System, method, and computer readable memory medium for remotely controlling the movement of a series of connected vehicles
First Claim
1. A remote control system comprising:
- at least one sensor configured to be positioned relative to a pathway for detecting a presence of a lead vehicle in a series of connected vehicles that travel on the pathway and that includes a powered vehicle for moving the series of connected vehicles, the at least one sensor spaced a distance from a stop location of the lead vehicle and configured to transmit a first signal when the lead vehicle is detected on the pathway; and
an off-board controller configured to receive the first signal from the at least one sensor and to be in communication with an operating system disposed onboard the powered vehicle, the controller also configured to transmit a second signal that is based on the first signal to the powered vehicle when the lead vehicle is detected by the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the second signal in order to cause the operating system on the powered vehicle to establish a speed limit setting for the powered vehicle that prevents the powered vehicle from traveling on the designated pathway toward the stop location at a speed that is faster than the speed limit setting.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A remote control system for controlling movement of a train comprises one or more sensors positioned relative to a railroad track for detecting the presence of a lead railcar on the track being pushed by a remotely controllable locomotive. The one or more sensors are spaced a distance from a predetermined stop location of a lead railcar and transmit signals when the lead railcar is detected on the track. A programmable controller positioned off-board or wayside receives signals from the one or more sensors and is in radio communication with an onboard operating system of the locomotive. The controller transmits a signal to the locomotive when the lead railcar is detected by a sensor, and in response to the signal the operating system of the locomotive sets a maximum speed setting for the locomotive to travel on the track toward the stop location.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A remote control system comprising:
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at least one sensor configured to be positioned relative to a pathway for detecting a presence of a lead vehicle in a series of connected vehicles that travel on the pathway and that includes a powered vehicle for moving the series of connected vehicles, the at least one sensor spaced a distance from a stop location of the lead vehicle and configured to transmit a first signal when the lead vehicle is detected on the pathway; and an off-board controller configured to receive the first signal from the at least one sensor and to be in communication with an operating system disposed onboard the powered vehicle, the controller also configured to transmit a second signal that is based on the first signal to the powered vehicle when the lead vehicle is detected by the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the second signal in order to cause the operating system on the powered vehicle to establish a speed limit setting for the powered vehicle that prevents the powered vehicle from traveling on the designated pathway toward the stop location at a speed that is faster than the speed limit setting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37)
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15. A method comprising:
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detecting a presence of a lead railcar in a train having at least one locomotive on a track at a predetermined distance from a stop location of the lead railcar, the at least one locomotive being remotely controlled from an off-board remote control unit; transmitting a first signal to the remote control unit in response to the presence of the lead railcar being detected; and setting a speed limit setting of the at least one locomotive with an operating system disposed onboard the at least one locomotive, the speed limit setting based on a second signal that is transmitted from the remote control unit to the operating system, the second signal transmitted by the remote control unit in response to the remote control unit receiving the first signal, wherein the speed limit setting prevents the at least one locomotive from traveling at speeds faster than the speed limit setting over the predetermined distance to the stop location. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 34, 35)
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21. A computer readable memory medium configured to store a program for remotely controlling movement of a train having at least one locomotive having an onboard operating system and moving plural railcars that include a lead railcar linked at an end of the railcars distal to the at least one locomotive, the computer readable memory medium comprising one or more computer modules configured to direct a controller of a remote control unit to:
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detect a presence of the lead railcar on a track at a predetermined distance from a stop location of the lead railcar, the presence of the lead railcar detected based on a first signal received from a sensor disposed alongside a track on which the train is moving; and communicate a second signal to the operating system that is onboard the at least one locomotive to cause the operating system to set a speed limit setting of the at least one locomotive responsive to receiving the first signal at the remote control unit, the second signal received by the operating system to prevent the at least one locomotive from moving the railcars on the track over the predetermined distance from a detection location where the lead railcar is detected on the track to the stop location at speeds that exceed the speed limit setting. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A remote control system comprising:
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a sensor configured to detect a presence of a powered vehicle traveling along a pathway at a location that is spaced a distance from a designated stop location along a pathway, the sensor also configured to transmit a first signal when the powered vehicle is detected, the powered vehicle configured to stop along the pathway at the designated stop location; and a controller configured to receive the first signal and to be in communication with an onboard operating system of the powered vehicle, the controller configured to transmit a second signal to the operating system of the powered vehicle when the powered vehicle is detected, wherein the operating system is configured to set a speed limit setting for the powered vehicle in response to receiving the second signal and is further configured to control a speed of the powered vehicle so not to exceed the speed limit setting as the powered vehicle approaches and stops at the designated stop location. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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Specification