Method and system for automatically activating a warning device on a train
AssigneeQuantum Engineering, Inc.
InventorsMark Edward Kane, James Francis Shockley, Harrison Thomas Hickenlooper
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims20
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 a warning device must be activated and corresponding regulations concerning activation of the warning device;
- obtaining a position of a train and a speed of the train from a positioning system;
- selecting a next upcoming location from among the locations in the database based on the speed and 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.
A system for automatically activating a warning device on a train at a location, the system comprising:
- a control unit;
- a storage device connected to the control unit, the storage device having stored therein a database of locations at which a 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 a train and a speed of the train to the control unit;
- and
- a warning device connected to the control unit;
- 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.