Railroad vehicle information communication system

Abstract

To provide a railroad vehicle information communication system capable of providing more appropriate information while reducing a burden on a crew in a railroad vehicle.SOLUTION: A railroad vehicle information communication system 1 comprises: a directive loudspeaker 13 which is installed in a passenger compartment of a railroad vehicle T, and transmits a predetermined ID to the inside of the passenger compartment; a smartphone 30 which includes an ID information reception unit 31a for receiving the ID transmitted from the directive loudspeaker 13, a request unit 31b for requesting information from a cloud server 20 based on the ID received by the ID information reception unit 31a, and an information display unit 31c for displaying the information transmitted from the cloud server 20; and the cloud server 20 including a communication unit 21 for acquiring information to be provided to passengers of the railroad vehicle T, and transmitting the information to the smartphone 30 in response to a request of the smartphone 30. The ID is an emergency ID indicating an emergency of the railroad vehicle T. The information is emergency information about the railroad vehicle T.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information and communication system for railway vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, it has become possible to convey necessary information to passengers using video devices such as in-car displays installed inside trains.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for displaying information about the platform of a station where a train is scheduled to arrive on a video device. Patent Document 1 also makes it possible to display emergency information such as earthquakes and accidents. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-95105 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the invention described in Patent Document 1, in order to display emergency information, the crew must operate a button to display the message. However, when an emergency occurs, the crew often has to respond by checking the situation and contacting the train operation command, so it is preferable to reduce the burden on the crew.

[0006] Furthermore, the invention described in Patent Document 1 displays preset messages, and is unable to provide detailed information tailored to individual emergency situations. Furthermore, there are concerns that the display content may be difficult to see on video devices installed inside the passenger compartment depending on passenger position and congestion.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a railway vehicle information and communication system that can provide more appropriate information while reducing the burden on train crew members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The invention described in claim 1, which was made to solve the above problem, is an information and communication system for railway vehicles comprising: a transmitting device installed in a passenger compartment of a railway vehicle and transmitting specified identification information into the passenger compartment; a terminal device comprising: a receiving unit that receives the identification information transmitted from the transmitting device; a request unit that requests information from a server device based on the identification information received by the receiving unit; and a display unit that displays the information transmitted from the server device; and the server device comprising: an acquiring unit that acquires information to be provided to passengers of the railway vehicle; and a transmitting unit that transmits the information to the terminal device in response to a request from the terminal device, wherein the identification information is identification information that indicates an emergency situation for the railway vehicle, and the information is emergency information to be notified to passengers on board the railway vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a terminal device that receives identification information indicating an emergency situation can acquire and display emergency information from a server device. Because of this configuration, if a driver contacts an operation command center, the operation command center can register the content of the emergency information in the server device, eliminating the need for the driver to operate a display device. Furthermore, the operation command center can register appropriate information according to the content of the contact. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a railway vehicle information and communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a functional block diagram of the railway vehicle information and communication system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the railway vehicle T as seen from above. [Figure 4] 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the railway vehicle information and communication system shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a railway vehicle information and communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] The railway vehicle information and communication system 1 includes an in-car display device 10, a cloud server 20, and a smartphone 30.

[0013] The interior display 10 is provided in the upper part of the interior of the railway vehicle T (near the door) of the door that serves as the entrance and exit to the passenger compartment. Although only one interior display 10 is shown in FIG. 1, the number is not limited to one. For example, it may be provided near multiple entrance and exit doors. Also, while FIG. 1 shows only one railway vehicle T, it goes without saying that it may be a railway vehicle consisting of multiple connected cars. In other words, the interior display 10 is a display device provided above the entrance and exit door, and multiple interior display devices may be installed in different positions within the passenger compartment of the railway vehicle T.

[0014] In FIG. 1, cloud server 20 is provided outside railway vehicle T (although it may be provided by railway vehicle T). Cloud server 20 is configured as a well-known server device (server computer), and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, storage devices such as a hard disk, a communication interface, etc.

[0015] The smartphone 30 is a well-known portable terminal device, and in this embodiment, is carried by a passenger of the railway vehicle T. Note that, although the smartphone 30 is described as the terminal device in this embodiment, any terminal device that can be carried or operated by a passenger may be used, such as a tablet or notebook PC (Personal Computer).

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the in-vehicle display device 10, the cloud server 20, and the smartphone 30 shown in FIG.

[0017] The in-car display 10 includes a control unit 11, a transmission unit 12, and a directional speaker 13. The control unit 11 is responsible for overall control of the in-car display 10. The control unit 11 also includes an ID setting unit 11a that stores an ID, which will be described later. The ID set in the ID setting unit 11a is, for example, an emergency ID (identification information) that indicates that an emergency (emergency situation) has occurred in the railway vehicle T. In other words, the emergency ID is identification information that indicates an emergency situation for the railway vehicle T.

[0018] It should be noted that the emergency situation (special situation) in this embodiment is not limited to an incident involving the railway vehicle T itself, such as an accident or breakdown of the railway vehicle T, a fire inside the vehicle, or an incident. For example, it includes a disaster such as an earthquake or a fire in an area along the railway line, an emergency situation on a nearby train, or other situation that is not directly related to the railway vehicle T but requires measures other than normal operation, such as temporary suspension.

[0019] It should be noted that an ID other than an emergency ID may be set. For example, a normal ID based on the train's running position, door position, etc. may be set, and the normal ID may be used in situations other than emergencies. In other words, there may be cases where multiple IDs are set in the ID setting unit 11a.

[0020] The transmitter 12 converts the ID output from the controller 11 into an acoustic signal and outputs it to the directional speaker 13. When converting the ID into an acoustic signal, the transmitter 12 converts (modulates) it into an acoustic signal in a frequency band higher than the audible frequency band. By using such an acoustic signal in a frequency band higher than the audible frequency band, the ID can be superimposed on the guidance voice or the like output from the directional speaker 13. Furthermore, since the acoustic signal is in a frequency band higher than the audible frequency band, passengers will not hear the sound of the ID transmission even if the ID is transmitted when no voice is being output from the directional speaker 13. Therefore, it is possible to transmit the ID continuously or at any timing.

[0021] The directional speaker 13 outputs (emits sound) the acoustic signal output from the transmitter 12 as acoustic communication to a predetermined range within the passenger compartment. That is, the directional speaker 13 is installed in the passenger compartment of the railway vehicle T and functions as a transmitting device that transmits an ID (predetermined identification information) within the passenger compartment.

[0022] The directional speaker 13 only needs to have a directivity that allows it to transmit the ID to, for example, the interior of the passenger compartment near the door where the in-car display 10 is installed. An example of the directivity of the directional speaker 13 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view seen from above of a railway vehicle T. In Fig. 3, doors D1 to D8 are provided on both longitudinal side surfaces of the railway vehicle T. As described above, an interior display 10 (directional speaker 13) is installed above each of the doors D1 to D8. Note that in Fig. 3, interior equipment other than the doors D1 to D8 and the directional speaker 13 is omitted.

[0024] 3, each directional speaker 13 transmits an ID within a predetermined range (the area surrounded by a dashed line). Therefore, for example, a passenger near door D2 can receive only the corresponding ID, and therefore, a passenger will not receive multiple IDs.

[0025] In this embodiment, the directional speaker 13 is configured assuming that IDs other than the emergency ID may also be transmitted, but if only the emergency ID is to be transmitted, a non-directional speaker may be used. This is because, while a normal ID may be used to change the information provided depending on the door position, the emergency ID does not need to be changed depending on the door position. Furthermore, the directional speaker 13 (or a non-directional speaker) is not limited to being included in the in-vehicle display 10, and may be installed independently on the ceiling, wall, etc. of the passenger compartment.

[0026] Cloud server 20 includes a communication unit 21, a selection unit 22, and a content storage unit 23. Communication unit 21 communicates with smartphone 30 and a command center 50 (see FIG. 1) described later via a network such as a mobile phone network or the Internet.

[0027] The communication unit 21 functions as, for example, a communication interface or the like, and communicates with the smartphone 30 and the control center 50 via the Internet or the like. In this embodiment, the communication unit 21 receives request information (ID) transmitted from the smartphone 30, and transmits content selected by the selection unit 22 to the smartphone 30. The communication unit 21 also receives emergency information (described later) transmitted from the control center 50, and stores the received emergency information in the content storage unit 23. That is, the communication unit 21 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires information to be provided to passengers of the railway vehicle, and as a transmission unit that transmits information to the terminal device in response to a request from the terminal device.

[0028] The selection unit 22 is, for example, a computer program executed by a CPU or the like, and selects content from the content storage unit 23 based on request information received by the communication unit 21. This request information includes an ID such as an emergency ID. That is, the selection unit 22 selects railway information based on the identification information.

[0029] The content storage unit 23 functions as, for example, a hard disk or the like, and stores the content selected by the selection unit 22. The content in this embodiment is, for example, detailed information about an emergency that has occurred in or is related to the railway vehicle T (emergency information). This emergency information is set, for example, by an operation commander at the control center 50 who receives a communication from a crew member C (see FIG. 1) of the railway vehicle T via train radio or the like, based on the communication content. In other words, the content storage unit 23 functions as a storage unit that stores railway information to be provided to passengers of the railway vehicle.

[0030] In this embodiment, an application 31 is installed on the smartphone 30. The application 31 includes an ID information receiving unit 31a, a request unit 31b, and an information display unit 31c.

[0031] The ID information receiving unit 31a receives, via a microphone or the like, the ID transmitted by acoustic communication from the directional speaker 13. That is, the ID information receiving unit 31a functions as a receiving unit that receives identification information transmitted from a transmitting device.

[0032] The request unit 31b transmits request information based on the ID received by the ID information receiving unit 31a to the cloud server 20. That is, the request unit 31b functions as a request unit that requests railway information from the server device based on the identification information received by the receiving unit.

[0033] The information display unit 31c receives the content (emergency information) transmitted from the cloud server 20 and displays it on a screen, etc. That is, the information display unit 31c functions as a display unit that displays the information transmitted from the server device.

[0034] The railway vehicle T is also provided with a monitor device 14. The monitor device 14 is connected to each interior display 10 via an in-car network. The monitor device 14 instructs each interior display 10 to switch the display, etc., based on train position information, door opening / closing information, etc. The monitor device 14 also causes a communication device or the like (not shown) mounted on the railway vehicle T to transmit train running position information to the cloud server 20. Furthermore, the monitor device 14 receives a signal (emergency signal) instructing the transmission of an ID indicating an emergency situation, which is transmitted from the cloud server 20 as described below, and instructs the interior display 10 to transmit an emergency ID indicating an emergency situation based on the emergency signal. Note that, in the case of a train consisting of multiple cars, it is sufficient to provide one monitor device 14 per train.

[0035] Next, the operation of the railway vehicle information and communication system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 4. First, as a premise of Fig. 4, when an emergency such as an accident or vehicle breakdown occurs, for example, a crew member C of railway vehicle T contacts the control center 50 in response to an operation command via train radio or the like.

[0036] The operation command received from crew member C registers emergency information in the cloud server 20. Specifically, the emergency information is input from a terminal installed in the command center 50 and transmitted to the cloud server 20 (S1). The cloud server 20 stores the received emergency information in the content storage unit 23. The emergency information may be registered when an emergency occurs, or information according to the type of emergency may be registered in advance and selected according to the content of the emergency. It is preferable that the emergency information is not simply a simple message such as "The service is temporarily stopped due to an accident," but is as detailed as possible in line with the message from crew member C.

[0037] Next, when the cloud server 20 receives the emergency information from the operation command, it stores the emergency information in the content storage unit 23 as described above, and transmits an emergency signal to the monitor device 14 of the train set (railroad car T) (S2). This emergency signal preferably includes information indicating a general type of emergency, such as an accident, breakdown, or disaster (earthquake, fire, etc.).

[0038] Next, the monitor device 14 transmits the emergency signal received from the cloud server 20 to the in-car display 10 of each car (S3).

[0039] Next, when the in-vehicle display device 10 receives the emergency information, it switches the ID output from the directional speaker 13 to an emergency ID and transmits it (S4). It is preferable to continuously transmit this emergency ID after receiving the emergency information until a command such as cancellation is received. The in-vehicle display device 10 also displays information in the vehicle according to the emergency guidance (emergency signal) (S5). Specifically, the content to be displayed on the display screen or the like is selected from data stored internally in advance and displayed according to the type of emergency contained in the received emergency signal. The content displayed on the in-vehicle display device 10 may be simpler than the emergency information.

[0040] Next, the ID information receiving unit 31a of the smartphone 30 (passenger smartphone) receives the emergency ID transmitted from the in-car display 10, and the request unit 31b requests information corresponding to the received emergency ID (received ID) from the cloud server 20 (S6). In response to the request from the smartphone 30, the cloud server 20 transmits the emergency information stored in the content storage unit 23 in S1 to the smartphone 30 (S7). By including train identification information such as the train number of the railway car T (relevant formation) in the information requested from the smartphone 30 to the cloud server 20, the selection unit 22 can select emergency information corresponding to the formation.

[0041] When the smartphone 30 receives the emergency information from the cloud server 20, the information display unit 31c displays the emergency information on the screen of the smartphone 30 (S8). The emergency information is more detailed than the information displayed on the in-car display 10, so passengers can obtain the detailed information from the smartphone 30 even if they are in a position where they cannot see the in-car display 10.

[0042] The emergency information may be updated after being stored in the cloud server 20 in S2. For example, by updating the emergency information when crew member C reports a follow-up to the train operation command, it becomes possible to notify passengers of the latest information at any time. When updating, the emergency ID is not changed. In other words, only the emergency information provided from the cloud server 20 to the smartphone 30 is changed while the ID remains the same. In other words, the communication unit 21 also functions as an update unit that enables information to be updated from outside the railway vehicle.

[0043] Furthermore, emergency information may be registered or updated from within the railway vehicle T. For example, the crew member C may input the emergency information and transmit it to the cloud server 20 via the monitor device 14. The communication unit 21 of the cloud server 20 stores the emergency information transmitted from the monitor device 14 in the content storage unit 23. At this time, the crew member C is not limited to inputting the information using a keyboard or the like, but may also combine pre-registered sentence templates, or may convert voice input into text information using voice recognition and transmit the converted text information (or the cloud server 20 may perform voice recognition). In other words, the communication unit 21 also functions as an update unit that enables information to be updated from within the railway vehicle.

[0044] 4, the emergency information is stored or selected by the crew member C informing the train operation command, and an emergency signal is transmitted to the monitor device 14, but this communication from the crew member C is not essential. For example, in the case of an emergency that the crew member C cannot grasp, such as a natural disaster such as an earthquake or tsunami, or an incident or accident at a location other than the relevant train formation, the train operation command may instruct the crew member C. Therefore, in the case of the above-mentioned emergency that the crew member C cannot grasp, the train operation command may register the emergency information in the cloud server 20 without relying on a communication from the crew member C.

[0045] Furthermore, the monitoring device 14 may detect the operation of an in-car emergency button or an emergency door cock provided on the railway vehicle T and automatically report it to the train command center. When these operations are performed, the train command center can register emergency information as a first report in the cloud server 20. After that, the details may be updated upon receiving a report from the crew member C.

[0046] According to the present embodiment, the railway vehicle information and communication system 1 includes a smartphone 30 that is installed in a passenger compartment of the railway vehicle T and that transmits a predetermined ID into the passenger compartment, the smartphone 30 including: an ID information receiving unit 31a that receives the ID transmitted from the directional speaker 13; a request unit 31b that requests information from the cloud server 20 based on the ID received by the ID information receiving unit 31a; and an information display unit 31c that displays the information transmitted from the cloud server 20; and the cloud server 20 that includes a communication unit 21 that acquires information to be provided to passengers of the railway vehicle T and transmits the information to the smartphone 30 in response to a request from the smartphone 30. The ID is an emergency ID that indicates an emergency situation regarding the railway vehicle T, and the information is emergency information to be notified to passengers on board the railway vehicle T.

[0047] By configuring the railway vehicle information and communication system 1 as described above, the smartphone 30 that has received the emergency ID can acquire and display emergency information from the cloud server 20. With this configuration, if the crew C contacts the train dispatcher or the like, the train dispatcher or the like can register the contents of the emergency information in the cloud server 20, eliminating the need for the crew C to operate the in-car display 10 or the like to receive the emergency information. In addition, the train dispatcher or the like can register appropriate information depending on the content of the contact.

[0048] Moreover, because emergency information is registered in the cloud server 20 and transmitted to the smartphone 30, various input methods can be accommodated. For example, it is possible to acquire voice information and perform voice recognition in addition to text information. Furthermore, it is easy to translate into foreign languages in the cloud server 20, making it easy to provide emergency information to foreigners.

[0049] Furthermore, the transmitter is configured with a directional speaker 13 that outputs the ID as an audio signal, which makes it less susceptible to interference compared to radio waves, light, etc. For example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), which uses radio waves, may interfere with networks other than those of the train. Also, in the case of light, there is a risk that it may be blocked by other passengers or obstacles.

[0050] The directional speaker 13 is also built into an in-car display 10 installed in the passenger compartment. Since multiple in-car displays 10 are usually installed per car, the ID can be transmitted over a wide area within the passenger compartment.

[0051] The cloud server 20 is capable of updating the emergency information acquired by the communication unit 21 from the control center or the railway vehicle T. This allows the emergency information to be changed flexibly in response to changes in the situation.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, the directional speaker 13 is used as a transmitting device to transmit the ID by acoustic communication, but wireless communication such as Wi-Fi or optical communication may also be used to transmit the ID.

[0053] Furthermore, the smartphone 30 may notify emergency information not only by display but also by other methods such as sound or vibration. That is, when emergency information is received, the app 31 may be added with a function to read out the emergency information or vibrate the smartphone 30 in response to the reception of the emergency information.

[0054] The monitor device 14 may also collect the operating status of the in-vehicle display device 10 and transmit the operating status to the cloud server 20. The cloud server 20 may then transmit the received operating status to, for example, a terminal of the command center 50, and display the operating status on the terminal. This is a configuration that enables the command center 50 to determine whether the transmission of the emergency ID, etc., described in the above embodiment is operating normally. In other words, the monitor device 14 functions as a status transmission device that collects the operating status of the transmission device and transmits it to the server device. The cloud server 20 is also capable of presenting the operating status to a specified terminal device.

[0055] Here, the operating status of the in-car display 10 includes, for example, information such as what information is being displayed, which ID is being transmitted, or whether or not an ID is being transmitted. In this way, by making it possible to ascertain the operating status of the in-car display 10 from outside the railway vehicle T, such as at the control center 50, it is possible to ascertain whether the emergency ID is being transmitted correctly and whether the in-car display 10 is malfunctioning. Therefore, it is possible to ascertain whether emergency information is being properly conveyed to passengers.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. In other words, a person skilled in the art can implement various modifications in accordance with conventional knowledge without departing from the gist of the present invention. As long as such modifications still comprise the configuration of the railway vehicle information and communication system of the present invention, they are of course included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Railway vehicle information and communication systems 10. In-car display (transmitting device) 13 Directional speaker (transmitter) 20 Cloud server (server device) 21 Communication unit (transmission unit, acquisition unit) 22 Selection section 23 Content storage unit 30 Smartphone (terminal device) 31a ID information receiving unit (receiving unit) 31b Request section (request section) 31c Information display section (display section)

Claims

1. a transmitting device installed in a passenger compartment of the railway vehicle and configured to transmit predetermined identification information to the passenger compartment; a terminal device including a receiving unit that receives the identification information transmitted from the transmitting device, a requesting unit that requests information from a server device based on the identification information received by the receiving unit, and a display unit that displays the information transmitted from the server device; the server device including an acquisition unit that acquires information to be provided to passengers of the railway vehicle, and a transmission unit that transmits the information to the terminal device in response to a request from the terminal device; A railway vehicle information and communication system comprising: the identification information is identification information indicating an emergency situation regarding the railway vehicle, the information is emergency information to be notified to passengers on board the railway vehicle; 1. A railway vehicle information and communication system comprising:

2. 2. The railway vehicle information and communication system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device is a speaker that outputs the identification information as an audio signal.

3. the transmitting device is an in-car display installed in the passenger compartment, The speaker is built into the in-vehicle display.

3. The railway vehicle information and communication system according to claim 2.

4. The information and communication system for railway vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that the server device is provided with an update unit that enables the information acquired by the acquisition unit to be updated from within the railway vehicle or from outside the railway vehicle.

5. the railway vehicle is provided with a status transmission device that collects the operating status of the transmission device and transmits the collected status to the server device; the server device is capable of presenting the operation status to a predetermined terminal device; 2. The railway vehicle information and communication system according to claim 1.

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