US-12623701-B2 - Automatic arming of a head-of-train device to an end-of-train device

US12623701B2US 12623701 B2US12623701 B2US 12623701B2US-12623701-B2

Abstract

A system and method for enabling automatic arming between an End-of-Train device and a Head-of-Train device on a train is provided. The system includes at least one sensing unit configured to detect a physical connection status of the End-of-Train device. The End-of-Train device is configured to transmit an arming request to the Head-of-Train device based on the physical connection status, wherein the arming request includes at least one of an identifier and a geospatial location associated with the End-of-Train device. The Head-of-Train device is configured to receive the arming request from the End-of-Train device. The Head-of-Train device is further configured to arm the Head-of-Train device to the End-of-Train device upon verification of the arming request, wherein arming comprises establishing a communication channel between the Head-of-Train device and the End-of-Train device.

Inventors

Harsh PIPARSANIYA

Assignees

SIEMENS MOBILITY, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20220517
Priority Date: 20210528

Claims (12)

1 . A system for enabling automatic arming between an End-of-Train device and a Head-of-Train device on a train, the system comprising: at least one sensing unit configured to: detect a physical connection status of the End-of-Train device, wherein the physical connection status indicates that the End-of-Train device is physically coupled to the train, wherein the at least one sensing unit comprises a pressure sensor and a camera, and the physical connection status is detected based on outputs from the pressure sensor and the camera in conjunction with a voltage output of a generator of the End-of-Train device; wherein the End-of-Train device is configured to: transmit an arming request to the Head-of-Train device based on the physical connection status; and wherein the Head-of-Train device is configured to: receive the arming request from the End-of-Train device; and arm the Head-of-Train device to the End-of-Train device upon verification of the arming request, wherein arming comprises establishing a communication channel between the Head-of-Train device and the End-of-Train device.
2 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensing unit further comprises an accelerometer used to trigger an operation of the camera.
3 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the arming request comprises at least one of an identifier and a geospatial location associated with the End-of-Train device.
4 . The system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the Head-of-Train device is further configured to: verify the arming request locally based on at least one of the geospatial location of the End-of-Train device, a length of the train, an output of the at least one sensing unit and a Received Signal Strength Indicator associated with the arming request.
5 . The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the Head-of-Train device is communicatively coupled to a remote server, and wherein the Head-of-Train device is configured to: generate a verification request based on the arming request; and transmit the verification request to the remote server.
6 . The system as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the remote server is configured to: receive the verification request comprising the arming request from the Head-of-Train device; verify the arming request based on a predefined logic upon receiving the verification request; and transmit a response comprising an outcome of the verification to the Head-of-Train device.
7 . A method for enabling automatic arming between an End-of-Train device and a Head-of-Train device, the method comprising: receiving, by the Head-of-Train device, an arming request from the End-of-Train device, wherein the arming request is generated by the End-of-Train device based on a physical connection status of the End-of-Train device detected using at least one sensing unit, wherein the physical connection status indicates that the End-of-Train device is physically coupled to the train, wherein the at least one sensing unit comprises a pressure sensor and a camera, and the physical connection status is detected based on outputs from the pressure sensor and the camera in conjunction with a voltage output of a generator of the End-of-Train device; and arming the Head-of-Train device to the End-of-Train upon verification of the arming request, wherein arming comprises establishing a communication channel between the Head-of-Train device and the End-of-Train device.
8 . The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the arming request comprises at least one of an identifier and a geospatial location associated with the End-of-Train device.
9 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising: verifying the arming request locally, by the Head-of-Train device, based on at least one of the geospatial location of the End-of-Train device, a length of the train and a Received Signal Strength Indicator associated with the arming request.
10 . The method as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising: generating a verification request based on the arming request; and transmitting the verification request to a remote server.
11 . The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the remote server verifies the arming request based on a predefined logic upon receiving the verification request.
12 . The method as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising: receiving, by the Head-of-Train device, a response comprising an outcome of the verification.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to Indian Application No. 202141023791, having a filing date of May 28, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY The following relates to End-of-Train Telemetry systems, and more particularly relates to systems and methods for enabling automatic arming between a Head-of-Train device and an End-of-Train device on a train. BACKGROUND An End-of-Train Telemetry system comprises a Head-of-Train device mounted inside a driver's cab of a train and an End-of-Train device mounted at the rear end of the train. The Head-of-Train device is configured to communicate with the End-of-Train device through Radio-Frequency communication. The process of establishing a telemetry link between the Head-of-Train device and the End-of-Train device is commonly known as arming. The arming operation involves exchange of test messages between the Head-of-Train device and the End-of-Train device to establish the telemetry link. Arming typically requires manual efforts. Firstly, a railway personal has to ensure that the End-of-Train device is connected properly. For example, the railway personnel has to monitor a coupling of the End-of-Train device to the train, a hose connection associated with the End-of-Train device, brake line pressure etc. Upon receiving a confirmation from the railway personnel on the status of the End-of-Train device, a driver of the train actuates a switch on the Head-of-Train device to initiate the arming operation. Therefore, the process of arming requires manual coordination. Consequently, initiating the arming operation everytime the train starts operation, can be tedious and time-consuming. In light of the above, there is a need for a system and method for enabling automatic arming of a Head-of-Train device to an End-of-Train device on a train, in order to reduce manual efforts involved in arming. SUMMARY An aspect relates to a system and method for enabling automatic arming of a Head-of-Train device to an End-of-Train device. In an embodiment, a system for enabling automatic arming between an End-of-Train device and a Head-of-Train device on a train is disclosed. The system comprises at least one sensing unit configured to detect a physical connection status of the End-of-Train device. In an embodiment, the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a camera, an accelerometer and a pressure sensor. The End-of-Train device is configured to transmit an arming request to the Head-of-Train device based on the physical connection status. In an embodiment, the arming request comprises at least one of an identifier and a geospatial location associated with the End-of-Train device. The Head-of-Train device is configured to receive the arming request from the End-of-Train device. The Head-of-Train device is further configured to arm the Head-of-Train device to the End-of-Train device upon verification of the arming request, wherein arming comprises establishing a communication channel between the Head-of-Train device and the End-of-Train device. In an embodiment, the Head-of-Train device is further configured to verify the arming request locally based on at least one of the geospatial location of the End-of-Train device, a length of the train, an output of the at least one sensing unit and a Received Signal Strength Indicator associated with the arming request. In another embodiment, the Head-of-Train device is communicatively coupled to a remote server, and the Head-of-Train device is configured to generate a verification request based on the arming request. Further, the Head-of-Train device generates a verification request based on the arming request. The Head-of-Train device further transmits the verification request to the remote server. The remote server is configured to receive the verification request from the Head-of-Train device. The remote server further verifies the arming request based on a predefined logic upon receiving the verification request. Further, the remote server further transmits a response comprising an outcome of the verification to the Head-of-Train device. In an embodiment, a method for enabling automatic arming of a Head-of-Train device to an End-of-Train device on a train is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, by the Head-of-Train device, an arming request from the End-of-Train device, wherein the arming request comprises at least one of an identifier and a geospatial location associated with the End-of-Train device. In an embodiment, the arming request is generated by the End-of-Train device based on a physical connection status of the End-of-Train device. The method further comprises arming the Head-of-Train device to the End-of-Train upon verification of the arming request, wherein arming comprises establishing a communication channel between the Head-of-Train device and the End-of-Train device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION Some of the embodiments will be descr