Component Vehicle

• US 20110046826A1
• Filed: 12/18/2008
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nomad Spectrum Limited (Alstom SA)
• Original Assignee: Nomad Spectrum Limited (Alstom SA)
• Inventors: Carroll, Caleb
• Granted Patent: US 8,185,264 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0027 Radio-based, e.g. using GSM-R
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0036 Conductor-based, e.g. using CAN-Bus, train-line or optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0054 Train integrity supervision, e.g. end-of-train [EOT] devices

Abstract

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for determining whether first and second components of a vehicle are physically coupled together, the method comprising: transmitting a first signal from the first component of the vehicle; receiving a second signal from the second component of the vehicle; processing the second signal to determine whether the first and second components of the vehicle are coupled.

Claims

1-81. -81. (canceled)

82. A method for determining whether first and second components of a vehicle are physically coupled together, the method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting a first signal from the first component of the vehicle;

wirelessly receiving a second signal from the second component of the vehicle;

processing the first and second signals to determine a distance between the first and second components of the vehicle;

determining whether the first and second components of the vehicle are physically coupled based upon the determined distance; and

establishing a wireless connection between the first and second components of the vehicle, if but only if the first and second components of the vehicle are coupled.

83. A method according to claim 82, wherein the vehicle is a train

84. A method according to claim 82, wherein the second signal is a reflection of the first signal.

85. A method according to claim 82, wherein determining whether the first and second components of the vehicle are coupled comprises:

comparing the determined distance with a predetermined distance; and

determining that the first and second components are physically coupled if the determined distance is less than a predetermined distance.

86. A method according to claim 82, further comprising:

transmitting a plurality of first signals;

receiving a plurality of second signals; and

processing the plurality of second signals to determine whether the first and second components of the vehicle are physically coupled.

87. A method according to claim 82, wherein the first signal is an ultrasound signal.

88. A method according to claim 82, wherein the connection may only be established when the vehicle components are adjacent to one another, and when one end of the first component is opposite to and facing one end of the second component.

89. A computer program configured to carry out the method of claim 82.

90. A computer readable medium carrying a computer program according to claim 89.

91. A device for determining whether first and second components of a vehicle are physically coupled together, the device comprising:

a memory storing processor readable instructions; and

a processor configured to read and execute instructions stored in the memory;

wherein

the processor readable instructions comprise instructions controlling the processor to carry out the method of claim 82.

99. A method according to claim 82, wherein the instructions relate to information to be displayed in at least one component.

104. A method according to claim 82, wherein the instructions relate to a destination of at least one of the components.

105. A method according to claim 82, wherein the instructions relate to an opening or closing of a door of at least one of the components.

92. Apparatus arranged to determine whether first and second components of a vehicle are physically coupled together, the apparatus comprising:

a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting a first signal from the first component of the vehicle;

a receiver for wirelessly receiving a second signal from the second component of the vehicle;

a processing arrangement for processing the first and second signals to determine a distance between the first and second components of the vehicle, and to determine whether the first and second components of the vehicle are physically coupled based upon the determined distance;

and a wireless connection arrangement for establishing a wireless connection between the first and second components of the vehicle, if but only if the first and second components of the vehicle are coupled.

93. A method of transmitting information at least indicative of a property of a first component of a vehicle or a second component of a vehicle, the method comprising:

attempting to establish a connection between the first component and the second component, the connection being a connection via which information can be transmitted between the first and second components; and

if the connection can be established, transmitting a signal from the first component of the vehicle, or the second component of the vehicle, the signal comprising information which is at least indicative of a property of the second component, and information which is at least indicative of a property of the first component, the transmitted and/or determined information being orientation and/or order information for the components;

and wherein the method further comprises;

using the orientation and/or order information for the components to provide orientation and/or order specific instructions back to at least one of the components.

94. A method according to claim 93, wherein the vehicle is a train

95. A method according to claim 93, wherein the connection is a wireless network connection.

96. A method according to claim 93, wherein, if the connection can be established the method comprises transmitting a signal from the first component of the vehicle and the second component of the vehicle, each signal comprising orientation and/or order information for the second component, and orientation and/or order information for the first component.

97. A method according to claim 93, wherein, if the connection can not be established the method comprises transmitting a signal from the first component of the vehicle or the second component of the vehicle, the or each signal comprising orientation and/or order information for the component from which the signal is transmitted

98. A method according to claim 93, wherein the transmitted and/or determined information additionally comprises identification information for the components.

100. A computer program configured to carry out the method of claim 93.

101. A computer readable medium carrying a computer program according to claim 100.

102. A device for transmitting information at least indicative of a property of a first component of a vehicle or a second component of a vehicle, the device comprising:

a memory storing processor readable instructions; and

a processor configured to read and execute instructions stored in the memory;

wherein

the processor readable instructions comprise instructions controlling the processor to carry out the method of claim 93.

103. Apparatus arranged to transmit information at least indicative of a property of a first component of a vehicle or a second component of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a connection arrangement for attempting to establish a connection between the first component and the second component, the connection being a connection via which information can be transmitted between the first and second components;

wherein

the connection arrangement is configured such that if a connection can be established, the connection arrangement is configured to transmit a signal from the first component of the vehicle, or the second component of the vehicle, the signal comprising information which is at least indicative of a property of the second component, and information which is at least indicative of a property of the first component, the transmitted and/or determined information being orientation and/or order information for the components; and

wherein

the connection arrangement being further configured to use the orientation and/or order information for the components to provide orientation and/or order specific instructions back to at least one of the components.