Train Schedule Diagram Processor for Delay Robustness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Railway companies face delays in service planning diagrams, leading to decreased sales and increased costs due to lack of delay robustness in existing scheduling systems.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that calculates adjustment amounts of event times in train schedules based on restriction conditions and evaluation indicators to create diagrams that ensure quick-deliverability and delay robustness, by inputting and processing train line information, event-to-event interval data, and performance requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional scheduling systems are used to create train diagrams, then the scheduling process is simple, but the diagrams lack delay robustness and cause service delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelay robustnessVSAvoidscheduling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations of adjustment amounts for event times based on restriction conditions and evaluation indicators before actual scheduling decisions are made. This allows the diagram to be pre-optimized for delay robustness, enabling quick response to delays without complex real-time computations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual or simple automated scheduling methods with an information processing apparatus that uses automated calculation algorithms. The system automatically computes adjustment amounts by comparing event times against restriction conditions and evaluation indicators, substituting mechanical scheduling processes with intelligent computational systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If event times are adjusted to improve delay robustness, then passengers arrive earlier and delays are minimized, but the calculation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelay timeVSAvoidcalculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scheduling problem is segmented into manageable components: restriction conditions (minimum/maximum time intervals), evaluation indicators (quick-deliverability, delay robustness), and adjustment amount calculations for individual event times. This segmentation allows complex optimization to be broken down into systematic, computable steps that reduce overall calculation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by calculating specific adjustment amounts for event times based on multiple evaluation indicators. Instead of making qualitative scheduling decisions, the system quantitatively adjusts event time parameters to optimize delay robustness while satisfying restriction conditions, thereby reducing delay losses through precise parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple evaluation indicators are used to optimize diagram performance, then quick-deliverability and delay robustness are improved, but the computation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidcomputation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations of adjustment amounts using multiple evaluation indicators before the scheduling is executed. By pre-computing the optimal adjustments based on quick-deliverability and delay robustness indicators, the system avoids time-consuming optimizations during actual operations, thereby improving productivity without excessive computation time penalties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3751479B1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer program
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3751479B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3751479B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3751479B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing apparatus according to an approach includes a diagram processor configured to calculate, based on a first diagram of first to n-th train lines including at least one time of: times of departure of a vehicle from stop positions, times of arrival of the vehicle at the stop positions, and times of pass of the vehicle through the stop positions, an adjustment amount of the time; and an output diagram creator configured to create a second diagram based on the calculated adjustment amount and the first diagram.