IP Library Granted Patent US 9,663,127
Granted Patent B2
US 9,663,127 · App. 14/525,416 · Granted May 30, 2017

Rail vehicle event detection and recording system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,663,127
App. No.
14/525,416
Granted
May 30, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

This disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting and recording rail vehicle events. The system comprises one or more cameras, one or more sensors, non-transient electronic storage, one or more physical computer processors, and/or other components. The one or more cameras may be configured to acquire visual information representing a rail vehicle environment. The one or more sensors may be configured to generate output signals conveying operation information related to operation of the rail vehicle. The non-transient electronic storage may be configured to store electronic information. The one or more physical computer processors may be configured to detect rail vehicle events based on the output signals and facilitate electronic storage of the visual information and the operation information for a period of time that includes the rail vehicle event in the non-transient electronic storage.

Claims (44)

1. A rail vehicle event detection system configured to be coupled with a rail vehicle, the system comprising:

one or more cameras configured to acquire visual information representing a rail vehicle environment, the rail vehicle environment including spaces in and around an interior and an exterior of the rail vehicle;

one or more sensors configured to generate output signals conveying operation information related to operation of the rail vehicle;

non-transient electronic storage configured to store electronic information;

one or more physical computer processors configured by computer readable instructions to:

detect rail vehicle events based on the output signals; and

facilitate electronic storage of rail vehicle event information for a period of time that includes the rail vehicle event in the non-transient electronic storage, the rail vehicle event information including the visual information from the one or more cameras and the operation information from the one or more sensors for the period of time that includes the rail vehicle event; and

a power system configured to provide electrical power to the rail vehicle event detection system responsive to electrical power received by the rail vehicle event detection system from the rail vehicle ceasing.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an operator identity system configured to receive operator identity information that identifies periods of time individual operators operate the rail vehicle, wherein the one or more physical computer processors are configured such that operator identity information for the period of time that includes the rail vehicle event is included in the rail vehicle event information.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the operator identity system is coupled with the rail vehicle and is configured to receive entry and/or selection of the operator identity information from operators of the rail vehicle at the rail vehicle.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the operator identity system is configured to receive the operator identity information from a remotely located computing device.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the operator identity system is configured to receive operator identity information from a biometric sensor configured to generate output signals that convey biometric information that identifies an individual operator of the rail vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more cameras are configured such that the visual information includes views of exterior sides of the rail vehicle to capture visual images of collisions that occur at the sides of the rail vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising wireless communication components configured to transmit and receive electronic information, wherein the one or more physical computer processors are configured to facilitate wireless communication of the rail vehicle event information to a remote computing device via the wireless communication components.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are configured such that at least one of the one or more sensors is a rail vehicle subsystem sensor associated with mechanical systems of the rail vehicle, the at least one sensor configured to generate output signals conveying information related to the mechanical systems of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are configured such that at least one of the one or more sensors is a rail vehicle subsystem sensor associated with a rail vehicle safety system, the at least one sensor configured to generate output signals conveying information related to safety systems of the rail vehicle.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more sensors are configured such that the at least one rail vehicle subsystem sensor associated with the rail vehicle safety system is one or more of an overspeed sensor, a track brake sensor, an intercom sensor, a high horn sensor, an emergency brake sensor, or a CBTC sensor.

11. A rail vehicle event detection system configured to be coupled with a rail vehicle, the system comprising:

one or more cameras configured to acquire visual information representing a rail vehicle environment, the rail vehicle environment including spaces in and around an interior and an exterior of the rail vehicle;

one or more sensors configured to generate output signals conveying operation information related to operation of the rail vehicle;

non-transient electronic storage configured to store electronic information; and

one or more physical computer processors configured by computer readable instructions to:

detect rail vehicle events based on the output signals; and

facilitate electronic storage of rail vehicle event information for a period of time that includes the rail vehicle event in the non-transient electronic storage, the rail vehicle event information including the visual information from the one or more cameras and the operation information from the one or more sensors for the period of time that includes the rail vehicle event,

wherein the rail vehicle event detection system is electrically isolated from the rail vehicle.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more one or more cameras are configured to acquire visual information representing the rail vehicle environment at or near both ends of the rail vehicle; and

wherein the one or more sensors are configured to generate output signals conveying operation information related to operation of the rail vehicle at or near both ends of the rail vehicle.

13. A method for detecting and recording rail vehicle events with a rail vehicle event detection system configured to be coupled with a rail vehicle, the method comprising:

acquiring visual information representing a rail vehicle environment, the rail vehicle environment including spaces in and around an interior and an exterior of the rail vehicle;

generating output signals conveying operation information related to operation of the rail vehicle;

detecting rail vehicle events based on the output signals; and

facilitating electronic storage of rail vehicle event information for a period of time that includes the rail vehicle event in non-transient electronic storage, the rail vehicle event information including the visual information and the operation information for the period of time that includes the rail vehicle event,

wherein the rail vehicle event detection system is electrically isolated from the rail vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising receiving operator identity information that identifies periods of time individual operators operate the rail vehicle, wherein the operator identity information for the period of time that includes the rail vehicle event is included in the rail vehicle event information.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising receiving entry and/or selection of the operator identity information from operators of the rail vehicle at the rail vehicle.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising receiving the operator identity information from a remotely located computing device.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising receiving operator identity information from a biometric sensor configured to generate output signals that convey biometric information that identifies an individual operator of the rail vehicle.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the visual information includes views of exterior sides of the rail vehicle to capture visual images of collisions that occur at the sides of the rail vehicle.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the output signals convey information related to safety systems of the rail vehicle.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the output signals that convey information related to safety systems of the rail vehicle include one or more of overspeed sensor information, track brake sensor information, intercom sensor information, high horn sensor information, emergency brake sensor information, or CBTC sensor information.

21. The method of claim 13 , wherein the rail vehicle event detection system is electrically isolated from the rail vehicle by an opto-isolator.

22. The method of claim 13 , further comprising acquiring visual information representing the rail vehicle environment at or near both ends of the rail vehicle; and

generating output signals conveying operation information related to operation of the rail vehicle at or near both ends of the rail vehicle.

23. The system of claim 11 , wherein the rail vehicle event detection system is electrically isolated from the rail vehicle via an opto-isolator.

Assignments (16)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NUMBER D856640 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 056598 FRAME 0059. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Nov 17, 2021
From: OMNITRACS, LLC; ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; XRS CORPORATION; HYPERQUEST, LLC (F/K/A HYPERQUEST, INC.); AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, LLC (F/K/A AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, INC.); CLAIMS SERVICES GROUP, LLC; DMEAUTOMOTIVE LLC; ENSERVIO, LLC (F/K/A ENSERVIO, INC.); MOBILE PRODUCTIVITY, LLC; SEE PROGRESS, LLC (F/K/A SEE PROGRESS, INC.); SOLERA HOLDINGS, LLC (F/K/A SOLERA HOLDINGS, INC.); EDRIVING FLEET LLC; FINANCE EXPRESS LLC
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058175/0775 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NUMBER D856640 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 056601 FRAME 0630. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Nov 17, 2021
From: OMNITRACS, LLC; ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; XRS CORPORATION; HYPERQUEST, LLC (F/K/A HYPERQUEST, INC.); AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, LLC (F/K/A AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, INC.); CLAIMS SERVICES GROUP, LLC; DMEAUTOMOTIVE LLC; ENSERVIO, LLC (F/K/A ENSERVIO, INC.); MOBILE PRODUCTIVITY, LLC; SEE PROGRESS, LLC (F/K/A SEE PROGRESS, INC.); SOLERA HOLDINGS, LLC (F/K/A SOLERA HOLDINGS, INC.); EDRIVING FLEET LLC; FINANCE EXPRESS LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058174/0907 →
FIRST LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2021
From: OMNITRACS, LLC; ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; XRS CORPORATION; HYPERQUEST, LLC (F/K/A HYPERQUEST, INC.); AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, LLC (F/K/A AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, INC.); CLAIMS SERVICES GROUP, LLC; DMEAUTOMOTIVE LLC; ENSERVIO, LLC (F/K/A ENSERVIO, INC.); MOBILE PRODUCTIVITY, LLC; SEE PROGRESS, LLC (F/K/A SEE PROGRESS, INC.); SOLERA HOLDINGS, LLC (F/K/A SOLERA HOLDINGS, INC.); EDRIVING FLEET LLC; FINANCE EXPRESS LLC
To: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056601/0630 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2021
From: OMNITRACS, LLC; ROADNET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.; XRS CORPORATION; HYPERQUEST, LLC (F/K/A HYPERQUEST, INC.); AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, LLC (F/K/A AUDATEX NORTH AMERICA, INC.); CLAIMS SERVICES GROUP, LLC; DMEAUTOMOTIVE LLC; ENSERVIO, LLC (F/K/A ENSERVIO, INC.); MOBILE PRODUCTIVITY, LLC; SEE PROGRESS, LLC (F/K/A SEE PROGRESS, INC.); SOLERA HOLDINGS, LLC (F/K/A SOLERA HOLDINGS, INC.); EDRIVING FLEET LLC; FINANCE EXPRESS LLC
To: ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056598/0059 →
SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE (REEL/FRAME: 054236/0435) Recorded Jun 8, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS GRANTEE
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 056518/0845 →
SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE (REEL/FRAME: 054236/0320) Recorded Jun 8, 2021
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS GRANTEE
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 056520/0944 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2020
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 054236/0320 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF GRANT OF A SECURITY INTEREST - PATENTS Recorded Oct 6, 2020
From: TCS TALENTS, LLC, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 053983/0525 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 6, 2020
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 054236/0435 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: ALLY BANK
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050246/0118 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: TCS TALENTS, LLC, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 050255/0071 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: ORIX GROWTH CAPITAL, LLC
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050254/0872 →
RELEASE OF IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 3, 2019
From: ALLY BANK
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050258/0222 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2019
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: ORIX GROWTH CAPITAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 048352/0843 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 26, 2016
From: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
To: ALLY BANK
Reel/Frame 039841/0148 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2014
From: PALMER, JASON; SLJIVAR, SLAVEN; FREITAS, MARK; DENINGER, DANIEL A.; RAVARI, SHAHRIAR
To: SMARTDRIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 034049/0466 →