US 11,697,443 B2
Apparatus for locating a mobile railway asset
Matthew Bonnes, Malvern, PA (US); Thomas J. Sollenberger, Collegeville, PA (US); and Francis James Cooper, Downingtown, PA (US)
Assigned to Amsted Rail Company, Inc., Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by Amsted Rail Company, Inc., Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on May 6, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/868,523.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/845,098, filed on May 8, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0353961 A1, Nov. 12, 2020
Int. Cl. B61L 25/02 (2006.01); B61L 15/00 (2006.01); H04W 52/02 (2009.01); H04W 4/42 (2018.01); G01S 19/50 (2010.01); B61L 27/70 (2022.01); G01S 19/14 (2010.01); G01S 19/34 (2010.01); G01S 5/00 (2006.01); G01S 19/39 (2010.01); G01S 19/07 (2010.01); G01S 19/42 (2010.01)
CPC B61L 25/025 (2013.01) [B61L 15/0018 (2013.01); B61L 15/0027 (2013.01); B61L 27/70 (2022.01); G01S 5/01 (2020.05); G01S 5/017 (2020.05); G01S 19/14 (2013.01); G01S 19/34 (2013.01); G01S 19/50 (2013.01); H04W 4/42 (2018.02); H04W 52/0274 (2013.01); B61L 2205/04 (2013.01); G01S 19/071 (2019.08); G01S 19/396 (2019.08); G01S 19/426 (2013.01); Y02D 30/70 (2020.08)] 60 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for locating a mobile railway asset, the apparatus comprising:
a limited power source;
global navigation satellite system (GNSS) circuitry configured to utilize electrical power from the limited power source to receive GNSS data from satellites of a GNSS;
a controller operatively coupled to the limited power source and the GNSS circuitry, wherein the controller has:
a power saving mode wherein the controller inhibits the GNSS circuitry from receiving GNSS data;
a standard accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a first time period; and
a higher accuracy mode wherein the controller permits the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for a second time period longer than the first time period;
the controller configured to enter the higher accuracy mode and permit the GNSS circuitry to receive GNSS data for the second time period in response to a determination of a mobile railway asset event;
communication circuitry operatively coupled to the controller; and
the controller configured to, in response to the determination of the mobile railway asset event, control the communication circuitry to communicate to a remote computing device data indicative of a location of the mobile railway asset based at least in part on the GNSS data received during the second time period of the higher accuracy mode.