1
FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
CENTRAL APPARATUS AND FAILURE LEVEL CHANGING METHOD;
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ORGANISED
AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF JAPAN, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 7-3,
MARUNOUCHI 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 1008310, JAPAN
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED
2
DESCRIPTION
Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a central
apparatus to be installed on a train and 5 a failure level
changing method.
Background
[0002] In conventional trains, a state of a device
10 installed is monitored, and when a failure of the device is
detected, an indicator or the like of a cab is used to show
a crew member that the failure of the device has occurred.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses, as a method for
detecting an anomaly of a railroad car, a technique of
15 classifying failures into levels and taking different
protective actions according to the failure levels when the
failures of devices are detected.
Citation List
20 Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application
Laid-open No. 2018-54567
Summary
25 Technical Problem
[0004] However, according to the conventional technique
described above, the definition of a failure level is
uniquely determined for a failure of the device. That is,
a failure level to be displayed does not change even in,
30 for example, a state where a failure frequently occurs or a
state where a failure continues. Therefore, the
conventional technique described above has a problem in
that there are cases where even when a failure of a device
3
is detected, the degree of importance of the failure of the
device cannot be appropriately shown to a crew member.
[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of
the above, and an object of the present disclosure is to
obtain a central apparatus capable of 5 changing a failure
level of a device to be displayed, according to
circumstances of a failure having occurred in the device.
Solution to Problem
10 [0006] To solve the problem and achieve the object
described above, the present disclosure is a central
apparatus to be installed on a train. The central
apparatus includes: a communication unit to acquire device
information from a device installed on the train, the
15 device information indicating a state of the device; and a
control unit to determine whether to change a failure level
to be displayed, with reference to a failure level display
definition on the basis of the device information acquired
from the device, the failure level display definition
20 defining a condition for changing the failure level
indicating a state of a failure of the device to be
displayed when the failure of the device is displayed on a
display apparatus.
25 Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007] According to the present disclosure, the central
apparatus has the effect of making it possible to change a
failure level of a device to be displayed, according to
circumstances of a failure having occurred in the device.
30
Brief Description of Drawings
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary
configuration of a train control and monitoring system
4
including a central apparatus according to a first
embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating operation in which
the central apparatus according to the first embodiment
displays a failure level on a 5 display apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which
processing circuitry included in the central apparatus
according to the first embodiment includes a processor and
a memory.
10 FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which
the processing circuitry included in the central apparatus
according to the first embodiment includes dedicated
hardware.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operation in which
15 a central apparatus according to a second embodiment
displays a failure level on a display apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary
configuration of a train control and monitoring system
including a central apparatus according to a third
20 embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operation in which
a central apparatus according to a fourth embodiment
changes a failure level display definition.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operation in which
25 a central apparatus according to a fifth embodiment changes
a failure level display definition.
Description of Embodiments
[0009] Hereinafter, central apparatuses and failure
30 level changing methods according to embodiments of the
present disclosure will be described in detail with
reference to the drawings.
[0010] First Embodiment.
5
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary
configuration of a train control and monitoring system 60
including a central apparatus 10 according to a first
embodiment. The train control and monitoring system 60 is
a system to be installed on a train (not 5 illustrated). The
train control and monitoring system 60 includes the central
apparatus 10, a display apparatus 20, transmission
apparatuses 30, a communication network 40, and a device 50.
[0011] The central apparatus 10 is installed on the
10 train. The central apparatus 10 monitors and controls the
state of the device 50 installed on the train. The central
apparatus 10 acquires device information from the device 50
via the transmission apparatuses 30 and the communication
network 40. In a case where the device 50 has failed, the
15 central apparatus 10 displays, on the display apparatus 20,
information indicating that the failure of the device 50
has been detected and information on a failure level on the
basis of the device information. A detailed configuration
and operation of the central apparatus 10 will be described
20 below.
[0012] The display apparatus 20 displays the state and
the like of the device 50 under the control of the central
apparatus 10. The display apparatus 20 is assumed to be
installed on a cab of a front car or a rear car of the
25 train so that crew members such as a train driver and a
conductor can check displayed information. However, the
display apparatus 20 may be installed in another place.
[0013] The transmission apparatuses 30 relay
communication between the device 50 and the central
30 apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, the transmission
apparatuses 30 transfer device information transmitted from
the device 50 to the central apparatus 10 via the
communication network 40. In the example of FIG. 1, a
6
single device 50 is connected to the two transmission
apparatuses 30, but two or more devices 50 may be connected
to the two transmission apparatuses 30. Furthermore, a
communication path from the device 50 to the central
apparatus 10 is provided as a duplex 5 system in FIG. 1.
However, this is an example, and the configuration of the
train control and monitoring system 60 is not limited
thereto.
[0014] The communication network 40 is a communication
10 network to which the central apparatus 10, the display
apparatus 20, the transmission apparatuses 30, and the like
are connected, and which serves as communication paths
between the apparatuses. A communication system such as
Ethernet (registered trademark) can be used for the
15 communication network 40. However, a communication system
to be used for the communication network 40 is not limited
thereto, and other communication systems may be used for
the communication network 40.
[0015] The device 50 is installed on the train as
20 described above. The device 50 is, for example, a device
essential for operation of the train, such as a door or a
brake. In addition, examples of the device 50 also include
devices such as a signposting device and an air conditioner.
The signposting device is installed on, for example, an
25 upper part of a door in a railroad car, and displays
information on a next station, and the like. The air
conditioner controls air conditioning in the railroad car.
The device 50 transmits device information indicating the
state of the device 50 to the central apparatus 10 via the
30 transmission apparatuses 30 and the communication network
40. In the present embodiment, in a case where the device
50 has failed, the device 50 transmits, as the device
information, device failure information indicating that the
7
device 50 has failed. In a case where it is conceivable
that multiple types of failure may occur in the device 50,
the device failure information contains information that
can specify details of a failure of the device 50. The
device failure information may be a predetermined 5 failure
code indicating details of a failure, or may be a message
indicating specific details of the failure.
[0016] Note that while the train control and monitoring
system 60 includes only the single device 50 in the example
10 of FIG. 1 for the sake of simplicity, the train control and
monitoring system 60 actually includes a plurality of the
devices 50. Furthermore, with regard to the transmission
apparatuses 30 connecting the devices 50 and the
communication network 40, the present embodiment is based
15 on the assumption that the train control and monitoring
system 60 actually includes a plurality of the transmission
apparatuses 30 according to the number of the devices 50.
[0017] The configuration and operation of the central
apparatus 10 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 1,
20 the central apparatus 10 includes a communication unit 11,
a control unit 12, and a storage unit 13.
[0018] The communication unit 11 acquires device
information indicating the state of the device 50 from the
device 50 installed on the train via the transmission
25 apparatuses 30 and the communication network 40. In the
present embodiment, the communication unit 11 acquires
device failure information as the device information. When
the communication unit 11 acquires the device failure
information, the communication unit 11 outputs the device
30 failure information to the control unit 12.
[0019] The storage unit 13 stores a failure level
display definition 131. The failure level display
definition 131 is a database in which failure levels are
8
defined according to details of failures of each device 50.
The failure level indicates the state of a failure of the
device 50 to be displayed when the failure of the device 50
is displayed on the display apparatus 20. The failure
level is set for each of one or more possible 5 failure items
for each single device 50. For example, five levels of 1
to 5 may be set as the failure levels such that the most
significant failure is classified as failure level 1 and
the most insignificant failure is classified as failure
10 level 5. However, the setting of the failure levels is not
limited thereto. In the following description, a case
where the five levels of 1 to 5 are set as the failure
levels will be described as an example.
[0020] In addition, a condition for changing the failure
15 level at the time of displaying the failure of the device
50 on the display apparatus 20 is defined in the failure
level display definition 131. Changing the failure level
refers to temporarily raising or lowering a failure level
defined in the failure level display definition 131 for a
20 possible failure of a certain device 50. Temporarily
raising a failure level refers to, for example, temporarily
raising the failure level by “1” for a possible failure
item of a certain device 50 in a case where a failure has
been detected a set number of times or more within a
25 prescribed period of time. Temporarily lowering a failure
level refers to, for example, temporarily lowering the
failure level by “1” for a possible failure item of a
certain device 50 in a case where a period of time
exceeding a prescribed period of time has elapsed since a
30 previous failure was detected or the device 50 started to
be used.
[0021] The control unit 12 determines whether to change
the failure level to be displayed, with reference to the
9
failure level display definition 131 on the basis of the
device information acquired from the device 50 via the
communication unit 11. In the present embodiment, the
device 50 transmits the device failure information as the
device information. Therefore, when the 5 control unit 12
acquires the device failure information from the device 50
via the communication unit 11, the control unit 12
determines that the device 50 has failed, and determines
whether to change the failure level on the basis of details
10 of the failure of the device 50.
[0022] For example, assume that a condition that the
failure level is raised when a failure has been detected
five times within a prescribed period of time is defined
for a certain device 50 in the failure level display
15 definition 131. In this case, when the control unit 12 has
acquired the device failure information from the device 50
via the communication unit 11 four times or less within the
prescribed period of time, the control unit 12 determines
that the failure level should not be changed, and when the
20 control unit 12 has acquired the device failure information
from the device 50 via the communication unit 11 five times
or more within the prescribed period of time, the control
unit 12 determines that the failure level should be raised.
Furthermore, as another example, assume that a condition
25 that the failure level is lowered when no failure has been
detected for 10 years is defined for a certain device 50 in
the failure level display definition 131. In this case,
with regard to device failure information acquired from the
device 50 via the communication unit 11, in a case where
30 the control unit 12 acquired the previous device failure
information of the same type nine years ago, the control
unit 12 determines that the failure level should not be
changed, and in a case where the control unit 12 acquired
10
the previous device failure information of the same type 11
years ago, the control unit 12 determines that the failure
level should be lowered.
[0023] Note that the failure level display definition
131 to be stored in the storage unit 13 5 may be configured
in advance such that the content of the failure level
display definition 131 differs according to the time that
has elapsed since the device 50 started to be used. In
general, the failure rate of the device 50 is represented
10 by the trend of a failure rate called a bathtub curve. The
bathtub curve is characterized as follows. The probability
of an initial failure is high at the initial stage
following the beginning of the use of the device 50. After
the elapse of the period of time in which an initial
15 failure occurs, the state of the device 50 is stable, and
the failure rate due to a random failure stays at a low
level. When a period of time in which the device 50 is
used exceeds a prescribed period of time, the failure rate
increases again due to the influence of wear-out failure or
20 the like. Therefore, the failure level display definition
131 may be configured in advance such that the content of
the failure level display definition 131 differs between
periods, that is, the initial failure period, the random
failure period, and the wear-out failure period.
25 [0024] The control unit 12 transmits information to be
displayed on the display apparatus 20 to the display
apparatus 20 via the communication unit 11. The
communication unit 11 may transmit the information acquired
from the control unit 12 to the display apparatus 20 via
30 the communication network 40, or may directly transmit the
information to the display apparatus 20 not via the
communication network 40. In addition, regarding the
information to be displayed on the display apparatus 20,
11
the control unit 12 may generate data to be displayed on a
screen (not illustrated) of the display apparatus 20, and
transmit the data to the display apparatus 20.
Alternatively, the control unit 12 just needs to transmit
only control information such as a failure 5 code when the
display apparatus 20 includes the failure level display
definition 131 as with the central apparatus 10.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating operation in
which the central apparatus 10 according to the first
10 embodiment displays a failure level on the display
apparatus 20. In the central apparatus 10, the
communication unit 11 waits until acquiring device failure
information via the transmission apparatuses 30 and the
communication network 40 (step S11: No). When the
15 communication unit 11 acquires device failure information
via the transmission apparatuses 30 and the communication
network 40 (step S11: Yes), the communication unit 11
outputs the device failure information to the control unit
12. The control unit 12 refers to the failure level
20 display definition 131 stored in the storage unit 13, on
the basis of the device failure information acquired from
the communication unit 11 (step S12).
[0026] The control unit 12 determines whether a
condition for temporarily raising the failure level is
25 satisfied (step S13). When the condition for temporarily
raising the failure level is satisfied (step S13: Yes), the
control unit 12 determines that the failure level should be
temporarily raised (step S14). The control unit 12 refers
to the failure level display definition 131, and controls
30 information to be displayed on the display apparatus 20 in
such a way as to display a failure level higher than an
original failure level set in the failure level display
definition 131 for the content of the device failure
12
information acquired this time.
[0027] When the condition for temporarily raising the
failure level is not satisfied (step S13: No), the control
unit 12 determines whether a condition for temporarily
lowering the failure level is satisfied 5 (step S15). When
the condition for temporarily lowering the failure level is
satisfied (step S15: Yes), the control unit 12 determines
that the failure level should be temporarily lowered (step
S16). The control unit 12 refers to the failure level
10 display definition 131, and controls information to be
displayed on the display apparatus 20 in such a way as to
display a failure level lower than the original failure
level set in the failure level display definition 131 for
the content of the device failure information acquired this
15 time.
[0028] When the condition for temporarily lowering the
failure level is not satisfied (step S15: No), the control
unit 12 determines that the failure level should not be
changed, that is, the normal failure level defined in the
20 failure level display definition 131 should be used (step
S17). The control unit 12 refers to the failure level
display definition 131, and controls information to be
displayed on the display apparatus 20 in such a way as to
display the original failure level set in the failure level
25 display definition 131 for the content of the device
failure information acquired this time.
[0029] The control unit 12 causes the display apparatus
20 to display the failure level of the device 50 according
to any one of the above-described three control approaches
30 (step S18). Note that steps S13 and S15 may be performed
by the control unit 12 in reverse order.
[0030] Next, a hardware configuration of the central
apparatus 10 will be described. In the central apparatus
13
10, the communication unit 11 is an interface such as a
communication apparatus. The storage unit 13 is a memory.
The control unit 12 is implemented by processing circuitry.
The processing circuitry may be a memory and a processor
that executes programs stored in the 5 memory, or may be
dedicated hardware.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in
which processing circuitry 90 included in the central
apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment includes a
10 processor 91 and a memory 92. In a case where the
processing circuitry 90 includes the processor 91 and the
memory 92, each function of the processing circuitry 90 of
the central apparatus 10 is implemented by software,
firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The
15 software or firmware is described as a program, and stored
in the memory 92. The processor 91 reads and executes the
program stored in the memory 92 to implement each function
of the processing circuitry 90. That is, the processing
circuitry 90 includes the memory 92 for storing programs
20 that result in execution of the processing of the central
apparatus 10. Furthermore, it can also be said that these
programs cause a computer to execute a procedure and a
method for the central apparatus 10.
[0032] Here, the processor 91 may be a central
25 processing unit (CPU), a processing device, an arithmetic
device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a digital signal
processor (DSP), or the like. Furthermore, examples of the
memory 92 include nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor
memories such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only
30 memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable ROM
(EPROM), and an electrically EPROM (EEPROM) (registered
trademark), a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical
disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, and a digital versatile
14
disc (DVD).
[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in
which processing circuitry 93 included in the central
apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment includes
dedicated hardware. In a case where 5 the processing
circuitry 93 includes dedicated hardware, examples of the
processing circuitry 93 illustrated in FIG. 4 include a
single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor,
a parallel-programmed processor, an application specific
10 integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array
(FPGA), and a combination thereof. The functions of the
central apparatus 10 may be separately implemented by the
processing circuitry 93, or may be collectively implemented
by the processing circuitry 93.
15 [0034] Note that some of the functions of the central
apparatus 10 may be implemented by dedicated hardware, and
some of the other functions thereof may be implemented by
software or firmware. Thus, the processing circuitry can
implement each of the above-described functions by means of
20 dedicated hardware, software, firmware, or a combination
thereof.
[0035] As described above, according to the present
embodiment, the central apparatus 10 determines whether to
temporarily change the failure level, with reference to the
25 failure level display definition 131 on the basis of device
failure information acquired from the device 50. As a
result, for example, in a state where a failure frequently
occurs in a certain device 50, or in a state where a
failure continuously occurs in the certain device 50, the
30 central apparatus 10 can temporarily raise a failure level
and display the raised failure level. Furthermore, for
example, in a case where no failure has been detected in a
certain device 50 within a prescribed period of time, the
15
central apparatus 10 can temporarily lower a failure level
and display the lowered failure level.
[0036] Second Embodiment.
In the first embodiment, the device 50 determines
whether the device 50 has failed, and 5 transmits device
failure information when determining that the device 50 has
failed. In a second embodiment, a case where the central
apparatus 10 determines whether the device 50 has failed
will be described.
10 [0037] In the second embodiment, the configuration of
the train control and monitoring system 60 is similar to
the configuration of the train control and monitoring
system 60 in the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.
In the second embodiment, the device 50 transmits device
15 information including a measurement value to the central
apparatus 10 via the transmission apparatuses 30 and the
communication network 40. The measurement value is
obtained by measurement of an operation state of the device
50. In a case where the device 50 includes a motor,
20 examples of the measurement value include a current flowing
through the motor and a voltage applied to the motor. In a
case where the device 50 includes a compressor, examples of
the measurement value include a pressure in the compressor.
The measurement value may be a temperature or the like in a
25 railroad car in a case where the device 50 is an air
conditioner. The measurement value may be measured by the
device 50 itself, or may be measured by a sensor (not
illustrated) installed in the device 50.
[0038] In the central apparatus 10, the communication
30 unit 11 acquires the device information transmitted from
the device 50 via the transmission apparatuses 30 and the
communication network 40. The communication unit 11
outputs the acquired device information to the control unit
16
12. When the control unit 12 acquires the device
information via the communication unit 11, the control unit
12 determines whether the device 50 has failed, on the
basis of the measurement value included in the device
information. For example, the central apparatus 5 10 stores,
in the storage unit 13, a threshold value for a measurement
item corresponding to the measurement value in the device
information transmitted from the device 50. The threshold
value enables determination as to whether a failure has
10 occurred. The control unit 12 determines whether the
device 50 has failed, by using the measurement value
included in the device information and the threshold value.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operation in
which the central apparatus 10 according to the second
15 embodiment displays a failure level on the display
apparatus 20. In the central apparatus 10, the
communication unit 11 waits until acquiring device
information via the transmission apparatuses 30 and the
communication network 40 (step S21: No). When the
20 communication unit 11 acquires device information via the
transmission apparatuses 30 and the communication network
40 (step S21: Yes), the communication unit 11 outputs the
device information to the control unit 12. As described
above, the control unit 12 determines whether the device 50
25 has failed, on the basis of a measurement value included in
the device information (step S22). When the device 50 has
not failed (step S22: No), the central apparatus 10 returns
to step S21, and repeats the above-described operation.
When the device 50 has failed (step S22: Yes), the control
30 unit 12 refers to the failure level display definition 131
stored in the storage unit 13 on the basis of details of
the failure of the device 50 (step S12). Operation to be
performed in steps S12 to S18 is similar to that in the
17
first embodiment.
[0040] As described above, according to the present
embodiment, the central apparatus 10 determines whether the
device 50 has failed, on the basis of the device
information acquired from the device 50. Also 5 in this case,
the central apparatus 10 can obtain the effect similar to
that in the first embodiment.
[0041] Third Embodiment.
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the
10 central apparatus 10 stores the failure level display
definition 131. In a third embodiment, a ground system
installed on the ground stores the failure level display
definition 131. The third embodiment can be applied to the
first embodiment and the second embodiment. Here,
15 application of the third embodiment to the first embodiment
will be described as an example.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary
configuration of a train control and monitoring system 60a
including a central apparatus 10a according to the third
20 embodiment. The train control and monitoring system 60a
performs wireless communication with a ground system 70
installed on the ground. The train control and monitoring
system 60a is obtained by replacing the central apparatus
10 in the train control and monitoring system 60 of the
25 first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 with the central
apparatus 10a. The central apparatus 10a differs from the
central apparatus 10 in not including the storage unit 13,
that is, not storing the failure level display definition
131.
30 [0043] The ground system 70 is a system that manages
operation of a train (not illustrated) equipped with the
train control and monitoring system 60a. The ground system
70 includes a communication unit 71, a control unit 72, and
18
a storage unit 73. The communication unit 71 communicates
with the communication unit 11 of the central apparatus 10a.
The storage unit 73 stores the failure level display
definition 131. The failure level display definition 131
stored in the storage unit 73 is similar 5 to the failure
level display definition 131 stored in the storage unit 13
of the central apparatus 10 in the first embodiment and the
second embodiment. For example, in response to a reference
request from the central apparatus 10a, the control unit 72
10 reads corresponding information from the failure level
display definition 131 stored in the storage unit 73. Note
that communication between the communication unit 71 of the
ground system 70 and the communication unit 11 of the
central apparatus 10a may be relayed by another
15 communication apparatus or the like.
[0044] Operation of the central apparatus 10a is similar
to the operation in the flowchart of the first embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2. In the third embodiment, when
referring to the failure level display definition 131 in
20 step S12, the control unit 12 refers to the failure level
display definition 131 stored in the storage unit 73 of the
ground system 70 via the communication unit 11 and the
communication unit 71 of the ground system 70. In this
manner, in a case where the ground system 70 stores the
25 failure level display definition 131, the control unit 12
can refer to the failure level display definition 131
stored in the ground system 70 via the communication unit
11.
[0045] As described above, according to the present
30 embodiment, the ground system 70 capable of communicating
with the central apparatus 10a stores the failure level
display definition 131. As a result, an administrator of
the ground system 70 can more easily set the failure level
19
display definition 131 or change the content thereof than
in a case where the central apparatus 10 of each train
stores the failure level display definition 131.
[0046] Fourth Embodiment.
In a fourth embodiment, a case where 5 the content of
the failure level display definition 131 is changed will be
described. The fourth embodiment can be applied to the
first to third embodiments. Here, application of the
fourth embodiment to the first embodiment will be described
10 as an example.
[0047] In the central apparatus 10, the control unit 12
acquires device failure information from the device 50 via
the communication unit 11. Meanwhile, it is conceivable
that device failure information may be acquired from a
15 certain device 50 in a specific acquisition pattern. In
such a case, the control unit 12 may change the content of
the failure level display definition 131 on the basis of
the specific acquisition pattern. For example, in a case
where past cases show that the frequency of failures of a
20 certain device 50 tends to rapidly increase when a certain
period of time has elapsed since the certain device 50
started to be used, the control unit 12 may change the
content of the failure level display definition 131
according to a period of time that has elapsed since the
25 certain device 50 started to be used. In addition, assume
a case where a pattern in which device failure information
has been acquired thus far indicates that there is no sign
of failure in terms of operation of a certain device 50 for
a while after a failure occurred in the certain device 50,
30 that is, device failure information on the certain device
50 was first acquired, and that operation of the certain
device 50 shows a sign of failure after a prescribed period
of time has elapsed since the device failure information
20
was first acquired. In such a case, the control unit 12
may change a failure level to be displayed, that is, the
content of the failure level display definition 131
according to a period of time that has elapsed since the
device failure information was first acquired. 5 The phrase
“after a prescribed period of time has elapsed since the
device failure information was first acquired” may be
replaced with, for example, “after the device failure
information has been acquired a prescribed number of times
10 since the device failure information was first acquired”.
[0048] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operation in
which the central apparatus 10 according to the fourth
embodiment changes the failure level display definition 131.
In a case where a specific acquisition pattern can be
15 detected for device failure information on a certain device
50 from a pattern in which device failure information has
been acquired thus far (step S31: Yes), the control unit 12
changes the content of the failure level display definition
131 stored in the storage unit 13 on the basis of the
20 detected specific acquisition pattern (step S32). When no
specific acquisition pattern can be detected for the
certain device 50 from the pattern in which device failure
information has been acquired thus far (step S31: No), the
control unit 12 ends the operation of changing the failure
25 level display definition 131.
[0049] In this manner, the control unit 12 of the
central apparatus 10 can change the failure level display
definition 131 stored in the storage unit 13 on the basis
of circumstances of a failure having occurred in the device
30 50 installed on a train. Note that a case where the
control unit 12 of the central apparatus 10 changes the
failure level display definition 131 stored in the storage
unit 13 has been described here, but the method for
changing the failure level display definition 131 is not
limited thereto. For example, when a specific acquisition
pattern is detected for a certain device 50 from a pattern
in which device failure information has been acquired thus
far, a crew member, an administrator of 5 the ground system
70, or the like may manually change the failure level
display definition 131 stored in the storage unit 13.
[0050] In addition, in the second embodiment, the
control unit 12 can obtain an effect similar to that
described above by performing the above-described operation
only for device information based on which the control unit
12 has determined that the device 50 has failed.
[0051] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the control
unit 72 of the ground system 70 may change the failure
15 level display definition 131 stored in the storage unit 73
by performing operation similar to the operation of the
control unit 12 of the central apparatus 10. In this
manner, the ground system 70 can change the failure level
display definition 131 stored in the storage unit 73 on the
20 basis of circumstances of a failure having occurred in the
device 50 installed on a specific train. Note that when a
specific acquisition pattern is detected for a certain
device 50 from a pattern in which device failure
information has been acquired thus far, a crew member of a
25 train, the administrator of the ground system 70, or the
like may manually change the failure level display
definition 131 stored in the storage unit 73 included in
the ground system 70.
[0052] As described above, according to the present
30 embodiment, when a specific acquisition pattern for
acquisition of device failure information on a certain
device 50 is detected, the central apparatus 10 may change
the content of the failure level display definition 131
stored in the storage unit 13. As a result, since the
central apparatus 10 can change the failure level display
definition 131 stored in the storage unit 13 on the basis
of the actual state of the device 50 and the state of
failure, the central apparatus 10 can accurately 5 display a
failure level when the failure of the device 50 is detected.
[0053] Fifth Embodiment.
In a fifth embodiment, a case where the content of the
failure level display definition 131 is changed by use of
10 device information generated on another train will be
described. The fifth embodiment can be applied to the
first to third embodiments. Here, application of the fifth
embodiment to the first embodiment will be described as an
example.
15 [0054] In general, the number of trains traveling on a
certain route is not just one, but a plurality of trains
travel. In this case, it is conceivable that each train
may be equipped in a similar manner and travel on the route
under similar traveling conditions. Therefore, when a
failure occurs in a certain device 50 on a certain train,
it is conceivable that a failure will also occur in the
same type of device 50 on another train being used under
similar use conditions. Therefore, the control unit 12 of
the central apparatus 10 cooperates with the control unit
25 12 of the central apparatus 10 installed on another train,
and changes the content of the failure level display
definition 131 on the basis of a failure of the device 50
that has occurred in the another train, that is, device
information. In order to omit a failure of the device 50
30 that has occurred unexpectedly, the control unit 12 of the
central apparatus 10 changes the content of the failure
level display definition 131 on the basis of, for example,
failures of the devices 50 of the same type having occurred
on a plurality of trains including the own train, that is,
device information.
[0055] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operation in
which the central apparatus 10 according to the fifth
embodiment changes the failure level display 5 definition 131.
When failures have occurred, that is, device failure
information has been generated in the devices 50 of the
same type on a plurality of trains (step S41: Yes), the
control unit 12 changes the content of the failure level
10 display definition 131 stored in the storage unit 13 for
the corresponding device 50 in cooperation with the control
units 12 of the central apparatuses 10 of other trains
(step S42). When no failure has occurred, that is, no
device failure information has been generated in the
15 devices 50 of the same type on the plurality of trains
(step S41: No), the control unit 12 ends the operation of
changing the failure level display definition 131.
[0056] In this manner, the control unit 12 of the
central apparatus 10 can change the failure level display
20 definition 131 stored in the storage unit 13 on the basis
of circumstances of failures having occurred in the devices
50 installed on a plurality of trains. Note that a case
where the control unit 12 of the central apparatus 10
changes the failure level display definition 131 stored in
25 the storage unit 13 has been described here, but the method
for changing the failure level display definition 131 is
not limited thereto. For example, when detecting that
similar failures have occurred in the devices 50 of a
certain type on a plurality of trains from device failure
30 information on the plurality of trains, a crew member, an
administrator of the ground system 70, or the like may
manually change the failure level display definition 131
stored in the storage unit 13.
[0057] In addition, in the second embodiment, the
control unit 12 can obtain the effect similar to that
described above by performing the above-described operation
only for device information based on which the control unit
12 has determined that the device 5 50 has failed.
[0058] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the control
unit 72 of the ground system 70 may change the failure
level display definition 131 stored in the storage unit 73
by performing operation similar to the operation of the
10 control unit 12 of the central apparatus 10. In this
manner, the ground system 70 can change the failure level
display definition 131 stored in the storage unit 73 on the
basis of circumstances of failures having occurred in the
devices 50 installed on a plurality of trains. Note that,
when detecting that similar failures have occurred in the
devices 50 of a certain type on a plurality of trains from
device failure information on the plurality of trains, a
crew member, the administrator of the ground system 70, or
the like may manually change the failure level display
20 definition 131 stored in the storage unit 13.
[0059] As described above, according to the present
embodiment, the central apparatus 10 may change the content
of the failure level display definition 131 in a case where
failures have occurred in the devices 50 of the same type
on a plurality of trains. As a result, since the central
apparatus 10 can change the failure level display
definition 131 on the basis of the actual states of the
devices 50 and the states of failures, the central
apparatus 10 can accurately display a failure level when a
30 failure of the device 50 is detected. In addition, the
central apparatus 10 can change the content of the failure
level display definition 131 on the basis of device failure
information acquired by a plurality of trains. This is
also applicable to condition-based maintenance (CBM), that
is, failure prediction.
[0060] The configurations set forth in the above
embodiments show examples, and it is possible to combine
the configurations with another known technique 5 or combine
the embodiments with each other, and is also possible to
partially omit or change the configurations without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Reference Signs List
[0061] 10, 10a central apparatus; 11, 71 communication
unit; 12, 72 control unit; 13, 73 storage unit; 20
display apparatus; 30 transmission apparatus; 40
communication network; 50 device; 60, 60a train control
and monitoring system; 70 ground system; 131 failure
level display definition.
We Claim:
1. A central apparatus to be installed on a train, the
apparatus 5 comprising:
a communication unit to acquire device information
from a device installed on the train, the device
information indicating a state of the device; and
a control unit to determine whether to change a
failure level to be displayed, with reference to a failure
level display definition on the basis of the device
information acquired from the device, the failure level
display definition defining a condition for changing the
failure level indicating a state of a failure of the device
15 to be displayed when the failure of the device is displayed
on a display apparatus.
2. The central apparatus according to claim 1,
comprising:
a storage unit to store the failure level display
definition, wherein
the control unit refers to the failure level display
definition stored in the storage unit.
3. The central apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the control unit is capable of changing the failure
level display definition on the basis of circumstances of a
failure occurred in the device.
30 4. The central apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
a ground system stores the failure level display
definition, and
the control unit refers to the failure level display
definition stored in the ground system, via the
communication unit.
5. The central apparatus according to 5 claim 4, wherein
the ground system is capable of changing the failure
level display definition on the basis of circumstances of a
failure occurred in the device.
6. The central apparatus according to any one of claims 1
to 5, wherein
the device transmits, as the device information,
device failure information indicating that the device fails,
and
when the control unit acquires the device failure
information via the communication unit, the control unit
determines that the device fails.
7. The central apparatus according to any one of claims 1
20 to 5, wherein
the device transmits device information including a
measurement value obtained by measurement of an operation
state of the device, and
when the control unit acquires the device information
25 via the communication unit, the control unit determines
whether the device fails on the basis of the measurement
value included in the device information.
8. The central apparatus according to any one of claims 1
30 to 7, wherein
a content of the failure level display definition
differs according to time that elapses after the device
starts to be used.
9. A failure level changing method 5 for a central
apparatus to be installed on a train, the method
comprising:
a first step of acquiring device information from a
device installed on a train by a communication unit, the
10 device information indicating a state of the device; and
a second step of determining whether to change a
failure level to be displayed, with reference to a failure
level display definition on the basis of the device
information acquired from the device, by a control unit,
15 the failure level display definition defining a condition
for changing the failure level indicating a state of a
failure of the device to be displayed when the failure of
the device is displayed on a display apparatus.
10. The failure level changing method according to claim 9,
wherein
the central apparatus includes a storage unit to store
the failure level display definition, and
in the second step, the control unit refers to the
failure level display definition stored in the storage unit.
11. The failure level changing method according to claim
10, wherein
in the second step, the control unit is capable of
30 changing the failure level display definition on the basis
of circumstances of a failure occurred in the device.
12. The failure level changing method according to claim 9,
wherein
a ground system stores the failure level display
definition, and
in the second step, the control 5 unit refers to the
failure level display definition stored in the ground
system, via the communication unit.
13. The failure level changing method according to claim
12, wherein
the ground system is capable of changing the failure
level display definition on the basis of circumstances of a
failure occurred in the device.
14. The failure level changing method according to any one
of claims 9 to 13, wherein
the device transmits, as the device information,
device failure information indicating that the device fails,
and
in the second step, when the device failure
information is acquired via the communication unit, the
control unit determines that the device fails.
15. The failure level changing method according to any one
25 of claims 9 to 13, wherein
the device transmits device information including a
measurement value obtained by measurement of an operation
state of the device, and
in the second step, when the device information is
30 acquired via the communication unit, the control unit
determines whether the device fails on the basis of the
measurement value included in the device information.
16. The failure level changing method according to any one
of claims 9 to 15, wherein
a content of the failure level display definition
differs according to time that elapses after the device
starts to be used.