Apparatus and method for locating assets within a rail yard
First Claim
1. A method for tracking assets within a rail yard, comprising:
- creating a track layout database for the rail yard, the track layout database providing a map of rail tracks and switches within the rail yard, wherein the track layout database includes machine readable data identifying discrete locations of the rail tracks and switches of the rail yard, each discrete location corresponding to a geographical position of a portion of a rail track or switch;
associating rail yard processing steps with portions of the track layout database;
receiving a geographical position signal corresponding to a location of an asset within the rail yard;
comparing the geographical position signal to the machine readable data of the track layout database in order to identify the location of the asset within the map; and
displaying the map with a graphical presentation of the location of the asset and an indication as to the rail yard processing steps conducted on the track occupied by the asset, wherein the geographical position signal is received within a time period to allow the graphical presentation to be used in a management decision corresponding to the asset.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for tracking assets within a rail yard, the method comprising: creating a track layout database for the rail yard, the track layout database providing a map of rail tracks and switches within the rail yard, wherein the track layout database includes machine readable data identifying discrete locations of the rail tracks and switches of the rail yard, each discrete location corresponding to a geographical position of a portion of a rail track or switch; associating rail yard processing steps with portions of the track layout database; receiving a geographical position signal corresponding to an asset within the rail yard; comparing the geographical position signal to the machine readable data of the track layout database in order to identify the location of the asset within the map; and presenting a graphical representation of the location of the asset on the map along with the yard process steps associated with the track section occupied by the asset, wherein the geographical position signal is received within a time period to allow the graphical presentation to be used in a management decision corresponding to the asset.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for tracking assets within a rail yard, comprising:
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creating a track layout database for the rail yard, the track layout database providing a map of rail tracks and switches within the rail yard, wherein the track layout database includes machine readable data identifying discrete locations of the rail tracks and switches of the rail yard, each discrete location corresponding to a geographical position of a portion of a rail track or switch;
associating rail yard processing steps with portions of the track layout database;
receiving a geographical position signal corresponding to a location of an asset within the rail yard;
comparing the geographical position signal to the machine readable data of the track layout database in order to identify the location of the asset within the map; and
displaying the map with a graphical presentation of the location of the asset and an indication as to the rail yard processing steps conducted on the track occupied by the asset, wherein the geographical position signal is received within a time period to allow the graphical presentation to be used in a management decision corresponding to the asset. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for tracking assets within a rail yard, the system comprising:
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a track layout database for the rail yard, the track layout database providing a map of rail tracks and switches within the rail yard, wherein the track layout database includes machine readable data identifying discrete locations of the rail tracks and switches of the rail yard, each discrete location corresponding to a geographical position of a portion of a rail track or switch;
a plurality of positioning devices configured to generate geographical position signals corresponding to locations of a plurality of assets within the rail yard; and
a computer system, configured to receive and compare the geographical position signals to the machine readable data of the track layout database in order to identify the location of the plurality of assets within the map and present a graphical presentation of the location of the plurality of assets and the rail yard process tasks performed at the track location occupied by the asset on the map. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification