FireBox: A Tiny DCC Train Controller

[DKS]

[learmoia]

I assume backers never got their stuff in 2016....

[Steveruger45]

I assume backers never got their stuff in 2016....

This guy didn’t. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[up1950s]

Neither did this guy

[Maletrain]

Coming soon to Kickstarter:

TrackerBox: A Teeny Train Tracker

With Teeny Train Tracker has tons of features and options like.
-Reads the locomotive and knows where it is at all times on the track.
-Compatible with DC, and all major DCC systems and any signal system.
-Integrates with sound decoders and controls functions based on locations such as crossings and stations
-Works with magical electrical contact/current that tracks decoder anywhere on the layout.
-NO track blocks or IR sensors required!

If you add the optional caboose/eot decoders, you can:
-Read Train length.
-Know the distance between 2 trains
-Sense uncoupling and derailments with auto stop protection.

(Attachment Link)

This amazing invention can be yours with a modest contribution of $129.95 (plus $99.95 processing and handling)

 

I was going to let this die, here on TRW, without mentioning that MoPac is still posting about it over or the TB "DCC and Electronics" sub-forum. But, it really has not gone away.  He just posted a long message about how the computer needs to have AI capability to analyze the signals going to and from decoders so that, apparently combined only with sensing just variations in total current draw from the "computer", that computer (DCC++ command station) will somehow know where all of the current-drawing devices are located on the track plan.  Then he says "Now the only issue I have is. I don't have the skills to create a software to function like this." 

He adds: "I am just wanting to share my 'idea' of this concept.  . . . Please ask any other questions if I am missing something."  But I seriously doubt he really wants any more suggestions from us about what he is still missing.  So, let's let him "share his concept" in peace over there on TB and maybe it will satisfy him enough for this bruhaha to die out.

But, in case learmoia's parody kickstarter fantasy actually appears at some future date ... 

[learmoia]

But, in case learmoia's parody kickstarter fantasy actually appears at some future date ... 

LOL... lets just agree to keep it in fantasy land.  I don't need a failed kickstarter hanging over my head..

Although the -99 respect achievement is mighty tempting.

~Ian

[nkalanaga]

~Ian:  It actually sounds very much like prototype PTC.  I wonder if, in a few years, it would be practical?  Put a radio-frequency transmitter on the loco, receivers in the corners of the room, and triangulate the location from that.  Once the computer knows the exact location of the track, and the location of the loco, you have your Teeny Train Tracker.  No magic needed!

They're getting usable (affordable) electronics that can work with millimeter-length radio frequencies, so the antenna on the loco could actually BE a scale-size antenna!

[DKS]

I was going to let this die, here on TRW, without mentioning that MoPac is still posting about it over or the TB "DCC and Electronics" sub-forum. But, it really has not gone away.  He just posted a long message about how the computer needs to have AI capability to analyze the signals going to and from decoders so that, apparently combined only with sensing just variations in total current draw from the "computer", that computer (DCC++ command station) will somehow know where all of the current-drawing devices are located on the track plan.  Then he says "Now the only issue I have is. I don't have the skills to create a software to function like this." 

He adds: "I am just wanting to share my 'idea' of this concept.  . . . Please ask any other questions if I am missing something."  But I seriously doubt he really wants any more suggestions from us about what he is still missing.  So, let's let him "share his concept" in peace over there on TB and maybe it will satisfy him enough for this bruhaha to die out.

That thread is also threatening to turn sour. He's already picked on someone who posted many of the same points I did, and insisted the poster think outside the box. I believe the other guy's reply was tongue-in-cheek, but he took it seriously. He's in complete denial of the laws of physics, insisting instead that AI can compensate. It's amusing when someone who has no understanding of basic stuff gets something stuck in their head and refuses to hear anything that doesn't offer some hope, even if it's totally outside the realm of possibility.

[Chris333]

Is this like the new smart home stuff that has a main panel that can detect that something has turned on and even figure out what make and model it is?

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/smart-homes/21016051/future-house-smarter-home-electrical-metering

[Kentuckian]

It's amusing when someone who has no understanding of basic stuff gets something stuck in their head and refuses to hear anything that doesn't offer some hope, even if it's totally outside the realm of possibility.

It’s amusing unless that person is your boss. When I supported my train habit by working as a traffic engineer for the state, this was a daily occurrence. But in this case, it is amusing.

[DKS]

Is this like the new smart home stuff that has a main panel that can detect that something has turned on and even figure out what make and model it is?

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/smart-homes/21016051/future-house-smarter-home-electrical-metering

Imagine a panel that can not only figure out where every appliance (smart or dumb) is, but tell you in which rooms--and where in the rooms--they're located, and also figure out what your whole house floor plan is, all just by plugging it into one outlet.

[John]

~Ian:  It actually sounds very much like prototype PTC.  I wonder if, in a few years, it would be practical?  Put a radio-frequency transmitter on the loco, receivers in the corners of the room, and triangulate the location from that.  Once the computer knows the exact location of the track, and the location of the loco, you have your Teeny Train Tracker.  No magic needed!

They're getting usable (affordable) electronics that can work with millimeter-length radio frequencies, so the antenna on the loco could actually BE a scale-size antenna!

I have copyright on that idea

I know this thread is locked .. but some thoughts

1) Digitrax transponding -- will allow you track locomotive information in a block.  It seems to have mixed results ..

2) DKS's idea of using RFID would work similar to transponding, but would require relatively costly readers around the layout .. the real railroad does that ..

3) You could set up a receiver grid at known locations -- similar to cell phone towers and transmitters .. if you mapped out the room precisely enough, you could calculate the X Y (and maybe Z axis) based on the relative signal arrival at each receiver .. then or course you would need a precise time source and some software .. might be fun, but not worth the effort IMHO

[CRL]

Actually, Traincontroller software https://www.freiwald.com/pages/index.html seems to be designed to do what the guy wants. It accomplishes this by using DCC block sensing, loco speed profiling & programed stop ramps for each block. It’s fairly expensive but seems to work well according to users. It can use Railcom, though I have read of some teething pains. Seems easier to set up than JMRI.

[DKS]

Actually, Traincontroller software https://www.freiwald.com/pages/index.html seems to be designed to do what the guy wants. It accomplishes this by using DCC block sensing, loco speed profiling & programed stop ramps for each block. It’s fairly expensive but seems to work well according to users. It can use Railcom, though I have read of some teething pains. Seems easier to set up than JMRI.

Except:

No, it will not require blocks thats the old way. The cost will be more into software. The hardware is already there.

[CRL]

Oh yeah. I forgot about that requirement. I flushed that one from my mind because it made no sense to me given the real thing still utilizes blocks, and will likely continue as a back up to satellite based gps tracking.