Virtual railroad crossing alert

• US 9,688,297 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2015
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael C Ryan
• Original Assignee: Michael C Ryan
• Inventors: Ryan, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jason C
• Application Number:
  US14/856,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20160229435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0027 Radio-based, e.g. using GSM-R
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/009 On-board display devices
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 21/10 Arrangements for trains which are closely following one another
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2205/04 Satellite based navigation systems, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/025 Absolute localisation, e.g. providing geodetic coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 29/24 Means for warning road traffic that a gate is closed or closing, or that rail traffic is approaching, e.g. for visible or audible warning

Abstract

System and method for a virtual crossing alert system that provides a notification, an alert, or a command to an alert receiving system depending on the spatial relationships of actors within a specified area.

Claims

1. A virtual crossing system comprising:

one or more networks;

a positive train control system,

a positioning and mapping system,

an alert receiving system, and

an integration system wherein the integration system receives train information from the positive train control system over the one or more networks and constructs a first digital zone around the train,

wherein the integration system receives location information from the alert receiving system over the one or more networks and constructs a second digital zone around the alert receiving device, and

wherein the integration system issues at least one of an alert, a notification, and a command depending on (i) when the first digital zone intersects the second digital zone or (ii) when the first digital zone is expected to intersect the second digital zone, according to defined parameters.