Method and apparatus for assigning addresses to components in a control system

• US 7,167,510 B2
• Filed: 03/30/1999
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cattron North America, Inc. (Cattron Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cattron Intellectual Property Corporation
• Inventors: Horst, Folkert, Szklar, Oleh, Brousseau, Andre, Ethier, Luc
• Primary Examiner(s): PHU, PHUONG M
• Application Number:
  US09/281,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20030198298A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,856 Days
• Field of Search: 375/259, 375/219, 375/220, 375/222, 701/19, 701/20, 340/5.5, 340/825.69, 359/154, 359/142, 359/144, 359/145
• US Class Current: 375/222
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 17/00 Switching systems for classification yards
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/125 using short-range radio transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 3/127 for remote control of locomotives remote control of locomotives within a train consist B61C17/12

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling device, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of a remote operator programming unit (OPP) to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter. The invention also allows assigning a unique address to a transmitter/receiver pair in a remote control system. The invention further provides an apparatus for remotely programming a transmitter unit.

Claims

1. A transmitter for remotely controlling a locomotive in which is mounted a slave controller, said transmitter comprising:

an interface for receiving an identifier of the slave controller via a first communication link;

a data storage in communication with said interface for storing the identifier of the slave controller received via the first communication link, said data storage being operative to store an identifier of said transmitter;

a message builder in communication with said data storage, said message builder being operative to construct a message having a tag portion and a command portion, the tag portion conveying data derived from the identifier of the slave controller and data derived from the identifier of said transmitter, the command portion conveying at least one command;

a message encoder in communication with said message builder to encode the message constructed by said message builder;

a signal transmitting unit in communication with said message encoder for transmitting a signal containing the encoded message over a second communication link, the second communication link being a wireless RF communication link, the signal being indicative of at least one command for causing an action to be performed by the locomotive.

2. A transmitter as defined in claim 1, wherein said message encoder processes the message constructed by said message builder to reduce an occurrence of consecutive 0'"'"'s or 1'"'"'s in the message constructed by said message builder.

3. A transmitter as defined in claim 1, wherein said signal transmitting unit is in communication with said message encoder for receiving the message encoded by said message encoder and for producing the signal conveying the at least one command on the basis of the message encoded by said message encoder.

4. A transmitter as defined in claim 3, wherein said signal transmitting unit includes a modulator for modulating the message encoded by said message encoder to produce the signal conveying the at least one command.

89. A transmitter as defined in claim 3, wherein the at least one command includes command information derived from the command portion of the message.

91. A transmitter as defined in claim 1, wherein the first communication link is an IR communication link.

5. A transmitter for remotely controlling a locomotive, said transmitter comprising:

a data storage for holding an identifier of said transmitter and for storing an identifier of a slave controller located on board the locomotive;

an interface in communication with said data storage, said interface being operative to establish a first communication link with an external entity for transmitting to the external entity data derived from the identifier of said transmitter via the first communication link;

a message builder in communication with said data storage, said message builder being operative to construct a message having a tag portion and a command portion, the tag portion conveying data derived from the identifier of the slave controller and data derived from the identifier of said transmitter,

a message encoder in communication with said message builder to encode the message constructed by said message builder;

a signal transmitting unit in communication with said message encoder, said signal transmitting unit being operative to transmit a signal containing the encoded message to the slave controller over a second communication link, the second communication link being a wireless RF communication link, the signal conveying;

a) at least one command for causing an action to be performed by the locomotive; and

b) data derived from the identifier of said transmitter.

6. A transmitter as defined in claim 5, wherein said signal transmitting unit is in communication with said message encoder for receiving the message encoded by said message encoder and for producing the signal conveying the at least one command on the basis of the message encoded by said message encoder.

7. A transmitter as defined in claim 6, wherein said message encoder processes the message constructed by said message builder to reduce an occurrence of consecutive 0'"'"'s or 1'"'"'s in the message constructed by said message builder.

8. A transmitter as defined in claim 6, wherein said signal transmitting unit includes a modulator for modulating the message encoded by said message encoder to produce the signal conveying the at least one command.

9. A transmitter as defined in claim 6, wherein said interface is operative to receive over the first communication link the identifier of the slave controller for storage in said data storage.

90. A transmitter as defined in claim 6, wherein the at least one command includes command information derived from the command portion of the message.

92. A transmitter as defined in claim 5, wherein the first communication link is an IR communication link.

10. A slave controller for use in a locomotive having a controller module, said slave controller comprising:

a) an interface for receiving an identifier of a transmitter via a first communication link, the first communication link being a wireless communicaion link;

b) a data storage in communication with said interface, said data storage being suitable for storing the identifier of the transmitter and an identifier of said slave controller;

c) a signal receiver unit for receiving a signal from the transmitter over a second communication link, the second communication link being a wireless RF communication link, the signal conveying a message including a command portion indicative of at least one command for causing an action to be performed by the locomotive, the message also including a tag portion including data derived from the identifier of the transmitter and data derived from the identifier of said slave controller;

d) a logical processing unit in communication with said data storage and with said signal receiver unit, said logical processing unit being operative to;

i) perform a validation procedure on the message including comparing the tag portion in the message with the identifier of the transmitter and the identifier of said slave controller in said data storage;

ii) if the validation procedure validates the message, generate control signals directed to the controller module for causing the locomotive to perform the at least one action.

11. A slave controller as defined in claim 10, wherein said data storage is operative to release the identifier of said slave controller to said interface for transmission over the first communication link.

12. A slave controller as defined in claim 11, wherein the validation procedure includes an assessment of an integrity of the signal conveying a message.

13. A slave controller as defined in claim 12, wherein the assessment of the integrity of the signal conveying a message includes processing the signal conveying the message by an error detection algorithm.

14. A slave controller as defined in claim 12, wherein the assessment of the integrity of the signal conveying a message includes processing the signal conveying a message by an error correction algorithm.

15. A slave controller as defined in claim 10, wherein the at least one action to be performed by the locomotive is acceleration.

16. A slave controller as defined in claim 10, wherein the at least one action to be performed by the locomotive is braking.

93. A slave controller as defined in claim 10, wherein the first communication link is an IR communication link.

17. In combination:

a) a locomotive having a controller module;

b) a slave controller mounted on board the locomotive;

c) said slave controller comprising;

i) an interface for receiving an identifier of a transmitter via a first communication link, the first communication link being a wireless communication link;

ii) a data storage in communication with said interface, said data storage being suitable for storing the identifier of the transmitter and an identifier of said slave controller

iii) a signal receiver unit for receiving a signal from the transmitter over a second communication link, the second communication link being a wireless RF communication link, the signal conveying a message including a command portion and a tag portion, the command portion being indicative of at least one command for causing an action to be performed by said locomotive, the tag portion including data derived from the identifier of the transmitter and data derived from the identifier of said slave controller;

iv) a logical processing unit in communication with said data storage and with said signal receiver unit, said logical processing unit being operative to;

(1) perform a validation procedure on the message including comparing data in the tag portion in the message with the identifier of the transmitter and the identifier of said slave controller in said data storage;

(2) if the validation procedure validates the message, generate control signals and directing the control signals to the controller module for causing said locomotive to perform the at least one action.

18. A combination as defined in claim 17, wherein said data storage is operative to release the identifier of said slave controller to said interface for transmission over the first communication link.

19. A combination as defined in claim 17, wherein the validation procedure includes an assessment of an integrity of the signal conveying a message.

20. A combination as defined in claim 19, wherein the assessment of the integrity of the signal conveying a message includes processing the signal conveying a message by an error detection algorithm.

21. A combination as defined in claim 19, wherein the assessment of the integrity of the signal conveying a message includes processing the signal conveying a message by an error correction algorithm.

22. A combination as defined in claim 17, wherein the action to be performed by the locomotive is acceleration.

23. A combination as defined in claim 17, wherein the action to be performed by the locomotive is braking.

94. A combination as defined in claim 19, wherein the first communication link is an IR communication link.

24. A remote control system for a locomotive having a controller module, said remote control system comprising:

a) a slave controller for mounting on-board the locomotive;

b) a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal over a first communication link, said transmitter having an identifier, the first communication link being a wireless RF communication link, the wireless signal conveying at least one command for causing an action to be performed by the locomotive;

c) said slave controller being responsive to the wireless signal to generate control signals for transmission to the controller module to implement the at least one command;

d) said slave controller being operative to output over a second communication link an identifier of said slave controller for transmission to said transmitter;

the second communication link;

e) the wireless signal including data derived from the identifier of said slave controller and data derived from the identifier of said transmitter, the identifier of said slave controller being different from the identifier of said transmitter.

25. A remote control system as defined in claim 24, wherein said transmitter includes a data storage for storing the identifier of said slave controller.

26. A remote control system as defined in claim 25, wherein said data storage is adapted to store an identifier of said transmitter.

27. A remote control system as defined in claim 26, wherein said transmitter includes a signal transmitting unit for transmitting the wireless signal over the first communication link.

28. A remote control system as defined in claim 27, wherein said transmitter includes a message builder in communication with said data storage, said message builder being operative to construct a message having a tag portion and a command portion, the tag portion conveying data derived from the identifier of said slave controller and data derived from the identifier of said transmitter, the command portion conveying the at least one command.

29. A remote control system as defined in claim 28, wherein said transmitter has an interface in communication with said data storage for outputting the identifier of said transmitter over a communication link different from said first communication link.

30. A remote control system as defined in claim 29, wherein said interface is operative to receive the identifier of said slave controller and to transmit the identifier of said slave controller to said data storage.

31. A remote control system as defined in claim 30, wherein said interface is an IR interface.

32. A remote control system as defined in claim 31, wherein the at least one action to be performed by the locomotive is acceleration.

33. A remote control system as defined in claim 31, wherein the at least one action to be performed by the locomotive is braking.

34. A remote control system as defined in claim 24, wherein said slave controller includes:

a) a data storage for holding the identifier of said slave controller;

b) an interface in communication with said data storage, said interface operative to output over the second communication link via said interface the identifier of said slave controller.

35. A remote control system as defined in claim 34, wherein said interface is operative to receive over the second communication link an identifier of said transmitter and to direct the identifier of said transmitter to said data storage for storage therein.

36. A remote control system as defined in claim 35, wherein the wireless signal transmitted by said transmitter over the first communication link conveys a message including:

a) a command portion indicative of the at least one command;

b) a tag portion including data derived from the identifier of said transmitter and data derived from the identifier of said slave controller.

37. A remote control system as defined in claim 36, herein said slave controller includes a signal receiver for receiving the wireless signal transmitted by said transmitter over the first communication link.

38. A remote control system as defined in claim 37, wherein said slave controller includes a logical processing unit in communication with said data storage and with said signal receiver unit, said logical processing unit being operative to:

a) perform a validation procedure on the message including comparing data in the tag portion of the message with the identifier of said transmitter and the identifier of said slave controller in said data storage;

b) if the validation procedure validates the message, generate control signals for transmission to the controller module for causing the locomotive to perform the at least one action.

39. A remote control system for a locomotive having a controller module, said remote control system comprising:

a) a slave controller for mounting on-board the locomotive;

b) a transmitter for transmitting a wireless signal over a first communication link, the first communication link being a wireless RF communication link, the wireless signal being indicative of at least one command for causing an action to be performed by the locomotive;

c) said slave controller being responsive to the wireless signal to generate control signals for transmission to the controller module to implement the at least one command;

d) said slave controller being operative to receive over a second communication link, different from the first communication link, an identifier of said transmitter;

e) said slave controller being operative to output over the second communication link an identifier of said slave controller for transmission to said transmitter;

f) the wireless signal including data derived from the identifier of said transmitter.

40. A remote control system as defined in claim 39, wherein said transmitter includes a data storage for storing the identifier of said slave controller.

41. A remote control system as defined in claim 40, wherein said data storage is operative to store the identifier of said transmitter.

42. A remote control system as defined in claim 41, wherein said transmitter includes a signal transmitting unit for transmitting the wireless signal over the first communication link.

43. A remote control system as defined in claim 42, wherein said transmitter includes a message builder in communication with said data storage, said message builder operative to construct a message having a tag portion and a command portion, the tag portion conveying data derived from the identifier of said slave controller and data derived from the identifier of said transmitter, the command portion conveying the at least one command.

44. A remote control system as defined in claim 43, wherein said transmitter has an interface in communication with said data storage for outputting the identifier of said transmitter over a communication link different from said first communication link.

45. A remote control system as defined in claim 44, wherein said interface is operative to receive the identifier of said slave controller and to transmit the identifier of said slave controller to said data storage for storage therein.

46. A remote control system as defined in claim 45, wherein said interface is an IR interface.

47. A remote control system as defined in claim 43, wherein the at least one action to be performed by the locomotive is acceleration.

48. A remote control system as defined in claim 43, wherein the at least one action to be performed by the locomotive is braking.

49. A remote control system as defined in claim 39, wherein said slave controller includes:

a) a data storage for holding the identifier of said slave controller;

b) an interface in communication with said data storage, said interface operative to output over the second communication link via said interface the identifier of said slave controller.

50. A remote control system as defined in claim 49, wherein said interface is operative to receive over the second communication link the identifier of said transmitter and to direct the identifier of said transmitter to said data storage for storage therein.

51. A remote control system as defined in claim 50, wherein the wireless signal transmitted by said transmitter over the first communication link conveys a message including:

a) a command portion indicative of the at least one command;

b) a tag portion including data derived from the identifier of said transmitter and data derived from the identifier of said slave controller.

52. A remote control system as defined in claim 51, wherein said slave controller includes a signal receiver for receiving the wireless signal transmitted by said transmitter over the first communication link.

53. A remote control system as defined in claim 52, wherein said slave controller includes a logical processing unit in communication with said data storage and with said signal receiver unit, said logical processing unit being operative to:

a) perform a validation procedure on the message including comparing data in the tag portion in the message with the identifier of said transmitter and the identifier of said slave controller in the data storage;

b) if the validation procedure validates the message generating control signals for transmission to the controller module for causing the locomotive to perform the at least one action.

54. A method for remotely controlling a locomotive in which is mounted a slave controller, said method comprising:

a) providing a portable transmitter;

b) communicating to the portable transmitter an identifier of the slave controller over a first communication link;

c) storing in a data storage in said portable transmitter the identifier of the portable transmitter and the identifier of the slave controller communicated over the first communication link;

d) outputting from the portable transmitter over the first communication link the identifier of the portable transmitter for transmission to the slave controller;

e) transmitting to the slave controller a wireless signal over a second communication link different from the first communication link, the second communication link being a wireless RF communication link, the wireless signal conveys a message including;

i) a command portion indicative of at least one command for causing an action to be performed by the locomotive;

ii) a tag portion including the data derived from the identifier of the portable transmitter stored in the data storage and data derived from the identifier of the slave controller stored in the data storage.

55. A method as defined in claim 54, wherein the first communication link is an IR link.

56. A method for remotely controlling a locomotive in which is provided a controller module, comprising:

a) mounting on board the locomotive a slave controller;

b) interfacing the slave controller with the controller module;

c) communicating to the slave controller over a first communication link an identifier of a remote portable transmitter;

d) storing in a data storage in the slave controller the identifier of the remote portable transmitter;

e) transmitting from the remote portable transmitter a wireless signal over a second communication link distinct from the first communication link, the second communication link being a wireless RF communication link, the wireless signal conveying a message including;

i) a command portion indicative of at least one command for causing an action to be performed by the locomotive; and

ii) a tag portion;

f) receiving the wireless signal at the slave controller;

g) performing a validation procedure at the slave controller by comparing data in the tag portion of the message in the received wireless signal with the identifier of the remote portable transmitter in the data storage and an identifier of the slave controller;

h) if the validation procedure validates the message in the received wireless signal, generating control signals and directing the control signals to the controller module for causing the locomotive to perform the at least one action.

57. A device for synchronizing addresses in a communication control system, the communication control system including a slave controller having a first component having a memory storing a first identifier and a transmitter unit for remotely controlling a locomotive in which is mounted the slave controller, the transmitter unit having a memory storing a second identifier, said device comprising:

a) a port for establishing a communication link with the slave controller and for establishing a communication link with the transmitter unit, the communication link with one of the slave controller and the transmitter unit being a wireless communication link;

b) a memory unit;

c) a processing unit operatively coupled to said port and said memory unit, said processing unit being suitable for;

i) establishing a communication link through said port with the slave controller for acquiring the first identifier from the slave controller;

ii) storing the first identifier in said memory unit;

iii) establishing a communication link through said port with the transmitter unit for transmitting the first identifier stored in said memory unit to the transmitter unit.

58. A device as defined in claim 57, wherein said port has a first interface for communication with the slave controller and a second interface for communication with the transmitter unit.

59. A device as defined in claim 58, wherein at least one of said first interface and said second interface is an infrared interface.

60. A device as defined in claim 58, wherein at least one of said first interface and said second interface is a serial connection interface.

61. A device as defined in claim 57, wherein said processing unit is further suitable for:

a) establishing a communication link with a transmitter unit for acquiring the second identifier from the transmitter unit;

b) storing the second identifier in said memory unit;

c) establishing a communication link with the slave controller for transmitting the second identifier stored in said memory unit to the slave controller.

62. A method for synchronizing addresses in a communication control system, the communication control system having a first component associated to a first identifier, a second component associated to a second identifier and an operator programming unit, said method comprising:

i) establishing a communication link between the operator programming unit and the first component for transmitting the first identifier from the first component to the operator programming unit;

ii) establishing a communication link between the operator programming unit and the second component for transmitting the first identifier from the operator programming unit to the second component;

iii) generating an address at the second component on the basis of the first identifier and the second identifier, wherein the first identifier and the second identifier are different.

63. A device as defined in claim 62, wherein the first component is a slave controller module and the second component is a transmitter unit.

64. A device as defined in claim 62, wherein the first component is a transmitter unit and the second component is a slave controller module.

65. A method as defined in claim 62, wherein said wireless communication link is an infrared communication link.

66. A method as defined in claim 62, wherein the communication link between the operator programming unit and at least one of the first component and the second component is a wireless communication link.

67. A method as defined in claim 62, wherein said method further comprises:

i) establishing a communication link with the second component for acquiring the second identifier from the second component;

ii) establishing a communication link with the first component for transmitting the second identifier to the first component;

iii) generating an address at the first component on the basis of the second identifier and the first identifier.

68. A computer readable storage medium including a program element suitable for execution by a computing apparatus for synchronizing addresses in a communication control system, the communication control system having a first component associated to a first identifier and a second component associated to a second identifier, the computing apparatus comprising:

a) a memory unit;

b) a processing unit for executing said program element, said processing unit in an operative relationship with said memory unit, when said program element is executed by said processing unit, said program element causing;

i) establishing a communication link between the computing apparatus and the first component for acquiring the first identifier from the first component;

ii) storage of the first identifier in said memory unit;

iii) establishing a communication link between the computing apparatus and the second component for transmitting the first identifier stored in said memory unit to the second component, the communication link between the computing apparatus and one of the first and second components being in a wireless communication link;

iv) establishment of a communication link between the computing apparatus and the second component for acquiring the second identifier from the second component;

v) storing of the second identifier in said memory unit;

vi) establishment of a communication link between the computing apparatus and the first component for transmitting the second identifier stored in said memory unit to the first component.

69. A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 68, wherein the first component is a slave controller module for controlling a locomotive and the second component is a transmitter unit.

70. A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 68, wherein the first component is a transmitter unit and the second component is a slave controller module for controlling a locomotive.

71. A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 68, wherein the wireless communication link is an infrared communication link.

72. A communication control system comprising:

a) a first component having a memory storing a first identifier;

b) a second component having a memory storing a second identifier, the second identifier being different from said first identifier;

c) a device for synchronizing addresses between said first component and said second component, said device comprising;

i) a port for establishing a communication link with said first component and a communication link with said second component;

ii) a memory unit;

iii) a processing unit operatively coupled to said port and said memory unit, said processing unit being suitable for;

(1) establishing a communication link through said port with said first component for acquiring the first identifier from the first component;

(2) storing the first identifier in said memory unit;

(3) establishing a communication link through said port with said second component for transmitting the first identifier stored in said memory unit to said second component, such as to allow said second component to hold the first identifier and the second identifier in a storage unit at said second component;

d) said second component being operative for generating an address on the basis of the first identifier and the second identifier, wherein the communication link with one of said first component and said second component is a wireless communication link.

73. A control system as defined in claim 72, wherein said first component is a slave controller module for a locomotive and said second component is a transmitter unit.

74. A control system as defined in claim 72, wherein said first component is a transmitter unit and said second component is a slave controller module for a locomotive.

75. A control system as defined in claim 72, wherein said port has a first interface for communication with said first component and a second interface for communication with said second component.

76. A control system as defined in claim 75, wherein at least one of said first interface and said second interface is an infrared interface.

77. A control system as defined in claim 72, wherein said processing unit is further suitable for:

i) establishing a communication link through the port with the second component for acquiring the second identifier from the second component;

ii) storing the second identifier in said memory unit;

iii) establishing a communication link through the port with the first component for transmitting the second identifier stored in said memory unit to the first component, thereby allowing the first component to hold the first identifier and the second identifier in a storage unit at the first component.

78. A transmitter for remotely controlling a locomotive, said transmitter comprising:

a) a data storage for holding an identifier of said transmitter;

b) an interface in communication with said data storage, said interface being oprative to establish a first communication link with an external entity for transmitting to the external entity data derived from the identifier of said transmitter via the first communication link, said first communication link being a wireless communication link;

c) a signal transmitting unit in communication with said data storage, said signal transmitting unit being operative to transmit a moculated signal over a second communication link, the second communication link being a wireless RF communication link, the modulated signal conveying;

i) at least one command for causing an action to be performed by the locomotive; and

ii) data derived from the identifier of said transmitter;

d) said signal transmitting unit including a modulator releasing the modulated signal.

79. A transmitter as defined in claim 78, wherein said signal transmitting unit is operative to transmit the modulated signal to a slave controller mounted on board the locomotive, said data storage being operative to store an identifier of the slave controller.

80. A transmitter as defined in claim 79, wherein said transmitter further comprises a message builder in communication with said data storage, said message builder being operative to construct a message having a tag portion and a command portion, the tag portion conveying data derived from the identifier of the slave controller and data derived from the identifier of said transmitter, the command portion conveying the at least one command.

81. A transmitter as defined in claim 80, including a message encoder in communication with said message builder to encode the message constructed by said message builder.

82. A transmitter as defined in claim 81, wherein said signal transmitting unit is in communication with said message encoder for receiving the message encoded by said message encoder and for producing the modulated signal conveying the at least one command on the basis of the message encoded by said message encoder.

83. A transmitter as defined in claim 81, wherein said message encoder processes the message constructed by said message builder to reduce an occurrence of consecutive 0'"'"'s or 1'"'"'s in the message constructed by said message builder.

84. A transmitter as defined in claim 82, wherein said modulator modulates the message encoded by said message encoder to produce the modulated signal conveying the at least one command.

85. A transmitter as defined in claim 78, wherein said interface is operative to receive over the first communication link the identifier of the slave controller for storage in said data storage.

86. A transmitter as defined in claim 78, wherein the first communication link is an IR communication link.

87. A transmitter as defined in claim 78, wherein the action to be performed by the locomotive is acceleration.

88. A transmitter as defined in claim 78, wherein the action to be performed by the locomotive is braking.