Vehicle navigation, collision avoidance and control system
First Claim
1. A computer controlled train collision avoidance and warning system;
- the system comprising;
at least one satellite in communication with at least one Global Positioning System device providing a first communication link between the at least one satellite to determine a location of at least a first train;
a second communications link allowing communications between at least one fixed station and at least a first said train;
wherein said second communications link provides continual communications between said at least one fixed station and at least one of a potentially unlimited number of other trains;
wherein, said first communications link provides a location of any one said trains and said second communications link provides a location of one train relative to at least one other train via processing means in each said at least one train;
wherein, each said fixed stations are located at a known position on a rail track and at a predetermined distance from each other;
wherein, each said fixed station includes a transponder which emits a range signal to said processing means in each train for track identification; and
wherein each fixed transponder station further emits correction signals for correcting errors in Global Positioning System signals from said first communications link to enable determination of exact track separation of trains on a track network allowing for respective train lengths and track curvature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A collision warning and avoidance system which comprising an integrated on-board Train Navigation Unit (3) and a GPS Interface Subsystem to locate a train. The system includes a GPS (2) location signal, at least one fixed transponder station (31) and a calibrated, rectified transponder identification subsystem for scanning the track based transponders for override of train controls in the event of a collision risk and further comprising a database of all transponders, their location and the track ID on which they are located. Data and information are computer processed and analysed in neural networks in one train to identify, rank, and evaluate collision hazards.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A computer controlled train collision avoidance and warning system;
- the system comprising;
at least one satellite in communication with at least one Global Positioning System device providing a first communication link between the at least one satellite to determine a location of at least a first train;
a second communications link allowing communications between at least one fixed station and at least a first said train;
wherein said second communications link provides continual communications between said at least one fixed station and at least one of a potentially unlimited number of other trains;
wherein, said first communications link provides a location of any one said trains and said second communications link provides a location of one train relative to at least one other train via processing means in each said at least one train;
wherein, each said fixed stations are located at a known position on a rail track and at a predetermined distance from each other;
wherein, each said fixed station includes a transponder which emits a range signal to said processing means in each train for track identification; and
wherein each fixed transponder station further emits correction signals for correcting errors in Global Positioning System signals from said first communications link to enable determination of exact track separation of trains on a track network allowing for respective train lengths and track curvature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- the system comprising;
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22. A computer controlled train collision avoidance and warning system;
- the system comprising;
at least one satellite in communication with at least one Global Positioning System device providing a first communication link between the at least one satellite to determine a location of at least a first train;
a second communications link allowing communications between at least one fixed station and at least a first said train;
wherein said second communications link provides continual communications between said at least one fixed transponder station and at least one of a potentially unlimited number of other trains;
wherein, said first communications link provides a location of any one said trains and said second communications link provides a location of one train relative to at least one other train via processing means in each said at least one train;
wherein said second communications link provides continual communications between said at least one fixed transponder station and at least one of a potentially unlimited number of other trains;
wherein, said first communications link provides a location of any one said trains and said second communications link allows determination of a location of one train relative to at least one other train; and
wherein each fixed transponder station further emits correction signals for correcting errors in Global Positioning System signals from said first communications link to enable determination of exact track separation of trains on a track network, allowing for respective train lengths and track curvature. wherein the system further comprises;
a signal input, a detection signal analysis means;
a data source; and
a logic associative memory in communication with a control signal generator, wherein said control signal generator is capable of emitting a signal responsive to input data to override train controls to effect braking in the event of a collision risk. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
- the system comprising;
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25. A method of preventing train collisions comprising;
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a computer controlled train collision avoidance and warning system;
the system comprising;
at least one satellite in communication with at least one Global Positioning System device providing a first communication link between the at least one satellite to determine a location of at least a first train;
a second communications link allowing communications between at least one fixed station and at least a first said train;
wherein said second communications link provides continual communications between said at least one fixed station and at least one of a potentially unlimited number of other trains;
wherein, said first communications link provides a location of any one said trains and said second communications link provides a location of one train relative to at least one other train via processing means in each said at least one train;
and wherein each fixed transponder station further emits correction signals for correcting errors in Global Positioning System signals from said first communications link to enable determination of exact track separation of trains on a track network allowing for respective train lengths and track curvature. the method comprising the steps of;
a) using the first communication link to provide a location of a first train;
b) activating a Global Positioning System radio system including a Global Positioning System interface and a communication subsystem;
c) placing train track identification means at predetermined track locations to provide signals of track identification to vehicles;
d) receiving input data relating to train operation and environment parameters;
e) analyzing said data via a logic associative memory to determine a collision risk between at least two trains;
f) activating an override signal responsive to a collision risk in the event that one train is on a collision course with another train;
g) locating at each said fixed station, transponders on the train track at a known position and at a predetermined distance from each other;
h) allowing each transponder to emit a range signal for track identification; and
i) allowing the fixed station to emits correction signals for correcting errors in Global Positioning System ranging signals from said first communications link. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35)
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33. A method for operating a collision warning and avoidance system comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a network of satellites capable of continuous communications via a first communications link with one or more of a plurality of trains;
b) ranging signals for initially accurately determining a train position on a rail track, c) receiving continuously a signal at each said train via a second communication link from one of a plurality of transponder stations having a known fixed position on the surface of the track;
d) allowing each fixed transponder station to further emit correction signals for correcting errors in Global Positioning System signals from said first communications link to enable determination of exact track separation of trains on a track network allowing for respective train lengths and track curvature; and
e) determining in a logic associative memory a response which generates control signals, that actuate an override control mechanism, that influences train controls to stop the trains short of a collision in the event of a detected collision risk.
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36. A method of preventing train collisions comprising;
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a computer controlled collision avoidance and warning system;
the system comprising;
at least one satellite in communication with at least one Global Positioning System device providing a first communication link between the at least one satellite to determine a location of at least a first train;
a second communications link allowing communications between at least one fixed transponder station and at least a first said train;
wherein said second communications link provides continual communications between said at least one fixed transponder station and at least one of a potentially unlimited number of other trains;
wherein, said first communications link provides a location of any one said trains and said second communications link provides a location of one train relative to at least one other train via processing means in each said at least one train;
and wherein each fixed transponder station further emits correction signals for correcting errors in Global Positioning System signals from said first communications link to enable determination of exact track separation of trains on a track network allowing for respective train lengths and track curvature;
the method comprising the steps of;
a) activating a Global Positioning System radio system including a Global Positioning System interface and a communication subsystem;
b) using the first communication link to provide a location of each one of a plurality of trains;
c) placing track identification means at predetermined track locations to provide signals of track identification to vehicles;
d) receiving at a main control unit input data relating to train operation and environment parameters e) analyzing said data via a logic associative memory to determine a collision risk between at least two trains; and
f) activating an override signal responsive to a collision risk in the event that one train is on a collision course with another train.
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Specification