Patent · US Expired

Rail vision system

US5978718A · kind A · utility

117Cited by
4References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 22, 1997
Grant dateNov 2, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 22, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB61L2205/04
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A rail vision system visually reads signal aspect information from each wayside signal device of a wayside signaling system. It also warn a train operator of the more restrictive signal aspects and imposes a penalty brake application should the train operator fail to acknowledge the warning. Each wayside signal device communicates from a railway operating authority information including directions as to how the train should proceed along the upcoming segment of railway track. The rail vision system includes a signal locating system and a rail navigation system. The signal locating system isolates visually the upcoming wayside signal device and reads the information therefrom as the train approaches thereto. The rail navigation system determines the position that the train occupies on the railway track and provides the signal locating system with data as to the whereabouts of the upcoming wayside signal device relative to the position of the train. This enables the signal locating system to isolate visually the upcoming wayside signal device and to provide the information read therefrom to the rail navigation system. The rail navigation system can then warn the train operator of the…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.