FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
GROUND CONTROL DEVICE, RADIO COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, RADIO
TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM, AND TRAIN CONTROL 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 100-8310, JAPAN
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.
2
DESCRIPTION
GROUND CONTROL DEVICE, RADIO COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, RADIO
TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM, AND TRAIN CONTROL METHOD
5
Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a ground control
device, a radio communication apparatus, a radio train
control system, and a train control method for train
10 operation control.
Background
[0002] There have been radio train control systems in
which a ground control device performs radio communication
15 with a train via a radio communication apparatus to control
the operation of the train. Patent Literature 1 discloses
a technique in train operation control using radio
communication in which a radio train control system
controls the operation of a train by switching to one of
20 the states of normal operation, degenerate operation,
cautious operation, and emergency stop control according to
the state of communication between the train and a wireless
base station.
25 Citation List
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: WO98/41435A
Summary
30 Technical Problem
[0004] However, according to the above conventional
technique, the radio train control system successively
switches an operation control method for a train depending
3
on the real-time communication state of the train.
Therefore, when the preceding train enters an area with a
deteriorated communication state, the operation control of
the preceding train is suddenly switched from normal
5 operation to degenerate operation. This causes a problem
in that when trains are under moving-block operation
control, the following train can come to an emergency stop
due to its stop limit position being suddenly moved toward
the train. If the following train that has come to an
10 emergency stop causes the train behind to also come to an
emergency stop, there arises a problem in that the effect
on the train operation control increases, reducing
operation efficiency.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of
15 the above. It is an object of the present invention to
provide a ground control device capable of preventing a
decrease in operation efficiency when there is a train
entering or approaching an area with a deteriorated
communication state, by avoiding an emergency stop of the
20 following train.
Solution to Problem
[0006] In order to solve the above-stated problem and
achieve the object, a ground control device according to
25 the present invention includes: a control unit to determine
a control mode of operation control on a train in a
communication area of a radio communication apparatus,
based on information on a communication level indicating a
communication state between the train and the radio
30 communication apparatus determined in a predetermined
period, and perform train operation control according to
the determined control mode on a train entering or
approaching the communication area after the control mode
4
is determined; and a storage unit to store one or more
pieces of the information on the communication level for
one or more of the radio communication apparatuses.
5 Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007] According to the present invention, the ground
control device has the effect of being able to prevent a
decrease in operation efficiency when there is a train
entering or approaching an area with a deteriorated
10 communication state, by avoiding an emergency stop of the
following train.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example
15 configuration of a radio train control system according to
a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example
configuration of a radio communication apparatus according
to the first embodiment.
20 FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of
the radio communication apparatus according to the first
embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example
configuration of a ground control device according to the
25 first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
control mode of operation control on a train performed at
communication level A by the ground control device
according to the first embodiment.
30 FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
control mode of operation control on a train performed at
communication level B by the ground control device
according to the first embodiment.
5
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a
control mode of operation control on a train performed at
communication level C by the ground control device
according to the first embodiment.
5 FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a
control mode of operation control on a train performed at
communication level C by the ground control device
according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
10 control mode of operation control on a train performed at
communication level D by the ground control device
according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of
the ground control device according to the first embodiment.
15 FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control mode
management process in the ground control device according
to the first embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a train control
process in the ground control device according to the first
20 embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process of
creating a stop limit position based on the rear position
of a preceding train in the ground control device according
to the first embodiment.
25 FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a process of
creating a stop limit position based on a route end in the
ground control device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example where a
processor and a memory constitute processing circuitry
30 included in the ground control device according to the
first embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example where
dedicated hardware constitutes processing circuitry
6
included in the ground control device according to the
first embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example
configuration of a radio communication apparatus according
5 to a second embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of
the radio communication apparatus according to the second
embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating an example
10 configuration of a ground control device according to the
second embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a control mode
management process in the ground control device according
to the second embodiment.
15
Description of Embodiments
[0009] Hereinafter, a ground control device, a radio
communication apparatus, a radio train control system, and
a train control method according to embodiments of the
20 present invention will be described in detail with
reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments are
not intended to limit the invention.
[0010] First Embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example
25 configuration of a radio train control system 100 according
to a first embodiment of the present invention. The radio
train control system 100 includes a ground control device
10 and radio communication apparatuses 20-1, 20-2, 20-3,
and 20-4. The radio communication apparatus 20-1 performs
30 radio communication with a train 41 located within a
communication area 30-1. The radio communication apparatus
20-2 performs radio communication with a train 42 located
within a communication area 30-2. The radio communication
7
apparatus 20-3 performs radio communication with a train 43
located within a communication area 30-3. The radio
communication apparatus 20-4 performs radio communication
with a train 44 located within a communication area 30-4.
5 In the radio train control system 100, the communication
areas 30-1 to 30-4 are formed on the route 50 of the trains
41 to 44.
[0011] The ground control device 10 controls the
operation of the trains 41 to 44 located in the
10 communication areas 30-1 to 30-4 of the radio communication
apparatuses 20-1 to 20-4. In the following description,
the radio communication apparatuses 20-1 to 20-4 are
sometimes referred to as radio communication apparatuses 20
when not distinguished, the communication areas 30-1 to 30-
15 4 are sometimes referred to as communication areas 30 when
not distinguished, and the trains 41 to 44 are sometimes
referred to as trains 40 when not distinguished. FIG. 1
illustrates an example in which the ground control device
10 is connected to the four radio communication apparatuses
20 20, which is an example, and the present invention is not
limited to this. The ground control device 10 may be
connected to three or less or five or more radio
communication apparatuses 20.
[0012] The configuration and operation of the radio
25 communication apparatuses 20 will be described. FIG. 2 is
a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of
the radio communication apparatuses 20 according to the
first embodiment. Each radio communication apparatus 20
includes a radio communication unit 21, a communication
30 level determination unit 22, and a ground communication
unit 23.
[0013] The radio communication unit 21 performs radio
communication with the train 40 located in the
8
communication area 30. The radio communication unit 21
measures the communication quality of the radio
communication between the train 40 and the radio
communication unit 21. Examples of the communication
5 quality include, but are not limited to, a reception signal
strength, a signal-to-noise ratio, and a packet error rate.
The radio communication unit 21 may perform two or more
types of measurement and use a combination of the
respective measurement results as communication quality.
10 [0014] The communication level determination unit 22
determines a communication level indicating the state of
communication between the train 40 and the radio
communication unit 21. Specifically, the communication
level determination unit 22 determines a communication
15 level, based on information on the communication quality of
the radio communication between the train 40 and the radio
communication unit 21 measured by the radio communication
unit 21. The communication level is an index used by the
ground control device 10 to determine a control mode of
20 operation control on the train 40 when controlling the
operation of the train 40. In the present embodiment, as
an example, the communication level determination unit 22
makes a determination to classify the state of
communication between the train 40 and the radio
25 communication unit 21 as one of four levels, communication
levels A, B, C, and D. Here, communication level A
represents the best communication state, communication
level B represents the second best communication state,
communication level C represents the third best
30 communication state, and communication level D represents
the worst communication state.
[0015] The ground communication unit 23 transmits
information on the communication level determined by the
9
communication level determination unit 22 to the ground
control device 10. Specifically, the ground communication
unit 23 transmits to the ground control device 10 the
communication level information as train information
5 including the communication level information and other
control information. Communication between the ground
communication unit 23 and the ground control device 10 may
be wired communication, wireless communication, or
communication combining wired communication and wireless
10 communication.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation
of the radio communication apparatuses 20 according to the
first embodiment. In each radio communication apparatus 20,
the radio communication unit 21 measures the communication
15 quality of radio communication between the train 40 and the
radio communication unit 21 (step S1). The communication
level determination unit 22 determines a communication
level based on information on the communication quality of
the radio communication between the train 40 and the radio
20 communication unit 21 (step S2). The ground communication
unit 23 transmits train information including information
on the communication level to the ground control device 10
(step S3).
[0017] Next, the configuration and operation of the
25 ground control device 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a
block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the
ground control device 10 according to the first embodiment.
The ground control device 10 includes a communication unit
11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.
30 [0018] The communication unit 11 acquires from the radio
communication apparatus 20 that performs radio
communication with the train 40 information on the
communication level determined by the radio communication
10
apparatus 20. Specifically, the communication unit 11
acquires the communication level information as the train
information including the communication level information.
When a plurality of radio communication apparatuses 20 are
5 connected to the ground control device 10, the
communication unit 11 acquires communication level
information from each radio communication apparatus 20.
The communication unit 11 stores the acquired communication
level information in the storage unit 12. Specifically,
10 the communication unit 11 stores the communication level
information included in the train information as train
information in the storage unit 12.
[0019] The storage unit 12 stores the communication
level information acquired by the communication unit 11.
15 The storage unit 12 stores one or more pieces of
communication level information on one or more radio
communication apparatuses 20. The storage unit 12 stores
the communication level information included in the train
information as train information.
20 [0020] The control unit 13 determines a control mode of
operation control on the train 40 in the communication area
30 of the radio communication apparatus 20, based on the
communication level information indicating the state of
communication between the train 40 and the radio
25 communication apparatus 20 determined in a predetermined
period. The control unit 13 performs the operation control
according to the determined control mode on the train 40
entering or approaching the communication area 30 of the
radio communication apparatus 20 after the control mode is
30 determined. In an unstable communication state in which
the communication level frequently changes, if the control
unit 13 also changes the control mode of operation control
on the train 40 each time the communication level changes,
11
the operation control on the train 40 also becomes unstable.
Therefore, the control unit 13 determines a control mode by
a method such as periodically determining a control mode,
determining a control mode by taking an average of
5 communication levels determined in a past predetermined
period, or determining a control mode between the end and
start of the operation of the trains 40. The number of
pieces of communication level information determined in the
predetermined period may be one or two or more.
10 [0021] Next, operation control on the train 40 performed
by the ground control device 10 based on each control mode
will be described. Since the four communication levels are
set as described above, the ground control device 10
controls the operation of the train 40 in four patterns of
15 control modes. The following mainly describes the ground
control device 10, but the actual subject is the control
unit 13 unless otherwise specified.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
control mode of operation control on the train 40 performed
20 at communication level A by the ground control device 10
according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, it is
assumed that the communication level of the communication
area 30 in which a train to be controlled 45 and the
preceding train 46 are located is communication level A.
25 Assume that the ground control device 10 has switched to a
control mode corresponding to communication level A before
the train to be controlled 45 and the preceding train 46
are located in the communication area 30. The control mode
at communication level A is referred to as a normal mode.
30 [0023] For communication level A, the ground control
device 10 sets a moving block section based on a position
in which the preceding train 46 is located, to control the
operation of the train to be controlled 45. As illustrated
12
in FIG. 5, the ground control device 10 sets the stop limit
position 60 of the train to be controlled 45 based on the
rear position of the preceding train 46. The train to be
controlled 45 acquires information on the stop limit
5 position 60 from the ground control device 10 via the radio
communication apparatus 20, and generates a run curve 61
based on the stop limit position 60 to travel. For
communication level A at which the state of communication
between the train 40 and the radio communication apparatus
10 20 is the best, the radio train control system 100 can
flexibly set the distance between the preceding train 46
and the train to be controlled 45 for efficient train
operation control. In the following description, the train
to be controlled 45 and the preceding train 46 are
15 sometimes referred to as trains 40 when not distinguished.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
control mode of operation control on the train 40 performed
at communication level B by the ground control device 10
according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, it is
20 assumed that the communication level of the communication
area 30 in which the train to be controlled 45 and the
preceding train 46 are located is communication level B.
Assume that the ground control device 10 has switched to a
control mode corresponding to communication level B before
25 the train to be controlled 45 and the preceding train 46
are located in the communication area 30. The control mode
at communication level B is referred to as degenerate mode
1.
[0025] For communication level B, the ground control
30 device 10 sets a block section 62 based on a block in which
the preceding train 46 is located, to control the operation
of the train to be controlled 45. As illustrated in FIG. 6,
the ground control device 10 sets the stop limit position
13
60 of the train to be controlled 45, based on the block in
which the preceding train 46 is located, that is, the block
section 62. The train to be controlled 45 acquires
information on the stop limit position 60 from the ground
5 control device 10 via the radio communication apparatus 20,
and generates a run curve 61 based on the stop limit
position 60 to travel. The ground control device 10 may
set the block section 62 of the preceding train 46, based
on a track circuit in which the preceding train 46 is
10 located. At communication level B at which the state of
communication between the train 40 and the radio
communication apparatus 20 is good, the radio train control
system 100 can perform train operation control by providing
a larger margin in the distance between the preceding train
15 46 and the train to be controlled 45 than at communication
level A.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first example
of a control mode of operation control on the train 40
performed at communication level C by the ground control
20 device 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a
diagram illustrating a second example of a control mode of
operation control on the train 40 performed at
communication level C by the ground control device 10
according to the first embodiment. In FIGS. 7 and 8, it is
25 assumed that the communication level of the communication
area 30 where the train to be controlled 45 enters next is
communication level C. Assume that the ground control
device 10 has switched to a control mode corresponding to
communication level C before the train to be controlled 45
30 enters the communication area 30. The control mode at
communication level C is referred to as degenerate mode 2.
[0027] For communication level C, the ground control
device 10 sets a block section 62 based on the
14
communication area 30 in which the preceding train 46 is
located, to control the operation of the train to be
controlled 45. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the
preceding train 46 is not located in the communication area
5 30 where the train to be controlled 45 enters next, the
ground control device 10 permits the entry of the train to
be controlled 45. When the preceding train 46 is located
in the communication area 30 where the train to be
controlled 45 enters next, the ground control device 10
10 sets the stop limit position 60 of the train to be
controlled 45 based on the communication area 30 in which
the preceding train 46 is located, that is, the block
section 62. The train to be controlled 45 acquires
information on the stop limit position 60 from the ground
15 control device 10 via the radio communication apparatus 20,
and generates a run curve 61 based on the stop limit
position 60 to travel. When the state of communication
between the train 40 and the radio communication apparatus
20 is communication level C, the radio train control system
20 100 can perform train operation control by providing an
even larger margin in the distance between the preceding
train 46 and the train to be controlled 45 than at
communication level B.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
25 control mode of operation control on the train 40 performed
at communication level D by the ground control device 10
according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 9, it is
assumed that the communication level of the communication
area 30 where the train to be controlled 45 is scheduled to
30 enter next on the route 50 is communication level D.
Assume that the ground control device 10 has switched to a
control mode corresponding to communication level D before
the train to be controlled 45 enters the communication area
15
30. The control mode at communication level D is referred
to as an entry prohibition mode.
[0029] For communication level D, regardless of whether
the preceding train 46 is located or not, the ground
5 control device 10 sets the communication area 30 at
communication level D as an entry prohibition section 63
where the train to be controlled 45 is prohibited from
entering, to control the operation of the train to be
controlled 45. That is, the ground control device 10 sets
10 the communication area 30 corresponding to communication
level D that is the lowest of the defined communication
levels as the entry prohibition section 63 where the train
40 is prohibited from entering. In this case, the ground
control device 10 sets the stop limit position 60 of the
15 train to be controlled 45 based on the communication area
30, that is, the entry prohibition section 63. The train
to be controlled 45 acquires information on the stop limit
position 60 from the ground control device 10 via the radio
communication apparatus 20, and generates a run curve 61
20 based on the stop limit position 60 to travel. For
communication level D at which the state of communication
between the train 40 and the radio communication apparatus
20 is the worst, the radio train control system 100
prohibits the train to be controlled 45 from entering the
25 communication area 30, thereby being able to avoid a
possible emergency stop when the train to be controlled 45
enters the entry prohibition section 63.
[0030] Here, assume that the ground control device 10
lowers the communication level of the communication area 30
30 because the state of communication between the preceding
train 46 and the radio communication apparatus 20 has
deteriorated in the case illustrated in FIG. 5 or 6. In
this case, if the control mode of operation control on the
16
trains 40 is also changed at the point in time when the
communication level is changed, the stop limit position 60
of the train to be controlled 45 is suddenly changed, which
can cause a situation in which the train to be controlled
5 45 goes beyond the stop limit position 60.
[0031] Therefore, even when the communication state of
the communication area 30 is suddenly changed, the ground
control device 10 does not change the control mode of
operation control on the trains 40 in the communication
10 area 30 when the trains 40 are located in the communication
area 30. When a determined control mode is different from
a current control mode, the ground control device 10
changes the control mode of operation control on the train
40 in the communication area 30 when no train 40 is located
15 in the communication area 30 of the radio communication
apparatus 20 of interest. For example, when a determined
control mode is different from a current control mode, the
ground control device 10 changes the control mode between
the end and next start of operation of the trains 40. That
20 is, using information on a communication level determined
based on past communication quality measured between a
train 40 located in the communication area 30 and the radio
communication apparatus 20, the ground control device 10
performs operation control on a train 40 entering or
25 approaching the communication area 30 in the future. This
allows the ground control device 10 to avoid a situation in
which an emergency stop of the preceding train 46 entering
or approaching an area with a deteriorated communication
state causes an emergency stop of the following train whose
30 communication with the radio communication apparatus 20 is
not deteriorated.
[0032] When the train 40 is located in the communication
area 30 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8, the ground control
17
device 10 can continuously acquire information on the
communication level between the train 40 and the radio
communication apparatus 20 from the radio communication
apparatus 20, and can use the information for future
5 operation control on a train 40. On the other hand, if the
entry prohibition section 63 is set as illustrated in FIG.
9, the ground control device 10 cannot acquire information
on the communication level between a train 40 and the radio
communication apparatus 20 from the radio communication
10 apparatus 20. In this case, in the radio train control
system 100, for example, a worker of a railroad company
operating the trains 40 or the like may eliminate the cause
of the deteriorated communication state, and then cause a
train 40 that has been scheduled to enter the communication
15 area 30 in which the entry prohibition section 63 is set to
travel to the communication area 30 by a manual operation
or the like to restore a state in which radio communication
can be performed between the train 40 and the radio
communication apparatus 20. In the radio train control
20 system 100, if a train 40 whose on-board wireless device
has failed is left in the communication area 30 in which
the entry prohibition section 63 is set, the wireless
device of the train 40 may be repaired or replaced to
restore a state in which radio communication can be
25 performed between the train 40 and the radio communication
apparatus 20. This allows the ground control device 10 to
resume acquisition of information on the communication
level between the train 40 and the radio communication
apparatus 20 from the radio communication apparatus 20.
30 [0033] The operation of the ground control device 10
will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 10
is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the ground
control device 10 according to the first embodiment. In
18
the ground control device 10, the control unit 13 performs
a process of managing the control mode of operation control
on the train 40, based on communication level information
acquired from the radio communication apparatus 20 (step
5 S11). The control unit 13 performs operation control on
the train 40, that is, a train control process (step S12).
[0034] The process in step S11 of the flowchart
illustrated in FIG. 10 in the ground control device 10 will
be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a flowchart
10 illustrating the control mode management process in the
ground control device 10 according to the first embodiment.
In the ground control device 10, the communication unit 11
acquires train information including communication level
information from each radio communication apparatus 20
15 (step S21). The communication unit 11 stores the acquired
train information in the storage unit 12. The control unit
13 selects one radio communication apparatus 20 from the
radio communication apparatuses 20 connected to the ground
control device 10 (step S22).
20 [0035] The control unit 13 acquires from the storage
unit 12 the communication level information included in the
train information acquired from the selected radio
communication apparatus 20 (step S23). If the
communication level is different from the previous one
25 (step S24: No), the control unit 13 checks whether or not
there is a train located in the communication area 30 of
the radio communication apparatus 20 (step S25). The
control unit 13 can determine whether or not there is a
train located in the communication area 30 of interest in
30 normal operation control on the train 40. If there is no
train located in the communication area 30 of the radio
communication apparatus 20 (step S25: No), the control unit
13 updates the control mode of operation control on the
19
train 40 in the communication area 30 of the radio
communication apparatus 20 (step S26). If the
communication level is the same as the previous one (step
S24: Yes) and if there is a train located in the
5 communication area 30 of the radio communication apparatus
20 (step S25: Yes), the control unit 13 holds the control
mode of operation control on the train 40 in the
communication area 30 of the radio communication apparatus
20 (step S27).
10 [0036] If there are one or more unselected radio
communication apparatuses 20 in the radio communication
apparatuses 20 connected to the ground control device 10,
the control unit 13 repeatedly performs the operation of
selecting one radio communication apparatus 20 from the
15 unselected radio communication apparatuses 20 until there
is no unselected radio communication apparatus 20 (step
S22). The control unit 13 performs the operation from step
S23 to step S27 on the selected radio communication
apparatus 20.
20 [0037] The process in step S12 of the flowchart
illustrated in FIG. 10 in the ground control device 10 will
be described in detail. FIG. 12 is a flowchart
illustrating the train control process in the ground
control device 10 according to the first embodiment. In
25 the ground control device 10, the control unit 13 selects
one train 40 from the trains 40 located in the
communication areas 30 of the radio communication
apparatuses 20 connected to the ground control device 10
(step S31). The control unit 13 can determine the trains
30 40 located from the train information stored in the storage
unit 12. The train 40 selected here is the train to be
controlled 45 illustrated in FIG. 5 and others.
[0038] The control unit 13 determines the route 50 from
20
the current position of the selected train 40 (step S32).
The control unit 13 searches for the preceding train 46
preceding the selected train 40 (step S33). The control
unit 13 checks whether or not there is the preceding train
5 46 in the route 50 from the current position of the
selected train 40 (step S34). If there is the preceding
train 46 in the route 50 (step S34: Yes), the control unit
13 creates a stop limit position 60 based on the rear
position of the preceding train 46 (step S35). If there is
10 no preceding train 46 in the route 50 (step S34: No), the
control unit 13 creates a stop limit position 60 based on
the route end (ending end) (step S36). The control unit 13
generates control information including the created stop
limit position 60, and transmits the generated control
15 information to the train 40 via the communication unit 11
and the radio communication apparatus 20 (step S37).
[0039] If there are one or more unselected trains 40 in
the trains 40 located in the communication areas 30 of the
radio communication apparatuses 20 connected to the ground
20 control device 10, the control unit 13 repeatedly performs
the operation of selecting one train 40 from the unselected
trains 40 until there is no unselected train 40 (step S31).
The control unit 13 performs the operation from step S32 to
step S37 on the selected train 40.
25 [0040] The process in step S35 of the flowchart
illustrated in FIG. 12 in the ground control device 10 will
be described in detail. FIG. 13 is a flowchart
illustrating the process of creating a stop limit position
60 based on the rear position of the preceding train 46 in
30 the ground control device 10 according to the first
embodiment. In the ground control device 10, the control
unit 13 checks whether or not there is an entry prohibition
section 63 between the selected train 40 and the preceding
21
train 46 (step S41). If there is an entry prohibition
section 63 between the selected train 40 and the preceding
train 46 (step S41: Yes), the control unit 13 sets the
start (starting end) of the entry prohibition section 63 as
5 the stop limit position 60 (step S42).
[0041] If there is no entry prohibition section 63
between the selected train 40 and the preceding train 46
(step S41: No), the control unit 13 checks whether or not a
block in which the rear position of the preceding train 46
10 is located is a moving block section (step S43). If the
block in which the rear position of the preceding train 46
is located is a moving block section (step S43: Yes), the
control unit 13 sets the rear position of the preceding
train 46 as the stop limit position 60 (step S44). If the
15 block in which the rear position of the preceding train 46
is located is not a moving block section (step S43: No),
the control unit 13 sets the start of the block in which
the rear position of the preceding train 46 is located as
the stop limit position 60 (step S45). Thus, if there is
20 the preceding train 46 in the route 50 of the train to be
controlled 45 and there is an entry prohibition section 63
between the train to be controlled 45 and the preceding
train 46, the control unit 13 sets the start of the entry
prohibition section 63 as the stop limit position 60.
25 [0042] The process in step S36 of the flowchart
illustrated in FIG. 12 in the ground control device 10 will
be described in detail. FIG. 14 is a flowchart
illustrating the process of creating a stop limit position
60 based on the route end in the ground control device 10
30 according to the first embodiment. In the ground control
device 10, the control unit 13 checks whether or not there
is an entry prohibition section 63 between the selected
train 40 and the route end (step S51). If there is an
22
entry prohibition section 63 between the selected train 40
and the route end (step S51: Yes), the control unit 13 sets
the start of the entry prohibition section 63 as the stop
limit position 60 (step S52). If there is no entry
5 prohibition section 63 between the selected train 40 and
the route end (step S51: No), the control unit 13 sets the
route end as the stop limit position 60 (step S53). Thus,
if there is no preceding train 46 in the route 50 of the
train to be controlled 45 and there is an entry prohibition
10 section 63 between the train to be controlled 45 and the
end of the route 50 of the train to be controlled 45, the
control unit 13 sets the start of the entry prohibition
section 63 as the stop limit position 60.
[0043] Next, a hardware configuration of the ground
15 control device 10 will be described. In the ground control
device 10, the communication unit 11 is a communication
device. The storage unit 12 is a memory. The control unit
13 is implemented by processing circuitry. The processing
circuitry may be a processor for executing programs stored
20 in a memory and the memory, or may be dedicated hardware.
[0044] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example
where a processor and a memory constitute the processing
circuitry included in the ground control device 10
according to the first embodiment. When a processor 91 and
25 a memory 92 constitute the processing circuitry, the
functions of the processing circuitry of the ground control
device 10 are implemented by software, firmware, or a
combination of software and firmware. The software or
firmware is described as programs and stored in the memory
30 92. In the processing circuitry, the processor 91 reads
and executes the programs stored in the memory 92, thereby
implementing the functions. That is, the processing
circuitry includes the memory 92 for storing the programs
23
resulting in the execution of the processes in the ground
control device 10. These programs can be said to cause a
computer to perform the procedures and methods in the
ground control device 10.
5 [0045] Here, the processor 91 may be a central
processing unit (CPU), a processing unit, an arithmetic
unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a digital signal
processor (DSP), or the like. The memory 92 corresponds,
for example, to a nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor
10 memory such as a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only
memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable ROM
(EPROM), or an electrically EPROM (EEPROM) (registered
trademark), or a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical
disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a digital versatile disc
15 (DVD), or the like.
[0046] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example
where dedicated hardware constitutes the processing
circuitry included in the ground control device 10
according to the first embodiment. When dedicated hardware
20 constitutes the processing circuitry, processing circuitry
93 illustrated in FIG. 16 corresponds, for example, to a
single circuit, a combined circuit, a programmed processor,
a parallel-programmed processor, an application-specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array
25 (FPGA), or a combination of them. The functions of the
ground control device 10 may be implemented by the
processing circuitry 93 on an individual function basis, or
the functions may be collectively implemented by the
processing circuitry 93.
30 [0047] The functions of the ground control device 10 may
be implemented partly by dedicated hardware and partly by
software or firmware. Thus, the processing circuitry can
implement the above-described functions by dedicated
24
hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of them.
[0048] A hardware configuration of the radio
communication apparatuses 20 will be described. In each
radio communication apparatus 20, the radio communication
5 unit 21 and the ground communication unit 23 are
communication devices. The communication level
determination unit 22 is implemented by processing
circuitry. The processing circuitry may be a processor for
executing programs stored in a memory and the memory, or
10 may be dedicated hardware as is the case with the ground
control device 10.
[0049] As described above, according to the present
embodiment, the ground control device 10 determines a
control mode of operation control on a train 40 in the
15 communication area 30 of each radio communication apparatus
20, based on information on a communication level
indicating the state of communication between the train 40
and the radio communication apparatus 20, and performs the
operation control corresponding to the determined control
20 mode on the train 40 entering or approaching the
communication area 30 of the radio communication apparatus
20 after the control mode is determined. The ground
control device 10 does not switch the control mode while a
train 40 is located in the communication area 30. This
25 allows the ground control device 10 when there is a train
with a deteriorated communication state to avoid an
emergency stop of the following train to prevent a decrease
in operation efficiency. That is, if there is a
communication area 30 in which the communication state of
30 radio communication has been deteriorated, the ground
control device 10, which changes the control mode according
to the communication level, can localize the range of the
impact by setting the control mode to the degenerate mode
25
or the like, and can prevent a decrease in operation
efficiency.
[0050] Second Embodiment.
In the first embodiment, the radio communication
5 apparatuses 20 determine a communication level. A second
embodiment describes a case where the ground control device
determines a communication level. In the second embodiment,
the radio train control system has a configuration in which
the ground control device 10 is replaced with a ground
10 control device 10a, and the radio communication apparatuses
20 corresponding to the radio communication apparatuses 20-
1 to 20-4 are replaced with radio communication apparatuses
20a in the radio train control system 100 of the first
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.
15 [0051] The configuration and operation of the radio
communication apparatuses 20a will be described. FIG. 17
is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of
the radio communication apparatuses 20a according to the
second embodiment. Each radio communication apparatus 20a
20 includes the radio communication unit 21 and a ground
communication unit 23a. The ground communication unit 23a
transmits to the ground control device 10a information on
the communication quality of radio communication between
the train 40 and the radio communication unit 21 measured
25 by the radio communication unit 21. Specifically, the
ground communication unit 23a transmits to the ground
control device 10a the communication quality information as
train information including the communication quality
information and other control information.
30 [0052] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the operation
of the radio communication apparatuses 20a according to the
second embodiment. In each radio communication apparatus
20a, the radio communication unit 21 measures the
26
communication quality of radio communication between the
train 40 and the radio communication unit 21 (step S61).
The ground communication unit 23a transmits train
information including communication quality information to
5 the ground control device 10a (step S62).
[0053] Next, the configuration and operation of the
ground control device 10a will be described. FIG. 19 is a
block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the
ground control device 10a according to the second
10 embodiment. The ground control device 10a includes a
communication unit 11a, a storage unit 12a, a communication
level determination unit 14, and the control unit 13.
[0054] The communication unit 11a acquires from the
radio communication apparatus 20a that performs radio
15 communication with the train 40 information on the
communication quality measured by the radio communication
apparatus 20a. Specifically, the communication unit 11a
acquires the communication quality information as train
information including the communication quality information.
20 When a plurality of radio communication apparatuses 20a are
connected to the ground control device 10a, the
communication unit 11a acquires communication quality
information from each radio communication apparatus 20a.
The communication unit 11a stores the acquired
25 communication quality information in the storage unit 12a.
Specifically, the communication unit 11a stores the
communication quality information included in the train
information in the storage unit 12a as train information.
[0055] The storage unit 12a stores the communication
30 quality information acquired by the communication unit 11a.
The storage unit 12a stores one or more pieces of
communication quality information on one or more radio
communication apparatuses 20a. The storage unit 12a stores
27
the communication quality information included in the train
information as train information.
[0056] The communication level determination unit 14
determines a communication level indicating the state of
5 communication between the train 40 and the radio
communication apparatus 20a. Specifically, the
communication level determination unit 14 determines a
communication level based on the information on the
communication quality of radio communication between the
10 train 40 and the radio communication apparatus 20a measured
by the radio communication apparatus 20a. The operation of
the communication level determination unit 14 is similar to
the operation of the communication level determination unit
22 included in each radio communication apparatus 20 of the
15 first embodiment.
[0057] The operation of the control unit 13 in the
ground control device 10a is similar to the operation of
the control unit 13 included in the ground control device
10 of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the
20 contents of step S11 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG.
10 are different from those in the first embodiment. FIG.
20 is a flowchart illustrating a control mode management
process in the ground control device 10a according to the
second embodiment. In the ground control device 10a, the
25 communication unit 11a acquires train information including
communication quality information from each radio
communication apparatus 20a (step S71). The communication
unit 11a stores the acquired train information in the
storage unit 12a. The control unit 13 selects one radio
30 communication apparatus 20a from the radio communication
apparatuses 20a connected to the ground control device 10a
(step S72).
[0058] The communication level determination unit 14
28
determines a communication level based on the communication
quality included in the train information acquired from the
radio communication apparatus 20a selected by the control
unit 13, stored in the storage unit 12a (step S73). The
5 communication level determination unit 14 notifies the
control unit 13 of information on the determined
communication level, and stores the information on the
determined communication level in the storage unit 12a.
The subsequent process from step S74 to step S77 is similar
10 to the process from step S24 to step S27 in the flowchart
illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0059] Next, a hardware configuration of the ground
control device 10a will be described. In the ground
control device 10a, the communication unit 11a is a
15 communication device. The storage unit 12a is a memory.
The control unit 13 and the communication level
determination unit 14 are implemented by processing
circuitry. The processing circuitry may be a processor for
executing programs stored in a memory and the memory, or
20 may be dedicated hardware as is the case with the first
embodiment.
[0060] A hardware configuration of the radio
communication apparatuses 20a will be described. In each
radio communication apparatus 20a, the radio communication
25 unit 21 and the ground communication unit 23a are
communication devices.
[0061] As described above, according to the present
embodiment, the ground control device 10a determines a
communication level indicating the state of communication
30 between a train 40 and each radio communication apparatus
20a. In this case, the effects similar to those of the
first embodiment can also be obtained. Further, since the
radio communication apparatuses 20a do not need to
29
determine a communication level, conventional radio
communication apparatuses can be used. That is, replacing
only a ground control device with the ground control device
10a of the present embodiment allows a shift from an
5 existing radio train control system.
[0062] Third Embodiment.
In the first embodiment, the ground control device 10
changes the setting of the block section 62 in the
communication area 30 of each radio communication apparatus
10 20 according to the communication level. In a third
embodiment, the ground control device 10 changes the number
of trains 40 that are allowed to enter the communication
area 30 according to the communication level. Differences
from the first embodiment will be described. The
15 description uses the first embodiment as an example, but
the present embodiment is also applicable to the second
embodiment.
[0063] In the third embodiment, the control unit 13 of
the ground control device 10 sets the number of trains 40
20 that are allowed to enter the communication area 30 of each
radio communication apparatus 20 according to the
communication level between the train 40 and the radio
communication apparatus 20. For example, the control unit
13 allows three trains 40 to enter a communication area 30
25 at communication level A, allows two trains 40 to enter a
communication area 30 at communication level B, allows one
train 40 to enter a communication area 30 at communication
level C, and prohibits the entry of trains 40 into a
communication area 30 at communication level D. That is,
30 the control unit 13 sets a communication area 30
corresponding to communication level D that is the lowest
of the defined communication levels as an entry prohibition
section 63 where trains 40 are prohibited from entering.
30
The flow of operation of the ground control device 10 in
the third embodiment is similar to that in the first
embodiment.
[0064] As described above, according to the present
5 embodiment, the ground control device 10 controls the
number of trains 40 that are allowed to enter each
communication area 30 according to the communication level.
This allows the ground control device 10 to perform more
flexible control on the track shape of the communication
10 areas 30, operation conditions for trains 40, the operation
hours of trains 40, etc.
[0065] The ground control device 10 may combine the
control modes according to the first embodiment and a
control mode according to the third embodiment. For
15 example, the ground control device 10 may change the
setting of the block section 62 according to the
communication level as in the first embodiment for the
radio communication apparatuses 20-1 and 20-3 of the radio
communication apparatuses 20-1 to 20-4 illustrated in FIG.
20 1, and change the number of trains 40 that are allowed to
enter the communication area 30 according to the
communication level as in the third embodiment for the
radio communication apparatuses 20-2 and 20-4. That is,
according to the control modes, the ground control device
25 10 may set the block section 62 in the communication area
30 of each appropriate radio communication apparatus 20,
and may set the number of trains 40 that are allowed to be
located in the communication area 30 of each appropriate
radio communication apparatus 20. Further, according to
30 the control modes, the ground control device 10 may set the
block section 62 in the communication area 30 of a first
radio communication apparatus and set the number of trains
40 that are allowed to be located in the communication area
31
30 of a second radio communication apparatus. The first
radio communication apparatus represents the abovedescribed radio communication apparatuses 20-1 and 20-3,
and the second radio communication apparatus represents the
5 above-described radio communication apparatuses 20-2 and
20-4.
[0066] The configurations described in the above
embodiments illustrate an example of the subject matter of
the present invention, and can be combined with another
10 known art, and can be partly omitted or changed without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
Reference Signs List
[0067] 10, 10a ground control device; 11, 11a
15 communication unit; 12, 12a storage unit; 13 control
unit; 14, 22 communication level determination unit; 20,
20-1 to 20-4, 20a radio communication apparatus; 21 radio
communication unit; 23, 23a ground communication unit; 30,
30-1 to 30-4 communication area; 40 to 44 train; 45 train
20 to be controlled; 46 preceding train; 50 route; 60 stop
limit position; 61 run curve; 62 block section; 63 entry
prohibition section; 100 radio train control system.

32
We Claim :
1. A ground control device comprising:
a control unit to determine a control mode of
operation control on a train in a communication area of a
5 radio communication apparatus, based on information on a
communication level indicating a communication state
between the train and the radio communication apparatus
determined in a predetermined period, and perform train
operation control according to the determined control mode
10 on a train entering or approaching the communication area
after the control mode is determined; and
a storage unit to store one or more pieces of the
information on the communication level for one or more of
the radio communication apparatuses.
15
2. The ground control device according to claim 1,
comprising:
a communication unit to acquire, from the radio
communication apparatus that performs radio communication
20 with the train, the information on the communication level
determined by the radio communication apparatus.
3. The ground control device according to claim 1,
comprising:
25 a communication unit to acquire, from the radio
communication apparatus that performs radio communication
with the train, information on communication quality
between the train and the radio communication apparatus;
and
30 a communication level determination unit to determine
the communication level, based on the information on the
communication quality.
33
4. The ground control device according to any one of
claims 1 to 3, wherein
in a case when the determined control mode is
different from a current control mode, the control unit
5 changes the control mode when no train is located in the
communication area of the radio communication apparatus of
interest.
5. The ground control device according to any one of
10 claims 1 to 4, wherein
in a case when the determined control mode is
different from a current control mode, the control unit
changes the control mode between an end and a next start of
train operation.
15
6. The ground control device according to any one of
claims 1 to 5, wherein
the control unit sets a block section in the
communication area of an appropriate radio communication
20 apparatus according to the control mode.
7. The ground control device according to any one of
claims 1 to 5, wherein
the control unit sets the number of trains that are
25 allowed to be located in the communication area of an
appropriate radio communication apparatus according to the
control mode.
8. The ground control device according to any one of
30 claims 1 to 5, wherein
the control unit sets a block section in a
communication area of a first radio communication apparatus
and sets the number of trains that are allowed to be
34
located in a communication area of a second radio
communication apparatus, according to the control mode.
9. The ground control device according to any one of
5 claims 1 to 8, wherein
the control unit sets the communication area
corresponding to the lowest communication level of defined
communication levels as an entry prohibition section where
the train is prohibited from entering.
10
10. The ground control device according to claim 9,
wherein
the control unit sets a start of the entry prohibition
section as a stop limit position when there is a preceding
15 train in a route of a train to be controlled and there is
the entry prohibition section between the train to be
controlled and the preceding train, or when there is no
preceding train in the route of the train to be controlled
and there is the entry prohibition section between the
20 train to be controlled and an end of the route of the train
to be controlled.
11. A radio communication apparatus comprising:
a radio communication unit to perform radio
25 communication with a train and measure communication
quality of the radio communication with the train;
a communication level determination unit to determine
a communication level indicating a communication state
between the train and the radio communication unit, based
30 on information on the communication quality; and
a ground communication unit to transmit information on
the communication level to a ground control device.
35
12. A radio train control system comprising:
the ground control device according to claim 2; and
the radio communication apparatus according to claim
11.
5
13. A train control method in a radio train control system
comprising a ground control device and a radio
communication apparatus, the method comprising:
a control mode determination step of determining, by a
10 control unit of the radio communication apparatus, a
control mode of operation control on a train in a
communication area of the radio communication apparatus,
based on information on a communication level indicating a
communication state between the train and the radio
15 communication apparatus determined in a predetermined
period; and
a control step of performing, by the control unit,
train operation control according to the determined control
mode on a train entering or approaching the communication
20 area after the control mode is determined.
14. The train control method according to claim 13,
comprising:
a communication level information acquisition step of
25 acquiring, by a communication unit of the radio
communication apparatus, from the radio communication
apparatus that performs radio communication with the train,
the information on the communication level determined by
the radio communication apparatus.
30
15. The train control method according to claim 13,
comprising:
a communication quality information acquisition step
36
of acquiring, by a communication unit of the radio
communication apparatus, from the radio communication
apparatus that performs radio communication with the train,
information on communication quality between the train and
5 the radio communication apparatus; and
a communication level determination step of
determining, by a communication level determination unit of
the radio communication apparatus, the communication level,
based on the information on the communication quality.
10
16. The train control method according to any one of
claims 13 to 15, wherein
the control step includes changing, by the control
unit, the control mode when no train is located in the
15 communication area of the radio communication apparatus of
interest, in a case when the determined control mode is
different from a current control mode.
17. The train control method according to any one of
20 claims 13 to 16, wherein
the control step includes changing, by the control
unit, the control mode between an end and a next start of
train operation, in a case when the determined control mode
is different from a current control mode.
25
18. The train control method according to any one of
claims 13 to 17, wherein
the control step includes setting, by the control unit,
a block section in the communication area of an appropriate
30 radio communication apparatus according to the control mode.
19. The train control method according to any one of
claims 13 to 17, wherein
37
the control step includes setting, by the control unit,
the number of trains that are allowed to be located in the
communication area of an appropriate radio communication
apparatus according to the control mode.
5
20. The train control method according to any one of
claims 13 to 17, wherein
the control step includes setting, by the control unit,
a block section in a communication area of a first radio
10 communication apparatus and setting, by the control unit,
the number of trains that are allowed to be located in a
communication area of a second radio communication
apparatus, according to the control mode.
15 21. The train control method according to any one of
claims 13 to 20, wherein
the control mode determination step includes setting,
by the control unit, the communication area corresponding
to the lowest communication level of defined communication
20 levels as an entry prohibition section where the train is
prohibited from entering.
38
22. The train control method according to claim 21,
wherein
the control step includes setting, by the control unit,
a start of the entry prohibition section as a stop limit
5 position when there is a preceding train in a route of a
train to be controlled and there is the entry prohibition
section between the train to be controlled and the
preceding train, or when there is no preceding train in the
route of the train to be controlled and there is the entry
10 prohibition section between the train to be controlled and
an end of the route of the train to be controlled.