Device for detecting the occupied state and the free state of a track section as well as method for operating such a device

Abstract

An apparatus for the detection of an occupied or free state of a track section, which is particularly simple and at the same time particularly resistant to interference influences, includes a transmitter for feeding a transmitted signal, encoded by modulation, into rails of the track section and at least one receiver for receiving a received signal which is brought about by transmission of the transmitted signal through the running rails of the track section. The apparatus compares the modulation of the received signal with the modulation of the transmitted signal. A method for operation of an apparatus for detection of the occupied and free state of a track section is also provided.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for detection of an occupied or free state of a track section having rails, the apparatus comprising:
 a transmitter for feeding a transmitted signal, coded by modulation, into the rails of the track section; and   at least one receiver for receiving a received signal produced by transmission of the transmitted signal through the rails of the track section;   the apparatus being configured to compare the modulation on the received signal with the modulation on the transmitted signal.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is configured to produce the transmitted signal coded by any desired modulation. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is configured to produce the transmitted signal coded by random-number based modulation. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is configured to produce the transmitted signal coded by frequency modulation. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is configured to produce the transmitted signal coded by bit sequence modulation. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the apparatus is configured for bit-by-bit comparison of the modulation on the received signal with the modulation on the transmitted signal. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is configured for continuous coding of the transmitted signal. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is configured to compare, in a manner being safe from a signaling point of view, the modulation on the received signal with the modulation on the transmitted signal. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is configured to produce a fault signal indicating a disturbance state, based on the comparison of the modulation on the received signal with the modulation on the transmitted signal. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the apparatus is configured to output the fault signal as at least one of a visual or audible warning signal. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit data signals through the rails of the track section to a rail vehicle occupying the track section. 
     
     
         32 . A method for operation of an apparatus for detection of an occupied or free state of a track section having rails, the method comprising the following steps:
 feeding a transmitted signal, coded by modulation, into the rails of the track section;   receiving a received signal resulting from transmission of the transmitted signal through the rails of the track section; and   comparing the modulation on the received signal with the modulation on the transmitted signal.   
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 32 , which further comprises coding the transmitted signal by any desired modulation. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 32 , which further comprises coding the transmitted signal by random-number based modulation. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 32 , which further comprises coding the transmitted signal by frequency modulation. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 32 , which further comprises coding the transmitted signal by bit sequence modulation. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , which further comprises comparing the modulation on the received signal bit-by-bit with the modulation on the transmitted signal. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 32 , which further comprises coding the transmitted signal continuously. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 32 , which further comprises comparing the modulation on the received signal, in a manner being safe from a signaling point of view, with the modulation on the transmitted signal. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 32 , which further comprises producing a fault signal indicating a disturbance state, based on the comparison of the modulation on the received signal with the modulation on the transmitted signal. 
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 40 , which further comprises outputting the fault signal as at least one of a visual or audible warning signal. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 32 , which further comprises transmitting data signals through the rails of the track section to a rail vehicle occupying the track section.