MULTI-COMPUTER AUTOMATIC VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM

A multi-computer automatic vehicle control system for controlling vehicles travelling along path rails in a route plan from a central control station. A data communication link transmits vehicle performance reports from each of the vehicles to the central control station and transmits vehicle command messages from the central control station to the vehicles. On each of the vehicles is an on-line control system for decoding vehicle command messages and assembling performance report messages and a speed control unit for controlling acceleration and braking of the vehicles. An on-line control system in the vehicle includes logic circuitry for receiving and decoding the vehicle command message, recognition circuitry to detect the addressed vehicle and control circuitry for synchronizing the transfer of data within the on-line control system in each vehicle. A computer set in the central control station provides speed control commands and identity words which are included in the command message to the vehicles.