Systems and methods for changing parameters of a controller

1. A method for modifying a parameter value of a controller, said method comprising:

receiving a local presence key at the controller from a remote device;

receiving a request for confirmation of a local presence at the controller from the remote device, the confirmation associated with the local presence key;

receiving confirmation of the local presence at the controller;

receiving a modified parameter value from the remote device;

confirming the identity of the remote device based on a confirmation text string that is created in response to receiving the request for confirmation and the local presence key and on a received confirmation from the remote device, the confirmation based on the confirmation text string; and

storing the modified parameter value in the controller.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein receiving a request for confirmation of the local presence at the controller comprises:

confirming the identity of the remote device from which the request originated; and

activating a local presence flag in the controller.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein confirming the identity of the remote device comprises:

creating a web page that includes the confirmation text string;

storing the confirmation text string in a memory of the controller;

comparing the confirmation text string received by the controller from the remote device, with the confirmation text string stored in the memory of the controller; and

comparing the local presence key received by the controller with the local presence key stored in the memory of the controller.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein receiving the local presence key comprises:

storing the local presence key in a memory of the controller.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein receiving the modified parameter value from the remote device comprises:

comparing the local presence key received by the controller with the local presence key stored in a memory of the controller; and

comparing the modified parameter value received by the controller with pre-determined parameter value limits.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein storing the modified parameter value in the controller comprises replacing a current parameter value stored in the memory of the controller, with the modified parameter value.

7. A method for modifying a parameter value of a railroad signal controller, said method comprising:

creating a session key;

receiving a local presence key at the controller from a web browser;

receiving a request for confirmation of a local presence at the controller from the web browser, the confirmation based on the local presence key;

storing the session key and the local presence key in a memory of the controller;

verifying a local presence at the controller;

receiving a modified parameter value from the web browser;

confirming the identity of a remote user associated with the web browser based on a confirmation text string that is created in response to receiving the request for confirmation and the local presence key and on a received confirmation from the remote device, the confirmation based on the confirmation text string; and

storing the modified parameter value in the memory of the controller.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein verifying the local presence at the controller comprises:

requesting the local presence from the web browser; and

activating a local presence flag in the controller.

9. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein confirming the identity of the web browser comprises:

creating a confirmation web page that includes a the confirmation text string;

storing the confirmation text string in the memory of the controller;

receiving the confirmation text string in a text field of the web page;

receiving the confirmation text string, the local presence key, and the session key from the web browser at the controller;

comparing the confirmation text string received at the controller, with the confirmation text string stored in the memory of the controller;

comparing the local presence key received at the controller with the local presence key stored in the memory of the controller; and

comparing the session key received at the controller with the session key stored in the memory of the controller.

10. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein receiving the modified parameter value from the web browser comprises:

receiving the modified parameter value, the local presence key, and the session key from the web browser;

comparing the local presence key received at the controller with the local presence key stored in the memory of the controller; and

comparing the modified parameter value received at the controller with pre-determined parameter value limits.

11. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein storing the modified parameter value in the controller comprises replacing a current parameter value stored in the memory of the controller, with the modified parameter value.

12. A system for modifying a parameter value of a railroad signal controller, said system comprising:

a controller comprising:

a local presence button;

a memory; and

at least one processor; and

a computer including a web browser, said system configured to:

creating a session key;

receive a local presence key at the controller from the web browser;

receive a request for confirmation of a local presence at the controller from the web browser, the confirmation based on the local presence key and a user activation;

store the session key and the local presence key in a memory of the controller;

verify a local presence at the controller;

receive a modified a parameter value from the web browser based on the received confirmation of the local presence;

confirm the identity of a user associated with the web browser device based on a confirmation text string that is created in response to receiving the request for confirmation and the local presence key and on a received confirmation from the remote device, the confirmation based on the confirmation text string; and

store the modified parameter value in the memory of the controller.

13. A system in accordance with claim 12 , wherein said system is further configured to receive the modified parameter value at the web browser based on:

comparing the local presence key received by the controller with local presence key stored in the memory the controller; and

comparing the modified parameter value received at the controller with pre-determined parameter value limits.