Abstract: A system for inductive power transfer includes a charger. The charger is an inductive charger. The system also includes a first mobile device that includes a receiver to inductively receive power for the first mobile device. A charger for inductive charging includes a printed circuit board having a charger coil, a substantially planar magnetic layer, a charger drive circuit, and means for positioning a receiver in a power transfer position. A mobile device that receives power inductively includes a receiver to inductively receive power for the mobile device. A method for inductive power transfer to a mobile device, which includes a receiver, includes positioning the receiver in a power transfer position to inductively receive power from an inductive charger. The method further includes inductively transferring power from the charger to the receiver of the first mobile device.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a method for overspeed protection of a motor of a gate crossing mechanism. The method includes monitoring, by an overspeed protection circuit, a voltage across a first Zener diode and a second Zener diode. An anode of the first Zener diode is connected to an anode of the second Zener diode. The method further includes, responsive to determining that a Zener voltage threshold is exceeded, allowing a current to flow into a gate pin of a triac. The triac controls the motor of the gate crossing mechanism.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for vital train tracking using an ultra-wideband ranging system are disclosed. The system includes a train disposed on a track, the train having at least two onboard UWB beacons configured to broadcast a unique beacon identification number. The system also includes a plurality of wayside UWB beacons disposed along the track, a subset of the plurality of wayside UWB beacons being connected to a wayside communications network, wherein at least two of the plurality of wayside UWB beacons are configured to receive the unique beacon identification number. The system also includes a central computer in communication with the wayside communications network, wherein the central computer is configured to determine a position of the train on the track based at least in part upon known location of the at least two wayside UWB beacons.

Abstract: A system and method for distributed charging of mobile devices. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a secondary coil or receiver associated with a mobile device. When the mobile device is placed in proximity to a base unit having one or more primary coils, each primary coil having a generally planar shape so that when a current is passed through the primary coil a magnetic field is generated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coil, the perpendicular magnetic field is used to inductively generate a current in the secondary coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device. In accordance with various embodiments the system can incorporate efficiency measures that improve the efficiency of power transfer between the charger and receiver.

Abstract: A system for intelligently implementing an autonomous agent that includes an autonomous agent, a plurality of infrastructure devices, and a communication interface. A method for intelligently calibrating infrastructure (sensing) devices using onboard sensors of an autonomous agent includes identifying a state of calibration of an infrastructure device, collecting observation data from one or more data sources, identifying or selecting mutually optimal observation data, specifically localizing a subject autonomous agent based on granular mutually optimal observation data, identifying dissonance in observation data from a perspective of a subject infrastructure device, and recalibrating a subject infrastructure device.

Abstract: A system for intelligently implementing an autonomous agent that includes an autonomous agent, a plurality of infrastructure devices, and a communication interface. A method for intelligently calibrating infrastructure (sensing) devices using onboard sensors of an autonomous agent includes identifying a state of calibration of an infrastructure device, collecting observation data from one or more data sources, identifying or selecting mutually optimal observation data, specifically localizing a subject autonomous agent based on granular mutually optimal observation data, identifying dissonance in observation data from a perspective of a subject infrastructure device, and recalibrating a subject infrastructure device.

Abstract: A ramp assembly comprises a support defining a vertical and horizontal pivot axes and a ramp with a first ramp portion coupled at one side thereof to the support, a second ramp portion, and a hinge connecting the second ramp portion to the first ramp portion. The second ramp section is manually movable between a generally folded stowed position being disposed in a surface-to-surface facing arrangement with the first ramp section and an unfolded deployed position being disposed in an end-to-end facing arrangement with the first ramp section. The ramp is manually pivotable on the support, about the vertical and horizontal pivot axes, between a folded stowed position, an unfolded deployed position defining an inclined ramp surface, and a folded intermediate position. The ramp can be installed on a vehicle for use by non-ambulatory passengers and be disposed in a position allowing unhindered use of the vehicle by ambulatory passengers.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a computer-implemented method for thermal lockout for a motor of a gate crossing mechanism. The method includes monitoring a motor current across a sense resistor of the motor. The method further includes determining a present thermal capacity unit (TCU) at a time interval based on the motor current across the sense resistor. The method further includes determining whether the motor is at a thermal limit by comparing the present TCU to an expected TCU. The method further includes responsive to determining that the motor is at the thermal limit, causing initiating a hard fault.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a method for direction control of a motor of a gate crossing mechanism. The method includes providing, by a field-effect transistor (FET) driver, a first voltage via a high output to an open contact of a first relay and to a closed contact of a second relay. The first voltage causes a shaft of the motor to turn in a first direction. The method further includes providing, by the FET driver, a second voltage via a low output to a closed contact of the first relay and to an open contact of the second relay. The second voltage causes the shaft of the motor to turn in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A system for operating an autonomous agent with incomplete environmental information can include and/or interface an autonomous operating system and an autonomous agent. A method for operating an autonomous agent with incomplete environmental information includes any or all of: receiving a set of inputs; determining a set of known objects in the ego vehicle's environment; determining a set of blind regions in the ego vehicle's environment; and inserting a set of virtual objects into the set of blind regions; selecting a set of virtual objects based on the set of blind regions; operating the autonomous agent based on the set of virtual objects; and/or any other suitable processes.

Abstract: An automated warning time inspection system (5) and method to test a warning time (45) at a railroad grade crossing (25) on each route for a train (30). The automated warning time inspection system (5) comprises a track circuit (12) configured to activate when a train (30) enters the track circuit (12), an event recorder (17) configured to record a first log time (35(1)) for activation of a crossing warning system (15), a camera (20) to detect a first motion detection indication (40(1)) in a motion detection zone (10) of the camera (20) if there is any motion and an island circuit (22) to detect a presence of the train (30) as the train (30) enters an island (42). The event recorder (17) to record a third log time (35(3)) for switch position indications when present. The event recorder (17) to record a fourth log time (35(4)) for activation of the island circuit (22).

Abstract: The method for dynamically updating an environmental representation of an autonomous agent can include: receiving a set of inputs S210; generating an environmental representation S220; and updating the environmental representation S230. Additionally or alternatively, the method S200 can include providing the environmental representation to a planning module S240 and/or any other suitable processes. The method S200 functions to generate and/or dynamically update an environmental representation to facilitate control of an autonomous agent.

Abstract: A system for providing power inductively to a portable device is disclosed. The system a primary coil, a drive circuit, a sense circuit, and a communication and control circuit. The communication and control circuit is configured to perform operations, including detection of communication and drive circuit operations. A portable device that includes a receiver unit coupled to a battery and configured to receive inductive power from an inductive charging system including a base unit with a primary coil and associated circuit is also disclosed. The receiver unit includes a receiver coil, a ferrite layer, and a receiver circuit. The receiver circuit includes a receiver communication and control circuit to modulate current in the receiver coil to communicate with a base unit while the receiver circuit is being powered by the inductive charging system.

Abstract: A modular lamp system (200) for a railroad crossing warning device includes a crossing lamp (210) and a crossing lamp base (220) controllable by a wayside control device (40), and a module (230) comprising an electronic circuit (250), wherein the crossing lamp base (220) is configured to provide power to the crossing lamp (210) and the module (230), and wherein, when the crossing lamp (210), the crossing lamp base (220) and the module (230) are assembled and in operation, the crossing lamp (210) performs a first action and the module (230) performs a second action, which is different from the first action.

Abstract: An inductive charger where the charging surface or coil is separated from the drive or control electronics is described.

Abstract: A system for providing power inductively to a portable device is disclosed. The system a primary coil, a drive circuit, a sense circuit, and a communication and control circuit. The communication and control circuit is configured to perform operations, including detection of communication and drive circuit operations. A portable device that includes a receiver unit coupled to a battery and configured to receive inductive power from an inductive charging system including a base unit with a primary coil and associated circuit is also disclosed. The receiver unit includes a receiver coil, a ferrite layer, and a receiver circuit. The receiver circuit includes a receiver communication and control circuit to modulate current in the receiver coil to communicate with a base unit while the receiver circuit is being powered by the inductive charging system.

Abstract: There is described systems and methods for managing an electrical surge of railway signaling equipment. A breaker includes a mechanical reset button that shifts positions in response to detecting the electrical surge exceeding a threshold amperage. An opto-isolator deenergizes in response to the position shift of the mechanical reset button. The event recorder transmits an alarm signal to a remote office system in response to the deenergizing of the opto-isolator.

Abstract: A system and method for distributed charging of mobile devices. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a secondary coil or receiver associated with a mobile device. When the mobile device is placed in proximity to a base unit having one or more primary coils, each primary coil having a generally planar shape so that when a current is passed through the primary coil a magnetic field is generated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coil, the perpendicular magnetic field is used to inductively generate a current in the secondary coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device. In accordance with various embodiments the system can incorporate efficiency measures that improve the efficiency of power transfer between the charger and receiver.

Abstract: A traffic control system (100) includes a railroad crossing control system (10) with a constant warning time device (40), a wheel sensing system (120) with a sensor (122) connected to a rail (20a, 20b) of a railroad track (20) at a predetermined position (P), and a communication network (140) interfacing with the railroad crossing control system (10) and the wheel sensing system (120) and adapted to transmit data. The wheel sensing system (120) provides speed values of a rail vehicle travelling on the railroad track (20), wherein the speed values are transmitted to the railroad crossing control system (10) via the communication network (140) for producing a preemption signal for the traffic signal control system (110). Further, a method for providing a preemption signal for a traffic signal control system (110) is described.

Abstract: A railroad communication system (100, 200) includes a wayside control device (130) in communication with one or more railroad crossing warning device(s) (140, 145) located at a railroad grade crossing (125), wherein the one or more railroad crossing warning device(s) (140, 145) are activated in response to a signal of the wayside control device (130). An autonomous motor vehicle (150) approaches the railroad grade crossing (125), wherein the wayside control device (130) is configured to communicate information in response to an activation of the one or more railroad crossing warning device(s) (140, 145), and wherein the autonomous motor vehicle (150) is configured to receive the information.