Train control system integrating dynamic and fixed data
First Claim
1. In a system for controlling the movement of a train along a railroad track, the combination comprising:
- means for continuously transmitting in an uninterrupted fashion, unsolicited dynamic data concerning track availability and routing, said dynamic data defining a cab signal aspect;
a plurality of localized transmitting units spaced along said track at preselected locations and each having means for transmitting fixed data appropriate to the respective location including a timetable speed limit to be observed by a train; and
data processing means adapted to be carried by a train for continuously receiving said dynamic data, intermittently receiving said fixed data as the train successively passes said locations, and continuously integrating the fixed data with the continuously received dynamic data and determining train control instructions therefrom, such that the timetable speed limit of said fixed data is observed if more restrictive than the received cab signal aspect of said dynamic data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A train control system employs beacon transponders along the track to transmit fixed data to a passing train in addition to dynamic data relating to track availability and routing provided by encoded cab signals transmitted in the track. The fixed data includes the location of block boundaries and distances to such boundaries, timetable speed limits, and the distance to a point along the track at which a speed restriction is in effect. This data and other fixed information is integrated with the dynamic data in an on-board computer which determines train control instructions from the received data and displays the instructions to the train crew. The system is capable of enforcing any restrictive instructions that are not obeyed.
113 Citations
21 Claims
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1. In a system for controlling the movement of a train along a railroad track, the combination comprising:
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means for continuously transmitting in an uninterrupted fashion, unsolicited dynamic data concerning track availability and routing, said dynamic data defining a cab signal aspect; a plurality of localized transmitting units spaced along said track at preselected locations and each having means for transmitting fixed data appropriate to the respective location including a timetable speed limit to be observed by a train; and data processing means adapted to be carried by a train for continuously receiving said dynamic data, intermittently receiving said fixed data as the train successively passes said locations, and continuously integrating the fixed data with the continuously received dynamic data and determining train control instructions therefrom, such that the timetable speed limit of said fixed data is observed if more restrictive than the received cab signal aspect of said dynamic data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of controlling the movement of a train along a railroad track comprising the steps of:
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continuously transmitting to a drain in an uninterrupted fashion, unsolicited dynamic data bearing information concerning track availability and routing, said dynamic data defining a cab signal aspect; positioning a plurality of localized transmitting units along said track at preselected locations; as the train successively passes said locations, transmitting from each of said units fixed data appropriate to the respective location including a timetable speed limit to be observed by the train and information defining a point along the track at which a speed restriction is in effect; receiving said dynamic and fixed data on board the train; and continuously integrating the fixed data with the continuously received dynamic data and determining therefrom train control instructions to be followed, such that the timetable speed limit of said fixed data is observed if more restrictive than the received cab signal aspect of said dynamic data. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. Control apparatus carried by a railroad train comprising:
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means for continuously receiving in an uninterrupted fashion, unsolicited dynamic data concerning track availability and routing, said dynamic data defining a cab signal aspect; means for receiving fixed data appropriate to a preselected location along said track as the train passes each of a plurality of said locations, said fixed data including a timetable speed limit to be observed; data receiving and processing means responsive to said dynamic and fixed data and the speed and direction of movement of the train for continuously integrating the fixed data with the dynamic data and determining train control instructions therefrom, such that the timetable speed limit of said fixed data is observed if more restrictive than the received cab signal aspect of said dynamic data; and means responsive to said instructions for displaying the same to a train crew and enforcing any restrictive instructions that are not obeyed. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification