Patent ID: 12233924

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.1is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a deterioration diagnosis system300according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The deterioration diagnosis system300includes a deterioration diagnosis apparatus100and an on-board control apparatus200. The deterioration diagnosis apparatus100serves 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 apparatus100is, 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 apparatus200serve 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 apparatus200is, for example, a train integrated management system. The on-board control apparatus200monitors 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 apparatus200transmits, to the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100, 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 apparatus100acquires the operation data from the on-board control apparatus200during the operation of the train.

A configuration of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100will be described. The deterioration diagnosis apparatus100includes a measurement start condition defining unit101, a measurement start condition storage unit102, a measurement start condition determination unit103, a measurement condition defining unit104, a measurement condition storage unit105, a measurement condition extraction unit106, a measurement condition determination unit107, a difference condition extraction unit108, a control command generation unit109, a control command transmission unit110, a measurement result acquisition unit111, and a deterioration diagnosis unit112.

The measurement start condition defining unit101receives an operation from a user, and thereupon defines a measurement start condition using acquisition of operation data from the on-board control apparatus200as 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 unit102stores one or more measurement start conditions defined by the measurement start condition defining unit101.

The measurement start condition determination unit103lists the measurement start conditions stored in the measurement start condition storage unit102, 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 unit103determines whether or not a measurement start condition has been detected in the operation data acquired from the on-board control apparatus200installed 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 unit104receives 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 unit104may be referred to as a first measurement condition.

The measurement condition storage unit105stores one or more first measurement conditions defined by the measurement condition defining unit104.

When one or more satisfied measurement start conditions are detected in the measurement start condition determination unit103, the measurement condition extraction unit106extracts one or more first measurement conditions associated with the detected measurement start conditions from the measurement condition storage unit105.

The measurement condition determination unit107determines whether or not the first measurement condition extracted by the measurement condition extraction unit106meet 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 apparatus200has 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 unit107determines that the first measurement conditions do not meet the second measurement conditions, the difference condition extraction unit108extracts a difference between the first measurement conditions and the second measurement conditions in that case.

The control command generation unit109generates a control command for eliminating the difference extracted by the difference condition extraction unit108.

The control command transmission unit110transmits the control command generated by the control command generation unit109to the on-board control apparatus200installed on the train.

The measurement result acquisition unit111acquires, from the on-board control apparatus200, 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 unit110. The measurement result acquisition unit111may directly acquire the measurement result obtained under the second measurement conditions identical to the first measurement conditions from a communication unit202of the on-board control apparatus200, or may acquire the measurement result via the measurement start condition determination unit103, the measurement condition extraction unit106, the measurement condition determination unit107, the difference condition extraction unit108, the control command generation unit109, and the control command transmission unit110.

When the second measurement conditions meet the first measurement conditions, the deterioration diagnosis unit112makes 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 apparatus200will be described. The on-board control apparatus200includes a control unit201and the communication unit202.

The control unit201monitors 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 apparatus100, a control command for eliminating the difference extracted by the difference condition extraction unit108, the control unit201performs control so as to change a relevant measurement condition.

The communication unit202transmits the operation data generated by the control unit201to the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100. In addition, the communication unit202outputs, to the control unit201, the control command acquired from the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100.

Next, operation of the deterioration diagnosis system300will 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 apparatus100, the on-board control apparatus200includes 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 apparatus100by the on-board control apparatus200may have variations in measurement condition under which the state of the air conditioner is measured.FIG.2is a diagram showing examples of operation states of an air conditioner220, that is, measurement conditions, immediately after operation of a train210is started in the deterioration diagnosis system300according to the first embodiment. Note that it is assumed that the operation mode of the air conditioner220is air cooling.

Assume that on Jul. 1, 2017 a driver250of the train210starts operation of the train210under the following second measurement conditions: the vehicle occupancy is 0%; doors of the train210are closed; an operation level of the air conditioner220is 4; and a fresh-air intake is closed, and measures the state of the air conditioner220. The second measurement conditions and the first measurement conditions of the train210do not match in terms of the operation level in a case where the first measurement conditions stored in the measurement condition storage unit105of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100are 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 driver251of the train210starts operation of the train210under the following second measurement conditions: the vehicle occupancy is 0%; the doors of the train210are open; the operation level of the air conditioner220is 5; and the fresh-air intake is open, and measures the state of the air conditioner220. In this case, the second measurement conditions and the first measurement conditions of the train210do 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 driver252of the train210starts operation of the train210under the following second measurement conditions: the vehicle occupancy is 0%; the doors of the train210are closed; an operation level of the air conditioner220is 2; and the fresh-air intake is closed, and measures the state of the air conditioner220. In this case, the second measurement conditions and the first measurement conditions of the train210do not match in terms of the operation level.

As described above, both the drivers and the second measurement conditions in the train210differ between the days on which data is acquired for diagnosing deterioration of the device, that is, the air conditioner220. Since the second measurement conditions in the train210also 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 apparatus200are different from the first measurement conditions stored in the measurement condition storage unit105, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100transmits, to the on-board control apparatus200, a control command for changing a measurement condition corresponding to or having the difference. That is, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100causes the on-board control apparatus200to measure the state of the device under the first measurement conditions.

FIG.3is a diagram showing an example of operation in which the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100causes the on-board control apparatus200to change a second measurement condition in the deterioration diagnosis system300according to the first embodiment. Although the flow of operation in the case of Jul. 1, 2017 illustrated inFIG.2will be described as an example inFIG.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.4is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the on-board control apparatus200according to the first embodiment.FIG.5is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100according to the first embodiment.

As illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG.4, in the on-board control apparatus200, when operation of the train210is started, the control unit201generates 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 train210are closed; the operation level of the air conditioner220is 4; and the fresh-air intake is closed. The communication unit202transmits the operation data generated by the control unit201to the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100(step S101).

As illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG.5, in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100, the measurement start condition determination unit103detects a measurement start condition that the power to the car be turned on in the operation data acquired from the on-board control apparatus200(step S201).

The measurement condition extraction unit106extracts, from the measurement condition storage unit105, 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 unit106extracts, as first measurement conditions under which the state of the air conditioner220is measured, the following measurement conditions from the measurement condition storage unit105: the vehicle occupancy is 0%; the doors are closed; the operation level is 5; and the fresh-air intake is closed (step S202).

The measurement condition determination unit107determines whether or not the first measurement conditions extracted by the measurement condition extraction unit106meet the second measurement conditions included in the operation data. The measurement condition determination unit107determines that the first measurement conditions do not meet the second measurement conditions in terms of a measurement condition of the operation level (step S203).

The difference condition extraction unit108extracts a difference for the measurement conditions in terms of which the measurement condition determination unit107has determined that they do not meet (step S204). 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 unit108extracts a difference “−1” in operation level.

The control command generation unit109generates 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 level5(step S205). Note that the control command generation unit109may include an operation inhibition message for the driver250in the generated control command. The operation inhibition message is a message for prompting the driver250to refrain from performing an operation on the train210because measurement of data for deterioration diagnosis is underway.

The control command transmission unit110transmits, to the on-board control apparatus200, the control command generated by the control command generation unit109(step9206).

As illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG.4, in the on-board control apparatus200, the communication unit202acquires the control command from the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100(step3102). The communication unit202outputs the acquired control command to the control unit201.

The control unit201changes the measurement condition based on the control command (step S103). More specifically, the control unit201changes the operation level of the air conditioner220from 4 to 5. After changing the operation level to 5, the control unit201measures, as the state of the air conditioner220, a change in temperature in the car, a compressor electric current, an indoor fan electric current, a pressure, and/or the like (step S104). The control unit201periodically generates operation data including a measurement result for one or more measured items, and transmits the operation data to the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100via the communication unit202(step S105).

Note that after changing the operation level to 5, the control unit201may receive an operation of the driver250and thereupon perform an operation of changing the operation level to the original operation level4, or may perform an operation of automatically changing the operation level to the original operation level4after 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 unit201can surely change the operation level to the original operation level4even if the driver250forgets to perform an operation of changing the operation level to the original operation level4. In addition, in the case where the operation level can be automatically changed to the original operation level, the control unit201can surely change the operation level to the original operation level4even 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 apparatus100.

As illustrated in the flowchart ofFIG.5, in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100, the measurement result acquisition unit111acquires, from the on-board control apparatus200, a measurement result included in operation data generated after the on-board control apparatus200has changed the operation level to 5 (step S207).

The deterioration diagnosis unit112diagnoses deterioration of the air conditioner220with use of the measurement result acquired by the measurement result acquisition unit111(step S208).

FIG.6is a flowchart illustrating an operation of deterioration diagnosis to be performed by the deterioration diagnosis unit112according to the first embodiment. As described previously, description in this part is directed to an example of an operation in which the deterioration diagnosis unit112diagnoses deterioration of the air conditioner220of the train210. The deterioration diagnosis unit112acquires a measurement result for each car or vehicle constituting the train210(step S301).

S [0046] The deterioration diagnosis unit112first makes a diagnosis regarding a decrease in the amount of refrigerant circulation of the air conditioner220. More specifically, an average value of the degrees of superheat is calculated from the pressure and temperature of the entire formation of the train210(step3302). 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 S303: Yes), the deterioration diagnosis unit112adds information on the degree of superheat of the relevant car to the contents of a notification (step S304). When the deviation of the degree of superheat of the selected car from the average value is lower than the threshold (step S303: No), the deterioration diagnosis unit112omits the operation of step S304. When not all the cars have been inspected (step S305: No), the deterioration diagnosis unit112selects a car yet to be selected, and returns to step S303. When all the cars have been inspected (step B305: Yes), the deterioration diagnosis unit112transmits the contents of a notification to the on-board control apparatus200, a rail yard (not illustrated), and the like (step S306).

Next, the deterioration diagnosis unit112makes a diagnosis regarding refrigerant gas shortage of the air conditioner220. Specifically, the deterioration diagnosis unit112calculates the average value of compressor electric currents of the entire formation of the train210(step S307). 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 S308: Yes), the deterioration diagnosis unit112adds information on the compressor electric current of the relevant car to the contents of a notification (step S309. When the deviation of the compressor electric current of the selected car from the average value is lower than the threshold (step S308, No), the deterioration diagnosis unit112omits the operation of step S309. When not all the cars have been inspected (step S310: No), the deterioration diagnosis unit112selects a car yet to be selected, and returns to step S308when all the cars have been inspected (step S310: Yes), the deterioration diagnosis unit112transmits the contents of a notification to the on-board control apparatus200, the rail yard (not illustrated), and the like (step S306).

Next, the deterioration diagnosis unit112makes a diagnosis regarding a decrease in low pressure of the air conditioner220. Specifically, the deterioration diagnosis unit112calculates an average value of indoor fan electric currents of the entire formation of the train210(step S311). 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 S312: Yes), the deterioration diagnosis unit112adds information on the indoor fan electric current of the relevant car to the contents of a notification (step S313). When the deviation of the indoor fan electric current of the selected car from the average value is lower than the threshold (step S312: NO), the deterioration diagnosis unit112omits the operation of step S313. When not all the cars have been inspected (step S314: No), the deterioration diagnosis unit112selects a car yet to be selected, and returns to step S312. When all the cars have been inspected (step S314: Yes), the deterioration diagnosis unit112transmits the contents of a notification to the on-board control apparatus200, the rail yard (not illustrated), and the like (step S306).

Note that the deterioration diagnosis unit112may perform the operation of step S302to step S305, the operation of step S307to step S310, and the operation of step S311to step S314in sequence or in parallel. Furthermore, the present embodiment is directed to a diagnosis method in which the deterioration diagnosis unit112calculates 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 train210, 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 unit112may 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 unit112may 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 train210, 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 apparatus100to the on-board control apparatus200, the rail yard, or the like. Note that the thresholds to be used in steps S303, S308, and S312are predetermined by the user.

The case where the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100is installed on the ground has been described in the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this manner. The deterioration diagnosis apparatus100may be installed on the train210. In addition, some components of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100may be installed on the train210, and the other components thereof may be installed on the ground. For example, the measurement result acquisition unit111and the deterioration diagnosis unit112of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100may be installed on the ground, and the other components of the same may be installed on the train210.

Next, a hardware configuration of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100will be described. In the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100, the measurement start condition defining unit101and the measurement condition defining unit104correspond to interfaces such as a keyboard and a mouse capable of receiving an operation from a user. The measurement start condition storage unit102and the measurement condition storage unit105correspond to memories. The control command transmission unit110and the measurement result acquisition unit111correspond to communication devices capable of communicating with the on-board control apparatus200. The measurement start condition determination unit103, the measurement condition extraction unit106, the measurement condition determination unit107, the difference condition extraction unit108, the control command generation unit109, and the deterioration diagnosis unit112are 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.7is a diagram showing an example in which the processing circuit included in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100according to the first embodiment is constructed of a processor and a memory. In a case where the processing circuit is constructed of a processor91and a memory92, each function of the processing circuit of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100is implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is described as a program, and stored in the memory92. The processor91reads and executes the program stored in the memory92to implement each of the functions in the processing circuit. That is, the processing circuit has the memory92for storing programs therein, the program being configured to execute processing for the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100. In addition, it can also be said that these programs cause a computer to execute a procedure and a method for the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100.

Here, the processor91may 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 memory92is 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.8is a diagram showing an example in which the processing circuit included in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100according 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 circuit93illustrated inFIG.8is 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 apparatus100may be implemented by the corresponding processing circuit93function by function, or all the function may be collectively implemented by one and the same processing circuit93.

Note that some of the functions of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100may 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 apparatus200will be described. In the on-board control apparatus200, the communication unit202is a communication device capable of communicating with the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100. The control unit201is implemented by a processing circuit. As in the case of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100, 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 apparatus100acquires operation data including a measurement result indicating the state of a device from the on-board control apparatus200, transmits a control command to the on-board control apparatus200when a second measurement condition under which the measurement result has been obtained is different from a first measurement condition prescribed in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100, and sets a measurement condition under which the state of the device is measured in the train210to the first measurement condition. The on-board control apparatus200measures 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 apparatus10D. In this way, the on-board control apparatus200controls operation of the device installed on the train210on the basis of the control command acquired from the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100. As a result, when the train210is operated, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100can acquire data indicating the states of the device under the same measurement conditions. The deterioration diagnosis apparatus100can 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 apparatus100can 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 conditioner220has been described as an example of the device installed on the train210, 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 train210is 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 train210is measured is different from a first measurement condition prescribed in the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100transmits, to the on-board control apparatus200, 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.9is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a deterioration diagnosis system300aaccording to the second embodiment. The deterioration diagnosis system300aincludes a deterioration diagnosis apparatus100aand the on-board control apparatus200. The deterioration diagnosis apparatus100ais obtained by addition of a control command determination unit113to the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100of the first embodiment illustrated inFIG.1aThe control command determination unit113determines whether or not a control command generated by the control command generation unit109will cause no problem even if the control command is transmitted to the on-board control apparatus200. 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 unit113, and stores the information in the control command determination unit113. That is, when the control command generated by the control command generation unit109has been set for eliminating a difference in terms of the specified measurement condition, the control command determination unit113discards the control command.

FIG.10is a diagram showing an example of operation in which the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100aprotects the on-board control apparatus200from changing a second measurement condition in the deterioration diagnosis system300aaccording to the second embodiment. As illustrated inFIG.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 driver251or a conductor (not illustrated) actually working on the train210, that is, automatically changed by the control command from the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100a. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the control command determination unit113checks the content of the control command generated by the control command generation unit109, then causes the control command transmission unit110to transmit a control command for changing a measurement condition having no problem even if the condition is changed before the driver251or the conductor recognizes the change, but discards a control command for changing a measurement condition having undesirability if the condition is changed before the driver251or the conductor recognizes the change. The measurement condition having undesirability if the condition is changed before the driver251or the conductor recognizes the change corresponds to or means a measurement condition on a device that affects operation of the train210, for example, a door, a device related to traveling or stopping of the train210, or the like.

FIG.11is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100aaccording to the second embodiment. InFIG.11, the operation of step S201to step S205and the operation of step S206to step S208are the same as those in the flowchart of the first embodiment illustrated inFIG.5. In the second embodiment, the control command determination unit113determines, after step S205, whether or not to transmit the control command generated by the control command generation unit109to the on-board control apparatus200(step3209). When the control command determination unit113determines to transmit the control command generated by the control command generation unit109to the on-board control apparatus200(step S209: Yes), the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100aproceeds to the operation of step S206. When the control command determination unit113determines not to transmit the control command generated by the control command generation unit109to the on-board control apparatus200(step S209: No), the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100aterminates the operation.

Note that when a determination of “No” is made in step S209, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100acannot acquire a result of measurement made under the first measurement conditions. In this case, the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100adoes not perform any operation of forcibly acquiring the measurement result, but retries the operation illustrated inFIG.11in the next chance such as the following day.

Regarding a hardware configuration of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100a, the control command determination unit113is implemented by a processing circuit. As in the case of the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100, 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 apparatus100adoes not transmit a control command to the on-board control apparatus200in 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 apparatus100acan 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 driver251or the conductor in the train210.

Note that the case where the deterioration diagnosis apparatus100adoes 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 apparatus100of 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 unit113and 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 apparatus100a. 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

100,100adeterioration diagnosis apparatus;101measurement start condition defining unit;102measurement start condition storage unit;103measurement start condition determination unit;104measurement condition defining unit;105measurement condition storage unit;106measurement condition extraction unit;107measurement condition determination unit;108difference condition extraction unit;109control command generation unit;110control command transmission unit;111measurement result acquisition unit;112deterioration diagnosis unit;113control command determination unit;200on-board control apparatus;201control unit;202communication unit;300,300adeterioration diagnosis system.