Train Safety Transmission Device Software Version Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Incompatibility between software versions of onboard apparatuses and specific transmission devices in train safety systems leads to costly and time-consuming device replacements, as existing version check methods fail to establish connections when versions are incompatible.

Innovation Solution

The method involves automatically restarting the specific transmission device with a compatible version of the second software and checking compatibility with the onboard apparatus's software, allowing the device to connect with various software baselines (e.g., baseline 2, 3, and future baseline 4) without replacement, using a data memory to manage version information and signals for compatibility verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the generic version check method is used to verify compatibility between onboard apparatus and specific transmission device, then connection safety is ensured, but device replacement is required when versions are incompatible, leading to increased loss of time and productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection safetyVSAvoiddevice replacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary version compatibility checking by exchanging version information signals between the onboard apparatus and specific transmission device before establishing a connection. This preliminary action identifies incompatible versions in advance, allowing the system to attempt automatic restarts with alternative versions before requiring manual device replacement, thus reducing downtime while maintaining safety through pre-verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The specific transmission device automatically restarts with a different software version when incompatibility is detected, without requiring manual intervention. The device serves itself by autonomously attempting to resolve compatibility issues through automatic version switching and restart operations, reducing the time loss associated with manual device replacement while maintaining the safety ensured by version checking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If device replacement is performed when software versions are incompatible, then system compatibility is ensured, but operational time is lost and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware compatibilityVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The specific transmission device dynamically switches between different software versions based on compatibility requirements. Instead of being static with a single version, the device can adaptively select and restart with different versions (e.g., baseline 2, baseline 3, or future baseline 4) to match the onboard apparatus, ensuring compatibility while maintaining operational efficiency through automated adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the software version parameter of the specific transmission device when incompatibility is detected. By modifying this critical parameter and restarting with an alternative version, the system resolves compatibility issues without physical device replacement, thereby maintaining productivity while ensuring adaptability to different onboard apparatus versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple software versions are supported in the specific transmission device, then future-proofing against updates like baseline 4 is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuture software supportVSAvoidsoftware version management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The specific transmission device is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple software versions (baseline 2, baseline 3, and future baseline 4). This universal design allows a single device to perform compatibility matching with various onboard apparatus versions, achieving future-proofing while managing complexity through standardized version handling protocols and automatic selection logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10214226B2Method for operating a train safety assembly, train safety assembly and rail vehicle comprising a train safety assembly

Publication Date: 2019.02.26 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH

AI summary

A train safety assembly has an onboard apparatus of a first train safety system and a specific transmission device for transmission with a trackside part of a second train safety system. The onboard apparatus is started using a version of a first software and the specific transmission device is started using a version of a second software. The versions of the first and second software are checked for their compatibility. In order to be able to provide the train safety assembly for use on a track section, which is equipped with the trackside part of the second train safety system, and to put same into operation in a faster and more cost-efficient manner, if the started versions of the first and second software are incompatible, the transmission device is automatically restarted with another version of the second software, and the started first and second software are checked for their compatibility.