provided that an orientation aid is output 124 by means of the mobile terminal 14.Furthermore, the special embodiment of the method 100 provides that in the event of a successful activation attempt J, an acoustic and an optical signal is output 120 by means of the sought-after rail-bound vehicle 10 as soon as the mobile terminal 14 is within a predetermined minimum distance from the sought-after vehicle 10.

[0045] 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.

[0046] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identity are included.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method (100) for locating a rail-bound vehicle (10), in which - a request regarding a location concerning a predetermined rail-bound vehicle (10) is transmitted (102) to a stationary server (12) by means of a mobile terminal (14); -as a result of said request, information concerning a location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle (10) is determined (104) by means of the stationary server (12); - the determined (104) information concerning the location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle (10) is output (106) to the mobile terminal (14).

2. Method (100) according to claim 1, wherein for the purpose of determining (104) the information relating to the location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle (10), a location query is transmitted (108) to the predetermined rail-bound vehicle (10) by means of the stationary server (12).

3. Method (100) according to claim 2, wherein, as a result of said location query, the location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle (10) is determined (110) by means of a locating device (16), which is transmitted (112) to the stationary server (12) as information concerning the location of said vehicle (10).

4. Method (100) according to claim 2, wherein in the event of a missing feedback (F) regarding said location query, an activation attempt is carried out for the purpose of activating at least a part of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle (10) (114).

5. Method (100) according to claim 2, wherein in the event of a missing response (F) regarding said location query, information regarding this missing response is transmitted (116) to the mobile terminal (14).

6. Method (100) according to claim 2, 4 or 5, wherein in the event of a missing feedback (F) regarding said location query and / or an unsuccessful activation attempt (N) concerning at least a part of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle (10), a last known location of said vehicle (10) is determined by means of the stationary server (12) (118), which is output (106) to the mobile terminal (14) as information regarding the location of said vehicle (10).

7. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which, as part of the information relating to the location of said vehicle (10), in addition to the location as such, an associated time relating to a detection of this location is output (106) to the mobile terminal (14).

8. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which, on the basis of location information relating to the mobile terminal (14), an acoustic and / or an optical signal is output (120) by means of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle (10).

9. Method (100) according to claim 8, wherein the acoustic and / or optical signal is output (120) by means of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle (10) as soon as a minimum distance between said vehicle (10) and the mobile terminal (14) is undershot.

10. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which on the basis of the information output by the stationary server (12) concerning the location of the pre- a specific rail-bound vehicle (10) and on the basis of the location information concerning the mobile terminal (14), an orientation aid is issued by means of the mobile terminal (14) (124).

11. The method (100) according to claim 10, wherein, as an orientation aid, a route from a location of the mobile terminal (14) to a location according to the information concerning the location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle (10) is output (124).

12. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the request regarding the location of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle (10) is checked by means of the stationary server (12) with regard to an existence of the predetermined rail-bound vehicle (10) and / or a request authorization of a user (122).

13. System (18) comprising at least one rail-bound vehicle (10), a stationary server (12) and a mobile terminal (14), which are jointly configured to carry out the method (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

14. A computer program which, when executed, causes the system (18) according to claim 13 to carry out the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that cause the system (18) of claim 13 to perform the method (100) of any one of claims 1 to 12.

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