Abstract: A transmitter for remotely controlling a locomotive entity. The transmitter has a control entity capable of acquiring a plurality of states, including a linked state. The transmitter also has an interface in communication with the control entity for receiving an identifier of the locomotive entity via a communication link. The transmitter also has a proximity detector having a detection field, the proximity detector being in communication with the control entity to enable the control entity to switch to the linked state at least when the locomotive entity is in the detection field.

Abstract: A remote control unit for controlling a locomotive by transmitting signals to a remote receiver mounted onboard the locomotive is provided. The remote control unit includes an input for receiving a signal indicative of a command selected from a set of available commands. A signal transmitting unit transmits a signal indicative of the selected command repetitively to create a succession of signal transmission events. In a first example, each signal transmission event is spaced in time from a previous signal transmission event by a certain time interval having a duration conditioned at least in part on the basis of the selected command. In a second example, each signal transmission event includes a message portion and a header portion and the message portion of the signal has a length conditioned at least in part on the basis of the selected command. In a third example, each signal transmission event is characterized by a signal level conditioned at least in part on the basis of the selected command.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable remote control device adapted for transmitting command signals to a locomotive control device located onboard a locomotive. The command signals are indicative of a command to be executed by the locomotive. The portable remote control device is adapted for transmitting the command signals over either a remote communication link or a proximity communication link at least in part on the basis of a link selection signal received by the remote control device, wherein the link selection signal is indicative of the proximity of the portable remote control device to the locomotive. The remote communication link and the proximity communication link are distinguishable based on their range of communication. More specifically, the remote communication link permits the remote control device and the locomotive control device to communicate over a greater distance than the proximity communication link.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote control system for a locomotive having a control interface. The remote control system comprises a portable remote control device and a locomotive control device. The portable remote control device receives command data indicative of speed information, and generates digital command signals for transmission to the locomotive control device for conveying the command data. The locomotive control device is adapted to be mounted on board a locomotive, and is operative for receiving the command signals conveyed by the portable remote control device. The locomotive control device includes a control entity that is responsive to the signal conveyed by the remote control device for deriving a specific speed associated to the command data, wherein the specific speed is a configurable parameter. Finally the control entity is operative for issuing local control signals to the locomotive control interface for causing the locomotive to implement the specific speed.

Abstract: A portable master controller for a locomotive remote control system is provided including a user interface, a tilt sensor, a processing unit and a transmission unit. The user interface is receives commands to control a movement of the locomotive from a human operator and generates a control signal on the basis of the commands. The tilt sensor generates inclination information about the portable master controller. The processing unit generates a digital command signal that includes a first component derived from the control signal received from the user interface and a second component derived from the inclination information received from the tilt sensor. The second component of the digital command signal allows a slave controller to determine whether the portable master controller is in an unsafe operational condition. The transmission unit then generates a RF transmission for conveying the digital command signal to a slave controller.

Abstract: A remote control system for a locomotive. The remote control system includes a lead controller and follower controller connected to one another over a wireless communication link. The lead controller issues commands over the wireless communication link and those commands are implemented by the follower controller mounted on-board the locomotive. The lead controller is responsive to voice commands uttered by the operator.

Abstract: A system of controller modules allowing to remotely control a train having a first locomotive and a second locomotive separated from one another by at least one car is provided. The system of controller modules comprises a first controller module associated to the first locomotive and a second controller module associated to the second locomotive. One of said controller modules has a lead operational status and the other has a trail operational status. The controller module having the lead operational status receives a master control signal for signaling the train to move in a desired direction and releases in response to the master control signal a first local command signal. The first local command signal is operative to cause displacement of the locomotive associated with the controller module having the lead operational status.