Patent Publication Number: US-2022234635-A1

Title: Deterioration diagnosis apparatus, deterioration diagnosis system, and deterioration diagnosis method

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a deterioration diagnosis apparatus, a deterioration diagnosis system, and a deterioration diagnosis method for diagnosing deterioration of a device installed on a train. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventionally, a device installed on a train is periodically inspected so as to prevent failure of the device during operation of the train. However, a train is actually equipped with a lot of devices, so that it takes much time to inspect these devices. In addition, as the number of trains increases, it also takes more time to make inspection from these trains. In order to address such a  20  problem, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for reducing the time for inspecting a train by using data obtained when the state of a device is monitored during operation of a railroad car. In the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, it is possible to diagnose  25  deterioration of a device by extracting and comparing the state of the device operating under the same condition, instead of performing periodic inspection. 
     CITATION LIST 
     30 Patent Literature
     Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2018-137967   

     SUMMARY 
     Technical Problem 
     Patent Literature 1 specifically describes a compressor as an example. However, it is difficult for some devices, such as an air conditioner installed on a train, to operate under the same condition due to things like a season, a weather, and so on. For this reason, there has been a problem that data during an operation under the same condition, that is, data for deterioration diagnosis may be unable to be acquired depending on a device installed on a train. 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a deterioration diagnosis apparatus capable of acquiring data indicating the states of a device under the same measurement condition when a train is operated. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a deterioration diagnosis apparatus comprising: a measurement condition storage unit in which first measurement conditions are stored, the first measurement conditions being conditions under which measurement is performed for diagnosing a state of a device installed on a train; a measurement condition determination unit to determine whether or not the first measurement conditions meet second measurement conditions in operation data that has been acquired from the train and includes a measurement result indicating the state of the device, the second measurement conditions being conditions under which the measurement result has been obtained; a difference condition extraction unit to extract a difference between the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions when the measurement condition determination unit determines that there is inconsistency between the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions; a control command generation unit to generate a control command for eliminating the difference; and a control command transmission unit to transmit the control command to the train. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present invention, a deterioration diagnosis apparatus has an advantageous effect that it can acquire data indicating the states of a device under the same measurement condition when a train is operated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a deterioration diagnosis system according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing examples of operation states of an air conditioner, that is, measurement conditions, immediately after operation of a train is started in the deterioration diagnosis system according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an example of operation in which a deterioration diagnosis apparatus causes an on-board control apparatus to change a second measurement condition in the deterioration diagnosis system according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the on-board control apparatus according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of deterioration diagnosis to be performed by a deterioration diagnosis unit according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an example in which a processing circuit included in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus according to the first embodiment is constructed of a processor and a memory. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an example in which the processing circuit included in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus according to the first embodiment is constructed of dedicated hardware. 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a deterioration diagnosis system according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram showing an example of an operation in which a deterioration diagnosis apparatus protects an on-board control apparatus from changing a second measurement condition in the deterioration diagnosis system according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus according to the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a deterioration diagnosis apparatus, a deterioration diagnosis system, and a deterioration diagnosis method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not necessarily limited by these embodiments. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a deterioration diagnosis system  300  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The deterioration diagnosis system  300  includes a deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  and an on-board control apparatus  200 . The deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  serves as a ground system that is installed on the ground and diagnoses the states of devices installed on a train (not illustrated), that is, deterioration of the devices. The deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  is, for example, a remote maintenance support system. Examples of the devices installed on the train include, but are not limited to, an air conditioner, a brake, and a variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF). The on-board control apparatus  200  serve as an on-board system that is installed on the train (not illustrated) and monitors the states of the devices installed on the train (not illustrated). The on-board control apparatus  200  is, for example, a train integrated management system. The on-board control apparatus  200  monitors the state of each device installed on the train after energization of the train, that is, when operation of the train is started. The on-board control apparatus  200  transmits, to the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 , operation data including a result of monitoring the state of each device, that is, a measurement result indicating the state of each device. Once operation of the train is started, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  acquires the operation data from the on-board control apparatus  200  during the operation of the train. 
     A configuration of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  will be described. The deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  includes a measurement start condition defining unit  101 , a measurement start condition storage unit  102 , a measurement start condition determination unit  103 , a measurement condition defining unit  104 , a measurement condition storage unit  105 , a measurement condition extraction unit  106 , a measurement condition determination unit  107 , a difference condition extraction unit  108 , a control command generation unit  109 , a control command transmission unit  110 , a measurement result acquisition unit  111 , and a deterioration diagnosis unit  112 . 
     The measurement start condition defining unit  101  receives an operation from a user, and thereupon defines a measurement start condition using acquisition of operation data from the on-board control apparatus  200  as a trigger. The measurement start condition is a condition for starting measurement for diagnosing the state of a device installed on the train. Examples of the measurement start condition include, but are not limited to, a case where the power to a car is turned on when operation of the train (not illustrated) is started and a case where a flag indicating a failure of a specific device is detected. 
     The measurement start condition storage unit  102  stores one or more measurement start conditions defined by the measurement start condition defining unit  101 . 
     The measurement start condition determination unit  103  lists the measurement start conditions stored in the measurement start condition storage unit  102 , and monitors whether or not there is a relevant measurement start condition for each piece of operation data of the device. Specifically, the measurement start condition determination unit  103  determines whether or not a measurement start condition has been detected in the operation data acquired from the on-board control apparatus  200  installed on the train, the operation data including a measurement result indicating the state of the device. The operation data shall include, in addition to the measurement result, information indicating that the power to the car has been turned on, a flag indicating a failure of a particular device, and the like. 
     The measurement condition defining unit  104  receives an operation from the user, and defines a measurement condition under which measurement is performed for diagnosing deterioration of the device, the measurement condition being associated with the measurement start condition described above. The measurement condition defined by the measurement condition defining unit  104  may be referred to as a first measurement condition. 
     The measurement condition storage unit  105  stores one or more first measurement conditions defined by the measurement condition defining unit  104 . 
     When one or more satisfied measurement start conditions are detected in the measurement start condition determination unit  103 , the measurement condition extraction unit  106  extracts one or more first measurement conditions associated with the detected measurement start conditions from the measurement condition storage unit  105 . 
     The measurement condition determination unit  107  determines whether or not the first measurement condition extracted by the measurement condition extraction unit  106  meet a second measurement condition which is included in the operation data and used when the measurement result has been obtained. The second measurement condition is a condition under which the on-board control apparatus  200  has monitored the device in the train, that is, a measurement condition under which the state of the device has been determined. 
     In a case where the measurement condition determination unit  107  determines that the first measurement conditions do not meet the second measurement conditions, the difference condition extraction unit  108  extracts a difference between the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions in that case. 
     The control command generation unit  109  generates a control command for eliminating the difference extracted by the difference condition extraction unit  108 . 
     The control command transmission unit  110  transmits the control command generated by the control command generation unit  109  to the on-board control apparatus  200  installed on the train. 
     The measurement result acquisition unit  111  acquires, from the on-board control apparatus  200 , operation data including a measurement result obtained under the second measurement conditions identical to the first measurement conditions on the basis of the control command transmitted by the control command transmission unit  110 . The measurement result acquisition unit  111  may directly acquire the measurement result obtained under the second measurement conditions identical to the first measurement conditions from a communication unit  202  of the on-board control apparatus  200 , or may acquire the measurement result via the measurement start condition determination unit  103 , the measurement condition extraction unit  106 , the measurement condition determination unit  107 , the difference condition extraction unit  108 , the control command generation unit  109 , and the control command transmission unit  110 . 
     When the second measurement conditions meet the first measurement conditions, the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  makes a diagnosis based on a state of whether or not the device installed on the train has deteriorated, with use of the measurement result included in the operation data. 
     A configuration of the on-board control apparatus  200  will be described. The on-board control apparatus  200  includes a control unit  201  and the communication unit  202 . 
     The control unit  201  monitors the state of a device installed on the train (not illustrated), and generates operation data including a measurement result indicating the state of the device. In addition, when acquiring, from the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 , a control command for eliminating the difference extracted by the difference condition extraction unit  108 , the control unit  201  performs control so as to change a relevant measurement condition. 
     The communication unit  202  transmits the operation data generated by the control unit  201  to the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 . In addition, the communication unit  202  outputs, to the control unit  201 , the control command acquired from the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 . 
     Next, operation of the deterioration diagnosis system  300  will be described. Here, a case where the device installed on the train is an air conditioner will be specifically described as an example. When transmitting the operation data to the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 , the on-board control apparatus  200  includes information on the second measurement condition together with the measurement result in the operation data. At this time, even during the same hours of the day, a train driver may differ from day to day. Therefore, the operation data transmitted to the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  by the on-board control apparatus  200  may have variations in measurement condition under which the state of the air conditioner is measured.  FIG. 2  is a diagram showing examples of operation states of an air conditioner  220 , that is, measurement conditions, immediately after operation of a train  210  is started in the deterioration diagnosis system  300  according to the first embodiment. Note that it is assumed that the operation mode of the air conditioner  220  is air cooling. 
     Assume that on Jul. 1, 2017 a driver  250  of the train  210  starts operation of the train  210  under the following second measurement conditions: the vehicle occupancy is 0%; doors of the train  210  are closed; an operation level of the air conditioner  220  is 4; and a fresh-air intake is closed, and measures the state of the air conditioner  220 . The second measurement conditions and the first measurement conditions of the train  210  do not match in terms of the operation level in a case where the first measurement conditions stored in the measurement condition storage unit  105  of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  are as follows: the vehicle occupancy is 0%; the doors are closed; an operation level is 5; and the fresh-air intake is closed. Note that the operation level with a larger numerical value is set to represent operation that consumes larger amount of energy. 
     Assume that on Aug. 1, 2017 that is the next month, another driver  251  of the train  210  starts operation of the train  210  under the following second measurement conditions: the vehicle occupancy is 0%; the doors of the train  210  are open; the operation level of the air conditioner  220  is 5; and the fresh-air intake is open, and measures the state of the air conditioner  220 . In this case, the second measurement conditions and the first measurement conditions of the train  210  do not match in terms of the opening and closing of the doors and the opening and closing of the fresh-air intake. 
     Furthermore, assume that on Sep. 1, 2017 that is the month after that, still another driver  252  of the train  210  starts operation of the train  210  under the following second measurement conditions: the vehicle occupancy is 0%; the doors of the train  210  are closed; an operation level of the air conditioner  220  is 2; and the fresh-air intake is closed, and measures the state of the air conditioner  220 . In this case, the second measurement conditions and the first measurement conditions of the train  210  do not match in terms of the operation level. 
     As described above, both the drivers and the second measurement conditions in the train  210  differ between the days on which data is acquired for diagnosing deterioration of the device, that is, the air conditioner  220 . Since the second measurement conditions in the train  210  also differ between the days, data sets for the days are not allowed to be simply compared to each other. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the second measurement conditions included in the operation data acquired from the on-board control apparatus  200  are different from the first measurement conditions stored in the measurement condition storage unit  105 , the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  transmits, to the on-board control apparatus  200 , a control command for changing a measurement condition corresponding to or having the difference. That is, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  causes the on-board control apparatus  200  to measure the state of the device under the first measurement conditions. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an example of operation in which the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  causes the on-board control apparatus  200  to change a second measurement condition in the deterioration diagnosis system  300  according to the first embodiment. Although the flow of operation in the case of Jul. 1, 2017 illustrated in  FIG. 2  will be described as an example in  FIG. 3 , substantially the same flow applies to the other cases, that is, a case of Aug. 1, 2017 and a case of Sep. 1, 2017.  FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the on-board control apparatus  200  according to the first embodiment.  FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  according to the first embodiment. 
     As illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 4 , in the on-board control apparatus  200 , when operation of the train  210  is started, the control unit  201  generates operation data including, together with the information indicating that the power to the car has been turned on, the following second measurement conditions: the doors of the train  210  are closed; the operation level of the air conditioner  220  is 4; and the fresh-air intake is closed. The communication unit  202  transmits the operation data generated by the control unit  201  to the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  (step S 101 ). 
     As illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 5 , in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 , the measurement start condition determination unit  103  detects a measurement start condition that the power to the car be turned on in the operation data acquired from the on-board control apparatus  200  (step S 201 ). 
     The measurement condition extraction unit  106  extracts, from the measurement condition storage unit  105 , a first measurement condition associated with the measurement start condition that the power to the car should be turned on. Specifically, the measurement condition extraction unit  106  extracts, as first measurement conditions under which the state of the air conditioner  220  is measured, the following measurement conditions from the measurement condition storage unit  105 : the vehicle occupancy is 0%; the doors are closed; the operation level is 5; and the fresh-air intake is closed (step S 202 ). 
     The measurement condition determination unit  107  determines whether or not the first measurement conditions extracted by the measurement condition extraction unit  106  meet the second measurement conditions included in the operation data. The measurement condition determination unit  107  determines that the first measurement conditions do not meet the second measurement conditions in terms of a measurement condition of the operation level (step S 203 ). 
     The difference condition extraction unit  108  extracts a difference for the measurement conditions in terms of which the measurement condition determination unit  107  has determined that they do not meet (step S 204 ). More specifically, in the situation where the operation level is 5 in the first measurement condition but the operation level is 4 in the second measurement condition, the difference condition extraction unit  108  extracts a difference “−1” in operation level. 
     The control command generation unit  109  generates a control command for eliminating the difference “−1” in operation level, that is, a control command for raising the operation level by one and changing the operation level to the operation level  5  (step S 205 ). Note that the control command generation unit  109  may include an operation inhibition message for the driver  250  in the generated control command. The operation inhibition message is a message for prompting the driver  250  to refrain from performing an operation on the train  210  because measurement of data for deterioration diagnosis is underway. 
     The control command transmission unit  110  transmits, to the on-board control apparatus  200 , the control command generated by the control command generation unit  109  (step  9206 ). 
     As illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 4 , in the on-board control apparatus  200 , the communication unit  202  acquires the control command from the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  (step  3102 ). The communication unit  202  outputs the acquired control command to the control unit  201 . 
     The control unit  201  changes the measurement condition based on the control command (step S 103 ). More specifically, the control unit  201  changes the operation level of the air conditioner  220  from 4 to 5. After changing the operation level to 5, the control unit  201  measures, as the state of the air conditioner  220 , a change in temperature in the car, a compressor electric current, an indoor fan electric current, a pressure, and/or the like (step S 104 ). The control unit  201  periodically generates operation data including a measurement result for one or more measured items, and transmits the operation data to the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  via the communication unit  202  (step S 105 ). 
     Note that after changing the operation level to 5, the control unit  201  may receive an operation of the driver  250  and thereupon perform an operation of changing the operation level to the original operation level  4 , or may perform an operation of automatically changing the operation level to the original operation level  4  after a lapse of a prescribed time length, for example, 5 minutes. In the case where the operation level can be automatically changed to the original operation level, the control unit  201  can surely change the operation level to the original operation level  4  even if the driver  250  forgets to perform an operation of changing the operation level to the original operation level  4 . In addition, in the case where the operation level can be automatically changed to the original operation level, the control unit  201  can surely change the operation level to the original operation level  4  even if the control unit cannot acquire a control command under the assumption that the operation level is changed to the original operation level based on a control command from the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 . 
     As illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 5 , in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 , the measurement result acquisition unit  111  acquires, from the on-board control apparatus  200 , a measurement result included in operation data generated after the on-board control apparatus  200  has changed the operation level to 5 (step S 207 ). 
     The deterioration diagnosis unit  112  diagnoses deterioration of the air conditioner  220  with use of the measurement result acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit  111  (step S 208 ). 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of deterioration diagnosis to be performed by the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  according to the first embodiment. As described previously, description in this part is directed to an example of an operation in which the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  diagnoses deterioration of the air conditioner  220  of the train  210 . The deterioration diagnosis unit  112  acquires a measurement result for each car or vehicle constituting the train  210  (step S 301 ). 
     S [ 0046 ] The deterioration diagnosis unit  112  first makes a diagnosis regarding a decrease in the amount of refrigerant circulation of the air conditioner  220 . More specifically, an average value of the degrees of superheat is calculated from the pressure and temperature of the entire formation of the train  210  (step  3302 ). When a deviation of the degree of superheat of a selected car from the average value is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (step S 303 : Yes), the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  adds information on the degree of superheat of the relevant car to the contents of a notification (step S 304 ). When the deviation of the degree of superheat of the selected car from the average value is lower than the threshold (step S 303 : No), the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  omits the operation of step S 304 . When not all the cars have been inspected (step S 305 : No), the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  selects a car yet to be selected, and returns to step S 303 . When all the cars have been inspected (step B 305 : Yes), the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  transmits the contents of a notification to the on-board control apparatus  200 , a rail yard (not illustrated), and the like (step S 306 ). 
     Next, the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  makes a diagnosis regarding refrigerant gas shortage of the air conditioner  220 . Specifically, the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  calculates the average value of compressor electric currents of the entire formation of the train  210  (step S 307 ). When a deviation of the compressor electric current of the selected car from the average value is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (step S 308 : Yes), the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  adds information on the compressor electric current of the relevant car to the contents of a notification (step S 309 . When the deviation of the compressor electric current of the selected car from the average value is lower than the threshold (step S 308 , No), the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  omits the operation of step S 309 . When not all the cars have been inspected (step S 310 : No), the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  selects a car yet to be selected, and returns to step S 308  when all the cars have been inspected (step S 310 : Yes), the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  transmits the contents of a notification to the on-board control apparatus  200 , the rail yard (not illustrated), and the like (step S 306 ). 
     Next, the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  makes a diagnosis regarding a decrease in low pressure of the air conditioner  220 . Specifically, the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  calculates an average value of indoor fan electric currents of the entire formation of the train  210  (step S 311 ). When a deviation of the indoor fan electric current of the selected car from the average value is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (step S 312 : Yes), the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  adds information on the indoor fan electric current of the relevant car to the contents of a notification (step S 313 ). When the deviation of the indoor fan electric current of the selected car from the average value is lower than the threshold (step S 312 : NO), the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  omits the operation of step S 313 . When not all the cars have been inspected (step S 314 : No), the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  selects a car yet to be selected, and returns to step S 312 . When all the cars have been inspected (step S 314 : Yes), the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  transmits the contents of a notification to the on-board control apparatus  200 , the rail yard (not illustrated), and the like (step S 306 ). 
     Note that the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  may perform the operation of step S 302  to step S 305 , the operation of step S 307  to step S 310 , and the operation of step S 311  to step S 314  in sequence or in parallel. Furthermore, the present embodiment is directed to a diagnosis method in which the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  calculates the average values of certain device information such as the degree of superheat, the compressor electric current, and the indoor fan electric current for the entire formation of the train  210 , and makes diagnoses based on determination as to whether or not a deviation of the certain device information on the selected car from the average value is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold, but the present invention is not limited to this diagnosis method. The deterioration diagnosis unit  112  may perform deterioration diagnosis using single regression analysis, multiple regression analysis, or the like, on the basis of the measured device information and the past device information stored in a storage device (not illustrated). In addition, the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  may perform deterioration diagnosis based on comparison with device information on the same device installed on another train. 
     The user can judge whether or not there is a difficulty in operation of the train  210 , necessity of detailed inspection, necessity of replacement of a device, or the like by checking the contents of a notification transmitted from the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  to the on-board control apparatus  200 , the rail yard, or the like. Note that the thresholds to be used in steps S 303 , S 308 , and S 312  are predetermined by the user. 
     The case where the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  is installed on the ground has been described in the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this manner. The deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  may be installed on the train  210 . In addition, some components of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  may be installed on the train  210 , and the other components thereof may be installed on the ground. For example, the measurement result acquisition unit  111  and the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  may be installed on the ground, and the other components of the same may be installed on the train  210 . 
     Next, a hardware configuration of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  will be described. In the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 , the measurement start condition defining unit  101  and the measurement condition defining unit  104  correspond to interfaces such as a keyboard and a mouse capable of receiving an operation from a user. The measurement start condition storage unit  102  and the measurement condition storage unit  105  correspond to memories. The control command transmission unit  110  and the measurement result acquisition unit  111  correspond to communication devices capable of communicating with the on-board control apparatus  200 . The measurement start condition determination unit  103 , the measurement condition extraction unit  106 , the measurement condition determination unit  107 , the difference condition extraction unit  108 , the control command generation unit  109 , and the deterioration diagnosis unit  112  are implemented by a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be a memory and a processor that executes a program stored in the memory, or may be dedicated hardware. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an example in which the processing circuit included in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  according to the first embodiment is constructed of a processor and a memory. In a case where the processing circuit is constructed of a processor  91  and a memory  92 , each function of the processing circuit of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  is implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is described as a program, and stored in the memory  92 . The processor  91  reads and executes the program stored in the memory  92  to implement each of the functions in the processing circuit. That is, the processing circuit has the memory  92  for storing programs therein, the program being configured to execute processing for the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 . In addition, it can also be said that these programs cause a computer to execute a procedure and a method for the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 . 
     Here, the processor  91  may be a central processing unit (CPU), a processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like. Furthermore, what is applicable to the memory  92  is for example, a nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), or an electrically EPROM (EEPROM) (registered trademark); a magnetic disk; a flexible disk; an optical disk; a compact disk; a mini disk; or a digital versatile disc (DVD). 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an example in which the processing circuit included in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  according to the first embodiment is constructed by using dedicated hardware. In a case where the processing circuit is constructed by using dedicated hardware, what is applicable to a processing circuit  93  illustrated in  FIG. 8  is for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel-programmed processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof. Each of the functions of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  may be implemented by the corresponding processing circuit  93  function by function, or all the function may be collectively implemented by one and the same processing circuit  93 . 
     Note that some of the functions of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  may be implemented by dedicated hardware, and some or all of the other functions thereof may be implemented by software or firmware. Thus, the processing circuit is capable of implementing each of the above-described functions by means of dedicated hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. 
     A hardware configuration of the on-board control apparatus  200  will be described. In the on-board control apparatus  200 , the communication unit  202  is a communication device capable of communicating with the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 . The control unit  201  is implemented by a processing circuit. As in the case of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 , the processing circuit may be configured with a memory and a processor that executes a program stored in the memory, or may be a dedicated hardware set. 
     As described above, according to the present embodiment, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  acquires operation data including a measurement result indicating the state of a device from the on-board control apparatus  200 , transmits a control command to the on-board control apparatus  200  when a second measurement condition under which the measurement result has been obtained is different from a first measurement condition prescribed in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 , and sets a measurement condition under which the state of the device is measured in the train  210  to the first measurement condition. The on-board control apparatus  200  measures the state of the device in an environment conforming to the prescribed first measurement conditions, and transmits operation data including the measurement result to the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  10 D. In this way, the on-board control apparatus  200  controls operation of the device installed on the train  210  on the basis of the control command acquired from the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 . As a result, when the train  210  is operated, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  can acquire data indicating the states of the device under the same measurement conditions. The deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  can perform deterioration diagnosis of the device by virtue of use of the measurement result measured in the environment conforming to the prescribed first measurement conditions. The deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  can diagnose the degree of deterioration, the progress of deterioration, and the like of a target device by virtue of use of measurement results which have been made under the first measurement conditions, and acquired on different days. 
     Note that in the present embodiment, the air conditioner  220  has been described as an example of the device installed on the train  210 , but the present invention is not limited to this example. Although there is a different case in terms of the first measurement conditions and the like, the present embodiment is applicable even to a case where the device installed on the train  210  is the above-described brake, VVVF, or the like. 
     Second Embodiment 
     In the first embodiment, when a second measurement condition under which the state of a device installed on the train  210  is measured is different from a first measurement condition prescribed in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 , the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  transmits, to the on-board control apparatus  200 , a control command to change the measurement condition. In a second embodiment, a description will be given of a case where a deterioration diagnosis apparatus does not transmit a control command even if the second measurement condition is different from the first measurement condition. 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a deterioration diagnosis system  300   a  according to the second embodiment. The deterioration diagnosis system  300   a  includes a deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a  and the on-board control apparatus  200 . The deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a  is obtained by addition of a control command determination unit  113  to the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  of the first embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 a    The control command determination unit  113  determines whether or not a control command generated by the control command generation unit  109  will cause no problem even if the control command is transmitted to the on-board control apparatus  200 . A user specifies in advance information on a measurement condition to be used as a target for discarding a control command in the control command determination unit  113 , and stores the information in the control command determination unit  113 . That is, when the control command generated by the control command generation unit  109  has been set for eliminating a difference in terms of the specified measurement condition, the control command determination unit  113  discards the control command. 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram showing an example of operation in which the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a  protects the on-board control apparatus  200  from changing a second measurement condition in the deterioration diagnosis system  300   a  according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , a first measurement condition specifies that doors are closed, whereas a second measurement condition specifies that the doors are open, and thus there is a difference in measurement condition. However, it is not desirable that an operation such as the opening or closing of the doors is changed before the operation is recognized by the driver  251  or a conductor (not illustrated) actually working on the train  210 , that is, automatically changed by the control command from the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a . Therefore, in the second embodiment, the control command determination unit  113  checks the content of the control command generated by the control command generation unit  109 , then causes the control command transmission unit  110  to transmit a control command for changing a measurement condition having no problem even if the condition is changed before the driver  251  or the conductor recognizes the change, but discards a control command for changing a measurement condition having undesirability if the condition is changed before the driver  251  or the conductor recognizes the change. The measurement condition having undesirability if the condition is changed before the driver  251  or the conductor recognizes the change corresponds to or means a measurement condition on a device that affects operation of the train  210 , for example, a door, a device related to traveling or stopping of the train  210 , or the like. 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a  according to the second embodiment. In  FIG. 11 , the operation of step S 201  to step S 205  and the operation of step S 206  to step S 208  are the same as those in the flowchart of the first embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In the second embodiment, the control command determination unit  113  determines, after step S 205 , whether or not to transmit the control command generated by the control command generation unit  109  to the on-board control apparatus  200  (step  3209 ). When the control command determination unit  113  determines to transmit the control command generated by the control command generation unit  109  to the on-board control apparatus  200  (step S 209 : Yes), the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a  proceeds to the operation of step S 206 . When the control command determination unit  113  determines not to transmit the control command generated by the control command generation unit  109  to the on-board control apparatus  200  (step S 209 : No), the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a  terminates the operation. 
     Note that when a determination of “No” is made in step S 209 , the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a  cannot acquire a result of measurement made under the first measurement conditions. In this case, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a  does not perform any operation of forcibly acquiring the measurement result, but retries the operation illustrated in  FIG. 11  in the next chance such as the following day. 
     Regarding a hardware configuration of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a , the control command determination unit  113  is implemented by a processing circuit. As in the case of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100 , the processing circuit may be a memory and a processor that executes a program stored in the memory, or may be dedicated hardware. 
     As described above, according to the present embodiment, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a  does not transmit a control command to the on-board control apparatus  200  in the case where there is inconsistency between the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions, when a measurement condition having the inconsistency is a specified measurement condition. As a result, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a  can prevent a measurement condition from being changed, the measurement condition having undesirability if the condition is changed in contents of operation therefor without recognition of the driver  251  or the conductor in the train  210 . 
     Note that the case where the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a  does not transmit a control command depending on a measurement condition has been described in the present embodiment, but this is an example and the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100  of the first embodiment may transmit a control command, and the on-board control apparatus that has acquired the control command may have the same function as the control command determination unit  113  and discard the control command depending on a measurement condition. Also in this case, the deterioration diagnosis system can achieve the same effect as that in the case of the operation performed by the deterioration diagnosis apparatus  100   a . Furthermore, the user may choose whether or not the on-board control apparatus should discard the control command. 
     The configurations set forth in the above embodiments show examples of the contents of the present invention, and can each be combined with other publicly known techniques and partially omitted and/or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       100 ,  100   a  deterioration diagnosis apparatus;  101  measurement start condition defining unit;  102  measurement start condition storage unit;  103  measurement start condition determination unit;  104  measurement condition defining unit;  105  measurement condition storage unit;  106  measurement condition extraction unit;  107  measurement condition determination unit;  108  difference condition extraction unit;  109  control command generation unit;  110  control command transmission unit;  111  measurement result acquisition unit;  112  deterioration diagnosis unit;  113  control command determination unit;  200  on-board control apparatus;  201  control unit;  202  communication unit;  300 ,  300   a  deterioration diagnosis system.