Patents by Inventor Kurt Gunther

Kurt Gunther has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12122436
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for worker protection system with ultra-wideband (UWB) based anchors. One or more wayside units placed on or near a track may be configured to form a work zone network, based on ultra-wideband (UWB) communications, corresponding to a work zone in an area surrounding or in proximity to the one or more wayside units. When the work zone network is formed, at least one wayside unit of the one or more wayside units may be configured to obtain ranging information to a train traversing the track, based on communications of UWB signals with at least one train-mounted unit deployed on the train, and the one or more wayside units are configured to generate, based on the ranging information, notifications relating to the train and/or the work zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: METROM RAIL, LLC
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kurt A. Gunther, Sara J. Woitel
  • Publication number: 20240246582
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for achieving vital ultra-wideband (UWB) based train control. Train-mounted units and wayside units that incorporate at least two separate and independent radios are used to obtain independent and separate ranging measurements in trains based on communications between the train-mounted units and wayside units. The communications includes communication of ultra-wideband (UWB) based signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Richard Carlson, John Albert Plutt, JR., Kurt Gunther
  • Patent number: 11965952
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for subway personnel detection. An ultra-wideband (UWB) based detection of objects in subway tunnels may include transmitting UWB signals into an area within a subway tunnel, the area including one or more tracks traversed by trains running in the subway tunnel, receiving UWB signals within the area, and processing received UWB signals to enable detecting objects within the area. The processing may include identifying received UWB signals corresponding to echoes of the transmitted UWB signal transmitted by the detection devices, and detecting based on the echoes of the transmitted UWB signals when an object is present within the area. The object may be assessed, such as to determine when the object represents an intrusion within the area of the subway tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: METROM RAIL, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt A. Gunther
  • Patent number: 11952028
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for achieving vital ultra-wideband (UWB) based train control. Train-mounted units and wayside units that incorporate at least two separate and independent radios are used to obtain independent and separate ranging measurements in trains based on communications between the train-mounted units and wayside units. The communications includes communication of ultra-wideband (UWB) based signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: METROM RAIL, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Carlson, John Albert Plutt, Jr., Kurt Gunther
  • Publication number: 20240109568
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for worker protection system with ultra-wideband (UWB) based anchors. One or more wayside units placed on or near a track may be configured to form a work zone network, based on ultra-wideband (UWB) communications, corresponding to a work zone in an area surrounding or in proximity to the one or more wayside units. When the work zone network is formed, at least one wayside unit of the one or more wayside units may be configured to obtain ranging information to a train traversing the track, based on communications of UWB signals with at least one train-mounted unit deployed on the train, and the one or more wayside units are configured to generate, based on the ranging information, notifications relating to the train and/or the work zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kurt A. Gunther, Sara J. Woitel
  • Patent number: 11780481
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for worker protection system with ultra-wideband (UWB) based anchors. One or more wayside units placed on or near a track may be configured to form a work zone network, based on ultra-wideband (UWB) communications, corresponding to a work zone in an area surrounding or in proximity to the one or more wayside units. When the work zone network is formed, at least one wayside unit of the one or more wayside units may be configured to obtain ranging information to a train traversing the track, based on communications of UWB signals with at least one train-mounted unit deployed on the train, and the one or more wayside units are configured to generate, based on the ranging information, notifications relating to the train and/or the work zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: METROM RAIL, LLC
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kurt A. Gunther, Sara J. Woitel
  • Publication number: 20230192164
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for train operation control and enforcement. A vehicle mounted system for train control may include a vehicle mounted data radio mounted on a railway vehicle and a vehicle mounted controller. The vehicle mounted controller may be connected to the vehicle mounted data radio. The vehicle mounted data radio may be in wireless communication with a wayside reporting station, which may be in communication with a signal control point that is associated with a safety point that is further associated with an interlocking, and the vehicle mounted data radio may be configured to receive signal state status information from the wayside reporting station. The vehicle mounted controller may be configured to determine a distance between the railway vehicle and the safety point. The vehicle mounted data radio may be an ultra-wide band (UWB) radio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kurt A. Gunther, Marc W. Cygnus
  • Publication number: 20230058941
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for worker protection system with ultra-wideband (UWB) based anchors. One or more wayside units placed on or near a track may be configured to form a work zone network, based on ultra-wideband (UWB) communications, corresponding to a work zone in an area surrounding or in proximity to the one or more wayside units. When the work zone network is formed, at least one wayside unit of the one or more wayside units may be configured to obtain ranging information to a train traversing the track, based on communications of UWB signals with at least one train-mounted unit deployed on the train, and the one or more wayside units are configured to generate, based on the ranging information, notifications relating to the train and/or the work zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kurt A. Gunther, Sara J. Woitel
  • Patent number: 11492027
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for worker protection system with ultra-wideband (UWB) based anchors. One or more wayside units placed on or near a track may be configured to form a work zone network, based on ultra-wideband (UWB) communications, corresponding to a work zone in an area surrounding or in proximity to the one or more wayside units. When the work zone network is formed, at least one wayside unit of the one or more wayside units may be configured to obtain ranging information to a train traversing the track, based on communications of UWB signals with at least one train-mounted unit deployed on the train, and the one or more wayside units are configured to generate, based on the ranging information, notifications relating to the train and/or the work zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: METROM RAIL, LLC
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kurt A. Gunther, Sara J. Woitel
  • Publication number: 20210229716
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for ultra-wideband (UWB) based rail line sensing and safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kurt A. Gunther
  • Publication number: 20210206407
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for virtual trip stops in train networks. The rail network includes one or more wayside control units configured for deployment on or near tracks in the rail network, with each wayside control unit coupled or attached to a train signal, and the train-based control unit is configured to communicate with any wayside control unit that comes within communication range of the train-based control unit, determine based on processing of communicated signals with at least one wayside control unit one or both of operation information relating to one or both of the at least one wayside control unit and the train and state information relating to a state of train signal, and generate based on the operation information and the state information, control information configured for use in controlling one or more functions of the train in conjunction with operation in the rail network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kurt A. Gunther
  • Patent number: 10926783
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for worker protection. The worker protection systems comprise a plurality of alert devices, comprising one or more wearable personal alert devices, each worn by a person (e.g., worker), and one or more companion alert devices that broadcast alerts or signals triggering alerts. The companion alert devices comprise vehicle-mounted alert devices, configured for operation on vehicles (e.g., trains), and wayside detection units, configured for placement on or near paths of the vehicles. The wayside detection units may be operable to autonomously detect and track the vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventors: Richard Carlson, Kurt Gunther, Sara Jo Woitel, Marc Wayne Cygnus, Peter Strezev, John Albert Plutt, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200317235
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for achieving vital ultra-wideband (UWB) based train control. Train-mounted units and wayside units that incorporate at least two separate and independent radios are used to obtain independent and separate ranging measurements in trains based on communications between the train-mounted units and wayside units. The communications includes communication of ultra-wideband (UWB) based signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Richard Carlson, John Albert Plutt, JR., Kurt Gunther
  • Publication number: 20200317241
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for worker protection system with ultra-wideband (UWB) based anchors. One or more wayside units placed on or near a track may be configured to form a work zone network, based on ultra-wideband (UWB) communications, corresponding to a work zone in an area surrounding or in proximity to the one or more wayside units. When the work zone network is formed, at least one wayside unit of the one or more wayside units may be configured to obtain ranging information to a train traversing the track, based on communications of UWB signals with at least one train-mounted unit deployed on the train, and the one or more wayside units are configured to generate, based on the ranging information, notifications relating to the train and/or the work zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kurt A. Gunther, Sara J. Woitel
  • Patent number: 10737709
    Abstract: A worker protection system may include a train-mounted unit for use on a train, and one or more wayside units, configured for placement on or near a track traversed by the train. Each of the train-mounted unit and the one or more wayside units may include a corresponding communication component, with one or more antennas, configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals, with the signals comprise ultra-wideband (UWB) signals, and one or more circuits configured for processing signals and data, and for performing applications or functions relating to operations of the corresponding unit. The train-mounted unit may operate cooperatively with the one or more wayside units, to provide alerts to one or more workers operating on or near the track, based on communication of the UWB signals with at least one of the one or more wayside units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Metrom Rail, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Carlson, Kurt Gunther, Sara Jo Woitel, Marc Wayne Cygnus, Peter Strezev, John Albert Plutt, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200174110
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for platform intrusion detection. An ultra-wideband (UWB) based platform intrusion detection may include transmitting UWB signals into an area in proximity to a platform, the area that includes one or more tracks; receiving UWB signals within the area; and processing received UWB signals to enable detecting objects within the area. The processing may include identifying received UWB signals corresponding to echoes of the transmitted UWB signal transmitted by the detection devices; detecting based on the echoes of the transmitted UWB signals when an object is present within the area; and assessing the object, wherein assessing the object includes determining when the object represents an intrusion within the area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Richard Carlson, Sara Jo Woitel, Kurt Gunther, John Albert Plutt, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200166624
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for subway personnel detection. An ultra-wideband (UWB) based detection of objects in subway tunnels may include transmitting UWB signals into an area within a subway tunnel, the area including one or more tracks traversed by trains running in the subway tunnel, receiving UWB signals within the area, and processing received UWB signals to enable detecting objects within the area. The processing may include identifying received UWB signals corresponding to echoes of the transmitted UWB signal transmitted by the detection devices, and detecting based on the echoes of the transmitted UWB signals when an object is present within the area. The object may be assessed, such as to determine when the object represents an intrusion within the area of the subway tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventor: Kurt A. Gunther
  • Publication number: 20200062286
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for worker protection. The worker protection systems comprise a plurality of alert devices, comprising one or more wearable personal alert devices, each worn by a person (e.g., worker), and one or more companion alert devices that broadcast alerts or signals triggering alerts. The companion alert devices comprise vehicle-mounted alert devices, configured for operation on vehicles (e.g., trains), and wayside detection units, configured for placement on or near paths of the vehicles. The wayside detection units may be operable to autonomously detect and track the vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Richard Carlson, Kurt Gunther, Sara Jo Woitel, Marc Wayne Cygnus, Peter Strezev, John Albert Plutt, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190300033
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for train operation control and enforcement. A train control system for controlling operations of a train may include a train-mounted control unit deployed in the train, and a plurality of fixed control nodes deployed on or in close proximity to a track traversed by the train. Each of the train-mounted control unit and fixed control nodes includes a corresponding communication subsystem that includes transponders and communication circuits, configured for communicating signals. The train-mounted control unit is configured to transmit signals to and receive signals from the plurality of fixed control nodes, with the signals including ultra-wideband (UWB) signals and with at least some of the signals carrying data pertinent to controlling operations of the train; and to determine control information relating to controlling operations of the train based on received UWB signals originating from one or more fixed control nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kurt A. Gunther, Marc W. Cygnus
  • Publication number: 20190283721
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adaptively controlling railcar stopping distance based on environmental conditions related solutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Richard C. Carlson, Kurt A. Gunther