JP2001063581A - Information providing system on train - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a train inside information providing system on train capable of appropriately providing information even if rolling stocks are divided or combined together. SOLUTION: An on-rolling-stock LAN 26 is provided for each rolling stock 21a through 21c of a train. A rolling stock data relay device 28 for transmitting signal distribution data to portable information terminals on the radio, an information display 29 and a transmitter and receiver between the adjacent rolling stocks, are connected with each rolling stock inside LAN 26. In addition, a rolling stock data server 24 for receiving signal distribution data from transmitters laid along a rail road line so as to let it be transmitted to the rolling stock data relay device 28 and the information display 29, is connected with the rolling stocks 21a and 21b in particular. And when there exist the plural data servers 24 in the train, either one of them is designated to a master server, and the rest of them are made slave servers. And the rolling stock data servers 24 acting as the slave servers limit to receive the signal distribution data from the transmitters laid along the rail road line, and to distribute information to the rolling stock data relay device 28.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an in-train information providing system, and more particularly to an in-train information providing system capable of suitably providing information even when trains are divided or merged.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various systems have been proposed for providing information such as current events and weather forecasts in train cars. For example, in a system that provides text information such as news on a liquid crystal display attached to the upper part of a door, the distribution data such as news is sent from a station-side server (railway data server) to a train-side server at a terminal station or the like. (Train data server) and transmit it to a liquid crystal display for image display. According to such a system, even in a train, fresh information such as current affairs and weather forecast can be provided to passengers, and the passengers can effectively use the boarding time.

[0003]

The above system is premised on application to a train whose formation is fixed. However, in practice, there are not a few routes that require the division or merging of trains due to the geographical characteristics of the route sections, resources such as trains and crew members, or the cost. In this case, if only one train data server is provided for all the vehicles before the division, information cannot be provided after the division.

If a train data server is provided for each of the vehicles to be divided so that at least one train data server remains in each of the divided trains, a plurality of trains can be provided for each train before the division. There will be a data server. Also, when a plurality of trains are merged, a plurality of train data servers exist for one train after the merge. As described above, when a plurality of train data servers exist for one train, the following problems occur.

[0005] That is, when replenishing distribution data to a train at a terminal station or the like, the distribution data must be transmitted from the railway data server to a plurality of train data servers, and the load on the railway data server side increases. This causes a problem that the For this reason, it is desirable that the railroad data server only needs to supplement distribution data to one train data server.

[0006] In addition, prior to division (even at the time of merging), if information is to be provided to a train of trains by a plurality of train data servers, it is difficult to provide uniform information distribution. Further, if a plurality of train data servers individually distribute information in a train, a problem occurs that communication traffic is congested this time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an in-train information providing system capable of suitably providing information even when train cars are split or merged. is there.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an in-train information providing system according to the present invention includes an in-vehicle network provided in a train car, and an in-vehicle network provided in the train. A train data server connected to the vehicle, a vehicle network provided in the vehicle and provided in the vehicle when another vehicle is connected to the vehicle. An inter-vehicle data transmission / reception device that connects the in-vehicle network with each other so as to be able to perform data communication with each other, wherein the train data server stores distribution data in the in-vehicle network; When the data distribution means to be transmitted and at least one other vehicle provided with the train data server are directly or indirectly connected to the vehicle. Master-slave determining means for determining any one of the train data servers as the master server and determining the other as the slave server, and when the train data server is determined to be the slave server, distribution data to the in-vehicle network. Data transmission restriction means for restricting transmission.

When vehicles equipped with the train information providing system according to the present invention are connected directly or indirectly, the data transmission / reception device between adjacent vehicles uses a common communication including a vehicle network between the vehicles. A network can be formed. Here, "in the case of indirect connection" means, for example, in a train according to the present invention, with a vehicle in which a data transmission / reception device between a vehicle network and an adjacent vehicle is provided but a train data server is not provided. This refers to the case where vehicles equipped with the information providing system are connected. When the vehicles are connected in this way, a plurality of train data servers are provided for one train. In the present invention, one of the train data servers is a master server and the other is a slave server. Then, the train data server determined as the slave server restricts transmission of distribution data to the in-vehicle network. In this way, uniform information distribution is possible even when a plurality of train data servers exist in one train. In addition, since the slave server restricts transmission of distribution data to the in-vehicle network, it is possible to avoid an unnecessary increase in communication traffic of the communication network formed between the connected vehicles. Thus, it is possible to suitably provide information even when the train vehicles are split or merged.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the train data server further includes a railroad data server that is provided along a route along which the train travels and transmits distribution data to the train data server. A distribution data receiving unit that receives distribution data from the data server; and a distribution data reception restricting unit that restricts reception of distribution data from the railroad data server when the train data server is determined to be a slave server. Including.

According to this aspect, the train data server determined as the slave server restricts the reception of distribution data from the railroad data server. And send the distribution data. For this reason, the processing load on the railroad data server can be reduced.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the train data server is provided when at least one other vehicle provided with the train data server is directly or indirectly connected to the other vehicle. And a distribution data sharing unit for sharing the distribution data stored in the distribution data storage unit with the train data server provided in the server.
In this way, the same distribution data can be provided in each train after the division.

[0013] In this aspect, the distribution data receiving means includes distribution data specifying information storing means for storing distribution data specifying information for specifying distribution data newly received from the wayside data server, and the distribution data sharing means. May share the distribution data stored in the distribution data storage means with a train data server provided in another vehicle based on the distribution data specifying information. This makes it possible to simplify the distribution data sharing process.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an in-train information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The in-train information providing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a LAN 12 (optical LAN) laid along a line along which the train 20 runs. A center device 14 and a wayside data server 16 are connected to the wayside LAN 12. The train 20 includes a vehicle 21a
And the vehicle 21b and the vehicle 21c are connected in this order.

The center device 14 is desirably connected to a line, and can generate all information provided by the train 20. For example, data such as characters, images, music, and the like are digitized. And so on. Data such as characters generated by the center device 14 is distributed to the wayside data server 16 via the wayside LAN 12.

The railroad data server 16 includes, for example, a train 20
Is provided at each station of the route on which the vehicle travels, and an information transmission device 18 is connected thereto. When the train 20 enters the communication area of the information transmission device 18, data such as characters (distribution data) held by the wayside data server 16 is transmitted from the information transmission device 18 to the train 20 by a procedure described later. Transmitted wirelessly. Train 20
For example, the distribution data can be supplemented at each passing station.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration provided in the train 20 in the train information providing system 10. As shown in the figure, a vehicle 21b of the train 20 includes an information transmission device 22, a train data server 24, and a vehicle LAN 26.
, A vehicle data relay device 28, an information display 29, and a data transceiver 32 between adjacent vehicles. Although not shown, the same applies to the vehicles 21a and 21c. However, especially for the vehicle 21c, the information transmission device 22 and the train data server 24 among these configurations are not provided.

First, the data transceiver 32 between adjacent vehicles is
For example, it is provided at a connection portion of the vehicle 21 so as to face another vehicle 21 and monitors distribution data transmitted through the in-vehicle LAN 26 provided in the own vehicle. The data is transmitted to the adjacent vehicle data transceiver 32 of the adjacent vehicle provided opposite to the adjacent vehicle data transceiver 32. Further, a data transmitter / receiver 32 between adjacent vehicles provided to face each other in the adjacent vehicle.
And sends the data to the in-vehicle LAN 26 provided in the host vehicle. In this way, the data transmission / reception device 32 between the adjacent vehicles causes the vehicle
The in-vehicle LANs 26a to 21c are connected to enable them to function as a single communication network. As a result, the in-vehicle LAN 26 of all vehicles 21
, The train data server 24, the vehicle data relay device, and the information display 29 are in a mutually communicable state.

The train data server 24 operates in two modes, a master server mode and a slave server mode. And the train data server 2
Reference numeral 4 has a function of determining which is the master server and which is the slave server, with respect to the train data server 24 provided in another vehicle (the vehicle 21a in this case). When three or more train data servers 24 are provided in the train 20, which one is the master server is determined, and all others are determined to be the slave servers. Then, the train data server 24 determined as the master server operates in the master server mode, and the train data server 24 determined as the slave server.
Operates in slave server mode.

The train data server 24 operating in the master server mode controls the information transmission device 22 to receive distribution data from the information transmission device 18 installed along the railway. On the other hand, the train data server 24 operating in the slave server mode does not receive data such as characters from the side of the railway. Instead, distribution data is supplied from another train data server 24 operating in the master server mode.

Further, the train data server 24 stores
The vehicle LAN 26 and the inter-vehicle data transmitter / receiver 32 provided in the vehicle communication device 1 enable mutual communication with a plurality of vehicle data relay devices 28 provided in each of the vehicles 21a to 21c. In the master server mode, the distribution data received from the railroad is transmitted to the in-vehicle LAN2.
6 to the vehicle data relay device 28
In addition to the broadcast distribution (constant distribution data), some of the data (on-demand distribution data) are transmitted to the in-vehicle LA in response to a data special distribution request from the vehicle data relay device 28.
N26. On the other hand, in the slave server mode, data distribution to the vehicle data relay device 28 is not performed.

The vehicle data relay device 28 is connected to each vehicle 21a.
21c, when receiving a data distribution request wirelessly transmitted from the portable information terminal 30 in the communication area, the distribution data corresponding to the request is transmitted to the in-vehicle LA.
N26 is picked up from the continuous distribution data transmitted and transmitted wirelessly into the vehicle. When it is determined that the distribution data corresponding to the data distribution request received from the portable information terminal 30 is not included in the constant distribution data transmitted through the in-vehicle LAN 26, the distribution data is specially transmitted to the vehicle. A data special distribution request is made to the train data server 24 operating as a master server to send the data to the internal LAN 26. In response to this data special distribution request, the train data server 24, which is the master server, selects the requested distribution data from the on-demand distribution data and sends it to the in-vehicle LAN 26. Radio distribution in the vehicle.

The portable information terminal 30 is, for example, arbitrarily carried by a passenger, selects distribution data listed in an information list described later, and relays a data distribution request for requesting the selected distribution data to a vehicle data relay. It can be transmitted wirelessly to the device 28. In addition, distribution data wirelessly distributed in response to this request can be selectively received and displayed on a display.

The information display 29 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is provided, for example, above the entrance door of the train 20. The information display 29 is provided in the vehicle L
Among the distribution data transmitted through the AN 26, data related to a predetermined channel is displayed. Thereby, information can be provided to a passenger who does not have the portable information terminal 30.

Next, FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the railroad data server 16. As shown in the figure, the railroad data server 16 is configured to include communication control units 34 and 42 and a distribution data storage unit 40.

The communication control unit 34 is connected to the LAN 12 and receives distribution data from the center device 14.
The distribution data received by the communication control unit 34 is sent to the distribution data storage unit 40. At this time, each distribution data is provided with a unique information ID. When distribution data with an information ID that has not been received is newly received by the information control unit 34, the old distribution data is replaced with a new distribution ID. Data is overwritten and erased.

The communication control unit 42 is connected to the information transmission device 18 and wirelessly transmits the distribution data stored in the distribution data storage unit 40 to the train 20 using the information transmission device 18. Thus, necessary data is supplied to the train 20 that has entered the communication area of the information transmission device 18. More specifically, it receives from the train 20 how much data has already been received at another station, and wirelessly transmits only the difference with the latest data to the train 20 side. This data transfer process will be described later.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the train data server 24. As shown in the figure, the train data server 24 includes communication control units 44 and 52, a distribution data reception restriction unit 45, a distribution data storage unit 48, a data distribution unit 50, a data distribution restriction unit 51, a master It is configured to include a slave determining unit 53 and a distribution data sharing unit 55. As already mentioned, the train data server 24
Is provided in the vehicle 21a and the vehicle 21b here.

The communication control unit 44 is connected to the information transmission device 22 mounted on the vehicle 21 (21a or 21b), and distributes the distribution data stored in the distribution data storage unit 40 via the information transmission device 22. To receive. The received distribution data is sent to the distribution data storage unit 48 and stored therein. The data distribution unit 50 distributes the distribution data stored in the distribution data storage unit 48 via the communication control unit 52.

The communication control unit 52 is connected to the in-vehicle LAN 2 of the own vehicle.
6 in the master server mode, and performs data communication with the vehicle data relay devices 28 of all the vehicles 21a to 21c. On the other hand, in the slave server mode, the train data server 2 as the master server
4 only communicates.

The master / slave determination unit 53 determines, via the communication control unit 52, whether another vehicle 21 equipped with the train data server 24 is connected to the vehicle 21. It is determined which of the plurality of train data servers 24 is the master server. It is determined that all servers except the master server are slave servers. This determination is made, for example, by each train data server 2
4 by storing the IDs and comparing the IDs. If it is determined that the train data server 24 is the master server, the mode shifts to the master server mode. Conversely, if it is determined that the train data server 24 is a slave server, the mode shifts to the slave server mode. This processing will be described later.

The data distribution restricting unit 51 determines that the train data server 24 is a slave server in the master / slave determining unit 53, and
In the slave server mode, the data distribution unit 50 is instructed to stop the data distribution.
When the master / slave determination unit 53 determines that the train data server 24 has become the master server again and shifts to the master server mode, the data distribution to the data distribution unit 50 is resumed. Instruct

When the train data server 24 is in the slave server mode, the distribution data reception restricting unit 45 instructs the communication control unit 44 not to receive data such as characters from the roadside. Conversely, when the mode shifts to the master server mode, the communication control unit 44 is instructed to resume receiving data such as characters from the roadside.

The distribution data sharing unit 55 is capable of grasping the contents of the distribution data stored in the distribution data storage unit 48, and is still storing the contents of the distribution data storage unit 48 of the vehicle. The distribution data that has not been updated is received from the train data server 24 mounted on another vehicle 21 via the communication control unit 52, and is supplied to the distribution data storage unit 48. Conversely, the distribution data that has not been stored (or updated) in the distribution data storage unit 48 of another vehicle 21 is stored in the train data server 24 of that vehicle 21.
Send to In this way, the distribution data stored in the distribution data storage units 48 of all the train data servers 24 interconnected by the in-vehicle LAN 26 and the inter-vehicle data transceiver 32 are shared (having the same contents).
This processing will also be described later in detail.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of distribution data stored in the distribution data storage units 40 and 48. As shown in FIG.
0, a news database 6 which is an example of contents
2 and article 64. The content index 60 is data for storing the “number of contents” and a plurality of “content IDs”. "Content ID"
Is an identification number assigned to a type of distribution data such as "news" or "weather forecast", and is a pointer to the news database 62. Here, it is shown that N types of distribution data from content ID1 to content IDN are prepared. in this case,
The "content number" field shows the number of content types.
N will be stored.

The news database 62 includes “content ID”, “content name”, “latest update time”,
It is composed of “latest article ID”, “total number of articles”, and “article ID”. This news database 62
“Content I” included in the content index 60
D ”, and“ content ID ”included therein is provided with a content index 60
Of the “content IDs” included in the content are stored. In the “content name”, a content name such as “newspaper B” is stored. Here, the content specified by one content ID includes a plurality of articles. Article IDs are assigned to these articles, and the IDs of articles included in each content are listed in the news database 62 as “article IDs”. This "article ID" is a pointer to the article 64. Further, the number of articles included in each content is stored in the column of “total articles”. Further, the “latest update time” is a column for storing a time closest to the present time at which any article included in each content is updated (or added). The “latest article ID” is a column for storing an article ID of an article that has been updated (or added) recently.

The article 64 is data for recording the specific contents of the article included in each content, and includes “article ID”,
It is composed of “creation date”, “creation time”, and “article content”. “Article ID” is the news database 62
Is a column for storing a corresponding one of the "article IDs" recorded in the. The “creation date” and “creation time” store the creation date and creation time of the article, respectively. Also,
The “article content” stores data representing the specific content of the article.

The above contents are stored in the distribution data storage unit 48 of the train data server 24 and the distribution data storage unit 40 of the railroad data server 16. And train 2
When 0 enters the communication area of the information transmission device 18 connected to a certain wayside data server 16, the difference between the two is supplied from the wayside to the train 20 side.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts for explaining this data transfer processing. This processing is performed along the railroad data server 1.
6 and the communication control unit 44 of the train data server 24. When a plurality of train data servers 24 are provided in the train 20, the processing is performed only by the master server. First, the railroad data server 16 transmits a pilot signal via the information transmission device 18 (S
201), transmission of this pilot signal is continued until there is a response from the train data server 24 (S202). On the other hand, the train data server 24 also monitors whether a pilot signal has been received (S101).

When receiving the pilot signal, the train data server 24 transmits a pilot signal reception notification to the wayside data server 16 (S102). Upon receiving the pilot signal reception notification, the alongside data server 16 requests the latest article ID of each content from the train data server 24 (S202). Upon receiving this request (S103), the train data server 24 searches for the latest article ID for each content based on the content index 60 and the news database 62 stored in the distribution data storage unit 48 (S10).
4). This search result is transmitted to the wayside data server 16 (S105).

When the search result is received by the railway data server 16 (S204), the latest article ID received from the train data server 24 and the railway data server 1
6 and compares it with the latest article ID held (S20
5) Search for a content that does not match (S20)
6). Then, based on the comparison result in S205, the trainside data server 16 transmits an article 64 that the train data server 24 has not yet received for the content (S207). In the wayside data server 16, the above S2
When the processing from 05 to S207 is repeated for all contents (S208), the train data server 24 is notified of the end of the content update processing (S209).

On the other hand, on the train data server 24 side, S
Article 64 sent from the alongside data server 16 at 207
Is received (S106), and stored in the distribution data storage unit 48 (S107), and the "newest update time", "latest article ID",
Then, the “total articles” is updated (S108). Then, the above-described processing of S106 to S108 is sequentially performed on the content that needs to be updated until the end notification of the content update processing is received from the alongside data server 16 (S10).
9).

When a plurality of train data servers 24 are mounted on the train 20, the above data transfer processing is performed only in the train data server 24 operating in the master server mode, and is performed in the slave server mode. 24 does not.

Here, the master / slave determination processing in the train data server 24 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of this processing. This master-slave determination process is periodically executed by the master-slave determination unit 53 of the train data server 24, and a unique ID (serial number, IP address, software ID, etc.) is assigned to the train data server 24. And
It is assumed that it is stored in advance in, for example, the master-slave determination unit 53.

First, the master / slave determination unit 53 determines whether or not the train data server 24 exists in another connected vehicle 21 (S301). This determination can be made, for example, by sending control data for an inquiry to the in-vehicle LAN 26 and receiving a response. When it is determined that another train data server 24 exists, the ID of the other train data server 24 is
, And compares it with the ID of its own device (S30).
2). If the ID of the other train data server 24 is larger than the ID of the own train, the own train is determined to be the master server, and the fact that the train data server 24 should operate in the master server mode is stored (S303). Conversely, the ID of the other train data server 24
Is smaller than the own device ID, the own device is determined to be a slave server, and the fact that the device should operate in the slave server mode is stored (S305). That is, in this process, the train data server 24 to which the smallest ID is assigned is determined to be the master server.

If it is determined in S301 that no other train data server 24 exists, the following processing is performed. This determination is made when only one train data server 24 is provided in the first place in the train 20 (for example, when a plurality of train data servers 24 exist in the train 20 due to merging later). And FIG.
This is a case where the train 20 shifts from the merged state shown in (a) to the divided state shown in FIG. In these cases, the master / slave determination unit 53 determines whether the own device is in the slave server mode (S304), and if so, determines that the own device is the master server, and indicates that the device should operate in the master server mode. It is stored (S306). If it is determined in S304 that the mode is not the slave server mode, the mode state is maintained. This avoids the disadvantage that the train server remains in the slave server mode that restricts data reception from the wayside and data distribution to the vehicle data relay device 28, etc., even when there is no other train data server 24. That's why. According to the above-described master / slave determination process, the master server and the slave server can be easily determined by comparing the sizes of the IDs.

Next, when a plurality of train data servers 24 exist in the train 20, a process of sharing distribution data held in the train data servers 24 will be described. The reason why this common processing is required is as follows. That is, as described above, when a plurality of train data servers 24 exist in the train 20, the data transfer from the railroad side to the train 20 is performed only to the train data server 24 operating in the master server mode. It is not performed on the train data server 24 operating in the server mode. However, FIG.
In the transition from the state before the division shown in FIG. 4 to the state after the division shown in FIG. 5B, it is desirable that the same data distribution as before the division can be performed immediately after the division. Therefore, it is necessary to share the distribution data stored in the plurality of train data servers 24.

FIGS. 10 to 12 are flowcharts for explaining the distribution data sharing process. This distribution data sharing process is performed immediately after, for example, shifting from the split state shown in FIG. 9B to the merged state shown in FIG. 9A. In this processing, the master-slave determination processing shown in FIG. 8 is performed in the plurality of train data servers 24 (S401, S501). Here, the train data server 24 operating in the master server mode is shown on the left side in the figure.
The following describes the processing of the train data server 24 (hereinafter, also simply called “slave server”) that operates in the slave server mode on the right side in the figure.

First, the master server requests the latest article ID of each content from the slave server (S4).
02). Upon receiving this request (S502), the slave server searches for the latest article ID for each content based on the content index 60 and the news database 62 of the distribution data storage unit 48 (S503). This search result is transmitted to the master server (S504).

When the master server receives the search result (S403), the latest article ID received from the slave and the latest article I held by the master server are stored for each content.
D is compared (S404), and a content that does not match both is searched for (S405). Then, for the content that does not match, the latest article I held by the master server
If D is larger than the latest article ID received from the slave server (S406), it instructs the slave server to wait for article reception processing (S407), and subsequently transmits the article 64 not held by the slave server (S408). ). When the processing of S404 to S408 is repeated for all contents (S409), the slave server is notified of the end of the content update processing (S4).
11).

After the processing in S504, the slave server waits for an instruction from the master server to wait for article reception processing (S505), and upon receiving the instruction, receives the article 64 sent from the master server (S506). Then, the received article 64 is stored in the distribution data storage unit 48, and the “latest update time”, “latest article ID”, and “total number of articles” in the corresponding news database 62 are updated (S508). Then, the above-described processing of S506 to S508 is sequentially performed on the content that needs to be updated until the completion notification of the content update processing is received from the master server (S509).

As described above, when the master server holds the latest data, by transmitting the difference to the slave server, the distribution data held by both can be shared.

For each content, the latest article ID received from the slave and the latest article ID held in the master server are compared (S404). When a content that does not match both is searched for (S405), the master server If the latest article ID received from the slave server is larger than the latest article ID held in (S406), an instruction to wait for article reception processing to the slave server (S407) is not issued, and an article transmission request is sent to the slave server instead. Is transmitted (S410), and the latest article ID of each content is transmitted to the slave server (S412). Correspondingly, even when the slave server waits for an article reception process in S505, instead of receiving an article transmission request (S410), the slave server then updates the latest article of each content held on the master server side. The ID is received (S510).

The slave server compares the latest article ID of each content received in this way with the latest article ID held in its own device, reads out the article 64 not held by the master server from the distribution data storage unit 48, The data is transmitted to the master server (S511). When this processing is performed for all contents (S512), the slave server is notified of the end of the content update processing (S51).
3).

In the master server, when the article 64 is transmitted from the slave server, it receives it (S413),
While being stored in the distribution data storage unit 48 (S41
4) The “latest update time”, “latest article ID”, and “total number of articles” in the corresponding news database 62 are updated (S415). Then, the above-described processes of S413 to S415 are sequentially performed on the content that needs to be updated until the completion notification of the content update process is received from the slave server (S416).

As described above, even when the slave server holds the latest data, by transmitting the difference to the master server, the distribution data held by both can be shared. .

As described above, even if the distribution data held by the master server and the slave server is shared,
When the master server newly receives the distribution data from the wayside data server 16, the identity of the two is lost.
Therefore, when the master server receives the supply of the distribution data from the wayside data server 16, it is desirable that the difference be promptly provided to the slave server via the in-vehicle LAN 26 and the inter-vehicle data transceiver 32. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the data update process at this time. In the figure, the processing of the train data server 24 operating in the slave server mode is shown on the left side, and the processing of the train data server 24 operating in the master server mode is shown on the right side.

As shown in the figure, when the master server receives the supplement of the distribution data from the wayside data server 16, it requests the slave server for the latest article ID of each content (S701). When this request is received (S60
1) The slave server searches for the latest article ID for each content based on the content index 60 and the news database 62 stored in the distribution data storage unit 48 (S602). This search result is transmitted to the master server (S603).

Upon receiving the search result (S702), the master server compares the latest article ID received from the slave server with the latest article ID held on the master server side for each content (S703), and the two match. A content not to be searched is searched (S704). Then, on the basis of the comparison result in S703, for the content, an article 64 that has not yet been received by the slave server in the master server.
Is transmitted (S705). In the master server, the above S
When the processing from 703 to S705 is repeated for all contents (S706), the slave server is notified of the end of the content update processing (S707).

On the other hand, on the slave server side, S705
Receives the article 64 sent from the master server side (S6).
04), and stores it in the distribution data storage unit 48 (S605), and updates the “latest update time”, “latest article ID”, and “total number of articles” in the corresponding news database 62 (S606). Then, the above S604
Steps S606 to S606 are sequentially performed for the content that needs to be updated until the completion notice of the content update processing is received from the master server side (S607).

As described above, when the master server receives the supply of the distribution data from the wayside data server 16, the difference is promptly provided to the slave server, and the same distribution data held by the master server and the slave server is provided. Sex can be restored. When the master server receives the supplement of the distribution data from the railroad data server 16, which ID
By storing whether the (content ID and article ID) has been supplemented (distribution data specifying information), the above data updating process can be simplified.
That is, in this case, the master server transmits an article 64 corresponding to the difference from the master server to the slave server in accordance with the replenishment content from the wayside data server 16 stored in the master server. 48, and update the “latest update time”, “latest article ID”, and “total number of articles” in the corresponding news database 62. In this way, the latest article ID from master server to slave server
Can be omitted.

The on-train information providing system 10 described above
According to this, the train data server 24 has a master server mode and a slave server mode, and in the slave server mode, data is not distributed to the vehicle data relay device 28 or the like. Even when a plurality of train data servers 24 are connected to a communication network in the train 20 constructed by the data transceiver 32 (for example, at the time of merging or before division), the distribution data is complicated and traffic is increased unnecessarily. Can be avoided. In addition, in the slave server mode, distribution data is not replenished from the wayside data server 16, so that the load of data transfer processing of the wayside data server 16 can be reduced.

Further, among the connected vehicles 21a to 21c, the train data server 24
Is provided, and when the vehicle is divided between the vehicle 21a and the vehicle 21b, both the in-train data servers 24 start supplying distribution data as master servers, respectively.
Information can be provided on both trains immediately after the division.
At this time, since the same distribution data is maintained in the plurality of train data servers 24, information can be provided with the same contents after division as before.

The train information providing system 10 described above can be variously modified. For example, in the above description, the master / slave determination unit 53 determines the master server and the slave server based on the IDs assigned to the respective train data servers 24 in advance, but other methods are also possible. .

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the master-slave determination process. The processing shown in the figure is different from the processing shown in FIG. 8 in that when it is determined that another train data server 24 exists in the train 20 (S801), a random number is generated in each train data server 24. (S802), temporarily store it (S803), and compare the stored random numbers with another train data server 24 (S80).
4). The other processing is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 8, and a detailed description is omitted here. According to the processing shown in FIG. 14, the train data server 24 that has generated the minimum random number is determined to be the master server, and the others are determined to be slave servers. When there are a plurality of train data servers 24 that have generated the minimum random numbers, random numbers may be generated again between them and compared. According to the master / slave determination process according to this modification, it is possible to easily determine the master server or the slave server without assigning an ID to the train data server 24.

The master / slave determination process can be performed by another method. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating still another modified example of the master-slave determination process. In the processing shown in the figure, when it is determined that another train data server 24 exists in the train 20 (S901), a request for the “latest update time” is made to the other train data server 24 (S902). In response to this request, the train data server 24 checks the time at which the article 64 was last updated or added to the distribution data storage unit 48, and uses that time as the "latest update time". Server 24
The function to return to is provided. When the “latest update time” is received from another train data server 24 in response to the request, it is compared with the “latest update time” of the own train (S9).
04). If the “latest update time” of the own device is newer (S905), the own device is set as the master server (S90).
6). Conversely, if the “last update time” of the own device is older than the others (S905), the own device is set as the slave server (S90).
6). The processing (S907, S909) when it is determined that there is no other train data server 24 in the train 20 is the same as S304 and S306 in FIG.

According to the above processing, the train data server 24 holding the latest distribution data can be used as the master server. As a result, in the processing of FIGS. 10 to 12, the processing of supplementing distribution data from the slave server to the master server (S412 to S416, S510
S513) can be omitted.

In addition, the same configuration as the train data server 24 and the vehicle data relay device 28 is arranged in the premises of each station,
Information may be provided to the portable information terminal 30 even in the station premises. In the above description, the line data server 16 is arranged at each station. However, the line data server 16 may be arranged at another location as long as it is along the line on which the train 20 runs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an in-train information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a train mounting portion of the in-train information providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a wayside data server.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a train data server.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data structure of distribution data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of supplementing distribution data from a railroad data server to a train data server.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of replenishing distribution data from a railroad data server to a train data server.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a master-slave determination process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing how a train is divided and merged.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a distribution data sharing process between train data servers.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a distribution data sharing process between train data servers.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a distribution data sharing process between train data servers.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating data replenishment processing from a master server (train data server) to a slave server (train data server).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the master-slave determination process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another modification of the master-slave determination process.

[Description of Signs] 10 In-train information provision system, 12 Railroad LAN, 1
4 center equipment, 16 railway data servers, 18, 22
Information transmission device, 20 trains, 21 vehicles, 24 train data servers, 26 in-vehicle LAN, 28 vehicle data relay device, 30 portable information terminals, 34, 42, 44, 52
Communication control unit, 40, 48 distribution data storage unit, 45 distribution data reception restriction unit, 50 data distribution unit, 51 data distribution restriction unit, 53 master / slave determination unit, 55 distribution data common unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masaki Okada 1-13-8 Kamikizaki, Urawa-shi, Saitama Japan Signaling Co., Ltd. Yono Office (72) Inventor Kenji Nakata 1-1-13 Kamikizaki, Urawa-shi, Saitama No. 8 F-term in Yono Works of Nippon Signal Co., Ltd. (reference) 5H161 AA01 DD21 GG04 GG11 GG22 5K032 BA06 DA01 DB08 DB09 DB19 5K033 BA06 DB12 5K067 AA21 BB21 BB41 DD51 EE02 HH23 KK15

Claims (4)

[Claims] An in-vehicle network provided in a vehicle of a train, a train data server provided in the vehicle and connected to the in-vehicle network, and another vehicle provided in the vehicle and having another vehicle connected to the vehicle When connected, an inter-vehicle data transmission / reception device that connects the in-vehicle network provided in the other vehicle and the in-vehicle network provided in the vehicle so that they can mutually communicate data, The train data server includes: a delivery data storage unit that stores delivery data; a data delivery unit that sends delivery data to the in-vehicle network; and at least one other vehicle provided with the train data server directly or When indirectly connected to the vehicle,
Master-slave determining means for determining one of the train data servers as the master server and determining the other as the slave server; and when the train data server is determined to be the slave server, the distribution data to the in-vehicle network is determined. A train information providing system, comprising: a data distribution limiting unit that limits transmission. 2. The train information providing system according to claim 1, further comprising a railroad data server provided along a route along which the train runs and transmitting distribution data to the train data server. The data server includes: a distribution data receiving unit that receives distribution data from the railway data server; and a distribution data reception that restricts reception of the distribution data from the railway data server when the train data server is determined to be a slave server. A train information providing system, further comprising: limiting means. 3. The train information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the train data server is configured such that at least one other vehicle provided with the train data server is directly or indirectly connected to the vehicle. If you have
An in-train information providing system, further comprising a distribution data sharing unit that shares distribution data stored in the distribution data storage unit with a train data server provided in the other vehicle. 4. The in-train information providing system according to claim 3, wherein the distribution data receiving means stores distribution data specifying information for specifying distribution data newly received from the wayside data server. A storage unit, wherein the distribution data sharing unit shares the distribution data stored in the distribution data storage unit with a train data server provided in another vehicle based on the distribution data specifying information. Train information providing system.