Method and apparatus for determining the overall length of a train
First Claim
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1. A system for determining the length of a train comprising:
- a first receiver disposed on the train at a first position, said first receiver for receiving a signal from which the first position may be determined;
a second receiver disposed on the train at a second position;
said second receiver for receiving a signal from which the second position may be determined; and
a processor operatively coupled to said first and second receivers, said processor for determining the length of the train based on the first and second positions and for applying an offset calculation in order to compensate for any errors in the determined length of the train.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining the length of a train utilizing received signal such as a reference signal from a global positioning system or the like is disclosed. A first receiver receives a signal, such as a reference signal from a global positioning system or the like, from which a first position on a train may be determined. Similarly, a second receiver receives a signal from which a second position on the train may be determined. A processor, operatively coupled to the first and second receivers, determines the length of the train based on the first and second positions.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for determining the length of a train comprising:
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a first receiver disposed on the train at a first position, said first receiver for receiving a signal from which the first position may be determined; a second receiver disposed on the train at a second position;
said second receiver for receiving a signal from which the second position may be determined; anda processor operatively coupled to said first and second receivers, said processor for determining the length of the train based on the first and second positions and for applying an offset calculation in order to compensate for any errors in the determined length of the train. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 23)
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14. A system for determining the length of a train comprising:
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means for determining the first position on the train; means for determining a second position on the train; and means for determining the length of the train based upon the first and second positions; means for comparing the first and second positions and recorded times of when the first and second position are determined with position reference information stored in a database in order to determine the length of the train on a curved section of track. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for determining a length of a train comprising the steps of:
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determining a first position on the train utilizing a reference signal received from a global positioning system; determining a second position on the train utilizing a reference signal received from a global positioning system; calculating the length of the train based on the first and second positions and recorded times of when the first and second positions are determined; and recording the recorded times when said first and second positions are determined.
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18. A method for determining a length of a train comprising the steps of:
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determining a first position on the train utilizing a reference signal received from a global positioning system; determining a second position on the train utilizing a reference signal received from a global positioning system; calculating the length of the train based on the first and second positions and recorded times of when the first and second positions are determined; and comparing the first and second positions with position reference information stored in a database in order to determine the length of the train on a curved section of track. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A system for determining the length of a train comprising:
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a first receiver disposed on the train at a first position, said first receiver for receiving a signal from which the first position may be determined; a second receiver disposed on the train at a second position;
said second receiver for receiving a signal from which the second position may be determined; anda processor operatively coupled to said first and second receivers, said processor for determining the length of the train based on the first and second positions; and a database operatively coupled to said processor, said database for storing reference information against which the first and second positions may be compared, wherein said reference information of said database includes topographical information and track path information used to determine whether the train is traveling on a straight track or a curved section of track.
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22. A system for determining the length of a train comprising:
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a first receiver disposed on the train at a first position, said first receiver for receiving a signal from which the first position may be determined; a second receiver disposed on the train at a second position;
said second receiver for receiving a signal from which the second position may be determined, anda processor operatively coupled to said first and second receivers, said processor for determining the length of the train based on the first and second positions; and a database operatively coupled to said processor, said database for storing reference information against which the first and second positions may be compared, wherein said processor interrogates said database and applies an adjustment factor when the train is traveling on a curved section of the track.
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Specification