RAILROAD CROSSING
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating a railway crossing including the steps of:
- receiving a signal from a locomotive;
determining whether said crossing is obstructed; and
communicating whether said crossing is obstructed to said locomotive.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of operating a railway crossing including the steps of receiving a signal from a locomotive; and activating crossing warning devices and/or downroad warning and in-vehicle alert devices.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of operating a railway crossing including the steps of:
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receiving a signal from a locomotive; determining whether said crossing is obstructed; and communicating whether said crossing is obstructed to said locomotive. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of managing the approach of a locomotive to a crossing including the steps of:
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sending a signal from said locomotive to said crossing; and if unable to initiate communications between said locomotive and said crossing taking predetermined steps to control the approach of said locomotive to said crossing. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A rail crossing safety system including
a communications means adapted to send and receive signals to a locomotive; -
a video capture means to capture images of said crossing; and a processor to determine if said crossing is obstructed; and wherein said system communicates to said locomotive whether said crossing is obstructed. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for detecting the approach of vehicles on a road including:
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a first pair of posts located on opposite sides of said road; and
a second pair of posts located on opposite sides of said road;
said first pair of posts and said second pair of posts forming the corners of a quadrilateral;
wherein a first beam is transmitted between said first pair of posts, and a second beam is transmitted between said second pair of posts; anda processor for detecting if said first beam is broken, and whether said second beam is broken indicating the passing of a vehicle between said first and second pair of posts. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for detecting the approach of vehicles on a road including the steps of:
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transmitting a first beam between a first pair of posts located on opposite sides of a road, and transmitting a second beam between a second pair of posts located on opposite sides of a road, wherein said first pair of posts and said second pair of posts form the corners of a quadrilateral; and detecting if said first beam is broken, and whether said second beam is broken thereby indicating the passing of a vehicle between said first and second pair of posts. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A rail crossing safety system including
a first module located on a locomotive, said first module including a first communication means; - and
a second module located at a crossing, said second module including a second communications means adapted to send and receive signals from said first communication means; a video capture means to capture images of said crossing; and a processor to determine if said crossing is obstructed; and wherein said second module communicates to said first module whether said crossing is obstructed.
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22. A method of operating a railway crossing including the steps of:
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receiving a signal from a locomotive; and activating crossing warning devices and/or downroad warning devices. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of managing the approach of a locomotive to a crossing including the steps of:
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sending a signal from said locomotive to said crossing; and if unable to initiate communications between said locomotive and said crossing alerting a driver of said locomotive.
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27. A rail crossing safety system including
a communications means adapted to send and receive signals to a locomotive; - and
at least one safety device; wherein said system activates said at least one safety device following receipt of a signal from said locomotive. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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31. A rail crossing protection system and method for a railroad crossing, said rail crossing protection system and method including:
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at least one train on at least one train line, wherein said at least one train approaching a railroad crossing activates said rail crossing protection system; said at least one train including; i) a data server for storing train information and generating periodic messages; ii) a communication means for transmitting said train information and periodic messages to said rail crossing protection system; iii) a receiving means for receiving railroad crossing information from said rail crossing protection system; and iv) a location determining means which recognises the location of the train with respect to a railroad crossing; said rail crossing protection system including; i) a power source; ii) a controller for receiving said periodic messages from said train to activate said rail crossing protection system; and a means for providing an indication of crossing condition to said train approaching the railroad crossing.
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Specification