Topic leaderboard
Guiding & safety of railway traffic
Ranked by the PatentIndex Score — a 1–99 percentile within B61L · public-visibility date · generated 2026
top 25 per window · public-visibility date
Rising· last 2 yrs
Inventors whose newest B61L patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199James R. Bilodeau7 patents · 199 citations
- 296Andrew H. Martin13 patents · 191 citations
- 392Jeffrey D. Kernwein43 patents · 291 citations
- 488Peter M. Bartek27 patents · 202 citations
- 583Nabil N. Ghaly15 patents · 149 citations
- 679Kurt A. Gunther22 patents · 148 citations
- 775Richard C. Carlson19 patents · 147 citations
- 871Brad Cross9 patents · 92 citations
- 967Sara Jo Woitel10 patents · 67 citations
- 1063Joseph M. Denny6 patents · 241 citations
- 1158Michael James Brick11 patents · 45 citations
- 1254Samuel Minton11 patents · 45 citations
- 1350John Albert Plutt, Jr.6 patents · 34 citations
- 1446Christopher Neil Pickard9 patents · 38 citations
- 1542Benjamin Stuart Stabler15 patents · 21 citations
- 1638John Howard12 patents · 21 citations
- 1733Matthew Soule12 patents · 21 citations
- 1829Roberto Tione11 patents · 36 citations
- 1925Matthew Dick9 patents · 27 citations
- 2021Mitchell Beard13 patents · 20 citations
- 2117Destry Diefenbach6 patents · 48 citations
- 2213Pete Ksycki6 patents · 48 citations
- 238Scott Kolts4 patents · 48 citations
- 244Yogesh Barve4 patents · 48 citations
- 251David Kiley6 patents · 24 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained B61L output across the last 5 years
- 199Zahid F. Mian20 patents · 490 citations
- 296Steven Andrew Kellner20 patents · 450 citations
- 392Nicholas Edward Roddy7 patents · 363 citations
- 488William Cherrick Schoonmaker20 patents · 262 citations
- 583James Glen Corry13 patents · 248 citations
- 679Nicholas Bjone8 patents · 334 citations
- 775Thomas N. Hilleary17 patents · 264 citations
- 871James R. Bilodeau7 patents · 199 citations
- 967Andrew H. Martin13 patents · 191 citations
- 1063Jeffrey D. Kernwein43 patents · 291 citations
- 1158Peter M. Bartek27 patents · 202 citations
- 1254Nabil N. Ghaly15 patents · 149 citations
- 1350Andre Brousseau14 patents · 172 citations
- 1446Darel Mesher21 patents · 214 citations
- 1542Kurt A. Gunther22 patents · 148 citations
- 1638Richard C. Carlson19 patents · 147 citations
- 1733Marc W. Cygnus13 patents · 136 citations
- 1829Brad Cross9 patents · 92 citations
- 1925Joshua Giegel8 patents · 68 citations
- 2021Brogan Bambrogan7 patents · 63 citations
- 2117Brian Lee Staton15 patents · 139 citations
- 2213Brian Nedward Meyer17 patents · 153 citations
- 238Dattaraj Jagdish Rao13 patents · 123 citations
- 244Anju Bind11 patents · 119 citations
- 251Nidhi Naithani11 patents · 119 citations
All-time canon
Career PatentIndex Score in B61L
- 199William L. Matheson13 patents · 1,682 citations
- 296Michael S. Crone9 patents · 1,033 citations
- 392Gregory J. Fera8 patents · 1,015 citations
- 488Robert C. Kull14 patents · 1,421 citations
- 583Paul M. Julich16 patents · 1,128 citations
- 679Thu V. Vu8 patents · 957 citations
- 775Mark Edward Kane33 patents · 1,924 citations
- 871James Francis Shockley30 patents · 1,868 citations
- 967Harrison Thomas Hickenlooper27 patents · 1,628 citations
- 1063James Schlabach5 patents · 647 citations
- 1158Stephen Michael Hladik6 patents · 882 citations
- 1254Douglas A. Thomae7 patents · 797 citations
- 1350M. Scott Wills7 patents · 797 citations
- 1446Conrad M. B. Walker6 patents · 770 citations
- 1542William K. Brockelsby6 patents · 770 citations
- 1638Michael J. Hawthorne18 patents · 874 citations
- 1733Michael James Pierro7 patents · 912 citations
- 1829Eugenie V. Uhlmann5 patents · 855 citations
- 1925Irfan Ali6 patents · 702 citations
- 2021James E. Pander8 patents · 759 citations
- 2117Ashish Puri7 patents · 706 citations
- 2213Daniel David Harrison5 patents · 729 citations
- 238Oleh Szklar15 patents · 626 citations
- 244John Howard Lovelace, Ii8 patents · 659 citations
- 251Alfred R. Koelle4 patents · 1,705 citations
Rising· last 2 yrs
The top-scoring B61L patents made public in the last 2 years
- 199US11926356B1✦ AIMethod and device for multi-train operation trend deduction7 cites · 202486% earned
- 296US11891098B1✦ AIUse of artificial intelligence to detect defects in trains and method to use5 cites · 202484% earned
- 392US12319263B1✦ AIAdaptive control method and system based on train operating condition identification3 cites · 202580% earned
- 488US11974035B1Device to capture high resolution images of a train as it passes through an inspection por5 cites · 202484% earned
- 583US12330701B2Accurate detection of track occupancy within train tracking systems3 cites · 202580% earned
- 679US12122437B1Calculation method of line carrying capacity of regional rapid rail transit under mixed op2 cites · 202476% earned
- 775US12020148B1Control system for railway yard and related methods5 cites · 202472% earned
- 871US11941980B1Dynamic access and egress of railroad right of way3 cites · 202472% earned
- 967US12122436B2Methods and systems for worker protection system with ultra-wideband (UWB) based anchor ne2 cites · 202458% earned
- 1063US11981363B1System and/or method for remote operation of a rail vehicle2 cites · 202461% earned
- 1158US12017690B1Data-driven integral sliding mode control method, system and device for high-speed electri2 cites · 202476% earned
- 1254US11945483B2Method and apparatus for a train control system3 cites · 202467% earned
- 1350US12379479B2Methods and systems for ultra-wideband (UWB) based subway personnel detection1 cites · 202450% earned
- 1446US12179819B2Multi-objective systems and methods for optimally assigning train blocks at a railroad mer1 cites · 202456% earned
- 1542US12296878B1System and method to predict clearance when transporting equipment on railway1 cites · 202567% earned
- 1638US12269522B1System, apparatus, and method for ground transportation1 cites · 202567% earned
- 1733US12168468B2Railcar acoustic monitoring system and method of use1 cites · 202446% earned
- 1829US12145639B2Method for determining anomalies associated with a railcar wheelset, or a railcar bogie as1 cites · 202450% earned
- 1925US11999399B2Intelligent railroad at-grade crossings1 cites · 202450% earned
- 2021US11970195B1Systems and methods for efficiently switching railcars in a railroad yard1 cites · 202450% earned
- 2117US12217199B1System and method for intermodal dual-stream-based resource optimization1 cites · 202556% earned
- 2213US11919553B1Railroad switch position indicator2 cites · 202476% earned
- 238US12560439B2High integrity path extraction in rail using autonomy sensors1 cites · 202467% earned
- 244US11956577B2Managing data transmission from a plurality of telemetry devices onboard trains1 cites · 202467% earned
- 251US12539903B2Safety check method and device for coupling of multiple train units in rail transit, and m1 cites · 202567% earned
Active· last 5 yrs
The top-scoring B61L patents of the last 5 years
- 199US11390306B1✦ AIMethod and system for multi-objective optimization of urban train operation41 cites · 202292% earned
- 296US11205124B1✦ AIMethod and system for controlling heavy-haul train based on reinforcement learning39 cites · 202191% earned
- 392US11364943B1✦ AISystem and method for strategic track and maintenance planning inspection27 cites · 202283% earned
- 488US11623675B1Intelligent railroad at-grade crossings13 cites · 202379% earned
- 583US11305796B1System and method for remote device monitoring15 cites · 202278% earned
- 679US11169269B2System and method for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a 17 cites · 202181% earned
- 775US11524709B2Electric rail vehicle10 cites · 202273% earned
- 871US11731673B1Wheel-mounted sensor ring apparatus for determining anomalies associated with a railcar wh10 cites · 202378% earned
- 967US10919546B1Systems and methods for detecting tanks in railway environments15 cites · 202180% earned
- 1063US11565730B1Automated tie marking8 cites · 202373% earned
- 1158US11468551B1Machine-learning framework for detecting defects or conditions of railcar systems9 cites · 202274% earned
- 1254US11541919B1Automated positive train control event data extraction and analysis engine and method ther7 cites · 202372% earned
- 1350US11926356B1Method and device for multi-train operation trend deduction7 cites · 202486% earned
- 1446US11827256B1System and method for virtual approach signal restriction upgrade5 cites · 202365% earned
- 1542US11891098B1Use of artificial intelligence to detect defects in trains and method to use5 cites · 202484% earned
- 1638US11700075B2Methods and systems for decentralized rail signaling and positive train control6 cites · 202271% earned
- 1733US11594133B2Model adaptation for autonomous trucking in right of way6 cites · 202378% earned
- 1829US11352035B1Auxiliary monitoring system for traction substation6 cites · 202285% earned
- 1925US12319263B1Adaptive control method and system based on train operating condition identification3 cites · 202580% earned
- 2021US11643120B2Independent cart system and method of operating the same7 cites · 202179% earned
- 2117US11782185B1Ballastless track roadbed damage forewarning method and system considering uncertainty4 cites · 202382% earned
- 2213US11932290B2Systems and methods for auditing assets5 cites · 202269% earned
- 238US11861509B2Automated positive train control event data extraction and analysis engine for performing 5 cites · 202377% earned
- 244US11974035B1Device to capture high resolution images of a train as it passes through an inspection por5 cites · 202484% earned
- 251US11325624B2Electric rail vehicle6 cites · 202171% earned
All-time canon
The defining B61L patents of the whole record
- 199US5632551A✦ AILED vehicle lamp assembly922 cites · 199795% earned
- 296US6045240A✦ AILED lamp assembly with means to conduct heat away from the LEDS825 cites · 200095% earned
- 392US4075632A✦ AIInterrogation, and detection system798 cites · 197895% earned
- 488US4729076ASignal light unit having heat dissipating function685 cites · 198895% earned
- 583US5528474ALed array vehicle lamp541 cites · 199695% earned
- 679US5785418AThermally protected LED array538 cites · 199895% earned
- 775US5331312AObstacle-detecting apparatus521 cites · 199495% earned
- 871US6553308B1Vehicle-based navigation system with smart map filtering, portable unit home-base registra484 cites · 200387% earned
- 967US5691980ALocal communication network for power reduction and enhanced reliability in a multiple nod452 cites · 199795% earned
- 1063US7274305B1Electrical utility communications and control system445 cites · 200792% earned
- 1158US6691064B2Method and system for identifying repeatedly malfunctioning equipment426 cites · 200295% earned
- 1254US5686888AUse of mutter mode in asset tracking for gathering data from cargo sensors405 cites · 199795% earned
- 1350US4739328ASystem for identifying particular objects391 cites · 198895% earned
- 1446US6301531B1Vehicle maintenance management system and method383 cites · 200194% earned
- 1542US5030807ASystem for reading and writing data from and into remote tags382 cites · 199194% earned
- 1638US5445347AAutomated wireless preventive maintenance monitoring system for magnetic levitation (MAGLE370 cites · 199594% earned
- 1733US5682139ARailcar location using mutter networks and locomotive transmitter during transit361 cites · 199794% earned
- 1829US5129605ARail vehicle positioning system349 cites · 199294% earned
- 1925US5623413AScheduling system and method348 cites · 199789% earned
- 2021US9135803B1Advanced vehicle operator intelligence system344 cites · 201588% earned
- 2117US6150771ACircuit for interfacing between a conventional traffic signal conflict monitor and light e332 cites · 200094% earned
- 2213US5828979AAutomatic train control system and method321 cites · 199894% earned
- 238US4654629AVehicle marker light314 cites · 198794% earned
- 244US5420883ATrain location and control using spread spectrum radio communications301 cites · 199594% earned
- 251US5084699AImpedance matching coil assembly for an inductively coupled transponder285 cites · 199294% earned
Rising· last 2 yrs
Assignees whose newest B61L patents became public in the last 2 years — the current frontier
- 199HITACHI LTD66 patents · 1,065 citations
- 296AMSTED RAIL CO INC27 patents · 313 citations
- 392DAIFUKU KK18 patents · 341 citations
- 488MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP140 patents · 399 citations
- 583GHALY NABIL N10 patents · 111 citations
- 679ENSCO INC14 patents · 250 citations
- 775METROM RAIL LLC20 patents · 108 citations
- 871BNSF RAILWAY CO96 patents · 170 citations
- 967PROGRESS RAIL SERVICES CORP29 patents · 132 citations
- 1063STC INC8 patents · 74 citations
- 1158NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP14 patents · 116 citations
- 1254Harsco Technologies LLC20 patents · 62 citations
- 1350UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC20 patents · 50 citations
- 1446UNIV EAST CHINA JIAOTONG7 patents · 89 citations
- 1542MURATA MACHINERY LTD21 patents · 49 citations
- 1638TRANSP IP HOLDINGS LLC89 patents · 86 citations
- 1733PARALLEL SYSTEMS INC20 patents · 23 citations
- 1829METEORCOMM LLC8 patents · 39 citations
- 1925TRAFFIC CONTROL TECH CO LTD18 patents · 73 citations
- 2021CAVNUE TECH LLC7 patents · 24 citations
- 2117VOESTALPINE SIGNALING USA INC4 patents · 44 citations
- 2213Siemens Mobility GmbH116 patents · 58 citations
- 238PROGRESS RAIL LOCOMOTIVE INC24 patents · 28 citations
- 244SIEMENS MOBILITY INC66 patents · 50 citations
- 251ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECH INC7 patents · 17 citations
Active· last 5 yrs
Sustained B61L output across the last 5 years
- 199GEN ELECTRIC358 patents · 10,900 citations
- 296HITACHI LTD66 patents · 1,065 citations
- 392MIAN ZAHID F6 patents · 323 citations
- 488AMSTED RAIL CO INC27 patents · 313 citations
- 583DAIFUKU KK18 patents · 341 citations
- 679MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP140 patents · 399 citations
- 775AMAZON TECH INC8 patents · 334 citations
- 871BOMBARDIER TRANSP GMBH19 patents · 195 citations
- 967TOSHIBA KK24 patents · 175 citations
- 1063CANADIAN NAT RAILWAY CO21 patents · 222 citations
- 1158TETRA TECH21 patents · 214 citations
- 1254GHALY NABIL N10 patents · 111 citations
- 1350HYPERLOOP TECH INC13 patents · 75 citations
- 1446ENSCO INC14 patents · 250 citations
- 1542METROM RAIL LLC20 patents · 108 citations
- 1638WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECH CORP88 patents · 262 citations
- 1733WABTEC HOLDING CORP16 patents · 167 citations
- 1829BNSF RAILWAY CO96 patents · 170 citations
- 1925PROGRESS RAIL SERVICES CORP29 patents · 132 citations
- 2021STC INC8 patents · 74 citations
- 2117NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP14 patents · 116 citations
- 2213Harsco Technologies LLC20 patents · 62 citations
- 238MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD30 patents · 89 citations
- 244UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC20 patents · 50 citations
- 251THALES CANADA INC29 patents · 83 citations
All-time canon
All-time PatentIndex Score in B61L
- 199GEN ELECTRIC358 patents · 10,900 citations
- 296HARRIS CORP12 patents · 1,696 citations
- 392WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE CO47 patents · 2,530 citations
- 488QUANTUM ENGINEERING INC27 patents · 1,798 citations
- 583GE HARRIS RAILWAY ELECTRONICS19 patents · 1,595 citations
- 679UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL INC67 patents · 2,375 citations
- 775GELCORE LLC8 patents · 580 citations
- 871NEW YORK AIR BRAKE CORP37 patents · 1,239 citations
- 967GEN SIGNAL CORP55 patents · 1,624 citations
- 1063HARMON INDUSTRIES15 patents · 770 citations
- 1158WESTINGHOUSE BRAKE & SIGNAL33 patents · 994 citations
- 1254HITACHI LTD66 patents · 1,065 citations
- 1350STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE CO4 patents · 788 citations
- 1446PULSE ELECTRONICS INC12 patents · 635 citations
- 1542CANAC INC6 patents · 350 citations
- 1638MIAN ZAHID F6 patents · 323 citations
- 1733DONNELLY CORP4 patents · 846 citations
- 1829GEN RAILWAY SIGNAL CORP14 patents · 527 citations
- 1925INT STANDARD ELECTRIC CORP18 patents · 493 citations
- 2021UNIVERSAL SAFETY RESPONSE INC5 patents · 298 citations
- 2117SUPERPEDESTRIAN INC19 patents · 214 citations
- 2213AEG TRANSPORT SYSTEMS INC5 patents · 301 citations
- 238HUGHES AIRCRAFT CO4 patents · 865 citations
- 244AMSTED RAIL CO INC27 patents · 313 citations
- 251NAT RAILROAD PASSENGER CORP6 patents · 326 citations
90–99 field-defining50–89 strong<50 emergingearned by citationsfrom family breadth