Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling device, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of a remote operator programming unit (OPP) to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter. The invention also allows assigning a unique address to a transmitter/receiver pair in a remote control system. The invention further provides an apparatus for remotely programming a transmitter unit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for remotely controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals are provided. A remote operator programming unit (OPP) is used to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmitter for remotely controlling and testing a train. The train has a slave controller mounted in the locomotive that is in communication with the transmitter. The transmitter comprises a control entity for issuing a plurality of commands to the slave controller and for causing corresponding actions to be performed at the train. The plurality of commands includes a brake testing command for causing a brake pipe test to be initiated at the train. In addition, the transmitter includes a communication entity that is in communication with the control entity for receiving commands issued by the control entity and for transmitting a signal over a communication link to the slave controller for conveying the commands issued by the control entity.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling one or more locomotives. The system includes a remote control unit on which a human operator enters commands, and a locomotive controller mounted in the locomotive to implement the commands. The remote control unit communicates with the locomotive controller over a radio frequency (RF) communication link. The communication link is a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) link. A TDMA arrangement allows several locomotives to be controlled by respective master controllers while constraining all the communication links to a common frequency band. To avoid conflicts, each communication link is assigned a different time interval. The length of the time interval can be varied according to selected parameters of the system, one such parameter being the number of locomotives currently controlled. When few locomotives are being currently controlled, the time interval assigned to each communication link can be expanded to provide increased bandwidth.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely controlling a locomotive. The system includes a remote control unit, a repeater module and a trail controller positioned onboard the locomotive. The components of the system are assigned time intervals during which they are permitted to transmit a signal over a communication channel. A first time interval is assigned to the remote control unit for transmission of remote control signals over a first communication channel. A second time interval is assigned to the repeater module for transmission of remote control signals over the first communication channel, the first time interval and the second time interval being non-overlapping. A third time interval is assigned to the trail controller mounted onboard the locomotive for transmission of trail controller signals over a second communication channel distinct from the first communication channel.

Abstract: A network entity for remotely controlling a plurality of locomotive entities. The network entity has two main components, namely a communications layer for communicating simultaneously via a set of radio frequency (RF) communication links with respective remote transmitters and respective locomotive entities, and an intelligence layer for processing data derived from signals received by the communications layer from the RF communication links.

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: A remote control unit for controlling a locomotive is provided. The remote control unit includes a manually operable control device, a brake setting display and a display controller. The control device allows an operator to select a level of brake application. The brake setting display includes an array of discrete display elements. The display controller actuates a first display element when a first level of brake application is selected on the control device. The display controller actuates a second display element adjacent to the first display element when a third level of brake application is selected on the control device. The display controller actuates the first and that second display elements of the array when a second level of brake application that is intermediate to the first and third levels of brake application is selected on the control device.

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 for testing a vehicle antenna is provided including a testing transponder and a monitoring unit. The testing transponder is positioned such that it lies within the electromagnetic field of a vehicle antenna and, while in the electromagnetic field, the testing transponder intermittently transmits signals conveying data to the vehicle antenna. The monitoring unit is in an operative relationship with the antenna and is suitable to receive data indicative of the signals conveying data detected by the vehicle antenna. The monitoring unit detects an error condition associated with the vehicle antenna when the time since the last signal conveying data detected by the antenna exceeds a certain threshold time period.

Abstract: A portable master controller for a locomotive remote control system. The portable master controller has a user interface for receiving commands to control the movement of the locomotive. The user interface is responsive to operator commands to generate control signals. A processing unit receives the control signals from the user interface to generate digital command signals directing the movement of the locomotive. A transmission unit receives the digital command signals and generates a RF transmission conveying the digital command signals to the slave controller. A solid-state tilt sensor in communication with the processing unit communicates inclination information to the processing unit about the portable master controller. The processing unit receives and processes the inclination information.

Abstract: A remote control unit for controlling a locomotive is provided. The remote control unit includes a manually operable control device, a brake setting display and a display controller. The control device allows an operator to select a level of brake application. The brake setting display includes an array of discrete display elements. The display controller actuates a first display element when a first level of brake application is selected on the control device. The display controller actuates a second display element adjacent to the first display element when a third level of brake application is selected on the control device. The display controller actuates the first and that second display elements of the array when a second level of brake application that is intermediate to the first and third levels of brake application is selected on the control device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling device, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of a remoit (OPP) to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter. The invention also allows assigning a unique address to a transmitter/receiver pair in a remote control system. Th.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for remotely controlling device, more particularly to a system and method for controlling locomotives in a railway environment using radio frequency signals. This invention makes use of a remote operator programming unit (OPP) to set address information in the transmitter unit via a communication channel such as an infrared link. The use of the operator programming unit allows eliminating the need to open the casing of the transmitter during programming thereby reducing the probability of damaging the electrical components of the transmitter. The invention also allows assigning a unique address to a transmitter/receiver pair in a remote control system. The invention further provides an apparatus for remotely programming a transmitter unit.

Abstract: A remote control unit for controlling a locomotive is provided. The remote control unit includes a manually operable control device, a brake setting display and a display controller. The control device allows an operator to select a level of brake application. The brake setting display includes an array of discrete display elements. The display controller actuates a first display element when a first level of brake application is selected on the control device. The display controller actuates a second display element adjacent to the first display element when a third level of brake application is selected on the control device. The display controller actuates the first and that second display elements of the array when a second level of brake application that is intermediate to the first and third levels of brake application is selected on the control device.

Abstract: A portable master controller for a locomotive remote control system. The portable master controller has a user interface for receiving commands to control the movement of the locomotive. The user interface is responsive to operator commands to generate control signals. A processing unit receives the control signals from the user interface to generate digital command signals directing the movement of the locomotive. A transmission unit receives the digital command signals and generates a RF transmission conveying the digital command signals to the slave controller. A solid-state tilt sensor in communication with the processing unit communicates inclination information to the processing unit about the portable master controller. The processing unit receives and processes the inclination information.

Abstract: A system for testing a vehicle antenna is provided including a testing transponder and a monitoring unit. The testing transponder is positioned such that it lies within the electromagnetic field of a vehicle antenna and, while in the electromagnetic field, the testing transponder intermittently transmits signals conveying data to the vehicle antenna. The monitoring unit is in an operative relationship with the antenna and is suitable to receive data indicative of the signals conveying data detected by the vehicle antenna. The monitoring unit detects an error condition associated with the vehicle antenna when the time since the last signal conveying data detected by the antenna exceeds a certain threshold time period.

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.