Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program

Abstract

An information processing apparatus includes: a first generation unit that takes a waveform representing the change in track displacement from the starting point to the ending point of a first track traveled by a railway vehicle as a track displacement waveform and generates a plurality of different track displacement waveforms; a second generation unit that generates a vibration waveform based on each of the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation unit, wherein the vibration waveform is a waveform representing the change in vibration estimated to occur between the starting point and the ending point of a railway vehicle virtually traveling on the first track when the waveform representing the track displacement from the starting point to the ending point is consistent with the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform; and a third generation unit that generates corresponding information representing the correlation between the magnitude of the track displacement and the magnitude of the vibration based on the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation unit and the vibration waveform generated by the second generation unit based on each of the plurality of track displacements.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-165026 filed on October 6, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Research and development are underway on technologies for the maintenance and inspection of tracks used by railway vehicles such as auxiliary trams.

[0003] In this regard, a railway condition monitoring device is known, which acquires information representing at least one of the following: vibration, speed, acceleration, sound, reflected light, image, temperature, humidity, and wheel diameter of a railway vehicle, as information representing the condition of the railway vehicle, and estimates the track displacement of the track on which the railway vehicle travels based on the acquired information, and then provides the estimation result (see Patent Document 1). [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] Invention Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-046191 [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Here, in the railway condition monitoring device described in Patent Document 1, track displacement is estimated using a machine learning model. This is because it is unclear which of the following information regarding the condition of a railway vehicle traveling on a certain track is strongly correlated with the track displacement: the vibration, speed, acceleration, sound, reflected light, image, temperature, humidity, and wheel diameter of the railway vehicle. Therefore, in this railway condition monitoring device, processing information indicating the condition of such railway vehicles becomes complicated, and it is difficult to easily estimate track displacement.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention was developed in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and provides an information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program that can easily perform high-precision estimation of orbital displacement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus comprising: a first generation unit that takes a waveform representing the change in track displacement from the starting point to the ending point of a first track traveled by a railway vehicle as a track displacement waveform and generates a plurality of different track displacement waveforms; a second generation unit that generates a vibration waveform based on each of the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation unit, wherein the vibration waveform represents the change in vibration estimated to occur between the starting point and the ending point of a railway vehicle virtually traveling on the first track when the waveform representing the track displacement from the starting point to the ending point is consistent with the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform; and a third generation unit that generates corresponding information representing the correlation between the magnitude of the track displacement and the magnitude of the vibration based on the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation unit and the vibration waveform generated by the second generation unit based on each of the plurality of track displacements.

[0009] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration can also be used in an information processing device: the area from the aforementioned starting point to the aforementioned ending point is divided into a plurality of intervals; the aforementioned first generating unit generates orbital displacement information representing the orbital displacement of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals based on each of the previously generated orbital displacement waveforms; the aforementioned second generating unit generates vibration information representing the magnitude of the vibration of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals based on each of the aforementioned vibration waveforms generated by each of the aforementioned orbital displacement waveforms; the aforementioned third generating unit generates the aforementioned corresponding information based on the orbital displacement information of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals generated by the aforementioned first generating unit and the vibration information of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals generated by the aforementioned second generating unit.

[0010] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration can also be used in an information processing device: the aforementioned first generating unit specifies the maximum value of the orbital displacement of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals as the orbital displacement of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals; the aforementioned second generating unit specifies the maximum value of the vibration magnitude of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals as the vibration magnitude of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals.

[0011] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration can also be used in an information processing device: the aforementioned third generation unit generates information representing the response surface as the aforementioned corresponding information by means of regression analysis based on the scatter plot of the orbital displacement information of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals generated by the aforementioned first generation unit and the vibration information of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals generated by the aforementioned second generation unit.

[0012] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration can also be used in an information processing device: the aforementioned third generation unit uses Gaussian process regression as the aforementioned regression analysis.

[0013] Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention can also be used in an information processing device with the following configuration: it includes: a memory unit for storing the aforementioned corresponding information; and an estimation unit for estimating the track displacement of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals based on object vibration waveform information representing the waveform of a wave and the aforementioned corresponding information stored in the aforementioned memory unit when the first railway vehicle travels on the aforementioned first track, wherein the waveform of the wave represents the estimated change in vibration generated between the aforementioned starting point and the aforementioned ending point.

[0014] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration can also be used in an information processing device: the aforementioned first generating unit generates a plurality of track displacement waveforms based on each of a plurality of different speeds of a railway vehicle traveling on the aforementioned first track; the aforementioned second generating unit generates the aforementioned vibration waveform based on each of the aforementioned plurality of track displacement waveforms corresponding to the aforementioned plurality of speeds; and the aforementioned third generating unit generates the aforementioned corresponding information corresponding to the aforementioned plurality of speeds.

[0015] Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention is an information processing method comprising: a first generation step, wherein a waveform representing the change in track displacement from the starting point to the ending point of the first track traveled by a railway vehicle is taken as a track displacement waveform, and a plurality of different track displacement waveforms are generated; a second generation step, wherein a vibration waveform is generated based on each of the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation step, wherein the vibration waveform is a waveform representing the change in vibration presumed to occur between the starting point and the ending point of a railway vehicle virtually traveling on the first track, provided that the waveform representing the track displacement from the starting point to the ending point of the first track is consistent with the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform; and a third generation step, wherein corresponding information representing the correlation between the magnitude of the track displacement and the magnitude of the vibration is generated based on the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation step and the vibration waveform generated by the second generation step based on each of the plurality of track displacements.

[0016] Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention is a program used to cause a computer to perform the following steps: a first generation step, which takes a waveform representing the change in track displacement from the starting point to the ending point of the first track traveled by a railway vehicle as a track displacement waveform and generates a plurality of different track displacement waveforms; a second generation step, which generates a vibration waveform based on each of the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation step, wherein the vibration waveform is a waveform representing the change in vibration presumed to occur between the starting point and the ending point of a railway vehicle virtually traveling on the first track when the waveform representing the track displacement of the first track from the starting point to the ending point is consistent with the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform; and a third generation step, which generates corresponding information representing the correlation between the magnitude of the track displacement and the magnitude of the vibration based on the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation step and the vibration waveform generated by the second generation step based on each of the plurality of track displacements. [Invention Benefits]

[0017] According to the present invention, the estimation of track displacement with high accuracy can be easily performed.

Implementation Method

[0019] <Embodimentation> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] <Overview of Information Processing Apparatus> First, an overview of the information processing apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

[0021] The information processing apparatus of the embodiment includes a first generation unit, a second generation unit, and a third generation unit. The first generation unit takes a waveform representing the change in track displacement from the starting point to the ending point of the first track traveled by a railway vehicle as a track displacement waveform, and generates a plurality of different track displacement waveforms. The second generation unit generates a vibration waveform based on each of the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation unit. This vibration waveform is a waveform representing the change in vibration estimated to occur between the starting point and the ending point of a railway vehicle virtually traveling on the first track, provided that the waveform representing the track displacement from the starting point to the ending point matches the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform. The third generation unit generates corresponding information representing the correlation between the magnitude of the track displacement and the magnitude of the vibration based on the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation unit and the vibration waveform generated by the second generation unit based on each of the plurality of track displacements. Therefore, the information processing device can make an estimation of the orbital displacement of the first track based on the corresponding information. As a result, the information processing device can easily make a high-precision estimation of the orbital displacement.

[0022] Hereinafter, the configuration of the information processing apparatus of the embodiment, the processing of generating corresponding information in the processing performed by the information processing apparatus, and the processing of estimating the orbital displacement based on the corresponding information in the processing performed by the information processing apparatus will be explained in detail.

[0023] <Structure of Information Processing System> Hereinafter, information processing system 1 will be used as an example of an information processing system having an implementation form of information processing device, and the structure of the information processing system will be explained. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of information processing system 1.

[0024] The information processing system 1 includes, for example, a measuring device 10, a server 20, and an information processing device 30. Furthermore, in the information processing system 1, some or all of the measuring device 10, server 20, and information processing device 30 may be integrated into one unit. Also, the information processing system 1 may be configured to include other devices besides the measuring device 10, server 20, and information processing device 30.

[0025] The information processing system 1 virtually divides the track from the starting point to the ending point of the track traveled by the railway vehicle equipped with the measuring device 10 into a plurality of intervals, and estimates the track displacement of each of the plurality of intervals. Some or all of these plurality of intervals may be intervals of equal distance or intervals of different distances. The following explanation is based on the case where the plurality of intervals are intervals of equal distance and are 10 [m] apart. Furthermore, these plurality of intervals may be intervals of shorter distance than 10 [m] or intervals of longer distance than 10 [m].

[0026] The track displacement estimated by the information processing system 1 may be any one of the following: elevation displacement, channel displacement, leveling displacement, inter-track displacement, or planar displacement, or a combination of some or all of these. The following is an example illustrating the case where the track displacement estimated by the information processing system 1 is elevation displacement.

[0027] Here, the following explanation is based on the case where the measuring device 10 is installed on the railway vehicle T shown in Figure 1. The railway vehicle T is a tram. The railway vehicle T can be any vehicle that runs on a track (e.g., a rail), such as a pneumatic car, a new transportation system, or a monorail, or any other vehicle that can replace the tram. Furthermore, the following explanation is based on the case where the track on which the railway vehicle T runs is the track R shown in Figure 1. The track R can be any track that the railway vehicle T can run on. That is, the information processing system 1 virtually divides the track R from the starting point to the ending point into a plurality of intervals, and estimates the track displacement of each of the plurality of intervals after division. Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, the starting point of the track R will be referred to as the starting point. Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, the ending point of the track R will be referred to as the ending point. Furthermore, the starting point refers to the beginning of the path on track R that is the object of the information processing system 1 in estimating track displacement. This path is formed by the plurality of intervals of the aforementioned track R. Also, the ending point refers to the ending point of the path on track R that is the object of the information processing system 1 in estimating track displacement.

[0028] Furthermore, the information processing system 1 estimates the track displacement of each section from the starting point to the ending point based on the travel information of the railway vehicle T. For ease of explanation, the travel information of the railway vehicle T will be referred to as travel information in the following explanation.

[0029] The travel information includes measured value information, which represents various measured values ​​measured by the measuring device 10 installed on the railway vehicle T when the railway vehicle T is traveling. These various measured values ​​include the acceleration of the railway vehicle T at various moments in a predetermined direction, which is used as a measure of the vibration of the railway vehicle T traveling in the predetermined direction. Alternatively, the various measured values ​​may include the velocity, angular velocity, etc., at various moments when the railway vehicle T is traveling. Furthermore, the measured value representing the vibration of the railway vehicle T traveling in the predetermined direction may be replaced by other physical quantities that can represent the vibration, instead of acceleration. For the sake of simplicity, the following explanation will focus on the case where the various measured values ​​include the acceleration of the railway vehicle T at various moments in a predetermined direction and the velocity at various moments when the railway vehicle T is traveling. Here, the predetermined direction is determined based on the type of track displacement estimated by the information processing system 1, and can be either a single direction or two or more directions. In this example, the type of track displacement estimated by the information processing system 1 is vertical displacement. Therefore, the predetermined direction in this example is only the vertical direction. Furthermore, the following explanation focuses on a case where the travel information includes not only the measured value information indicating the acceleration and the measured value information indicating the speed, but also travel identification information and position information. The travel identification information identifies each travel of the railway vehicle T from the starting point to the ending point as one travel cycle, and the position information indicates the position on the track R where the acceleration and speed have been measured. Furthermore, the following explanation focuses on a case where the measured value information indicating the acceleration includes time information indicating the moment the acceleration was measured. Furthermore, the following explanation focuses on a case where the measured value information indicating the speed includes time information indicating the moment the speed was measured. Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, the measured value information representing the acceleration will be referred to as acceleration information, and the measured value information representing the velocity will be referred to as velocity information.

[0030] In the information processing system 1, such walking information is stored by the server 20. Furthermore, in the information processing system 1, the information processing device 30 reads the walking information stored in the server 20. Then, in the information processing system 1, the information processing device 30 estimates the track displacement based on the walking information read from the server 20.

[0031] The measuring device 10 can be any device capable of measuring the aforementioned various measured values ​​(in this example, a device capable of measuring acceleration, velocity, position on orbit R, and current time). The measuring device 10 can be, for example, a mobile terminal such as a multi-functional mobile phone (smartphone), a tablet PC (personal computer), an information processor of a notebook PC that is equipped with a sensor capable of measuring various measured values, a dedicated device for measuring various measured values, or other devices capable of measuring various measured values.

[0032] The measuring device 10 is connected to the server 20 via wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN (local area network) or mobile communication network, to enable communication. That is, the measuring device 10 is also a communication device capable of wireless communication with the server 20.

[0033] In the measuring device 10, for example, walking identification information is pre-registered through an operation received from a user. Then, while the railway vehicle T is moving, the measuring device 10 measures the acceleration of the railway vehicle T, the speed of the railway vehicle T, and the position on the track R at each moment in a predetermined sampling period. Each time acceleration and speed are measured, the measuring device 10 generates walking information based on the measured acceleration, the measured speed, the current moment, the measured position on the track R, and the pre-registered walking identification information. In this example, when generating walking information, the measuring device 10 calculates the distance from the starting point to the current position on the track R and re-identifies the calculated distance as the position on the track R. This re-identification of the distance as the position on the track R can also be implemented by a server 20, an information processing device 30, etc., instead of the measuring device 10. The measuring device 10 sends the generated travel information to the server 20 each time travel information is generated, and also stores the travel information in the server 20. Here, the aforementioned starting point refers to the position on track R where the measuring device 10 begins measuring various values ​​while the railway vehicle T is traveling on track R. Similarly, the ending point refers to the position on track R where the measuring device 10 ends measuring various values ​​while the railway vehicle T is traveling on track R.

[0034] The server 20 can be any information processing device that enables it to function as a server. For example, the server 20 may be a workstation, a desktop PC, etc., but it is not limited to these.

[0035] The server 20 is able to communicate with the measuring device 10 via wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), wireless LAN, or mobile communication networks. That is, the server 20 is also a communication device capable of wireless communication with the measuring device 10. Furthermore, the server 20 can also be connected to the information processing device 30 via wireless or wired communication. That is, the server 20 is also a communication device capable of wireless or wired communication with the information processing device 30.

[0036] Upon receiving walking information sent from the measuring device 10, the server 20 memorizes the received walking information. At this time, the server 20 integrates and memorizes the walking information according to each walking identification information contained in the walking information. Furthermore, when the server 20 has obtained walking identification information from the information processing device 30 as a request to obtain walking information, it sends a plurality of walking information containing the obtained walking identification information to the information processing device 30.

[0037] The information processing device 30 may be a workstation, desktop PC, notebook PC, tablet PC, multi-function mobile phone terminal, mobile phone terminal, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc., but is not limited to these.

[0038] The information processing device 30 is connected to the server 20 via wireless or wired communication to enable communication. That is, the information processing device 30 is also a communication device capable of wireless or wired communication with the server 20.

[0039] In response to an operation received from a user, the information processing device 30 sends walking identification information to the server 20 as a request to obtain walking information. The information processing device 30 receives from the server 20 a plurality of walking information messages, including the walking identification information sent as the request, as a response to the request sent to the server 20. Upon receiving such a plurality of walking information messages, the information processing device 30 estimates the track displacement in each section of the track R based on the received plurality of walking information messages and corresponding information stored in advance.

[0040] Here, the corresponding information refers to information obtained through simulation, specifically information representing the correlation between the magnitude of track displacement and the magnitude of vibration. More specifically, the corresponding information establishes a correspondence between track displacement and acceleration in each section of a virtual track R, where acceleration represents the vibration estimated to occur in a predetermined direction in each section of a virtual railway vehicle traveling on the virtual track R by means of such track displacement. Furthermore, the corresponding information can also replace the information obtained through simulation and establish a correspondence between track displacement and acceleration in each section of an actual track R, where acceleration represents the vibration estimated to occur in a predetermined direction in a railway vehicle traveling on track R by such track displacement. Moreover, these virtual or actual railway vehicles can also be railway vehicles T, as long as they are capable of traveling on track R, and can also be railway vehicles different from railway vehicle T. For example, when the input is the acceleration of a railway vehicle T in a certain section of track R, the output is a function or lookup table that establishes a corresponding relationship between the input acceleration and the track displacement in that section.

[0041] The information processing device 30 generates such a correspondence in response to an operation received from the user. More specifically, the information processing device 30 treats the waveform representing the change in track displacement from the starting point to the ending point as the track displacement waveform, and virtually generates a plurality of different track displacement waveforms. In other words, the information processing device 30 generates these plurality of track displacement waveforms through simulation. These plurality of track displacement waveforms are distinguished from each other based on the differences in the statistical characteristics of the changes in track displacement shown by each waveform. After generating the plurality of track displacement waveforms, the information processing device 30 generates a vibration waveform corresponding to each of the plurality of generated track displacement waveforms. The vibration waveform corresponding to a certain track displacement waveform refers to the waveform representing the change in acceleration (i.e., vibration) generated in a pre-determined direction between the starting point and the ending point, when the waveform representing the change in track displacement from the starting point to the ending point matches the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform, in a railway vehicle virtually traveling on track R. The information processing device 30 uses a vehicle model to generate such vibration waveforms. The vehicle model is a mathematical (physical) model of a railway vehicle, such as SIMPACK (registered trademark), but is not limited to this. For example, when a vibration waveform corresponding to a certain track displacement waveform has been generated, the information processing device 30 generates temporary correspondence information for each interval on track R, establishing a correspondence between the maximum value of track displacement in the interval and the maximum absolute value of acceleration in the interval. The information processing device 30 generates such temporary correspondence information for each track displacement waveform of all track displacement waveforms. Then, based on the plurality of temporary correspondence information generated for each track displacement waveform of all track displacement waveforms, the information processing device 30 generates a scatter plot of the maximum value of track displacement and the maximum absolute value of acceleration, and performs regression analysis based on the generated scatter plot. As a result of this regression analysis, the information processing device 30 obtains a response surface. The information processing device 30 generates information representing this response surface as the aforementioned correspondence information. In this way, the information processing device 30 can easily make a high-precision estimation of orbital displacement using the corresponding information that has been generated.

[0042] <Hardware Configuration of the Information Processing Apparatus> Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIG2. FIG2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 30.

[0043] The information processing device 30 includes, for example, a processor 31, a memory unit 32, an input receiving unit 33, a communication unit 34, and a display unit 35. Furthermore, the information processing device 30 communicates with the server 20 via the communication unit 34. These components are interconnected via a bus to enable communication.

[0044] The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Alternatively, the processor 31 may be replaced by other processors such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processor 31 executes various programs stored in the memory unit 32.

[0045] The memory unit 32 includes, for example, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Furthermore, the memory unit 32 can also be an external memory device connected via a digital input / output port such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) to replace the one built into the information processing device 30. The memory unit 32 stores various information, images, and programs processed by the information processing device 30.

[0046] The input receiving unit 33 is, for example, an input device including a keyboard, mouse, touch pad, etc., used to receive input (operation) from the user.

[0047] The communication unit 34 may be composed of, for example, a digital input / output port such as USB or an Ethernet port.

[0048] The display unit 35 is, for example, a display device that includes a display screen.

[0049] <Functional Configuration of the Information Processing Apparatus> Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIG3. FIG3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 30.

[0050] The information processing device 30 includes a memory unit 32, an input receiving unit 33, a communication unit 34, a display unit 35, and a control unit 36.

[0051] The control unit 36 ​​controls the entire information processing device 30. The control unit 36 ​​includes a receiving unit 361, a first generating unit 362, a second generating unit 363, a third generating unit 364, an estimation unit 365, and a display control unit 366. These functional units of the control unit 36 ​​are implemented, for example, by the processor 31 executing various programs stored in the memory unit 32. Furthermore, some or all of these functional units may also be hardware functional units such as LSI (Large Scale Integration) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0052] The receiving unit 361 sends the walking identification information as a request to obtain the walking information of the railway vehicle T to the server 20 in response to the operation received from the user, and receives the walking information containing the sent walking identification information as a response to the request.

[0053] The first generation unit 362 takes the waveform representing the change of track displacement from the starting point to the ending point as the track displacement waveform, and generates a plurality of track displacement waveforms that represent different waveforms. Furthermore, the first generation unit 362 generates track displacement information representing the track displacement of each of a plurality of intervals on the track R based on each of the generated plurality of track displacement waveforms.

[0054] The second generation unit 363 generates a vibration waveform based on each of the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation unit 362. This vibration waveform virtually travels within a railway vehicle on track R, where the waveform representing the track displacement of track R from the starting point to the ending point matches the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform. It represents the waveform of the vibration estimated to occur between the starting point and the ending point. Furthermore, the second generation unit 363 generates vibration information representing the magnitude of the vibration in each of the plurality of intervals based on each vibration waveform generated by each of the plurality of track displacement waveforms.

[0055] The third generation unit 364 generates corresponding information representing the correlation between the magnitude of the track displacement and the magnitude of the vibration based on the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation unit 362 and the vibration waveforms generated by the second generation unit 363 according to each of the plurality of track displacements. More specifically, the third generation unit 364 generates corresponding information based on the track displacement information of each of the plurality of intervals generated by the first generation unit 362 and the vibration information of each of the plurality of intervals generated by the second generation unit 363.

[0056] The estimation unit 365 estimates the track displacement of each section on the track R based on the walking information received by the receiving unit 361 and the corresponding information stored in the memory unit 32 (that is, the corresponding information generated by the third generation unit 364).

[0057] The display control unit 366 generates various images in response to operations received from the user. The display control unit 366 displays the generated images on the display unit 35. For example, the display control unit 366 generates an image containing information representing the estimation result made by the estimation unit 365 in response to operations received from the user, and displays the generated image on the display unit 35.

[0058] <Processing for Generating Corresponding Information> Hereinafter, the processing of generating corresponding information by the information processing apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIG4. FIG4 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the processing of generating corresponding information by the information processing apparatus 30. The following description is based on an example in which the information processing apparatus 30 accepts the operation to start generating corresponding information at a timing earlier than the processing of step S110 shown in FIG4.

[0059] After the information processing device 30 accepts the operation to start generating corresponding information, the first generation unit 362 repeats the processing steps S120 to S200 (step S110) according to each of a plurality of statistical characteristic values ​​that are different from each other, representing the change of the track displacement of the track R from the starting point to the ending point. In FIG4, the processing of step S110 is shown in the manner of "according to each characteristic". Here, the plurality of statistical characteristic values ​​refer to the amount representing the size of the concavity and convexity of the track R. In step S110, the first generation unit 362 may, for example, randomly generate a plurality of statistical characteristic values ​​in a predetermined number, or read information representing a plurality of statistical characteristic values ​​previously stored in the memory unit 32 from the memory unit 32, or specify the composition of the plurality of statistical characteristic values ​​by other methods. The following explanation will focus on three orbital states with a plurality of statistical characteristic values ​​of 0.3×10⁻⁵ (optimal orbital state), 3×10⁻⁵ (standard orbital state), and 30×10⁻⁵ (worst orbital state). Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the statistical characteristic value selected by the first generation unit 362 in step S110 will be referred to as the object statistical characteristic value.

[0060] After selecting the statistical characteristic value of the object in step S110, the first generation unit 362 calculates the concavity and convexity of the track R based on the power spectral density function corresponding to the selected track state. Then, the first generation unit 362 generates a waveform representing the change in track displacement of the track R from the starting point to the ending point based on the calculated concavity and convexity of the track R, and uses it as the track displacement waveform (step S120).

[0061] Here, Figure 5 shows an example of a power spectral density function generated according to three statistical characteristic values ​​representing the statistical characteristics of the change in orbital displacement of track R from the starting point to the ending point. The vertical axis of the graph in Figure 5 represents the value of the power spectral density function. The horizontal axis of the graph represents the spatial frequency. Then, Figure 6 illustrates the orbital displacement waveform generated according to the power spectral density function. To prevent the graph from becoming complicated, Figure 6 shows the following three orbital displacement waveforms: the orbital displacement waveform generated according to the power spectral density function calculated by taking the statistical characteristic value representing the change in orbital displacement of track R from the starting point to the ending point as 0.3 × 10⁻⁵ [m⁻¹]; the orbital displacement waveform generated according to the power spectral density function calculated by taking the statistical characteristic value as 3 × 10⁻⁵ [m⁻¹]; and the orbital displacement waveform generated according to the power spectral density function calculated by taking the statistical characteristic value as 30 × 10⁻⁵ [m⁻¹]. The vertical axis of the graph in Figure 6 represents the orbital displacement. The horizontal axis of this graph represents the position on track R based on the distance from the starting point. That is, the track displacement waveform in this example represents the change in track displacement corresponding to the distance from the starting point. Furthermore, the method for calculating the power spectral density function based on the statistical characteristic value representing the statistical characteristics of the change in track displacement from the starting point to the ending point on track R can be either a known method or a method developed therefrom. Also, the method for generating the track displacement waveform based on the power spectral density function can be either a known method or a method developed therefrom. Therefore, in this embodiment, the description of these two methods is omitted.

[0062] After performing step S120, the first generation unit 362 divides the range from the starting point to the ending point into the aforementioned plurality of intervals, and repeats step S140 (step S130) for each divided interval. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the interval selected by the first generation unit 362 in step S130 will be referred to as the object interval. In step S130, the first generation unit 362 selects these plurality of intervals sequentially from the starting point side as object intervals, for example. Alternatively, the first generation unit 362 may randomly select these plurality of spaces as object intervals, or select them sequentially using other methods. Also, the first generation unit 362 may perform some or all of the repeated processes repeated in steps S130 to S140 in parallel.

[0063] After selecting the target interval in step S130, the first generation unit 362 determines the maximum value of the track displacement in the target interval based on the track displacement waveform generated in step S120 and the 10m sine versine method, and generates information representing the determined maximum value as the track displacement information of the target interval (step S140). Here, when briefly explained, the 10m sine versine method is a method in which at least a portion of a 10m yarn is placed within the target interval and extended in a way that does not bend the 10m yarn to touch the track R, and the distance of a straight line extending vertically downward from the middle of the yarn to the track R is used as the displacement for measurement. Then, in the 10m sine versine method, while the yarn is extended, the position where the displacement is the maximum is determined by offsetting the yarn, and the displacement at the determined position is determined as the maximum value of the track displacement in the target interval. Furthermore, since the 10m sine versine method is a well-known method, further detailed description is omitted in this embodiment. Furthermore, in step S140, the first generation unit 362 may also use other methods to replace the 10m chord sine method to determine the maximum value of the orbital displacement within a specific target interval. For example, the first generation unit 362 may determine the maximum value by using a chord sine method that uses a chord with a distance shorter than 10m, or by using a chord sine method that uses a chord with a distance longer than 10m.

[0064] After performing step S140, the first generation unit 362 moves to step S130 and selects the next interval as the target interval. Furthermore, after performing step S140, if there are no remaining intervals that can be selected as the next target interval, the first generation unit 362 ends the repeated processing from step S130 to step S140 and moves to step S150.

[0065] After the first generation unit 362 finishes repeating the process of steps S130 to S140, the second generation unit 363 repeats the process of steps S160 to S200 (step S150) according to each of a plurality of speeds that are predetermined as the speed of a railway vehicle virtually traveling on track R. The following explanation will focus on the case where each of these plurality of speeds is 30 km / h, 40 km / h, 50 km / h, 60 km / h, 70 km / h, and 80 km / h. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the speed selected by the second generation unit 363 in step S150 will be referred to as the target speed.

[0066] After selecting the target speed in step S150, the second generation unit 363 generates a vibration waveform (step S160) based on the selected target speed, the track displacement waveform generated in step S120, and the vehicle model, so that the virtual railway vehicle represented by the vehicle model virtually travels along track R from the starting point to the ending point at the target speed. Here, in this case, and where the waveform representing the track displacement of track R from the starting point to the ending point is consistent with the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform, the vibration waveform represents the change in vibration of the railway vehicle at the target speed estimated to occur between the starting point and the ending point. Furthermore, the vibration is in the direction predetermined above. That is, in step S160, the second generation unit 363 causes the railway vehicle to virtually travel along the virtual track R with the track displacement having the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform at the target speed, thereby causing the railway vehicle to vibrate and generating a vibration waveform representing the change from the starting point to the ending point of the vibration. Furthermore, in this example, the vibration of the railway vehicle in the predetermined direction is represented by the acceleration of the railway vehicle in that direction. That is, in this example, the vibration waveform refers to the waveform of the acceleration of the railway vehicle in the predetermined direction.

[0067] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the process of generating a vibration waveform from a track displacement waveform. As shown in Figure 7, the second generation unit 363 inputs the track displacement waveform into the vehicle model. Thereby, the second generation unit 363 causes the railway vehicle to virtually travel at an object speed on a virtual track R with a track displacement represented by the track displacement waveform. As a result, the vehicle model outputs a vibration waveform representing the change from the start point to the end point of the vibration. Thus, in step S160, the second generation unit 363 generates a vibration waveform corresponding to the track displacement waveform generated in step S120.

[0068] After the processing in step S160, the second generation unit 363 repeats the processing of steps S180 to S200 (step S170) for each of the plurality of intervals divided by the first generation unit 362 in step S130. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the interval selected by the second generation unit 363 in step S170 will be referred to as the object interval. In step S170, the second generation unit 363 selects these plurality of intervals sequentially from the starting point side as object intervals, for example. Alternatively, the second generation unit 363 may randomly select these plurality of spaces as object intervals, or select them sequentially using other methods. Furthermore, the second generation unit 363 may also perform part or all of the repeated processing in steps S170 to S200 in parallel.

[0069] After selecting the target interval in step S170, the second generation unit 363 generates vibration information (step S180) based on the vibration waveform generated in step S160 and the target interval selected in step S170. More specifically, in step S180, the second generation unit 363 extracts waveforms representing acceleration (vibration) at various positions within the target interval from the vibration waveform, and determines the maximum absolute value of acceleration (i.e., the magnitude of vibration) within a specific target interval based on the extracted waveforms. Then, the second generation unit 363 generates information representing the determined absolute value as vibration information. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a vibration waveform. The vertical axis of the graph in Figure 8 represents acceleration, i.e., vibration. The horizontal axis of the graph represents the position on the track R based on the distance from the starting point. The arrows shown in Figure 8 indicate the positions where the absolute value of acceleration is the maximum in the various intervals shown in Figure 8. In step S180, the second generation unit 363 determines the position where the absolute value of acceleration is maximum within a specific target interval. Then, the second generation unit 363 generates information representing the absolute value of acceleration at the specified position as vibration information for the target interval. Figure 9 shows an example of a graph after redrawing the vibration waveform using the absolute values ​​shown by the vibration information. The vertical axis of the graph in Figure 9 represents the absolute value of acceleration, i.e., the magnitude of vibration. The horizontal axis of the graph represents the position on track R based on the distance from the starting point. In this graph, the maximum absolute value of acceleration within each interval is plotted at the midpoint of that interval. Therefore, the intensity of vibration in each interval can be compared in this graph.

[0070] Next, the second generation unit 363 specifies the track displacement information of the target interval selected in step S170 from the track displacement information generated in the repeated processing of steps S130 to S140. Then, the second generation unit 363 generates information that establishes a correspondence between the specified track displacement information and the vibration information generated in step S180, as temporary correspondence information (step S190).

[0071] Next, the second generation unit 363 stores the temporary correspondence information generated in step S190 in the memory unit 32 (step S200). At this time, the second generation unit 363 establishes a correspondence between the speed information representing the speed of the object selected in step S150 and the temporary correspondence information, and stores the temporary correspondence information in the memory unit 32.

[0072] After performing step S200, the second generation unit 363 moves to step S170 and selects the next interval as the target interval. Furthermore, after performing step S200, if no interval remains to be selected as the next target interval, the second generation unit 363 moves to step S150 after ending the repeated processing from step S170 to step S200, and selects the next speed as the target speed. Furthermore, after ending the repeated processing from step S170 to step S200, if no speed remains to be selected as the next target speed, the first generation unit 362 moves to step S110 after the second generation unit 363 ends the repeated processing from step S150 to step S200, and selects the next statistical characteristic value as the target statistical characteristic value. Furthermore, after the second generation unit 363 finishes the repeated processing of steps S150 to S200, the first generation unit 362 ends the repeated processing of steps S110 to S200 when there are no remaining statistical characteristic values ​​that can be selected as the next object statistical characteristic value.

[0073] After the first generation unit 362 finishes the repeated processing of steps S110 to S200, the third generation unit 364 repeats the processing of steps S220 to S240 (step S210) according to each of a plurality of speeds that are predetermined as the speed of a railway vehicle virtually traveling on track R. Here, these plurality of speeds are the same plurality of speeds that are selected as the target speed by the second generation unit 363 in step S150. Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, the speed selected by the third generation unit 364 in step S210 will be referred to as the target speed in the following explanation.

[0074] After selecting the object speed in step S210, the third generation unit 364 reads all of the plurality of temporary correspondence information that establishes a correspondence with the speed information representing the selected object speed from the memory unit 32 (step S220).

[0075] Next, the third generation unit 364 generates a scatter plot on a graph that displays the plurality of temporary correspondence information read in step S220, with each plotted on a vertical axis representing the orbital displacement of orbit R and a horizontal axis representing the absolute value of acceleration. Then, the third generation unit 364 performs a regression analysis based on the generated scatter plot, calculates the response surface, and generates information representing the calculated response surface as correspondence information (step S230). Here, the third generation unit 364 uses Gaussian process regression as a regression analysis to calculate the response surface, for example. Furthermore, the third generation unit 364 may also use other regression analyses such as linear regression to calculate the composition of the response surface. Also, since Gaussian process regression is a well-known regression analysis, a detailed explanation is omitted in this embodiment.

[0076] Here, Figure 10 shows an example of a scatter plot generated by the third generation unit 364 in step S230. The vertical axis of the graph shown in Figure 10 represents the track displacement of track R. The horizontal axis of the curve represents the absolute value of acceleration. The plurality of circles on the graph represent the respective temporary correspondence information that has been plotted on the graph. The graph shows a correlation between the track displacement of track R and the absolute value of acceleration (magnitude of vibration) generated in the railway vehicle traveling on track R in a predetermined direction. Previously, the uncertainty about the existence of this correlation was considered to be due to the large dispersion of the various plots in the scatter plot. Then, the dotted line F1 on the graph represents the response surface that has been obtained as the result of the Gaussian process regression based on the scatter plot. The area R1 with the hatching lines is the error range of the response surface shown by the dotted line F1, and represents the error range of ±1σ with the standard deviation as σ and the value of the response surface as the center value. Furthermore, the distribution and response surface shape plotted on the scatter plot change according to the speed selected as the object speed in step S210. The distribution and response surface shape plotted on the scatter plot shown in Figure 10 are the distribution and shape when the object speed is [60 km / h].

[0077] Furthermore, as the number of plots on the scatter plot increases, the time required for regression analysis becomes longer. Therefore, the third generation unit 364 may also divide the horizontal axis of the scatter plot into predetermined intervals (bins) to shorten the time required for regression analysis, and combine the average values ​​of the orbital displacements corresponding to the plurality of plots contained in each interval into one as the composition of the plot for each interval. In this case, the scatter plot shown in FIG10 becomes the scatter plot shown in FIG11. FIG11 is a graph showing another example of the scatter plot generated by the third generation unit 364 in step S230. However, in the example shown in FIG11, the predetermined interval is 0.1 [m / s2]. In this way, the third generation unit 364 can shorten the time required for regression analysis. Furthermore, the vertical axis of the graph shown in FIG11 represents the orbital displacement of orbit R. The horizontal axis of the graph represents the absolute value of acceleration. The plurality of circles on the graph represent the respective provisional correspondences plotted on the graph after averaging. Then, the dotted line F2 on the graph represents the response surface obtained as a result of the Gaussian process regression based on the scatter plot. The region R2 with the cross-section represents the error range of the response surface shown by dotted line F2, and indicates the error range of ±1σ, where the standard deviation is taken as σ and the value of the response surface is taken as the center value.

[0078] indicates that the corresponding information obtained from the response surface as described above represents the correlation between the magnitude of the track displacement and the magnitude of the vibration. In other words, this corresponding information establishes a correspondence between the acceleration of the railway vehicle in each predetermined direction and the track displacement of the track R that is presumed to cause that acceleration. Then, as mentioned above, this corresponding information, for example, when the acceleration of the railway vehicle in a predetermined direction is input, will output a function, lookup table, etc., that establishes a correspondence between the track displacement of the track R and the input acceleration.

[0079] After performing step S230, the third generation unit 364 stores the corresponding information generated in step S230 in the memory unit 32 (step S240). At this time, the third generation unit 364 establishes a correspondence between the speed information representing the object speed selected in step S210 and the corresponding information, and stores the corresponding information in the memory unit 32. Then, the third generation unit 364 moves to step S210 and selects the next speed as the object speed. Furthermore, after performing step S240, if there are no remaining speeds that can be selected as the next object speed, the third generation unit 364 ends the repeated processing from step S210 to step S240 and ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG4.

[0080] As described above, the information processing device 30 takes the waveform representing the change in track displacement from the starting point to the ending point as the track displacement waveform and generates a plurality of different track displacement waveforms. For each of the generated plurality of track displacement waveforms, a vibration waveform is generated. This vibration waveform virtually travels on the railway vehicle on track R, representing the estimated change in vibration occurring between the starting point and the ending point, provided that the waveform representing the track displacement of track R from the starting point to the ending point matches the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform. Based on the generated plurality of track displacement waveforms and the vibration waveform generated for each of the plurality of track displacements, corresponding information representing the correlation between the magnitude of the track displacement and the magnitude of the vibration is generated. In this way, the information processing device 30 can easily perform a high-precision estimation of the track displacement based on the generated corresponding information.

[0081] Furthermore, the information processing device 30 may also be configured such that, in step S230, information establishing a correspondence between the track displacement and the magnitude of the vibration of the track inspection vehicle for each of a plurality of intervals on the track R (i.e., temporary correspondence information measured by the track inspection vehicle) is treated as information measured by the track inspection vehicle, and this information has been obtained in a time sequence earlier than the processing in step S110, the information is additionally plotted on the aforementioned scatter plot. In this case, the information processing device 30 can also calculate the response surface based on Gaussian process regression using the same processing as in step S230. Then, in this case, compared to the case without this information, the estimation accuracy of the interrelationships shown by the calculated response surface is higher. That is, the information processing device 30 can use this information to generate corresponding information capable of estimating track displacement with higher accuracy.

[0082] Furthermore, the information processing device 30 may also be configured such that, when the speed of the railway vehicle T traveling from the starting point to the destination is fixed (or approximately fixed) and known, the repeated processing of steps S150 to S200 may be omitted, and instead, steps S160 to S200 may be performed once. In this case, the speed used in the processing of steps S160 to S200 is the speed of the railway vehicle T. Also, in this case, the information processing device 30 may omit the repeated processing of steps S210 to S240, and instead perform steps S220 to S240 once. Then, in this case, since the speed of the railway vehicle T is fixed and known in step S240, the information processing device 30 can be configured either to establish a correspondence between speed information and corresponding information, or not to establish a correspondence between speed information and corresponding information.

[0083] <Processing for Estimating Track Displacement Based on Corresponding Information> Hereinafter, the processing by which the information processing device 30 estimates track displacement based on corresponding information will be explained with reference to FIG12. FIG12 is a diagram showing an example of the process flow of the information processing device 30 for estimating track displacement based on corresponding information. Hereinafter, we will explain the case where, in a sequence of events earlier than the processing shown in step S310 of FIG12, the information processing device 30 accepts an operation to estimate the track displacement of track R based on the travel information of railway vehicle T. Hereinafter, we will explain the case where, in this sequence of events, the information processing device 30 sends a request to obtain the travel information to the server 20 in response to the operation. Hereinafter, we will explain the case where, in this sequence of events, the corresponding information is stored in the memory unit 32 by processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG4.

[0084] After sending the request to obtain walking information to the server 20, the receiving unit 361 receives a plurality of walking information including walking identification information sent as the request, as a response to the request (step S310).

[0085] Next, the estimation unit 365 reads corresponding information from the memory unit 32 based on the plurality of walking information received by the receiving unit 361 in step S310 (step S320). More specifically, the estimation unit 365 determines the speed indicated by the speed information contained in each of the plurality of walking information. Then, for example, if the determined plurality of speeds are the same, the estimation unit 365 reads corresponding information from the memory unit 32 that establishes a correspondence with the speed information of the speed closest to the same speed. On the other hand, if the determined plurality of speeds are different, the estimation unit 365 calculates the average value of the speeds. Then, the estimation unit 365 reads corresponding information from the memory unit 32 that establishes a correspondence with the speed information of the speed closest to the calculated average value.

[0086] Next, the estimation unit 365 divides the range from the starting point to the ending point into a plurality of intervals with the same distance between them, and repeats the processing of steps S340 to S350 (step S330) for each of the divided intervals. Here, the distance of each of these plurality of intervals is as shown in step S130 of FIG4, whether it is 10 [m], a distance shorter than 10 [m], or a distance longer than 10 [m]. Furthermore, for the sake of explanation, the interval selected by the estimation unit 365 in step S330 will be referred to as the object interval. In step S330, the estimation unit 365 selects these plurality of intervals one by one as the object interval, starting from the starting point. Furthermore, the estimation unit 365 may randomly select these plurality of spaces one by one as the object interval, or select them one by one as the object interval by other methods. Furthermore, the estimation unit 365 may also be a configuration that performs part or all of the repeated processes repeated in steps S330 to S350 in parallel.

[0087] After selecting the target interval in step S330, the estimation unit 365 determines the maximum absolute value of the acceleration of the railway vehicle T in the selected target interval in a predetermined direction based on the travel information received in step S310. Then, the estimation unit 365 designates the determined maximum value as the maximum absolute value of the acceleration of the target interval (that is, the maximum magnitude of the vibration generated in the target interval in the predetermined direction of the railway vehicle T) (step S340).

[0088] Next, the estimation unit 365 estimates the orbital displacement of the orbit R in the target interval based on the corresponding information read in step S320 and the maximum value of the absolute value of the acceleration specified in step S340 (step S350). That is, in step S350, the estimation unit 365 estimates the orbital displacement that has established a correspondence with the maximum value of the absolute value of the acceleration based on the corresponding information.

[0089] After performing step S350, the estimation unit 365 moves to step S330 and selects the next interval as the target interval. Furthermore, after performing step S350, if there are no remaining intervals that can be selected as the next target interval, the estimation unit 365 ends the repeated processing from step S330 to step S350 and moves to step S360.

[0090] Thus, the estimation unit 365 can specify (estimate) the track displacement in each section from the starting point to the ending point by repeating steps S330 to S350. Figure 13 is a graph illustrating the track displacement in each section of track R specified based on the travel information of the railway vehicle T. Figure 13 shows graphs showing the track displacement in each section of track R specified based on the travel information of the railway vehicle T on February 2, 2021, February 3, 2021, February 4, 2021, February 8, 2021, February 10, 2021, February 24, 2021, February 25, 2021, and February 26, 2021. The horizontal axis of the graph represents the position on track R according to the distance from the starting point. Then, each area with a cross-section line on the graph corresponds to each section from the starting point to the ending point. Profile line H1 represents the section containing track displacement within the range of 0 m to less than 3 × 10⁻³ m. Profile line H2 represents the section containing track displacement within the range of 3 × 10⁻³ m to less than 10 × 10⁻³ m. Profile line H3 represents the section containing track displacement within the range of 10 × 10⁻³ m to less than 15 × 10⁻³ m. Profile line H4 represents the section containing track displacement within the range of 15 × 10⁻³ m to less than 20 × 10⁻³ m. Profile line H5 represents the section containing track displacement within the range of 20 × 10⁻³ m to less than 25 × 10⁻³ m. Profile line H6 represents the section with track displacement of 25 × 10⁻³ m or more. When observing Figure 13, it becomes clear that there are intervals of increased track displacement between positions 25.7 km from the starting point and 25.8 km from the starting point on track R, and between positions 25.8 km from the starting point and 25.9 km from the starting point on track R. Therefore, the user of the information processing device 30 can easily identify areas with larger track displacements compared to their surroundings as areas with a high probability of anomalies occurring on track R. Furthermore, because this identification is based on corresponding information representing the correlation between track displacement and vibration magnitude, it is more reliable than models using machine learning, where the derivation process of the inference result is black-boxed. Moreover, the reason for presenting the intervals of increased track displacement within a certain range is believed to be due to the low accuracy of the GPS (Global Positioning System) used in identifying the position of the railway vehicle T. Therefore, the information processing device 30 can more accurately locate the range of higher orbital displacement by adapting to the improved positional accuracy of GPS and other devices used by the measuring device 10.

[0091] After the estimation unit 365 finishes the repeated processing of steps S330 to S350, the display control unit 366 generates a track displacement waveform image (step S360) containing an image representing a waveform, based on the track displacement of each interval specified by the estimation unit 365 according to the repeated processing of steps S330 to S350. This waveform represents the change in track displacement of track R from the starting point to the ending point. The track displacement waveform image can be any image that contains this image, or any image. For example, the track displacement waveform image can also be an image that contains the graph shown in FIG13.

[0092] The display control unit 366 displays the track displacement waveform image generated in step S360 on the display unit 35 and ends the process of the flowchart shown in FIG12.

[0093] As described above, the information processing device 30 estimates the track displacement of each section on track R based on the corresponding information stored in the memory unit 32 and the travel information of the railway vehicle T received from the server 20. In this way, the information processing device 30 can improve the efficiency of track R maintenance operations based on the estimated track displacement of each section on track R.

[0094] As explained above, the information processing apparatus of this embodiment (in the example described above, information processing apparatus 30) includes: a first generation unit (in the example described above, first generation unit 362), which takes a waveform representing the change in track displacement from the starting point to the ending point of the first track (in the example described above, a railway vehicle shown in the vehicle model) as a track displacement waveform and generates a plurality of different track displacement waveforms; a second generation unit (in the example described above, second generation unit 363), which generates a plurality of track displacement waveforms based on the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation unit. Each track displacement waveform of the first track generates a vibration waveform, which is a waveform representing the estimated change in vibration between the start and end points of a railway vehicle virtually traveling on the first track, provided that the waveform representing the track displacement of the first track from the start to the end point matches the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform. The third generation unit (in the example described above, the third generation unit 364) generates corresponding information representing the correlation between the magnitude of the track displacement and the magnitude of the vibration based on the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation unit and the vibration waveform generated by the second generation unit for each of the plurality of track displacements. In this way, the information processing device can easily perform high-precision estimation of track displacement.

[0095] Alternatively, the information processing device may use the following configuration: the area from the starting point to the ending point is divided into a plurality of intervals; a first generating unit generates track displacement information representing the track displacement of each of the plurality of intervals based on each of the generated track displacement waveforms; a second generating unit generates vibration information representing the magnitude of the vibration of each of the plurality of intervals based on each vibration waveform generated by each of the plurality of track displacement waveforms; and a third generating unit generates corresponding information based on the track displacement information of each of the plurality of intervals generated by the first generating unit and the vibration information of each of the plurality of intervals generated by the second generating unit. In this way, the information processing device can shorten the time required to generate the corresponding information and improve the reliability of the interrelationships shown by the corresponding information by adjusting the distances of the plurality of intervals.

[0096] Alternatively, the information processing apparatus may use the following configuration: a first generating unit specifies the maximum value of the track displacement of each of the plurality of intervals as the track displacement of each of the plurality of intervals; a second generating unit specifies the maximum value of the vibration magnitude of each of the plurality of intervals as the vibration magnitude of each of the plurality of intervals. In this way, the information processing apparatus can prevent the track displacement estimated based on the corresponding information from being underestimated.

[0097] Alternatively, the information processing device may use the following configuration: the third generation unit generates information representing the response surface as corresponding information by performing regression analysis based on a scatter plot of track displacement information of each of the plurality of intervals generated by the first generation unit and vibration information of each of the plurality of intervals generated by the second generation unit. In this way, the information processing device can clearly display the correlation between the magnitude of track displacement and vibration, and can estimate the track displacement of each interval on the first track based on the magnitude of the vibration of the railway vehicle. This is preferable because it is closely related to simplifying the estimation of track displacement.

[0098] Alternatively, the information processing device may use the following configuration: the third generation unit uses Gaussian process regression for regression analysis. In this way, compared to using linear regression, the information processing device can generate corresponding information that enables highly accurate estimations of orbital displacement.

[0099] Alternatively, the information processing device may use the following configuration: It includes a memory unit (memory unit 32 in the example described above) that stores corresponding information; and an estimation unit (estimation unit 365 in the example described above) that, during the movement of the first railway vehicle (railway vehicle T in the example described above) on the first track, estimates the track displacement of each of a plurality of intervals based on the object vibration waveform information representing the waveform of a wave and the corresponding information stored in the memory unit. The waveform of the wave represents the estimated change in vibration occurring from the starting point to the ending point. In this way, the information processing device can improve the efficiency of maintenance operations on the first track based on the estimated track displacement of each interval on the first track.

[0100] Alternatively, the information processing device may use the following configuration: a first generating unit generates a plurality of track displacement waveforms based on each of a plurality of different speeds of a railway vehicle traveling on a first track; a second generating unit generates a vibration waveform based on each of the plurality of track displacement waveforms corresponding to the plurality of speeds; and a third generating unit generates corresponding information corresponding to each of the plurality of speeds. In this way, the information processing device can reduce the uncertainty caused by the speed of the first railway vehicle traveling on the first track by considering the estimation of track displacement based on the corresponding information.

[0101] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments. As long as it does not depart from the spirit of the present invention, it can be changed, replaced, deleted, etc.

[0102] Furthermore, a program for implementing the functions of any component in the apparatus described above (e.g., measuring device 10, server 20, information processing device 30, etc.) may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the computer system may read and execute the program. Furthermore, the term "computer system" here assumes the inclusion of hardware such as an OS (Operating System) or peripherals. Also, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a memory device such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD (Compact Disk)-ROM, or a hard drive built into a computer system. Moreover, "computer-readable recording medium" assumes the inclusion of a program that is stored for a certain period of time, such as in the case where the program is transmitted through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, serving as a server or client.

[0103] Furthermore, the aforementioned program can also be sent from a computer system that has stored the program in a memory device to other computer systems via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) like the Internet or a communication line (communication line) like a telephone line. Furthermore, the aforementioned program can also be a program used to implement one part of the aforementioned functions. Moreover, the aforementioned program can also be a so-called difference file (difference program) that implements the aforementioned functions by combining with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0018] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system 1. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 30. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 30. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the information processing device 30 generating corresponding information. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the power spectrum density function generated based on three statistical characteristic values ​​representing the change in track displacement R from the starting point to the ending point. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the track displacement waveform generated based on the power spectrum density function. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the flow of generating a vibration waveform from the track displacement waveform. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a portion of the vibration waveform. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a graph after re-plotting the vibration waveform using the absolute values ​​shown by the vibration information. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a scatter plot generated by the third generation unit 364 in step S230. Figure 11 is a diagram showing another example of the scattering pattern generated by the third generation unit 364 in step S230. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of the process flow of the information processing device 30 estimating track displacement based on corresponding information. Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the track displacement in each section of track R specified based on the travel information of the railway vehicle T.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a first generation unit that takes a waveform representing a change in track displacement from a starting point to an ending point of a first track traveled by a railway vehicle as a track displacement waveform and generates a plurality of different track displacement waveforms; a second generation unit that generates a vibration waveform based on each of the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation unit, wherein the vibration waveform represents a change in vibration estimated to occur between the starting point and the ending point of a railway vehicle virtually traveling on the first track when the waveform representing the track displacement from the starting point to the ending point is consistent with the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform; and a third generation unit that generates corresponding information representing the correlation between the magnitude of track displacement and the magnitude of vibration based on the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation unit and the vibration waveform generated by the second generation unit based on each of the plurality of track displacements.

2. The information processing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the area from the aforementioned starting point to the aforementioned ending point is divided into a plurality of intervals; the aforementioned first generating unit generates orbital displacement information representing the orbital displacement of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals based on each of the previously generated orbital displacement waveforms; the aforementioned second generating unit generates vibration information representing the magnitude of the vibration of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals based on each of the aforementioned vibration waveforms generated by each of the aforementioned orbital displacement waveforms; the aforementioned third generating unit generates the aforementioned corresponding information based on the orbital displacement information of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals generated by the aforementioned first generating unit and the vibration information of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals generated by the aforementioned second generating unit.

3. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first generating unit specifies the maximum value of the orbital displacement of each of the plurality of intervals as the orbital displacement of each of the plurality of intervals; and the second generating unit specifies the maximum value of the vibration magnitude of each of the plurality of intervals as the vibration magnitude of each of the plurality of intervals.

4. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the aforementioned third generation unit generates information representing the response surface as the aforementioned corresponding information by means of regression analysis based on a scatter plot of the orbital displacement information of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals generated by the aforementioned first generation unit and the vibration information of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals generated by the aforementioned second generation unit.

5. The information processing apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein the aforementioned third generation unit uses Gaussian process regression as the aforementioned regression analysis.

6. The information processing apparatus as described in claim 2 or 3, comprising: a memory unit for storing the aforementioned corresponding information; and an estimation unit for estimating the track displacement of each of the aforementioned plurality of intervals based on object vibration waveform information representing the waveform of a wave and the aforementioned corresponding information stored in the memory unit when the first railway vehicle travels on the aforementioned first track, wherein the waveform of the wave represents the estimated change in vibration occurring between the aforementioned starting point and the aforementioned ending point.

7. The information processing apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first generating unit generates a plurality of track displacement waveforms based on each of a plurality of different speeds of a railway vehicle traveling on the first track; the second generating unit generates the aforementioned vibration waveform based on each of the aforementioned plurality of track displacement waveforms corresponding to the aforementioned plurality of speeds; and the third generating unit generates the aforementioned corresponding information corresponding to the aforementioned plurality of speeds.

8. An information processing method comprising: a first generation step, wherein a waveform representing the change in track displacement from the starting point to the ending point of a first track traveled by a railway vehicle is taken as a track displacement waveform, and a plurality of different track displacement waveforms are generated; a second generation step, wherein a vibration waveform is generated based on each of the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation step, wherein the vibration waveform is a waveform representing the change in vibration presumed to occur between the starting point and the ending point of a railway vehicle virtually traveling on the first track, provided that the waveform representing the track displacement from the starting point to the ending point of the first track is consistent with the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform; and a third generation step, wherein corresponding information representing the correlation between the magnitude of track displacement and the magnitude of vibration is generated based on the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation step and the vibration waveform generated by the second generation step based on each of the plurality of track displacements.

9. A program for causing a computer to perform the following steps: a first generation step, which takes a waveform representing the change in track displacement from the starting point to the ending point of a first track traveled by a railway vehicle as a track displacement waveform and generates a plurality of different track displacement waveforms; a second generation step, which generates a vibration waveform based on each of the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation step, wherein the vibration waveform is a waveform representing the change in vibration presumed to occur between the starting point and the ending point of a railway vehicle virtually traveling on the first track, provided that the waveform representing the track displacement from the starting point to the ending point of the first track is consistent with the waveform shown by the track displacement waveform; and a third generation step, which generates corresponding information representing the correlation between the magnitude of the track displacement and the magnitude of the vibration based on the plurality of track displacement waveforms generated by the first generation step and the vibration waveform generated by the second generation step based on each of the plurality of track displacements.

Images