Prior art — US Patent 9517782

The most relevant prior art for US patent 9517782, as identified in the patent's own citations, are listed below. This analysis focuses on citations listed in the patent document itself.

Here's a breakdown of the cited prior art, including full citation, publication/filing date, a brief description, and which claims it potentially anticipates under 35 U.S.C. § 102:

Patent Citations:

US5390880A
- Full Citation: US5390880A, Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, "Train traffic control system with diagram preparation"
- Publication Date: February 21, 1995 (Filed: June 23, 1992)
- Brief Description: This patent describes a train traffic control system that includes diagram preparation. It relates to the general field of railway traffic management and control, which forms the background of US9517782.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent could potentially anticipate elements of claims 1 and 5 relating to a "railway control apparatus" and "terminal user interface" for managing railway traffic, specifically with its focus on a train traffic control system with diagram preparation. However, it does not appear to describe the unique safety feature of a release code transmitted to a field worker.
US5727758A
- Full Citation: US5727758A, Penza; George Gregory, "Tactile and audible warning system for railroad workers"
- Publication Date: March 17, 1998 (Filed: March 26, 1997)
- Brief Description: This patent discloses a system for warning railroad workers, focusing on tactile and audible alerts. It addresses worker safety on or near tracks.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent, by addressing worker safety on tracks, could potentially anticipate the general objective of US9517782, as stated in claims 1 and 5, "to protect safety of railway workers on or near railway tracks." However, its specific mechanism of tactile and audible warnings differs from the release code and blocking system of US9517782.
US5924653A
- Full Citation: US5924653A, Pedersen; Heine Ewi, "Traffic control system and method of controlling the movement of a mobile unit"
- Publication Date: July 20, 1999 (Filed: September 23, 1994)
- Brief Description: This patent relates to a traffic control system and method for controlling the movement of a mobile unit. While broad, it covers aspects of controlling traffic.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent could potentially anticipate elements of claims 1 and 5 that refer to a "railway control apparatus" and methods for "blocking railway traffic" in a general sense, as it describes a traffic control system for mobile units. However, it does not specifically address railway workers or the unique release code mechanism for block removal.
US6113037A
- Full Citation: US6113037A, Eva Signal Corporation, "Railroad maintenance-of-way personnel warning system apparatus and method therefor"
- Publication Date: September 5, 2000 (Filed: February 4, 1991)
- Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus and method for a railroad maintenance-of-way personnel warning system. It directly addresses the safety of railway workers during maintenance.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent is highly relevant as it explicitly deals with "railroad maintenance-of-way personnel warning system." It potentially anticipates the broad concept of enhancing railway control to protect workers (claims 1 and 5). The specifics of its warning system, however, would need to be compared to the release code and block removal mechanism of US9517782 to determine direct anticipation of those specific features.
US6145792A
- Full Citation: US6145792A, Penza; George Gregory, "Railroad worker warning system for train conductors"
- Publication Date: November 14, 2000 (Filed: April 29, 1998)
- Brief Description: This patent details a railroad worker warning system specifically for train conductors.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: Similar to US5727758A and US6113037A, this patent addresses the general theme of worker safety (claims 1 and 5). Its focus on warning systems for train conductors may differentiate it from the direct control over track access via a release code held by the field worker as described in US9517782.
US20070176054A1
- Full Citation: US20070176054A1, Societe National Des Chemins De Fer Francais, "Method and system of aiding the movement of works trains"
- Publication Date: August 2, 2007 (Filed: October 29, 2003)
- Brief Description: This application describes a method and system for aiding the movement of work trains, which inherently involves managing traffic in areas where railway work is being performed.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This could potentially anticipate aspects of claims 1 and 5 relating to blocking railway traffic to permit work, as "aiding the movement of work trains" implies managing other traffic around work areas. However, the specific mechanism of a worker-held release code for block removal might be a distinguishing feature of US9517782.
US7624952B1
- Full Citation: US7624952B1, Bartek Peter M, "Safety system for railroad personnel"
- Publication Date: December 1, 2009 (Filed: April 4, 2006)
- Brief Description: This patent details a safety system for railroad personnel.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent broadly addresses a "safety system for railroad personnel," which is a core objective of US9517782 (claims 1 and 5). Further analysis of its specific implementation would be needed to determine if the release code and block removal mechanism of US9517782 are anticipated.
US20110006912A1
- Full Citation: US20110006912A1, Bombardier Transportation Gmbh, "Track Worker Safety System"
- Publication Date: January 13, 2011 (Filed: July 7, 2009)
- Brief Description: This application describes a track worker safety system.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent application directly concerns a "Track Worker Safety System," making it highly relevant to the objectives of US9517782 (claims 1 and 5). The specific details of how this system operates would need to be compared against the release code and block removal logic of US9517782.
US20110037619A1
- Full Citation: US20110037619A1, On Time Systems, Inc., "Traffic Routing Using Intelligent Traffic Signals, GPS and Mobile Data Devices"
- Publication Date: February 17, 2011 (Filed: August 11, 2009)
- Brief Description: This application describes traffic routing using intelligent traffic signals, GPS, and mobile data devices. While not specific to railway workers, it involves controlling traffic through mobile devices.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This could potentially anticipate the use of a "user terminal provided to a railway field worker" (claim 1) or a "mobile user device of a railway field worker" (claim 5) for communication and displaying information, as it uses mobile data devices for traffic routing. However, its application is broader than railway worker safety, and it does not detail a release code mechanism for track blocking.
US20110226910A1
- Full Citation: US20110226910A1, Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, "Method and device for the detection of approaching rail vehicles on the trackside and for warning persons"
- Publication Date: September 22, 2011 (Filed: November 28, 2008)
- Brief Description: This application describes a method and device for detecting approaching rail vehicles and warning persons on the trackside.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent directly addresses warning persons (including workers) on trackside, thus relating to the safety objective of US9517782 (claims 1 and 5). Its focus on detection and warning, however, is distinct from the active blocking and release code mechanism of US9517782.
US20110238242A1
- Full Citation: US20110238242A1, Invensys Rail Corporation, "Synchronization to adjacent wireless networks using single radio"
- Publication Date: September 29, 2011 (Filed: March 29, 2010)
- Brief Description: This application focuses on wireless network synchronization, a more general communication technology.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent is less directly related to the core inventive concepts of US9517782. It might broadly anticipate the "network interface through which the railway control apparatus communicates via a network" (claim 1) or the communication between devices (claim 5), but not the specific railway safety application or the release code mechanism.
US20110278401A1
- Full Citation: US20110278401A1, Bombardier Transportation Gmbh, "Track Worker Safety Information System and Method"
- Publication Date: November 17, 2011 (Filed: May 14, 2010)
- Brief Description: This application describes a track worker safety information system and method.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent is highly relevant due to its focus on a "Track Worker Safety Information System and Method," directly aligning with the general purpose of US9517782 (claims 1 and 5). A detailed comparison would be needed to determine if the specific "block placing part," "code generation part," and "block removal part" with a unique release code mechanism of US9517782 are anticipated.
US8061662B1
- Full Citation: US8061662B1, Bartek Peter M, "Portable automatic train trip cock tripper"
- Publication Date: November 22, 2011 (Filed: February 9, 2010)
- Brief Description: This patent describes a portable automatic train trip cock tripper, a device related to train braking and control.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent focuses on train control mechanisms rather than the interaction with a field worker for track blocking and release. It is less likely to anticipate the specific system and method claims of US9517782 regarding the release code and worker interaction for block removal.
US20110313596A1
- Full Citation: US20110313596A1, Hetronic International, Inc., "Remote control system having a touchscreen for controlling a railway vehicle"
- Publication Date: December 22, 2011 (Filed: March 27, 2008)
- Brief Description: This application describes a remote control system with a touchscreen for controlling a railway vehicle.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent involves a "user terminal" with a "user interface" (touchscreen) for controlling railway vehicles. This could broadly overlap with elements of claims 1 and 5 regarding the technical components, but it lacks the specific safety context of blocking tracks for workers and the unique release code mechanism.
US20120176217A1
- Full Citation: US20120176217A1, Tamaribuchi Hiroyuki, "Control system, terminal device for maintenance worker and control device"
- Publication Date: July 12, 2012 (Filed: January 11, 2011)
- Brief Description: This application describes a control system, a terminal device for a maintenance worker, and a control device. This is highly relevant as it explicitly mentions a "terminal device for maintenance worker."
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent is highly relevant as it describes a "terminal device for maintenance worker," which directly corresponds to the "user terminal provided to a railway field worker" in claim 1 and "mobile user device of a railway field worker" in claim 5. A detailed comparison would be crucial to determine if its control system incorporates the specific "block placing part," "code generation part," and "block removal part" with the unique release code mechanism as claimed in US9517782.
US20130135109A1
- Full Citation: US20130135109A1, Hamolsky Lee Sharon, "Alert interactive system"
- Publication Date: May 30, 2013 (Filed: January 7, 2011)
- Brief Description: This application describes an alert interactive system.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This is a broad "alert interactive system." While it might involve communication and user interaction (relevant to general aspects of claims 1 and 5), its specific application would need to be thoroughly examined to see if it anticipates the precise mechanism of blocking railway traffic via a release code for worker safety.
US8478463B2
- Full Citation: US8478463B2, Wabtec Holding Corp., "Train control method and system"
- Publication Date: July 2, 2013 (Filed: September 9, 2008)
- Brief Description: This patent describes a train control method and system.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent relates to general train control. While foundational to railway operations, it is unlikely to anticipate the specific worker safety features and the unique release code mechanism described in US9517782.
US20130166114A1
- Full Citation: US20130166114A1, Aurizon Operations Limited, "Worker Protection Method"
- Publication Date: June 27, 2013 (Filed: September 6, 2010)
- Brief Description: This application describes a worker protection method. This is highly relevant to US9517782.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent application, with its title "Worker Protection Method," directly addresses the core purpose of US9517782 (claims 1 and 5). A detailed comparison of its method steps to the "block placing part," "code generation part," and "block removal part" using a release code in US9517782 would be essential to determine anticipation.
US20130168503A1
- Full Citation: US20130168503A1, Jared Klineman Cooper, "Detection system and method for rail vehicle"
- Publication Date: July 4, 2013 (Filed: December 30, 2011)
- Brief Description: This application describes a detection system and method for rail vehicles.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent focuses on vehicle detection, which could be part of a broader safety system, but it does not appear to involve the active blocking of tracks controlled by a worker-held release code as in US9517782.
US20130187010A1
- Full Citation: US20130187010A1, Lsis Co., Ltd., "Track circuit apparatus for train"
- Publication Date: July 25, 2013 (Filed: January 19, 2012)
- Brief Description: This application describes a track circuit apparatus for trains, which is a fundamental component of railway signaling.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent focuses on track circuit technology, which is a underlying infrastructure for railway control. It is unlikely to anticipate the specific user interaction and release code mechanism of US9517782.
US20130201316A1
- Full Citation: US20130201316A1, May Patents Ltd., "System and method for server based control"
- Publication Date: August 8, 2013 (Filed: January 9, 2012)
- Brief Description: This application describes a generic system and method for server-based control.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent is very broad ("server based control") and would only anticipate very general aspects of claims 1 and 5 related to a "railway control apparatus comprising a processor... and a network interface" if the server-based control were applied to a railway system. It does not contain the specific worker safety or release code features.
US20130234774A1
- Full Citation: US20130234774A1, Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation, "Level switching circuit and method for controlling rail-to-rail enabling signal"
- Publication Date: September 12, 2013 (Filed: March 7, 2012)
- Brief Description: This application describes a level switching circuit for controlling an enabling signal, a low-level electrical engineering component.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent is at a very low level of technical detail (circuitry) and is not relevant to the system or method claims of US9517782.
US20130304286A1
- Full Citation: US20130304286A1, Eric Ehrler, "Method and apparatus for safety protocol verification, control and management"
- Publication Date: November 14, 2013 (Filed: May 8, 2012)
- Brief Description: This application describes a method and apparatus for safety protocol verification, control, and management. This is very pertinent to safety in various industries.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent, focusing on "safety protocol verification, control and management," is highly relevant to the general goal of protecting worker safety in US9517782 (claims 1 and 5). A detailed examination would be required to see if its specific safety protocols include the unique interlocking mechanism involving a worker-held release code for track blocking and removal.
US20140104081A1
- Full Citation: US20140104081A1, Stc, Inc., "Mass Transit Safety Notification System and Device"
- Publication Date: April 17, 2014 (Filed: October 14, 2011)
- Brief Description: This application describes a mass transit safety notification system and device.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent describes a safety notification system. While related to safety, it emphasizes notifying rather than actively controlling access to a track section with a release code in the manner of US9517782. It could broadly anticipate elements related to a "user terminal" displaying "information received from the railway control apparatus" (claim 1 and 5).
US20140346286A1
- Full Citation: US20140346286A1, Carnegie Mellon University, "Railway Transport Management"
- Publication Date: November 27, 2014 (Filed: January 25, 2012)
- Brief Description: This application describes a system for railway transport management.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent describes a general "Railway Transport Management" system, which would encompass broader aspects of railway control than the specific worker safety focus of US9517782. It might broadly anticipate the "railway control apparatus" (claim 1 and 5) but is unlikely to detail the specific worker interaction and release code mechanism.
US20150108284A1
- Full Citation: US20150108284A1, Railware, Inc., "Tools for railway traffic control"
- Publication Date: April 23, 2015 (Filed: October 21, 2013)
- Brief Description: This application has the same title and assignee as US9517782. It is a direct family member (continuation-in-part or similar) of the provisional application that US9517782 claims priority to.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This is a very strong prior art reference, likely a parent or related application. It almost certainly anticipates all claims of US9517782 under 35 U.S.C. § 102 as it discloses the same inventive concept prior to the filing date of US9517782 (specifically, it was filed October 21, 2013, and US9517782 claims priority to a provisional application filed October 21, 2013, and the application for US9517782 was filed June 9, 2016).
US20150367873A1
- Full Citation: US20150367873A1, Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, "Method and device for warning persons in the vicinity of an hf field-emitting device"
- Publication Date: December 24, 2015 (Filed: February 15, 2013)
- Brief Description: This application describes a method and device for warning persons in the vicinity of an HF field-emitting device.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent focuses on warning systems related to HF fields, which is a different technical domain than general railway worker safety and track blocking. It is unlikely to anticipate the specific features of US9517782.
US20160035507A1
- Full Citation: US20160035507A1, Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, "Method and device for protecting persons in the vicinity of an hf field-emitting device"
- Publication Date: February 4, 2016 (Filed: February 15, 2013)
- Brief Description: This application describes a method and device for protecting persons in the vicinity of an HF field-emitting device.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: Similar to US20150367873A1, this patent focuses on protection in the context of HF field-emitting devices, not the specific railway worker safety and track blocking mechanism of US9517782.

Non-Patent Citations:

"Centralized Traffic Control", by J.B. Calvert, May 29, 1999.
- Brief Description: This is a discussion of Centralized Traffic Control (CTC), a standard method of railway traffic management.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This non-patent literature provides background on CTC, which is mentioned in US9517782 as a conventional railway control system. It provides context for the "railway control apparatus" (claims 1 and 5) but does not describe the specific inventive safety features of US9517782.
"Railroad's traffic control systems", by Frank W. Bryan, May 1, 2006.
- Brief Description: This document discusses railroad traffic control systems in general.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: Similar to the J.B. Calvert reference, this provides general background on railway traffic control systems, relevant to the context of the "railway control apparatus" in claims 1 and 5, but not the specific innovations of US9517782.
"Fatal Accidents Involving Roadway Workers-In-Charge and Lone Workers", Mar. 9, 2012, Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES) Committee.
- Brief Description: This document highlights the problem of fatal accidents involving railway workers, emphasizing the need for improved safety.
- Potential Anticipated Claims: This reference establishes the problem that US9517782 seeks to solve (protecting worker safety), but does not disclose any specific solutions or mechanisms that would anticipate the claims.
"Track Worker Safety System", US20110006912A1.
- This appears to be a duplicate of a patent citation already listed above.
"Track Worker Safety Information System and Method", US20110278401A1.
- This appears to be a duplicate of a patent citation already listed above.

Most Relevant Prior Art under 35 U.S.C. § 102:

Based on the analysis, the most relevant prior art references that could potentially anticipate claims 1 and 5 of US9517782 are those that specifically address railway worker safety and control of track sections for maintenance or work, especially if they involve a mechanism for a worker to influence the blocking or unblocking of a track:

US20150108284A1 (Railware, Inc., "Tools for railway traffic control"): This is exceptionally relevant as it shares the same title, assignee, and priority date (October 21, 2013) from a provisional application as US9517782. This strongly suggests it describes the same or highly similar inventive concept and would likely anticipate claims 1 and 5 under 35 U.S.C. § 102.
US20120176217A1 (Tamaribuchi Hiroyuki, "Control system, terminal device for maintenance worker and control device"): This patent explicitly mentions a "terminal device for maintenance worker," making it a very strong candidate for anticipating the interaction between a railway control apparatus and a field worker's device, as described in claims 1 and 5.
US20130166114A1 (Aurizon Operations Limited, "Worker Protection Method"): This patent directly addresses a "Worker Protection Method," which is the core purpose of US9517782. A close comparison of its method steps with those of US9517782 would be necessary.
US6113037A (Eva Signal Corporation, "Railroad maintenance-of-way personnel warning system apparatus and method therefor"): This patent also directly addresses warning systems for railroad maintenance personnel, making it highly relevant to the safety aspect of US9517782.

While other citations address general railway traffic control or worker safety, these four stand out due to their direct focus on systems or methods for protecting railway workers during on-track activities, which is the central innovation of US9517782. The unique aspect of US9517782 revolves around the worker-initiated release code as the sole means to remove a block, which would need to be specifically present in any anticipating prior art to fully invalidate the claims.