CROSSING PROXIMITY AND TRAIN-ON-APPROACH NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

• US 20140166820A1
• Filed: 10/09/2013
• Published: 06/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Island Radar Company
• Original Assignee: The Island Radar Company
• Inventors: Hilleary, Thomas N.
• Granted Patent: US 9,193,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 246/125
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 29/246 Signals or brake- or lighting devices mounted on the road vehicle and controlled from the vehicle or train
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 5/206 Signalling means for special purposes

Abstract

A system includes a base station associated with a railroad crossing having a unique identifier and comprising at least one processor to wirelessly transmit a proximity alert, determine that a train is on approach, and wirelessly transmit a train-on-approach notification. The system further includes a receiver comprising at least one processor to wirelessly receive the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification from the base station and to provide at least one of a visual and audible indication responsive to at least one of the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a base station associated with a railroad crossing and comprising at least one processor to wirelessly transmit a proximity alert, determine that a train is on approach, and wirelessly transmit a train-on-approach notification; and

a vehicle receiver comprising at least one processor to wirelessly receive the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification and to generate at least one of a visual and audible indication responsive to at least one of the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein another train-on-approach notification is sent to the base station using a unique identifier, the unique identifier identifying the base station, the other train-on-approach notification indicating that there is a train passing through the railroad crossing or on approach to the railroad crossing.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the base station receives the train-on-approach notification from at least one member of a group consisting of a crossing relay activated by a train-on-approach to the base station in communication with the base station, a positive train control (PTC) database connected to the base station via a network and activated by a train-on-approach to the base station, a railroad dispatch center connected to the base station via a network and activated by a train-on-approach to the base station, and a PTC transmitter onboard a train-on-approach connected to the base station via a network.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the PTC transmitter onboard the train-on-approach sends the train-on-approach message wirelessly to the base station when at least one of the following occurs:

the train-on-approach connects to a wireless network associated with the base station and the train-on-approach is a predetermined distance from the base station.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the railroad dispatch center further comprises a geo-location processor, and a train-on-approach to the base station sends a first latitude, a first longitude, and a current speed to the geo-location processor in the railroad dispatch center, the geo-location processor compares the first latitude and the first longitude with a second latitude and a second longitude associated with the unique identifier to determine a distance between the train-on-approach and the base station, the geo-location processor determines a time until the train-on-approach arrives at the base station using the current speed and the distance between the train-on-approach and the base station, and the geo-location processor in the railroad dispatch center causes the PTC database to forward the train-on-approach notification to the base station.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver enters a quiescent state when the receiver powers on.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the receiver performs a HealthCheck to determine an available battery level when the receiver enters the quiescent state.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the receiver periodically indicates that the receiver is powered on and waiting to receive the proximity alert.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver comes within a predetermined distance from the base station, receives the proximity alert, and enters a proximity state.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the receiver transitions to a quiescent state when the receiver moves outside of the predetermined distance of the base station.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the receiver receives the train-on-approach notification and transitions to a train-on-approach state.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the receiver transitions to a quiescent state when the receiver moves outside of the predetermined distance of the base station.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver further comprises a power supply to derive power from at least one of a coin-cell battery, a solar cell, and an inertial energy harvester.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver further comprises an accelerometer.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the accelerometer activates a power supply to power the receiver on when the accelerometer detects an acceleration greater than a predetermined level.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the accelerometer activates the power supply to power the receiver off when the accelerometer detects an acceleration less than the predetermined level for a predetermined period of time.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver further comprises a display to display information regarding at least one of the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the base station wirelessly transmits the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification in the 2.4 GHz radio spectrum using a first antenna according to 802.15 networking standards.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver wirelessly receives the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification in the 2.4 GHz radio spectrum using a second antenna according to 802.15 networking standards.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the base station further comprises at least one of a positive train control (PTC) wayside message server, a cellular radio, and a modem to receive the train-on-approach notification.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the railroad crossing is one of an active electrified railroad crossing and a passive non-electrified railroad crossing.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver wirelessly transmits at least one of the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification to another receiver.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the base station wirelessly transmits the proximity alert with a first checksum and the train-on-approach notification with a second checksum, the receiver wirelessly receives the proximity alert with the first checksum and the train-on-approach notification with the second checksum, and the receiver validates the proximity alert using the first checksum and the train-on-approach notification using the second checksum.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is one of a group consisting of adhered to a windshield of the vehicle, mounted in a dashboard of the vehicle, and within a rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle.

25. A system, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor to;

perform low power radio listening to receive a proximity alert encoded in a first message;

wirelessly receive the proximity alert encoded in the first message from a base station;

wirelessly receive a train-on-approach notification encoded in a second message from the base station;

display information responsive to the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification; and

provide audible information responsive to the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification.

26. The system of claim 25, the at least one processor further to:

detect an acceleration greater than a predetermined level by an accelerometer and activate a motion switch to derive electrical power from a power supply and perform a HealthCheck to determine a battery level;

perform low power radio listening to receive the proximity alert encoded in the first message;

perform low power radio listening to receive the train-on-approach notification encoded in the second message;

receive acceleration by the accelerometer that is less than the level of acceleration for a predetermined period of time; and

send a notification to deactivate the power switch and discontinue deriving the electrical power from the power supply responsive to the acceleration that is less than the level of acceleration for the predetermined period of time.

27. A system, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor to;

receive electrical power from a power supply deriving power from at least one member of a group consisting of a battery, a solar cell, and a commercial power station;

wirelessly transmit a proximity alert in the 2.4 GHz radio spectrum using a transceiver;

receive a train-on-approach message from at least one member of a group consisting of a railroad crossing relay, a positive train control (PTC) database, a railroad dispatch center, and a PTC transmitter onboard a train-on-approach; and

wirelessly transmit a train-on-approach notification in the 2.4 GHz radio spectrum responsive to the train-on-approach message.

28. A system, comprising:

a base station transceiver having at least one processor to transmit at least one of a proximity alert and a train-on-approach notification; and

a receiver having at least one processor to receive the at least one of the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification and to generate at least one member of a group consisting of a proximity alert and a train-on-approach notification.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the receiver produces a first warning for the proximity alert and the receiver produces a second warning for the train-on-approach notification.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the proximity alert comprises a visual representation of at least one of a railroad crossing and a railroad crossing sign.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the train-on-approach notification comprises a visual representation of a railroad crossing sign with alternating periodic flashing red indicators.

32. The system of claim 28, wherein the proximity alert comprises an audible representation of railroad crossing bells.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein the train-on-approach notification comprises an audible representation of a train horn.

34. A method, comprising:

entering, by at least one processor, a quiescent state;

low power listening, by the at least one processor, for an alert from a base station;

receiving, by the at least one processor, a proximity alert from the base station;

entering, by the at least one processor, a proximity state responsive to the proximity alert from the base station;

providing, by the at least one processor, at least one of visual and audible information responsive to the proximity state;

receiving, by the at least one processor, a train-on-approach notification from the base station;

entering, by the at least one processor, a train-on-approach state responsive to the train-on-approach notification from the base station; and

providing, by the at least one processor, at least one of visual and audible information responsive to the train-on-approach state.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

receiving, by the least one processor, a level of acceleration;

providing, by the at least one processor, electrical power by a power supply responsive to the level of acceleration; and

receiving, by the at least one processor, acceleration that is less than the level of acceleration for a predetermined period of time; and

sending, by the at least one processor, a notification to discontinue providing the electrical power by the power supply responsive to the acceleration that is less than the level of acceleration for the predetermined period of time.

36. A method, comprising:

receiving, by at least one processor in a receiver, a level of acceleration;

providing, by the at least one processor, electrical power to a power supply responsive to the level of acceleration;

entering, by the at least one processor, a quiescent state;

low power radio listening, by the at least one processor, for a proximity alert from a base station;

receiving, by the at least one processor, a proximity alert from the base station;

entering, by the at least one processor, a proximity state responsive to the proximity alert from the base station;

providing, by the at least one processor, at least one of visual and audible information responsive to the proximity state;

receiving, by the at least one processor, acceleration that is less than the level of acceleration for a predetermined period of time; and

sending, by the at least one processor, a notification to discontinue providing the electrical power by the power supply responsive to the acceleration that is less than the level of acceleration for the predetermined period of time.

37. A method, comprising:

wirelessly transmitting, by at least one first processor, a proximity alert, determining that a train is on approach, and wirelessly transmitting a train-on-approach notification; and

wirelessly receiving, by at least one second processor, the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification, and providing at least one of a visual and audible indication responsive to at least one of the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the train-on-approach notification is sent to the at least one first processor indicating that there is a train passing through a railroad crossing or on approach to the railroad crossing.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising receiving, by the at least one first processor, the train-on-approach notification from at least one member of a group consisting of a crossing relay activated by a train-on-approach to the railroad crossing in communication with the at least one first processor, a positive train control (PTC) database connected to the at least one first processor via a network and activated by a train-on-approach to the railroad crossing, a railroad dispatch center connected to the at least one first processor via a network and activated by a train-on-approach to the railroad crossing, and a PTC transmitter onboard a train-on-approach connected to the at least one first processor via a network.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising, sending, by the PTC transmitter onboard the train-on-approach, the train-on-approach notification wirelessly to the at least one first processor when at least one of the following occurs:

the train-on-approach connects to a wireless network associated with the at least one first processor and the train-on-approach is a predetermined distance from the railroad crossing.

41. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

receiving a first latitude, a first longitude, and a current speed associated with the train-on-approach in a geo-location processor in the railroad dispatch center;

comparing the first latitude and the first longitude with a second latitude and a second longitude associated with the railroad crossing to determine a distance between the train-on-approach and the railroad crossing;

determining a time until the train-on-approach arrives at the railroad crossing using the current speed and the distance between the train-on-approach and the railroad crossing; and

forwarding the train-on-approach notification to the at least one first processor.

42. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

activating a power supply to power the at least one second processor when an accelerometer detects an acceleration greater than a predetermined level.

43. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

activating a power supply to discontinue power to the at least one second processor when an accelerometer detects an acceleration less than a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time.