Method and system for automatically locating end of train devices
First Claim
14. A method for facilitating the location of an end of train unit comprising the steps of:
- detecting a condition indicating that the end of train unit is to go out of service, the end of train unit including an end-of-train marker light;
obtaining location information from the positioning system; and
transmitting a message including the location information upon occurrence of the condition to a device off the train.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An end of train unit includes a positioning system such as a GPS receiver and is configured to transmit a message including the EOT unit'"'"'s location when the EOT unit detects a loss of air pipe pressure and/or it is tipped over and/or a low battery condition is detected. In highly preferred embodiments, the EOT unit periodically re-transmits the message until an acknowledgment message is received. In some embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to create a signal as a substitute for a motion sensor. In other embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to determine the speed of the end of the train. End of train unit tracking is also performed.
-
Citations
62 Claims
-
14. A method for facilitating the location of an end of train unit comprising the steps of:
-
detecting a condition indicating that the end of train unit is to go out of service, the end of train unit including an end-of-train marker light;
obtaining location information from the positioning system; and
transmitting a message including the location information upon occurrence of the condition to a device off the train. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A method for facilitating the tracking of an end of train unit comprising the steps of:
-
monitoring a pressure in an air brake pipe of a train on which the end of train unit is mounted, the end of train unit including an end-of-train marker light;
obtaining a position of the end of train unit from a positioning system; and
transmitting the position to a device located off the train when the pressure falls below a threshold.
-
-
29. A method for facilitating the tracking of an end of train unit comprising the steps of:
-
detecting when the end of train unit has been tilted, the end of train unit including an end-of-train marker light;
obtaining a position of the end of train unit from a positioning system; and
transmitting the position to a device located off the train when the end of train unit has been tilted.
-
-
30. A method for determining when an end of train is in motion comprising the steps of:
-
providing a positioning system on the end of the train, the end of train unit including an end-of-train marker light;
obtaining a plurality of positions from the positioning system;
determining whether the train is in motion based on the plurality of positions; and
transmitting a message indicating whether the train is in motion based on a result of the determining step.
-
-
31. A method for determining a speed of an end a train comprising the steps of:
-
providing a positioning system on the end of the train, the end of train unit including an end-of-train marker light;
obtaining a plurality of positions from the positioning system;
determining a speed of the train based on the plurality of positions; and
transmitting a message including the speed.
-
-
32. A method for facilitating the locating of an end of train unit comprising the steps of:
-
receiving a message originating from a source located off the train at the end of train unit, the end of train unit including an end-of-train marker light; and
transmitting a location of the end of train unit in response to the message. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
-
-
35. A method for facilitating the locating of an end of train unit comprising the steps of:
-
detecting at a head of train unit a message sent by an end of train unit, the message including the end of train unit'"'"'s location, the end of train unit including an end-of-train marker light; and
transmitting the end of train unit'"'"'s location from the head of train unit if no acknowledgment of the message is detected. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
-
-
38. A method for facilitating collection of end of train units comprising the steps of:
-
receiving a message including a location of an end of train unit, the end of train unit including an end-of-train marker light; and
transmitting a first message including the location of the end of train unit to an entity responsible for collecting the end of train device. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
-
-
43. An end of train unit comprising:
-
an end-of-train marker light, a processor;
a transmitter connected to the processor; and
a positioning system connected to the processor;
wherein the processor is configured to perform the steps of obtaining a plurality of positions from the positioning system;
determining whether the train is in motion based on the plurality of positions; and
transmitting a message indicating whether the train is in motion based on a result of the determining step. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45)
-
-
46. An end of train unit comprising:
-
an end-of-train marker light;
a processor;
a transmitter connected to the processor; and
a positioning system connected to the processor;
wherein the processor is configured to perform the steps of obtaining a plurality of positions from the positioning system;
determining a speed of the train based on the plurality of positions; and
transmitting a message including the speed with the transmitter.
-
-
47. An end of train unit comprising:
-
a processor;
a transceiver connected to the processor;
a power supply subsystem connected to the processor;
an end-of-train marker light connected to the power supply subsystem; and
a positioning system connected to the processor;
wherein the processor is configured to perform the steps of receiving a message originating from a source located off the train with the transceiver; and
transmitting a location of the end of train unit in response to the message. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50)
-
-
51. A head of train unit comprising:
-
a processor; and
a first transceiver connected to the processor;
wherein the processor is configured to perform the steps of detecting a message sent by an end of train unit, the end of train unit including an end-of-train marker light, the message including the end of train unit'"'"'s location; and
transmitting the end of train unit'"'"'s location from the head of train unit if no acknowledgment of the message is detected. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55)
-
-
56. An end of train unit tracking device comprising:
-
a processor;
a receiver connected to the processor;
a transmitter connected to the processor; and
a memory connected to the processor;
wherein the processor is configured to perform the steps of receiving a message including a location of an end of train unit, the end of train unit including a end-of-train marker light; and
transmitting a first message including the location of the end of train unit to an entity responsible for collecting the end of train device. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59)
-
-
60. A device for aiding a person in locating an end of train unit, the device comprising:
-
a processor;
a database connected to the processor, the database including map data suitable for displaying a map;
a receiver connected to the processor; and
a display connected to the processor;
wherein the processor is configured to perform the steps of receiving a message including a location of an end of train unit, the end of train unit including a end-of-train marker light; and
displaying a map including an indication as to the location of the end of train unit on the display.
-
-
61-1. The end of train unit of claim 1, wherein the power supply subsystem comprises a battery.
Specification