Patents by Inventor Michael Steffen, II
Michael Steffen, II 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).
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Patent number: 9751545Abstract: A system includes a communication module and an analysis module. The communication module is configured to be operably connectable to a wayside unit of a transportation network and to transmit a simulation message to the wayside unit. The simulation message simulates at least one of a request or command from at least one transportation network element corresponding to a wayside action to be performed by the wayside unit. The simulation message is configured to elicit a wayside message from the wayside unit upon receipt of the simulation message. The analysis module is configured to obtain the wayside message and to provide a display corresponding to the wayside message.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2014Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIESInventors: Michael Steffen, II, Jeffrey Fries, Aric Albert Weingartner, Jesse Herlocker
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Patent number: 9340220Abstract: A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle that travels along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module that is configured to impede travel of a second vehicle through the crossing, and to identify an upcoming stop at a station within a range of a track detection system associated with the remote crossing module. The communication module is configured to communicatively couple the determination module to the remote crossing module, and to transmit an inhibit request message to the remote crossing module. The inhibit request message is configured to prevent the remote crossing module from activating a warning when the first vehicle is stopped at the station.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIESInventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Steven Ray Murphy, Michael Steffen, II, Jesse Lee Herlocker, Nels Jorgensen, Anuka Sawh
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Patent number: 9126609Abstract: A system includes a timing determination module configured to be disposed onboard an approaching vehicle system during travel of the approaching vehicle system along a first route toward a crossing between the first route and a second route. The timing determination module is configured to determine one or more arrival times of the approaching vehicle system to reach the crossing and to repeatedly communicate notification messages having the one or more arrival times to a remote crossing system that is configured to activate one or more warning devices disposed at or near the crossing to notify other vehicles on the second route that the approaching vehicle system is approaching the crossing along the first route. The timing determination module is configured to determine the one or more arrival times at different respective locations along the first route as the approaching vehicle system travels toward the crossing.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Steffen, II, Jeffrey Michael Fries, Aric Albert Weingartner, William Shields, Sherri Boyd
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Patent number: 9026360Abstract: A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle configured to travel along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module. The determination module is configured to determine, based on a speed of the first vehicle, timing information corresponding to a time at which the first vehicle will travel proximate to the crossing on the first route. The communication module is configured to transmit the timing information to the remote crossing module. The timing information includes a reference time configured as an absolute time corresponding to a time for impeding travel of a second vehicle along the second route through the crossing.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Jeffrey Baker, Aric Albert Weingartner, Michael Steffen, II, Jesse Lee Herlocker, William Shields
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Publication number: 20140367526Abstract: A system includes a timing determination module configured to be disposed onboard an approaching vehicle system during travel of the approaching vehicle system along a first route toward a crossing between the first route and a second route. The timing determination module is configured to determine one or more arrival times of the approaching vehicle system to reach the crossing and to repeatedly communicate notification messages having the one or more arrival times to a remote crossing system that is configured to activate one or more warning devices disposed at or near the crossing to notify other vehicles on the second route that the approaching vehicle system is approaching the crossing along the first route. The timing determination module is configured to determine the one or more arrival times at different respective locations along the first route as the approaching vehicle system travels toward the crossing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael STEFFEN, II, Jeffrey Michael FRIES, Aric Albert WEINGARTNER, William SHIELDS, Sherri BOYD
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Publication number: 20140361125Abstract: A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle configured to travel along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module. The determination module is configured to determine, based on a speed of the first vehicle, timing information corresponding to a time at which the first vehicle will travel proximate to the crossing on the first route. The communication module is configured to transmit the timing information to the remote crossing module. The timing information includes a reference time configured as an absolute time corresponding to a time for impeding travel of a second vehicle along the second route through the crossing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Jeffrey Baker, Aric Albert Weingartner, Michael Steffen, II, Jesse Lee Herlocker, William Shields
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Publication number: 20140365160Abstract: A system includes a communication module and an analysis module. The communication module is configured to be operably connectable to a wayside unit of a transportation network and to transmit a simulation message to the wayside unit. The simulation message simulates at least one of a request or command from at least one transportation network element corresponding to a wayside action to be performed by the wayside unit. The simulation message is configured to elicit a wayside message from the wayside unit upon receipt of the simulation message. The analysis module is configured to obtain the wayside message and to provide a display corresponding to the wayside message.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael STEFFEN, II, Jeffrey FRIES, Aric Albert WEINGARTNER, Jesse HERLOCKER
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Publication number: 20140346284Abstract: A system includes a determination module and a communication module. The determination module is configured to be located onboard a first vehicle that travels along a first route including a crossing corresponding to an intersection of the first route with a second route. The determination module is configured to be communicatively coupled with a remote crossing module that is configured to impede travel of a second vehicle through the crossing, and to identify an upcoming stop at a station within a range of a track detection system associated with the remote crossing module. The communication module is configured to communicatively couple the determination module to the remote crossing module, and to transmit an inhibit request message to the remote crossing module. The inhibit request message is configured to prevent the remote crossing module from activating a warning when the first vehicle is stopped at the station.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jeffrey Michael Fries, Steven Ray Murphy, Michael Steffen, II, Jesse Lee Herlocker, Nels Jorgensen, Anuka Sawh