Means for controlling and safeguarding railway vehicle traffic, including apparatus and processes that are specially adapted, or intended to be utilised, for the following categories related to railway vehicle traffic:

All means for guiding railway vehicles through the railway network in a safe and efficient manner.

In particular it relates to:

CLASSIFICATION OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

In many cases, the classification of additional information is very useful for retrieving the document, and is therefore very desirable in this subclass.

For example:

If a document discloses an ETCS train control system (covered by B61L 27/20) as invention information, where trains may use GPS information for localization, in a way which is per se not inventive (but nevertheless interesting for a search) classify:

SUBGROUPS AND HEAD GROUP.

If a document concerns embodiments, which are covered by several subgroups (e.g. B61L 23/044 - B61L 23/048) dependent on a higher hierarchy group (in this case B61L 23/042), the following rules apply:

RADIO COMMUNICATION IN RAILWAYS.

Radio communication is only classified in B61L, when related to the application for railway use.

Radio communication in B61L is classified in different subgroups as follows:

Short range radio transmissions used for train control is classified in B61L 3/125 for intermittent control, when RFID tags, balise transmissions or the like is used.

Long range radio transmission for train control using conductor cables on the track, like wave guides or leaky feeders, can be found under B61L 3/227.

Long range radio transmission between a train and control center, is classified only under B61L 15/0027 for both, speech and continuous train control transmissions, as for example using GSM-R cell communication, when related to onboard systems.

However, long range radio transmission systems between a train and control center, when related to details of the trackside implementation, are covered under B61L 27/70.

This selection of special Indexing Codes is used in the subclass B61L in order to specify special railway signalling equipment with high occurrence and incorporating intrinsic features as well as orthogonal used features, which can occur in many different subclasses within B61L.

The following special equipment is classified using the additional Indexing Code symbols ("Indexing Code subdivisions"):

The following features are classified using the "orthogonal" Indexing Code symbols:

Devices along the track which are influenced by a rail vehicle e.g. to detect the passage or presence and where an action is then performed on the ground equipment.

When related to transmission of data to trains, track circuits for influencing devices on the train are classified in group B61L 3/24. Braking or train separation techniques for track blocks are classified in group B61L 23/16.

Track circuit details and underlying principles have to be classified in group B61L 1/18.

Detectors themselves are classified in B61K 9/00, e.g. hot box detectors in B61K 9/04. Any supervision to detect their malfunction is covered by group B61L 1/20.

Devices along the track are also understood to be remote control devices of locomotives with portable equipment, e.g. portable control devices for yard locomotives.

Intermittent control (B61L 3/02 - B61L 3/14) comprises not only beacons or the like, but also short loops at dedicated locations, whereas continuous control (B61L 3/16) comprises long loops along the whole track.

Radio used for train control, is only classified in B61L 3/125, if short range transmission for a single track using RFID tags, balise transmissions or the like is applied. Long range radio transmission for train control using conductor cables on the track, like wave guides or leaky feeders, can be found under B61L 3/227.

Track circuits for influencing devices on the train are classified under B61L 3/24, when related to transmission of data to trains. If otherwise related to braking or train separation techniques for track blocks, then B61L 23/16 takes precedence. Track circuit details and underlying principles have to be classified under B61L 1/18.

The equipment adjacent to the track which is actuating track equipment, especially railway switches, derailers or scotch blocks. In particular it covers all parts in order to move or control rails or scotch blocks, as well as detect their proper positions. In this regard, B61L 5/10 "Means for indicating the setting of points" has to be understood as means for the detection of the setting of the points.

This group further covers signals adjacent to the track giving indications for the driver of the rail vehicle, e.g. day light signals.

Signals along the railway track are classified in this group under B61L 5/18 only, but traffic lights for road traffic are found in G08G 1/095.

All control of switches and signals that are actuated from the vehicle are classified in B61L 11/00 in accordance with the precedence reference.

The indication of the actual switch positions to the train operator should be classified in B61L 9/00.

B61L 5/02 should be used for all documents exclusively related to mechanical details of switch machines, even if they do not explicitly state a manual operation and said switch machines could theoretically operate electrically or hydraulically.

The transmission of control commands from the signal box or the like to the field equipment on the track to be operated.

All drives, control and monitoring of railway point locks are classified in B61L 5/10.

All operation of local operating means from the vehicle or by the passage of the vehicle are classified in B61L 5/16.

The illumination of field elements on the track for the train operator.

All railway light signals as such are classified in B61L 5/18.

The local operation of switches by actuation from the vehicle or by the vehicle. It comprises systems like the radio-based train operation (FFB), where field elements are controlled directly by the train via radio. It also comprises local operating mechanism like pedals and the like. It further covers trailable point locks for railway switches.

All drives, control and monitoring of railway point locks are classified in B61L 5/10.

The local operation of signals by actuation from the vehicle or by the vehicle. It comprises local operating mechanism like pedals and the like.

This group comprises systems onboard the train for indication, communication and data handling. In particular it comprises:

Optimisation of train running is classified under B61L 15/0058 only if links to signalling system, actual position of the train, braking curves, grades of the track, time tables or the like are present in the disclosure. Otherwise, without said links, general optimisation of multi-drive trains is found in B60L 15/32.

The systems classified here are railway installations used for forming new trains in yards or maintenance areas, possibly also including at least one classification hump.

Many different techniques are covered here. This classification has to be given whenever the invention is related to activities in yards or maintenance areas. As a consequence, only in very rare cases a document will be given a single classification in the main group only. Typically, also other classifications regarding localisation, serialisation or data handling of trains have to be assigned to documents additionally.

All systems and field elements for setting the routes through the network, including local or central interlocking equipment.

This main group predominantly deals with the devices and systems of interlocking equipment. B61L 21/00 relates more to the functional aspects of station blocking like route setting or departure signal authorisations, etc.

For modern central interlockings, which comprise electronic interlocking equipment, additionally B61L 2019/065 "electronic central interlocking" should be assigned to relevant documents.

Setting of routes within a signal box, communication between different signal boxes for route setting and release, departure order transmission and moving block systems.

While this main group deals more with the functional aspects like route setting or departure signal authorisations, etc., B61L 19/00 relates more to the devices and systems of interlocking equipment.

Moving block systems shall be classified under B61L 21/10 and not in B61L 23/18 nor B61L 23/34. The latter subgroup shall only be used when a train is following closely the preceding train by direct distance measurement, e.g. like a joined, virtually coupled train. B61L 23/18 is used when fixed blocks are subdivided or shortened. Instead, when a kind of control center is controlling the follower train even in relative braking distance B61L 21/10 shall be used.

Displays for indication track settings, routes, vehicle positions or numbers are likewise classified under B61L 21/06 and B61L 25/06 since the different information is usually displayed together and because the used techniques are normally the same.

Warning devices of different kinds related to safety as well as track blocking or train separation.

In particular it covers:

monitoring of the track, including broken rail detection, track movements or the like;

detection of obstacles on or near the track, also on platforms or in tunnels;

warning systems of working men on the track;

track block techniques for separation train traffic, also with integration of track circuits;

token systems for controlling railway traffic;

systems for virtually coupled trains and train joining and splitting in relation to distance measurements between trains.

The monitoring of the track would preferably be classified in B61L 23/04, when it has a link to the railway signalling system or when mainly trackside elements are used. Otherwise, B61K 9/08 can also be given for mainly onboard systems without a link to the railway signalling system. In practice, both groups B61L 23/04 and B61K 9/08 are often given simultaneously to the same document.

Crossings with road traffic are to be classified in group B61L 29/00.

Track circuits for influencing devices on the train are classified in group B61L 3/24, when related to transmission of data to trains. If otherwise related to braking or train separation techniques for track blocks, then B61L 23/16 takes precedence. Track circuit details and underlying principles have to be classified in group B61L 1/18.

Moving block systems shall be classified in group B61L 21/10 and not in B61L 23/18 nor B61L 23/34. The latter subgroup shall only be used when a train is closely following the preceding train by direct distance measurement, e.g. like a joined, virtually coupled train. B61L 23/18 is used when fixed blocks are subdivided or shortened. Instead, when a control center is controlling the follower train even in relative braking distance, B61L 21/10 shall be used.

B61L 23/007 relates only to crossings of two different railway tracks.

B61L 23/041 comprises also the monitoring of platforms to detect whether there is a person or obstacle too close to the track or even on the track.

B61L 23/24 comprises also systems with "electronic tokens".

General measurement techniques are found in many different other classes, but all applications concerning railway technology should preferably classified under B61L.

All cameras based systems for detecting of trains identities are classified under B61L 25/041 even when there is no special reflective tag on the train.

For absolute localization by satellite navigation systems, additionally the Indexing Code B61L 2205/04 shall be given.

Displays for indication track settings, routes, vehicle positions or numbers were likewise classified under B61L 21/06 and B61L 25/06, since the different information is usually displayed together and because the used techniques are normally the same. Thus, a search for these technologies should cover these subgroups. However, B61L 25/06 shall take precedence for classification from January 2011 on for classification.

Test and simulation systems for railway signalling equipment or operation are also classified under B61L 27/60 in addition to other groups of B61L when local, portable devices or onboard systems are disclosed without necessarily using a control centre.

"Automatic systems" in B61L 27/04 not only means driverless systems, but also where the operator purely monitors the functioning and health of the system as, for example, on maglev trains. Automatic train operation systems where driving of the train is taken over by an automatic system but route reservation or permission to travel are carried out by a centralised controller are classified in B61L 27/04. By contrast, fully autonomous vehicles not under the control of a centralised controller are classified in B61L 99/002.

All safety equipment for ensuring the safety of crossings between road or pedestrian and rail traffic.

B61L 29/08 - B61L 29/228 describe the operation of barriers whereas B61L 29/24 - B61L 29/32 describe the aspect for warning the road users.

The detection of trains independent of the activation of level crossing should be classified under B61L 1/16 or B61L 1/18 respectively.

Although gates (B61L 29/04) can be seen as guards (B61L 29/02) in a broader sense, the gates are classified exclusively under B61L 29/04.

This group covers subject-matter containing additional information other than technical, e.g. management decisions, politics etc. in regard to railway signalling, control and guiding, which cannot be used for search.

Automatic train operation systems, where driving of the train is taken over by an automatic system but route reservation and/or permission to travel are carried out by a centralised controller, are classified in B61L 27/04. By contrast, fully autonomous vehicles not under the control of a centralised controller are classified in B61L 99/002.