Wayside communications safety system

• US 5,963,631 A
• Filed: 07/15/1997
• Issued: 10/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BV (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Fazio, Alfred E., Hall, Charles S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Harry S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TIEU, BENNY QUOC
• Application Number:
  US08/893,178
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 379/202, 379/186, 379/187, 379/201, 379/205, 379/216, 379/217, 379/233, 379/37-38, 379/45-51, 246/7, 455/404, 455/517, 340/531, 340/532, 340/533, 340/539
• US Class Current: 379/202.01
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 1/00 Devices along the route controlled by interaction with the vehicle or train detonators B61L5/20; operation of points or signals by passage of the vehicle B61L11/00, B61L13/00; operation of gates, or gates and signals, by approaching vehicle B61L29/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6775 by providing access to preprogrammed keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A wayside communications safety station is used along rail lines by passengers in distress or crew members, for routine communications among maintenance personnel, and for communications among emergency services personnel. The system comprises a telephone, connectable to a telephone line, to initiate and receive telephone service, and a plurality of manually actuable switches connected to the telephone to initiate a direct dial telephonic signal. At least one voice powered system jack is connectable through the safety station to a voice-powered communications system. A further manually actuable switch is connectable to a direct current traction power control circuit adapted to supply electrical energy to a train, to selectively actuate the control circuit. A safety station additionally includes ability to reset power to the control circuit.

Claims

1. A wayside communications safety station comprising:

(a) a telephone, connectable to a telephone line, to initiate and receive telephone service;

(b) a plurality of manually actuable switches connected to said telephone to initiate a direct dial telephonic signal;

(c) at least one voice powered system jack connectable through said wayside communications safety station to a voice powered communications system;

(d) a further manually actuable switch, connectable to a direct current traction power control circuit adapted to supply electrical energy to move a vehicle, to selectively actuate said control circuit; and

(e) means, mounted within said safety station, for resetting power to the control circuit.

2. A wayside communications safety station according to claim 1, further comprising a speakerphone, and means for remotely activating a microphone of the speakerphone, whereby said microphone is active for silent monitoring of an ambient area proximate the safety station.

3. A wayside communications safety station according to claim 1, wherein said telephone further includes a numeric key pad for generating tone signals.

4. A wayside communications safety station according to claim 3, wherein said means for resetting power to the control circuit includes means for generating a series of tones generated from said telephonic numeric keypad.

5. A wayside communications safety station according to claim 1, further comprising a handset containing a microphone and a speaker, and means for adjusting the volume of the handset speaker.

6. A wayside communications safety station according to claim 1, wherein each of the manually actuable switches are structured to be vandal proof.

7. A wayside communications safety station according to claim 1, wherein each of the manually actuable switches further comprises a moisture barrier, said moisture barrier preventing ambient moisture from entering the safety station.

8. A wayside communications safety station according to claim 1, wherein each of the manually actuable switches further comprises a particulate barrier, said particulate barrier preventing ambient particulates from entering the safety station.

9. A wayside communications safety station according to claim 1, further comprising means for connecting said safety station to a conference bridge, said conference bridge creating a conference call with other safety stations.

10. A wayside communications safety station according to claim 1, further comprising a public address phone access circuit.

11. A wayside communications safety station according to claim 10, further comprising a means for connecting said safety station to said public address phone access circuit.