US 9517782

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 9517782:

Title: Tools for railway traffic control
Assignee: RAILWARE, INC. (Hauppauge, NY)
Inventor: Ross Pirtle (Commack, NY)
Filing Date: June 9, 2016
Issue Date: December 13, 2016

Abstract:
The patent describes tools (such as a system, apparatus, or methodology) designed to control traffic over a railway track section when a railway worker is present on or near that section. Specifically, when traffic over a track section needs to be blocked, a release code is generated and sent to an electronic contact address of the railway worker. Traffic through that track section remains blocked until the generated release code is entered into the system.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (System): This claim describes a system for enhancing railway control and protecting the safety of railway workers. It comprises a railway control apparatus (with a processor, non-transitory memory storing instructions, and a network interface) and a user terminal provided to a railway field worker. The user terminal communicates with the railway control apparatus and provides a user interface for displaying information and allowing the worker to respond to prompts. The railway control apparatus, through its software, includes:

  • A "block placing part" to block railway traffic on specified track sections, enabling a worker to enter those sections safely.
  • A "code generation part" to create a unique release code and send it to the railway field worker's electronic contact address, accessible via their user terminal.
  • A "block removal part" that will only remove the block from the track sections after receiving the correct release code back from the user terminal.

• Independent Claim 5 (Method): This claim outlines a method for enhancing railway control and protecting the safety of railway workers. The method involves:

  • Configuring a mobile user device for a railway field worker to display information from a railway control apparatus and allow the worker to respond to prompts.
  • Providing a user interface on a separate terminal for a terminal user (e.g., a dispatcher) to request the railway control apparatus to block traffic on specific track sections, thereby allowing a worker to enter safely.
  • The railway control apparatus generating a release code and transmitting it to an electronic contact address accessible by the railway field worker through their mobile user device.
  • The railway control apparatus only permitting the block on the track sections to be removed upon receiving the release code back from the mobile user device.

Uncertainty Regarding CAFC Dockets (2026):
As of April 26, 2026, a direct search for "US patent 9517782 CAFC 2026 dockets" did not return specific litigation cases pertaining to this patent within the CAFC dockets for 2026. Therefore, I cannot confirm any active CAFC litigation for this specific patent for the current year based on the available search results. General information regarding CAFC patent litigation trends and summaries from 2026 were found, but none explicitly mentioning US9517782.