Lifting restrictive signaling in a block
First Claim
1. A system for controlling a train, the system comprising:
- a control unit; and
a receiver, the receiver being located on the train and being in communication with the control unit;
wherein the control unit is configured to perform the steps of receiving signal information for a next block via the receiver;
determining whether the signal information for a current block is modifiable;
determining whether the signal information for the next block is less restrictive than the signal information for the current block; and
changing the signal information for the current block to a less restrictive signal if the signal information for the current block is modifiable and the signal information for the next block is not more restrictive than the signal information for the current block.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A train control system and method uses signal information from a next block to change a restrictive signal in a block currently occupied by the train to a less restrictive signal if it can be ascertained that the condition causing the more restrictive signal has changed. This may be accomplished by receiving signal information from the next block while still in the current block and, if the signal information from the next block is no more restrictive than the signal information in the current block, and the signal in the current block is of a type that can safely be modified, allowing the train to operate as if the signal information for the current block were less restrictive than the actual, previously received signal information for the current block.
48 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for controlling a train, the system comprising:
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a control unit; and
a receiver, the receiver being located on the train and being in communication with the control unit;
wherein the control unit is configured to perform the steps of receiving signal information for a next block via the receiver;
determining whether the signal information for a current block is modifiable;
determining whether the signal information for the next block is less restrictive than the signal information for the current block; and
changing the signal information for the current block to a less restrictive signal if the signal information for the current block is modifiable and the signal information for the next block is not more restrictive than the signal information for the current block. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for controlling a train comprising the steps of:
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receiving signal information for a next block;
determining whether the signal information for the next block is less restrictive than the signal information for a current block;
determining whether the signal information for the current block is modifiable; and
allowing the train to proceed in the current block as if the signal information for the current block were less restrictive than actual signal information for the current block if the signal information for the current block is modifiable and if the signal information for the next block is not more restrictive than the signal information for the current block. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification