Backup power notification system for railroad installations

• US 9,834,234 B1
• Filed: 01/08/2016
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eduardo Quinonez Jr
• Original Assignee: Eduardo Quinonez Jr
• Inventors: Quionez, Jr., Eduardo
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jason C
• Application Number:
  US14/990,986
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 2464731
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 1/20 Safety arrangements for preventing or indicating malfunction of the device, e.g. by leakage current, by lightning
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/53 for trackside elements or systems, e.g. trackside supervision of trackside control system conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 29/08 Operation of gates; Combined operation of gates and signals
• 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

A backup power railroad crossing notification system for a railroad crossing mechanism. The system includes a stationary audible device carried within a railroad housing proximate to a railroad crossing mechanism; a remote mobile device; and a computer carried within the railroad housing. The computer includes a switch conductively coupled to a battery and operably associated with the stationary audible device; and a transceiver in data communication with the mobile device. A method includes wirelessly communicate with the mobile device via the transceiver if power is being drawn from the battery; and activating the stationary audible device if power is being drawn from the battery.

Claims

1. A backup power railroad crossing notification system for a railroad crossing mechanism, the system comprising:

a stationary audible device carried within a railroad housing proximate to a railroad crossing mechanism;

a remote mobile device; and

a computer carried within the railroad housing, having;

a switch conductively coupled to a battery and operably associated with the stationary audible device; and

a transceiver in data communication with the mobile device;

wherein the computer is configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile device via the transceiver if power is being drawn from the battery; and

wherein the computer is configured to activate the stationary audible device if power is being drawn from the battery.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote mobile device is a key fob.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote mobile device is a mobile phone.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote mobile device emits an audible sound.

5. The system of claim 1, the system further comprising:

a range finder configured to determine the distance the remote mobile device is relative to the railroad housing and configured to change between signal strengths as determined by the distance the mobile device is relative to the railroad housing.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver communicates with a third party transceiver.

7. A method, comprising:

providing the system of claim 1;

wirelessly communicate with the mobile device via the transceiver if power is being drawn from the battery; and

activating the stationary audible device if power is being drawn from the battery.

8. The system of claim 7, the method further comprising:

determining a distance the remote mobile device is relative to the railroad housing; and

changing between transmitted signal strengths as determined by the distance the mobile device is relative to the railroad housing.