Communications based crossing control for locomotive-centric systems
First Claim
1. A computerized method for controlling a grade crossing warning system from a train, the method comprising:
- determining by a processor located on a train a location and a speed of the train;
obtaining by the processor a location of a first crossing being approached by the train from a track database in communication with the computer;
making a determination by the processor that an estimated period of time for arrival of the train at the first crossing is below a threshold, the threshold being based at least in part on a constant warning time period, the constant warning time period being a period of time prior to arrival of the train at the first crossing at which the grade crossing warning system should activate;
in response to the determination, transmitting a message by the processor to a first wayside device, the message indicating a buffer time period at which the train will be within the constant warning time period of reaching the first crossing, whereby the first wayside device may activate the grade crossing warning system upon expiration of the buffer time period; and
verifying by the processor that an acknowledgement of the message is received from the first wayside device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A train equipped with an onboard system for determining its position and a track database for determining the positions of upcoming grade crossings sends activate after expiration messages to control wayside warning systems at the crossings to achieve a constant warning time while maintaining a safety margin that ensures the train can be stopped if the wayside systems do not respond correctly to the activate after expiration messages. The system may be used in place of existing track-based crossing warning system control circuits. Communications between the train may be radio-based, and may be direct between the train and wayside devices or may be routed through a central station, which may act as a relay or maintain a database. The train may control multiple crossings at one time, thereby eliminating the need for downstream adjacent crossing control.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computerized method for controlling a grade crossing warning system from a train, the method comprising:
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determining by a processor located on a train a location and a speed of the train; obtaining by the processor a location of a first crossing being approached by the train from a track database in communication with the computer; making a determination by the processor that an estimated period of time for arrival of the train at the first crossing is below a threshold, the threshold being based at least in part on a constant warning time period, the constant warning time period being a period of time prior to arrival of the train at the first crossing at which the grade crossing warning system should activate; in response to the determination, transmitting a message by the processor to a first wayside device, the message indicating a buffer time period at which the train will be within the constant warning time period of reaching the first crossing, whereby the first wayside device may activate the grade crossing warning system upon expiration of the buffer time period; and verifying by the processor that an acknowledgement of the message is received from the first wayside device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for operating a wayside device at a crossing, the method comprising:
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receiving at a wayside device a first message from a first train, the first message indicating a buffer time period at which the first train will be within the constant warning time period of reaching the crossing; setting a first timer at the wayside device based on the buffer time period of the first message; transmitting from the wayside device an acknowledgement of the first message to the first train; and activating by the wayside device a grade crossing warning system installed at the crossing upon expiration of the timer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A wayside device comprising:
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a transceiver; a grade crossing warning system; and a processor connected to the transceiver and the grade crossing warning system, the processor being configured to perform the steps of receiving a first message from a first train, the first message indicating a buffer time period at which the first train will be within the constant warning time period of reaching a crossing associated with the grade crossing warning system; setting a first timer based on the buffer time period of the first message; transmitting an acknowledgement of the first message to the first train; and activating the grade crossing warning system installed at the crossing upon expiration of the timer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification