Rail system having a wired communication zone
First Claim
1. A rail system, comprising:
- a track including a wireless communication zone, a wired communication zone, and a dead zone that is within the wired communication zone;
an electrical contact that extends along the wired communication zone and is configured to transmit electrical energy and a data communication;
a power source electrically connected to the electrical contact;
a controller selectively electrically connectable to the electrical contact and a wireless network;
wherein;
the power source is configured to transmit electrical energy through the electrical contact; and
the controller is configured to;
determine that a rail vehicle is approaching the dead zone, andswitch from data communication transmission via the wireless network to data communication transmission via the electrical contact, based at least in part on the determination that the rail vehicle is approaching the dead zone.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rail system is disclosed. The rail system may have a track including a wireless communication zone and a wired communication zone. The rail system may also have an electrical contact that extends along the wired communication zone. The electrical contact may be configured to transmit electrical energy and a data communication. The rail system may further have a power source electrically connected to the electrical contact. The rail system may additionally have a controller selectively electrically connectable to the electrical contact and a wireless network. The power source may be configured to transmit electrical energy through the electrical contact. The controller may be configured to switch between data communication transmission via the wireless network and via the electrical contact, based at least in part on a location of a rail vehicle within the rail system.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A rail system, comprising:
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a track including a wireless communication zone, a wired communication zone, and a dead zone that is within the wired communication zone; an electrical contact that extends along the wired communication zone and is configured to transmit electrical energy and a data communication; a power source electrically connected to the electrical contact; a controller selectively electrically connectable to the electrical contact and a wireless network; wherein; the power source is configured to transmit electrical energy through the electrical contact; and the controller is configured to; determine that a rail vehicle is approaching the dead zone, and switch from data communication transmission via the wireless network to data communication transmission via the electrical contact, based at least in part on the determination that the rail vehicle is approaching the dead zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a rail system, comprising:
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selectively connecting a controller to a wireless network; transmitting a first data communication to or from the controller over the wireless network; selectively connecting an electrical contact to a rail vehicle while the rail vehicle travels on a powered section of a track; initiating power transmission to or from the rail vehicle via the electrical contact at selected times when the rail vehicle is traveling on the powered section of the track; determining that the rail vehicle is approaching a dead zone; and transmitting a second data communication to or from the controller via the electrical contact, based at least on the determination that the rail vehicle is approaching the dead zone. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A rail system comprising:
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a track including a wireless communication zone, a wired communication zone, a powered section, an unpowered section, and a dead zone that is within the wired communication zone; an electrical contact that extends along the powered section and the wired communication zone; an energy exchange station electrically connected to the electrical contact; a rail vehicle configured to travel on the track and be electrically connected to the electrical contact; a controller selectively electrically connectable to the electrical contact and a wireless network; wherein; the energy exchange station is configured to; initiate power transmission between the energy exchange station and the rail vehicle, through the electrical contact, when the rail vehicle is on the powered section of the track; and discontinue power transmission between the energy exchange station and the rail vehicle when the rail vehicle leaves the powered section of the track; and the controller is configured to; determine that the rail vehicle is approaching the dead zone, and switch from data communication transmission via the wireless network to data communication transmission via the electrical contact, based at least in part on the determination that the rail vehicle is approaching the dead zone.
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Specification