Method and apparatus for providing enhanced vehicle detection
First Claim
1. In a locomotive having a train whistle adapted for sounding a warning signal on occasion of the locomotive approaching a heightened alert area, a method comprising:
- monitoring operation of the train whistle;
automatically, upon detecting operation of the train whistle, transmitting a supplemental warning signal to one or more prospective receiving devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Detection of a locomotive or other vehicle is enhanced by transmitting an RF alert signal from the vehicle when the vehicle approaches a heightened alert area such as a railroad crossing. The RF alert signal is received by communication unit(s) carried by pedestrian(s) or residing in vehicle(s) approaching the heightened alert area, thereby providing an alert that supplements train whistles, gates, horns or other warning mechanisms known in the art. The RF alert signal may also be transmitted to infrastructure devices such as logging devices. In one embodiment, the RF alert signal is transmitted from a locomotive upon detecting operation of a train whistle associated with the locomotive and/or coincident to receiving an external alert signal or automatic vehicle location (AVL) information indicating that the locomotive is near a heightened alert area.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. In a locomotive having a train whistle adapted for sounding a warning signal on occasion of the locomotive approaching a heightened alert area, a method comprising:
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monitoring operation of the train whistle;
automatically, upon detecting operation of the train whistle, transmitting a supplemental warning signal to one or more prospective receiving devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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receiving automatic vehicle location (AVL) information indicating a position of a vehicle;
automatically, responsive to receiving the AVL information, determining a proximity of the vehicle position relative to a heightened alert area and, if the proximity is within a predetermined distance threshold, transmitting alert information from the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In a locomotive adapted for movement relative to a railroad crossing area, an apparatus comprising:
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interface means for generating a first alert signal upon the locomotive approaching the railroad crossing area;
a processor being operable to detect the first alert signal and, automatically, responsive to detecting the first alert signal, to generate a second alert signal; and
a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for transmitting the second alert signal to one or more prospective receiving devices. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification