Method and system for automatically activating a warning device on a train

• US 6,824,110 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2003
• Issued: 11/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens Mobility, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Quantum Engineering, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Shockley, James Francis, Kane, Mark Edward, Hickenlooper, Harrison Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Jules, Frantz F.
• Application Number:
  US10/619,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20040015276A1
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 246/293, 246/122.R, 246/120, 246/121, 246/125, 246/124, 246/1.C, 246/1.R, 707/19, 707/20, 707/23, 707/213, 707/200, 707/207, 707/208, 707/36, 340/902, 104/27
• US Class Current: 246/293
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2205/04 Satellite based navigation systems, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/021 Measuring and recording of train speed
• 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

A method and system for automatically activating a train warning device that uses a positioning system such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver or an inertial navigation system (INS) to determine the train'"'"'s position. The system further includes a database containing locations of grade crossings and other locations at which a train is required to give a warning signal and what regulations govern activation of the warning device at such locations.

Claims

1. A computerized method for activating a warning device on a train at a location comprising the steps of:

maintaining a database of locations at which the warning device must be activated and corresponding regulations concerning activation of the warning device;

obtaining a position of the train from a positioning system;

selecting a next upcoming location from among the locations in the database based at least in part on the position;

determining a point at which to activate the warning device in compliance with a regulation corresponding to the next upcoming location; and

activating the warning device at the point.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the point is a point in space.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the point is a point in time.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step includes the step of determining a distance from the train to the next upcoming location based on the position obtained in the obtaining step.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step includes the step of determining a time at which the train will arrive at the next upcoming location based on a speed of the train and the position of the train obtained in the obtaining step.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the warning device is a horn.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the location is a grade crossing.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of updating the database via wireless communication.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning system is a global positioning system.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning system is an inertial navigation system.

11. A system for automatically activating a warning device on a train at a location, the system comprising:

a control unit connected to the warning device;

a storage device connected to the control unit, the storage device having stored therein a database of locations at which the warning device must be activated and corresponding regulations concerning activation of the warning device;

a positioning system in communication with the control unit, the positioning system being configured to supply a position of the train to the control unit; and

wherein the control unit is configured to perform the steps of

selecting a next upcoming location from among the locations in the database;

determining a point at which to activate the warning device in compliance with a regulation corresponding to the next upcoming location; and

activating the warning device at the point.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the point is a point in space.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the point is a point in time.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the determining step includes the step of determining a distance from the train to the next upcoming location based on the position obtained in the obtaining step.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the determining step includes the step of determining a time at which the train will arrive at the next upcoming location based on a speed of the train and the position obtained in the obtaining step.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the warning device is a horn.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the location is a grade crossing.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the system farther comprises a wireless transceiver connected to the control unit and the control unit is further configured to update the database with information received via the wireless transceiver.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the positioning system is a global positioning system receiver.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the positioning system is an inertial navigation system.