JP3851834B2

JP3851834B2 - Train control system and information collection method

Info

Publication number: JP3851834B2
Application number: JP2002106594A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 賢史西田; 和弘小林; 繁信西田
Original assignee: Kyosan Electric Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Kyosan Electric Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-04-09
Filing date: 2002-04-09
Publication date: 2006-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 2022-04-09
Also published as: JP2003300466A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、現場機器の動作情報を収集可能な列車制御システム、及び、該現場機器の動作情報を収集する情報収集方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、列車制御システムでは、転轍機や信号機等の現場機器が軌道回路に沿って複数配設されている。これら複数の現場機器を適正に管理することは、安全な列車運行を確保する上で重要な問題であり、これまでに多くの努力がなされている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、現場機器の動作履歴を示す情報（以下、動作情報という）を取得するには、該動作情報を、長距離にわたって配設される伝送線を介して中央制御装置に送信する、或いは、係員が現場機器まで直接足を運んで動作情報を取得する等しなければならない。従って、上記伝送線の設置や維持に、多大の労力や費用が必要となる、或いは、係員の手間がかかる等、効率が悪い。
【０００４】
本発明の課題は、簡便且つ安価な方法で現場機器の動作情報を収集可能な列車制御システム、及び情報収集方法を提供することである。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、このような課題を解決するために、次のような特徴を備えている。なお、次に示す手段の説明中、括弧書きにより実施の形態に対応する構成を一例として示す。符号等は、後述する図面参照符号等である。
【０００６】
請求項１記載の発明は、
列車が走行する軌道に沿って設置された現場機器を複数備え、該現場機器を用いて該列車の運行制御を行う列車制御システムにおいて、
前記列車との間で無線通信を行う基地局を前記軌道に沿って複数設置し、
前記現場機器は、
前記列車及び前記基地局との間で無線通信を行う地上通信手段（例えば、図３に示す送信部３２）と、
自身の動作履歴を記録する記録手段（例えば、図３に示すメモリ３４）と、
自身が前記列車或いは前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内にあるか否かを判定する地上判定手段（例えば、図３に示す制御部３３）と、
前記地上判定手段により自身が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内にあると判定された場合には、前記記録手段に記録された動作履歴情報を該無線通信可能な基地局に無線送信し、前記地上判定手段により自身が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内にはないが前記列車とは無線通信可能な通信エリア内にあると判定された場合には、前記記録手段に記録された動作履歴情報を該無線通信可能な列車に無線送信するように前記地上通信手段を制御する地上送信制御手段（例えば、図３に示す制御部３３）とを備え、
前記列車は、
前記現場機器及び前記基地局との間で無線通信を行う車上通信手段と（例えば、図２に示す無線装置２３）、
前記車上通信手段によって前記現場機器から無線送信された該現場機器の動作履歴情報が受信されると、該受信された動作履歴情報を一時的に格納する格納手段（例えば、図２に示すデータ蓄積部２４ｂ）と、
自列車が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内に進入したか否かを判定する車上判定手段（例えば、図２に示す制御部２４ａ）と、
前記車上判定手段によって自列車が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内に進入したと判定された場合、前記格納手段に一時的に格納された動作履歴情報を該無線通信可能な基地局に無線送信するように前記車上通信手段を制御する車上送信制御手段（例えば、図２に示す制御部２４ａ）と、
を備えたことを特徴とする。
【０００７】
請求項１記載の発明によれば、列車が走行する軌道に沿って設置された現場機器を複数備え、該現場機器を用いて該列車の運行制御を行う列車制御システムにおいて、前記列車との間で無線通信を行う基地局を前記軌道に沿って複数設置し、前記現場機器では、地上通信手段は前記列車及び前記基地局との間で無線通信を行い、記録手段は、自身の動作履歴を記録し、地上判定手段は、自身が前記列車或いは前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内にあるか否かを判定し、地上送信制御手段は、前記地上判定手段により自身が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内にあると判定された場合には、前記記録手段に記録された動作履歴情報を該無線通信可能な基地局に無線送信し、前記地上判定手段により自身が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内にはないが前記列車とは無線通信可能な通信エリア内にあると判定された場合には、前記記録手段に記録された動作履歴情報を該無線通信可能な列車に無線送信するように前記地上通信手段を制御し、前記列車では、車上通信手段は、前記現場機器及び前記基地局との間で無線通信を行い、格納手段は、前記車上通信手段によって前記現場機器から無線送信された該現場機器の動作履歴情報が受信されると、該受信された動作履歴情報を一時的に格納し、車上判定手段は、自列車が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内に進入したか否かを判定し、車上送信制御手段は、前記車上判定手段によって自列車が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内に進入したと判定された場合、前記格納手段に一時的に格納された動作履歴情報を該無線通信可能な基地局に無線送信するように前記車上通信手段を制御する。
【０００８】
また、請求項２記載の発明は、
列車が走行する軌道に沿って設置された複数の現場機器の各々から、該現場機器の動作履歴情報を収集する情報収集方法において、
前記現場機器では、
自機器が前記列車或いは前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内にあるか否かを判定する地上判定ステップと、
前記地上判定ステップで自機器が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内にあると判定された場合には、自機器の動作履歴情報を該無線通信可能な基地局に無線送信し、前記地上判定ステップで自機器が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内にはないが前記列車とは無線通信可能な通信エリア内にあると判定された場合には、自機器の動作履歴情報を該無線通信可能な列車に無線送信する地上送信制御ステップとを含み、
前記列車では、
前記現場機器から無線送信された該現場機器の動作履歴情報を一時的に格納する格納ステップと、
自列車が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内に進入したか否かを判定する車上判定ステップと、
前記車上判定ステップで自列車が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内に進入したと判定された場合、前記格納ステップで一時的に格納された動作履歴情報を該無線通信可能な基地局に無線送信する車上送信ステップと、
を含んだことを特徴とする。
【０００９】
請求項２記載の発明によれば、列車が走行する軌道に沿って設置された複数の現場機器の各々から、該現場機器の動作履歴情報を収集する情報収集方法において、前記現場機器では、自機器が前記列車或いは前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内にあるか否かを判定し、自機器が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内にあると判定された場合には、自機器の動作履歴情報を該無線通信可能な基地局に無線送信し、自機器が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内にはないが前記列車とは無線通信可能な通信エリア内にあると判定された場合には、自機器の動作履歴情報を該無線通信可能な列車に無線送信し、前記列車では、前記現場機器から無線送信された該現場機器の動作履歴情報を一時的に格納し、自列車が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内に進入したか否かを判定し、自列車が前記基地局と無線通信可能な通信エリア内に進入したと判定された場合、前記一時的に格納された動作履歴情報を該無線通信可能な基地局に無線送信する。
【００１０】
従って、長距離にわたって配設される伝送線を介することなく、また、係員が現場機器まで直接足を運ぶことなく、現場機器から無線通信によって当該現場機器の動作情報が基地局に送信可能となるので、現場機器の設置と維持に要する労力及び費用が大幅に削減可能となる。
また、列車制御システムは、無線通信を利用した信号システムの一環として導入可能であり、列車制御システムの導入によって当該信号システムの低コスト化及び機能性向上が実現できる。
【００１１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図１〜図４を参照して本発明を適用した列車制御システム１の構成を詳細に説明する。
【００１２】
図１は、列車制御システム１の要部構成を示すブロック図である。
図１に示すように、列車制御システム１は、軌道回路５、基地局１０、列車２０、及び現場機器３０等により構成される。なお、図面及び説明簡略化のため、図１には、列車制御システム１の一部が示されているのみであり、図１に示す軌道回路５、基地局１０、列車２０、及び現場機器３０は、設置される軌道回路、基地局、及び現場機器の一部である。
【００１３】
軌道回路５に沿って複数配設された基地局１０は、列車２０及び現場機器３０との間で無線通信が可能な通信エリアＡ（例えば、直径４ｋｍの略円）を形成し、伝送線を介して図示しない中央制御装置に接続される。基地局１０は、この中央制御装置から送信された各種信号を列車２０に無線送信すると共に、現場機器３０から無線送信された当該現場機器３０の動作情報を中央制御装置に送信する。
【００１４】
列車２０は、上記中央制御装置から基地局１０を介して送信された各種信号、及び軌道回路５或いは図示しない地上子等から受信した各種信号に基づいて運行する。
【００１５】
また、列車２０は、図２に示すように、車上通信装置２１を備え、この車上通信装置２１によって、現場機器３０の動作情報（すなわち、現場機器３０の動作履歴を表す情報）を現場機器３０から収集すると共に、収集した現場機器３０の動作情報を基地局１０に無線送信する。
【００１６】
車上通信装置２１は、電波を送受信するアンテナ２２と、アンテナ２２を介して受信された電波から信号を抽出すると共に、送信用の信号を電波に重ねて無線送信する無線装置２３と、列車２０の通信処理を制御する車上制御装置２４とを備え、車上制御装置２４は、ＣＰＵ等によって構成された制御部２４ａと、ＲＡＭ等によって構成されたデータ蓄積部２４ｂとを備える。
【００１７】
制御部２４ａは、現場機器３０との間で無線通信が可能な通信エリアＢを形成すると共に、列車２０の存在を現場機器３０に報知する為の信号を、無線装置２３とアンテナ２２とを介して常時発信する。
【００１８】
制御部２４ａは、通信エリアＡ外に設置された現場機器３０から無線送信された当該現場機器３０の動作情報をデータ蓄積部２４ｂに一旦蓄積する。また、制御部２４ａは、列車２０が通信エリアＡ内に進入して基地局１０との間で無線通信が可能になると、データ蓄積部２４ｂに一旦蓄積された上記現場機器３０の動作情報を基地局１０に無線送信する。
【００１９】
現場機器３０は、転轍機や信号機等、軌道回路５に沿って設置された現場機器であり、図３に示すように、電波を送受信するアンテナ３１と、アンテナ３１を介して受信された電波から信号を抽出すると共に、送信用の信号を電波に重ねて無線送信する送信部３２と、ＣＰＵ等によって構成された制御部３３と、ＲＡＭ等のメモリ３４と、現場機器３０の動作情報（例えば、動作開始・終了日時等）を検出する検出部３５とを備える。
【００２０】
制御部３３は、検出部３５により検出された現場機器３０の動作情報をメモリ３４に記録する。
【００２１】
アンテナ２２は、基地局１０との間で無線通信が可能か否か（すなわち、現場機器３０が通信エリアＡ内にあるか否か）を判定し、基地局１０との間で無線通信が可能である場合、メモリ３４に記録された現場機器３０の動作情報を、制御部３３とアンテナ３１とを介して基地局１０に無線送信する。
【００２２】
制御部３３は、列車２０との間で無線通信が可能になったか否か（すなわち、現場機器３０が通信エリアＢ内にあるか否か）を判定し、列車２０との間で無線通信が可能となった際、メモリ３４に記録された現場機器３０の動作情報を、送信部３２とアンテナ３１とを介して列車２０に無線送信する。
【００２３】
次に動作を説明する。
図４は、現場機器３０によって行われる情報収集処理を説明するフローチャートである。
【００２４】
まず、基地局１０との間で無線通信可能な通信エリアＡ内に設置された現場機器３０について説明する。
制御部３３は、基地局１０との間で無線回線が設定されると（ステップＳ１１；Ｙｅｓ）、メモリ３４に現場機器３０の動作情報が記憶されているか否かを判定する（ステップＳ１２）。
【００２５】
制御部３３は、ステップＳ１２の段階で、メモリ３４に現場機器３０の動作情報が記憶されてる場合（ステップＳ１２；Ｙｅｓ）、当該動作情報を基地局１０に送信し（ステップＳ１３）、メモリ３４に現場機器３０の動作情報が記憶されていない場合（ステップＳ１２；Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ１１に移行して基地局１０から送信された電波の有無を監視する。
【００２６】
次に、基地局１０との間で無線通信できない通信エリアＡの外部に設置された現場機器３０について説明する。
制御部３３は、基地局１０との間で無線回線が設定されていないと判定すると（ステップＳ１１；Ｎｏ）、列車２０との間で無線回線が設定されたか否か、すなわち、列車２０が現場機器３０に近づいてきて、列車２０が形成する通信エリアＢ内に現場機器３０が入ったか否かを監視する（ステップＳ１４）。
【００２７】
ステップＳ１４の段階で、列車２０との間で無線回線が設定され場合、すなわち、列車２０が現場機器３０に近づいてきて、列車２０が形成する通信エリアＢ内に現場機器３０が入った場合（ステップＳ１４；Ｙｅｓ）、制御部３３は、メモリ３４に現場機器３０の動作情報が記憶されているか否かを判定する（ステップＳ１５）。
【００２８】
制御部３３は、ステップＳ１５の段階で、メモリ３４に現場機器３０の動作情報が記憶されている場合（ステップＳ１５；Ｙｅｓ）、当該動作情報を列車２０に送信し（ステップＳ１６）、メモリ３４に現場機器３０の動作情報が記憶されていない場合（ステップＳ１５；Ｎｏ）、ステップＳ１４に移行して、列車２０との間で設定された無線回線が維持されているか否かを判定し、当該無線回線が維持されていれば（ステップＳ１４；Ｙｅｓ）、再度、ステップＳ１５に移行して上記処理を繰り返す。
【００２９】
その後、現場機器３０の動作情報を受信した列車２０は（この現場機器３０の動作情報は、他の現場機器の動作情報と共に、列車２０のデータ蓄積部２４ｂに蓄積されている）、基地局１０との間で無線通信可能な通信エリアＡ内に進入すると、データ蓄積部２４ｂに蓄積された上記現場機器３０等の動作情報を基地局１０に無線送信する。
【００３０】
その後、基地局１０は、上記方法により列車２０或いは現場機器３０から無線送信された動作情報を、図示しない中央制御装置に送信する。
【００３１】
以上説明したように、列車制御システム１が備える転轍機や信号機等の現場機器３０は、自身の動作状況を検出し、当該検出結果を自身の動作履歴を表す情報（動作情報）としてメモリ３４に記憶する。現場機器３０が基地局１０との無線通信が可能な通信エリアＡ内に設置されている場合、現場機器３０は、上記動作情報を基地局１０に直接無線送信する。また、現場機器３０が通信エリアＡの外部に設置されている場合、現場機器３０は、通過する列車２０に上記動作情報を無線送信し、当該動作情報を受信した列車２０は、この動作情報を他の現場機器の動作情報と共にデータ蓄積部２４ｂに一旦蓄積し、列車２０が通信エリアＡ内に進入して基地局１０と無線通信が可能になると、当該蓄積した動作情報を基地局１０に送信する。
【００３２】
従って、長距離にわたって配設される伝送線を介することなく、また、係員が現場機器３０まで直接足を運ぶことなく、現場機器３０から無線通信によって当該現場機器３０の動作情報が基地局１０に送信可能となるので、現場機器３０の設置と維持に要する労力及び費用が大幅に削減可能となる。
また、列車制御システム１は、無線通信を利用した信号システムの一環として導入可能であり、列車制御システム１の導入によって当該信号システムの低コスト化及び機能性向上が実現できる。
【００３３】
なお、本実施の形態における記述は、本発明に係る列車制御システム及び情報収集方法の一例を示すものであり、これに限定されるものではない。本実施の形態における列車制御システム１の細部構成、及び詳細動作に関しては、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で適宜変更可能である。
【００３４】
例えば、本実施の形態においては、通信エリアＡ内に設置された現場機器３０は、自身の動作情報を基地局１０に直接無線送信するとしたが、これに限らず、通信エリアＡ内に設置された現場機器３０に対しても、自身の動作情報を、通過する列車２０に一旦転送し、当該列車２０は、通信エリアＡ内に進入して基地局１０と無線通信が可能となった際に、上記動作情報を基地局１０に無線送信するようにしても良い。すなわち、現場機器３０の動作状態は、通信エリアＡ内に設置されているか否かにかかわらず、現場機器３０を通過する列車２０に一旦転送し、列車２０から基地局１０に無線送信させる。
このようにしても、長距離にわたって配設される伝送線を介することなく、また、係員が現場機器３０まで直接足を運ぶことなく、現場機器３０から無線通信によって自身の動作情報を基地局１０に送信可能となるので、現場機器３０の設置と維持に要する労力及び費用が大幅に削減可能となる。
【００３５】
【発明の効果】
請求項１、２記載の発明によれば、長距離にわたって配設される伝送線を介することなく、また、係員が現場機器まで直接足を運ぶことなく、現場機器から無線通信によって当該現場機器の動作情報が基地局に送信可能となるので、現場機器の設置と維持に要する労力及び費用が大幅に削減可能となる。
また、列車制御システムは、無線通信を利用した信号システムの一環として導入可能であり、列車制御システムの導入によって当該信号システムの低コスト化及び機能性向上が実現できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明を適用した列車制御システムの要部構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２】図１に示す列車が搭載する車上通信装置の機能ブロック図である。
【図３】図１に示す現場機器の機能ブロック図である。
【図４】本発明を適用した列車制御システムにおける情報収集処理を説明するフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１列車制御システム
５軌道回路
１０基地局
２０列車
２１車上通信装置
２２アンテナ
２３無線装置
２４車上制御装置
２４ａ制御部
２４ｂデータ蓄積部
３０現場機器
３１アンテナ
３２送信部
３３制御部
３４メモリ
３５検出部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a train control system capable of collecting operation information of field equipment and an information collection method for collecting operation information of the field equipment.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a train control system, a plurality of field devices such as a switch and a traffic light are arranged along a track circuit. Proper management of these multiple field devices is an important issue in ensuring safe train operation, and many efforts have been made so far.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in order to obtain information indicating the operation history of field equipment (hereinafter referred to as operation information), the operation information is transmitted to the central control device via a transmission line arranged over a long distance, or a staff member However, it is necessary to go to the field equipment directly to acquire operation information. Therefore, the installation and maintenance of the transmission line requires a great deal of labor and cost, or is inefficient because it requires labor.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide a train control system and an information collection method capable of collecting operation information of field devices by a simple and inexpensive method.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve such a problem, the present invention has the following features. In the following description of the means, the configuration corresponding to the embodiment is shown as an example in parentheses. Reference numerals and the like are reference numerals for drawings to be described later.
[0006]
The invention described in claim 1
In the train control system comprising a plurality of field devices installed along the track on which the train travels, and performing operation control of the train using the field devices,
A plurality of base stations that perform wireless communication with the train are installed along the track,
The field equipment is
Ground communication means for performing wireless communication between the train and the base station (for example, the transmission unit 32 shown in FIG. 3),
Recording means for recording its own operation history (for example, the memory 34 shown in FIG. 3);
Ground determination means (for example, the control unit 33 shown in FIG. 3) for determining whether or not the terminal itself is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the train or the base station;
When the ground determination means determines that it is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station, the operation history information recorded in the recording means is wirelessly transmitted to the base station capable of wireless communication. If the ground determination means determines that it is not in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station but is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the train, it is recorded in the recording means. Ground transmission control means (for example, the control unit 33 shown in FIG. 3) for controlling the ground communication means so as to wirelessly transmit the operation history information to the train capable of wireless communication,
The train
On-vehicle communication means for performing wireless communication between the field device and the base station (for example, the wireless device 23 shown in FIG. 2),
When the operation history information of the field device wirelessly transmitted from the field device is received by the on-vehicle communication unit, storage means for temporarily storing the received operation history information (for example, the data shown in FIG. 2) Storage unit 24b),
On-board determination means (for example, the control unit 24a shown in FIG. 2) for determining whether or not the own train has entered a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station,
When it is determined by the on-board determination means that the own train has entered a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station, the operation history information temporarily stored in the storage means is the base station capable of wireless communication. Vehicle transmission control means (for example, the control unit 24a shown in FIG. 2) for controlling the vehicle communication means to wirelessly transmit to the vehicle,
It is provided with.
[0007]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a train control system that includes a plurality of field devices installed along a track on which a train travels and performs operation control of the train using the field devices, A plurality of base stations that perform wireless communication in the orbit, and in the field equipment, the ground communication means performs wireless communication between the train and the base station, and the recording means records its operation history. Recording, the ground determination means determines whether or not it is within a communication area capable of wireless communication with the train or the base station, and the ground transmission control means determines whether the ground transmission control means is connected to the base station by the ground determination means. When it is determined that it is within a communication area where wireless communication is possible, the operation history information recorded in the recording unit is wirelessly transmitted to the base station capable of wireless communication, and the ground determination unit itself Wireless communication with When it is determined that the train is not in the communication area but in the communication area capable of wireless communication with the train, the operation history information recorded in the recording means is wirelessly transmitted to the train capable of wireless communication. In the train, the on-board communication means performs wireless communication between the field device and the base station, and the storage means wirelessly transmits from the field device by the on-board communication means. When the transmitted operation history information of the field device is received, the received operation history information is temporarily stored, and the on-board determination means is in a communication area where the own train can wirelessly communicate with the base station. The on-board transmission control means determines that the on-board transmission control means determines that the own train has entered a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station. Temporarily stored movements Information for controlling the vehicle on the communication unit to wirelessly transmit the wireless communication base station capable.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 2
In the information collection method for collecting the operation history information of the field device from each of the plurality of field devices installed along the track on which the train travels,
In the field equipment,
A ground determination step for determining whether or not the own device is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the train or the base station;
When it is determined in the ground determination step that the own device is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station, the operation history information of the own device is wirelessly transmitted to the base station capable of wireless communication, and the ground If it is determined in the determination step that the own device is not in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station but is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the train, the operation history information of the own device is Including a ground transmission control step for wirelessly transmitting to a train capable of wireless communication,
In the train,
A storage step of temporarily storing operation history information of the field device wirelessly transmitted from the field device;
On-vehicle determination step for determining whether or not the own train has entered a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station;
When it is determined in the on-vehicle determination step that the own train has entered a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station, the operation history information temporarily stored in the storage step is stored in the base station capable of wireless communication. On-vehicle transmission step for wireless transmission to
It is characterized by including.
[0009]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the information collection method for collecting operation history information of the field device from each of the plurality of field devices installed along the track on which the train travels, It is determined whether or not the device is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the train or the base station, and if it is determined that the device is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station, When the operation history information of the device is wirelessly transmitted to the base station capable of wireless communication, and the own device is not within the communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station, but is within the communication area capable of wireless communication with the train. If it is determined, the operation history information of the local device is wirelessly transmitted to the train capable of wireless communication, and the train temporarily stores the operation history information of the field device wirelessly transmitted from the field device. The own train is wireless with the base station It is determined whether or not the vehicle has entered a communication area where communication is possible, and if it is determined that the own train has entered a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station, the operation history information stored temporarily is stored. Wireless transmission is performed to the base station capable of wireless communication.
[0010]
Therefore, the operation information of the field device can be transmitted to the base station by wireless communication from the field device without going through a transmission line arranged over a long distance and without the attendant directly going to the field device. Therefore, the labor and cost required for installation and maintenance of field equipment can be greatly reduced.
In addition, the train control system can be introduced as part of a signal system using wireless communication, and the introduction of the train control system can reduce the cost and improve the functionality of the signal system.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1-4, the structure of the train control system 1 to which this invention is applied is demonstrated in detail.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the train control system 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the train control system 1 includes a track circuit 5, a base station 10, a train 20, a field device 30, and the like. For simplification of the drawings and description, FIG. 1 shows only a part of the train control system 1, and the track circuit 5, the base station 10, the train 20, and the field equipment 30 shown in FIG. 1. Are part of the installed track circuit, base station and field equipment.
[0013]
A plurality of base stations 10 arranged along the track circuit 5 form a communication area A (for example, an approximately circle having a diameter of 4 km) capable of wireless communication between the train 20 and the field device 30, and a transmission line is formed. To a central control unit (not shown). The base station 10 wirelessly transmits various signals transmitted from the central control device to the train 20 and transmits operation information of the field device 30 wirelessly transmitted from the field device 30 to the central control device.
[0014]
The train 20 operates based on various signals transmitted from the central control device via the base station 10 and various signals received from the track circuit 5 or a ground element (not shown).
[0015]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the train 20 includes an on-board communication device 21, and the on-board communication device 21 transmits the operation information of the field device 30 (that is, information representing the operation history of the field device 30). While collecting from the device 30, the collected operation information of the field device 30 is wirelessly transmitted to the base station 10.
[0016]
The on-board communication device 21 includes an antenna 22 that transmits and receives radio waves, a radio device 23 that extracts a signal from radio waves received via the antenna 22 and wirelessly transmits a transmission signal superimposed on the radio waves, and a train 20. The on-board control device 24 controls the communication processing. The on-board control device 24 includes a control unit 24a configured by a CPU and the like, and a data storage unit 24b configured by a RAM and the like.
[0017]
The control unit 24 a forms a communication area B in which wireless communication with the field device 30 is possible, and transmits a signal for notifying the field device 30 of the presence of the train 20 via the wireless device 23 and the antenna 22. And always send.
[0018]
The control unit 24a temporarily stores the operation information of the field device 30 wirelessly transmitted from the field device 30 installed outside the communication area A in the data storage unit 24b. In addition, when the train 20 enters the communication area A and wireless communication is possible with the base station 10, the control unit 24a uses the operation information of the field device 30 once stored in the data storage unit 24b as a base. Wireless transmission to the station 10.
[0019]
The field device 30 is a field device installed along the track circuit 5 such as a switch or a traffic light. As shown in FIG. 3, the field device 30 transmits and receives a signal from a radio wave received via the antenna 31. , And a transmission unit 32 that wirelessly transmits a transmission signal over radio waves, a control unit 33 configured by a CPU or the like, a memory 34 such as a RAM, and operation information (for example, operation of the field device 30). And a detection unit 35 that detects a start / end date and time).
[0020]
The control unit 33 records the operation information of the field device 30 detected by the detection unit 35 in the memory 34.
[0021]
The antenna 22 determines whether or not wireless communication is possible with the base station 10 (that is, whether or not the field device 30 is in the communication area A), and wireless communication with the base station 10 is possible. , The operation information of the field device 30 recorded in the memory 34 is wirelessly transmitted to the base station 10 via the control unit 33 and the antenna 31.
[0022]
The control unit 33 determines whether or not wireless communication with the train 20 is enabled (that is, whether or not the field device 30 is in the communication area B), and wireless communication with the train 20 is performed. When it becomes possible, the operation information of the field device 30 recorded in the memory 34 is wirelessly transmitted to the train 20 via the transmission unit 32 and the antenna 31.
[0023]
Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining information collection processing performed by the field device 30.
[0024]
First, the field device 30 installed in the communication area A capable of wireless communication with the base station 10 will be described.
When a wireless line is set up with the base station 10 (step S11; Yes), the control unit 33 determines whether or not the operation information of the field device 30 is stored in the memory 34 (step S12).
[0025]
When the operation information of the field device 30 is stored in the memory 34 at the stage of step S12 (step S12; Yes), the control unit 33 transmits the operation information to the base station 10 (step S13). When the operation information of the field device 30 is not stored (step S12; No), the process proceeds to step S11 and the presence / absence of a radio wave transmitted from the base station 10 is monitored.
[0026]
Next, the field device 30 installed outside the communication area A where wireless communication with the base station 10 cannot be performed will be described.
When the control unit 33 determines that the radio line is not set up with the base station 10 (step S11; No), whether or not the radio line is set up with the train 20, that is, the train 20 is on-site. It approaches the equipment 30 and monitors whether or not the field equipment 30 has entered the communication area B formed by the train 20 (step S14).
[0027]
When a wireless line is set up with the train 20 in the step S14, that is, when the train 20 approaches the field device 30 and the field device 30 enters the communication area B formed by the train 20 ( Step S14; Yes), the control unit 33 determines whether or not the operation information of the field device 30 is stored in the memory 34 (Step S15).
[0028]
When the operation information of the field device 30 is stored in the memory 34 at the stage of step S15 (step S15; Yes), the control unit 33 transmits the operation information to the train 20 (step S16). When the operation information of the field device 30 is not stored (step S15; No), the process proceeds to step S14 to determine whether or not the wireless line set with the train 20 is maintained, and the wireless If the line is maintained (step S14; Yes), the process proceeds to step S15 again and the above process is repeated.
[0029]
Thereafter, the train 20 that has received the operation information of the field device 30 (the operation information of the field device 30 is stored in the data storage unit 24b of the train 20 together with the operation information of the other field devices). When entering the communication area A where wireless communication is possible, the operation information of the field device 30 and the like stored in the data storage unit 24b is wirelessly transmitted to the base station 10.
[0030]
Thereafter, the base station 10 transmits the operation information wirelessly transmitted from the train 20 or the field device 30 by the above method to a central control device (not shown).
[0031]
As described above, the on-site equipment 30 such as a switch or a traffic light included in the train control system 1 detects its own operation status and stores the detection result in the memory 34 as information (operation information) representing its own operation history. To do. When the field device 30 is installed in the communication area A in which wireless communication with the base station 10 is possible, the field device 30 wirelessly transmits the operation information directly to the base station 10. Further, when the field device 30 is installed outside the communication area A, the field device 30 wirelessly transmits the operation information to the passing train 20, and the train 20 that has received the operation information receives the operation information. Once stored in the data storage unit 24b together with operation information of other field devices, when the train 20 enters the communication area A and wireless communication with the base station 10 becomes possible, the stored operation information is transmitted to the base station 10. To do.
[0032]
Therefore, the operation information of the field device 30 is transmitted from the field device 30 to the base station 10 by wireless communication without going through the transmission line arranged over a long distance and without the attendant directly going to the field device 30. Since transmission is possible, the labor and cost required to install and maintain the field device 30 can be greatly reduced.
Moreover, the train control system 1 can be introduced as part of a signal system using wireless communication, and the introduction of the train control system 1 can realize cost reduction and improved functionality of the signal system.
[0033]
In addition, the description in this Embodiment shows an example of the train control system and information collection method which concern on this invention, and is not limited to this. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of the train control system 1 in the present embodiment can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0034]
For example, in the present embodiment, the field device 30 installed in the communication area A directly transmits its own operation information to the base station 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is installed in the communication area A. When the train station 20 also transfers its own operation information to the passing train 20 and enters the communication area A and becomes capable of wireless communication with the base station 10. The operation information may be wirelessly transmitted to the base station 10. That is, the operation state of the field device 30 is temporarily transferred to the train 20 passing through the field device 30 and wirelessly transmitted from the train 20 to the base station 10 regardless of whether or not the field device 30 is installed in the communication area A.
Even in this case, the base station 10 can transmit its own operation information by wireless communication from the field device 30 without going through a transmission line arranged over a long distance and without the attendant directly going to the field device 30. Therefore, the labor and cost required to install and maintain the field device 30 can be greatly reduced.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the on-site equipment can be wirelessly communicated from the on-site equipment without going through a transmission line arranged over a long distance, and without the attendant directly going to the on-site equipment. Since the operation information can be transmitted to the base station, labor and cost required for installation and maintenance of field equipment can be greatly reduced.
In addition, the train control system can be introduced as part of a signal system using wireless communication, and the introduction of the train control system can reduce the cost and improve the functionality of the signal system.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a train control system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an on-board communication device mounted on the train shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the field device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating information collection processing in a train control system to which the present invention is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Train control system 5 Track circuit 10 Base station 20 Train 21 On-board communication apparatus 22 Antenna 23 Wireless apparatus 24 On-board control apparatus 24a Control part 24b Data storage part 30 Field device 31 Antenna 32 Transmission part 33 Control part 34 Memory 35 Detection part

Claims

In the train control system comprising a plurality of field devices installed along the track on which the train travels, and performing operation control of the train using the field devices,
A plurality of base stations that perform wireless communication with the train are installed along the track,
The field equipment is
Ground communication means for performing wireless communication between the train and the base station;
A recording means for recording its own operation history;
Ground determination means for determining whether or not the terminal is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the train or the base station;
When the ground determination means determines that it is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station, the operation history information recorded in the recording means is wirelessly transmitted to the base station capable of wireless communication. If the ground determination means determines that it is not in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station but is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the train, it is recorded in the recording means. Ground transmission control means for controlling the ground communication means to wirelessly transmit the operation history information to the train capable of wireless communication,
The train
On-vehicle communication means for performing wireless communication between the field device and the base station;
When the operation history information of the field device wirelessly transmitted from the field device is received by the on-board communication unit, storage means for temporarily storing the received operation history information;
On-vehicle determination means for determining whether or not the own train has entered a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station,
When it is determined by the on-board determination means that the own train has entered a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station, the operation history information temporarily stored in the storage means is the base station capable of wireless communication. Vehicle transmission control means for controlling the vehicle communication means to wirelessly transmit to the vehicle,
A train control system characterized by comprising:

In the information collection method for collecting the operation history information of the field device from each of the plurality of field devices installed along the track on which the train travels,
In the field equipment,
A ground determination step for determining whether or not the own device is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the train or the base station;
When it is determined in the ground determination step that the own device is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station, the operation history information of the own device is wirelessly transmitted to the base station capable of wireless communication, and the ground If it is determined in the determination step that the own device is not in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station but is in a communication area capable of wireless communication with the train, the operation history information of the own device is Including a ground transmission control step for wirelessly transmitting to a train capable of wireless communication,
In the train,
A storage step of temporarily storing operation history information of the field device wirelessly transmitted from the field device;
On-vehicle determination step for determining whether or not the own train has entered a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station;
When it is determined in the on-vehicle determination step that the own train has entered a communication area capable of wireless communication with the base station, the operation history information temporarily stored in the storage step is stored in the base station capable of wireless communication. On-vehicle transmission step for wireless transmission to
An information collection method characterized by including