Controlling an Indicator at a Rear Car of a Train Based on a Control Signal from a Lead Car

Abstract

A device for attachment to a train having a lead locomotive or control car and a rear car may include an indicator disposed with the rear car. A communication interface may receive at least one control signal from an interface onboard the lead locomotive or control car, and the control signal(s) may be generated based on at least one of an environmental condition, a hazardous condition, a type of cargo associated with the train, a time and location of the train, a positive train control (PTC), an electronic train management system (ETMS), an authorized trigger, or a manual input. A controller may be coupled to the indicator and the communication interface and may change a state of the indicator based on the control signal(s). Systems and methods for controlling an indicator are also disclosed.

1 . A device for attachment to a train having a lead locomotive or control car and a rear car, comprising:
 a light source disposed with the rear car;   a communication interface configured to receive at least one control signal from an interface onboard the lead locomotive or control car, wherein the at least one control signal is generated based on at least one of an environmental condition, a hazardous condition, a type of cargo associated with the train, a time and location of the train, a positive train control (PTC), an electronic train management system (ETMS), an authorized trigger, or a manual input; and   a controller coupled to the light source and the communication interface, the controller configured to change a state of the light source based on the at least one control signal.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises at least one of an illumination fixture, a light emitting assembly, a light bulb, a light emitting diode, a laser, an infrared light source, an ultraviolet light source, or a visible light source. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a high visibility marker (HVM) of an end of train (EOT) device. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is separate from a high visibility marker (HVM) of an end of train (EOT) device coupled to a trailing coupler of the rear car. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the light source is removably connected to the EOT device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is disposed proximate to a trailing end of the rear car. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the interface onboard the lead locomotive or control car comprises at least one of an operator interface, a head of train (HOT) device, a PTC device, or an ETMS device. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the interface onboard the lead locomotive or control car is configured to receive the at least one control signal from a remote server. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the interface onboard the lead locomotive or control car is configured to generate the at least one control signal based on at least one sensor signal from at least one sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of a speed sensor, a location sensor, or a clock. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one control signal comprises at least one first control signal from the at least one sensor and at least one second signal from at least one of an operator interface, a head of train (HOT) device, a PTC device, or an ETMS device, wherein the controller is configured to override the at least one first control signal in response to the at least one second control signal. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the interface onboard the lead locomotive or control car is configured to display an indication of the state of the light source. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one control signal comprises an interruption in an electrical signal. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one control signal comprises at least one of a digital signal or an analog signal. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication interface comprises at least one of a wired interface or a wireless interface. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the state comprises at least one of an off state or an on state. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the state of the light source comprises one of a plurality of possible states, each of the plurality of possible states associated with at least one of the environmental condition, the hazardous condition, the type of cargo associated with the train, the time and location of the train, the PTC, the ETMS, the authorized trigger, or the manual input. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a camera disposed proximate to the light source, wherein the state is changed to an enhanced brightness state to illuminate at least part of a viewing area of the camera. 
     
     
         20 . A light source control system for a train having a lead locomotive or control car and a rear car, comprising:
 an interface onboard the at least one locomotive or control car, the interface configured to transmit at least one control signal based on at least one of an environmental condition, a hazardous condition, a type of cargo associated with the train, a time and location of the train, a positive train control (PTC), an electronic train management system (ETMS), an authorized trigger, or a manual input;   a device for attachment to the train, the device comprising:
 a light source disposed with the rear car; and 
 a controller coupled to the light source, the controller configured to receive the at least one control signal from the interface and to change a state of the light source based on the at least one control signal. 
   
     
     
         21 . A method for light source control for a train having a lead locomotive or control car and a rear car, comprising:
 transmitting at least one control signal based on at least one of an environmental condition, a hazardous condition, a type of cargo associated with the train, a time and location of the train, a positive train control (PTC), an electronic train management system (ETMS), an authorized trigger, or a manual input;   receiving the at least one control signal at a device attached to the train, wherein the device comprises a light source disposed with the rear car; and   changing a state of the light source of the device based on the at least one control signal.