JP2009001162A - Method of controlling crossing warning scheduled time and crossing controller using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce installation cost and optimize warning scheduled time control flexibly according to the change of the speed of a train. <P>SOLUTION: Radiowave is transmitted from a ground-based radio communication device connected to a crossing controller rearward in the track of the train (a). The train travels toward a crossing, radio communication is performed between an on-vehicle radio communication device of the train advanced in the radio communication area of the ground-based radio communication device and the ground-based radio communication device, and the distance between the crossing and the train is measured continuously by radio distance measurement (b). Information on train type and information on speed of the train are transmitted from the train by the on-vehicle radio communication device (c). Based on the received information on type and information on speed crossing controller, the crossing controller calculates the distance (target value) between a point where warning must be started to secure a specified warning time and a point where the warning must be terminated. When the measured value matches the target value, the warning is started by a signal connected to the crossing controller, and the warning is terminated by the signal according to the detection of passing of the train through the crossing (d). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a level crossing alarm constant time control method for equalizing the alarm time of a level crossing alarm regardless of the type and speed of a train, and a level crossing control device for implementing the method.

In a general level crossing control method, a train detection device is installed before a level crossing, and a ringing of a level crossing is started by detecting the approach of a train. However, because the train detector is installed at a position that matches the fastest train, there are trains with low train speeds, or when there is a station near a railroad crossing and stops, depending on the train. Will be cut off. Therefore, in such a case, control is generally performed so that the alarm time is made uniform regardless of the type and speed of the train approaching the railroad crossing.
As shown in FIG. 9, the conventional railroad crossing control device detects the type, speed, etc. of the train at a position where the alarm time required for the maximum speed train outside the railroad crossing RC can be secured. An apparatus A is provided, and an alarm start crossing controller B corresponding to a high-speed train is provided on the level crossing side of the detection apparatus A, and an alarm start corresponding to a low-speed train is provided on the level crossing side of the high-speed train crossing controller B. If there is a railroad crossing controller C and a station S in front of the railroad crossing, a device D or the like is installed on the ground to protect the advance, and a railroad crossing controller E for alarm termination is installed at the railroad crossing. The device A is constructed by electrically connecting the level crossing controllers B to E to the level crossing controller F, and connecting the alarm G and the breaker H to the level crossing controller F. The level crossing controller F is a detection device A. Based on the train type information and speed information entered from the When the controller B or C detects the train, the alarm is activated to start the alarm at a time delayed by a predetermined time, and the alarm is stopped when the alarm crossing controller E detects the passage of the train. It is controlled to let you.

The train type information is identification information such as whether a train stops at a station, a train that passes through the station, a low-speed train, or a high-speed train. For the detection device A that detects the type, speed, etc. of the train, an example using a ground element that receives information transmitted by the vehicle upper element, an example using a transponder installed on the ground together with the train detection ground element, etc. There is. In addition, a train detector other than the railroad crossing controller may be used for detecting the position of the train.
nothing special.

  However, since the conventional level crossing control device has to be provided with the detecting device A, the alarm start level crossing controllers B and C, and the alarm end level crossing controller E for each track, the equipment cost is high. And maintenance is subject to time constraints to avoid danger. Second, since the detection device A and the railroad crossing controllers B, C, and E are all fixed at a fixed point on the ground, after the train passes the detection point, it is unexpected for some reason. When a speed change occurs, the changed speed is not detected, and the alarm time may be inappropriate because the speed change cannot be handled.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the problem to be solved is that the equipment cost can be reduced, and the alarm fixed time control is flexibly adapted to the speed change of the train or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a level crossing alarm constant time control method capable of optimization and a level crossing control device for realizing the method.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a level crossing alarm constant time control method according to the present invention includes: (a) a radio wave is transmitted from a ground radio communication device connected thereto by a level crossing controller toward the rear of a train route; (b) Traveling toward the railroad crossing corresponding to the railroad crossing controller, and performing wireless communication between the on-board wireless communication device provided in the train that has entered the wireless communication area of the ground wireless communication device and the ground wireless communication device. The distance from the railroad crossing to the train is continuously measured by wireless ranging, and (c) the train type information and speed information of the own train are obtained from the train by the on-board wireless communication device. (D) Based on the received train type information and speed information, the railroad crossing controller from the point where the alarm should be started to the point where the alarm should be stopped so that a certain alarm time is secured Calculate the distance (target value) of When the measured value by the wireless distance measurement coincides with the target value, the alarm device connected to the railroad crossing controller starts an alarm, and the alarm device is detected based on detecting the passing of the railroad crossing of the train. This is characterized in that the alarm is terminated.

  In a preferred example of the present invention, a train detector is provided at a position slightly closer to the railroad crossing side than the maximum radio wave reach of the ground radio communication device, the train detector is connected to the railroad crossing controller, and the railroad crossing controller When a train detection signal is received from the train detector in a state in which measurement values by radio ranging from the railroad crossing to the train approaching the railroad crossing are not obtained, the alarm device connected to the railroad crossing controller is immediately An alarm is started (claim 2).

  In the above crossing warning fixed time control method, when a plurality of trains can enter the radio communication area of one ground radio communication device, it is desirable to use a plurality of different channels for each train for radio communication in the radio communication area ( Claim 3).

  In a preferred example of the present invention, when a train enters a wireless communication area, a predetermined channel is used for communication, and a terrestrial wireless communication device designates a channel that is not used. The wireless communication is performed on the channel (claim 4).

  In a further preferred example of the present invention, the on-board wireless communication device and the terrestrial wireless communication device start communication on a predetermined channel, and the terrestrial wireless communication device designates a channel that is not used. The on-board wireless communication device and the terrestrial wireless communication device perform wireless communication on a designated channel (Claim 5).

  And the railroad crossing control device according to the present invention includes an on-board wireless communication device, a train number setting device, and a speed detector provided on the train, respectively, a first train detector and a second train detector provided on the ground, It consists of a ground radio communication device, an alarm controller, and an alarm device. The on-board wireless communication device and the terrestrial wireless communication device perform wireless communication at a predetermined cycle of several seconds or less, and the on-vehicle wireless communication device receives an interrogation signal superimposed on radio waves from the terrestrial wireless communication device. When received, the response signal is transmitted forward in the traveling direction of the train together with the train type information output from the train number setting device and the speed information output from the speed detector. The first train detector is provided at a position slightly closer to the railroad crossing side than the maximum radio wave reachable distance of the terrestrial wireless communication device, and is connected to the railroad crossing controller. The terrestrial wireless communication device has at least the fixed warning time for the lowest speed train from a point slightly behind the point where the warning should be started so that a fixed warning time is secured for the highest speed train. So that the interrogation signal is repeatedly sent to the radio communication area between the point where the alarm should be started and the response signal received from the on-board radio communicator in response to the interrogation signal and the train Type information and speed information are given to the railroad crossing controller. The level crossing controller includes a calculation unit and a control unit, and the calculation unit continuously measures the distance from the ground wireless communication device to the train based on the question signal and the response signal, and the distance Based on the information and speed information, a constant separation (target value) is calculated, the measured value and the target value are compared, and when the two values match, the alarm of the alarm is started, and the second train detector The alarm of the alarm device is terminated based on the train passage detection signal output from the. The railroad crossing control apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by the above (claim 4).

  In a preferred example of the present invention, when radio communication between the ground radio communication device and the on-board radio communication device is not possible, the railroad crossing controller is immediately updated on the train based on the train detection signal from the first train detector. Control is performed so as to start an alarm (claim 5).

  According to the method invention of claim 1, since the number of ground units, code processors, and the like can be reduced, the equipment cost can be reduced, and the ground wireless communication device does not need to be provided between the gauges. Maintenance work is not dangerous and is not time limited. In addition, since the distance from the train to the railroad crossing is continuously detected, it is possible to accurately perform the alarm fixed time control regardless of the train speed.

  According to the invention of claim 2, even when one or both of the ground radio communication device and the on-board radio communication device break down and cannot perform the radio distance measurement, the alarm device is activated based on the fact that the train has passed the train detector. Since the alarm is started, the fixed time control can be maintained. According to the invention of claim 3, even when a plurality of trains enter the wireless communication area, the fixed time control can be performed for each train. According to the invention of claim 4, when the train enters the wireless communication area, it is possible to avoid a situation where it is not known which channel can be used.

  According to the apparatus invention of claim 4, the distance from the railroad crossing to the train is continuously measured by adding a minimum wireless communication device on the vehicle and on the ground and adding a distance measuring function to the railroad crossing controller. Therefore, the equipment cost can be reduced. In addition, since the distance to the train is continuously detected, even if the train speed changes after passing the first train detector, the alarm start time can be adjusted according to the change, so the alarm fixed time control Can be optimized.

  According to the invention of claim 5, when one or both of the terrestrial wireless communication device and the on-board wireless communication device is faulty, wireless communication is not possible, or when the train is not equipped with the wireless communication device Can perform crossing control based on the train detection signal from the first train detector. Therefore, no alarm is generated.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a level crossing control device for using the level crossing warning fixed time control method according to the present invention, where a train approaches a track in the vicinity of the level crossing and in a certain section behind the course. Indicates the situation to be performed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration.

The railroad crossing control apparatus according to the present invention is constituted by ground equipment and on-vehicle equipment.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ground equipment includes a level crossing controller 1 provided in the level crossing RC, a known alarm device 2 and a breaker 3 controlled and driven by the level crossing controller 1, and a level crossing RC. A known alarm stop level crossing controller 4 provided in the vicinity (immediately before or immediately after), a ground radio communication device 5 electrically connected to the level crossing controller 1, and a predetermined distance from the level crossing RC (rear route) There is a train detector 6 provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the on-board equipment, that is, the equipment installed on the train TR, includes an on-board wireless communication device 7 constituted by a transceiver having an antenna 7 ′ installed at the head of the train TR, There are a number setting unit 8 and a speed detector 9.

  The terrestrial wireless communication device 6 starts at the lowest speed from a point slightly behind the point where the warning should be started so that a fixed warning time (for example, 30 seconds) based on the standard is secured for the highest speed train. A radio wave having a predetermined frequency can be transmitted to a wireless communication area between a point where an alarm should be started so as to ensure the certain alarm time for the train.

  The ground radio communication device 6 is electrically connected to the railroad crossing controller 1. The level crossing controller 1 is configured around a CPU. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication control unit 11, the storage unit 12, the calculation unit 13, the alarm control unit 14, and the circuit breaker control unit 15 are provided. Including.

  The communication control unit 11 transmits a question signal to a wireless communication area every minute time (for example, 1 second as an example) via a terrestrial wireless communication device (hereinafter referred to as a terrestrial wireless device, which may be referred to as a ground station) 5. The operation and the reception operation for receiving the response signal from the antenna 5 ′ are repeatedly controlled. When the ground radio 5 receives the response signal, the received content is transferred to the calculation unit 13.

  The storage unit 12 includes a ROM that stores program data for known wireless ranging (wireless distance measurement), alarm start time adjustment, alarm device and circuit breaker driving, and a RAM that stores working data. Have

  Based on the required time from the time when the terrestrial wireless device 5 sends out the interrogation signal to the time when the response signal is received from the vehicle upper side, which will be described later, using the known radio ranging technique, The distance to the train TR existing in each wireless communication area is measured. Thus, the calculating part 13 measures the distance from a ground radio to a train continuously based on a question signal and the said response signal. In addition, based on the distance information and the speed information received from the upper side of the vehicle, the calculation unit 13 determines the distance (target value) from the point where the alarm should be started to the point where the alarm should be stopped so that a certain alarm time is secured. ) Is calculated. Further, the measured value is compared with the target value, and when the two values coincide with each other, the measured value and the target value are output and output to the alarm control unit 14.

  The circuit breaker control unit 15 provides a drive signal for lowering the circuit breaker to the circuit breaker 3 after a predetermined time from the time when the alarm device 2 starts alarming, as in the conventional case.

  The alarm controller 14 terminates the alarm of the alarm 2 based on the train detection signal input from the train detector 6, and the breaker controller 15 detects the train detected from the alarm termination train controller 4. Based on the signal, a drive signal for raising the shut-off can is given to the breaker 3.

  As the train detector 6, a known alarm-starting closed-circuit type railroad crossing controller, a known axle detector, and any other system such as a magnetic type or a photoelectric type can be used. Generally, a known open circuit type railroad crossing controller 4 is used as the alarm termination open circuit type railroad crossing controller 4, but other known train detectors can also be used.

  The speed detector 9 which is on-vehicle equipment outputs the speed information of the train, and can be constituted by a known speed generator as an example. When the on-board wireless communication device (hereinafter referred to as the on-board wireless device and sometimes referred to as the on-board station) 7 receives the interrogation signal from the ground wireless device 5 via the antenna 7 ', it immediately transmits a response signal. The train type information set in the column number setting unit 8 and the speed information output from the speed detector 9 are added to the response signal and transmitted.

  Then, the effect | action by the said structure is demonstrated. The communication control unit 11 of the railroad crossing controller 1 repeatedly transmits a question signal on a radio wave having a predetermined frequency from the ground radio 5 toward a predetermined radio communication area at a predetermined cycle. When the onboard radio 7 of the train TR traveling in the crossing RC direction receives the interrogation signal, the onboard radio 7 immediately transmits a response signal, the type information and speed information of the train.

  The calculation unit 13 of the railroad crossing controller 1 that has received the response signal from the onboard radio 7 via the ground radio 5 uses the received train type information and speed information to provide a certain warning to the train. The distance (target value) from the point where the alarm should be started to the point where the alarm should be stopped is calculated so that time is secured. The calculation unit 13 also continues the distance from the railroad crossing RC to the train TR by the above-described wireless ranging method using the interrogation signal transmitted from the ground radio device 5 and the response signal received from the onboard radio device 7. Measure automatically. Then, the calculation unit 13 further compares all the measurement values obtained by the wireless distance measurement with the target value, and outputs a signal to that effect when the two values coincide with each other. This is given to the circuit breaker control unit 15.

  Accordingly, the alarm control unit 14 outputs a drive signal to the alarm 2 to start an alarm for the train approaching the railroad crossing, and the circuit breaker control unit 15 performs the circuit breaker of the circuit breaker 3 after a certain time. Descent. When the train passes the level crossing RC, the level crossing controller 1 gives a control signal for terminating the alarm to the alarm control unit 14 based on the passage detection signal from the level crossing controller 4, and the breaker control unit 15 Is given a control signal to raise the shut-off can.

In the above embodiment, when the train detector 6 is not provided at the tip of the radio communication area of the ground radio, one or both of the ground radio 5 and the on-board radio 7 break down and If wireless communication is not possible between the vehicles, or in the case of a train not equipped with the on-board wireless device 7, there is a risk of no alarm. On the other hand, in a preferred embodiment, the train detector 6 is provided at the tip of the radio communication area of the ground radio, and by the time the train approaching the railroad crossing is detected by the train detector 6. When no response signal to the interrogation signal transmitted from the ground radio 5 is received, the level crossing controller 1 immediately controls the level crossing control (alarm control and breaker control) immediately after receiving the train detection signal from the train detector 6. Is configured to do.
If the wireless communication between the train and the ground is normally performed normally and the wireless communication is disconnected for some reason before the distance measurement reaches the target value after the wireless distance measurement is started, It is also possible to perform a crossing control immediately after the wireless communication is disconnected.
By these methods, it is possible to improve the reliability of alarm constant time control using wireless ranging.

  In addition, by using the on-board radio 7 to transmit crossing obstacle detection information from the ground to the train, it also has a function to give a warning to the driver even on the vehicle, along with a notification by a special signal light emitter on the ground. Can be added.

Since the section from the alarm start point P2 for the low-speed train to the railroad crossing RC is a section where it is necessary to continue the alarm unconditionally, the train detector 6 which is a position a predetermined distance before the alarm start point P1 for the high-speed train The area from the train detection point P0 to the alarm start point P2 is an area that requires wireless communication. Therefore, when the distance from the train detection point P0 of the train detector 6 to the alarm start point P2 is short and linear, the one of the ground radio devices 5 provided in front of the route of the alarm start point P2 or in the vicinity thereof. The wireless communication area Z can cover an area that requires wireless communication.
However, even if the distance from the train detection point P0 of the train detector 6 to the alarm start point P2 is linear, if the distance is long, or there is an obstacle that interferes with wireless communication because the line between them is curved. In the case, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of wireless communication areas Z1, Z2,... Are provided between the train detection point P0 and the alarm start point P2 of the train detector 5 as necessary. On the other hand, it is necessary to install a ground radio or a repeater. FIG. 3 shows an example in which two terrestrial radio devices 5a and 5b are installed. The adjacent radio communication areas Z1 and Z2 are installed with terrestrial radio devices so that parts thereof overlap each other.

  When the track is a double track or a double track, for example, wireless communication between the ground radio and the on-board radio for performing the railroad crossing control based on the radio distance measurement described above for the train traveling on the outer line is performed. Even in such a case, it is desirable to consider the antenna installation position and installation height on the ground side in order to enable wireless ranging and wireless communication with the train traveling on the inner line.

  In addition, in the case of multiple lines or sections where continuation trains run on the same track, the maximum number of trains that can exist in each wireless communication area is in each ground radio and on-board radio to prevent interference. It is necessary to assign the number of channels. Further, in this case, in order to prevent over-reach of radio waves, it is desirable to use different channels for a plurality of, for example, three radio communication areas, as illustrated in FIG. Furthermore, in that case, it is desirable that uplink and downlink are separate channels in one wireless communication area. FIG. 4 is an example in which ch1, ch3, and ch5 are used for downlink and ch2, ch4, and ch6 are used for uplink in three wireless communication areas, respectively.

  When multiple channels are used as described above, it is not known from the train side which channel can be used. Therefore, in a preferred example of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), a train that has entered the wireless communication area from outside the wireless communication area always communicates with a predetermined channel (for example, ch1), and thereafter , A method of designating a channel to be used again from the ground side (railroad crossing controller 1), and, as shown in FIG. 8B, for example, transmission of availability information for each of ch1, ch2, ch3,. There is a method in which wireless ranging is performed using each channel, and the onboard station 7 responds using the available channels received from the ground station 5.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, since a plurality of railroad crossings RC1 and RC2 exist close to each other, the wireless communication area can be shared when the control sections overlap. That is, in FIG. 5, the radio communication area AR1 of the terrestrial radio device 5a and the radio communication area AR2 of the terrestrial radio device 5b are shared by the two level crossing controllers RC1 and RC2 adjacent to each other.

In practicing the present invention, in order to exert the initial effect, it is desirable to perform the following correction on the measured value by the radio distance measurement depending on the condition of the line.
# 1. If there is a curved line on the track before the railroad crossing, the distance on the track from the train to the ground radio is different from the straight line distance from the train to the ground radio. It is desirable to correct based on data measured in advance.
# 2. Since an error also occurs when the mounting height of the ground radio device and the mounting height of the antenna of the on-board radio device are greatly different, it is desirable to correct the distance data obtained by the wireless distance measurement using a preset correction value.

An example of the number of channels required when using a plurality of channels for wireless communication will be discussed based on FIG. Assuming that the maximum number of trains that can enter one wireless communication area is 4 on the uplink, 4 channels are required in one wireless communication area. And when four wireless communication areas AR1, AR2,... AR4 are provided between the train detector 6 and the railroad crossing RC, if the same channel is used for every three wireless communication areas, 12 channels are I need it. In addition, when one channel is used for channel assignment control when the train enters the wireless communication area, the number is 13 channels. Therefore, 13 channels are required for both upstream and downstream, so a total of 26 channels are required.
When the control section overlaps with an adjacent level crossing, the channel is repeatedly used for every three wireless communication areas, so that the number of channels does not increase.

The top view which shows roughly the structure of the level crossing control apparatus which concerns on this invention. The block diagram which shows an electrical structure. The top view which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of a ground radio in the case where a track has a curved part, and the structural example of a wireless communication area. Explanatory drawing regarding channel allocation in case a some radio | wireless communication area continues. Explanatory drawing regarding sharing of a radio | wireless communication area when a level crossing continues. Explanatory drawing regarding channel number allocation in case several trains exist in one radio | wireless communication area. The top view which shows the example which one radio | wireless machine covers a some track | line. Explanatory drawing explaining two methods of channel allocation in case one radio | wireless machine covers a some track | line. The top view which shows the structural example of the conventional level crossing fixed time control apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

RC level crossing 1 level crossing controller 2 alarm 3 breaker 4 level crossing controller 5 ground radio 6 train detector 6 'antenna TR train 7 on-board radio (transceiver)
7 'Antenna 8 Row number setting device 9 Speed detector (speed generator)

Claims (6)

A radio wave is sent from the ground radio communication device connected to the railroad crossing controller toward the rear of the train route,
Traveling toward the railroad crossing corresponding to the railroad crossing controller, and performing wireless communication between the on-board wireless communication device provided in the train that has entered the wireless communication area of the ground wireless communication device and the ground wireless communication device. The distance from the railroad crossing to the train is measured continuously by wireless ranging,
From the train, the train type information and speed information of the own train is transmitted to the ground wireless communication device by the on-board wireless communication device,
Based on the train type information and speed information received, the level crossing controller determines the distance (target value) from the point where the alarm should be started to the point where the alarm should be stopped so as to ensure a certain alarm time. When the calculated and measured value by the wireless ranging coincides with the target value, the alarm device connected to the railroad crossing controller starts an alarm, and the passage of the railroad crossing is detected. A railroad crossing alarm constant time control method characterized in that the alarm is terminated on the basis of the alarm device.   A train detector installed at a position slightly closer to the level crossing than the maximum radio wave reach of the ground wireless communication device is connected to the level crossing controller, and the level crossing controller performs wireless measurement from the level crossing to the train approaching the level crossing. The alarm device connected to the railroad crossing controller immediately starts an alarm when a train detection signal is received from the train detector in a state where a measurement value based on a distance cannot be obtained. The level crossing alarm fixed time control method described.   When a plurality of trains can enter the wireless communication area of one ground wireless communication device, a plurality of different channels are used for each train for wireless communication in the wireless communication area. Level crossing alarm fixed time control method.   The crossing warning constant time control method according to claim 2, wherein the on-board wireless communication device and the terrestrial wireless communication device start communication on a predetermined channel and the terrestrial wireless communication device is not in use. After that, the on-board wireless communication device and the ground wireless communication device perform wireless communication on the specified channel. On-board wireless communication devices, train number setting devices and speed detectors provided on trains, first and second train detectors, ground wireless communication devices, alarm controllers and alarm devices provided on the ground, respectively. Consists of
The on-board wireless communication device and the terrestrial wireless communication device perform wireless communication at a predetermined cycle of several seconds or less,
When the on-board wireless communication device receives the interrogation signal superimposed on the radio wave from the ground wireless communication device, the response signal is sent to the train type information output by the train number setting device and the speed output from the speed detector. Along with the information, it is transmitted forward in the traveling direction of the train,
The first train detector is connected to the railroad crossing controller provided at a position slightly closer to the railroad crossing side than the maximum radio wave reach of the ground radio communication device,
The terrestrial wireless communication device has at least the fixed warning time for the lowest speed train from a point slightly behind the point where the warning should be started so that a fixed warning time is secured for the highest speed train. So that the interrogation signal is repeatedly sent to the radio communication area between the point where the alarm should be started and the response signal received from the on-board radio communicator in response to the interrogation signal and the train Providing type information and speed information to the level crossing controller;
The level crossing controller includes a calculation unit and a control unit, and the calculation unit continuously measures the distance from the ground wireless communication device to the train based on the question signal and the response signal, and the distance Based on the information and speed information, the distance (target value) from the point where the alarm should be started to the point where the alarm should be stopped is calculated so that a certain alarm time is secured, and the measured value and the target value are calculated. In comparison, the alarm of the alarm device is started when both match, and the alarm of the alarm device is terminated based on a train passage detection signal output by the second train detector.
A crossing control device characterized by the above.   The railroad crossing controller controls to start an alarm of the alarm device based on the train detection signal from the first train detector when wireless communication between the ground radio communication device and the onboard radio communication device is not possible. The railroad crossing control device according to claim 5.

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