System and method for signalling events through a visibility marker associated with a train

1 . An End-of-Train device for mounting on a train, the End-of-Train device comprising:

at least one sensor for detecting an event affecting an operation of the train;

a visibility marker comprising one or more LEDs, wherein the one or more LEDs is selectively activated to generate an illumination pattern based on the event, wherein the illumination pattern is indicative of an instruction for controlling operation of a follower train; and

a control circuitry housed by the End-of-Train device and configured for generating trigger signals for the one or more LEDs based on the event detected by the control circuitry based on digital inputs received by the at least one sensor coupled to the control circuitry, wherein the trigger signals selectively activate the one or more LEDs to generate the illumination pattern;

wherein the illumination pattern comprises a predetermined timing sequence of LED activation and deactivation that is specific to a type of the event, wherein different types of events generate different predetermined timing sequences that are mapped to different actions automatically performed by the follower train.

2 . The End-of-Train device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is at least one of an accelerometer, a proximity sensor, a camera, a daylight sensor and a pressure sensor.

3 . The End-of-Train device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a radio-frequency transceiver unit configured to generate a radio signal upon failure of the visibility marker.

4 . The End-of-train device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a transceiver unit configured to enable communication between the End-of-Train device and a Head-of-Train device associated with the train.

5 . A system for managing operation of a follower train based on events signaled by a visibility marker on a leading train, the system comprising:

an End-of-Train device mounted on the leading train, the End-of-Train device comprising:

at least one sensor for detecting an event affecting an operation of the leading train;

a visibility marker comprising one or more LEDs; and

a control circuitry configured to generate an illumination pattern by selectively activating the one or more LEDs based on the event, wherein the illumination pattern is indicative of an instruction for controlling operation of the follower train;

a secondary sensor installed on the follower train, wherein the secondary sensor is configured to detect the illumination pattern generated by the visibility marker on the leading train; and

a sensing subsystem on the follower train comprising a database storing mappings between illumination patterns and instructions for controlling the follower train, the sensing subsystem configured to automatically execute an instruction mapped to the illumination pattern detected by the secondary sensor.

6 . The system as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the sensing subsystem is associated with a Head-of-Train device associated with the follower train.

7 . The system as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the sensing subsystem is associated with a driver-machine interface associated with the follower train.

8 . A method for managing operation of a follower train based on events signaled by a visibility marker on a leading train, the method comprising:

identifying, by a sensing subsystem on the follower train, an illumination pattern generated by a visibility marker associated with an End-of-Train device on the leading train, wherein a control circuitry housed by the End-of-Train device generates trigger signals for one or more LEDs of the visibility marker based on an event detected by the control circuitry based on digital inputs received by at least one sensor coupled to the control circuitry, wherein the illumination pattern is identified based on output of one or more secondary sensors on the follower train, and wherein the illumination pattern is indicative of an instruction for controlling operation of the follower train, wherein the illumination pattern comprises a predetermined timing sequence of LED activation and deactivation that is specific to a type of the event, wherein different types of events generate different predetermined timing sequences;

determining, based on a database storing mappings between illumination patterns and instructions for controlling the follower train, an instruction mapped to the identified illumination pattern; and

automatically executing the instruction for controlling operation of the follower train.

9 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the event is associated with braking of the leading train.

10 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the event is associated with reverse movement of the leading train.

11 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the event is associated with derailment of the leading train.

12 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the event is associated with detection of faults, by the at least one sensor, in a railway track whereon the leading train runs.

13 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the event is associated with distance between the leading train and the follower train reducing below a predefined safe distance.

14 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the one or more instructions are associated with automatically performing an action on the follower train.

15 . The method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the one or more instructions are associated with providing alerts to a driver of the follower train.