Distributed train interlocking system and field equipment control method

Abstract

A distributed train-interlocking device system (5) in which a central control device (1) communicates with field equipment control devices (2) through a network (4) to manage operation of field equipment (3) comprises: a central control device (1) that transmits, to a field equipment control device (2), a control command for control target field equipment (3) and a control condition for continuing or stopping control of the control target field equipment (3) based on the control command; and field equipment control devices (2) that control the control target field equipment (3) by using the control command and the control condition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a distributed train interlocking device system for controlling on-site devices installed for train operation and a method for controlling on-site devices.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is an interlocking device for controlling on-site devices such as railway signal devices and switch machines. The interlocking device is installed for each station and controls the operation of on-site devices such as signal devices and switch machines at each station. In recent years, however, centralized control of on-site devices has been carried out via a network from locations other than stations. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for a signal safety system including on-site devices, on-site device control terminals provided for each on-site device to control the corresponding on-site device, an interlocking logic unit for controlling the on-site device control terminals based on status information from the on-site devices, and a network connecting the on-site device control terminals and the interlocking logic unit. In Patent Document 1, the interlocking logic unit centrally controls on-site devices via the network and on-site device control terminals. Further, in Patent Document 1, even when communication between the on-site device control terminals and the interlocking logic unit is interrupted due to a network failure or the like, control over on-site devices can be continued by communicating between adjacent on-site device control terminals.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, with the conventional technology described above, the interlocking logic unit, which is the central control unit, and the field equipment control terminal, which controls the field equipment, are connected via a network. Therefore, depending on the network conditions, there was a problem in that control commands from the interlocking logic unit to the field equipment control terminal could be delayed.

[0005] This disclosure is made in view of the above, and aims to provide a distributed train interlocking system that can control field equipment without delay even when network delays occur in a configuration in which communication takes place over a network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems and achieve the objectives, this disclosure provides a distributed train interlocking system in which a central control unit and field equipment control units communicate via a network. The distributed train interlocking system is characterized by comprising: a central control unit that transmits control commands to field equipment to be controlled, and control conditions for continuing or stopping control of the field equipment based on the control commands to field equipment control units; and field equipment control units that control the field equipment to be controlled using the control commands and control conditions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The distributed train interlocking system disclosed herein has the effect of enabling control of on-site equipment without delay, even when network delays occur, in a configuration where communication is performed via a network. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of a distributed train interlocking system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows the operation when a central control unit performs control based on the status monitoring results of the monitored field equipment received from the field equipment control unit, as a comparative example. [Figure 3]As a comparative example, Figure 2 shows the operation when the central control unit performs control based on the status monitoring results of the monitored field equipment received from the field equipment control unit. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows the operation of the central control unit and field equipment control unit according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] Figure 2 shows the operation of the central control unit and field equipment control unit according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] Flowchart showing the operation of the distributed train interlocking system according to Embodiment 1 [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the central control unit according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a field equipment control device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a case where the processing circuit for realizing the distributed train interlocking system according to Embodiment 1 is configured with a processor and memory. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a case where the processing circuit for realizing the distributed train interlocking system according to Embodiment 1 is configured with dedicated hardware. [Figure 11] Flowchart showing the operation of the distributed train interlocking system according to Embodiment 2 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The distributed train interlocking system and field equipment control method according to embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 shows an example configuration of a distributed train interlocking system 5 according to Embodiment 1. The distributed train interlocking system 5 comprises a central control unit 1, field equipment control units 2, and a network 4. The distributed train interlocking system 5 is a system in which the central control unit 1 and the field equipment control units 2 communicate via the network 4 to manage the operation of field equipment 3 installed for the operation of trains 6. In the distributed train interlocking system 5, the central control unit 1 communicates with the field equipment control units 2 via the network 4 to control the operation of the field equipment control units 2, and the field equipment control units 2 control the field equipment 3 based on the control by the central control unit 1. In the example in Figure 1, the central control unit 1 controls the operation of three field equipment control units 2, but is not limited to this, and can control the operation of two or fewer or four or more field equipment control units 2.

[0011] The central control unit 1 is located in a different location from the station equipment room where the field equipment control unit 2 is installed, and is installed in a ground-based control center or similar facility that manages the operation of train 6, and centrally controls the field equipment 3. The field equipment control unit 2 is installed in the station equipment room or similar facility at the station where train 6 stops. Field equipment 3 is equipment installed in the vicinity of the station where train 6 stops, within the control range managed by the field equipment control unit 2. In the example in Figure 1, field equipment 3 is assumed to include signals S1-S4, track circuits NT1, NT2, ST1, ST2, and turnouts B1, B1', B2, B2', but is not limited to these. Regarding the distributed train interlocking system 5, the configuration equivalent to the central control unit 1 may be installed on the cloud, located in the same place as any of the field equipment control units 2, or included within any of the field equipment control units 2.

[0012] Here, we will describe the operation in the distributed train interlocking system 5 when the central control unit 1 and the field equipment control unit 2 control the field equipment 3 without performing the operations characteristic of this embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 is a first diagram showing the operation when the central control unit 1 performs control based on the results of monitoring the status of the monitored field equipment 3 received from the field equipment control unit 2, as a comparative example. Here, as an example, the field equipment 3 to be controlled by the control command is defined as signal S1. In addition, field equipment 3 that is not to be controlled by the control command but affects the control of signal S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled by the control command, is defined as the monitored field equipment 3. Specifically, the monitored field equipment 3 are defined as track circuits NT1, NT2 and turnouts B1, B2. When the central control unit 1 changes signal S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled, from a stop indication to a proceed indication, it transmits a travel permission control command, which is a control command to set signal S1, the field equipment 3 to be controlled, to the field equipment control unit 2 via the network 4 (step #11). Based on the travel permission control command received from the central control unit 1 via the network 4, the field equipment control unit 2 controls signal S1, the field equipment 3 to be controlled, to set it to a proceed indication (step #12).

[0014] While the on-site equipment control device 2 controls the traffic signal S1, which is the on-site equipment 3 to be controlled, based on the driving permission control command, it monitors the state of the on-site equipment 3 around the traffic signal S1, which is the on-site equipment 3 to be monitored, and obtains the result of the state monitoring of the on-site equipment 3 to be monitored (step #13). In the example of FIG. 2, the results of the state monitoring are that the track circuit NT1 is out of service, the track circuit NT2 is out of service, the switch B1 is in the normal position, and the switch B2 is in the normal position. The on-site equipment control device 2 transmits the result of the state monitoring of the on-site equipment 3 to be monitored to the central control device 1 via the network 4 (step #14). The on-site equipment control device 2 transmits the result of the state monitoring of the on-site equipment 3 to be monitored to the central control device 1 at a prescribed period. Note that the on-site equipment control device 2 may monitor the state of the on-site equipment 3 to be monitored at the same period as the period in which it transmits the result of the state monitoring of the on-site equipment 3 to be monitored to the central control device 1, and obtain the result of the state monitoring of the on-site equipment 3, or it may constantly monitor the state of the on-site equipment 3 to be monitored and adopt the result of the state monitoring of the on-site equipment 3 to be monitored corresponding to the prescribed period and transmit it to the central control device 1. Note that as the result of the state monitoring, the on-site equipment control device 2 may simply transmit the in-service states of the track circuits NT1 and NT2 and the direction states of the switches B1 and B2 to the central control device 1, and the central control device 1 may make an overall judgment.

[0015] Based on the result of the state monitoring of the on-site equipment 3 to be monitored received from the on-site equipment control device 2 via the network 4, the central control device 1 determines whether to continue the proceeding indication state or change it to the stop indication for the control of the traffic signal S1, which is the on-site equipment 3 to be controlled. If the central control device 1 determines to continue the proceeding indication state for the control of the traffic signal S1, which is the on-site equipment 3 to be controlled, it does nothing. If the central control device 1 determines to change the control of the traffic signal S1, which is the on-site equipment 3 to be controlled, to the stop indication, it transmits a driving prohibition control command, which is a control command for changing the traffic signal S1, which is the on-site equipment 3 to be controlled, from the proceeding indication to the stop indication, to the on-site equipment control device 2 via the network 4.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a second diagram showing the operation when control is performed based on the result of state monitoring of the field device 3 to be monitored received by the central control device 1 from the field device control device 2 as a comparative example. In FIG. 3, the operation from the state after the operation up to step #12 shown in FIG. 2 is shown. While the field device control device 2 controls the traffic signal S1, which is the field device 3 to be controlled, based on the travel permission control command, it monitors the state of the field device 3 to be monitored and obtains the result of the state monitoring of the field device 3 to be monitored (step #21). In the example of FIG. 3, different from the example of FIG. 2, since the train 6 has entered the track circuit NT2, in the result of the state monitoring, the track circuit NT2 is occupied. The field device control device 2 transmits the result of the state monitoring of the field device 3 to be monitored to the central control device 1 via the network 4 (step #22).

[0017] Based on the result of the state monitoring of the field device 3 to be monitored received by the central control device 1 from the field device control device 2 via the network 4, the central control device 1 determines whether to continue the progress indication state or change to the stop indication for the control of the traffic signal S1, which is the field device 3 to be controlled. Since the track circuit NT2 is occupied, the central control device 1 determines to change the control of the traffic signal S1, which is the field device 3 to be controlled, from the progress indication to the stop indication, and transmits a travel prohibition control command for setting the traffic signal S1, which is the field device 3 to be controlled, to the stop indication to the field device control device 2 via the network 4 (step #23). The field device control device 2 controls the traffic signal S1, which is the field device 3 to be controlled, to the stop indication based on the travel prohibition control command received from the central control device 1 via the network 4 (step #24).

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the central control unit 1 and the field equipment control unit 2 communicate via network 4. Therefore, if a delay occurs in network 4, it will take time for the field equipment control unit 2 to actually receive the control command after it has been sent from the central control unit 1. As shown in Figure 2, if the control command is a drive permission control command that sets the field equipment 3, signal S1, to a proceed indication, the timing of the control by the field equipment control unit 2 will be delayed. This may cause a delay in the departure of a train (not shown) approaching signal S1 from the left, but the drive prohibition control command will not be delayed. However, as shown in Figure 3, if the control command is a drive prohibition control command that sets the field equipment 3, signal S1, to a stop indication, a delay in the timing of the control by the field equipment control unit 2 will result in the train (not shown) approaching signal S1 from the left failing to stop at the time it should have stopped.

[0019] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the central control unit 1 transmits a drive permission control command to the field equipment control unit 2, it transmits control conditions for continuing or stopping control of the field equipment 3, which is the target of control based on the drive permission control command, along with the drive permission control command. The field equipment control unit 2 receives the control conditions along with the drive permission control command from the central control unit 1. As a result, while the field equipment control unit 2 is controlling the target of control the field equipment 3 using the drive permission control command, it monitors the state of the monitored field equipment 3 and, if it finds that the control conditions for stopping control of the target of control the field equipment 3 based on the drive permission control command are met, it can stop control of the target of control the field equipment 3 using the drive permission control command without transmitting the result of the state monitoring to the central control unit 1 and waiting to receive a drive prohibition control command from the central control unit 1. In other words, since the field equipment control unit 2 receives control conditions along with the drive permission control command from the central control unit 1, it can stop control of the target of control the field equipment 3 using the drive permission control command at an early stage if the state of the monitored field equipment 3 meets the control conditions for stopping control of the target of control the field equipment 3 based on the drive permission control command, without being affected by the status of the network 4.

[0020] Figure 4 is a first diagram showing the operation of the central control unit 1 and the field equipment control unit 2 according to Embodiment 1. When the central control unit 1 changes the signal light S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled, from a stop indication to a proceed indication, it transmits a drive permission control command to the field equipment control unit 2 via the network 4 to set the signal light S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled, to a proceed indication. At this time, the central control unit 1 transmits to the field equipment control unit 2 the drive permission control command for the field equipment 3 to be controlled, along with control conditions for continuing or stopping the control based on the drive permission control command (step #31). Here, the drive permission control command is a control command to set the signal light S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled, to a proceed indication. Furthermore, the control conditions, as shown in the example in Figure 4, are TRUE if all track circuits NT1 and NT2 are unoccupied and all turnouts B1 and B2 are in the normal position, and FALSE if at least one of the following conditions is met: at least one of track circuits NT1 and NT2 is occupied and at least one of turnouts B1 and B2 is in the reverse position. These conditions are designed to continue control based on the train operation permission control command.

[0021] The field equipment control device 2 controls the field equipment 3 using the travel permission control command and control conditions received from the central control device 1 via the network 4. First, based on the travel permission control command received from the central control device 1 via the network 4, the field equipment control device 2 controls the signal light S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled, to show a proceed indication (step #32). While the field equipment control device 2 is controlling the signal light S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled, based on the travel permission control command, it monitors the state of the monitored field equipment 3 and obtains the results of the state monitoring of the monitored field equipment 3 (step #33). At this time, the field equipment control device 2 performs the same operation as the central control device 1 in the examples of Figures 2 and 3. That is, the field equipment control device 2 monitors the state of the monitored field equipment 3 while controlling the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on the travel permission control command, and determines whether the state of the monitored field equipment 3 meets the control conditions. The field equipment control device 2 determines that the control conditions are met when track circuits NT1 and NT2 are all unoccupied and turnouts B1 and B2 are all in their normal positions, i.e., TRUE. Therefore, when the state of the monitored field equipment 3 meets the control conditions, it continues to control the field equipment 3 based on the travel permission control command. The field equipment control device 2 transmits the results of the state monitoring of the field equipment 3 to the central control device 1 via the network 4 (step #34). Alternatively, as a result of the state monitoring, the field equipment control device 2 may simply transmit the occupancy status of track circuits NT1 and NT2 and the direction status of turnouts B1 and B2 to the central control device 1, which may then make an overall judgment.

[0022] Figure 5 is a second diagram showing the operation of the central control device 1 and the field equipment control device 2 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 5 shows the operation from the state after the operations up to step #32 shown in Figure 4 have been performed. While the field equipment control device 2 controls the signal S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled, based on the running permission control command, it monitors the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored and obtains the result of the state monitoring of the field equipment 3 to be monitored (step #41). Unlike in Figure 4, in this case, train 6 has entered the track circuit NT2, so the result of the state monitoring shows that the track circuit NT2 is occupied. The field equipment control device 2 monitors the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored while controlling the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on the running permission control command, and determines whether the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored meets the control conditions. If the track circuit NT2 is occupied and the control condition is not met, i.e., FALSE, the field equipment control device 2 stops the travel permission control command to the signal S1, which is the field equipment 3, and instead issues a travel prohibition control to the signal S1, which is the field equipment 3, when the state of the monitored field equipment 3 does not meet the control condition (step #42). In addition, along with the operation in step #42, the field equipment control device 2 may transmit the result of monitoring the state of the monitored field equipment 3 to the central control device 1 via the network 4.

[0023] In this embodiment, the field equipment control device 2 receives the control conditions at the same time as it receives the drive permission control command from the central control device 1. Therefore, it can stop the control based on the drive permission control command as control for the field equipment 3 based on the control conditions without waiting for a determination by the central control device 1 based on the results of monitoring the status of the field equipment 3 to be monitored. Even in situations where there is a delay in the network 4, the field equipment control device 2 can stop the control based on the drive permission control command as control for the field equipment 3 to be controlled at an early stage without communicating with the central control device 1 via the network 4.

[0024] In this embodiment, the case in which the control condition is a condition for continuing control based on the driving permission control command has been specifically described, but the invention is not limited to this. The control condition can also be a condition for stopping control based on the driving permission control command. When the control condition is a condition for stopping control based on the driving permission control command, the field equipment control device 2 will become TRUE if the result of monitoring the state of the monitored field equipment 3 matches the control condition, and will stop control based on the control command for the monitored field equipment 3 if the result of monitoring the state of the monitored field equipment 3 does not match the control condition, and will continue control based on the control command for the monitored field equipment 3 if it is FALSE. Thus, depending on the content of the control command for the monitored field equipment 3, the control condition can be a condition for continuing control of the monitored field equipment 3 based on the control command, or it can be a condition for stopping control of the monitored field equipment 3 based on the control command.

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control commands described are assumed to be a driving permission control command and a driving prohibition control command for the traffic signal S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The control commands may be control commands other than the driving permission control command and the driving prohibition control command. Also, the field equipment 3 to be controlled by the control commands may be a field equipment 3 other than the traffic signal S1.

[0026] In this manner, the central control unit 1 transmits control commands to the field equipment 3 to be controlled, and control conditions for continuing or stopping the control of the field equipment 3 based on the control commands, to the field equipment control unit 2. The field equipment control unit 2 controls the field equipment 3 using the control commands and control conditions.

[0027] In this embodiment, the field equipment control device 2 controls the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on a control command while monitoring the status of other field equipment 3 that are under surveillance. The field equipment control device 2 compares the status of the monitored field equipment 3, i.e., the result of monitoring the status of the monitored field equipment 3, with the control conditions. If the status of the monitored field equipment 3 indicates that control of the field equipment 3 should continue based on the control command, the field equipment control device 2 continues control of the field equipment 3 based on the control command. The field equipment control device 2 compares the status of the monitored field equipment 3, i.e., the result of monitoring the status of the monitored field equipment 3, with the control conditions. If the status of the monitored field equipment 3 indicates that control of the field equipment 3 should be stopped based on the control command, the field equipment control device 2 stops control of the field equipment 3 based on the control command. In this embodiment, the control command is a driving permission control command that sets the signal light S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled, to a proceed indication.

[0028] Furthermore, when the field equipment control device 2 stops controlling the field equipment 3 that is the target of control based on a control command, it may notify the central control device 1 that it has stopped controlling the field equipment 3 that is the target of control based on a control command. This allows the central control device 1 to understand the actual control status of the field equipment 3 that is the target of control by the field equipment control device 2, and thus avoids situations in which it sends a control command to the field equipment control device 2 that is the same as the control that is already being performed on the target of control 3.

[0029] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the distributed train interlocking system 5 according to Embodiment 1. The central control unit 1 transmits a control command to the field equipment 3 to be controlled, and control conditions for continuing or stopping the control of the field equipment 3 based on the control command, to the field equipment control unit 2 (step STP11). The field equipment control unit 2 controls the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on the control command (step STP12) while monitoring the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored (step STP13). The field equipment control unit 2 compares the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored, i.e., the result of monitoring the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored, with the control conditions. If the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored indicates that control of the field equipment 3 to be controlled should be continued based on the control command (step STP14: Yes), the control of the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on the control command is continued (step STP15). In this case, the field equipment control unit 2 returns to the operation in step STP12. The field equipment control device 2 compares the state of the monitored field equipment 3, i.e., the result of monitoring the state of the monitored field equipment 3, with the control conditions. If the state of the monitored field equipment 3 indicates that the control of the controlled field equipment 3 based on the control command should be stopped (step STP14: No), the field equipment control device 2 stops the control of the controlled field equipment 3 based on the control command (step STP16). After step STP16, the field equipment control device 2 may notify the central control device 1 that the control of the controlled field equipment 3 based on the control command has been stopped, as described above.

[0030] Next, the configuration and operation of each device will be described. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the central control unit 1 according to Embodiment 1. The central control unit 1 comprises a storage unit 11, a control unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The storage unit 11 stores combinations of control commands and control conditions. The combinations of control commands and control conditions stored in the storage unit 11 can be, but are not limited to, a method by which the administrator of the distributed train interlocking system 5 or the like can store them in the storage unit 11. When the control unit 12 transmits a control command to the field equipment control unit 2, it performs control to transmit the control conditions along with the control command to the field equipment control unit 2. The communication unit 13 communicates with the field equipment control unit 2 via the network 4. In this embodiment, the communication unit 13 transmits the control conditions along with the control command to the field equipment control unit 2 under the control of the control unit 12.

[0031] Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of a field equipment control device 2 according to Embodiment 1. The field equipment control device 2 comprises a storage unit 21, a control unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The communication unit 23 communicates with the central control unit 1 via a network 4. In this embodiment, the communication unit 23 receives control commands and control conditions from the central control unit 1. The storage unit 21 stores the combination of control commands and control conditions received by the communication unit 23. The control unit 22 controls the field equipment 3 to be controlled using the control commands and control conditions. In this embodiment, the control unit 22 monitors the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored while controlling the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on the control commands. If the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored indicates that control of the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on the control commands should continue, the control unit 22 continues control of the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on the control commands. If the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored indicates that control of the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on the control commands should be stopped, the control unit 22 stops control of the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on the control commands.

[0032] Next, the hardware configuration of the central control unit 1 and the field equipment control unit 2, which constitute the distributed train interlocking system 5, will be described. The storage unit 11 of the central control unit 1 and the storage unit 21 of the field equipment control unit 2 are implemented by memory. The communication unit 13 of the central control unit 1 and the communication unit 23 of the field equipment control unit 2 are implemented by communication interfaces. The control unit 12 of the central control unit 1 and the control unit 22 of the field equipment control unit 2 are implemented by processing circuits. The processing circuits may be a processor and memory that execute programs stored in memory, or they may be dedicated hardware.

[0033] Figure 9 shows an example of a case where the processing circuit 90 that realizes the distributed train interlocking system 5 according to Embodiment 1 is composed of a processor 91 and a memory 92. When the processing circuit 90 is composed of a processor 91 and a memory 92, each function of the processing circuit 90 of the distributed train interlocking system 5 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is written as a program and stored in the memory 92. In the processing circuit 90, each function is realized by the processor 91 reading and executing the program stored in the memory 92. In other words, the processing circuit 90 is equipped with a memory 92 for storing programs that will ultimately execute the processing of the distributed train interlocking system 5. Furthermore, these programs can be said to cause the computer to execute the procedures and methods of the distributed train interlocking system 5.

[0034] The above program can also be described as a program that causes the distributed train interlocking system 5 to execute the following steps: firstly, the central control unit 1 transmits a control command to the field equipment 3 to be controlled, and control conditions for continuing or stopping the control of the field equipment 3 based on the control command to the field equipment control unit 2; and secondly, the field equipment control unit 2 controls the field equipment 3 to be controlled using the control command and control conditions.

[0035] Here, the processor 91 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc. The memory 92 may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Registered Trademark) (Electrically EPROM), magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, minidisc, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).

[0036] Figure 10 shows an example of a case where the processing circuit 93 that realizes the distributed train interlocking system 5 according to Embodiment 1 is configured with dedicated hardware. When the processing circuit 93 is configured with dedicated hardware, the processing circuit 93 shown in Figure 10 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Each function of the distributed train interlocking system 5 may be realized by the processing circuit 93 separately for each function, or each function may be realized together by the processing circuit 93.

[0037] Furthermore, some functions of the distributed train interlocking system 5 may be implemented using dedicated hardware, while others may be implemented using software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit can implement the above-mentioned functions using dedicated hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0038] As described above, according to this embodiment, in a distributed train interlocking system 5 in which the central control unit 1 and the field equipment control unit 2 communicate via the network 4, when the central control unit 1 transmits a control command to the field equipment 3 to be controlled to the field equipment control unit 2, it transmits along with the control command the control conditions for continuing or stopping control of the field equipment 3 based on the control command to the field equipment control unit 2. The field equipment control unit 2 controls the field equipment 3 based on the control command while monitoring the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored, and if the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored indicates that control of the field equipment 3 based on the control command should be continued, it continues control of the field equipment 3 based on the control command, and if the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored indicates that control of the field equipment 3 based on the control command should be stopped, it stops control of the field equipment 3 based on the control command. As a result, even in situations where there is a delay in the network 4, the distributed train interlocking system 5 can stop control of the field equipment 3 based on the control command early if the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored indicates that control of the field equipment 3 based on the control command should be stopped. In a configuration where communication takes place via network 4, the distributed train interlocking system 5 can control field equipment 3 without delay even when delays occur in network 4.

[0039] Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 1, it was assumed that stopping the control of the field equipment 3 based on a control command would bring the field equipment 3 into a desired control state. Embodiment 2 describes a case where simply stopping the control of the field equipment 3 based on a control command does not bring the field equipment 3 into a desired control state.

[0040] In Embodiment 2, the configuration of the distributed train interlocking system 5 is the same as that of Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 1. The configurations of the central control device 1 and the field equipment control device 2 are also the same as those of Embodiment 1 shown in Figures 7 and 8, respectively. In Embodiment 2, the control command that was transmitted from the central control device 1 to the field equipment control device 2 is designated as the first control command. In Embodiment 2, the central control device 1 transmits the first control command and control conditions along with a second control command to the field equipment 3 to be controlled. The second control command is used by the field equipment control device 2 when it controls the field equipment 3 to be controlled after it has stopped controlling the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on the first control command.

[0041] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the distributed train interlocking system 5 according to Embodiment 2. The central control device 1 transmits a first control command to the field equipment 3 to be controlled, control conditions for continuing or stopping the control of the field equipment 3 based on the first control command, and a second control command to the field equipment 3 to be controlled to the field equipment 3 to be controlled to the field equipment 3 (step STP21). The field equipment control device 2 controls the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on the first control command (step STP22) while monitoring the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored (step STP23). The field equipment control device 2 compares the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored, i.e., the result of monitoring the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored, with the control conditions. If the state of the field equipment 3 to be monitored indicates that control of the field equipment 3 to be controlled should be continued based on the first control command (step STP24: Yes), the control of the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on the first control command should be continued (step STP25). In this case, the field equipment control device 2 returns to the operation in step STP22. The field equipment control device 2 compares the state of the monitored field equipment 3, i.e., the result of monitoring the state of the monitored field equipment 3, with the control conditions. If the state of the monitored field equipment 3 is such that control of the controlled field equipment 3 based on the first control command is stopped (step STP24: No), the field equipment control device 2 stops control of the controlled field equipment 3 based on the first control command (step STP26). Subsequently, the field equipment control device 2 controls the controlled field equipment 3 based on the second control command (step STP27).

[0042] As described above, if the control command of Embodiment 1 is designated as the first control command, in this embodiment, the central control device 1 transmits the second control command for the field equipment 3 to be controlled, along with the first control command and control conditions, to the field equipment control device 2. The field equipment control device 2 controls the field equipment 3 to be controlled based on the first control command while monitoring the status of other field equipment 3 that are under surveillance. The field equipment control device 2 compares the status of the monitored field equipment 3 with the control conditions, and if the status of the monitored field equipment 3 indicates that control of the field equipment 3 based on the first control command should be continued, the field equipment control device 2 continues to control the field equipment 3 based on the first control command. The field equipment control device 2 compares the status of the monitored field equipment 3 with the control conditions, and if the status of the monitored field equipment 3 indicates that control of the field equipment 3 based on the first control command should be stopped, the field equipment control device 2 stops control of the field equipment 3 based on the first control command and starts control of the field equipment 3 based on the second control command.

[0043] Furthermore, when the field equipment control device 2 stops controlling the field equipment 3 that is the target of control based on the first control command and starts controlling the field equipment 3 that is the target of control based on the second control command, it may notify the central control device 1 that it has stopped controlling the field equipment 3 that is the target of control based on the first control command and started controlling the field equipment 3 that is the target of control based on the second control command.

[0044] In Embodiment 2, the storage unit 11 of the central control device 1 stores a combination of a first control command, control conditions, and a second control command. Similarly, the storage unit 21 of the field equipment control device 2 also stores a combination of a first control command, control conditions, and a second control command.

[0045] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the distributed train interlocking system 5, the central control device 1 transmits a second control command to the field equipment 3 to be controlled, along with a first control command and control conditions, to the field equipment control device 2. When the state of the monitored field equipment 3 is such that control of the field equipment 3 based on the first control command is stopped, the field equipment control device 2 stops control of the field equipment 3 based on the first control command and starts control of the field equipment 3 based on the second control command. As a result, the distributed train interlocking system 5 can handle control switching and other operations that could not be realized in Embodiment 1.

[0046] In Embodiment 1, as a specific example, the control command was a drive permission control command, and the field equipment control device 2 stopped the control of the signal light S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled, by the drive permission control command, thereby achieving the desired control state, that is, the same state as when control is performed by a drive prohibition control command on the signal light S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled. Embodiment 2 can also be applied in such a case. That is, in Embodiment 2, the first control command can be a drive permission control command that sets the signal light S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled, to a proceed indication, and the second control command can be a drive prohibition control command that sets the signal light S1, which is the field equipment 3 to be controlled, to a stop indication.

[0047] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and it is possible to combine them with other known technologies, combine different embodiments, and omit or modify parts of the configuration without departing from the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Central control unit, 2 Field equipment control unit, 3 Field equipment, 4 Network, 5 Distributed train interlocking system, 6 Train, 11,21 Memory unit, 12,22 Control unit, 13,23 Communication unit, 90,93 Processing circuit, 91 Processor, 92 Memory, B1,B1',B2,B2' Turnouts, NT1,NT2,ST1,ST2 Track circuits, S1~S4 Signals.

Claims

1. A distributed train interlocking system in which a central control unit and field equipment control units communicate via a network, The central control unit transmits a control command to the field equipment to be controlled, and control conditions for continuing or stopping the control of the field equipment based on the control command, to the field equipment control device. A field equipment control device that controls the field equipment to be controlled using the control command and the control conditions, A distributed train interlocking system characterized by comprising the following features.

2. The field equipment control device controls the field equipment to be controlled based on the control command while monitoring the status of other field equipment to be monitored, and as a result of comparing the status of the monitored field equipment with the control conditions, if the status of the monitored field equipment indicates that control of the field equipment to be controlled should continue based on the control command, the control of the field equipment to be controlled should continue based on the control command, and if the status of the monitored field equipment indicates that control of the field equipment to be controlled should be stopped based on the control command, the control of the field equipment to be controlled should be stopped based on the control command. The distributed train interlocking system according to claim 1.

3. When the field equipment control device stops controlling the field equipment to be controlled based on the control command, it notifies the central control device that it has stopped controlling the field equipment to be controlled based on the control command. The distributed train interlocking system according to claim 2, characterized in that it is as described above.

4. The control command is a driving permission control command that sets the traffic signal, which is the on-site equipment to be controlled, to a proceed indication. The distributed train interlocking system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 2 or 3.

5. The control command is defined as the first control command. The central control unit transmits a second control command to the field equipment to be controlled, along with the first control command and the control conditions. The field equipment control device controls the field equipment to be controlled based on the first control command while monitoring the status of other field equipment to be monitored, and as a result of comparing the status of the monitored field equipment with the control conditions, if the status of the monitored field equipment indicates that control of the field equipment to be controlled should continue based on the first control command, the control of the field equipment to be controlled should continue based on the first control command; if the status of the monitored field equipment indicates that control of the field equipment to be controlled should stop based on the first control command, the control of the field equipment to be controlled should stop based on the first control command and the control of the field equipment to be controlled should start based on the second control command. The distributed train interlocking system according to claim 1.

6. When the field equipment control device stops controlling the field equipment to be controlled based on the first control command and starts controlling the field equipment to be controlled based on the second control command, it notifies the central control device that it has stopped controlling the field equipment to be controlled based on the first control command and started controlling the field equipment to be controlled based on the second control command. The distributed train interlocking system according to claim 5.

7. The first control command is a driving permission control command that sets the traffic signal, which is the on-site equipment to be controlled, to a proceed indication, and the second control command is a driving prohibition control command that sets the traffic signal, which is the on-site equipment to be controlled, to a stop indication. The distributed train interlocking system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by the features described herein.

8. A method for controlling field equipment in a distributed train interlocking system in which a central control unit and a field equipment control unit communicate via a network, The first step is that the central control unit transmits a control command to the field equipment to be controlled, and control conditions for continuing or stopping the control of the field equipment based on the control command, The second step is for the field equipment control device to control the field equipment to be controlled using the control command and the control conditions, A field equipment control method characterized by including the following.

9. In the second step described above, the field equipment control device controls the field equipment to be controlled based on the control command while monitoring the status of other field equipment to be monitored, and as a result of comparing the status of the monitored field equipment with the control conditions, if the status of the monitored field equipment indicates that control of the field equipment to be controlled should continue based on the control command, the control of the field equipment to be controlled should continue based on the control command, and if the status of the monitored field equipment indicates that control of the field equipment to be controlled should be stopped based on the control command, the control of the field equipment to be controlled should be stopped based on the control command. The field equipment control method according to feature 8.

10. In the second step described above, when the field equipment control device stops controlling the field equipment to be controlled based on the control command, it notifies the central control device that it has stopped controlling the field equipment to be controlled based on the control command. The field equipment control method according to feature 9.

11. The control command is a driving permission control command that sets the traffic signal, which is the on-site equipment to be controlled, to a proceed indication. The field equipment control method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by the features described herein.

12. The control command is defined as the first control command. In the first step, the central control unit transmits a second control command to the field equipment to be controlled, along with the first control command and the control conditions. In the second step, the field equipment control device controls the field equipment to be controlled based on the first control command while monitoring the status of other field equipment to be monitored, and as a result of comparing the status of the monitored field equipment with the control conditions, if the status of the monitored field equipment indicates that control of the field equipment to be controlled should continue based on the first control command, the control of the field equipment to be controlled should continue based on the first control command; if the status of the monitored field equipment indicates that control of the field equipment to be controlled should stop based on the first control command, the control of the field equipment to be controlled should stop based on the first control command and the control of the field equipment to be controlled should start based on the second control command. The field equipment control method according to feature 8.

13. In the second step, when the field equipment control device stops controlling the field equipment to be controlled based on the first control command and starts controlling the field equipment to be controlled based on the second control command, it notifies the central control device that it has stopped controlling the field equipment to be controlled based on the first control command and started controlling the field equipment to be controlled based on the second control command. The field equipment control method according to claim 12.

14. The first control command is a driving permission control command that sets the traffic signal, which is the on-site equipment to be controlled, to a proceed indication, and the second control command is a driving prohibition control command that sets the traffic signal, which is the on-site equipment to be controlled, to a stop indication. The field equipment control method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that it is the method described above.

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