System and method for determining relative differential positioning system measurement solutions
First Claim
1. A method for determining which alternative path a vehicle has taken comprising the steps of:
- determining, prior to encountering a divergence point on a fixed path, a first vector between a first point on a fixed path and a vehicle position reported by a positioning system, the divergence point being a point at which the fixed path diverges into a plurality of branches;
determining, after the vehicle has passed the divergence point, a second vector between a vehicle position reported by the positioning system and a second point, the second point being a point on one of the branches; and
determining which of the branches the vehicle is on based at least in part on a comparison of the first vector and the second vector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system in which a vehicle carries an on-board positioning system and has access to a database of information pertaining to a plurality of fixed paths. A vector between the position of the fixed path and a position of the vehicle as reported by the positioning system is calculated prior to arriving at a point of divergence (i.e., a point at which a path branches, such as a switch on a railroad track). After passing the path divergence, a second vector is calculated between the position of the vehicle as reported by the positioning system and at least one of the alternate paths, preferably the correct alternate path. The first vector is compared to the second vector, and a determination as to which path the vehicle is on is made based on the comparison.
106 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for determining which alternative path a vehicle has taken comprising the steps of:
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determining, prior to encountering a divergence point on a fixed path, a first vector between a first point on a fixed path and a vehicle position reported by a positioning system, the divergence point being a point at which the fixed path diverges into a plurality of branches; determining, after the vehicle has passed the divergence point, a second vector between a vehicle position reported by the positioning system and a second point, the second point being a point on one of the branches; and determining which of the branches the vehicle is on based at least in part on a comparison of the first vector and the second vector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for controlling a train, the system comprising:
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a controller; a track database in communication with the controller, the track database comprising coordinates corresponding to a plurality of points on a train track and at least one switch; and a global positioning system (GPS) receiver in communication with the controller and located on the train; wherein the controller is configured to perform the steps of determining a first vector between a first point on the track and a position of the train reported by the GPS receiver prior to passing the switch; determining a second vector between a position of the train reported by the GPS receiver after passing the switch and a second point, the second point being a point on the track past the switch; and determining whether the switch was in a correct position based ate least in part on a comparison of the first vector and the second vector. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for controlling a train comprising the steps of:
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determining a first vector between a first point on a track and a position of the train reported by a GPS receiver prior to passing a switch; determining a second vector between a position of the train reported by the GPS receiver after the train has passed the switch and a second point, the second point being a point on the track past the switch; and determining whether the switch was in a correct position based at least in part on a comparison of the first vector and the second vector. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification