Patent classifications
B61L15/0072
Operation status reproducing device, display device, and operation status reproducing method
An operation status reproducing device includes an onboard information obtaining unit that obtains onboard information corresponding to date and time from an onboard device mounted on a designated train being a train specified by a train number and the date and time externally designated, a specific event detecting unit that specifies time at which a specific event occurs by analyzing the onboard information, a ground information obtaining unit that obtains ground information in a certain period including the time at which the specific event occurs from a ground device, an external information obtaining unit that obtains external information including weather information in a certain period including the time at which the specific event occurs, and a reproduction image generating unit that generates a reproduction image illustrating a past operation status of the designated train based on the onboard information, the ground information, and the external information.
Method for safely and autonomously determining the position information of a train on a track
A method for safely determining a position information of a train on a track includes an on-board system determining appearance characteristics, current distances relative to the train and current angular positions relative to the train of passive trackside structures with a first sensor arrangement of a first localization stage of the on-board system. The on-board system stores a map data base in which georeferenced locations and appearance characteristics of the passive trackside structures are registered. A first position information about the train is derived from a comparison of determined current distances and current angular positions and the registered locations of allocated passive trackside structures by the first localization stage. A second position information about the train is derived from satellite signals determined by a second sensor arrangement of a second localization stage. The first and second position information undergo a data fusion resulting in a consolidated position information.
OBSTACLE DETECTION DEVICE AND OBSTACLE DETECTION METHOD
An obstacle detection device includes: a sensor unit including a camera, a laser distance measuring device, and an optical element, and setting optical axes of the camera and the laser distance measuring device to an optical axis in the same direction using the optical element; a monitoring area control unit calculating a monitoring area to be monitored by the sensor unit using a position of a train, map information indicating a position of a track of the train, and an attitude angle of the train, and performing control to cause a direction of the optical axis of the sensor unit to be on a course of the train using a drive mirror; and an obstacle determination unit detecting an obstacle on the course of the train based on monitoring results of the camera and the laser distance measuring device, and determining whether a collision avoidance action is necessary.
Blockchain remote command verification
The preset disclosure provides a control system for operating one or more locomotives in a train, the control system including a first communication unit located on-board a first locomotive of a first consist in the train; and an off-board remote controller interface located remotely from the train, the off-board remote controller interface being configured to receive or generate a locomotive control command, store the received or generated locomotive control command in a shared ledger, and relay the locomotive control command to the first communication unit. The first communication unit is configured to receive the locomotive control command from the off-board remote controller interface.
On-board thermal track misalignment detection system and method therefor
An on-board thermal track misalignment detection system method therefor is presented. The system can use on-board locomotive sensors attached to an end-of-train device to detect (on the edge), signs and symptoms of thermal misalignments of the track. Once detected an alert can be transmitted to prevent potential derailments. The system can also include a forward-facing and rearward-facing imaging sensors (e.g., camera, LiDAR sensor, etc). The system can wirelessly communicate (e.g., via radio) with a leading locomotive to ensure proper air pressure and location. The system can be powered by an on-board battery and/or air pressure device. Advantageously, the system can calculate whether any rail deviation is significant (e.g., via one or more threshold values). The system can also leverage image processing functionality, executed by one or more processors) to find the centerline and the distance between the tracks.
METHOD FOR GEOLOCATING INTERFERENCE SOURCE IN COMMUNICATION-BASED TRANSPORT SYSTEM
A method for geolocating an interference source in a communication-based transport system, wherein the communication-based transport system comprises: —a plurality of interference sources, distributed in a space and respectively emitting signal, —a vehicle, moving along a known trajectory, receiving the signal from the interference sources, and measuring the signal strength of the signal of only one interference source at a time instance; the method comprising: —separating the interference sources by clustering the signal strength of the signal with a clustering method; —estimating the locations of the interference sources in the space based on the separated interference sources.
Systems and methods for automatic vehicle loading and unloading on vehicle transports
A method includes receiving geolocation data from a subject vehicle with respect to a transporter vehicle. The method further includes determining a subject vehicle has entered a geofence around a transporter vehicle based on the geolocation data. The method further includes determining a destination location within the transporter vehicle at which the subject vehicle is to park in response to determining the subject vehicle has entered the geofence around the transporter vehicle.
Work zone instruction verification system
Provided is a computer-implemented method for verifying electronic work zone instructions with an on-board system of a vehicle system. The method includes receiving at least one electronic work zone instruction message from an employee-in-charge device, generating at least one visual instruction diagram based at least partially on the electronic work zone instruction message, communicating the at least one visual instruction diagram from the on-board system of the vehicle system to the employee-in-charge device, receiving a verification of the at least one visual instruction diagram from the employee-in-charge device, and enforcing at least one work zone instruction parameter of the electronic work zone instruction message by the on-board system of the vehicle system in response to receiving the verification. A system and computer program product are also provided.
SOFTWARE GENERATING DEVICE
A plurality of apparatuses mounted on cars are monitored and controlled by control devices mounted on the cars. A display device capable of displaying apparatus information of the apparatuses is mounted on a driver's cab. A display screen of the display device is configured by arranging a plurality of display components by which apparatus information of each of the apparatuses can be displayed. A software generating device determines arrangement positions of the display components arranged on the display screen, automatically generates layout design data of the display screen, and automatically generates software for generating the display screen on the basis of the layout design data. The arrangement positions of the display components respectively representing the apparatuses when a number of apparatuses of the same type are monitored and controlled by one and the same control device are determined according to arrangement rule information that is exceptional rules.
NARROW WIDTH PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Personal transportation system includes plurality of personal transportation vehicles (PTVs) driven on a track network with series of track sections. PTV main section has lateral width adapted to contain single occupant. PTV driving mechanism propels PTV and includes track engaging element protruding downwards from main section and having narrow lateral width such that main section is prone to fall over when PTV is at rest. The space between lateral width of main section and track engaging element can be occupied by public infrastructure. Each track section includes a ground portion, minimally adapted to accommodate track engaging element lateral width, and an empty space above ground portion, free of non-transient obstacles and minimally adapted to accommodate main section lateral width. A guidance mechanism guides PTV along track network and prevents PTV deviating from track sections. A stabilization mechanism stabilizes PTV along track network and prevents PTV from falling over when turning/merging/diverging.