The present invention relates to a locomotive remote control system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a locomotive remote control system that can be configured.
Remote control systems for controlling locomotives are known in the art. Typically, remote control systems for locomotives have two main components, namely a remote control device and a locomotive control device. The remote control device is operative for receiving signals from a user conveying commands to be transmitted to the locomotive control device. The locomotive control device is typically mounted on board the locomotive and is adapted for receiving the command signals sent by the remote control device over a wireless communication link.
When an operator wishes to cause a movement of the locomotive in a certain direction, or at a certain speed, for example, he or she manipulates the controls on the remote control device in order to specify the desired parameters (i.e. forward, backwards, speed, etc . . . ). The parameters are encoded into a command signal, which is then sent by the remote control device to the locomotive control device. The locomotive control device processes the command signal and issues local control signals to a control interface for causing the desired commands to be implemented by the locomotive.
A deficiency with existing locomotive remote control systems is that they are not suitable for readily controlling the locomotive in different environments. For example, a locomotive control system used in one switch yard may not be suitable for use in another switch yard due to varying, and possibly incompatible, requirements regarding communication conventions, speed limits and so on. As such, in order to be able to control a locomotive in different situations, and under different conditions, different locomotive remote control systems are needed. This is both expensive and inconvenient for owners and operators of railroad systems.
In the context of the above, it can be seen that there is a need in the industry to provide a locomotive remote control system that alleviates, at least in part, the problems associated with existing locomotive remote control systems.
In accordance with a first broad aspect, the present invention provides a remote control device suitable for use in a locomotive remote control system that has a locomotive control device mounted on board a locomotive. The remote control device comprises a first input, a second input, a processing unit and a transmission unit. The first input receives a signal from a user conveying a command and the second input receives configuration information. The processing unit is in communication with the first input and the second input and is adapted for acquiring a certain set of operational settings on the basis of the configuration information. The processing unit is further adapted for generating digital command signals on the basis of the signal received at the first input and on the basis of the certain set of operational settings. The digital command signals convey the command data to the locomotive control device. The transmission unit is in communication with the processing unit for receiving the digital command signals and for generating an RF transmission conveying the digital command signals to the locomotive control device.
In accordance with another broad aspect, the present invention provides a locomotive control device that is suitable for use in a locomotive remote control system. The locomotive control device is adapted for being mounted in a locomotive that has a control interface. The locomotive control device comprises a first input, a second input, a processing module and a transmission module. The first input receives from a remote control device a signal conveying a command. The second input receives configuration information. The processing module is in communication with the first input and the second input and is adapted for acquiring a certain set of operational settings on the basis of the configuration information. In addition, the processing module is adapted for generating local control signals on the basis of the signal received at the first input and on the basis of the certain set of operational settings. The local control signals convey a command to be implemented by the control interface. The transmission module is in communication with the processing module for receiving the local control signals and for transmitting the local control signals to the control interface.
In accordance with another broad aspect, the present invention provides a remote control device suitable for use in a locomotive remote control system that has a locomotive control device mounted on board a locomotive. The remote control device comprises a user interface, an input and a processing unit. The user interface enables a user to enter a signal conveying a command and for receiving configuration information. The processing unit is adapted for causing the user interface to acquire a certain set of display settings on the basis of the configuration information.
In accordance with yet another broad aspect, the present invention provides a locomotive remote control system that comprises a remote control device and a locomotive control device. The remote control device includes a first input, a second input, a processing unit and a transmission unit. The first input receives a signal from a user conveying a command. The second input receives configuration information. The processing unit is in communication with the first input and the second input and is adapted for acquiring a set of operational settings on the basis of the configuration information. In addition, the processing unit is operative for generating digital command signals on the basis of the signal received at the first input and on the basis of the set of operational settings. The digital command signals convey command data to the locomotive control device. The transmission unit is in communication with the processing unit for receiving the digital command signals and for generating an RF transmission conveying the digital command signals to the locomotive control device. The locomotive control device is suitable for being mounted on board a locomotive and comprises an input for receiving the digital command signals and a processing module for generating local control signals for causing the locomotive to execute the commands conveyed by the digital command signals.
In accordance with another broad aspect, the present invention provides a remote control device suitable for use in a locomotive remote control system that has a locomotive control device mounted on board a locomotive. The remote control device comprises input means, processing means and transmission means. The input means receives a signal from a user conveying a command and receives configuration information. The processing means is adapted for acquiring a certain set of operational settings on the basis of the configuration information. The processing means is further adapted for generating digital command signals on the basis of the signal received at the input means and on the basis of the certain set of operational settings. The digital command signals convey the command data to the locomotive control device. The transmission means is in communication with the processing means for receiving the digital command signals and for generating an RF transmission conveying the digital command signals to the locomotive control device.
In accordance with another broad aspect, the present invention provides a remote control device suitable for use in a locomotive remote control system that has a locomotive control device mounted on board a locomotive. The remote control device comprises a first input, a second input, a processing unit and a transmission unit. The first input receives from a user a signal conveying a command. The second input receives configuration information. The processing unit is in communication with the first input and the second input and is adapted for acquiring a certain set of switchyard operational settings on the basis of the configuration information. The processing unit is further adapted for generating digital command signals on the basis of the signal received at the first input and the certain set of switchyard operational settings. The digital command signals convey command data to the locomotive control device. The transmission unit is operative for receiving the digital command signals and for generating an RF transmission conveying the digital command signals to the locomotive control device.
In accordance with yet another broad aspect, the present invention provides a remote control device suitable for use in a locomotive remote control system that has a locomotive control device mounted on board a locomotive. The remote control device comprises a first input, a second input, a processing unit and a transmission unit. The first input receives a signal from a user conveying a command and the second input receives configuration information. The processing unit is adapted for acquiring a certain set of user related operational settings on the basis of the configuration information, and for generating digital command signals on the basis of the signal received at said first input and the certain set of user related operational settings. The digital command signals convey command data to the locomotive control device. The transmission unit receiving the digital command signals and generates an RF transmission for conveying the digital command signals to the locomotive control device.
In accordance with yet another broad aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus suitable for configuring a locomotive remote control system that has a remote control device and a locomotive control device. The apparatus comprises a processing unit and a transmission unit. The processing unit stores configuration information relating to at least one set of operational settings. The transmission unit establishes a communication link with the remote control device and transmits the configuration information to the remote control device over the communication link. The configuration information causes the remote control device to acquire a certain set of operational settings.
In accordance with yet another broad aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus suitable for configuring a locomotive remote control system that has a remote control device and a locomotive control device. The apparatus comprises a processing unit and a transmission unit. The processing unit stores configuration information relating to at least one set of operational settings. The transmission unit establishes a communication link with the locomotive control device and transmits the configuration information to the locomotive control device over the communication link. The configuration information causes the locomotive control device to acquire a certain set of operational settings.
In the accompanying drawings:
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
Shown in
In a specific example of implementation, the remote control device 12 is a portable unit that is adapted for being carried by a human operator located remotely from the locomotive 18. It should however be understood that in an alternative example of implementation, the remote control device 12 can be a stationary unit that is mounted at a remote location from the locomotive 18, such as in a control tower or in an operator station.
Shown in
Shown in
Although two different physical implementations of a remote control device 12 have been described above, it should be understood that the physical implementation of the remote control device 12 can vary greatly without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the user interfaces 22 and 34 can include other user-operable-inputs such as keyboards, inputs, levers, dials, a voice recognition unit, a pointing device or any other suitable user-operable-input device known in the art. In addition, both of the remote control devices 12 shown in
Shown in
In the specific embodiment shown in
As used for the purposes of the present application, the term “control interface 58” refers globally to the collection of various actuators located on the locomotive for executing various control signals issued by the transmission module 56 of the locomotive control device 14. Examples of such actuators include the actuators that control the throttle, and the brakes, among others.
The first input 44 of the remote control device 12 is adapted for receiving signals from a user conveying a command. The signals for conveying commands can be entered via the user-operable inputs of the remote control device 12, as described above with reference to
In the specific example of implementation shown in
In a specific implementation, the processing unit 48 acquires a set of operational settings by assigning specific settings or values to one or more configurable operational settings of the locomotive remote control system 10. In a specific example of implementation, the set of operational settings can be switchyard operational settings such as the specific frequency over which signals are transmitted, whether the transmission operates in a TDMA or CDMA mode, locomotive response rate, brake pipe pressure, a repetition rate or a range of repetition rates and clock information for dictating the timing that signals are transmitted. In an alternative implementation, the set of operational settings can be user related operational settings that relate to a specific users operational setting preferences or that relate to operational settings associated to the user's permission level. For example, some non-limiting user related operational settings include the soft function key assignments, switchyard ID, the display mode, the language of the talker mode, the speed settings, such as the specific speeds associated to the max, med, and min speeds indicated on the user interface 22, the enabling or disabling of the locomotive's automatic pilot mode, and the type of sound assigned to the horn, among others. It should be understood that other configurable operational settings are also included within the scope of the present invention.
In a first specific example of implementation, the configuration information received at input 46 includes programming information that is operative for modifying a default set of operational settings. In the specific example of implementation shown in
In a second specific example of implementation, the configuration information received at the second input 46 is selection information that is operative for selecting a desired set of operational settings from a plurality of sets of operational settings. In the specific example of implementation shown in
It should be understood that the configuration information received at second input 46 can be in the form of a wireless signal, such as an RF signal or an infrared signal. In the specific examples of implementation shown in
In another embodiment, the second input 46 can be a device for reading the configuration information from a computer readable storage medium, such as a disk or CD. In yet another embodiment, the configuration information can be entered via the user-operable-inputs located on the user interface of the remote control device 12, such as through a keyboard, for example.
As will be described in more detail below with respect to
In the specific case where the configuration information is in the form of selection information, the configuration information can be entered by activating a combination of user-operable inputs located on the user interface of the remote control device 12. For example, in order to select a first set of operational settings, the user could activate a combination of user-operable-inputs located on the remote control device 12, such as the horn input and the reverse input. Then, in order to select a second set of operational settings, the user could activate a different combination of user-operable-inputs, such as the horn input and the max speed input.
Alternatively, when the configuration information is in the form of selection information, additional user-operable-inputs could be located on the user interface of the remote control device 12 for enabling a user to select a set of operational settings. Although not described above with respect to
In the specific example shown in
As such, since the processing unit 48 can acquire a variety of different sets of operational settings, the remote control device 12 can be configured such that the locomotive remote control device 10 is suitable for use in a variety of different situations. For example, the remote control device 12 can be configured such that the locomotive remote control system 10 is rendered suitable for use by a specific operator, in a specific location, or at a specific time of day. Advantageously, this makes the locomotive remote control system 10 in accordance with the present invention more versatile than traditional locomotive remote control systems.
In a non-limiting example of implementation, the configuration information received at second input 46 is operative for causing the processing unit 48 to acquire a set of user related operational settings that configures the remote control device 12 such that the locomotive remote control system 10 is suitable for use by an individual operator. When the locomotive remote control system 10 is suitable for use by an individual operator, the configurable operational settings are tailored towards the specific preferences, or permission level of an individual operator. For example, for a first operator, the specific speed associated to the max speed setting might be 50 km/hr and the sound associated to the horn might be relatively quiet. Meanwhile, for a different operator, the specific speed associated to the max speed setting might be 100 km/hr and the sound associated to the horn might be relatively loud.
Optionally, in the case where the configuration information causes the processing unit 48 to acquire a set of user related operational settings that renders the locomotive remote control system 10 suitable for use by an individual operator, the user interface 22/34 might include inputs indicating the names of the individual operators, such as “Bob”, “Mary” and “Joe”. As such, in order to enter configuration information to select the set of operational settings that would cause the locomotive remote control system 10 to be suitable for use by the individual operator named “Bob”, a user would simply need to select the “Bob” input.
Although not described above, in a further example of implementation where the configuration information is in the form of selection information for causing the processing unit 48 to acquire a set of user related operational settings, the configuration information can be indicative of user identification data. For example, the user identification data could include a personalised pass-code, fingerprint information, DNA information, voice print and/or retinal information. In such cases, the second input 46 would include the necessary hardware and software module to receive such user identification data.
In a specific example of implementation, in the case where the configuration information conveys user identification data, the processing unit 48 includes a memory (not shown) for storing a database containing user identification data belonging to individual operators and mapping user identification data to corresponding sets of operational settings. Once the configuration information is entered at second input 46, the processing unit 48 is operative for processing the database in order to determine if the user identification data received at second input 46 matches data contained in the database. In the case where there is a match, the processing unit 48 determines the set of operational settings associated to the user identification data and then acquires that set of operational settings in order to configure the remote control device 12 such that the locomotive remote control system 10 is suitable for use by the individual operator that entered the configuration information.
For example, in the specific case where the user identification data conveys fingerprint information, the processing unit 48 includes a database that stores fingerprint information, and maps that fingerprint information to a set of operational settings. As such, upon receipt of fingerprint information from the second input 46, the processing unit 48 processes the entries in the database to determine if the received fingerprint information matches fingerprint information contained in the database. In the case where a match is found, the processing unit 48 determines the set of operational settings associated with that fingerprint information and acquires that set of operational settings. However, if no match is found, the processing unit 48 acquires, or remains with, a default set of operational settings. It should be understood that processing unit 48 may use any suitable fingerprint-matching algorithm and the present invention is not limited to the specific algorithm used for performing fingerprint matching. Such algorithms are known in the art of fingerprint processing and as such will not be described in more detail herein.
Similar systems may be implemented using biometric information other than fingerprint information, such as, but not limited to, voice recognition, DNA data, retinal scan and body shape/pattern data.
Alternatively, in the specific case where the user identification data is a pass code, the processing unit 48 includes a database that stores a plurality of pass codes, and maps each of those pass codes to a set of operational settings. As such, upon receipt of a pass code from the second input 46, the processing unit 48 processes the entries in the database to determine if the received pass code matches a pass code contained in the database. In the case where a match is found, the processing unit 48 determines the set of operational settings associated with that pass code and acquires that set of operational settings. However, if no match is found, the processing unit 48 acquires, or remains with, a default set of operational settings.
In another non-limiting example of implementation, the configuration information received at second input 46 is operative for causing the processing unit 48 to acquire a set of operational settings that configures the remote control device 12 such that the locomotive remote control system 10 is suitable for use by operators associated with specific permission levels.
In specific, non-limiting examples, when the locomotive remote control system 10 is suitable for use by an operator with a low permission level, the specific speed associated to the max speed setting might be 10 km/hr and the ability to put the locomotive 18 into auto pilot mode might be disabled, and when the locomotive remote control system 10 is suitable for use by an operator with a high permission level, the specific speed associated to the max speed setting might be 100 km/hr and the ability to put the locomotive 18 into auto pilot mode might be enabled.
In another non-limiting example of implementation, the configuration information received at second input 46 is operative for causing the processing unit 48 to acquire a set of operational settings that configures the remote control device 12 such that the locomotive remote control system 10 is suitable for use in a specific geographical location. The specific geographical location may be a country, within a certain switchyard, outside a switchyard or any other desirable location. In a specific exmaple of implementation, the processing unit acquires a set of switchyard operational settings. For example, during travel, locomotives generally start in a first switchyard, travel across railroad tracks that are outside the first switchyard, and then finish in a destination switchyard different from the first switchyard. It is entirely possible that the constraints on the locomotive are different in the first switchyard, outside the switchyard and in the second switchyard. For example, in the first switchyard, it might be desirable to constrain the locomotive to moving at a speed below 15 km/hr. In such a scenario, the processing unit 48 can be configured such that the maximum speed that a can be transmitted to the locomotive control device 14 is 15 km/hr. However, when the locomotive is outside the switchyard, and there are no constraints on the maximum speed that the locomotive is allowed to travel, the processing unit 48 could be configured such that the maximum speed that can be transmitted to the locomotive control device 14 is 200 km/hr. Furthermore, when the locomotive enters the second switchyard, it might be desirable to constrain the locomotive to moving at 10 km/hr, and the transmission frequency might be different from the first switchyard. As such, the processing unit 48 could be configured such that the maximum speed that can be transmitted to the locomotive control device 14 is 10 km/hr, and the transmission frequency can be changed. It should be understood that the speeds provided above are simply for the purpose of example, and do not necessarily reflect accurate speed limits for the locomotive.
In yet a further non-limiting example of implementation, the configuration information received at the second input 46 is operative for causing the processing unit 48 to acquire a set of operational settings that configures the remote control device 12 such that the locomotive remote control system 10 is suitable for use at a certain time of day.
For example, the set of operational settings that configures the locomotive remote control system 10 to be suitable for use during the night might cause the horn to be relatively quiet. This could be done, for example, by using a built-in clock or timer that configures the horn setting on the basis of the time of day.
The process used by the locomotive remote control system 10 shown in
At step 106, the processing unit 48 generates digital command signals for conveying command data to the locomotive 18, at least in part on the basis of the signal received at the first input and the set of operational settings. At step 108, the transmission unit 50 transmits the digital command signals to the locomotive control device 14, and at step 110, the input 52 of the locomotive control device 18 receives the digital command signals. At step 112, the processing module 54 generates local control signals for conveying the command data generated by the processing unit 48. Finally, at step 114, the transmission module 56 transmits the local control signals to the control interface 58 for causing the control interface 58 to execute the commands conveyed by the command data.
It should be noted that
Referring back to the physical implementation of the remote control device 12 shown in
In a specific implementation, the user interface 34 includes a set of modifiable features that may be configured in a certain way. For example, the modifiable features of the display settings that can be configured include the brightness level of the screen, the type and size of font, the types of user-operable-inputs displayed, the values indicated on the user-operable-inputs for entering speed commands, the color of the screen, etc . . . The configuration information received at input 46 allows for the configuring of one or more of the modifiable features.
The configuration information can include programming information that is operative for modifying a default set of display settings, in which case, the default set of operational settings are stored in a memory (not shown) of the processing unit 48. Alternatively, the configuration information can be in the form of selection information that is operative for selecting a desired set of display settings from a plurality of sets of display settings, in which case the plurality of sets of display settings are stored in the memory of the processing unit 48.
In the specific embodiment described above, it is the processing unit 48 of the remote control device 12 that acquires a set of operational settings, or a set of display settings, on the basis of the configuration information.
In an alternative example of implementation, the processing module 54 of the locomotive control device 14 is operative for acquiring a set of operational settings on the basis of the configuration information. As such, it is the locomotive control device 14 that is configurable in order to render the locomotive remote control system 10 suitable for use in a variety of situations.
Shown in
In the embodiment of the locomotive remote control system 10 shown in
As mentioned above, the configuration information can include programming information that is operative for modifying a default set of operational settings. In the specific example of implementation shown in
The process used by the locomotive remote control system 10 shown in
After having received a signal conveying commands at step 200, at step 210 the processing unit 48 of the remote control device 12 generates digital command signals on the basis of the signals received at the first input 44. At step 212, the digital command signals are passed to the transmission unit 50, which transmits the digital command signals to the locomotive control device 14. At step 214 the digital command signals are received at input 52 and are passed to the processing module 54.
At step 216, the processing module 54 of the locomotive control device generates local control signals for conveying command data to the control interface at least in part on the basis of the digital command signals and the set of operational settings. The local control signals are then sent to the control interface 58 for causing the locomotive 18 to execute the command data conveyed by the local control signals.
It should be noted that
In the embodiment depicted in
In yet another embodiment, the second input 53 can be an antenna for receiving the configuration information from a transponder located on the railroad track, or from an EM field generated by a portal or gate at the entrance of a switchyard. This embodiment is particularly useful for configuring the locomotive remote control system 10 such that it is suitable for use in different geographical locations, such as within different switchyards and outside a switchyard. As described above, during a typical journey for a locomotive 18, the locomotive 18 commences its journey in a first switchyard, then exits the first switchyard to travel the majority of it journey over railroad track located outside a switchyard, and then finishes its journey in a second switchyard. Typically, there will be different constraints and operating procedures depending on whether the locomotive 18 is located in the first switchyard, the second switchyard, or somewhere in between. As such, in a specific embodiment, a transponder, or portal can be positioned at the entry and exit points of these areas, such that when the locomotive 18 passes over a transponder, or in the vicinity of the portal, configuration information would be transmitted to second input 53 of the locomotive control device 14. As such, when the locomotive 18 travels over the transponder, or passes in the vicinity of the portal, the processing module 54 acquires a set of operational settings that causes the locomotive remote control system 10 to be suitable for use within the geographical location that the locomotive 18 has just entered.
The process used by the locomotive remote control system 10 shown in
After having received the signal conveying a command at step 300, at step 306 the processing unit 48 of the remote control device 12 generates digital command signals on the basis of the signals received at the first input 44. At step 308, the digital command signals are passed to the transmission unit 50, which transmits the digital command signals to the locomotive control device 14. At step 310 the digital command signals are received at input 52 and are passed to the processing module 56.
At step 312, the processing module 54 of the locomotive control device 14 generates local control signals for conveying command data to the control interface 58 at least in part on the basis of the digital command signals and the set of operational settings. The local control signals are then transmitted to the control interface by the transmission module 56 for causing the locomotive 18 to execute the command data conveyed by the local control signals.
It should be noted that
Physical Implementation
Those skilled in the art should appreciate that in some embodiments of the invention, all or part of the functionality previously described herein with respect to the processing unit 48 and the processing module 54, may be implemented as pre-programmed hardware or firmware elements (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), etc.), or other related components.
In other embodiments of the invention, all or part of the functionality previously described herein with respect to either of the processing unit 48 and the processing module 54 may be implemented as software consisting of a series of instructions for execution by a computing unit. The series of instructions could be stored on a medium which is fixed, tangible and readable directly by the computing unit, (e.g., removable diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, PROM, EPROM or fixed disk), or the instructions could be stored remotely but transmittable to the computing unit via a modem or other interface device (e.g., a communications adapter) connected to a network over a transmission medium. The transmission medium may be either a tangible medium (e.g., optical or analog communications lines) or a medium implemented using wireless techniques (e.g., microwave, infrared or other transmission schemes).
The processing unit 48 or the processing module 54 may be configured as a computing unit 400 of the type depicted in
In a specific example of implementation, the memory 404 includes a program element contained within the program instructions 410, for execution by the computing unit 400. Once the processing unit 402 has received the configuration information, the program element is operative to process the configuration information so as to be able to acquire a set of operational settings.
Those skilled in the art should further appreciate that the program instructions 410 may be written in a number of programming languages for use with many computer architectures or operating systems. For example, some embodiments may be implemented in a procedural programming language (e.g., “C”) or an object oriented programming language (e.g., “C++” or “JAVA”).
Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, variations and refinements are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents.