System and method for controlling velocity of a vehicle
First Claim
1. A control system comprising:
- an onboard controller configured to identify a designated area along a route being traveled by a vehicle, the designated area including one or more of a downhill section of the route, an airflow restricted area of the route, a banked section of the route, a section of the route to be cleaned, an adverse environmental condition area of the route, an adverse vehicular condition area of the route, a section of the route where travel is restricted by one or more regulatory or legal restrictions, or a section of the route where travel is restricted due to a condition of the route, the designated area being associated with an operating rule that requires the vehicle to travel at least as fast as a designated lower speed limit;
a location determination system configured to monitor actual locations of the vehicle as the vehicle travels along the route; and
a speed data sensor configured to obtain speed data representative of an actual velocity of the vehicle, wherein the controller also is configured to restrict control of the vehicle such that the actual velocity of the vehicle is at least as fast as the lower speed limit of the designated area when the vehicle travels in the designated area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system includes an onboard controller, a location determination system, and a speed sensor. The controller identifies a designated area along a route that includes a downhill section, an airflow restricted area, a banked section, a section to be cleaned, an adverse environmental area, an adverse vehicular condition area, and/or a section where travel is restricted. The designated area is associated with an operating rule that requires the vehicle to travel at least as fast as a lower speed limit. The location determination system monitors actual locations of the vehicle as the vehicle travels along the route. The speed sensor obtains speed data representative of an actual velocity of the vehicle. The controller restricts control of the vehicle such that the actual velocity of the vehicle is at least as fast as the lower speed limit of the designated area when the vehicle is in the designated area.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A control system comprising:
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an onboard controller configured to identify a designated area along a route being traveled by a vehicle, the designated area including one or more of a downhill section of the route, an airflow restricted area of the route, a banked section of the route, a section of the route to be cleaned, an adverse environmental condition area of the route, an adverse vehicular condition area of the route, a section of the route where travel is restricted by one or more regulatory or legal restrictions, or a section of the route where travel is restricted due to a condition of the route, the designated area being associated with an operating rule that requires the vehicle to travel at least as fast as a designated lower speed limit; a location determination system configured to monitor actual locations of the vehicle as the vehicle travels along the route; and a speed data sensor configured to obtain speed data representative of an actual velocity of the vehicle, wherein the controller also is configured to restrict control of the vehicle such that the actual velocity of the vehicle is at least as fast as the lower speed limit of the designated area when the vehicle travels in the designated area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising:
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identifying a designated area along a route being traveled by a vehicle, the designated area including one or more of a downhill section of the route, an airflow restricted area of the route, a banked section of the route, a section of the route to be cleaned, an adverse environmental condition area of the route, an adverse vehicular condition area of the route, a section of the route where travel is restricted by one or more regulatory or legal restrictions, or a section of the route where travel is restricted due to a condition of the route, the designated area being associated with an operating rule that requires the vehicle to travel at least as fast as a designated lower speed limit; monitoring actual locations of the vehicle as the vehicle travels along the route; monitoring actual velocity of the vehicle; and controlling the vehicle such that the actual velocity of the vehicle is at least as fast as the lower speed limit of the designated area when the vehicle travels in the designated area. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A control system comprising:
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an onboard controller configured to identify a designated area along a route being traveled by a vehicle, the designated area associated with a brake operating rule in a memory, the brake operating rule requiring the controller to automatically engage a brake of the vehicle for stopping the vehicle if the vehicle travels at a velocity slower than a lower speed limit in the designated area; a location determination system configured to monitor actual locations of the vehicle as the vehicle travels along the route; and a speed data sensor configured to obtain speed data representative of an actual velocity of the vehicle, wherein the controller also is configured to restrict control of the vehicle such that the actual velocity of the vehicle is at least as fast as the lower speed limit when the vehicle travels in the designated area. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification