SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROVIDE COMMUNICATION-BASED TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM CAPABILITIES

• US 20100131129A1
• Filed: 11/26/2008
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alstom Holdings (Alstom SA)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Baker, Jeffrey, Danner, Phillip, Rose, Gerald Douglas, Stull, Craig, Otsubo, Tom, Hann, Gregory, Daum, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 8,224,510 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

A portable computer system and method of operating a vehicle using the portable computer system in a communication-based train control (CBTC) system territory is provided. The portable computer system includes a sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the CBTC system, wherein the portable computer system configured to be removably coupled to the vehicle. The method includes verifying that the vehicle is operating with one of a non-operational CBTC computer system and a non-CBTC computer system, and removably coupling a portable computer system including at least one sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the sensor to the vehicle such that the transceiver is coupled in communication with the CBTC system.

Claims

1. A method of operating a vehicle in a communication-based train control (CBTC) system territory, said method comprising:

verifying that the vehicle is operating with one of a non-operational CBTC computer system and a non-CBTC computer system; and

removably coupling a portable computer system including at least one sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the sensor to the vehicle such that the transceiver is coupled in communication with the CBTC system.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein removably coupling a portable computer system further comprises removably coupling a portable computer system to an exterior portion of the vehicle.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein removably coupling a portable computer system further comprises magnetically coupling a portable computer system to the vehicle.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein removably coupling a portable computer system further comprises removably coupling a display screen to an interior portion of the vehicle, the display screen configured to display information that facilitates controlling the vehicle.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein removably coupling a portable computer system further comprises removably coupling an accelerometer to an exterior portion of the vehicle.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein removably coupling a portable computer system further comprises removably coupling a positioning system to an exterior portion of the vehicle.

7. A portable computer system for use with a vehicle operating in a communication-based train control (CBTC) system territory, said portable computer system comprising:

a sensor; and

a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to said sensor and to said CBTC system, said portable computer system configured to be removably coupled to the vehicle.

8. A portable computer system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said portable computer system is configured to be removably coupled to an exterior portion of said vehicle.

9. A portable computer system in accordance with claim 7 further comprising a magnet that is configured to removably couple said portable computer system to an exterior portion of said vehicle.

10. A portable computer system in accordance with claim 7 further comprising a display screen that is removably coupled to an interior portion of said vehicle, said display screen configured to display information that facilitates controlling the vehicle.

11. A portable computer system in accordance with claim 7 further comprising an accelerometer that is removably coupled to an exterior portion of said vehicle.

12. A portable computer system in accordance with claim 7 further comprising a positioning system that is removably coupled to an exterior portion of said vehicle.

13. A portable computer system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said sensor is configured to determine at least one of whether a railcar has separated from said vehicle, an air pressure in a brake line, and whether equipment is dragging from said vehicle.

14. A communication-based train control (CBTC) system comprising:

a vehicle; and

a portable computer system that comprises a sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to said sensor and to said CBTC system, said portable computer system configured to be removably coupled to the vehicle.

15. A communication-based train control system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said portable computer system is configured to be removably coupled to an exterior portion of said vehicle.

16. A communication-based train control system in accordance with claim 14 further comprising a magnet that is configured to removably couple said portable computer system to an exterior portion of said vehicle.

17. A communication-based train control system in accordance with claim 14 further comprising a display screen that is removably coupled to an interior portion of said vehicle, said display screen configured to display information that facilitates controlling the vehicle.

18. A communication-based train control system in accordance with claim 14 further comprising an accelerometer that is removably coupled to an exterior portion of said vehicle.

19. A communication-based train control system in accordance with claim 14 further comprising a positioning system that is removably coupled to an exterior portion of said vehicle.

20. A communication-based train control system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said sensor is configured to determine at least one of whether a railcar has separated from said vehicle, an air pressure in a brake line, and whether equipment is dragging from said vehicle.