Patents by Inventor Scott A. Sollars
Scott A. Sollars 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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Publication number: 20240109564Abstract: A method is provided that can include activating at least two wireless communication channels in parallel, between a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver. Each of the at least two wireless communication channels can operate at a different radio carrier frequency, and the first wireless transceiver may be part of a first vehicle. The method can also include transmitting, by the first wireless transceiver, common information in parallel on the at least two wireless communication channels to the second wireless transceiver and deactivating the at least two wireless communication channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Padam Dhoj Swar, Carl L. Haas, Danial Rice, Rebecca W. Dreasher, Adam Hausmann, Matthew Steven Vrba, Edward J. Kuchar, James Lucas, Andrew Ryan Staats, Jerrid D. Chapman, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Janmejay Tripathy, Stephen Craven, Tania Lindsley, Derek K. Woo, Ann K. Grimm, Scott Sollars, Phillip A. Burgart, James Allen Oswald, Shannon K. Struttmann, Stuart J. Barr, Keith Smith, Francois P. Pretorius, Craig K. Green, Kendrick Gawne, Irwin Morris, Joseph W. Gorman, Srivallidevi Muthusami, Mahesh Babu Natarajan, Jeremiah Dirnberger, Adam Franco
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Patent number: 11950091Abstract: A system and a method include an onboard communication system configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle system and comprising one or more processors. The one or more processors may generate a session key that includes a shared secret key that is known by the onboard communication system and an off-board communication system, generate one or more encryption keys by hashing the session key with an identifier based on a cycle time that is known by the onboard communication system and the off-board communication system, generate one or more encrypted messages by encrypting one or more messages associated with one or more of the vehicle system or a route over which the vehicle system moves based on the one or more encryption keys, and communicate the one or more encrypted messages from the onboard communication system to the off-board communication system.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Transportation IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Joseph Gorman, Scott Sollars, Timothy Allen Schultz, Christopher Claussen
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Patent number: 11871234Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided that includes obtaining a first secret and a first public key, and obtaining a second secret a second public key. The method may also include authenticating the first public key of the first vehicle based on a first private key associated with the first vehicle, and authenticating the second public key of the second vehicle based on a second private key associated with the second vehicle. The method may also include preventing a man-in-the-middle attack, by securing at least one of a first vehicle-to-central office communication, a central office-to-first vehicle communication, or a first vehicle-to-second vehicle, wherein the first vehicle-to-central office communication and the central office-to-first vehicle communication are authenticated based on a determined private key associated with a respective first vehicle on-board computer, and sending a message, with the central office server, to a vehicle associated with a conditional movement authority.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Rebecca W. Dreasher, Adam Hausmann, Matthew Steven Vrba, Edward J. Kuchar, James Lucas, Andrew Ryan Staats, Jerrid D. Chapman, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Janmejay Tripathy, Stephen Craven, Tania Lindsley, Derek K. Woo, Ann K. Grimm, Scott Sollars, Phillip A. Burgart, James Allen Oswald, Shannon K. Struttmann, Stuart J. Barr, Keith Smith, Francois P. Pretorius, Craig K. Green, Kendrick Gawne, Irwin Morris, Joseph W. Gorman
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Patent number: 11535286Abstract: A system (e.g., a target activation system for a transportation network) includes one or more processors configured to be operably coupled onboard a vehicle system having one or more vehicles. The processor(s) are further configured to determine an estimated time of arrival of the vehicle system at a first target location associated with a forward route of the vehicle system, determine a gap time between when the vehicle system leaves the first target location and is estimated to arrive at a second target location, and, based at least in part on the estimated time of arrival, a dwell time of the vehicle system at the first target location, the gap time, an allowable speed or acceleration of the vehicle system, and a designated warning time, generate an activation message configured to control at least one device associated with the second target location.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy Allen Schultz, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Scott A. Sollars
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Patent number: 11312390Abstract: A vehicle control system and method display a map within a designated viewing area of a display device. The map provides information on a location of a vehicle and restrictions on vehicle movement. Prompts for response from a vehicle operator are displayed with the map. The prompts are based on the vehicle location and/or the movement restrictions. The are displayed on the vehicle display device but outside of the designated viewing area of the vehicle display device. Operator input is received in response to the one or more prompts to verify that the vehicle is moving according to the one or more restrictions on the movement of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: westinghouse air brake technologies corporationInventors: Matthew Vrba, Ann Grimm, Scott Sollars, Phil Burgart, Jim Oswald
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Publication number: 20220038906Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided that includes obtaining a first secret and a first public key, and obtaining a second secret a second public key. The method may also include authenticating the first public key of the first vehicle based on a first private key associated with the first vehicle, and authenticating the second public key of the second vehicle based on a second private key associated with the second vehicle. The method may also include preventing a man-in-the-middle attack, by securing at least one of a first vehicle-to-central office communication, a central office-to-first vehicle communication, or a first vehicle-to-second vehicle, wherein the first vehicle-to-central office communication and the central office-to-first vehicle communication are authenticated based on a determined private key associated with a respective first vehicle on-board computer, and sending a message, with the central office server, to a vehicle associated with a conditional movement authority.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Rebecca W. Dreasher, Adam Hausmann, Matthew Steven Vrba, Edward J. Kuchar, James Lucas, Andrew Ryan Staats, Jerrid D. Chapman, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Janmejay Tripathy, Stephen Craven, Tania Lindsley, Derek K. Woo, Ann K. Grimm, Scott Sollars, Phillip A. Burgart, James Allen Oswald, Shannon K. Struttmann, Stuart J. Barr, Keith Smith, Francois P. Pretorius, Craig K. Green, Kendrick Gawne, Irwin Morris, Joseph W. Gorman
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Publication number: 20210329448Abstract: A system and a method include an onboard communication system configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle system and comprising one or more processors. The one or more processors may generate a session key that includes a shared secret key that is known by the onboard communication system and an off-board communication system, generate one or more encryption keys by hashing the session key with an identifier based on a cycle time that is known by the onboard communication system and the off-board communication system, generate one or more encrypted messages by encrypting one or more messages associated with one or more of the vehicle system or a route over which the vehicle system moves based on the one or more encryption keys, and communicate the one or more encrypted messages from the onboard communication system to the off-board communication system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Joseph Gorman, Scott Sollars, Timothy Allen Schultz, Christopher Claussen
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Publication number: 20210039668Abstract: A vehicle control system and method display a map within a designated viewing area of a display device. The map provides information on a location of a vehicle and restrictions on vehicle movement. Prompts for response from a vehicle operator are displayed with the map. The prompts are based on the vehicle location and/or the movement restrictions. The are displayed on the vehicle display device but outside of the designated viewing area of the vehicle display device. Operator input is received in response to the one or more prompts to verify that the vehicle is moving according to the one or more restrictions on the movement of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2019Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Matthew Vrba, Ann Grimm, Scott Sollars, Phil Burgart, Jim Oswald
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Patent number: 10654500Abstract: An arrival time and location targeting system for a train, the system including at least one computer programmed or configured to: (a) receive at least one target location associated with a forward route of the train; (b) determine required time of arrival at the at least one target location based at least partially on the current location of a leading edge of the train; (c) determine an estimated time of arrival of the leading edge of the train at the at least one target location based at least partially on the current location of the leading edge of the train and the current speed of the train; and (d) based at least partially on the difference between the determined required time of arrival and the determined estimated time of arrival, generate a target speed of the train. A computer-implemented arrival time and location targeting method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Timothy Allen Schultz, Scott A. Sollars, Joseph W. Gorman, Michael W. Steffen, II, Frank J. Swiderski
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Publication number: 20200055532Abstract: A system (e.g., a target activation system for a transportation network) includes one or more processors configured to be operably coupled onboard a vehicle system having one or more vehicles. The processor(s) are further configured to determine an estimated time of arrival of the vehicle system at a first target location associated with a forward route of the vehicle system, determine a gap time between when the vehicle system leaves the first target location and is estimated to arrive at a second target location, and, based at least in part on the estimated time of arrival, a dwell time of the vehicle system at the first target location, the gap time, an allowable speed or acceleration of the vehicle system, and a designated warning time, generate an activation message configured to control at least one device associated with the second target location.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Timothy Allen Schultz, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Scott A. Sollars
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Patent number: 10457307Abstract: A wireless target activation system for a train, the system including at least one computer programmed or configured to: receive at least one first target location and at least one second target location associated with a forward route of the train, wherein the at least one first target location is located before the at least one second target location on the forward route of the train; determine a gap time between when the leading edge of the train leaves the at least one first target location and is estimated to arrive at the at least one second target location based at least partially on a distance between the at least one first target location and the at least one second target location and a design speed; and based at least partially on the gap time, an allowable acceleration of the train, and a required warning time, generate an activation message configured to activate or cause the activation of at least one function associated with the at least one second target location.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies CorporationInventors: Timothy Allen Schultz, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Scott A. Sollars
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Publication number: 20170355388Abstract: A wireless target activation system for a train, the system including at least one computer programmed or configured to: receive at least one first target location and at least one second target location associated with a forward route of the train, wherein the at least one first target location is located before the at least one second target location on the forward route of the train; determine a gap time between when the leading edge of the train leaves the at least one first target location and is estimated to arrive at the at least one second target location based at least partially on a distance between the at least one first target location and the at least one second target location and a design speed; and based at least partially on the gap time, an allowable acceleration of the train, and a required warning time, generate an activation message configured to activate or cause the activation of at least one function associated with the at least one second target location.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2016Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: Timothy Allen Schultz, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Scott A. Sollars
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Publication number: 20160362123Abstract: An arrival time and location targeting system for a train, the system including at least one computer programmed or configured to: (a) receive at least one target location associated with a forward route of the train; (b) determine required time of arrival at the at least one target location based at least partially on the current location of a leading edge of the train; (c) determine an estimated time of arrival of the leading edge of the train at the at least one target location based at least partially on the current location of the leading edge of the train and the current speed of the train; and (d) based at least partially on the difference between the determined required time of arrival and the determined estimated time of arrival, generate a target speed of the train. A computer-implemented arrival time and location targeting method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Timothy Allen Schultz, Scott A. Sollars, Joseph W. Gorman, Michael W. Steffen, II, Frank J. Swiderski
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Patent number: 9469310Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for automatically controlling a locomotive include a control interface unit configured to receive input from at least one manual control, receive input from an automatic control system, and transmit commands to a locomotive control system, wherein the commands are based at least partially on the input received from the automatic control system. A bypass relay may also be provided to enable and disable communication between the at least one manual control and the locomotive control system.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2012Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.Inventors: Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Donald J. Gillen, Richard S. Klemanski, Shawn D. Rouse, Scott A. Sollars
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Patent number: 7398140Abstract: Provided is an operator warning system for use in connection with a locomotive having a horn system with a horn activation actuator and a horn device for producing a noise. The operator warning system includes an onboard computer system with a database having grade crossing data and locomotive data thereon. The onboard computer system is in communication with the horn system. The operator warning system also includes a warning device for providing an audio, visual and/or tactile indicator to an operator of the locomotive based upon the grade crossing data, locomotive data and/or actuation condition of the horn activation actuator. A method for improving locomotive operator vigilance is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Wabtec Holding CorporationInventors: Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Frank Wilson, Kevin J. Angel, Scott A. Sollars
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Publication number: 20050110628Abstract: Disclosed is an operator warning system for use in connection with a locomotive having a horn system with a horn activation actuator and a horn device for producing a noise. The operator warning system includes an onboard computer system with a database having grade crossing data and locomotive data thereon. The onboard computer system is in communication with the horn system. The operator warning system also includes a warning device for providing an audio, visual and/or tactile indicator to an operator of the locomotive based upon the grade crossing data, locomotive data and/or actuation condition of the horn activation actuator. A method for improving locomotive operator vigilance is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2004Publication date: May 26, 2005Applicant: Wabtec Holding CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Kernwein, M. Wilson, Kevin Angel, Scott Sollars
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Publication number: 20040230354Abstract: The automatic initiation and activation of a locomotive horn with intelligent sequencing requires the ability to determine the global position and speed of a locomotive. It also has the ability to communicate the global position and speed to an onboard database system disposed on the locomotive. The onboard database systems utilizes the global position in conjunction with the speed of the locomotive to determine when to automatically initiate activation of the locomotive horn with a predetermined intelligent sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Scott A. Sollars, Kevin J. Angel