Systems and methods for safety locking of operator control units for remote control machines

Abstract

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of systems and methods for safety interlocking of operator control units for remote control machines. In an exemplary embodiment, an operator control unit configured to enable and disable a safety lock mode for a remote control machine includes a processor, a network interface, an input interface and memory including processor-executable instructions which cause the processor to disable motion controls of the remote control machine while maintaining wireless communication with the remote control machine to allow core non-motion controls of the remote control machine, and in response to a predefined sequence of activations of the multiple inputs during a specified time period, enable motion controls of the remote control machine. Methods for disabling a safety lock mode may include one or more required input interface actions in order to reduce a chance of accidentally disabling the safety lock mode.

1 . An operator control unit (OCU) configured to enable and disable a safety lock mode for a remote control machine, the operator control unit comprising:
 a processor;   a network interface coupled to the processor, the network interface configured for communication with the remote control machine;   an input interface having multiple inputs adapted to receive user input for control of the remote control machine; and   a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 disable motion controls of the remote control machine while maintaining wireless communication with the remote control machine to allow core non- motion controls of the remote control machine; and 
 in response to a predefined sequence of activations of the multiple inputs during a specified time period, enable motion controls of the remote control machine. 
   
     
     
         2 . The operator control unit of  claim 1 , wherein the motion controls include at least one of a throttle control, a direction control, and a brake release control. 
     
     
         3 . The operator control unit of  claim 1 , wherein the core non- motion controls include at least one of an operator emergency, tilt protection, tilt extend protection, horn operation, bell operation, train brake operation, and penalty operations generated by the remote control machine. 
     
     
         4 . The operator control unit of  claim 1 , wherein the memory includes further processor-executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 disable motion controls of the remote control machine in response to receiving a request to disable motion controls via the input interface; and   to enable motion controls of the remote control machine in response to receiving a request to enable motion controls if the enable request includes the predefined sequence of activations of the multiple inputs during the specified time period.   
     
     
         5 . The operator control unit of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the multiple inputs include a first switch and a second switch located on an opposite side of the operator control unit from the first switch; and   the predefined sequence of activations includes activation of the first switch and activation of the second switch.   
     
     
         6 . The operator control unit of  claim 5 , wherein the predefined sequence of activations includes activation of the first switch in a first direction and activation the second switch in a second direction opposite the activation direction of the first switch. 
     
     
         7 . The operator control unit of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the input interface includes a turn-key mechanism;   turning a key in the turn-key mechanism to a first position causes a request to disable motion controls of the remote control machine to be received at the processor; and   turning a key in the turn-key mechanism to a second position causes a request to enable motion controls of the remote control machine to be received.   
     
     
         8 . The operator control unit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an output interface coupled to the processor; and   the memory including further processor-executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:   provide an indication via the output interface that the motion controls are disabled when the motion controls are disabled; and   provide an indication via the output interface that the motion controls are enabled when the motion controls are enabled.   
     
     
         9 . The operator control unit of  claim 8 , wherein the output interface includes at least one of a light, a speaker, a bell, a horn, a screen, and a touchscreen. 
     
     
         10 . The operator control unit of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the output interface includes a plurality of lights;   the indication that the motion controls are disabled includes the plurality of lights lighting in a first pattern; and   the indication that the motion controls are enabled includes the plurality of lights lighting in a second pattern.   
     
     
         11 . The operator control unit of  claim 1 , wherein the remote control machine is a remote control locomotive. 
     
     
         12 . A computer-implemented method for disabling a safety lock mode of an operator control unit, the operator control unit adapted to control a remote control machine via wireless communication and including an input interface having multiple inputs, the method comprising:
 receiving, by the operator control unit, a request to disable a safety lock mode via the input interface of the operator control unit; and   enabling, by the operator control unit, motion controls of the operator control unit in response to the received safety lock mode request when the operator control unit is in an unlockable state and the safety lock mode request includes a predefined sequence of activations of the multiple inputs during a specified time period.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein the remote control machine is a remote control locomotive. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the multiple inputs include multiple switches;   the predefined sequence of activations includes activating a first one of the multiple switches in a first direction and activating a second one of the switches in a second direction;   the first switch is located on an opposite side of the operator control unit than the second switch; and   the first direction of activation of the first switch is an opposite direction than the second direction of activation of the second switch.   
     
     
         15 . A computer-implemented method for disabling a safety lock mode of an operator control unit, the method comprising:
 receiving, by the operator control unit, a request to disable a safety lock mode of the operator control unit via an input interface of the operator control unit;   receiving, by the operator control unit, at least one unlock action via the input interface; and   when the at least one unlock action satisfies unlock requirements of the operator control unit and the operator control unit is in an unlockable state, enabling, by the operator control unit, motion controls of the operator control unit.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the input interface includes a reverser control and a speed select control; and   the unlockable state includes the reverser control being set to a center position and the speed select control being set to a stop position.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one unlock action includes:
 a first action associated with a first control of the input interface; and   a second action associated with a second control of the input interface.   
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first control is located opposite from the second control on the operator control unit; and   the first action moves the first control in an opposite direction from the direction that the second action moves the second control.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one unlock action includes inputting numbers, letters, and/or symbols of a code via the input interface. 
     
     
         20 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the unlock requirements include a requirement that the one or more unlock actions be received within a defined time.