SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING WAYSIDE SIGNAL DEVICE WITH VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A wayside device interface system comprising:
- a sensor system connected to a wayside device, the sensor system being configured to output sensor data relating to operation of the wayside device as detected by the sensor system, wherein at least a first data set of the sensor data relates to a present operational mode of the wayside signal device;
a control system connected to the sensor system and configured to validate the first data set based on a second data set of the sensor data and/or on sensor verification data relating to operation of the sensor system, the control system further configured to determine the present operational mode of the wayside device based on the validated first data set; and
a communication unit connected to the control system and configured to initiate communication of wayside information relating to the determined present operational mode to a vehicle control system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a transportation system (rail system or otherwise), a wayside device potentially operates in a plurality of operational modes. The wayside device is outfitted with an interface system for interfacing the wayside signal device with a vehicle control system. The interface system determines the present operational mode of the wayside device and independently communicates information relating to the determined present operational mode to the vehicle control system. The vehicle control system may control the vehicle based on the information relating to the determined present operational mode. The interface system includes functionality for validating the determined present operational mode prior to transmission of the information to the vehicle control system, to ensure that the vehicle control system is provided with correct and/or current information. The wayside device may be a wayside signal device whose operational modes (as determined by the interface system) are signal aspects conveyed to a vehicle.
66 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A wayside device interface system comprising:
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a sensor system connected to a wayside device, the sensor system being configured to output sensor data relating to operation of the wayside device as detected by the sensor system, wherein at least a first data set of the sensor data relates to a present operational mode of the wayside signal device; a control system connected to the sensor system and configured to validate the first data set based on a second data set of the sensor data and/or on sensor verification data relating to operation of the sensor system, the control system further configured to determine the present operational mode of the wayside device based on the validated first data set; and a communication unit connected to the control system and configured to initiate communication of wayside information relating to the determined present operational mode to a vehicle control system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A wayside device interface system comprising:
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a sensor system configured for operable connection to a wayside signal device in the field, the sensor system being configured, once operably connected to the wayside signal device, to output sensor data relating to operation of the wayside signal device as detected by the sensor system, wherein the sensor system is at least semi non-invasive to the wayside signal device; a control system configured for operable connection to the sensor system, the control system further configured to validate the sensor data and to determine a present signal indication of the wayside signal device based on the validated sensor data and on signal indication data stored in a memory unit of the control system; and a communication unit configured for operable connection to the control system, wherein the communication unit is further configured to generate a signal indication message for communication of wayside information to a vehicle control system, the signal indication message and wayside information relating to the determined present signal indication; wherein once operably connected to the wayside signal device, the sensor system, control system, and communication unit draw electrical power from the wayside signal device.
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32. A wayside device interface system comprising:
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a sensor system connected to a wayside device, the sensor system being configured to output sensor data relating to operation of the wayside device as detected by the sensor system; a control system connected to the sensor system and configured to validate the sensor data and to determine a present operational mode of the wayside device based on the validated sensor data; and a communication unit connected to the control system and configured to initiate communication of wayside information to a vehicle control system, the wayside information relating to the determined present operational mode of the wayside device.
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33. A method for interfacing a wayside device with a vehicle control system, the method comprising:
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outputting sensor data relating to sensed operation of a wayside device, wherein at least a first data set of the sensor data relates to a present operational mode of the wayside device; validating the first data set based on a second data set of the sensor data and/or on sensor verification data; determining the present operational mode of the wayside device based on the validated first data set; and initiating communication of wayside information relating to the determined present operational mode to a vehicle control system. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification