Train Departure via Visual Authorization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing train departure methods rely on ground trackside equipment for initial positioning and movement authority, which is inefficient and requires complex maintenance, and do not provide accurate positioning information when the train is at rest.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for train departure based on visual authorization using train-ground wireless communication, where a radio block center system determines authorization conditions and sends visual authorization instructions to on-board equipment, enabling safe operation monitoring without ground trackside equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ground trackside equipment (track circuits, ground signals) are used for train departure, then initial positioning and movement authority can be provided, but the system complexity increases and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrain departure safetyVSAvoidground trackside equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the initial positioning and movement authority functions from ground trackside equipment and relocates them to on-board equipment. The ground equipment no longer needs to provide these functions, eliminating the need for track circuits and ground signals while maintaining departure safety through wireless communication of authorization information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical ground-based signal system with a wireless communication system. Instead of using track circuits and ground signals, the system uses wireless transmission to send movement authority and positioning information to the train, simplifying ground infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If ground trackside equipment is used for initial positioning, then movement authority can be acquired, but maintenance needs increase and engineering construction is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial positioning accuracyVSAvoidengineering construction
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the positioning function from ground equipment and implements it on-board. The train determines its own position using on-board sensors and wireless communication, eliminating the need for ground-based positioning infrastructure and simplifying engineering construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The on-board equipment performs self-positioning and self-authentication without relying on ground trackside equipment. The train independently determines its position and receives movement authority through wireless communication, reducing maintenance needs and construction complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the train is at rest with on-board equipment powered on, then operation can be initiated, but accurate positioning information cannot be acquired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeparture efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary positioning actions before the train departs. The on-board equipment performs positioning calculations and receives movement authority information while the train is still at the platform, ensuring accurate positioning is established before movement begins, thus maintaining both efficiency and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses wireless communication to receive feedback from ground control systems regarding movement authority and positioning validation. This feedback mechanism ensures that even when the train is at rest, accurate positioning information can be confirmed and movement authority can be granted before departure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4454972B1Train departure method based on on-sight mode authorisation
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 CRSC RESEARCH & DESIGN INSTITUTE GROUP CO LTD
  • EP4454972B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Disclosed herein are a method and system for departure based on visual authorization. The method includes: determining, by means of a radio block center system according to current situations, whether visual authorization can be carried out; and when the radio block center system is capable of generating a visual authorization instruction and sending the visual authorization instruction to on-board equipment, receiving, by means of the on-board equipment, the visual authorization instruction, and monitoring safe operation of a train according to a visual mode. Visual authorization with departure authority conditions is transmitted by means of train-ground wireless communication, thereby monitoring the safe operation of the train by means of the on-board equipment.