Abstract: A system vitally determines a position of a train. The system includes a plurality of diverse sensors, such as tachometers and accelerometers, structured to repetitively sense at least change in position and acceleration of the train, a global positioning system sensor, which is diverse from each of the diverse sensors, structured to repetitively sense position of the train, and a track map including a plurality of track segments which may be occupied by the train. A processor cooperates with the diverse sensors, the global positioning system sensor and the track map. The processor includes a routine structured to provide measurement uncertainty for each of the diverse sensors and the global positioning system sensor. The routine cross-checks measurements for the diverse sensors, and cross-checks the global positioning system sensor against the track map. The routine provides the vitally determined position of the train and the uncertainty of the vitally determined position.

Abstract: A system vitally determines a position of a train. The system includes a plurality of diverse sensors, such as tachometers and accelerometers, structured to repetitively sense at least change in position and acceleration of the train, a global positioning system sensor, which is diverse from each of the diverse sensors, structured to repetitively sense position of the train, and a track map including a plurality of track segments which may be occupied by the train. A processor cooperates with the diverse sensors, the global positioning system sensor and the track map. The processor includes a routine structured to provide measurement uncertainty for each of the diverse sensors and the global positioning system sensor. The routine cross-checks measurements for the diverse sensors, and cross-checks the global positioning system sensor against the track map. The routine provides the vitally determined position of the train and the uncertainty of the vitally determined position.

Abstract: An information object transport system for enabling nodes to transmit objects a digital data processing system. Each node includes an object store for storing a plurality of objects, at least one of the objects including at least one external reference identifying another object. An information object transport arrangement responsive to receipt of a command identifying an object in the object store performs a packing operation to generate a message comprising the identified object and other objects identified by an external reference of the identified object. After generating a message, the node transmits it to another node in the digital data processing system. Upon receiving a message, an external references resolution portion selects an object in a message and iteratively processes external references in the selected object to identify other objects in the message. The external reference resolution portion enables the object storing portion to store objects identified thereby.

Abstract: A data structure comprising a header portion and a content portion. The header portion includes an external references vector including at least one external reference item that identifies an external structure. The content portion includes data, and includes a pointer that identifies an external reference item in the external references vector, thereby referencing the inclusion of the external structure in the location of the pointer in the content portion. As a further refinement, the content portion further comprises a function pointer identifying a function external to the data structure, thereby referencing inclusion of the results of processing by the external function in the data structure at the location of the function pointer.