Method and system for determining signal state

US8581499B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey Michael Fries · Grain Valley, US
• Jeffery Armstrong · Palm Bay, US
• Robert N. Bettis · West Melbourne, US
• Gregory K. Hann · Odessa, US
• Hsien-Kuo Lin · West Melbourne, US
• Steve R. Murphy · West Melbourne, US
• Daniel G. Penny, III · Melbourne, US
• Eric Vorndran · Melbourne, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 16, 2011
• Grant date: Nov 12, 2013
• Expiry date: Feb 24, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B61L5/1881
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

There is provided a method of determining the state of a signal lamp. The method includes receiving time series data corresponding to an electrical signal used to power a signal lamp. The state of the signal lamp can switch from one of the following states to another of the following states: an on state, an off state, and a flashing state. The method also includes determining the state of the signal lamp, based at least in part on both the time series data and an amplitude value of the electrical signal relative to an amplitude-change threshold value over a determined number of amplitude changes.