Method and system for ensuring that a train operator remains alert during operation of the train
First Claim
1. A method for promoting operator awareness during operation of a train comprising the steps of:
- determining when a train is near a wayside signal device;
prompting an operator to enter a signal displayed on the wayside signal device;
accepting a signal from the operator;
taking corrective action if no signal is entered by the operator or if a signal entered by the operator is not a valid signal; and
allowing the train to proceed without taking corrective action if the train is operated in compliance with the signal entered by the operator.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A train control system requires a train operator to enter signal aspect information at each wayside signal position on a railroad and stops the train if the operator fails to enter aspect information without communicating with the wayside signal device to verify that the information entered by the operator is correct. In some embodiments, the signal aspect information is entered by pressing a button corresponding to the signal aspect information, and the location and/or arrangement of the buttons changes. Alternatively, the operator must repeat a varying sequence (such as a series of button pushes) in conjunction with and/or in addition to entering signal aspect information.
-
Citations
45 Claims
-
1. A method for promoting operator awareness during operation of a train comprising the steps of:
-
determining when a train is near a wayside signal device;
prompting an operator to enter a signal displayed on the wayside signal device;
accepting a signal from the operator;
taking corrective action if no signal is entered by the operator or if a signal entered by the operator is not a valid signal; and
allowing the train to proceed without taking corrective action if the train is operated in compliance with the signal entered by the operator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A train control system comprising:
-
a controller located on a train;
an input device connected to the controller, the input device being configured to accept a signal from an operator of the train and to provide the signal to the controller;
a track database connected to the controller, the track database including a location of at least one wayside signal device; and
a positioning system in communication with the controller, the positioning system being located on the train and being configured to provide a position of the train to the controller;
wherein the controller is configured to perform the steps of;
determining when a train is near the at least one wayside signal device based on a position of the train received from the positioning system and a location of the device received from the track database;
prompting an operator to enter a signal displayed on the at least one wayside signal device;
accepting a signal from the operator;
taking corrective action if no signal is entered by the operator or if the signal entered by the operator is not a valid signal; and
allowing the train to proceed if possible to do so in compliance with the signal accepted from the operator without communicating with the wayside signal device to determine if the signal accepted from the operator matches the signal displayed on the at least one wayside signal device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
-
32. A method for promoting train operator alertness comprising the steps of:
-
prompting an operator to enter a first signal corresponding to a wayside signal device;
accepting the first signal on an input device from the operator, the input device including a plurality of buttons for entry of the signal; and
rearranging the buttons. - View Dependent Claims (33)
-
-
34. A method for promoting train operator alertness comprising the steps of:
-
prompting an operator to repeat a sequence, accepting a sequence from the operator, comparing the sequence from the operator to the sequence of the prompting step, and taking corrective action if the sequence from the operator does not match the sequence of the prompting step. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
-
-
40. A train control system comprising:
-
a controller located on a train;
an input device connected to the controller, the input device being configured to accept a signal from an operator of the train and to provide the signal to the controller, the signal being entered by the operator using one of more of a plurality of buttons;
a track database connected to the controller, the track database including a plurality of locations, each of the locations corresponding to one of a plurality of wayside signal devices; and
a positioning system in communication with the controller, the positioning system being located on the train and being configured to provide a position of the train to the controller;
a receiver connected to the controller, the receiver being configured to receive a signals from the wayside signal device;
wherein the controller is configured to perform the steps of;
determining when a train is near a wayside signal device based on a position of the train received from the positioning system and a location of the device received from the track database;
prompting an operator to enter a signal displayed on the wayside signal device;
receiving a first signal from the operator via the input device;
receiving a second signal from the wayside signal device via the receiver;
taking corrective action if the first signal does not match the second signal or if the train is not operated in compliance with the second signal; and
rearranging the buttons after the first signal is received. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
-
-
45. A train control system comprising:
-
a controller located on a train;
an input device connected to the controller, the input device being configured to accept a signal from an operator of the train and to provide the signal to the controller;
a track database connected to the controller, the track database including a plurality of locations, each of the locations corresponding to one of a plurality of wayside signal devices; and
a positioning system in communication with the controller, the positioning system being located on the train and being configured to provide a position of the train to the controller;
a receiver connected to the controller, the receiver being configured to receive a signal from the wayside signal device;
wherein the controller is configured to perform the steps of;
determining when a train is near a wayside signal device based on a position of the train received from the positioning system and a location of the device received from the track database;
prompting an operator to repeat a sequence when the train is near the wayside signal device;
accepting a sequence from the operator via the input device;
taking corrective action if the sequence from the operator is incorrect;
prompting an operator to enter a signal displayed on the wayside signal device;
receiving a first signal from the operator via the input device;
receiving a second signal from the wayside signal device via the receiver; and
taking corrective action if the first signal does not match the second signal.
-
Specification