Vehicle identification tag and train control integration
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a train consist comprising:
- receiving a plurality of identification tag identifiers from an identification tag reader;
determining a weight and length of a vehicle associated with each of the identification tag identifiers;
determining, using the received identification tag identifiers, if there are one or more additional vehicles not in an expected composition of the train consist, and adding the weight and length of the one or more additional vehicles to an expected total weight and expected total length of the train consist; and
controlling the train using the expected total weight and expected total length of the train consist.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An identification tag reader reads identification tags on vehicles of a train consist. Identification tag identifiers are used to retrieve weights and lengths of the vehicles, and the weight and length information is used by an onboard train control system either to verify weight and length information already stored in the system or input the information initially, in either case for use in controlling the train such as in the calculation of braking curves. In another embodiment, an identification tag reader is paired with a sensor capable of detecting a condition on a train vehicle requiring maintenance, and the condition and an identification tag identifier are transmitted to maintenance personnel. The identification tag is preferably an AEI tag.
9 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for controlling a train consist comprising:
-
receiving a plurality of identification tag identifiers from an identification tag reader; determining a weight and length of a vehicle associated with each of the identification tag identifiers; determining, using the received identification tag identifiers, if there are one or more additional vehicles not in an expected composition of the train consist, and adding the weight and length of the one or more additional vehicles to an expected total weight and expected total length of the train consist; and controlling the train using the expected total weight and expected total length of the train consist. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20)
-
-
14. A method for dispatching a train comprising the steps of:
-
receiving a plurality of identification tag identifiers from an identification tag reader, each of the identification tag identifiers being associated with a respective vehicle of a train consist; performing a comparison of the identification tag identifiers with an expected composition of the train consist; determining, based on the comparison, if there are one or more additional vehicles not in the expected composition of the train consist, and adding at least one characteristic of the one or more additional vehicles to an expected total characteristic of the train consist; and authorizing a train movement based at least in part on the expected total characteristic of the train consist. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification