Electronic Interlocking System

Abstract

To realize a continuous train operation without a cost increase.SOLUTION: An electronic interlock system in this embodiment comprises: an electronic interlock device capable of controlling field devices of a first station and a second station; and a monitor device for communicating with the electronic interlock device. The electronic interlock device has a first system and a second system. Each of the first system and the second system has: a control part for controlling the field devices of the first station and the second station; an informing part for supplying information indicating a control object controlling the control part; and a changeover part for changing the control object of the control part between the field device of the first station and the field device of the second station based on the changeover request from the monitor device. The monitor device has a notification part and a changeover request part. The notification part causes information indicating respective control objects of the first system and the second system of the electronic interlock device to be notified of. The changeover request part transmits the changeover request to the first system or the second system according to an operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to an electronic interlocking system. [Background technology]

[0002] Electronic interlocking systems have been put into practical use, each of which includes an electronic interlocking device that controls the station where it is installed (first station) and other station (second station) field devices, and a monitoring device that monitors the status of the electronic interlocking device. Examples of field devices include signals and points at railway stations. At least one electronic interlocking device and one monitoring device are installed at each station.

[0003] Electronic interlocking devices control field devices based on an interlocking table. This determines the train's route while ensuring the safety of train operation. If an electronic interlocking device fails, it will have a significant impact on train operation. For this reason, electronic interlocking devices have a primary and secondary system, and are configured as redundant parallel dual systems in which the secondary system is used to control field devices if an abnormality occurs in the primary system. However, if an abnormality occurs in both the primary and secondary systems, the field devices will become uncontrollable, which is a problem. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-319401 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electronic interlocking system that can realize continuous train operation without increasing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic interlocking system according to an embodiment includes an electronic interlocking device capable of controlling field devices at a first station and a second station, and a monitoring device that communicates with the electronic interlocking device. The electronic interlocking device includes a first system and a second system. The first system and the second system each include a control unit that controls the field devices at the first station or the second station, a notification unit that supplies information indicating the control target controlled by the control unit to the monitoring device, and a switching unit that switches the control target of the control unit between the field device at the first station and the field device at the second station based on a switching request from the monitoring device. The monitoring device includes an alarm unit and a switching request unit. The alarm unit notifies information indicating the control target of each of the first system and the second system of the electronic interlocking device. The switching request unit sends the switching request to the first system or the second system in response to an operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic interlocking system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the electronic interlocking device according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example configuration of an electronic interlocking system 1 according to an embodiment. The electronic interlocking system 1 is installed, for example, across multiple railway stations. In the example of FIG. 1, the electronic interlocking system 1 includes multiple field devices 11, a first electronic interlocking device 12, a second electronic interlocking device 13, a first monitoring device 14, and a second monitoring device 15. At least one electronic interlocking device and one monitoring device are installed per station. For example, the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the first monitoring device 14 are installed at Station A (first station) 2, and the second electronic interlocking device 13 and the second monitoring device 15 are installed at Station B (second station) 3. Note that the multiple field devices 11 may be external to the electronic interlocking system 1.

[0009] The first electronic interlocking device 12, the first monitoring device 14, the second monitoring device 15, and the plurality of field devices 11 are connected via a network 16. The second electronic interlocking device 13, the first monitoring device 14, the second monitoring device 15, and the plurality of field devices 11 are also connected via the network 16. Furthermore, the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the second electronic interlocking device 13 may be connected via the network 16.

[0010] First, each component of the electronic interlocking system 1 will be described. The field devices 11 are, for example, signals and points at a railway station. The field devices 11 operate under the control of the first electronic interlocking device 12 or the second electronic interlocking device 13.

[0011] The first electronic interlocking device 12 controls the field devices 11 at the A station 2 and the B station 3. The first electronic interlocking device 12 includes a first system 21 and a second system 22.

[0012] The first system 21 is configured to control the operation of the field devices 11 by transmitting control signals to the field devices 11 at the A station 2 and the B station 3. The first system 21 includes a processor 31, a memory 32, and a communication interface 33.

[0013] The processor 31 is a computing element that executes arithmetic processing. The processor 31 is configured as, for example, a CPU. The processor 31 performs various processes based on programs stored in the memory 32.

[0014] The memory 32 is a storage medium that stores programs and data. The memory 32 includes, for example, one or more of a ROM, which is a read-only nonvolatile memory, a RAM that temporarily stores data, and a storage that stores data. The memory 32 stores an A station program 34 and a B station program 35. The processor 31 and the memory 32 may also be configured as hardware such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0015] The A station program 34 is a program for causing the CPU to execute processing for controlling the operation of the field device 11 of the A station 2 .

[0016] The B station program 35 is a program for causing the CPU to execute processing for controlling the operation of the field device 11 of the B station 3 .

[0017] The communication interface 33 is a communication interface for communicating with the field device 11 at station A, the field device 11 at station B, the first monitoring device 14, and the second monitoring device 15 via the network 16.

[0018] The second system 22 is configured to control the operation of the field devices 11 by transmitting control signals to the field devices 11 at the A station 2 and the B station 3. The second system 22 includes a processor 41, a memory 42, and a communication interface 43.

[0019] The configuration of the second system 22 is the same as that of the first system 21. That is, the processor 41, memory 42, and communication interface 43 of the second system 22 have the same configuration as the processor 31, memory 32, and communication interface 33 of the first system 21, respectively. Also, the memory 42 stores the A station program 34 and the B station program 35, just like the memory 32. For this reason, detailed explanation of the processor 41, memory 42, and communication interface 43 of the second system 22 will be omitted.

[0020] As described above, the first electronic interlocking device 12 has the similarly configured first system 21 and second system 22. That is, the first electronic interlocking device 12 is configured as a dual system including the first system 21 and the second system 22 that are configured to be able to control the field devices 11 at Station A 2 and Station B 3, respectively.

[0021] The second electronic interlocking device 13 controls the field devices 11 at the A station 2 and the B station 3. The second electronic interlocking device 13 includes a first system 51 and a second system 52.

[0022] The first system 51 is configured to control the operation of the field devices 11 by transmitting control signals to the field devices 11 at the A station 2 and the B station 3. The first system 51 includes a processor 61, a memory 62, and a communication interface 63.

[0023] The configuration of the first system 51 is the same as the configuration of the first system 21 of the first electronic interlocking device 12. That is, the processor 61, memory 62, and communication interface 63 of the first system 51 have the same configuration as the processor 31, memory 32, and communication interface 33 of the first system 21, respectively. Also, the memory 62 stores the A station program 34 and the B station program 35, just like the memory 32. For this reason, detailed explanations of the processor 61, memory 62, and communication interface 63 of the first system 51 will be omitted.

[0024] The second system 52 is configured to control the operation of the field devices 11 by transmitting control signals to the field devices 11 at the A station 2 and the B station 3. The second system 52 includes a processor 71, a memory 72, and a communication interface 73.

[0025] The configuration of the second system 52 is the same as that of the first system 51. That is, the processor 71, memory 72, and communication interface 73 of the second system 52 have the same configuration as the processor 61, memory 62, and communication interface 63 of the first system 51, respectively. Also, the memory 72 stores the A station program 34 and the B station program 35, just like the memory 62. For this reason, detailed explanations of the processor 71, memory 72, and communication interface 73 of the second system 52 will be omitted.

[0026] As described above, the second electronic interlocking device 13 also has a similar configuration of the first system 51 and the second system 52. That is, the second electronic interlocking device 13 is configured as a dual system configuration including the first system 51 and the second system 52 that are configured to be able to control the field devices 11 at Station A 2 and Station B 3, respectively.

[0027] The first monitoring device 14 notifies the operator of the status of various devices and transmits signals to the various devices in response to operations by the operator. The first monitoring device 14 includes a processor 81, a memory 82, a communication interface 83, a first display unit 84, a second display unit 85, and an operation interface 86.

[0028] The processor 81 is a computing element that executes arithmetic processing. The processor 81 is configured as, for example, a CPU. The processor 81 performs various processes based on programs stored in the memory 82.

[0029] The memory 82 is a storage medium that stores programs and data. The memory 82 includes, for example, one or more of a ROM, which is a read-only nonvolatile memory, a RAM, which temporarily stores data, and a storage device for storing data. The memory 82 stores programs for various processes related to the first monitoring device 14.

[0030] The communication interface 83 is a communication interface for communicating with the first electronic interlocking device 12, the second electronic interlocking device, and the second monitoring device 15 via the network 16.

[0031] The first display unit 84 and the second display unit 85 display a screen based on display data (screen data) supplied from the processor 81 or a graphics controller (not shown). The first display unit 84 and the second display unit 85 each include, for example, a display device.

[0032] The operation interface 86 generates a signal based on the operation of an operation member. The operation member is operated by an operator and may be any member such as a switch, a mouse, a trackball, a keyboard, a trackpad, a touch sensor, etc. When the operation interface 86 is configured as a touch sensor, the first display unit 84, the second display unit 85, and the operation interface 86 may be integrated into a touch panel.

[0033] The second monitoring device 15 notifies the operator of the status of various devices and transmits signals to the various devices in response to operations by the operator. The second monitoring device 15 includes a processor 91, a memory 92, a communication interface 93, a first display unit 94, a second display unit 95, and an operation interface 96.

[0034] The configuration of the second monitoring device 15 is the same as the configuration of the first monitoring device 14. That is, the processor 91, memory 92, communication interface 93, first display unit 94, second display unit 95, and operation interface 96 of the second monitoring device 15 have the same configurations as the processor 81, memory 82, communication interface 83, first display unit 84, second display unit 85, and operation interface 86 of the first monitoring device 14, respectively. For this reason, detailed descriptions of the processor 91, memory 92, communication interface 93, first display unit 94, second display unit 95, and operation interface 96 of the second monitoring device 15 will be omitted.

[0035] Next, the operation of each component of the electronic interlocking system 1 will be described. First, we will explain the operation of the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the second electronic interlocking device 13. As mentioned above, the first system 21 and the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the first system 51 and the second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13 have the same functions, so we will explain the operation of the first system 21 and omit explanations of the operation of the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the first system 51 and the second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13.

[0036] The first electronic interlocking device 12 controls the field device 11 at station A 2 by having the processor 31 of the first system 21 execute the station A program 34 in the memory 32. The first electronic interlocking device 12 controls the field device 11 at station B 3 by having the processor 31 of the first system 21 execute the station B program 35 in the memory 32. In other words, the processor 31 and the memory 32 function as a control unit that controls the field device 11 at station A 2 or station B 3.

[0037] The processor 31 of the first system 21 supplies information (device status information) indicating the control target to the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15. That is, the processor 31 of the first system 21 supplies device status information indicating whether it is controlling the field device 11 of the A station 2, controlling the field device 11 of the B station 3, or not controlling the field device 11, to both the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15 via the network 16. In other words, the processor 31 of the first system 21 supplies device status information indicating whether it is executing the A station program 34 or the B station program 35, to both the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15 via the network 16. That is, the processor 31 and the memory 32 function as a notification unit that supplies device status information indicating the control target to the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15.

[0038] Furthermore, the processor 31 of the first system 21 switches the control object between the field device 11 of the A station 2 and the field device 11 of the B station 3 based on a switching request from the first monitoring device 14 or the second monitoring device 15. That is, when the processor 31 of the first system 21 receives a switching request from the first monitoring device 14 or the second monitoring device 15 while controlling the field device 11 of the A station 2, it executes the B station program 35 and transitions to a state where it controls the field device 11 of the B station. Furthermore, when the processor 31 of the first system 21 receives a switching request from the first monitoring device 14 or the second monitoring device 15 while controlling the field device 11 of the B station 3, it executes the A station program 34 and transitions to a state where it controls the field device 11 of the A station. That is, the processor 31 and the memory 32 function as a switching unit that switches the control object between the field device 11 at station A 2 and the field device 11 at station B 3 based on a switching request from the first monitoring device 14 or the second monitoring device 15. The switching request is information from a monitoring device that requests the electronic interlocking device to switch the control object.

[0039] Next, the operation modes of the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the second electronic interlocking device 13 will be described. The first system 21 and second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the first system 51 and second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13 are operated in one of three operating modes: "normal mode," "backup operation mode," and "standby mode." "Normal mode" is an operating mode in which the electronic interlocking device controls the field devices 11 at its own station (e.g., Station A where the first electronic interlocking device 12 itself is installed, or Station B where the second electronic interlocking device 13 itself is installed). "Backup operation mode" is an operating mode in which the electronic interlocking device controls the field devices 11 at other stations (e.g., Station B where the first electronic interlocking device 12 itself is not installed, or Station A where the second electronic interlocking device 13 itself is not installed). "Standby mode" is a transitional state in which the electronic interlocking device is transitioning to "normal mode" after activation. In other words, "standby mode" is an operating mode in which the electronic interlocking device does not control the field devices 11 at its own station.

[0040] The first system 21 and the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 execute the A station program 34 in "normal mode." Also, the first system 21 and the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 execute the B station program 35 in "backup operation mode." Also, the first system 51 and the second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13 execute the B station program 35 in "normal mode." Also, the first system 51 and the second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13 execute the A station program 34 in "backup operation mode."

[0041] For example, when the first electronic interlocking device 12, which is the electronic interlocking device at station A, is activated, if the second electronic interlocking device 13, which is the electronic interlocking device at station B, is in "normal mode," the first system 21 and second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 will transition to "normal mode."

[0042] Also, for example, when the first electronic interlocking device 12, which is the electronic interlocking device at Station A, is activated, if the second electronic interlocking device 13, which is the electronic interlocking device at Station B, is in "backup operation mode," the first system 21 and second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 will operate in "standby mode" without transitioning to "normal mode." Also, for example, when the first electronic interlocking device 12, which is the electronic interlocking device at Station A, is activated, instead of both the first system 21 and second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 transitioning to "normal mode," one of them may transition to "standby mode."

[0043] Furthermore, when the first system 21 and the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 receive a switching request from the monitoring device, they transition to "backup operation mode" and switch the control object to the field device 11 of another station, Station B 3. When the first system 21 and the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 receive another switching request from the monitoring device, or when they receive a request to cancel the "backup operation mode", they end the "backup operation mode" and transition to "normal mode", and switch the control object to the field device 11 of Station A 2, which is their own station.

[0044] The first electronic interlocking device 12 and the second electronic interlocking device 13 supply other devices with information (operation mode information) indicating which operation mode they are operating in: "normal mode," "backup operation mode," or "standby mode." For example, the processor 31 of the first system 21 supplies the operation mode information to the first monitoring device 14, the second monitoring device 15, and the first system 51 and second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13, which is an electronic interlocking device at another station.

[0045] In addition, when an abnormal condition occurs in the first and second systems in which the field devices 11 cannot be controlled, the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the second electronic interlocking device 13 supply information (abnormality notification) indicating that an abnormal condition has occurred to the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15.

[0046] Next, the operations of the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15 will be described. First, we will explain the operations related to the notification of information in the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15. As described above, the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15 have the same functions. Therefore, we will explain the operations of the first monitoring device 14, and will omit explanation of the operations of the second monitoring device 15.

[0047] The processor 81 of the first monitoring device 14 functions as a notification unit that notifies the operator of information indicating the control targets of the first and second systems of the electronic interlocking device. First, the processor 81 recognizes the control targets and operation modes of the first and second systems 21 and 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the first and second systems 51 and 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13 based on information (device status information and operation mode information) supplied by the notification units of these systems.

[0048] For example, the processor 81 causes the first display unit 84 to display information indicating the control targets and operation modes of the first system 21 and the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12. The processor 81 also causes the second display unit 85 to display information indicating the control targets and operation modes of the first system 21 and the second system 22 of the second electronic interlocking device 13. This allows the processor 81 to allow the operator to recognize whether the field devices 11 controlled by the first system 21 and the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the first system 51 and the second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13 are field devices at station A 2 or station B 3, and their operation modes. In addition, the processor 81 allows the operator to recognize which of the first system 21, second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12, and the first system 51 and second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13 are not being controlled by any of the field devices 11 (those whose operating mode is in standby mode).

[0049] Furthermore, the processor 81 recognizes a device in which an abnormal state that makes it impossible to control the field device 11 is occurring, based on an abnormality notification supplied from either the first system 21 or the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 or the first system 51 or the second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13. The processor 81 displays information indicating the device in which the abnormal state is occurring on the first display unit 84 or the second display unit 85, thereby allowing the operator to recognize the device in which the abnormal state is occurring. In other words, the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15 allow the operator to recognize where the abnormality is occurring in the first system 21 or the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 or the first system 51 or the second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13.

[0050] Next, we will explain the operations related to the transmission of a switching request in the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15. As described above, the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15 have the same functions. Therefore, we will explain the operations of the first monitoring device 14, and will omit explanation of the operations of the second monitoring device 15.

[0051] In addition, the processor 81 of the first monitoring device 14 functions as a switching request unit that transmits the above-mentioned switching request to the electronic interlocking device to switch the control target in response to operation of the operation interface 86. The processor 81 of the first monitoring device 14 transmits the switching request to any one of the first system 21 and second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the first system 51 and second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13 in response to operation of the operation interface 86. The processor 81 of the first monitoring device 14 transmits the switching request to the device selected in the operation interface 86 from the first system 21 and second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the first system 51 and second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13. In addition, the processor 81 of the first monitoring device 14 may send a request to cancel the "backup operation mode" to a device selected in the operation interface 86 from among the first system 21, the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12, and the first system 51 and the second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13.

[0052] An operator operating the first monitoring device 14 having the above configuration can recognize that an abnormality has occurred in either the first system 21 or the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 or the first system 51 or the second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13 by checking the displays on the first display unit 84 and the second display unit 85.

[0053] For example, suppose an abnormality occurs in both the first system 51 and the second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13. In this case, the operator of the second monitoring device 15 operates the operation interface 96 of the second monitoring device 15 to control the field device 11 at Station B 3 using either the first system 21 or the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12. That is, the operator uses the operation interface 96 to select either the first system 21 or the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12. The processor 91 of the second monitoring device 15 sends a switchover request to the selected one of the first system 21 and the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12. As a result, the one that receives the switchover request for the first system 21 or the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 switches to backup operation mode and becomes capable of controlling the field device 11 at the other station, Station B 3. For example, when the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 receives a switching request, the first system 21 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 controls the field device 11 at A station 2 using the A station program 34, and the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 controls the field device 11 at B station 3 using the B station program 35.

[0054] In addition, if an abnormality occurs in any of the first system 21, second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12, or the first system 51, second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13, the processor 81 may perform control so that the device in which the abnormality occurs cannot be selected as the target for sending a switching request.

[0055] Next, the operation of the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the second electronic interlocking device 13, which transitions upon receiving a switching request, will be described.

[0056] 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic interlocking device. In this example, the operation of the first system 21 will be explained, and explanations of the operation of the second system 22 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 and the first system 51 and second system 52 of the second electronic interlocking device 13 will be omitted.

[0057] The processor 31 of the first system 21 determines whether the system is in normal mode (step S11). If the processor 31 determines that the system is in normal mode (step S11, YES), it controls the field device 11 of its own station, station A 2 (step S12). That is, as described above, the processor 31 executes the station A program 34 and controls the field device 11 of station A 2. Furthermore, the processor 31 transmits device status information and operation mode information (step S13) and proceeds to the processing of step S19, which will be described later. As described above, the processor 31 transmits device status information indicating that the first system 21 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 is controlling the field device 11 of station A 2 to the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15. Furthermore, the processor 31 transmits operation mode information indicating that the operation mode is normal mode to the first monitoring device 14, the second monitoring device 15, and the second electronic interlocking device 13.

[0058] Furthermore, if the processor 31 determines that the system is not in the normal mode (step S11, NO), it determines whether the system is in the backup operation mode (step S14). If the processor 31 determines that the system is in the backup operation mode (step S14, YES), it controls the field device 11 of another station, station B 3 (step S15). That is, as described above, the processor 31 executes the station B program 35 and controls the field device 11 of station B 3. Furthermore, the processor 31 transmits device status information and operation mode information (step S16) and proceeds to the processing of step S19, which will be described later. As described above, the processor 31 transmits device status information indicating that the first system 21 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 is controlling the field device 11 of station B 3 to the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15. Furthermore, the processor 31 transmits operation mode information indicating that the operation mode is the backup operation mode to the first monitoring device 14, the second monitoring device 15, and the second electronic interlocking device 13.

[0059] Furthermore, if the processor 31 determines that the device is not in the backup operation mode (step S14, NO), it determines whether the device is in the standby mode (step S17). If the processor 31 determines that the device is in the standby mode (step S17, YES), it transmits device status information and operation mode information (step S18) and proceeds to the processing of step S19, which will be described later. As described above, the processor 31 transmits device status information indicating that the first system 21 of the first electronic interlocking device 12 is not controlling any of the field devices 11 to the first monitoring device 14 and the second monitoring device 15. Furthermore, the processor 31 transmits operation mode information indicating that the operation mode is the standby mode to the first monitoring device 14, the second monitoring device 15, and the second electronic interlocking device 13.

[0060] The processor 31 determines whether or not a switching request has been received from the monitoring device (step S19). If the processor 31 determines that a switching request has been received (step S19, YES), it switches the operation mode based on the received switching request (step S20) and proceeds to processing in step S21. If the processor 31 determines that a switching request has not been received (step S19, NO), it maintains the current operation mode and proceeds to processing in step S21.

[0061] The processor 31 determines whether to end the process (step S21). For example, the processor 31 determines to end the process when an end instruction is received from another device or when the power is turned off. When the processor 31 determines to end the process (step S21, YES), it ends the process in FIG. 2. When the processor 31 determines not to end the process (step S21, NO), it proceeds to the process of step S11 and repeatedly executes the processes of steps S11 to S20.

[0062] With the above configuration, the operator recognizes from the alarm unit of the monitoring device that an abnormality has occurred in both the first and second systems of the electronic interlocking device at his / her station. Having recognized that an abnormality has occurred in both the first and second systems of the electronic interlocking device at his / her station, the operator operates the monitoring device to send a switchover request to the first or second system of the electronic interlocking device at the other station. As a result, the monitoring device at his / her station sends a switchover request to the first or second system of the electronic interlocking device at the other station, requesting control of the field device 11 at his / her station.

[0063] When the first or second system of the electronic interlocking device at the other station receives a switchover request, it switches from normal mode or standby mode to backup operation mode. In other words, when the first or second system of the electronic interlocking device at the other station receives a switchover request, it enters a state in which it controls the field device 11 at the other station. This allows either the first or second system of the electronic interlocking device at the other station to control the field device 11 at the own station, even if an abnormality occurs in both the first and second systems of the electronic interlocking device at the own station.

[0064] This makes it possible to continue train operation without adding a third system to the electronic interlocking device. In other words, it is possible to suppress the cost of adding a third system to the electronic interlocking device and the increase in installation area. As a result, the electronic interlocking system 1 can achieve continuous train operation without increasing costs.

[0065] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1...electronic interlocking system, 11...field device, 12...first electronic interlocking device, 13...second electronic interlocking device, 14...first monitoring device, 15...second monitoring device, 16...network, 21...first system, 22...second system, 31...processor, 32...memory, 33...communication interface, 34...A station program, 35...B station program, 41...processor, 42...memory, 43...communication interface, 51...first system, 52...second system, 61...processor, 62...memory, 63...communication interface, 71...processor, 72...memory, 73...communication interface, 81...processor, 82...memory, 83...communication interface, 84...first display unit, 85...second display unit, 86...operation interface, 91...processor, 92...memory, 93...communication interface, 94...first display unit, 95...second display unit, 96...operation interface.

Claims

1. An electronic interlocking system comprising: an electronic interlocking device capable of controlling field devices at a first station and a second station; and a monitoring device communicating with the electronic interlocking device, The electronic interlocking device is The system includes a first system and a second system, each of which includes a control unit that controls the field device of the first station or the second station, a notification unit that supplies information indicating a control target controlled by the control unit to the monitoring device, and a switching unit that switches the control target of the control unit between the field device of the first station and the field device of the second station based on a switching request from the monitoring device, The monitoring device a notification unit that notifies information indicating the control targets of the first system and the second system of the electronic interlocking device; a switching request unit that transmits the switching request to the first system or the second system in response to an operation; An electronic interlocking system comprising:

2. The electronic interlocking device is provided at each of the first station and the second station, 2. The electronic interlocking system according to claim 1, wherein the first station and the second station are each provided with a monitoring device connected to the electronic interlocking device of the first station and the electronic interlocking device of the second station via a network.

3. The electronic interlocking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the control unit receives the switching request, the control unit transitions to a backup operation mode in which the control unit controls the field devices of other stations where the control unit is not installed.

4. The electronic interlocking system described in claim 3, wherein the notification unit supplies the monitoring device with information indicating either a normal mode in which the control unit controls the field devices of the station where the notification unit is installed, the backup operation mode, or a standby mode in which the control unit does not control the field devices of any station.

5. The electronic interlocking system described in claim 2, wherein the switching request unit transmits the switching request to any one of the first system of the first station, the second system of the first station, the first system of the second station, and the second system of the second station, depending on the operation.

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