Autonomous asset transportation method, apparatus and computer program product
First Claim
1. A method for transporting an asset along a track to a destination, the method comprising:
- receiving instructions relating to shipment of the asset to the destination;
automatically determining a track-based route along which the asset is to be transported to the destination, wherein determining the route comprises determining at least one candidate route, determining an integrity of the track extending along the candidate route to the destination and identifying the candidate route as the track-based route in instances in which the integrity of the track extending along the candidate route is confirmed, wherein determining at least one candidate route comprises determining at least one candidate route based on at least one of a maximum slope encountered along a candidate route, a number of turns encountered along a candidate route, or a number of incline or decline sections encountered along a candidate route;
determining if the track needs to be reconfigured to transport the asset and, when it is determined that the track does need to be reconfigured, automatically providing for reconfiguration of the track; and
commencing and thereafter controlling movement of the asset in an autonomous manner along the track-based route after determining the integrity of the track and while continuing to monitor at least that portion of the track between the asset and the destination.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, computer apparatus and computer program product are provided for autonomously transporting an asset along a track to a destination in a manner that is safe, reliable and quick. In regards to the method, instructions are received relating to the shipment of the asset to the destination. Based upon the instructions, a track-based route along which the asset is to be transported to the destination is then automatically determined. In order to automatically determine the track-based route, the integrity of the track and/or the track bed may be determined. When determined necessary in order to transport the asset to the destination, the track may be automatically reconfigured, such as by closing or opening appropriate switches. Further, the movement of the asset may be controlled in an autonomous manner along the track while continuing to monitor at least that portion of the track between the asset and the destination.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for transporting an asset along a track to a destination, the method comprising:
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receiving instructions relating to shipment of the asset to the destination; automatically determining a track-based route along which the asset is to be transported to the destination, wherein determining the route comprises determining at least one candidate route, determining an integrity of the track extending along the candidate route to the destination and identifying the candidate route as the track-based route in instances in which the integrity of the track extending along the candidate route is confirmed, wherein determining at least one candidate route comprises determining at least one candidate route based on at least one of a maximum slope encountered along a candidate route, a number of turns encountered along a candidate route, or a number of incline or decline sections encountered along a candidate route; determining if the track needs to be reconfigured to transport the asset and, when it is determined that the track does need to be reconfigured, automatically providing for reconfiguration of the track; and commencing and thereafter controlling movement of the asset in an autonomous manner along the track-based route after determining the integrity of the track and while continuing to monitor at least that portion of the track between the asset and the destination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer apparatus for providing for transportation of an asset along a track to a destination, the computer apparatus comprising:
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a processor configured to receive instructions relating to shipment of the asset to the destination, wherein the processor is configured to determine a track-based route along which the asset is to be transported to the destination, wherein the processor is configured to determine the route by determining at least one candidate route, determining an integrity of the track extending along the candidate route to the destination and identifying the candidate route as the track-based route in instances in which the integrity of the track extending along the candidate route is confirmed, wherein the processor is configured to determine at least one candidate route by determining at least one candidate route based on at least one of a maximum slope encountered along a candidate route, a number of turns encountered along a candidate route, or a number of incline or decline sections encountered along a candidate route, wherein the processor is also configured to determine if the track needs to be reconfigured to transport the asset and, when it is determined that the track does need to be reconfigured, to automatically provide for reconfiguration of the track, and wherein the processor is further configured to commence and thereafter control movement of the asset in an autonomous manner along the track-based route after determining the integrity of the track and while continuing to monitor at least that portion of the track between the asset and the destination. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions stored therein, the computer-readable program instructions comprising:
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a first program instruction for determining a track-based route along which an asset is to be transported to a destination in response to instructions relating to shipment of the asset to the destination, wherein the first program instructions are configured to determine the route by determining at least one candidate route, determining an integrity of the track extending along the candidate route to the destination and identifying the candidate route as the track-based route in instances in which the integrity of the track extending along the candidate route is confirmed, wherein the first program instruction is configured to determine at least one candidate route by determining at least one candidate route based on at least one of a maximum slope encountered along a candidate route, a number of turns encountered along a candidate route, or a number of incline or decline sections encountered along a candidate route; a second program instruction for determining if the track needs to be reconfigured to transport the asset and, when it is determined that the track does need to be reconfigured, for automatically providing for reconfiguration of the track; and a third program instruction for commencing and thereafter controlling movement of the asset in an autonomous manner along the track-based route after determining the integrity of the track and while continuing to monitor at least that portion of the track between the asset and the destination. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification