Information display device

Abstract

To suppress an increase in installation cost of a control panel while securing the redundancy of a display system of operation information.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an information display device includes a first information acquisition part, a second information acquisition part, a first display part, a second display part, and control means. The first information acquisition part acquires first operation information related to instrument data from a sensor group installed on a railroad vehicle. The second information acquisition part acquires second operation information being a part of the first operation information and monitoring information related to equipment data of the railroad vehicle from the sensor group. The first display part displays the first operation information acquired by the first information acquisition part. The second display part displays the monitoring information acquired by the second information acquisition part. The control means displays the second operation information acquired by the second information acquisition part in the first display part or the second display part when the first operation information acquired by the first information acquisition part cannot be displayed in the first display part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information display device to be installed in a driver's cab of a railway vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] The driver's cab of a railway vehicle is equipped with various displays that display driving information necessary for driving the vehicle, such as a speedometer, an overhead line voltage meter, and a pressure gauge (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, in recent years, monitor devices that display monitoring information including vehicle data and images acquired by various sensors and cameras installed inside and outside the vehicle are often installed in the driver's cab (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-325981 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-35362 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, because the display system for operation information is an important piece of equipment, it is common to provide redundancy, which means that it is necessary to install duplicate information acquisition units and display screens to acquire operation information, which increases the cost of constructing the driver's cab.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an information display device that can suppress an increase in installation costs for the driver's cab while ensuring redundancy in the display system for operation information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information display device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first information acquisition unit, a second information acquisition unit, a first display unit, a second display unit, and a control unit. The first information acquisition unit acquires first operation information related to instrument data from a group of sensors installed on the railway vehicle. The second information acquisition unit acquires, from the group of sensors, second operation information that is a part of the first operation information, and monitoring information related to equipment data of the railway vehicle. The first display unit displays the first operating information acquired by the first information acquisition unit. The second display unit displays the monitoring information acquired by the second information acquisition unit. When the control means cannot display the first driving information acquired by the first information acquisition unit on the first display unit, it displays the second driving information acquired by the second information acquisition unit on the first display unit or the second display unit.

[0007] In the above-mentioned information display device, the second information acquisition unit and the second display unit that constitute the display system for monitoring information are also used as a display system for operation information, thereby ensuring redundancy in the display system for operation information while suppressing increases in the installation costs of the driver's cab.

[0008] The second information acquisition unit may be configured to transmit the second driving information to both the first display unit and the second display unit.

[0009] The control means may be configured to execute a first display control to cause the first display unit to display the second driving information acquired by the second information acquisition unit when it determines that the first display unit cannot receive the first driving information from the first information acquisition unit.

[0010] The control means is provided on the first display unit, determines whether the first driving information has been received from the first information acquisition unit, and when it determines that the first driving information cannot be received, causes the first display unit to display the second driving information acquired by the second information acquisition unit.

[0011] The first display unit may have a normal display mode in which the first driving information is displayed, and an alternative display mode in which the second driving information is displayed in a display manner that is simpler than the display manner in the normal display mode when the first display control is executed.

[0012] The control means may be configured to execute a second display control to cause the second display unit to display the second driving information acquired by the second information acquisition unit together with the monitoring information when the first display unit cannot display the first driving information transmitted from the first information acquisition unit.

[0013] The control means may comprise a manual switch and a controller. The control device is provided on the second display unit, and causes the second operating information acquired by the second information acquisition unit based on the switching operation of the manual switch to be displayed on the second display unit together with the monitoring information.

[0014] The second display unit may have a normal display mode in which the monitoring information is displayed, and an alternative display mode in which the monitoring information is displayed in a display manner that is simpler than the display manner in the normal display mode when the second display control is executed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the information display device of the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in installation costs for the driver's cab while ensuring redundancy in the display system for operation information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a railway vehicle equipped with an information display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information display device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one operation of the information display device. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in a normal display mode of a first display unit (instrument display screen) in the information display device. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in an alternative display mode of a first display unit (instrument display screen) in the information display device. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another function of the information display device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in a normal display mode on a second display unit (monitor screen) of the information display device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in an alternative display mode on a second display unit (monitor screen) of the information display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] 1 is a schematic diagram of a railway vehicle 100 equipped with an information display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The railway vehicle 100 includes a lead vehicle 1 and one or more intermediate vehicles 2 coupled to the lead vehicle 1.

[0019] The leading vehicle 1 includes a driver's cab 10, a first information acquisition unit 21, a second information acquisition unit 22, a relay device 23A, and the like.

[0020] The cab 10 has various display units, which will be described later, as well as operating devices such as a master controller operated by the driver. The first information acquisition unit 21 and the second information acquisition unit 22 acquire various sensor information from the relay device 23A. The relay device 23A collects detection signals from a group of sensors installed in the lead car 1 and transmits the sensor information to the first information acquisition unit 21 and the second information acquisition unit 22. The group of sensors includes various instruments 24, such as a speedometer, a voltmeter, and a pressure gauge, installed in the lead car 1, as well as a camera 25 that acquires images of the inside and outside of the lead car 1. The relay device 23A may be configured as a part of each of the first information acquisition unit 21 and the second information acquisition unit 22.

[0021] The intermediate car 2 is equipped with a relay device 23B. The relay device 23B collects detection signals from a group of sensors (instruments 24, cameras 25) installed in the intermediate car 2 and transmits them to the relay device 23A in the lead car 1. The intermediate car 2 may be made up of a plurality of cars. In this case, the relay device 23B further has the function of receiving detection signals from a group of sensors installed in other intermediate cars (detection signals collected by the relay devices installed in the other intermediate cars) and transmitting them to the relay device 23A in the lead car 1.

[0022] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information display device 30 according to this embodiment. The information display device 30 includes an instrument display screen 11 (first display unit), a monitor screen 12 (second display unit), a first information acquisition unit 21, a second information acquisition unit 22, and a control device 31.

[0023] 2, the first information acquisition unit 21 acquires, via a relay device 23A, first operation information S1 related to instrument data from a group of sensors (instruments 24) installed on the railway vehicle 100. Here, the group of sensors refers to a group of sensors installed not only on the lead vehicle 1 but also on all vehicles including the intermediate vehicle 2 (the same applies hereinafter).

[0024] The second information acquisition unit 22 acquires second driving information S2, which is part of the first driving information S1, and monitoring information MS related to the equipment data of the railway vehicle 100 from a group of sensors (instruments 24, cameras 25) via a relay device 23A.

[0025] Examples of the first operation information S1 include a speed signal, a control voltage, a direct air pipe pressure, a brake cylinder pressure, a brake pipe pressure, a source air failure pressure, a notch signal, an ATS (Automatic Train Stop) brake pattern signal, an ATS operation signal (part), an ATS speed limit signal, an equipment operation signal (part), etc. The signal format of these pieces of information may be an analog signal or a digital signal.

[0026] The second operation information S2 is a part of the various signals described above, and the type of information is not particularly limited, but it may include the minimum information necessary for operating the railway vehicle 100. Specific examples include speed signals, control voltages, direct air pipe pressures, brake cylinder pressures, main air failure pressures, notch signals, ATS operation signals (partial), ATS speed limit signals, equipment operation signals (partial), etc.

[0027] Examples of the monitoring information MS include monitoring images of the inside and outside of the vehicle acquired by cameras 25 installed in each vehicle, information indicating the operating status of the interior of the passenger compartment of each vehicle that makes up the railway vehicle 100 (doors, air conditioning, lighting, etc.), and monitoring data indicating the operating status of various devices necessary for the operation of the railway vehicle 100. The signal format of this information may be an analog signal or a digital signal.

[0028] The instrument display screen 11 and the monitor screen 12 constitute the various display units installed in the cab 10. The instrument display screen 11 is connected to a first information acquisition unit 21 and a second information acquisition unit 22 by wire or wirelessly. The monitor screen 12 is connected to the second information acquisition unit 22 by wire or wirelessly. The instrument display screen 11 is normally configured to display first operating information S1 acquired by the first information acquisition unit 21. The monitor screen 12 is normally configured to display monitoring information MS acquired by the second information acquisition unit 22.

[0029] The control device 31 is configured to be able to display the second operating information S2 acquired by the second information acquisition unit 22 on the instrument display screen 11 or the monitor screen 12 when the first operating information S1 acquired by the first information acquisition unit 21 cannot be displayed on the instrument display screen 11.

[0030] Here, the case where the second operating information S1 cannot be displayed on the instrument display screen 11 includes a case where the first operating information S1 cannot be received due to a malfunction of the first information acquisition unit 21, or a case where the first operating information S1 cannot be received and displayed due to a malfunction of the instrument display screen 11. Below, these cases will be explained separately.

[0031] (1) When the instrument display screen 11 cannot receive the first operating information S1 due to a failure of the first information acquisition unit 21.

[0032] 3, for example, when the first information acquisition unit 21 breaks down due to some abnormality, it may become impossible to transmit the first operation information S1 to the instrument display screen 11. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the control device 31 determines that the instrument display screen 11 cannot receive the first operation information S1 from the first information acquisition unit 21, the control device 31 executes control (first display control) to display the second operation information S2 acquired by the second information acquisition unit 22 on the instrument display screen 11. As a result, operation information related to the instrument data is always displayed on the instrument display screen 11, making it possible to continue operation of the railway vehicle 100.

[0033] The control device 31 corresponds to the "control means" in the present invention. The control device 31 is configured by a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. Instead of the CPU, a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. may be used.

[0034] The control device 31 may be configured as an independent device, or may be a control unit 31A (see FIG. 3) incorporated into the instrument display screen 11. This makes it possible to easily determine whether or not the first operating information S1 has been received on the instrument display screen 11 without increasing the number of devices.

[0035] In this embodiment, the second information acquisition unit 22 is configured to transmit the second operating information S2 to both the instrument display screen 11 and the monitor screen 12. Normally, when the first information acquisition unit 21 is functioning normally, the control device 31 (control unit 31A; the same applies hereinafter) receives only the first operating information S1 transmitted from the first information acquisition unit 21 and displays the contents thereof on the instrument display screen 11. On the other hand, when the control device 31 determines that it cannot receive the first operating information S1, it receives the second operating information S2 transmitted from the second information acquisition unit 22 and displays the contents thereof on the instrument display screen 11.

[0036] This makes it possible to quickly receive the second operating information S2 from the second information acquisition unit 22 even if there is a problem with reception of the first operating information S1, thereby preventing the instrument data from not being displayed on the instrument display screen 11 and preventing a period of time during which the instrument data is not displayed on the instrument display screen 11 from occurring, thereby making it possible to provide the driver with the necessary instrument information at all times.

[0037] More specifically, in this embodiment, the control device 31 has a judgment unit that judges whether or not the first driving information S1 has been received from the first information acquisition unit 21, and a display control unit that displays the second driving information S2 acquired by the second information acquisition unit 22 on the instrument display screen 11 when it is determined that the first driving information S1 cannot be received.

[0038] The first driving information S1 and the second driving information S2 have different amounts of information, and in this embodiment, the second driving information S2 has a smaller amount of information than the first driving information S1. Therefore, the manner in which the first driving information S1 is displayed on the instrument display screen 11 differs from the manner in which the second driving information S2 is displayed on the instrument display screen 11.

[0039] Therefore, in this embodiment, the instrument display screen 11 has a normal display mode in which the first operating information S1 is displayed, and an alternative display mode in which the second operating information S2 is displayed in a display manner that is simpler than the display manner in the normal display mode when the first display control is executed.

[0040] As an example, FIG. 4 shows an image displayed on the instrument display screen 11 in the normal display mode, and FIG. 5 shows an image displayed on the instrument display screen 11 in the alternative display mode.

[0041] 4 and 5, the instrument display screen 11 in the alternative display mode is a display mode in which the display content is simplified compared to the normal display mode. The display layout of each instrument data may be different between the normal display mode and the alternative display mode, but in this embodiment, the alternative display mode is set based on the layout of the normal display mode, and information that is lacking in the alternative display mode is omitted from display. This makes it possible to present necessary operating information to crew members such as drivers without causing confusion, while also making them visually aware that a malfunction has occurred in the first information acquisition unit 21.

[0042] (2) When the first operating information S1 cannot be received and displayed due to a malfunction of the instrument display screen 11.

[0043] 6, for example, when the instrument screen display unit 11 breaks down due to some abnormality, it may become impossible to display the first operation information S1 on the instrument display screen 11. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the instrument display screen 11 cannot display the first operation information S1 transmitted from the first information acquisition unit 21, the control device 31 executes control (second display control) to display the second operation information S2 acquired by the second information acquisition unit 22 together with the monitoring information MS on the monitor screen 12. As a result, operation information related to the instrument data is displayed on the monitor screen 12, making it possible to continue operation of the railway vehicle 100.

[0044] If the instrument display screen 11 fails to display driving information, the driver can recognize the failure of the instrument display screen 11. Therefore, in this embodiment, a manual switch 32 is provided for switching the display of driving information from the instrument display screen 11 to the monitor screen 12, and the display of driving information is switched from the instrument display screen 11 to the monitor screen 12 by the driver operating the manual switch 32.

[0045] The manual switch 32 is typically a physical switch such as a toggle switch installed in the cab 10, but is not limited to this and may be a software switch displayed on the monitor screen 12. The manual switch 32, together with the control device 31, corresponds to the "control means" in the present invention.

[0046] The control device 31 may be configured as an independent device, or may be a control unit 31B (see FIG. 6) incorporated into the instrument display screen 11, or may be mounted on the second information acquisition unit 22. This allows the operating information S1 to be displayed on the monitor screen 12 without increasing the number of devices.

[0047] In this embodiment, the second information acquisition unit 22 is configured to constantly transmit the second operating information S2 together with the monitoring information MS to the monitor screen 12. When the manual switch 32 is normally in a switching position for when the instrument display screen 11 is normal, the control device 31 (control unit 31B; the same applies hereinafter) receives only the monitoring information MS transmitted from the second information acquisition unit 22 and displays its contents on the monitor screen 12. On the other hand, when the instrument display screen 11 cannot display the first operating information S1 (when the manual switch 32 is switched), the control device 31 receives the second operating information S2 transmitted from the second information acquisition unit 22 and displays its contents on the monitor screen 12.

[0048] This makes it possible to display the second operating information S2 on the monitor screen 12 even if a malfunction occurs in the instrument display screen 11, thereby preventing the driver from being unable to be provided with the instrument information necessary for driving and ensuring the safe operation of the railway vehicle 100.

[0049] Since only the monitoring information MS is normally displayed on the monitor screen 12, the state when only the monitoring information S2 is displayed on the monitor screen 12 differs from the state when the second operating information S2 is displayed together with the monitoring information MS on the monitor screen 12. Therefore, in this embodiment, the monitor screen 12 has a normal display mode in which the monitoring information MS is displayed, and an alternative display mode in which the monitoring information MS is displayed in a display state that is simpler than the display state in the normal display mode when the second display control is executed.

[0050] As an example, FIG. 7 shows an image displayed on the monitor screen 12 in the normal display mode, and FIG. 8 shows an image displayed on the monitor screen 12 in the alternative display mode.

[0051] 7, the monitor screen 12 in normal display mode displays the type of railway vehicle 100 (express), destination, current time, distance traveled, malfunctioning vehicles, the door open / close status of each vehicle, the status of monitored equipment, the next stop, etc. Also, tabs for switching screens are displayed at the bottom, and the driver can operate them to display the corresponding screens.

[0052] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 8, in the alternative display mode, the monitor screen 12 omits display of the next stop and displays operation information (corresponding to the second operation information S2) related to the speed, MR pressure (main air pressure), and BC pressure (brake cylinder pressure) in its display area. In this way, even if the instrument display screen 11 becomes unable to display due to a malfunction, the monitor screen 12 displays the minimum amount of operation information, thereby ensuring the safe operation of the railway vehicle 100.

[0053] As described above, according to this embodiment, the second information acquisition unit 22 and the monitor screen 12 that constitute the display system for the monitoring information MS are each used in combination as a display system for the operation information, so that it is possible to suppress an increase in the installation cost of the cab 10 while ensuring redundancy in the display system for the operation information.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the instrument display screen 11 has a normal display mode and a simplified alternative display mode, so that the driver can be made aware of a malfunction of the information display device 30 by switching from the normal display mode to the alternative display mode.

[0055] Similarly, since the monitor screen 12 has a normal display mode and a simplified alternative display mode, even if the instrument display screen 11 loses its function, the monitoring information that should originally be displayed on the monitor screen 12 can be retained while simultaneously displaying driving information such as speed, ensuring safe operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10...Driver's cab 11...Instrument display screen (first display section) 12...Monitor screen (second display) 21...First information acquisition unit 22...Second information acquisition unit 30...Information display device 31...Control device 31A, 31B...Control section 32...Manual switch 100...Railway vehicles S1...First operation information S2: Second operating information MS…Monitoring information

Claims

1. a first information acquisition unit that acquires first operation information related to instrument data from a group of sensors installed in the railway vehicle; a second information acquisition unit that acquires, from the sensor group, second operation information that is a part of the first operation information and monitoring information related to equipment data of the railway vehicle; a first display unit that displays the first driving information acquired by the first information acquisition unit; a second display unit that displays the monitoring information acquired by the second information acquisition unit; a control means for displaying the second driving information acquired by the second information acquisition unit on the first display unit or the second display unit when the first driving information acquired by the first information acquisition unit cannot be displayed on the first display unit; An information display device comprising:

2. The information display device according to claim 1 , The second information acquisition unit transmits the second driving information to both the first display unit and the second display unit. Information display device.

3. The information display device according to claim 2, The control means executes a first display control for causing the first display unit to display the second driving information acquired by the second information acquisition unit when it is determined that the first display unit cannot receive the first driving information from the first information acquisition unit. Information display device.

4. The information display device according to claim 3, The control means is provided on the first display unit, and determines whether the first driving information is received from the first information acquisition unit, and when it is determined that the first driving information cannot be received, causes the first display unit to display the second driving information acquired by the second information acquisition unit. Information display device.

5. The information display device according to claim 3, The first display unit has a normal display mode in which the first driving information is displayed, and an alternative display mode in which the second driving information is displayed in a display manner that is simpler than the display manner in the normal display mode when the first display control is executed. Information display device.

6. The information display device according to claim 2, The control means executes a second display control for causing the second display unit to display the second operating information acquired by the second information acquisition unit together with the monitoring information when the first display unit cannot display the first operating information transmitted from the first information acquisition unit. Information display device.

7. 7. The information display device according to claim 6, The control means Manual switch and a control device provided in the second display unit and configured to cause the second operating information acquired by the second information acquisition unit based on a switching operation of the manual switch to be displayed on the second display unit together with the monitoring information. Information display device.

8. 7. The information display device according to claim 6, The second display unit has a normal display mode in which the monitoring information is displayed, and an alternative display mode in which the monitoring information is displayed in a display manner that is simpler than the display manner in the normal display mode when the second display control is executed. Information display device.

Images