FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a wireless remote monitoring system.
BACKGROUND
In case of any fault in one of the air conditioners of a long distance train, it may take a considerable time before the next service station is reached and, in order to avoid delays, sufficient time may not be available at a service point for checking the air conditioners, diagnosing faults and carry out repairs. Currently, the health of all air conditioners is checked upon arrival at each terminus. For this, technicians are required to travel on board to access each unit with Laptop so as to determine the action to be taken. This is manually done and therefore it is time consuming and expansive. As the technicians are not pre-prepared to handle a particular problem, major problems remain pending or the coach is to be detached till next arrival of train for maintenance
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a wireless remote monitoring system which automatically monitors the functioning of all air conditioners in a train set and generates fault descriptions (if any) to a specified recipient for necessary action to be taken.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless remote monitoring system which overcomes disadvantages associated with the prior art.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a wireless remote monitoring system which is efficient and effective to eliminate the need to have technicians to escort the train and faster turn around time from maintenance terminal. This will result in cost savings.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless remote monitoring system which has very light and compact enclosure, so that, it can be fitted anywhere.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided a wireless remote monitoring system comprising of a wireless remote monitoring unit connected to microcontroller provided in each coach wherein the unit is in communication with a wireless remote base station.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows: block diagram of the present invention. Fig. 2 and 3 shows: connections of the present invention. Fig. 4 shows: master user interface.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS;
The invention is described herein below, which may be taken as an exemplary embodiment without restricting scope of the invention to the same.
Reference may be made to the accompanying drawings.
According to this invention, there is provided a wireless remote monitoring system comprising of a wireless remote monitoring unit connected to microcontroller provided in each coach wherein the unit is in communication with a wireless remote base station.
Reference may be made to fig 1 wherein HVAC controller transmits all the status data of HVAC and components and the Climate data is logged periodically. Master controller receives all the status data of all HVAC's connected and displays them centrally in guard cabin. The data can be received from the master controller through the local PC server, Web server, SMS server, GPRS server which ever is connected.
Web server can receive the data through TCP/IP or PPP and data is updated continuously on http web site . SMS server can receive the data through SMS periodic packets and is stored on SMS server with timestamp. GPRS server can connect to the master controller using GSM network available and gets the real time data on the Remote terminal software and is saved at server side. PC server can receive the data at real time through the master controller of all connected HVAC's or all the log can be accessed from each HVAC controller.
The coaches of a train are installed with micro-processor controlled air-conditioning system with a functionality of controlling and monitoring the health of air-conditioner. The micro-processor controller is hard
wired for example by a 3-wire point-to-point RS-485 Network or through wireless RF communication between coach, controller as well as with master controller. The micro-controller, is connected to a master controller provided in guard cabin, which is one per train set. The controller provides the status of air-conditioner at fixed intervals of time and the data comprises:
Temperature : Return Air, Fresh Air and Duct Air Temperatures
of each Air Conditioner with 0.1°C resolution.
The Set point set on each Air-Conditioner with rotary position.
The Mode of Operation of Air-Conditioner (i.e. COOL1, COOL2,
PRE-COOL, VENT, HEAT,PRE-HEAT, DEHUMIDIFICATION,
EMERGENCY, OFF)
Time/Date
Humidity Status'
Fault Occurred Details.
And any other information so programmed in the controllers.
The communication from coach to coach takes place via a wireless signal.
The wireless remote monitoring unit continuously monitors the condition of all air conditioners in the train set. The inbuilt display and keypad permits the attendant to view all data received from the air conditioning units
Fault data is automatically transferred using the GSM/GPRS mobile phone network or through internet (WAN).
The wireless remote monitoring unit can also receive commands through GSM/GPRS internet(WAN).This can be used e.g. to store Event logs or to initiate the transfer of fault protocols.
The Master Controller is provided with such as RS-485 Link generating all the information related to each Air-conditioner in the coach, which is accessible with user interfaces provided in the Master Controller.
The interfaces available are:
GSM/CDMA/GPRS based Remote Terminal.
Multi-protocol Link to web based connecting server to access
recent status of each Air-conditioner's component and the
activated protecting devices .
Cell Phone based Link to a data enabled Cell phone or modem
based PC Link.
Cell Phone based SMS Link to Cell Phone at receiver's End.
USB interface.
RS-232 based Null Modem Interface for directly downloading
data to PC.
LCD with keyboard interface for Display and diagnosis provided
at Guard's Cabin for accessing information, Configuration
settings (Password protected), Fault Log, Parameter (i.e. temp,
humidity) and Status Display. The receiving station can also be
selected by guard using password.
A communication bus for example shielded 3 core cable with common ground is used so as to interconnect all microcontrollers and the wireless remote monitoring unit.
The system has GSM /GPRS connectivity, which enables it to remain connected globally through land based/ satellite based Telephony/data
networks. It provides a standard interface through Which it can be connected to devices in a MODBUS network serially. The status/control /log/diagnosis/user interface/ remote connectivity are extended features provided therewith.
It is also having the provision for Network protocols TCPIP,PPP,VPN Messaging protocols XModem, SMS RS-232 interface for PC/Laptop connection, RS-485 interface for point to point for MODBUS and Parallel port interface for fast communication. USB protocol transceivers are also provided on-board.
It is provided with user friendly interface having Bright Indicative LED's, Backlit Alphanumeric graphical LCD and Multifunction controlling buttons on front.
The Remote Monitoring System may have dual range wireless connectivity. Short range connectivity will connect wirelessly to all coach HVAC controllers ,so that the need of wiring is eliminated in the train and installation time of the system can also be minimized. The Long range connectivity will have features of telephony and data network connection extensions as well as global positioning system extensions.
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It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following claims:-

WE CLAIM:
A wireless remote monitoring system comprising of a wireless remote monitoring unit connected to microcontroller provided in each coach wherein the unit is in communication with a wireless remote base station.
1. A wireless remote monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coaches of a train are installed with micro-processor controlled air-conditioning system with a functionality of controlling and monitoring the health of air-conditioner.
2. A wireless remote monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the micro-controller is connected to a master controller provided in guard cabin wherein the controller provides the status of air-conditioner at fixed intervals of time.
3. A wireless remote monitoring system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a communication bus is used so as to interconnect all microcontrollers and the wireless remote monitoring unit.
, 5. A wireless remote monitoring system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the base station comprises Web server, SMS server, GSM/GPRS server and PC server.
6. A wireless remote monitoring system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the system is having several provisions/features such as herein described.
7. A wireless remote monitoring system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.