Airport lighting system verification device, airport lighting system verification method, and airport lighting system verification program

Abstract

To provide an airport lighting system verification device that can automatically verify whether the airport lighting system (light operation console and light control device) is functioning normally.SOLUTION: An airport lighting system verification device includes an information acquisition unit that acquires, from a lighting operating console, light control instruction information for setting a lighting control device that controls the on / off of aviation light installed on the surfaces of taxiways and runways within an airport, and acquires, from the lighting control device, lighting execution result information indicating an execution result of the on / off control of the aviation lights based on the lighting control instruction information, a storage unit that stores association information that associates the lighting control instruction information with the on / off state of the aviation lights, a determination unit that determines the validity of a result content of the lighting execution result information for the instruction content of the lighting control instruction information by referring to the association information, and an output unit that outputs a determination result of the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an airport lighting system verification device, an airport lighting system verification method, and an airport lighting system verification program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, at an airport (airfield), a large number of aeronautical lights are installed on the surfaces of runways where aircraft take off and land and taxiways connected to the runways (hereinafter, runways and taxiways may be collectively referred to as runways). The aeronautical lights are used to assist aircraft in traveling and taking off and landing by indicating the center position of the runway. For example, they are also used to indicate currently available runways and to give specific instructions to aircraft pilots by blinking the aeronautical lights. A large number of such aeronautical lights are installed in the vast grounds of an airport, and the turning on and off of each light is realized by an airport lighting system including a light operation console and a light control device. The light operation console is composed of an operation switch for inputting the control conditions of the aeronautical lights and a display for displaying the control results for the aeronautical lights. The light control device is configured to control the turning on and off of the aeronautical lights according to control instructions from the light operation console, and to provide the results to the light operation console and display them on the light operation console. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-56086 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-88530 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-155600 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To realize the control of a large number of aeronautical lights as described above, it is a prerequisite that the airport lighting system (light operation console and light control device) functions normally. Therefore, before delivery, the airport lighting system is verified to see whether it functions normally. In the verification process, a quality control person, etc., first inputs the control conditions for each aeronautical light pattern from the light operation console while referring to the control condition table, and supplies control instructions to the light control device. Then, the quality control person checks that the control results returned from the light control device are displayed on the display, and visually checks whether the control results match the control condition table, and judges the results. As the verification process relies on human judgment, there is a problem that human error may cause erroneous judgments.

[0005] Therefore, if technology could be provided that could automatically verify whether an airport lighting system (light console and light control device) is functioning normally, it would be useful in contributing to improving reliability and reducing operational costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An airport lighting system verification device in an embodiment includes an information acquisition unit that acquires light control instruction information from a light operation console to set a light control device that controls the on / off of airfield lights installed on the surfaces of taxiways and runways within an airport, and acquires light execution result information from the light control device that indicates a result of executing the on / off control of the airfield lights based on the light control instruction information, a memory unit that stores correspondence information that associates the light control instruction information with the on / off state of the airfield lights, a judgment unit that judges the validity of the result content of the light execution result information with the instruction content of the light control instruction information by referring to the correspondence information, and an output unit that outputs the judgment result of the judgment unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing an airport lighting system including a light console and a light control device that can be verified by an airport lighting system verification device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic explanatory diagram showing an airport that employs an airport lighting system including a light console and a light control device that can be verified by the airport lighting system verification device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing the relationship between the airport lighting system verification device, the light console, and the light control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic configuration diagram showing a light control console that can be verified by the airport lighting system verification device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic control condition table showing combinations of control conditions available in the airport lighting system verification device according to the embodiment and control states of airfield lights. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a light control console that can be verified by the airport lighting system verification device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a light control device that can be verified by the airport lighting system verification device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exemplary schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of an airport lighting system verification device according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exemplary schematic light control result table showing light execution result information in the airport lighting system verification device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart showing a process flow of the airport lighting system verification device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exemplary flowchart showing the processing flow in a light control device when providing necessary information to the airport lighting system verification device after performing standalone verification on the light operation console side in the airport lighting system verification device according to the embodiment. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is an exemplary flowchart showing the processing flow in a lighting control device in an airport lighting system verification device according to an embodiment, when providing necessary information to the airport lighting system verification device after performing standalone verification on the lighting control device side. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an exemplary flowchart showing the processing flow in the airport lighting system verification device according to the embodiment when the light operation console and the light control device are each determined to be normal after performing operation verification on them individually. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the embodiment described below, and the actions and results (effects) brought about by the configuration are merely examples, and are not limited to the contents described below.

[0009] First, an airport lighting system 100 to which an airport lighting system verification device according to an embodiment can be applied will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0010] FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an airport lighting system 100 including a lighting operation console 10 (also referred to as an aeronautical lighting control console) and a lighting control device 12 (also referred to as an aeronautical lighting control device) to which an airport lighting system verification device according to this embodiment is applied.

[0011] In addition to the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12, the airport lighting system 100 includes an aircraft position detection device 14, a takeoff and landing information device 16, an airport operation status information device 18, a movement route planning device 20, aviation lights 22, and an aviation lighting monitoring device 24.

[0012] The aircraft position detection device 14 is, for example, an airport surface detection radar, and detects the position of an aircraft moving or parked on the airport surface. The takeoff and landing information device 16 manages information on the departure and arrival of aircraft. The airport operation status information device 18 has information on the operation status of the airport. The movement route setting device 20 sets the movement route of the aircraft on the airport surface based on the information input from the aircraft position detection device 14, the takeoff and landing information device 16, and the airport operation status information device 18. The lighting control device 12 creates a control signal to turn on or off the aeronautical lights 22, such as centerline lights installed on taxiways and runways, after the air traffic controller approves the route set by the movement route setting device 20. The aeronautical lighting monitoring device 24 monitors the operation status of all the aeronautical lights 22 and outputs the operation status.

[0013] With the above-mentioned configuration, the movement path setting device 20 receives the following inputs: position information of aircraft traveling or parked on the airport surface detected by the aircraft position detection device 14; information on the operation of each aircraft from the aircraft takeoff and landing information device 16, such as the flight name of the aircraft, the type of takeoff and landing, the runway number used by the takeoff and landing aircraft, the takeoff and landing time, and the parking spot number; and information on the operation status of the airport from the airport operation status information device 18, such as weather information such as wind direction. Based on the input information, the movement path setting device 20 sets the movement path of the aircraft from the departure position of the aircraft on the airport surface to the destination, taking into consideration the status of multiple other aircraft operating on the runway and taxiway. The set movement path data is presented to the air traffic controller and then output to the light control device 12 with the controller's approval. Based on the output information, the light control device 12 creates a control signal to turn on or off the aviation lights 22 of the corresponding running path, and transmits it to the aviation lights 22. Based on this control signal, the navigation lights 22 are turned on and off, instructions are given to the pilot on the route to follow, and the aircraft is guided to its destination.

[0014] The light control console 10 also displays the position of the aircraft, the on / off status of the aeronautical lights 22, and the operating state of the aeronautical lights 22 based on the output information from the aircraft position detection device 14, the movement route setting device 20, and the aeronautical light monitoring device 24. Furthermore, the light control console 10 receives the setting data of the movement route setting device 20 and the monitoring information of the aeronautical light monitoring device 24, and judges whether the aeronautical lights 22 are on or off according to the setting data. If the setting data and the monitoring information do not match, the light control console 10 judges that the light control device 12 or the aeronautical lights 22 is malfunctioning. In this way, when it judges that there is a malfunction, it changes the display color of the corresponding aeronautical light 22 from green to yellow, or blinks it to notify the controller of the malfunction of the aeronautical light 22. In this case, the light control console 10 further accepts a change operation to another guidance route by the controller who has received this notification. Then, it outputs change operation information related to the accepted change operation to the movement route setting device 20.

[0015] In this case, new travel route data is set by taking into consideration the change operation information output from the light operation console 10, and this new travel route data is output to the light control device 12. Then, the light control device 12 creates a control signal for turning on or off the aeronautical lights 22 of the corresponding running route based on the output change operation information, and controls the aeronautical lights 22 to turn on the taxiway centerline lights on the airport taxiway.

[0016] The light control console 10 also accepts input of change operation information whenever necessary, not only when the light control device 12 or the aeronautical lights 22 fail. This allows the controller to deal with an unexpected situation, such as when a taxiway becomes closed to traffic or entry due to the sudden removal of an obstacle, by inputting change operation information to prohibit traffic or entry. As described above, the light control device 12 obtains this change operation information via the movement route setting device 20, creates a control signal based on the obtained change operation information, and controls the aeronautical lights 22, for example by changing the color of the aeronautical lights 22 at the relevant locations to red, thereby giving the pilot of the aircraft a no-passage or no-entry instruction. In this case, the movement route setting device 20 takes this change operation information into consideration in subsequent route setting. This allows the route setting to be performed excluding the taxiway that has become closed to traffic or entry.

[0017] Next, an example of a specific display content of the light control console 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an example of a screen of a display device mounted on the lighting control console 10 that displays the entire airport AP including taxiways, runways, and aircraft. In FIG. 2, aircraft FA and FB are shown traveling on taxiway TW. An apron 26 includes a terminal 28 where passengers of aircraft FA and FB board and disembark. The taxiways TW are numbered and identified, such as taxiways H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, J-1, J-2, J-3, j-4, K-1, K-2, K-3, and K-4. A plurality of circular marks (white or black circles) in the taxiway TW indicate taxiway centerline lights TCL, and a plurality of white square marks in the runway RW indicate runway centerline lights RCL.

[0019] The operational status of the on / off of the airfield lights 22 such as taxiway centerline lights TCL and runway centerline lights RCL, and the movement status of aircraft FA, FB, etc., displayed on the light control console 10 are displayed based on information from the aircraft position detection device 14 and the light control device 12, which monitor the control of the airfield lights 22 on the actual airport surface and the movement of aircraft, as described in the explanation of Fig. 1. Therefore, the on / off of the airfield lights 22 on the actual airport surface and the positions of aircraft are linked to the display on the light control console 10.

[0020] In Fig. 2, the black circle marks of the taxiway centerline lights TCL indicate a lit state, and the other unfilled white circle marks indicate an off state. In actuality, the display is in color, for example, lit in green and off in black. By turning on and off the airfield lights in this way, the pilot of aircraft FA is instructed to proceed to runway RW for takeoff, and the pilot of aircraft FB to proceed to apron 26 to unload passengers, and the pilot is guided to the destination. In addition, the airfield lights 22 can be displayed in a flashing manner or in a different color to instruct the pilot to stop or to call attention.

[0021] When the above-mentioned airfield lights 22 are used to give instructions and guidance to pilots of aircraft FA, FB, etc., if, for example, the three taxiway centerline lights TCL, indicated by P in the figure, installed on taxiway K-1 do not light up due to a malfunction of the light control device 12, the pilot of aircraft FB will proceed along taxiway J-1 following the instructions of the taxiway centerline lights TCL that are lit, but because the airfield lights 22 from point S, indicated by P in the figure, are not lit, the pilot may become confused and be unable to determine whether to continue straight ahead, turn right, or stop.

[0022] In such a case, the light control console 10 receives the setting data of the movement route setting device 20 and the monitoring information of the aeronautical lighting monitoring device 24, and determines whether the aeronautical lights 22 are turned on or off according to the setting data. If the setting data and the monitoring information do not match, it determines that there is a malfunction of the light control device 12 or the aeronautical lights 22.

[0023] If a malfunction is determined, the controller notifies the controller of the malfunction of the aeronautical light 22 by, for example, changing the display of the corresponding aeronautical light 22 on the screen from green to yellow or by flashing the display. Based on this, the controller inputs a change operation to change to another guide route TW to the light operation console 10. When the change operation is input in this way, the light operation console 10 outputs change operation information related to the input change operation to the movement route setting device 20.

[0024] In this case, the travel route setting device 20 outputs the change operation information output from the light operation console 10 to the light control device 12. Then, the light control device 12 creates a control signal for turning on or off the airfield lights 22 of the corresponding running route based on the output change operation information, and controls the airfield lights 22 to turn on the taxiway center line TCL light on the taxiway TW.

[0025] As a result, for example, a change operation to turn on the aeronautical lights 22 located on taxiways J-1, J-2, and K-2 is performed on the lighting operation console 10, and the change operation information is output to the movement route setting device 20, whereby the taxiway centerline lights TCL on the taxiway TW of the airport are turned on and route instructions are given to the pilot of the aircraft FB to guide it to the apron 26. Note that in Fig. 2, the number of installed aeronautical lights 22 is limited for convenience of illustration, but in reality, a huge number is displayed.

[0026] As described above, in order to control the aeronautical lights 22 well at the airport AP, it is prerequisite that the light control console 10 that issues control instructions for the aeronautical lights 22 and the light control device 12 that controls the aeronautical lights 22 according to the control instructions of the light control console 10 function normally, and that the airport lighting system 100 including the light control console 10 and the light control device 12 function normally. Therefore, when the light control console 10 and the light control device 12 are delivered as part of the airport lighting system 100, it is necessary to perform a verification to confirm that they function normally. Conventionally, this verification has been performed by a quality control person or the like operating the light control console 10 and visually checking the control results of the light control device 12, which has problems such as the possibility of misjudgment due to human error and increased costs for verification. Therefore, in this embodiment, the airport lighting system verification device 30 is used to automatically verify the operation of the light control console 10 and the light control device 12 included in the airport lighting system 100. Hereinafter, the verification by the airport lighting system verification device 30 will be described with reference to Figs.

[0027] FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing the relationship between the airport lighting system verification device 30, the light control console 10, and the light control device 12 according to the embodiment. When performing an operation verification to determine whether the light control console 10 and the light control device 12 before delivery function normally, a quality manager connects the light control console 10 and the light control device 12 to be verified to the airport lighting system verification device 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the light control console 10 provides light control instruction information Sg1 to the light control device 12 and the airport lighting system verification device 30. In addition, the light control device 12 provides light execution result information Sg2 to the light control console 10 and the airport lighting system verification device 30. The light control instruction information Sg1 is, for example, an instruction signal for controlling the turning on and off of the aeronautical lights 22. In addition, the light execution result information Sg2 is, for example, a result signal indicating the execution result of the turning on and off control of the aeronautical lights 22 based on the light control instruction information Sg1. The airport lighting system verification device 30 can automatically verify the operation of the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 by acquiring the light control instruction information Sg1 and the light execution result information Sg2.

[0028] 4 is an exemplary schematic diagram showing an operation surface of the light operation console 10. The light operation console 10 includes operation switches 10A to 10D, a light indicator group 10E, and an airport indicator 10F. The operation switches 10A to 10D are switches for specifying the control conditions for turning on and off each of the aeronautical lights 22. The operation switch group 10A includes switches 10Aa (switch 1) and 10Ab (switch 2) for setting control condition A, and the operation switch group 10B includes switches 10Ba (switch 1), 10Bb (switch 2), and 10Bc (switch 3) for setting control condition B. The operation switch group 10C includes a switch 10Ca (switch 1) and a switch 10Cb (switch 2) for setting a control condition C, and the operation switch group 10D includes a switch 10Da (switch 1), a switch 10db (switch 2), a switch 10Dc (switch 3), and a switch 10Dd (switch 4) for setting a control condition D. In each of the operation switch groups 10A to 10D, only one switch can be selected (ON), and when one switch is selected, the other switches are not selected (OFF). The on / off states of the multiple airfield lights 22 can be specified by selecting and combining the switches in the operation switch groups 10A to 10D.

[0029] FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic control condition table ST showing combinations of control conditions A to D and control states of the aeronautical lights 22. That is, the on / off state of the aeronautical lights 22 (e.g., lights 1 to 10) can be selected according to combinations of control conditions A to D. If the aeronautical lights 22 are lights whose brightness can be adjusted, for example, brightness 1 (minimum brightness) to brightness 5 (maximum brightness) can be selected. Also, if the aeronautical lights 22 are lights whose luminous color can be switched, for example, luminous colors such as blue, green, yellow, red, and orange can be selected. Also, for example, selection between on and off, and in the case of on, selection of blinking or blinking intervals can be selected. For example, when switch 1 is selected for each of the control conditions A to D, the light control instruction information Sg1 is generated so that light 1 is turned on at brightness 5, light 2 is turned on at brightness 3, ..., light 9 (without brightness adjustment function) is turned on, and light 10 (without brightness adjustment function) is turned off. Similarly, when switch 1 is selected under control condition A, switch 3 under control condition B, switch 2 under control condition C, and switch 4 under control condition D, light control instruction information Sg1 is generated so that light 1 is turned on at brightness 1, light 2 is turned on at brightness 2, ..., light 9 is turned off, and light 10 is turned off. Although not shown in FIG. 5, it is also possible to specify the emission color and blinking interval of the aviation lights 22 (lights 1 to 10) according to the combination of control conditions A to D. Also, FIG. 5 shows 24 patterns when switch 1 is selected under control condition A as an example, but 24 patterns when switch 2 is selected under control condition A are set in the same way. Also, in FIG. 5, lights 1 to 10 are shown as the aviation lights 22 for convenience of illustration, but the number of lights to be controlled can be changed as appropriate. In addition, although FIG. 5 shows control conditions A to D, the number of control conditions and the number of switches included in the control conditions A to D can be changed as appropriate, and by changing the number of control conditions and the number of switches, the number of control patterns of the airfield lights 22 can also be changed as appropriate.

[0030] In the light indicator group 10E, the control results of the lights 1 to 10 as the aeronautical lights 22 are displayed on the light indicators corresponding to the individual lights (1 to 10). For example, the on / off state, the brightness state when the brightness is specified, the luminous color state when the lighting color is specified, and the blinking state (blinking interval, etc.) when the blinking is specified are individually displayed and can be seen. The airport indicator 10F is a large display, such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an OELD (organic electroluminescent display). The airport indicator 10F can display, for example, a full view of the airport AP shown in FIG. 2 and the on / off state of the aeronautical lights 22. The airport indicator 10F may be covered with a transparent operation input unit such as a touch panel. A user can see an image displayed on the display screen of the airport indicator 10F via the operation input unit. Also, the user may perform operation input by touching, pressing, or moving the operation input unit with a finger or the like at a position corresponding to an image displayed on the display screen of the airport display 10F. Note that the configuration of the light operation console 10 shown in Fig. 4 is an example and can be modified as appropriate.

[0031] 6 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the light operation console 10. As with a general personal computer, the light operation console 10 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 32, a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a solid state drive (SSD) or a flash memory or other storage unit, operation switches 10A-10D as an input unit for inputting control conditions and the like, and a light indicator group 10E and an airport indicator 10F as a display unit.

[0032] The CPU 32, for example, reads out a program installed and stored in a non-volatile storage device such as a ROM or an SSD, and realizes a module for providing light control instruction information used for controlling and verifying the aeronautical lights 22 to the light control device 12 and the airport lighting system verification device 30 in accordance with the program. The CPU 32 realizes, for example, an operation information generating unit 32a, an operation signal control unit 32b, an operation information providing unit 32c, a display control unit 32d, etc. The CPU 32 may also realize a comparison unit 32e.

[0033] The operation information generating unit 32a generates information indicating the operation states of the operation switch group 10A to 10D. For example, it generates operation content information (information indicating whether or not each switch has been pressed or touched) indicating the actual operation state of each switch based on the pressing or touching operation of each switch constituting the operation switch group 10A to 10D. Note that the operation content information generated by the operation information generating unit 32a does not depend on the control signal output by the operation of each switch, but is information indicating only the actual operation state (situation).

[0034] The operation signal control unit 32b generates an output signal for each switch based on the pressing or touching operation of each switch constituting the operation switch group 10A to 10D. The output signal output here is light control instruction information for controlling the aeronautical lights 22, and controls the on / off state of the aeronautical lights 22 according to the control condition table ST of FIG. 5. The operation signal control unit 32b outputs a signal from the light operation console 10 to the light control device 12 (and the airport lighting system verification device 30). For example, when an output signal different from the output signal that the switch should output is generated due to a wiring error or contact failure of each switch constituting the operation switch group 10A to 10D, a bug in the processing software, or the like, the operation signal control unit 32b generates the output signal as is. As a result, for example, in the airport lighting system verification device 30, it is possible to detect problems such as wiring error or contact failure of the switch, a bug in the processing software, or the like. This will be described in detail later.

[0035] The operation information providing unit 32c provides the light control instruction information generated by the operation signal control unit 32b to the light control device 12, and also associates the operation content information generated by the operation information generating unit 32a with the light control instruction information and provides them together to the airport lighting system verification device 30. Note that the timing at which the operation information providing unit 32c provides information to the airport lighting system verification device 30 may be, for example, every time a switch operation is performed, or may be the timing at which all of the switches constituting the operation switch group 10A to 10D have been operated.

[0036] The display control unit 32d receives the result of the on / off state of the airfield lights 22 executed by the light control device 12 based on the light control instruction information provided to the light control device 12, and controls the on / off of the corresponding light indicators of the light indicator group 10E of the light control console 10. By checking the on / off state of the light indicator group 10E, the on / off state of the airfield lights 22 can be visually confirmed at the light control console 10.

[0037] In addition, in another configuration of the light operation console 10, a comparison unit 32e may be provided. The comparison unit 32e verifies the consistency between the operation content information generated by the operation information generation unit 32a and the light control instruction information generated by the operation signal control unit 32b by comparing them. In other words, if the operation content information and the light control instruction information match, it is determined that there is no wiring error or contact failure of each switch of the light operation console 10, a bug in the processing software, etc., and if they do not match, it is determined that there is a possibility that there is a wiring error or contact failure of each switch of the light operation console 10, a bug in the processing software, etc. In other words, it is verified whether there is no wiring error or contact failure of each switch constituting the operation switch group 10A to 10D, a bug in the processing software, etc., for the light operation console 10 alone. In this case, the operation information provision unit 32c provides the airport lighting system verification device 30 and the light control device 12 with the light control instruction information only for the light operation console 10 that does not have any problem. In this case, the light control instruction information provided to the airport lighting system verification device 30 may be referred to as first verification information. The airport lighting system verification device 30 verifies whether the airport lighting system 100 functions normally when a normally operating light control console 10 is incorporated into the airport lighting system 100. As a result, the operational verification of the airport lighting system 100 can be carried out more efficiently.

[0038] 7 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the light control device 12. The light control device 12, like a general personal computer, includes, for example, a CPU 34, a storage unit such as a ROM, a RAM, an SSD, or a flash memory, a condition storage unit 36 ​​that stores a control condition table ST (see FIG. 5) that is the same as the control condition table ST used when inputting the control conditions A to D in the light operation console 10, or information having similar contents, and the like. The condition storage unit 36 ​​can be configured with an SSD, a HDD (hard disk drive), or the like. The condition storage unit 36 ​​may be provided separately from the light control device 12.

[0039] The CPU 34 implements a module for reading out a program installed and stored in a non-volatile storage device such as a ROM or an SSD, and providing the control signal used in controlling the aeronautical lights 22 and the result of turning on and off the aeronautical lights 22 to the airport lighting system verification device 30, etc., in accordance with the program. The CPU 34 implements, for example, an operation signal receiving unit 34a, an aeronautical lighting control unit 34b, a light state information generating unit 34c, a control information providing unit 34d, etc. The CPU 34 may also implement a comparing unit 34e.

[0040] The operation signal reception unit 34a sequentially receives light control instruction information provided from the light operation console 10 and provides it to the aeronautical lighting control unit 34b. The aeronautical lighting control unit 34b generates on / off control information for controlling the aeronautical lighting 22 to be on / off according to the light control instruction information acquired by the operation signal reception unit 34a and the contents of the control condition table ST stored in the condition storage unit 36. The light state information generation unit 34c receives a signal indicating the on / off state executed by the aeronautical lighting 22 based on the on / off control information generated by the aeronautical lighting control unit 34b, and generates light execution result information indicating the result of on / off. Note that, when the light control device 12 is in operation, the light control device 12 and the aeronautical lighting 22 are electrically connected, but when the light control device 12 is inspected before delivery, a dummy aeronautical lighting for inspection is connected. The light state information generation unit 34c can generate the result of on / off of the dummy aeronautical lighting based on the on / off control information.

[0041] Then, the control information providing unit 34d associates the on / off control information generated by the aeronautical lighting control unit 34b with the light execution result information generated by the light state information generating unit 34c, and provides them to the airport lighting system verification device 30. By associating the on / off control information with the light execution result information and providing them together to the airport lighting system verification device 30, it is possible to quickly detect a malfunction of the light control device 12. For example, it is possible to detect a malfunction such as a malfunction in which the light execution result information corresponding to the on / off control information cannot be obtained due to an internal wiring error or contact failure, a processing software bug, or the like. This will be described in detail later.

[0042] In addition, the control information providing unit 34d also provides the light execution result information to the light operation console 10. As a result, the light indicator group 10E of the light operation console 10 can display the on / off state of the airfield lights 22.

[0043] The timing at which the light status information generating unit 34c provides information to the airport lighting system verification device 30 may be, for example, each time the operation signal receiving unit 34a acquires light control instruction information, or when all operations of the switches constituting the operation switch group 10A to 10D have been completed and all light control instruction information has been acquired.

[0044] In addition, in another configuration of the light control device 12, the comparison unit 34e may be provided. The comparison unit 34e verifies the consistency between the light control instruction information acquired by the operation signal receiving unit 34a and the light execution result information generated by the light state information generating unit 34c. In other words, if the light control instruction information and the light execution result information match, it is determined that there is no defect such as an internal wiring error or contact failure in the light control device 12, or a bug in the processing software. In addition, if there is a mismatch, it is determined that there is a possibility that there is an internal wiring error or contact failure in the light control device 12, or a bug in the processing software. In other words, it is verified whether there is an internal wiring error or contact failure, or a bug in the processing software, or the like, for the light control device 12 alone. In this case, the control information providing unit 34d provides the light execution result information to the airport lighting system verification device 30 and the light operation console 10 only for the light control device 12 that does not have a defect. In this case, the light execution result information provided to the airport lighting system verification device 30 may be referred to as second verification information. The airport lighting system verification device 30 verifies whether the airport lighting system 100 functions normally when a normally operating light control device 12 is incorporated into the airport lighting system 100. As a result, the operational verification of the airport lighting system 100 can be performed more efficiently.

[0045] FIG. 8 is an exemplary schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the airport lighting system verification device 30. The airport lighting system verification device 30 is connected to the light control console 10 and the light control device 12 to be verified. The airport lighting system verification device 30, like a general personal computer, includes, for example, a CPU 34, a storage unit such as a ROM, a RAM, an SSD, or a flash memory, a condition storage unit 40 that stores the same control condition table ST (see FIG. 5) as the control condition table ST stored in the condition storage unit 36 ​​of the light control device 12 or information of similar content, and a display unit 42. The condition storage unit 36 ​​stores correspondence information that associates light control instruction information with the on / off state of the aeronautical lights 22. The condition storage unit 40 can be configured with an SSD, an HDD, or the like. The condition storage unit 40 may be provided separately from the airport lighting system verification device 30. The display unit 42 is, for example, an LCD, an OELD, or the like. The display unit 42 may be covered with a transparent operation input unit such as a touch panel. A user (such as a quality manager) can visually recognize an image displayed on the display screen of the display unit 42 via the operation input unit. In addition, the user may be able to execute operation input by touching, pressing, or moving the operation input unit with a finger or the like at a position corresponding to the image displayed on the display screen of the display unit 42.

[0046] The CPU 38 realizes a module for reading out an airport lighting system verification program installed and stored in a non-volatile storage device such as a ROM or SSD, and verifying whether the operation of the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 function normally or whether the system functions normally in accordance with the airport lighting system verification program. The CPU 38 realizes, for example, an operation status information acquisition unit 38a, a control result information acquisition unit 38b, a judgment unit 38c, a result output unit 38d, and the like.

[0047] The operation status information acquisition unit 38a acquires light control instruction information from the light operation console 10. Note that, when the light operation console 10 does not verify whether each switch constituting the operation switch group 10A-10D has a wiring error, a contact failure, a processing software bug, or the like, by itself, the operation status information acquisition unit 38a acquires operation content information together with the light control instruction information. Also, when the light operation console 10 alone verifies whether each switch constituting the operation switch group 10A-10D has a wiring error, a contact failure, a processing software bug, or the like, the operation status information acquisition unit 38a acquires the light control instruction information and the first verification information.

[0048] The control result information acquisition unit 38b acquires light execution result information from the light control device 12. Note that, in the case where the light control device 12 alone is not verified to have internal wiring errors, contact failures, bugs in the processing software, etc., the control result information acquisition unit 38b acquires light control instruction information acquired by the light control device 12 from the light operation console 10 together with the light execution result information. In the case where the light control device 12 alone is verified to have internal wiring errors, contact failures, bugs in the processing software, etc., the control result information acquisition unit 38b acquires the light execution result information and second verification information. Note that the operation status information acquisition unit 38a and the control result information acquisition unit 38b may be configured collectively as an acquisition unit.

[0049] The determination unit 38c refers to the control condition table ST (corresponding information) stored in the condition storage unit 40 and determines the validity of the result content of the light execution result information with respect to the instruction content of the light control instruction information. In addition, if the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 are not verified individually for internal wiring errors, contact failures, bugs in the processing software, etc., the determination unit 38c also determines whether or not there are defects in the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12. On the other hand, if the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 are not verified individually for internal wiring errors, contact failures, bugs in the processing software, etc., the determination unit 38c verifies whether or not the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 function normally. As a result, it is configured to verify whether or not there are defects when incorporated into the airport lighting system 100 as a system.

[0050] The result output unit 38d outputs the judgment result of the judgment unit 38c to the display unit 42. Fig. 9 is an exemplary schematic light control result table showing the light control result Jr in the airport lighting system verification device 30. When the on / off control of the aeronautical lights 22 is correctly executed with respect to the operation contents (contents of the light control instruction information) of each switch of the operation switch group 10A-10D of the light operation console 10, "OK" is displayed on the lights 1-10 corresponding to each aeronautical light 22. On the other hand, when the on / off control of the aeronautical lights 22 is not correctly executed with respect to the operation contents of the light operation console 10, "NG" is displayed on the lights 1-10 corresponding to each aeronautical light 22. Fig. 9 shows an example in which the light 10 is "NG" in the case of control condition A (switch 1), control condition B (switch 2), control condition C (switch 1), and control condition D (switch 1). A quality control person or the like who operates the airport lighting system verification device 30 recognizes the verification result of the airport lighting system verification device 30 based on the display content of the display unit 42. If the display content of the display unit 42 shows "NG", it is possible to presume that there is a problem in the relevant parts of the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 that are related to turning on and off the light (airport light 22) that has been "NG", and to take appropriate measures. For convenience of illustration, Fig. 9 shows only switch 1 under control condition A, but a similar lighting control result is also shown for switch 2 under control condition A.

[0051] The processing flow of the airport lighting system verification device 30 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 10. The flowchart shown in Fig. 10 is an example in which the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 are not verified individually for internal wiring errors, contact failures, processing software bugs, etc., in other words, the airport lighting system verification device 30 also verifies the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 individually.

[0052] When starting verification, the quality manager or the like connects the light control console 10 and the light control device 12 to be verified to the airport lighting system verification device 30 and turns on the verification start switch (SW) (S100). When the verification start switch is turned on, the airport lighting system verification device 30 instructs the quality manager or the like to input operation switches (each switch of the operation switch group 10A to 10D) to the light control console 10 via the display unit 42 or the like (S102).

[0053] The operation status information acquisition unit 38a checks whether or not the operation content information and the light control instruction information have been acquired from the light operation console 10 (S104). If the operation content information and the light control instruction information have not been acquired (No in S104), the process returns to S102, and the instruction to execute the input of the operation switch (each switch of the operation switch group 10A to 10D) is continued. If the operation content information and the light control instruction information have been acquired (Yes in S104), the determination unit 38c checks whether or not the operation content information and the light control instruction information match (S106). If the operation content information and the light control instruction information match (Yes in S106), the control result information acquisition unit 38b requests the light execution result information from the light control device 12 (S108). If the control result information acquisition unit 38b has not acquired the light execution result information (No in S110), the process returns to S108, and the request for the light execution result information is continued. When the light execution result information can be acquired (Yes in S110), the judgment unit 38c searches the control condition table ST (or information of similar content) in the condition storage unit 40 to acquire the result content of the light execution result information for the instruction content of the light control instruction information (S112). Then, the judgment unit 38c verifies whether or not the light control instruction information acquired in S104 matches the light execution result information acquired in S108 (S114). In the process of S114, if the verification result shows that they match (Yes in S114), a normality judgment process is executed to judge that the operation of the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 related to the instruction content of the light control instruction information is normal (S116). For example, a normality signal indicating that the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 are normal is generated. On the other hand, if the verification results do not match in the process of S114 (No in S114), it is determined that there is a malfunction in the light control device 12 or the system in which the light control console 10 and the light control device 12 are combined, and an abnormality determination process is executed (S118). For example, an abnormality signal indicating that the light control device 12 or the system is abnormal is generated. Also, if it is determined that the operation content information and the light control instruction information do not match in the process of S106 (No in S106), it is determined that there is some malfunction in the operation of the light control console 10 with respect to the instruction content of the light control instruction information, and an abnormality determination process for the light control console 10 is executed (S120).For example, an abnormality signal is generated to indicate that the light control console 10 is abnormal.

[0054] Then, the result output unit 38d outputs the judgment (verification) result to the corresponding display area of ​​the display unit 42 (S122), and the judgment unit 38c checks whether the judgment (verification) in the system including the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 has been completed a predetermined number of times (S124). For example, if the execution of the judgment using the switches included in the operation switch group 10A to 10D at least once has been completed (Yes in S124), it is determined that the verification of the system including the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 that are the verification target has been completed, and this flow is temporarily terminated. If the judgment (verification) in the system including the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 has not been completed a predetermined number of times in the process of S124 (No in S124), the process returns to the process of S102, an input instruction is given using another combination of switches, and the process from S104 onwards is executed. Note that if the process of S118 or the process of S120 has been executed, that is, if a malfunction has occurred, the verification process may be terminated immediately without executing the process of S124.

[0055] In this way, by using the airport lighting system verification device 30 of this embodiment, it is possible to automatically verify whether the airport lighting system 100 (the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12) is functioning normally. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous judgment due to human error, and to contribute to reducing the verification cost during the verification work.

[0056] FIG. 11 is an exemplary flowchart showing the flow of processing in the light control console 10 when providing necessary information to the airport lighting system verification device 30 after performing unit verification on the light control console 10 side.

[0057] First, the quality control person or the like connects the light control console 10 to the airport lighting system verification device 30, and then sets the operation switches (the switches of the operation switch group 10A to 10D) while referring to the contents of the control condition table ST (S200). The operation information generating unit 32a checks whether the setting of the switches of the operation switch group 10A to 10D is completed (S202), and if it is not completed (No in S202), returns to the process of S200. On the other hand, if the setting of the switches of the operation switch group 10A to 10D is completed (Yes in S202), the operation information generating unit 32a generates operation content information and light control instruction information (S204). Then, the comparing unit 32e compares the operation content (operation content information) of the light control console 10 with the instruction content of the light control instruction information and checks the consistency therebetween (S206). If the operation contents (operation contents information) of the light operation console 10 and the instruction contents of the light control instruction information match (Yes in S208), it is determined that the light operation console 10 is operating normally with respect to the operated switch, and the operation information providing unit 32c outputs the light control instruction information (S210). For example, the operation information providing unit 32c outputs the light control instruction information to the light control device 12. In addition, the operation information providing unit 32c provides the airport lighting system verification device 30 with first verification information indicating that the operation contents of the light operation console 10 and the instruction contents of the light control instruction information match together with the light control instruction information. In addition, the display control unit 32d acquires light execution result information, which is the result of control according to the light control instruction information provided to the light control device 12, and outputs the result to the light indicator group 10E (S212).

[0058] Then, the comparison unit 32e checks whether the setting of the operation switches of the light control console 10 has been completed a predetermined number of times (S214). For example, if the execution of the judgment using the switches included in the operation switch group 10A to 10D at least once has been completed (Yes in S214), it is judged that the verification of the light control console 10 to be verified has been completed, and this flow is temporarily ended. If the processing of S214 shows that the setting of the operation switches has not been completed a predetermined number of times (No in S214), the processing returns to S200, an input instruction is given using another combination of switches, and the processing from S202 onwards is executed.

[0059] In addition, if the operation contents (operation contents information) of the light control console 10 do not match the instruction contents of the light control instruction information in the process of S208 (No in S208), it can be presumed that there is a problem with the light control console 10 at least with respect to the operated switch. For example, it can be presumed that there is a mistake or poor contact in the internal wiring of the light control console 10, a bug in the processing software, or the like. Therefore, the comparison unit 32e performs a light control console abnormality determination process (S216) and temporarily ends this flow. For example, an abnormality signal is generated indicating that the light control console 10 is abnormal. In this case, since the problem is occurring with the light control console 10 alone, verification using the airport lighting system verification device 30 is not performed.

[0060] In this way, by determining (verifying) whether or not a problem has occurred using the light control console 10 alone, verification using the airport lighting system verification device 30 can be carried out more efficiently.

[0061] FIG. 12 is an exemplary flowchart showing the flow of processing in the light control device 12 when providing necessary information to the airport lighting system verification device 30 after performing unit verification on the light control device 12 side.

[0062] First, the light control device 12 is connected to the airport lighting system verification device 30. Then, the operation signal receiving unit 34a checks whether light control instruction information has been acquired from the light operation console 10, and if not (No in S300), this flow ends. On the other hand, if the light control instruction information has been acquired (Yes in S300), the aeronautical lighting control unit 34b generates a control signal for controlling the turning on and off of the aeronautical lights 22 based on the light control instruction information, and outputs it to the aeronautical lights 22 to be controlled (S302).

[0063] When the aeronautical lights 22 receive the control signal, they execute on / off based on the control signal and return a signal indicating the light state to the light control device 12. The light state information generating unit 34c generates light execution result information based on the signal indicating the light state, and the comparing unit 34e compares the contents of the light control instruction information received from the light operation console 10 with the contents of the light execution result information to determine whether they match (S304). If the result of the determination is that the contents of the light control instruction information and the contents of the light execution result information match (Yes in S304), the second verification information indicating that the instruction contents of the light control instruction information and the result contents of the light execution result information match together with the light execution result information is output to the airport lighting system verification device 30 (S306). In addition, the control information providing unit 34d outputs the light execution result information to the light operation console 10 (S308). As a result, the on / off state of the aeronautical lights 22 can be displayed on the light indicator group 10E of the light operation console 10. Note that, in the process of S304, if the contents of the light control instruction information and the contents of the light execution result information do not match (No in S304), abnormality processing of the light control device 12 is executed (S310). For example, an abnormality signal indicating that the light control device 12 is abnormal is generated, and this flow is temporarily terminated. In this case, since the problem is occurring with the light control device 12 alone, verification using the airport lighting system verification device 30 is not performed.

[0064] In this way, by determining (verifying) whether or not a problem occurs in the light control device 12 alone, verification using the airport lighting system verification device 30 can be carried out more efficiently.

[0065] Next, a process flow will be described with reference to Fig. 13 when verification is performed by the airport lighting system verification device 30 using the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 that have been verified to function normally. In other words, this is an example in which the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 are verified individually for internal wiring errors, contact failures, processing software bugs, etc., and if no problems are found, it is verified whether they function normally when made to function as the airport lighting system 100 by the airport lighting system verification device 30.

[0066] When starting verification, the quality manager or the like connects the light control console 10 and the light control device 12 to be verified, which have been verified to be normal, to the airport lighting system verification device 30, and turns on the verification start switch (SW) (S400). When the verification start switch is turned on, the airport lighting system verification device 30 instructs the quality manager or the like to execute input of the operation switches (each switch of the operation switch group 10A to 10D) to the light control console 10 via the display unit 42 or the like, and acquires various information (S402). For example, it acquires light control instruction information from the light control console 10 and first verification information indicating that the light control console 10 is operating normally. It also acquires light execution result information and second verification information indicating that the light control device 12 is operating normally from the light control device 12.

[0067] Then, it is verified whether the light control instruction information and the light execution result information acquired in S402 match (S404). In the process of S404, if the verification result matches (Yes in S404), a normality determination process is executed to determine that the operations of the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 related to the instructions of the light control instruction information are normal (S406). For example, a normal signal indicating that the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 are normal is generated. On the other hand, in the process of S404, if the verification result does not match (No in S404), it is determined that there is a malfunction in the system in which the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 to be verified are combined, and an abnormality determination process is executed (S408). For example, an abnormality signal is generated to indicate that the system is abnormal.

[0068] Then, the result output unit 38d outputs the judgment (verification) result to the corresponding display area of ​​the display unit 42 (S410), and the judgment unit 38c checks whether the judgment (verification) in the system including the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 has been completed a predetermined number of times (S412). For example, if the execution of the judgment using the switches included in the operation switch group 10A to 10D at least once has been completed (Yes in S412), it is judged that the verification of the system including the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 that are the verification target has been completed, and this flow is temporarily terminated. In the process of S412, if the judgment (verification) in the system including the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12 has not been completed a predetermined number of times (No in S412), the process returns to the process of S402, and input instructions are given using other switch combinations, various information is acquired, and the process from S404 onwards is executed.

[0069] In this way, by using the airport lighting system verification device 30 of this embodiment, it is possible to automatically verify whether the airport lighting system 100 (the light operation console 10 and the light control device 12) is functioning normally. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous judgment due to human error, and to contribute to reducing the verification cost during the verification work.

[0070] The airport lighting system verification program realized by the CPU 38 of this embodiment may be configured to be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a digital versatile disk (DVD).

[0071] Furthermore, the airport lighting system verification program of the present embodiment may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the airport lighting system verification program executed in the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0072] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is merely an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiment can be implemented in various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The above embodiment is included in the scope and gist of the invention, and is included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Light control console 10A~10D Operation switches 10E Light indicator group 10F Airport display 12 Light control device 22 Aviation lights 30. Airport Lighting System Verification Device 32,34,38 CPU 32a Operation information generation section 32b Operation signal control section 32c Operation information provision section 32d Display control section 32e,34e Comparison section 34a Operation signal receiving section 34b Airfield Lighting Control Department 34c Light status information generating unit 34d Control Information Section 36 Condition memory section 38a Operation status information acquisition unit 38b Control result information acquisition unit 38c Judgment section 38d Result output section 40 Condition memory section 100 Airport Lighting System

Claims

1. an information acquisition unit that acquires, from a light control console, light control instruction information for setting a light control device that controls the turning on and off of aeronautical lights installed on the surfaces of taxiways and runways in an airport, and acquires light execution result information from the light control device that indicates the result of the turning on and off control of the aeronautical lights based on the light control instruction information; A storage unit that stores correspondence information that associates the light control instruction information with a lighting state of the airfield lighting; A determination unit that determines the validity of the result content of the light execution result information with respect to the instruction content of the light control instruction information by referring to the correspondence information; an output unit that outputs a determination result of the determination unit; An airport lighting system verification device comprising:

2. 2. The airport lighting system verification device according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires operation content information indicating the operation content of the light operation console together with the light control instruction information from the light operation console, and acquires the light control instruction information acquired from the light operation console together with the light execution result information from the light control device.

3. 2. The airport lighting system verification device according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires, together with the light control instruction information, first verification information indicating that the operation content of the light control console and the instruction content of the light control instruction information match, and, together with the light control instruction information, second verification information indicating that the instruction content of the light control instruction information and the result content of the light execution result information match.

4. an information acquisition step of acquiring light control instruction information for setting a light control device that controls the turning on and off of aeronautical lights installed on the surfaces of taxiways and runways in an airport from a light operation console, and acquiring light execution result information indicating the execution result of the turning on and off control of the aeronautical lights based on the light control instruction information from the light control device; a storage step of storing correspondence information that associates the light control instruction information with a lighting state of the airfield lighting; A determination step of determining the validity of the result content of the light execution result information with respect to the instruction content of the light control instruction information by referring to the correspondence information; an output step of outputting a determination result of the determination step; An airport lighting system verification method comprising:

5. 5. The airport lighting system verification method according to claim 4, wherein the information acquisition step acquires operation content information indicating the operation content of the light operating console together with the light control instruction information from the light operating console, and acquires the light control instruction information acquired from the light operating console together with the light execution result information from the light control device.

6. 5. The airport lighting system verification method according to claim 4, wherein the information acquisition step acquires, together with the light control instruction information, first verification information indicating that the operation content of the light control console and the instruction content of the light control instruction information match, and, together with the light control instruction information, second verification information indicating that the instruction content of the light control instruction information and the result content of the light execution result information match.

7. On the computer, an information acquisition step of acquiring light control instruction information for setting a light control device that controls the turning on and off of aeronautical lights installed on the surfaces of taxiways and runways in an airport from a light operation console, and acquiring light execution result information indicating the execution result of the turning on and off control of the aeronautical lights based on the light control instruction information from the light control device; a storage step of storing correspondence information that associates the light control instruction information with a lighting state of the airfield lighting; A determination step of determining the validity of the result content of the light execution result information with respect to the instruction content of the light control instruction information by referring to the correspondence information; an output step of outputting a determination result of the determination step; An airport lighting system verification program that executes the above.

8. The airport lighting system verification program according to claim 7, wherein the information acquisition step acquires operation content information indicating the operation content of the light operation console together with the light control instruction information from the light operation console, and acquires the light control instruction information acquired from the light operation console together with the light execution result information from the light control device.

9. 8. The airport lighting system verification program according to claim 7, wherein the information acquisition step acquires, together with the light control instruction information, first verification information indicating that the operation content of the light control console and the instruction content of the light control instruction information match, and, together with the light control instruction information, second verification information indicating that the instruction content of the light control instruction information and the result content of the light execution result information match.

Images