Vehicle detection system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A railroad train detection system comprising:
- a plurality of sensor devices fixed in proximity to a railroad track, wherein the plurality of sensor devices define a train detection zone, wherein each sensor device comprises;
a first anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor configured to generate AMR waveform data representative of changes in a generally constant magnetic field environment due to the presence of a railroad train within a sensing range of the first AMR sensor; and
signal processing apparatus configured to process AMR waveform data generated by the first AMR sensor; and
a control processor, wherein the control processor is configured to;
receive AMR waveform data from the plurality of sensor devices; and
apply a detection algorithm to AMR waveform data received from the plurality of sensor devices to determine whether a train is present in the train detection zone.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle detection system is provided for tracking, detecting, and monitoring vehicles. The system and methods of the present invention are suitable for on-track and roadway vehicles. In particular the present invention provides an improved and cost effective system and methods for tracking, detecting and monitoring locomotives and on-track vehicles.
91 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A railroad train detection system comprising:
-
a plurality of sensor devices fixed in proximity to a railroad track, wherein the plurality of sensor devices define a train detection zone, wherein each sensor device comprises; a first anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor configured to generate AMR waveform data representative of changes in a generally constant magnetic field environment due to the presence of a railroad train within a sensing range of the first AMR sensor; and signal processing apparatus configured to process AMR waveform data generated by the first AMR sensor; and a control processor, wherein the control processor is configured to; receive AMR waveform data from the plurality of sensor devices; and apply a detection algorithm to AMR waveform data received from the plurality of sensor devices to determine whether a train is present in the train detection zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A railroad train detection system comprising:
-
a first sensor device and a second sensor device fixed in proximity to a railroad track, wherein the first and second sensor devices define a train detection zone; the first sensor device comprising; a first sensor device anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor configured to generate AMR waveform data representative of changes in a generally constant magnetic field environment due to the presence of a railroad train within a sensing range of the first sensor device AMR sensor; a bias compensator configured to compensate for changes in the first sensor device AMR sensor; and first sensor device signal processing apparatus configured to process AMR waveform data generated by the first sensor device AMR sensor; the second sensor device comprising; a second sensor device AMR sensor configured to generate AMR waveform data representative of changes in a generally constant magnetic field environment due to the presence of a railroad train within a sensing range of the second sensor device AMR sensor; a bias compensator configured to compensate for changes in the second sensor device AMR sensor; and second sensor device signal processing apparatus configured to process AMR waveform data generated by the second sensor device AMR sensor; and a control processor, wherein the control processor is configured to receive AMR waveform data from the first and second sensor device signal processing apparatus by applying a detection algorithm to AMR waveform data received from one or more of the first and second sensor devices to determine whether a train is present in the train detection zone. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A railroad train detection system comprising:
-
a plurality of anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensors fixed in proximity to a railroad track, wherein the plurality of AMR sensors define a detection zone; wherein each AMR sensor is configured to generate analog waveform data representative of changes in a generally constant magnetic field environment due to the presence of a railroad train passing in the detection zone on the railroad track; signal processing means configured to generate digital waveform data based on analog waveform data generated by the plurality of AMR sensors; and a system processing apparatus, wherein the system processing apparatus is configured to; receive AMR waveform data from the plurality of sensor devices; apply a detection algorithm to AMR waveform data received from the plurality of sensor devices to determine whether a train is present in the train detection zone. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification