FORM-2
THE PATENT ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and Rule 13)
SIMULATOR FOR SIGNALLING PANEL OPERATIONS AT PANEL INTERLOCKED STATIONS
KONKAN RAILWAY CORPORATION LIMTED
An Indian Company
of Belapur Bhavan, Sector 11, CBD, Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400 614,
Maharashtra, India.
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION DESCRIBES THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to railways.
In particular, this invention relates to traffic control for railways.
Still particularly, this invention relates to the traffic control for railways at a
station.
Background of the Invention:
Railways form an essential way of terrestrial transport. Its safety and its efficiency is enabled by its management. Running a multitude of trains on a system requires appropriate planning, monitoring, and executing of tasks within the specified guidelines. Signaling is of prime importance in such a system to ensure its safety. Designing of a robust signaling system and providing the means monitor it ensures its stability.
Railway signaling is a system used on railways to control traffic safely, for example, to prevent trains from colliding. Trains are uniquely susceptible to collision because, running on fixed rails, they are not capable of avoiding a collision by steering away, as can a road vehicle; furthermore, trains cannot decelerate rapidly, and are frequently operating at speeds where by the time the driver/engineer can see an obstacle, the train cannot stop in time to avoid colliding with it.
When trains are operating in opposing directions on a single-line railroad, meets are scheduled, where each train must wait for the other at a point they can pass. Neither is permitted to move until the other has arrived. If two trains cannot be running on the same section of track at the same time, then
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they cannot collide. So railway lines are divided into sections known as blocks, and only one train is normally allowed in each block at one time. This principle forms the basis of most railway safety systems.
A set of General and Subsidiary Rules (G. & S. R.) in India provide the framework for safe train operation and are followed strictly. To ensure safe reception and dispatch of trains in compliance with G. & S. R. at every station, a panel instrument is in place. This, in combination with block instruments serves the above purpose. Hence an important portion of training of station masters is training on operations of panel and block instruments.
Training modules are relegated to on-the-job sessions. This limits the variety of the nature of problems and scenarios occurring. A trainee without the instructor is confined by the various rules and procedures within which he can operate and learn. With the instructor, the practical know-how is limited to the variety of conditions actually occurring with respect to the surrounding parameters. Hence, it is difficult to train the trainee for complex situations which may have never occurred but have a reasonable chance of occurring.
The hard-version of a signaling system encompasses a complete working instrument panel, up and down block instruments, view of adjacent station's block instruments, and a variety of counters. Conventional method of training includes training directly on such consoles. There is a need for a simulator that simulates the exact working of the panel and block instrument.
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Prior Art:
U.S. Patent Number 7,143,017 discloses a remote control locomotive simulator which is the control of a locomotive other than the locomotive cab. It does not speak of a simulator for traffic control at stations.
U.S. Patent Number 4,041,283 discloses a method and apparatus for simulating operation and control of a railway train. This invention, too does not describe the traffic control at stations.
U.S. Patent Number 5,200,901 discloses a simulator for air traffic control. An analogy for the railways traffic control at stations is however, not discussed.
This invention seeks to overcome the limitations of the prior art.
Objects of the Invention:
One object of this invention is to provide a means to train trainees aspiring to be station masters.
Another object of this invention is to provide a means to train trainees aspiring to be station masters on a pseudo-platform.
Yet another object of this invention is to adapt to all types of data; normal and abnormal for reducing the response times of a trainee aspiring to be a
station master, in order to react to a situation.
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A further object of this invention is to train the candidates on data with arbitrary complexity in order to enable the trainee to adapt to a variety of scenarios.
One more object of this invention is to provide a comprehensive training module for training encompassing real-life routine as well as special high-risk scenarios.
An additional object of this invention is to reduce the risks involved with on-the-job training of trainees.
Still, a further object of this invention is to test a trainee to check his progress.
Yet another object of this invention is to test a trainee to check his progress in accordance with his learning sessions.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a means to generate a report of progress of a trainee's training session.
A further object of this invention is to provide an automated means of report generation in order to check a trainee's progress.
The invention, as envisaged provides a means which incorporates all these features onto a computer. Real-time data is archived for training and evaluation purposes.
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Summary of the Invention:
This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for simulating traffic conditions, and more particularly, railway traffic at stations. A satisfactory traffic simulation should be capable of operation in a greatly reduced time scale regardless of the complexity of the traffic problem which can be
interconnected to give a representation of a traffic system of arbitrary complexity.
In accordance with one practical embodiment of this invention, a means and
apparatus is envisaged to train a trainee for controlling train movements before allowing them to operate on a real-life platform. This is done by developing an environment which uses at least partly, previously archived real-time data.
According to another practical embodiment of this invention, the training means is provided with one main line and two loop lines connected to the main line. This featured can be furthered to accommodate a variety of scenarios.
According to another practical embodiment of this invention, there is provided a means and apparatus for training which completely emulates the panel instrument working, up and down block instrument working, predictable failure scenarios, and special operations.
According to yet another practical embodiment of this invention, there is provided a means and apparatus to enable a comprehensive training module
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encompassing the functionality of the operating block and station as also the
adjacent stations' block instruments.
According to another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a means and apparatus for creating special high-risk scenarios, for example, collision of trains, and hence, enables a trainee to be trained to quick, efficient and correct response times in a real life situation.
According to still another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a means and apparatus with an easy to install platform and a good compatibility for installation on computers at various locations.
According to another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a means and method to record every training session in a graded manner so as to improve response time of a trainee. The recording of these responses via a feedback system with or without fuzzy logic helps the trainee to analyze his performance. This feature provides a trainee with an exact quantitative as well as qualitative statement of his actions. The recording feature builds the database bank which has archived real-time data as well as surreal data. It also archives the various responses to a given scenario and keeps on adding. According to another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a feedback mechanism which compares and stores every unique event in relation to a test scenario or its responses in order to build/increase the database of events for future use.
According to still another embodiment of this invention, a means and method is provided so that an automated evaluation and suggestion of
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corrective measures in response to a trainee's training session is carried out. This feature helps in enhancing the efficiency and correctness of a trainee's response ability.
According to a further embodiment of this invention, a means and method is provided to create test scenarios for grading a plurality of trainees in accordance with their response times, uniqueness of response, and types of responses. The test scenarios have an increasing degree of complexity which enables a trainee to test and train his responsiveness and sharpen his skills.
Brief Descriptions of the accompanying Drawing:
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 relates to the entire simulator setup;
Figure 2 relates to the input and output parameters of the simulation means;
and
Figure 3 relates to the feedback and grading mechanism for the simulation
means.
Detailed Description of the Invention:
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a processing unit (PC) having a monitor (PCM) and an input device (M/KB) for controlling options. The simulation means (SIM) in accordance with this invention is loaded onto the computer (PC) for learning purposes.
Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings illustrates the simulation software in accordance with this invention along with the input-output consoles and
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features. The Train Movement block (TM) in conjunction with the database (DB) of events generates a plurality of events; either normal (N) or abnormal (AN) in nature. The various route scenarios (R) and manual triggers (TG) provide a variety of arbitrary datasets for learning. These input parameters are simulated in the simulation block (SIM) and provide the end-user i.e. the trainee (SM) various kinds of outputs upon which he can act.
Figure 3 illustrates the feedback and grading mechanism (F/B-G) in conjunction with the simulator means (SIM). The feedback and gradation system (F/B-G) receives and records all actions in relation to a trainee. It has a database of archived real-time events (RD) and any unique scenario or response method is stored in a new data bank (ND). A trainee's responses are compared with these static and dynamic parameters in response to previous training sessions. This provides a better qualitative and quantitative analysis for a trainee.
Advantages of this Invention:
1. Provision has been made in the system in accordance with this invention to simulate various defects such as track down, point flashing etc.
2. Obstacles can be placed wherever required on the various track segments in the system in accordance with this invention.
3. The system in accordance with this invention includes a variety of features as is seen on the instrument control panel.
4. Actual train movement is simulated onto the system database.
5. The system in accordance with this invention aims to better the
response times of trainees to react to a scenario.
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6. The system in accordance with this invention provides a dynamic learning environment with increasing complexity of modules for advanced learning and better honing of response skills.
7. The system in accordance with this invention eliminates crowding of trainees around one instrument.
8. Demonstration of the system in accordance with this invention can be given either by an LCD projector in class or on individual PCs.
9. The system in accordance with this invention can be deployed on a web server (intranet/internet) for wider accessibility and centralized implementation of modifications.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of the preferred embodiment and the improvisation with regards to it, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.
Dated this 22nd day of December, 2006.
MOHAN DEWAN
OF R.K.DEWAN & COMPANY
APPLICANTS' PATENT ATTORNEY
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