Wireless communication device and communication system for rail cars

Abstract

To provide a wireless communication device and a communication system for rail cars that enables easy expansion of the network even in existing rail cars.SOLUTION: Optical wireless communicator 11 has a radio wave wireless communication unit 111 and an optical wireless communication unit 112. The radio wave wireless communication unit 111 converts the transmission information contained in the received radio waves into electrical signals and outputs them to the optical wireless communication unit 112, and the optical wireless communication unit 112 converts the transmission information into optical signals and irradiates them to a rail car Tb. The optical wireless communication unit 112 converts the transmission information contained in the optical signals received from the railcar Tb into electrical signals and outputs them to the radio wave wireless communication unit 111, and the radio wave wireless communication unit 111 includes the transmission information in the radio waves and transmits them to a wireless LAN access point 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication device provided in a railway vehicle and a railway vehicle communication system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, display devices have been installed in passenger compartments of railway cars to display, for example, the next stop station, advertisements, etc. This type of display device distributes information to displays in each car from a server installed in, for example, the front car (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-16575 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A system such as that described in Patent Document 1 may be installed when manufacturing a new vehicle, but installing it in an existing vehicle requires modification of the vehicle. In particular, building a network spanning multiple vehicles requires wiring work to the electrical couplers, which increases the implementation cost.

[0005] Furthermore, if a network has already been constructed within a vehicle or a train, it is necessary to connect multiple networks when linking them together to form a train, which requires reconfiguration of the train's network, which is time-consuming.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device and a railway vehicle communication system that enable a network system to be easily added to existing vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention described in claim 1, which has been made to solve the above problem, is a wireless communication device comprising: a radio wave wireless communication unit that receives radio waves from a wireless repeater installed in a railway vehicle and transmits radio waves to the wireless repeater; and an optical wireless communication unit that irradiates an optical signal to another railway vehicle connected to the railway vehicle and receives an optical signal from the other railway vehicle, wherein the radio wave wireless communication unit converts transmission information contained in the received radio waves into an electrical signal and outputs it to the optical wireless communication unit, the optical wireless communication unit converts the transmission information into an optical signal and irradiates it to the other railway vehicle, the optical wireless communication unit converts transmission information contained in the optical signal received from the other railway vehicle into an electrical signal and outputs it to the radio wave wireless communication unit, and the radio wave wireless communication unit includes the transmission information in radio waves and transmits it to the wireless repeater. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the optical wireless communication unit eliminates the need for wiring to the electrical couplers between cars. Furthermore, the radio wireless communication unit eliminates the need for additional wired wiring within the cars. Therefore, it is easy to add a network system to existing cars. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a railway vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is an example of an installation of the optical wireless communication device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the optical wireless communication device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a train consisting of multiple cars. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4. Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a railway vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The railway vehicle communication system is installed in a train in which a plurality of railway cars are coupled together, but Fig. 1 shows only the essential parts thereof.

[0011] The railway vehicle communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an optical wireless communication device 11, a wireless LAN access point 12, in-car display devices 13 and 14, an optical wireless communication device 21, a wireless LAN access point 22, and a video distribution device 23.

[0012] 1, the optical wireless communication device 11, the wireless LAN access point 12, and the in-car display devices 13 and 14 are provided in train formation A. On the other hand, the optical wireless communication device 21, the wireless LAN access point 22, and the video distribution device 23 are provided in train formation B.

[0013] Formation A is made up of one or more cars including at least railway car Ta. In FIG. 1, only railway car Ta is shown as formation A, but formation A may be made up of multiple cars. Formation B is made up of one or more cars including at least railway car Tb. In FIG. 1, only railway car Tb is shown as formation B, but formation B may be made up of multiple cars. Formation A and formation B may be coupled together at a depot, but formation B may also be additionally coupled to formation A at a specified station, for example, during rush hour.

[0014] The optical wireless communication device 11 is provided in railway car Ta that is coupled to formation B, among the railway cars that make up formation A. The optical wireless communication device 11 is provided opposite the optical wireless communication device 21 provided in railway car Tb of formation B. The optical wireless communication device 11 is installed, for example, in a window of railway car Ta that faces railway car Tb. An example of the installation of the optical wireless communication device 11 is shown in Fig. 2.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows an example in which the optical wireless communication device 11 is installed behind (inside the window) a front window of a driver's cab provided at an end of a railway vehicle Ta. As shown in FIG. 2, a front window W is provided above an operation panel 51 in the driver's cab. In the case of FIG. 2, the optical wireless communication device 11 is installed above the front window W. In FIG. 2, the tracks can be seen beyond the front window, and a railway vehicle Tb is not coupled to the driver's cab. However, when constructing the railway vehicle communication system 1, the railway vehicle Tb can be seen through the front window W, and the optical wireless communication device 21 can be observed through the front window of the railway vehicle Tb. The location is not limited to the top of the front window W, and may be any other location as long as it allows transmission and reception of optical signals and does not interfere with the driver's work in the driver's cab.

[0016] 3 shows the functional configuration of the optical wireless communication device 11. The optical wireless communication device 11 includes a radio wave wireless communication unit 111, an optical wireless communication unit 112, and a power supply unit 113.

[0017] The radio wave wireless communication unit 111 performs wireless communication using radio waves as a medium with the wireless LAN access point 12. Specifically, a communication standard for a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) such as IEEE802.11 can be used. As shown in FIG. 3, the radio wave wireless communication unit 111 includes a radio wave receiving unit 111a, a radio wave transmitting unit 111b, and an antenna 111c.

[0018] The radio wave receiving unit 111a receives, via the antenna 111c, radio waves transmitted from the wireless LAN access point 12. The radio wave receiving unit 111a extracts data (transmission information) to be transmitted to the composition B from, for example, an IEEE802.11 frame contained in the received radio waves, and outputs the extracted data to the optical transmitting unit 112a, which will be described later.

[0019] The radio wave transmitting unit 111b receives data (transmission information) output from an optical receiving unit 112b (described later), converts the input data into, for example, an IEEE802.11 frame, and transmits the data as radio waves to the wireless LAN access point 12 via the antenna 111c.

[0020] The optical wireless communication unit 112 performs wireless communication using light, such as infrared light, with the optical wireless communication device 21 provided in the formation B. That is, light is used as a medium to propagate through the free space between the railway cars. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical wireless communication unit 112 includes an optical transmitter 112a and an optical receiver 112b.

[0021] The optical transmitter 112a receives data (transmission information) output from the radio wave receiver 111a. The optical transmitter 112a has a light source such as a light emitting diode, converts the input data into an optical signal, and transmits (irradiates) the optical signal to the optical wireless communication device 21 as, for example, infrared light.

[0022] The optical receiver 112b has a light receiving element such as a photodiode, and receives (receives) for example infrared light transmitted from the optical wireless communication device 21. The optical receiver 112b converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal, extracts data (transmission information) to be transmitted to the network in the formation A (railroad car Ta), and outputs the data to the radio wave transmitter 111b.

[0023] The power supply unit 113 receives power from, for example, a railway vehicle Ta, and supplies power for operating each functional block in the optical wireless communication device 11.

[0024] The wireless LAN access point 12 is a well-known wireless communication device (also called a wireless LAN master) installed in the railway vehicle Ta. The wireless LAN access point 12 performs wireless radio communication with devices capable of wireless communication (optical wireless communication device 11, in-car display devices 13, 14) installed in the railway vehicle Ta, and functions as a wireless repeater that relays communication between these devices.

[0025] The in-car display devices 13, 14 are in-car equipment installed, for example, above the entrance / exit doors in the passenger compartment. The in-car display devices 13, 14 display, for example, the next stop station and advertisements. The in-car display devices 13, 14 are equipped with wireless communication devices (also called wireless LAN slave devices) for wireless communication with the wireless LAN access point 12. The in-car display devices 13, 14 are capable of receiving video data and the like transmitted from the wireless LAN access point 12, storing the data internally, and displaying the data. Note that the in-car display devices 13 and 14 have the same configuration, but are designated by different reference numerals for convenience.

[0026] The optical wireless communication device 21 is provided in railway car Tb that is coupled to formation A, among the railway cars that make up formation B. The optical wireless communication device 21 is provided opposite the optical wireless communication device 11 provided in railway car Ta of formation A. The optical wireless communication device 21 is installed, for example, in a window of railway car Tb that faces railway car Ta. The functional configuration of the optical wireless communication device 21 is similar to that of the optical wireless communication device 11, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0027] The wireless LAN access point 22 is a well-known wireless communication device installed in the railway vehicle Tb. The wireless LAN access point 22 performs wireless communication by radio waves with devices capable of wireless communication (optical wireless communication device 21, video distribution device 23) installed in the railway vehicle Tb. Note that the wireless LAN access point 12 and the wireless LAN access point 22 have the same configuration, but are denoted by different reference numerals for convenience.

[0028] The video distribution device 23 is an in-car facility installed in the railway car Tb, and stores video images such as advertisements to be distributed to the in-car display devices 13, 14. The video distribution device 23 is equipped with a wireless communication device for wireless communication with the wireless LAN access point 22. The video distribution device 23 stores video images from a recording medium or the like connected by wire at, for example, a station or a depot. Alternatively, the video distribution device 23 may obtain and store video images from a server device or the like outside the train via wireless communication while the train is running or stopped.

[0029] Next, the operation of the railway vehicle communication system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to Fig. 1. First, formation A is coupled to formation B in a depot or the like. At this time, the optical wireless communication devices 11 and 21 face each other (they can receive each other's emitted light). Then, the network of formation A (the wireless network of railway vehicle Ta) and the network of formation B (the wireless network of railway vehicle Tb) are connected. Here, the optical wireless communication device 11 is a device that belongs to the network of formation A, and the optical wireless communication device 21 is a device that belongs to the network of formation B. The optical wireless communication device 11 is already in a state where it can communicate with other devices such as the in-car display device 13 in the network of formation A. Meanwhile, the optical wireless communication device 21 is already in a state where it can communicate with other devices such as the video distribution device 23 in the network of formation B.

[0030] One-to-one communication is performed between the optical wireless communication device 11 and the optical wireless communication device 21 by optical signals. At this time, the other party is not particularly identified. In other words, when the optical receiving unit 112b receives a signal that can be demodulated into an electrical signal, communication is performed regardless of the SSID (Service Set IDentifier) ​​or address of the other network (formation). Therefore, neither network is involved in the communication between the vehicles. Therefore, when the formation A and the formation B are coupled, network settings are not required. For example, video data of the video distribution device 23 transmitted from the optical wireless communication device 21 to the optical wireless communication device 11 is treated in the formation A as data transmitted by the optical wireless communication device 11 (radio wave transmitting unit 111b).

[0031] When formations A and B are coupled as described above, the video data distributed from the video distribution device 23 is sent to the in-car display devices 13 and 14 via the wireless LAN access point 22, the optical wireless communication device 21, the optical wireless communication device 11, and the wireless LAN access point 12, and the video data is displayed or stored on the in-car display device 13.

[0032] In this embodiment, the in-car equipment includes the in-car display devices 13 and 14 and the video distribution device 23, but is not limited to these. For example, video data of moving images and still images captured by an in-car monitoring camera that captures the interior of the passenger compartment, or a vehicle-side monitoring camera installed on the side of the car body that captures passengers getting on and off through the entrance and exit doors, may be transmitted. The destination of the transmitted information may be a monitor device installed in the driver's cab and monitored by the driver. Alternatively, an operating signal of an emergency notification device or a door cock may be transmitted. In addition to information visually recognized by passengers and crew, audio information and control information transmitted between devices may also be transmitted.

[0033] In addition, while Fig. 1 shows communication between cars at one location and a wireless network for two cars, it can also be applied to trains with three or more cars. A schematic configuration for three or more cars is shown in Fig. 4.

[0034] Fig. 4 shows an example of a train TR made up of four railway cars T1 to T4. Each of the railway cars T1 to T3 is provided with an optical wireless communication device 11, a wireless LAN access point 12, and an in-car display device 13. The railway car T4 is provided with a video distribution device 23 in addition to the optical wireless communication device 11, the wireless LAN access point 12, and the in-car display device 13. Since the optical wireless communication device 11 and the optical wireless communication device 21 have the same configuration, they are shown in Fig. 4 as the optical wireless communication device 11. Similarly, the wireless LAN access point 12 and the in-car display device 13 are shown with the reference numerals of one of the devices having the same configuration.

[0035] In Fig. 4, dashed lines drawn inside railway cars T1-T4 indicate radio wave wireless communication such as IEEE802.11, and solid lines between railway cars (between optical wireless communication devices 11) indicate optical wireless communication. Note that in Fig. 4, all railway cars constituting the train TR use wireless LAN and optical wireless communication, but this may be the case for only some of the railway cars, such as railway cars T2 and T3.

[0036] 4, the in-car display device 13 may be provided in the railway car T4 in which the video distribution device 23 is provided. In that case, the in-car display device 13 acquires video data via a wireless network in the railway car T4.

[0037] As is clear from the above description, the optical wireless communication devices 11 and 21 function as wireless communication devices according to this embodiment.

[0038] According to this embodiment, the optical wireless communication device 11 includes a radio wave wireless communication unit 111 that receives radio waves from a wireless LAN access point 12 installed in the railway vehicle Ta and transmits radio waves to the wireless LAN access point 12, and an optical wireless communication unit 112 that irradiates an optical signal to a railway vehicle Tb coupled to the railway vehicle Ta and receives an optical signal from the railway vehicle Tb. The radio wave wireless communication unit 111 converts transmission information included in the received radio waves into an electric signal and outputs it to the optical wireless communication unit 112, and the optical wireless communication unit 112 converts the transmission information into an optical signal and irradiates it to the railway vehicle Tb. Furthermore, the optical wireless communication unit 112 converts transmission information included in the optical signal received from the railway vehicle Tb into an electric signal and outputs it to the radio wave wireless communication unit 111, and the radio wave wireless communication unit 111 transmits the transmission information to the wireless LAN access point 12 by including it in radio waves.

[0039] With the optical wireless communication device 11 configured as described above, the optical wireless communication unit 112 eliminates the need for wiring to electrical couplers between railway cars. Furthermore, the radio wireless communication unit 111 eliminates the need for additional wired wiring within the railway car. Therefore, it is easy to add a network system to existing cars.

[0040] In addition, because optical wireless communication is used between cars, even if the connected device changes and the network configuration of the entire train changes, there is no need to change settings, and communication is possible instantly.

[0041] Furthermore, since the optical wireless communication device 11 is provided, for example, on the front window W of the driver's cab of the railway vehicle Ta, it is possible to communicate over the shortest distance with the optical wireless communication device 21 provided on the other railway vehicle Tb to which it is coupled. This makes it possible to minimize the influence of the external environment, such as weather, and ensure the reliability of communication. Furthermore, since the optical wireless communication device 11 is provided indoors, it is not necessary to provide weather resistance, such as waterproofing, and maintenance is easy to perform.

[0042] The railway vehicle communication system 1 also includes an optical wireless communication device 11, a wireless LAN access point 12, and, for example, an in-car display device 13. The optical wireless communication device 11 performs optical wireless communication with the railway vehicle Tb, and performs radio-wave wireless communication within the railway vehicle Ta. In this manner, it is possible to build a network without installing wired wiring within the railway vehicle Ta. This makes it possible to easily add a network system to an existing vehicle.

[0043] In addition, since the in-car display device 13 is provided above the entrance door of the passenger compartment of the railway vehicle Ta, moving image data and the like to be displayed on the in-car display device 13 can be obtained by wireless communication. Therefore, when the in-car display device 13 is newly installed or added to an existing vehicle, there is no need to lay wires, making it easy to retrofit the in-car display device.

[0044] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. In other words, a person skilled in the art can implement the present invention by modifying it in various ways in accordance with conventional knowledge without departing from the gist of the present invention. As long as the configuration of the wireless communication device and the railway vehicle communication system of the present invention is still included in the scope of the present invention even if such modifications are made. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1. Railway vehicle communication system 11 Optical wireless communication equipment (wireless communication device) 111 Radio Communication Department 112 Optical Wireless Communication Section 12 Wireless LAN access point (wireless repeater) 13 In-car display devices (in-car equipment, display devices) 21 Optical wireless communication device (wireless communication device) 22 Wireless LAN access point (wireless repeater) 23 Video distribution device (in-vehicle equipment) Ta railway vehicle Tb Railroad vehicles (other railroad vehicles)

Claims

1. a radio wave wireless communication unit that receives radio waves from a radio repeater installed in the railway vehicle and transmits radio waves to the radio repeater; an optical wireless communication unit that irradiates an optical signal to another railway vehicle coupled to the railway vehicle and receives an optical signal from the other railway vehicle; the radio wave wireless communication unit converts transmission information included in the received radio waves into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal to the optical wireless communication unit, and the optical wireless communication unit converts the transmission information into an optical signal and irradiates the optical signal to the other railway vehicle; the optical wireless communication unit converts transmission information included in the optical signal received from the other railway vehicle into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal to the radio wireless communication unit, and the radio wireless communication unit transmits the transmission information to the radio repeater by including the transmission information in a radio wave.

23. A wireless communication device comprising:

2. 2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is provided on a front window of a driver's cab of the railway vehicle.

3. A wireless communication device according to claim 1 or 2; The wireless repeater; an on-board facility capable of wirelessly communicating with the wireless repeater via radio waves, the on-board facility being provided in the railway vehicle; having the wireless communication device performs wireless communication by optical communication with the other railway vehicle and performs wireless communication by radio wave within the railway vehicle; A railway vehicle communication system comprising:

4. 4. The railway vehicle communication system according to claim 3, wherein the on-board equipment includes a display device provided above an entrance door of a passenger compartment of the railway vehicle.

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