Abstract: An integrated wireless and wireline telecommunication switch. The switch includes peripheral modules having both wireless and wireline peripheral devices. The switch also includes wireless and wireline software load. An aspect table allows the wireless and wireline software load within the switch to be executed within a single call without creating direct dependencies on each other. The switch allows new and more efficient connections between wireless and wireline subscribers. In many cases wireless and wireline subscribers having direct access to the switch can connect without using any other switches in the network.

Abstract: A mobile telephone has a receiver, a transmitter, a microprocessor and an associated memory. The memory includes a first-in-first-out (FIFO) queue and a static buffer. An audio signal carried by the mobile telephone is digitized and provided to the microprocessor. The resulting digital signal is continuously written to the FIFO queue. In response to a first command from the mobile telephone user, the microprocessor causes the contents of the FIFO queue to be transferred to the static buffer. Upon a second command from the user, the contents of the buffer are converted to an analog signal and played back over the mobile telephone's speaker.

Abstract: An electronic device has a microprocessor operable in a plurality of modes including a memory update mode, a nonvolatile memory and a wireless communication interface for receiving data over a wireless communication channel. In one embodiment, the electronic device includes a wake-up or timer circuit for automatically placing the electronic device in a wireless memory update mode. Data received by said wireless communication interface is stored in the nonvolatile memory by the microprocessor in response to receipt of the data while the microprocessor is in memory update mode. A programming unit for transmitting update data has a microprocessor, a wireless communication interface and a memory containing update data. A communication path is established between the programming unit and the electronic device. A system for updating data stored in a nonvolatile memory of a plurality of electronic devices includes a programming unit and a plurality of electronic devices.

Abstract: An impedance matching circuit for a multi-band power amplifier has an input port for receiving RF signals from an amplifier, a first path for communicating RF signals in a first frequency band to a first output port, and at least one second path for communicating RF signals in a second frequency band to a second output port. The first path includes impedance matching circuitry for matching the impedance of the first output port and the input port in the first frequency band, and the second path includes impedance matching circuitry for matching the impedance of the second output port and the input port in the second frequency band. The first path contains circuitry which blocks RF signals in the second frequency band, and the second path contains circuitry which blocks RF signals in the first frequency band. A multiband power amplifier includes a multi-band amplifier coupled with an impedance matching circuit for a multiband power amplifier.

Abstract: A method is provided for transferring control of a railway vehicle from a controlling wayside controller that controls a first zone within which the railway vehicle was previously positioned, to an adjacent wayside controller that controls a second zone within which the railway vehicle has traveled, wherein the second zone is adjacent to the first zone and separated from the first zone by a predetermined boundary in a communication based signaling system. The method utilizes information requests and control transfer requests that are transmitted and received by each of the controlling wayside controller and the adjacent wayside controller and the railway vehicle in accordance with method steps which are performed asynchronously, independently, and in parallel for each of the controlling wayside controller, the adjacent wayside controller, and the railway vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring light emitted from a light emitting diode (LED) display device, which typically has a plurality of selectively energizable display segments which are grouped to form desired shapes and/or alphanumeric characters, is provided, particularly for use in an Aspect Display Unit (ADU) that requires vitality when utilized in the railroad industry as a component of an Automatic Train Protection system utilized in the railroad industry. In a preferred embodiment, each particular segment of the LED display device is independently monitored by an accompanying independent dual photo-transistor circuit when a non-vital output periodically drives each segment to a known electrical state and then back to the original state. A first and a second photo-transistor is used for each segment of the LED display.

Abstract: A system and method of communicating via digital radio between a train and a device positioned at the wayside of a railway system, wherein the device detects defects at the wayside and information related to the defects is transmitted from the wayside to the train for display in the locomotive cab. A communications unit having a microprocessor control circuit and a transceiver is electrically coupled, preferably by serial connection, to the defect detector along the wayside. The transceiver of the communications unit is in radio communication with an existing transceiver in the head-of-train (HOT) unit located in the locomotive cab at the head-end of the train. The head-of-train unit has a microprocessor control circuit that drives a display which is preferably alphanumeric, for the purpose of displaying messages related to the defects detected by the defect detector at the wayside, and subsequently transmitted between the transceiver of the communications unit and the transceiver of the HOT unit.

Abstract: A wheel detector for indicating the presence of a rail vehicle on a set of spaced rails is disclosed. The wheel detector transmits a radar pulse signal and samples a portion of the signal corresponding to a target area on one of the rails. The wheel detector will generate an indication signal if a change in the reflectivity of the received signal corresponding to the target area is detected. The wheel detector may additionally include multiple transmitters and receivers to provide redundancy, and be configured to determine the linear velocity and direction of a wheel.

Abstract: A car space measurement apparatus for tracking a rail vehicle position on a track is provided, which includes a wayside sensor and a supervisory processor. The wayside sensor senses multiple track parameters that are representative of the rail vehicle position. The supervisory processor receives selected track parameters and determines the rail vehicle position therefrom. Also the supervisory processor asynchronously displays a track position indication representative of the rail vehicle position. The apparatus can have an operational mode, a calibration mode, and a self -test mode. The selected track parameters are analog track phase signals. The supervisory processor can include an analog signal processor, a phase processor for determining the track position indication and a control processor for asynchronously receiving and displaying the track position indication. The asynchronous interface can be a asynchronous computer bus interface.

Abstract: A highway crossing gate control circuit is provided which minimizes the "pumping" oscillation of a highway crossing gate arm which is driven up by a permanent magnet motor. A preferred embodiment of the control circuit utilizes a p-channel MOSFET in a power down module of the control circuit to restrict power from being applied to the motor when the gate arm is in an up position and is intended to be held in the up position by a hold clear device which acts as a mechanical break. Provision is included for dynamic braking on the gate arm moving downward after an initial drive down mode.

Abstract: A railroad searchlight signal for producing light signals of selected colors. The searchlight uses a reflector that has an inner surface of reflective material and a focal point. One or more light emitting diodes are provided at the reflector focal point. When a current is supplied to the light emitting diode from a variable current power source, a light having a color that varies dependent upon the current is produced. The colored light produced at the light emitting diode is then directed outward of the reflector as a beam. At least one color filter that allows light of a respective color to pass therethrough is preferably provided proximate the reflector. Light that passes through the color filter is detected by a light detector such as a photovoltaic cell, a phototransistor or a photodiode.

Abstract: A latching device is provided for releasably retaining in an upright and open position, a hinged door which is typically manufactured of a heavy cast iron and hinged to a train stop housing, thereby to prevent the unintentional and accidental closure of the hinged door during installation connections or any field operational maintenance of the train stop housing. Preferably, a latch assembly is mounted atop a sturdy frame which provides an integral support above the train stop housing and is mountable with mounting hardware to a mounting lug of the train stop housing. The latch assembly includes a covered latching bar which slides in a channel defined by a first and second bracket and is urged by a spring mounted between the first and second bracket, thereby to urge a latch end of the latching bar outwardly away from the latch assembly and an opposing handle end of the latching bar inwardly towards the latch assembly.

Abstract: A decelerometer is provided for detecting and measuring inertial deceleration and acceleration of a vehicle moving in a first direction and alternatively moving in a second direction which opposes the first direction. The decelerometer uses a tilt sensor which changes voltage as the tilt sensor is rotated clockwise or counter clockwise or is otherwise tilted from a level position. Two voltage outputs from the tilt sensor are processed to convert from AC to DC and from DC to digital information, which subsequently is processed by a processing unit for decisions to be made relative to accelerating, decelerating, and braking of the vehicle.