JP2005289309A - Train approach warning system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a train approach warning system capable of detecting the approach of a train to a maintenance work site accurately, and issuing a proper warning to a maintenance worker. <P>SOLUTION: This train approach warning system consists of an image photographing device transmitting an image signal obtained by photographing a monitoring area provided in a direction viewing the arrival of the train from the maintenance work site, a sensor device detecting a physical change caused by the arrival of the train in the monitoring area, and transmitting a train approach signal, and a monitoring warning device receiving the image signal and the train approach signal, and issuing the warning to the worker. Since the train approaching to the monitoring area can be confirmed by the image signal, an error due to improper operation of a sensor is corrected, and a proper warning can be issued. Moreover, a preparatory monitoring area, which is a warning area, may be provided further ahead of the monitoring area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a system that detects the approach of a train and reports this to an operator engaged in work such as track maintenance.

  In recent years, with the increase in the amount of railway transportation, train schedules are extremely congested, and track maintenance work is indispensable to ensure the safety of such congested train operations. However, track maintenance work performed during train operation hours involves a great deal of danger for track maintenance workers. Therefore, in order to avoid such danger, a watchman who watches the approach of the train is placed at the time of track maintenance, and this watchman carries the train operation table and confirms this operation table with the adjacent station as necessary. We keep in touch and confirm the approach of the train to report the train approach to the worker. Alternatively, there is a system in which the watchman confirms the approach of the train visually or by signals from various sensors and reports this to the track maintenance worker. Then, the worker who has received such notification temporarily interrupts the track maintenance work, evacuates from the track, and resumes the work after confirming the passage of the train.

  The notification from the watchman to the track maintenance worker is based on gestures, voice, etc. When using the device, a contact means such as a mobile phone, a pager device, or a wired contact device is used. Alternatively, a mechanism is informed of the danger to the track maintenance worker by vibration or light emission. In addition, patent documents 1 thru | or 4 show an example of the detection notification system of the train approach currently performed conventionally.

However, in these conventional systems, the sensitivity of the sensor is set higher with the highest priority given to avoiding danger, so a warning is often issued even if there is no actual train approach due to malfunction of the sensor or the like. However, there is a problem that the efficiency of track maintenance work is reduced due to the interruption of the work due to such misinformation. In addition, when a watchman visually observes, it is necessary to arrange a large number of people as watchmen in a place where the prospect is poor, and there is a problem that the cost of track maintenance work increases as the labor cost increases.
JP-A-7-144642 JP 2002-137737 A Japanese Patent No. 2587128 Japanese Patent No. 2945578

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and provides a train approach warning system that can accurately determine the approach of a train to a track maintenance site.

  The present invention is a train approach warning system for generating a warning about a train approaching one point on a railroad track, and an image obtained by imaging a monitoring region in which the direction of arrival of a train from the one point is desired. An imaging device that transmits a signal, a detection device that detects a physical change caused by a train arriving at the monitoring area and transmits a train approach signal, a display unit that receives the video signal and displays it, and An informing means for receiving a train approach signal and notifying an approach of the train based on the train approach signal; an informing transmission means for transmitting a predetermined notice signal to a portable terminal device carried by the worker based on the received train approach signal; And a monitoring device having the following.

  FIG. 1 shows a train approach warning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  The sensor device 10 is a device that detects train approach using various sensors 40 that detect train approach from vibrations, noise, or signals such as railway traffic signals, and notifies the monitoring device 30 of the train approach. It is shown in 2. As shown in the figure, the sensor device 10 includes a sensor signal receiving unit 12 that receives a signal from the sensor 40, a communication unit 11 that communicates with the monitoring alarm device 30 and the image capturing device 20, and the above-described units. It is composed of a sensor device control unit 13 that performs overall control.

  The video imaging device 20 is a device that uses the imaging camera 50 to capture an image on a track in the direction in which the train approaches and transmits the video to the monitoring device 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the video shooting device 20 includes a communication unit 21 that communicates with an encoder unit 22 that converts a video signal from the shooting camera 50 into a signal in a predetermined format, a monitoring alarm device 30, and the sensor device 10. And an imaging device control unit 23 that controls and controls each unit.

  The area on the track where the approach of the train is monitored by the sensor device 10 and the video imaging device 20 is hereinafter referred to as a “monitoring area”.

  The monitoring alarm device 30 is a device that issues a predetermined alarm by judging the approach of the train to the track maintenance site based on information transmitted from the sensor device 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the monitoring alarm device 30 displays a communication unit 31 that communicates with the sensor device 10, the image capturing device 20, and a pager device 60 described later, a video signal, character information, and the like on a display. And a display / operation unit 34 for receiving command inputs to the sensor device 10 and the video photographing device 20, etc., a memory unit 32 for storing various information, and a monitoring control unit 33 for controlling and controlling each of the above units. . The monitoring alarm device 30 may include, for example, a speaker 35 that emits an alarm sound, a warning lamp 36 that displays a warning, or an interface unit with those devices.

  Note that the communication path between the sensor device 10, the image capturing device 20, and the monitoring alarm device 30 may be configured by a wire such as a metal cable or a light fiber cable, or may be a weak radio wave or an infrared ray. You may comprise by the radio | wireless system using. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, both systems are mixed so that the monitoring alarm device 30 and the sensor device 10 are connected by wire and the monitoring alarm device 30 and the image capturing device 20 are connected wirelessly. May be used. Note that the wired and wireless configurations shown in FIG. 1 may be reversed. Further, wired and wireless communication paths may be duplicated and laid between the devices.

  The warning from the monitoring / warning device 30 to the track maintenance worker may be given to the track maintenance worker by voice or alarm sound via the terminal of the pager device 60 carried by each worker, or a vibration function A warning may be given by a physical stimulus such as.

  In general, track maintenance work is performed at track maintenance work sites by track maintenance workers who actually perform track maintenance work and train supervisors who monitor the approach of trains to prevent accidents of track maintenance workers. The train supervisor, on the basis of the alarm by the speaker 35 and the warning light 36 of the monitoring / alarm device 30 and the image and warning display of the train etc. displayed on the display / operation unit 34, Instructs to evacuate. Further, the track maintenance worker can interrupt and save the track maintenance work by an alarm or warning from the pager device 60 in addition to an instruction from the train supervisor.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, when the train approaches the monitoring area of FIG. 1, various sensors included in the sensor 40 detect physical changes such as vibrations and sounds accompanying the approach of the train, or contact operations of railway signals, and the like. An approach signal (hereinafter, simply referred to as an “approach signal”) that detects the approach is transmitted to the sensor signal receiving unit 12. The sensor signal receiving unit 12 performs predetermined signal processing on the approach signal and then transmits the signal to the control unit 13. The control unit 13 transmits the signal to the monitoring alarm device 30 via the communication unit 11.

  On the other hand, the video imaging device 20 monitors the monitoring area using the camera 50 and transmits the captured video signal to the encoder unit 22. The encoder unit 22 performs predetermined signal processing on the video signal and then transmits it to the control unit 23, and the control unit 23 transmits this signal to the monitoring alarm device 30 via the communication unit 21. Note that the transmission of the video signal to the monitoring alarm device 30 may always be performed in real time, but the video signal encoded at a constant cycle such as 2 frames / second may be transmitted.

  When the monitoring alarm device 30 receives one or both of the approach signal transmitted from the sensor device 10 and the video signal transmitted from the video photographing device 20 via the communication unit 31, these signals are displayed and operated. 34. For example, the video signal may be displayed as a moving image or a still image on the display of the display / operation unit 34, and the approach signal is converted into character information or symbol information representing train approach and displayed. You may make it do.

  As a result, the operator of the monitoring alarm device 30 (corresponding to the train supervisor described above) can directly recognize the approach of the train not only by the sensor information but also by the image, and thus can reliably recognize the approach of the train. The operator can also determine the type of train such as an express train, a freight train, or a maintenance train for the approaching train by checking the image on the display. The arrival time can also be predicted.

  Upon receiving an approach signal indicating the approach of a train, the monitoring alarm device 30 transmits an alarm signal for approaching a train to the terminal of the pager device 60 via the communication unit 31.

  When the alarm signal from the monitoring alarm device 30 is received, the terminal of the pager device 60 notifies each track maintenance worker of the approach of the train by sound generation, light emission, vibration, or the like. In addition, when the installation position of the monitoring alarm device 30 and the track maintenance site are close, for example, the alarm is directly issued from the monitoring alarm device 30 by the speaker 35 or the warning light 36 without using the pager device 60. You may do it. Alternatively, the operator of the monitoring alarm device 30 may issue a warning directly by oral or gesture.

  According to the present embodiment, since the approach of the train can be confirmed not only by the approach signal from the sensor device 10 but also by the video signal obtained by photographing the monitoring area, a train approach alarm is once issued due to a malfunction of the sensor or the like. Even if the operator confirms the video and determines that it is a false alarm, a false alarm signal can be input from the operation unit of the monitoring alarm device 30. As a result, the alarm output of the monitoring alarm device 30 and the pager device 60 is stopped, and the pager device 60 further indicates that the approach of the previously warned train was a false alarm in response to the reception of the false alarm signal. The track maintenance operator is notified by different pronunciation and character display, light emission and vibration. Therefore, each track maintenance worker can know that the previous alarm was a false alarm via the pager device 60, and can prevent the maintenance work from being interrupted due to a false alarm.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the train approach can be determined by the video signal in addition to the conventional approach signal from the sensor, so that a more accurate situation determination is possible. Moreover, since the type of approaching train can be recognized from the video signal, the train arrival time at the track maintenance work site can be determined more accurately. As a result, it is possible to appropriately select the timing of issuing a evacuation warning to the track maintenance worker, and work efficiency can be improved. In addition, sensor malfunctions can be complemented by video signals, so even if sensor malfunctions occur due to sensor sensitivity sensitization giving priority to safety of track maintenance workers, without reducing work efficiency of track maintenance work,
It is possible to further avoid danger.

  In the above description, the monitoring area of the sensor device 10 and the video photographing device 20 is set to the same area. However, the present embodiment is not limited to such a case, and for example, the sensor 40 and the photographing camera 50 are used. The positions of the monitoring areas may be shifted and set in accordance with the respective characteristics.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The constituent elements included in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. The feature of the present embodiment is that a preparation monitoring area is further provided in front of the direction in which the train in the monitoring area described in the first embodiment approaches.

  In FIG. 5, the monitoring area is monitored by the sensor 40a and the sensor apparatus 10a, and the imaging camera 50a and the video imaging apparatus 20a. The preparation monitoring area is the sensor 40b and the sensor apparatus 10b, and the imaging camera 50b and the video imaging apparatus 20b. Be monitored. Then, an approach signal and a video signal are transmitted to the monitoring alarm device 30 from each of the monitoring area and the preparation monitoring area. Upon receiving these signals, the monitoring alarm device 30 displays, on the display of the display / operation unit 34, the captured video in each region and the character / symbol information related to train detection in parallel for each region.

  In the present embodiment, since the approach signal and the video signal are transmitted from the monitoring area and the preparation monitoring area, respectively, various operation modes can be taken using these signals.

  For example, the monitoring alarm device 30 notifies the train approach when it receives an approach signal in the preparation monitoring area, and then notifies it when it receives an approach signal in the monitoring area, and at the same time transmits it to the pager device 60. May be.

  Further, when the monitoring alarm device 30 receives the approach signal in the preparation monitoring area, the monitoring alarm device 30 notifies the train approach and transmits a warning alarm indicating that the train has approached the preparation monitoring area to the pager device 60, and subsequently in the monitoring area. When the approach signal is received, it may be notified and a evacuation warning indicating that the train has approached the monitoring area may be transmitted to the pager device 60.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, not only the approach signal from the sensor, but also the approach of the train can be confirmed by a video signal obtained by photographing the monitoring area or the preparation monitoring area. However, if the operator confirms the video and determines that it is a false alarm, an erroneous alarm signal can be input from the operation unit of the monitoring alarm device 30. As a result, the alarm output of the monitoring alarm device 30 and the pager device 60 is stopped, and each track maintenance operator is notified via the pager device 60 that the previous alarm was a false alarm.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the monitoring efficiency is improved by providing a preparatory monitoring area that requires caution in front of the monitoring area where the maintenance staff needs to be saved. Without sacrificing safety, safe and secure retreat can be performed while giving the operator sufficient margin for advance preparation.

  Although FIG. 5 shows an example in which only one preparation monitoring area is provided, the present embodiment is not limited to this example, and a plurality of preparation monitoring areas may be provided in front of the monitoring area. .

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, when a video signal transmitted from the video photographing device 20 to the alarm monitoring device 30 is stopped, an alarm is issued and the video photographing device 20 is remotely reset. In addition, since the component of a present Example is the same as that of the 1st and 2nd Example, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in the upper part of the sequence diagram of FIG. 7, the video imaging device 20 transmits a video signal to the monitoring alarm device 30 at a constant cycle such as 2 frames / second. In the monitoring alarm device 30, a timeout detection process shown in the middle of FIG. 7 is always performed in order to detect that the video signal is not updated for a certain period of time. When the transmission of the video signal is hindered by the occurrence of a failure and a timeout is detected, the monitoring alarm device 30 executes an alarm output and restart signal transmission process.

  Specifically, for example, an error message such as “video signal error occurred” may be displayed on the display of the operation / indicator 34 of the monitoring alarm device 30. In addition to the error display described above, the monitoring alarm device 30 may be configured to perform, for example, sound generation, light emission, or voice notification.

  The operator who has recognized the video signal error inputs a re-startup command of the video photographing device 20 from the operation / indicating unit 34. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, the restart signal by such a command is transmitted to the video imaging device 20 via the wired communication path and the sensor device 10, and each component of the device is restarted. Note that the above processing may be automatically performed by the control unit 33 of the monitoring alarm device 30 detecting the video signal error without using an operator.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the failure of the video shooting device 20 occurs, the video shooting device 20 can be restarted by remote operation from the monitoring alarm device 30. Even if this occurs, it is possible to save the operator from having to move to the installation location of the apparatus.

  Note that the configuration of the wired / wireless communication path between the devices illustrated in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the application of the present embodiment is not limited to such a case.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, when an approach signal transmitted from the sensor device 10 to the alarm monitoring device 30 is stopped, an alarm is issued and the sensor device 10 is remotely reset. In addition, since the component of a present Example is the same as that of the above-mentioned Example, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in the upper part of the sequence diagram of FIG. 9, the sensor device 10 transmits an information signal indicating that the train is not approaching or approaching to the monitoring alarm device 30 at a constant period. In the monitoring alarm device 30, a time-out detection process shown in the middle part of FIG. 9 is always performed in order to detect that the update of the information signal is not performed for a certain period of time. Regarding timeout detection processing, for example, the number of messages to be received within a certain period of time such as seconds is set in advance, and a case where the number of messages to be received within a predetermined time is not received is recognized as a timeout. Also good.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the information signal transmission from the sensor device 10 is obstructed due to the occurrence of a failure and a timeout is detected, the monitoring alarm device 30 executes alarm output and restart signal transmission processing. Specifically, an error message such as “Train approach signal error occurred” may be displayed on the display of the operation / indicator 34 of the monitoring alarm device 30. Alternatively, in addition to the error display described above, the monitoring alarm device 30 may be configured to issue an alarm by sound generation, light emission, or voice, for example.

  The operator who has recognized the error inputs a restart command for the sensor device 10 from the operation / indicator 34. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, a restart signal by such a command is transmitted to the sensor device 10 via the wireless communication path and the image capturing device 20, and each component of the device is restarted. The above process may be configured such that the control unit 33 of the monitoring alarm device 30 automatically detects the train approach signal error without using an operator.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the sensor device 10 can be restarted by remote operation from the monitoring alarm device 30, the operator can install the device even when a failure occurs in the sensor device 10. The trouble of moving to the place can be saved.

  The configuration of the wired / wireless communication path between the devices shown in FIG. 8 shows an example, and it goes without saying that the application of the present embodiment is not limited to such a case. .

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. In this embodiment, an alarm is issued when an abnormality occurs in the communication between the monitoring alarm device 30 and the terminal of the pager device 60.

  First, the configuration of the terminal of the pager device 60 used in each of the above-described embodiments including this embodiment is shown in FIG. The terminal of the pager device 60 includes a radio unit 61 that receives data from the monitoring alarm device 30, a vibration unit 62 that notifies the track maintenance operator having the terminal of the pager device 60 of various information such as the approach of a train by vibration, an alarm sound, The speaker 63 is notified by voice, the display 64 is notified by text or light emission, the operation unit 65 is capable of inputting a predetermined operation command, and the control unit 66 is in charge of the entire terminal.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 11, a signal representing the state at that time is transmitted from the monitoring alarm device 30 to the terminal of the pager device 60 at a constant cycle. The terminal side of the pager device 60 always confirms the arrival of such a signal. If no incoming signal is received for a certain period of time, an alarm is issued to the worker carrying the terminal device to notify the abnormality. To do.

  As the type of alarm, the alarm output from each component described above may be appropriately selected and used in combination. In addition, it is good also as a structure which makes it easy to identify the kind of warning notified to the track maintenance operator as the warning sound and vibration are clearly different from the case of the warning indicating the approach of the train.

  Since the present embodiment has the configuration and effects as described above, it is possible to easily detect a failure between the terminals of the monitoring alarm device 30 and the pager device 60 and report this to each track maintenance worker. .

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a first embodiment of a train approach warning system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the sensor device 10 included in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the video photographing apparatus 20 included in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the monitoring alarm device 30 included in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a second embodiment of the train approach warning system according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a third embodiment of the train approach warning system according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram schematically showing the operation in the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a fourth embodiment of the train approach warning system according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of the operation in the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal of the pager device 60 used in the train approach warning system of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an outline of operation in the fifth embodiment of the train approach warning system according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a, 10b Sensor apparatus 11 Sensor apparatus communication part 12 Sensor signal receiving part 13 Sensor apparatus control part 20, 20a, 20b Image | video imaging | photography apparatus 21 Image | video imaging | photography apparatus communication part 22 Encoder part 23 Image | video imaging | photography apparatus control part 30 Monitoring alarm apparatus 31 Monitoring alarm device communication unit 32 Memory unit 33 Monitoring alarm device control unit 34 Display / operation unit 35 Speaker 36 Warning light 40, 40a, 40b Various sensors 50, 50a, 50b Photo camera 60 Pager device terminal 61 Pager device terminal radio unit 62 Pager Device terminal vibration unit 63 Pager device terminal speaker 64 Pager device terminal marking unit 65 Pager device terminal operation unit 66 Pager device terminal control unit

Claims (12)

A train approach warning system for generating a warning about a train approaching one point on a railway track,
An imaging device that transmits a video signal obtained by imaging a monitoring region in which the direction of arrival of a train from the one point is desired;
A detection device for detecting a physical change caused by a train arriving at the monitoring area and transmitting a train approach signal;
Display means for receiving and displaying the video signal, notification means for receiving the train approach signal and notifying the approach of the train based on the signal, and an operator carrying the train signal based on the received train approach signal A monitoring device having notification transmission means for transmitting a predetermined notification signal to the mobile terminal device,
A train approach warning system comprising: Providing at least one preparation monitoring area in front of the train arrival direction of the monitoring area and providing the imaging device and the detection device in each of the monitoring area and the preparation monitoring area;
The monitoring device includes a display unit that displays a video signal received from each of the imaging devices, a notification unit that notifies a train approach for each region based on a train approach signal received from each of the detection devices, The train approach warning system according to claim 1, comprising:   The train according to claim 2, wherein the notification transmission unit transmits a predetermined notification signal to the mobile terminal device only when a train approach signal is received from a detection device provided in the monitoring area. Access warning system.   The said monitoring apparatus further includes the misinformation signal transmission means which notifies the said misinformation signal which tells that the alerting signal transmitted to the said portable terminal device was misinformation to the said portable terminal device. Train approach warning system.   The train approach warning system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device further includes transmission stopping means for stopping transmission of a notification signal and a false alarm signal to the mobile terminal device in response to an input of a transmission stop command. . The detection device further includes an operation confirmation means for transmitting an operation confirmation signal at a predetermined cycle,
The monitoring device further includes a second notification unit that determines that the detection device is abnormal when the operation confirmation signal cannot be received for a predetermined time, and notifies the abnormality. Train approach warning system as described in. The monitoring device further includes a detection restart signal transmitting means for transmitting a detection restart signal to the imaging device when determining an abnormality of the detection device,
The train approach warning system according to claim 6, wherein the imaging device further includes a detection device restarting unit that restarts the detection device determined to be abnormal in response to the detection restart signal. The imaging device transmits the video signal at a predetermined cycle,
The monitoring device further includes a third notification unit that determines that the imaging device is abnormal when the video signal cannot be received for a predetermined time and notifies the abnormality. The train approach warning system described. The monitoring device further includes an imaging restart signal transmission unit that transmits an imaging restart signal to the detection device when determining an abnormality of the imaging device,
The train approach warning system according to claim 8, wherein the detection device further includes an imaging device restarting unit that restarts the imaging device determined to be abnormal in response to the imaging restart signal.   The mobile terminal device carried by the worker further includes a mobile terminal device that receives the notification signal transmitted from the monitoring device and notifies the worker of the content of the notification signal. The train approach warning system according to any one of claims 9 to 9.   The mobile terminal device further includes a false alarm control means for canceling the notification by the previously received notification signal in response to the false alarm signal transmitted from the monitoring device and notifying an operator that the notification is a false alarm. The train approach warning system according to claim 10, comprising: The monitoring device further includes confirmation signal transmitting means for transmitting an operation confirmation signal to the portable terminal device at a predetermined cycle,
The train approach warning system according to claim 10, wherein the mobile terminal device determines that the monitoring device is abnormal when the operation confirmation signal cannot be received for a predetermined time, and notifies the operator of this abnormality. .

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