Patents by Inventor William L. Matheson

William L. Matheson 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: 7557748
    Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, is a method for determining motion and/or location parameters of a locomotive. One method embodiment includes steps of phase locking a pair of receivers having antennas at different locations on a locomotive to reference signals received from a set of satellites, determining a set of phase differences between the reference signals received at the antennas, and determining at least one of an accurate heading, heading rate, attitude, and attitude rate of the locomotive using the set of phase differences between the reference signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles L. Zahm, William L. Matheson, Kevin M. Clyne
  • Patent number: 7558740
    Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills
  • Patent number: 7539624
    Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills
  • Patent number: 7343314
    Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills
  • Patent number: 7340328
    Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills
  • Patent number: 7222083
    Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills
  • Publication number: 20040111309
    Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills, Michael S. Crone
  • Publication number: 20040093245
    Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills, Alan L. Polvika
  • Publication number: 20040034556
    Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills
  • Publication number: 20040010432
    Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills
  • Patent number: 6459965
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling movement of a plurality of vehicles over a guideway partitioned into a plurality of guideway blocks. The method uses a control system including an onboard computer (OBC) located on board each vehicle, at least one server for communicating with the OBCs, and a vehicle tracking system. The method including the steps of determining a composite block status for all guideway blocks, broadcasting the composite block status to the OBCs, and controlling movement of each vehicle based on the composite block status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: GE-Harris Railway Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Polivka, James R. Egnot, Robert E. Heggestad, Jeffrey K. Baker, William L. Matheson
  • Publication number: 20020062181
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling movement of a plurality of vehicles over a guideway partitioned into a plurality of guideway blocks. The method uses a control system including an onboard computer (OBC) located on board each vehicle, at least one server for communicating with the OBCs, and a vehicle tracking system. The method including the steps of determining a composite block status for all guideway blocks, broadcasting the composite block status to the OBCs, and controlling movement of each vehicle based on the composite block status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Alan L. Polivka, James R. Egnot, Robert E. Heggestad, Jeffrey K. Baker, William L. Matheson
  • Patent number: 6374184
    Abstract: A path determination device is configured to receive measured heading and distance information; determine heading corrections, distance corrections, and residuals utilizing a Kalman filter assuming a selected, known path was taken; and to determine a probability that the selected, known path actually was taken utilizing the determined residuals. The additional information utilized by the Kalman filters provides a more robust measurement indication of whether a particular path is taken than mere measurements and correlations of path curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: GE-Harris Railway Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Charles L. Zahm, William L. Matheson
  • Patent number: 6135396
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamically controlling the operation of a plurality of unmanned freight trains operating over a predetermined track layout. The method includes generating a movement plan that provides for the operation of the freight trains over several alternative routes within the track layout. A wireless communication system is used to transmit speed and braking commands to the freight trains. Commands for the wayside resources are transmitted, using wireless communications, as necessary to carry out the movement plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: GE-Harris Railway Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Russell U. Whitfield, William L. Matheson, Fred A. Ford, Wayne Basta, Ernest L. Peek, Anthony J. Guarino, Barbara S. Furtney, Charles F. Gipson
  • Patent number: 5828979
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the movement of plural freight trains through a multiple route railway system with improved efficiency and safety. Freight train movements are precisely monitored and orchestrated in accordance with a dynamic schedule that is determined through an evaluation of delivery requirements, coordination among all trains, speed restrictions and the effects of the track topography and train consist on train response to brake and power application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Polivka, William L. Matheson
  • Patent number: 5794172
    Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills
  • Patent number: 5623413
    Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills