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Microprocessor controlled railway car accounting and communication system

  • US 5,815,823 A
  • Filed: 12/23/1996
  • Issued: 09/29/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for enabling a controlling information processing unit to communicate individually with a plurality of subordinate information processing units disposed sequentially along and connected to a pair of primary electrical conduction paths, said apparatus enabling said controlling information processing unit to assign and transmit a unique address to said subordinate information processing unit, said apparatus comprising:

  • (a) an information communication channel connecting said controlling information processing unit to said subordinate information processing units;

    (b) said controlling information processing unit having a controlling information processing unit signal output means connected to said information communication channel for placing signals from such controlling information processing unit onto said information communication channel;

    (c) each of said subordinate information processing units having a subordinate information processing unit signal input means connected to said information communication channel for receiving signals from said information communication channel into said subordinate information processing unit;

    (d) an electrical current generator connected to said pair of primary electrical conduction paths, said electrical current generator controlled by said controlling information processing unit for placing a primary electric current on a first one of said pair of primary electrical conduction paths, while receiving a primary return current on a second one of such pair of primary electrical conduction paths;

    (e) a plurality of shunt electrical conduction paths, each connected to a subordinate information processing unit and to said pair of primary electrical conduction paths, each of said shunt electrical conduction paths for conveying a shunt electrical current from said first one of such pair of primary electrical conduction paths to said second one of said such primary electrical conduction paths, each of said shunt electrical conduction paths including a switch in series with an electrical current measuring means, said electrical current measuring means providing a measurement of said shunt electrical current to said subordinate information processing unit, said switch having an open position and a closed position, said switch controlled by said subordinate information processing unit;

    (f) comparison means disposed in each subordinate information processing unit for comparing said value of said shunt electrical current with a predetermined shunt current value, and for generating a first signal indicating that said shunt electrical current exceeds said predetermined shunt current value, said predetermined shunt current value having such magnitude that only one of said shunt electrical currents exceeds said predetermined shunt current value, said only one of said shunt electrical current values being for one of said shunt electrical conduction paths having said switch closed, and being closer along said primary electrical conduction paths to said electrical current generator than any other shunt electrical conduction path having a closed switch;

    (g) address sending means disposed within said controlling information processing unit to create a unique address for said subordinate information processing unit, and to place a second signal indicative of said unique address on said information communication channel through said controlling information processing unit signal output means;

    (h) address receiving means disposed within said subordinate information processing unit to receive said second signal through said subordinate information processing unit signal receiving means, and in response to said first signal to recognize said second signal as indicative of its own individual address, to place said second signal in an information retaining means in said subordinate information processing unit, and to open said switch connected to said subordinate information processing unit and;

    (i) means for said address sending means to determine a time when said switch connected to said subordinate information processing unit has been opened, and to send said second signal for a next one of such subordinate information processing units after said switch has been opened;

    whereby said apparatus provides for placement of a unique address in said information retaining means in each of said subordinate information processing units so that such controlling information processing unit can individually address and communicate with any of said subordinate information processing units.

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