Abstract: An exemplary method relates to associating diverse devices each including a unique public media access control address (Public MAC address). In this exemplary embodiment, the method includes providing a plurality of devices with a shared private media access control address (Shared Private MAC address) such that the Shared Private MAC address is known to each of the devices and usable for initiating a learning interchange during which the devices exchange their unique Public MAC addresses with each other and are thereby associated with each other; and/or using a shared private media access control address (Shared Private MAC address) known to each of a plurality of devices to initiate a learning interchange that includes the devices exchanging their unique Public MAC addresses with each other and thereby associating the devices with each other.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices, systems, and methods related to tracking location of operator control units for locomotives. In an exemplary embodiment, an operator control unit includes a user interface configured to receive one or more commands from an operator for controlling a locomotive. The operator control unit also includes receiver configured to receive location information of the operator control unit, and a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is configured to transmit command data corresponding to the one or more commands and location data corresponding to the location information to a machine control unit on the locomotive.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to dynamic power curve throttling. In an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for enabling dynamic throttling of an engine includes graphically displaying a graph of a linear throttle line for the engine including an idle speed in revolutions per minute (RPM) and one or more operating speeds in revolutions per minute; using a graphical user interface to alter the linear throttling line into a non-linear dynamic throttling line; and generating a table based on the non-linear dynamic throttling line, the table including dynamic throttle increments that vary based on RPM and that are usable by a controller for dynamic throttling of the engine.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of systems and methods for remotely controlling locomotives with gestures. In an exemplary embodiment, a system is configured for allowing an operator(s) to remotely control operation of a locomotive with gesture(s) made by an operator(s). The system includes at least one processor configured to be operable for visually recognizing gesture(s) made by an operator(s) in one or more images captured by at least one camera. A locomotive control unit is configured to be operable for controlling the operation of the locomotive according to the visually recognized gesture(s) made by the operator(s).

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods of increasing functional safety of locomotives. In exemplary embodiments, a locomotive functional safety system is configured to: receive one or more manual control commands from a locomotive control stand and/or a user interface onboard a locomotive; determine whether the one or more manual control commands pass or satisfy one or more predetermined criteria; if the one or more manual control commands pass or satisfy the one or more predetermined criteria, approve the one or more manual control commands and allow the one or more manual control commands to be relayed onward and/or acted upon; and if the one or more manual control commands do not pass or satisfy the one or more predetermined criteria, disapprove the one or more manual control commands and disallow the one or more manual control commands to be relayed onward and/or acted upon.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing information describing a fault code for an object. A display device having an electronic display detects a fault occurrence event in the object. The display device determines a fault code indicative of the fault occurrence event and one or more parameters associated with the fault code. The display device generates a machine-readable code representing the fault code and the one or more parameters.

Abstract: A wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device connected to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes a mobile device controller configured to control operation of the machine, and a safety stop device. The safety stop device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The mobile device controller is configured to link with the safety stop device via short-range wireless communication.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing information describing a fault code for an object. A display device having an electronic display detects a fault occurrence event in the object. The display device determines a fault code indicative of the fault occurrence event and one or more parameters associated with the fault code. The display device generates a machine-readable code representing the fault code and the one or more parameters.

Abstract: A reserve power supply system for providing a supplemental source of electrical power to a main power source. The system includes a backup battery and a switch that can be controlled to couple the backup battery to the main power source when reserve power is needed. The system also includes a sensor to detect when the backup battery should be engaged and a system control unit.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems and methods for changing operator control unit (OCU) configurations (e.g., operating frequency, address, operational configuration, etc.). In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes at least one or more radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags associated with at least one or more machines. The at least one or more RFID tags are readable by an RFID reader when the RFID reader and the at least one or more RFID tags are operationally proximate. The at least one or more RFID tags include data useable for changing the configuration of the OCU such that the OCU is configured to be operable with the at least one or more machines.

Abstract: Accordingly, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of coordinated safety interlocking systems and methods of coordinating safety interlocking. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for providing coordinated safety interlocking between a plurality of machines is disclosed. The system generally includes a plurality of machine control units each configured to control at least one of the plurality of machines. The system also includes at least one operator control unit configured to define a dynamic cluster including a subset of the plurality of machine control units. The at least one operator control unit is configured to control safety interlocking between each machine control unit in the dynamic cluster. The system may be used to provide coordinated safety interlocking between various elements and/or machines, such as crane bridges and crane hoists, etc.

Abstract: A wireless emergency stop system includes a machine safety device connected to a machine stop circuit for stopping operation of a machine when the machine stop circuit is activated. The machine safety device includes a wireless communication interface. The system also includes a mobile device controller configured to control operation of the machine, and a safety stop device. The safety stop device includes a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the machine safety device, and an emergency stop switch configured to, when activated, transmit an emergency stop signal to the machine safety device to trigger an emergency stop of the machine. The mobile device controller is configured to link with the safety stop device via short-range wireless communication.

Abstract: An example remote control locomotive (RCL) system includes a consist having at least one locomotive and at least one pneumatic brake pipe, and an RCL controller. The RCL controller includes a memory configured to store at least one pressurization reference including correspondence relationships between pneumatic brake pipe pressurization time periods and pneumatic brake pipe air volumes, and a processor configured to monitor a time period to pressurize the at least one pneumatic brake pipe of the consist. The processor is also configured to compare the monitored time period to pressurize the at least one pneumatic brake pipe to the pressurization reference, and determine a fault or a number of locomotives in the consist according to the comparison of the monitored time period to pressurize the at least one pneumatic brake pipe to the pressurization reference.

Abstract: An automated speed control system for a locomotive having a tractive effort mechanism for moving the locomotive along a track and a braking mechanism for reducing the locomotive's speed along the track. The system including a locomotive controller that includes a memory to store computer-executable instructions, and a processor in communication with the memory to execute the instructions to retrieve one or more track grade maps each indicative of a grade of at least a portion of the track along which the locomotive is travelling, retrieve train makeup, obtain a maximum distance to a specified stopping point of the locomotive along the track, and dynamically calculate a speed limit for movement of the locomotive along the track, according to the retrieved track grade map, retrieved train makeup data, and obtained maximum distance to the specified stopping point.

Abstract: An example locomotive consist control system includes a locomotive controller located on a locomotive consist to control movement of the locomotive consist along one or more tracks, and a field operator control unit in communication with the locomotive controller. The field operator control unit is configured to control movement of the locomotive consist via the locomotive controller. The system also includes a yard supervisory controller configured to monitor a location of the locomotive consist along the one or more tracks, and a remote operator controller in communication with the yard supervisory controller and the locomotive controller. The remote operator controller is configured to transmit speed and direction orders from the yard supervisory controller to the locomotive controller to control movement of the locomotive consist.

Abstract: A crane control system for controlling a plurality of cranes is provided. The crane control system in some embodiments includes a master controller unit, at least one computer readable memory for storing a plurality of tokens, each token from the plurality of tokens associated with a respective crane from the plurality of cranes, and a processing unit responsive to commands inputtable by an operator of the master controller unit to send the commands to individual cranes from the plurality of cranes, wherein the processing unit associates the commands with respective tokens to control the cranes associated with those tokens. The crane control system in some embodiments also includes a processing unit that is responsive to a signal indicative of a synchronization loss to issue a command to bring the plurality of cranes into a safe condition, such as an emergency stop, or a corrective action.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of systems and methods for safety locking of operator control units for remote control locomotives. In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a machine control unit located on a locomotive to control operation of the locomotive, a primary operator control unit including a primary network interface configured to transmit received input commands to the machine control unit to control motion of the locomotive, and a secondary operation control unit including a secondary network interface and a secondary input interface. The secondary operator control unit is configured to operate in a secondary role that does not include motion control of the locomotive, and the secondary operator control unit is configured to transmit a lock command to the machine control unit to inhibit movement of the locomotive in response to receiving a lock command input at the secondary input interface.

Abstract: Accordingly, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of coordinated safety interlocking systems and methods of coordinating safety interlocking. In an exemplary embodiment, a system for providing coordinated safety interlocking between a plurality of machines is disclosed. The system generally includes a plurality of machine control units each configured to control at least one of the plurality of machines. The system also includes at least one operator control unit configured to define a dynamic cluster including a subset of the plurality of machine control units. The at least one operator control unit is configured to control safety interlocking between each machine control unit in the dynamic cluster. The system may be used to provide coordinated safety interlocking between various elements and/or machines, such as crane bridges and crane hoists, etc.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of devices, systems, and methods related to controlling machines using operator control units and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). In an exemplary embodiment, a machine control system includes a machine, a programmable logic controller coupled to the machine, and an operator control unit. The operator control unit includes a user interface configured to receive one or more commands from an operator for controlling the machine, and a wireless interface configured to transmit a message based on the one or more commands received via the user interface. The programmable logic controller is configured to, in response to receiving the message transmitted by the operator control unit, transmit one or more control signals to the machine to control operation of the machine. The system does not include any machine control unit (MCU) separate from the operator control unit and the programmable logic controller.

Abstract: An example automated locomotive spotting system includes a locomotive having a tractive effort mechanism for moving the locomotive along a track, and a locomotive controller configured to control the tractive effort mechanism to move the locomotive along the track. The locomotive controller includes an odometer configured to monitor a distance traversed by the locomotive along the track. The locomotive controller is configured to receive a requested spotting distance value, and initiate movement of the locomotive along the track via the tractive effort mechanism. The locomotive controller is also configured to monitor, by the odometer, the distance traversed by the locomotive along the track, and inhibit movement of the locomotive in response to the monitored odometer distance indicating the locomotive has traversed the requested spotting distance.