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US 2014/0166820 A1Published application
Crossing proximity and train-on-approach notification system
AssigneeThe Island Radar Company
InventorThomas N. Hilleary
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system includes a base station associated with a railroad crossing having a unique identifier and comprising at least one processor to wirelessly transmit a proximity alert, determine that a train is on approach, and wirelessly transmit a train-on-approach notification. The system further includes a receiver comprising at least one processor to wirelessly receive the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification from the base station and to provide at least one of a visual and audible indication responsive to at least one of the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification.
Claims43
A system, comprising:
- a base station associated with a railroad crossing and comprising at least one processor to wirelessly transmit a proximity alert, determine that a train is on approach, and wirelessly transmit a train-on-approach notification;
- and
- a vehicle receiver comprising at least one processor to wirelessly receive the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification and to generate at least one of a visual and audible indication responsive to at least one of the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification.
A system, comprising:
- a memory;
- and
- at least one processor to:
- perform low power radio listening to receive a proximity alert encoded in a first message;
- wirelessly receive the proximity alert encoded in the first message from a base station;
- wirelessly receive a train-on-approach notification encoded in a second message from the base station;
- display information responsive to the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification;
- and
- provide audible information responsive to the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification.
6 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a memory;
- and
- at least one processor to:
- receive electrical power from a power supply deriving power from at least one member of a group consisting of a battery, a solar cell, and a commercial power station;
- wirelessly transmit a proximity alert in the 2.4 GHz radio spectrum using a transceiver;
- receive a train-on-approach message from at least one member of a group consisting of a railroad crossing relay, a positive train control (PTC) database, a railroad dispatch center, and a PTC transmitter onboard a train-on-approach;
- and
- wirelessly transmit a train-on-approach notification in the 2.4 GHz radio spectrum responsive to the train-on-approach message.
5 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a base station transceiver having at least one processor to transmit at least one of a proximity alert and a train-on-approach notification;
- and
- a receiver having at least one processor to receive the at least one of the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification and to generate at least one member of a group consisting of a proximity alert and a train-on-approach notification.
A method, comprising:
- entering, by at least one processor, a quiescent state;
- low power listening, by the at least one processor, for an alert from a base station;
- receiving, by the at least one processor, a proximity alert from the base station;
- entering, by the at least one processor, a proximity state responsive to the proximity alert from the base station;
- providing, by the at least one processor, at least one of visual and audible information responsive to the proximity state;
- receiving, by the at least one processor, a train-on-approach notification from the base station;
- entering, by the at least one processor, a train-on-approach state responsive to the train-on-approach notification from the base station;
- and
- providing, by the at least one processor, at least one of visual and audible information responsive to the train-on-approach state.
6 more elements
A method, comprising:
- receiving, by at least one processor in a receiver, a level of acceleration;
- providing, by the at least one processor, electrical power to a power supply responsive to the level of acceleration;
- entering, by the at least one processor, a quiescent state;
- low power radio listening, by the at least one processor, for a proximity alert from a base station;
- receiving, by the at least one processor, a proximity alert from the base station;
- entering, by the at least one processor, a proximity state responsive to the proximity alert from the base station;
- providing, by the at least one processor, at least one of visual and audible information responsive to the proximity state;
- receiving, by the at least one processor, acceleration that is less than the level of acceleration for a predetermined period of time;
- and
- sending, by the at least one processor, a notification to discontinue providing the electrical power by the power supply responsive to the acceleration that is less than the level of acceleration for the predetermined period of time.
7 more elements
A method, comprising:
- wirelessly transmitting, by at least one first processor, a proximity alert, determining that a train is on approach, and wirelessly transmitting a train-on-approach notification;
- and
- wirelessly receiving, by at least one second processor, the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification, and providing at least one of a visual and audible indication responsive to at least one of the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.