Remote verification of software configuration information

• US 6,580,975 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2002
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Fera, Gregory J., Lovelace, John H. II, Hendrickson, Bradely Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US10/166,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20030004622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 701/19, 701/20, 701/32, 701/34, 701/29
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2205/04 Satellite based navigation systems, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/57 for vehicles or trains, e.g. trackside supervision of train conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/125 using short-range radio transmission

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining whether a railroad locomotive is configured with the correct software versions. The version numbers for software on board the vehicle are periodically determined by an on-board monitoring system. This information is later transmitted to a remote monitoring and diagnostic center, where the actual software version numbers are compared to the expected software versions. If there is a mismatch, personnel at the remote monitoring and diagnostic center are alerted to resolve the mismatch.

Claims

1. For use with a mobile asset comprising a plurality of operational systems, wherein at least one of the plurality of operational systems executes software code identified by a software code version identifier, and wherein the mobile asset is in selectable communication with a remote site, a method for determining whether the software code version is correct, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) from the mobile asset, transmitting a software code version identifier for the at least one of the plurality of operational systems and transmitting a mobile asset identifier, wherein the software code version identifier represents the software code version executing on the mobile asset

(b) at the remote site, receiving the software code version identifier and the mobile asset identifier;

(c) at the remote site, determining the correct software code version for the identified mobile asset;

(d) at the remote site, comparing the correct software code version with the software code version as identified by the software code version identifier for the at least one of the plurality of operational systems; and

(e) generating an error signal if the result of step (d) indicates the software code version executing on the mobile asset is not correct.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step:

(f) analyzing the mismatch between the software code version executing on the mobile asset and the correct software code version for the purpose of creating a recommendation to resolve the mismatch.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step:

(f) from the remote site, transmitting the correct software code version to the mobile asset.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile asset is a railroad locomotive.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step (c) further comprises consulting a software configuration file for the identified mobile asset.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step (a) further comprises transmitting from the mobile asset parametric operating information regarding the operational status of one or more of the plurality of operational systems.

7. An apparatus for use with a mobile asset comprising a plurality of operating systems, wherein at least one of the plurality of operating systems executes software code identified by a software code version identifier, and wherein the mobile asset is in selectable communications with a remote site, wherein said apparatus comprises:

(a) a transmitter for transmitting a software code version identifier for the at least one of the plurality of operational systems and for transmitting a mobile asset identifier, wherein the software code version identifier represents the software code version executing on the mobile asset;

(b) a receiver at the remote site for receiving the software code version identifier and the mobile asset identifier;

(c) at the remote site, an identifier having a data base for determining the correct software code version for the identified mobile asset;

(d) at the remote site, a comparator for comparing the correct software code version with the software code version executing on the mobile asset; and

(e) a signal generator for generating an error signal if the result of step (d) indicates the software code version executing on the mobile asset is not correct.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the data base at the remote site comprises a software configuration file for the identified mobile asset.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising an on-board monitor for monitoring the plurality of operating systems and for transmitting operating parametric information to the remote site.