Automatic control system for trains
First Claim
1. A method of controlling the operation of a train that travels on a rail traversing different geographic locations, comprising the steps of:
- (a) storing data reflecting conditions that are characteristic of said different geographic locations;
(b) detecting the current geographic coordinates of the vehicle as the train travels on said path using a satellite based global positioning system;
(c) using said stored data and the current geographic coordinates of the train to determine for each said geographic location if action is necessary for the train to conform with the conditions that are characteristic of the location corresponding to the current geographic coordinates of the train; and
(d) if determined by step (c) that action is necessary, taking action to conform the train with conditions that are characteristic of each said location.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A GPS based system for automatically controlling the travel and other operational functions of a train. The system stores data characteristic of each location long the track such as speed limits, rail crossing locations and station locations. GPS input data provide information as to the current geographic coordinates of the train. If action is necessary such as slowing to conform with speed limits, sounding the horn as a crossing is approached, or announcing the approach to a train station, the system automatically takes the indicated action. Each train transmits its current location to other trains in the vicinity via satellite. An override allows a human operation to intervene and operate the train if necessary.
41 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of controlling the operation of a train that travels on a rail traversing different geographic locations, comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing data reflecting conditions that are characteristic of said different geographic locations;
(b) detecting the current geographic coordinates of the vehicle as the train travels on said path using a satellite based global positioning system;
(c) using said stored data and the current geographic coordinates of the train to determine for each said geographic location if action is necessary for the train to conform with the conditions that are characteristic of the location corresponding to the current geographic coordinates of the train; and
(d) if determined by step (c) that action is necessary, taking action to conform the train with conditions that are characteristic of each said location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of controlling the operation of a train traveling along a track, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing data reflecting conditions that are characteristic of different geographic locations along said track;
(b) using a satellite based global positioning system to detect the current position of the train along said track;
(c) using said data and the current position of the train to determine if the train is in conformity at each of said locations with the conditions characteristic thereof; and
(d) making an adjustment of the train if necessary to bring it into conformity with the conditions characteristics of each of said locations. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a train traveling among different geographic locations, said apparatus comprising:
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means for storing data reflecting conditions that are characteristic of each of said locations;
a receiver for receiving signals from a satellite based global positioning system indicative of the current geographic coordinates of the train; and
a control system responsive to the current geographic coordinates of the train and said data to effect conformity of the train with conditions that are characteristic of each location corresponding to the current geographic coordinates of the train. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification