Patent ID: 12231998

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are given below with reference to the attached drawings. In the description of the drawings, identical or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference signs, and redundant description of such elements will be omitted.

FIG.1is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a data transmitting device100, a communication device150, and a communication system200according to the embodiment of the present invention. The communication system200is a system that transmits data by the data transmitting device100provided on the route3of the moving body1to the moving body1having a plurality of vehicles2in one formation. In addition, the data transmitting device100is a device that is provided on the route3of the moving body1having the plurality of vehicles2in one formation and that transmits data to the moving body1. The communication device150is a device that is provided in the moving body1having the plurality of vehicles2in one formation and that receives data from the data transmitting device100that is provided on the route3of the moving body1.

In the present embodiment, a train such as the Shinkansen is exemplified as the moving body1. A train of one formation is configured by sequentially connecting the plurality of vehicles2to the vehicle2(leading vehicle) provided with a driver's seat. In this case, the rail on which the train runs is the route3.

The communication device150has a plurality of receiving units10. Each of the plurality of vehicles2is provided with the receiving unit10that receives data transmitted from the data transmitting device100. Note that in the present embodiment, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that three receiving units10are provided in order from the lead vehicle2. In the following description, the lead vehicle2may be referred to as a “vehicle2A”, and the receiving unit10provided in the vehicle2A may be referred to as a “receiving unit10A”. Furthermore, the second vehicle2from the lead may be referred to as a “vehicle2B”, and the receiving unit10provided in the vehicle2B may be referred to as a “receiving unit10B”. In addition, the third vehicle2from the lead may be referred to as a “vehicle2C”, and the receiving unit10provided in the vehicle2C may be referred to as a “receiving unit10C”.

Note that the moving body1is not limited to a train as long as the moving body1includes the plurality of vehicles2, and for example, the moving body1may be a transport vehicle such as a truck to which a plurality of cargo vehicles are connected to the lead vehicle. In this case, the road on which the transport vehicle travels is the route3.

The data transmitting device100is provided at a specified position on the route3. Here, the data transmitting device100is provided in the underground below the rail. Note that the position on the route3where the data transmitting device100is provided is not particularly limited and may be attached to a structure such as a pillar or the like near the rail. A communication area DE is an area where communication is possible and is set in the data transmitting device100. The data transmitting device100may transmit data to the receiving unit10that has entered into the communication area DE together with the moving body1. In the present embodiment, as the moving body1moves, the receiving unit10A, the receiving unit10B, and the receiving unit10C enter the communication area DE in this order, and then the receiving unit10A, the receiving unit10B, and the receiving unit10C exit from the communication area DE in that order. Therefore, the data transmitting device100transmits data in order of the receiving unit10A, the receiving unit10B, and the receiving unit10C.

Next, a block configuration of the communication system200will be described with reference toFIG.2.FIG.2is a block configuration diagram illustrating a block configuration of the communication system200. As illustrated inFIG.2, the communication system200includes the above-described data transmitting device100and the above-described communication device150.

The data transmitting device100is a device that transmits mutually different data to each of the receiving units10of the plurality of vehicles2. The data transmitting device100includes a communication unit21, a parameter acquisition unit22, a data adjustment unit23, and a storage unit24.

The communication unit21, by performing communication with the communication device150, together with transmitting information to the communication device150, receives information from the communication device150. The communication unit21transmits data in the transmission mode set by the data adjustment unit23.

The parameter acquisition unit22acquires information on parameters that affect data transmission. The parameter acquisition unit22acquires the parameter information from the information of the communication device150received by the communication unit21. More specifically, the parameter acquisition unit22acquires, as parameters, the number of vehicles provided with the receiving units10of the moving body1, the distance between the receiving units10of the moving body1, and the speed of the moving body1. Moreover, the parameter acquisition unit22, by reading the data stored in the storage unit24, acquires the total amount of all data to be transmitted as parameters.

The data adjustment unit23adjusts the data transmission mode to the respective receiving units10of the plurality of vehicles2. Here, even though the data transmitting device100transmits a plurality of data to one receiving unit10, it does not mean that data transmission for all data will succeed, and data transmission for some data fails. Accordingly, the data transmitting device100retransmits the data for which data transmission has failed. For example, as illustrated in the table ofFIG.3, it is presumed that a total of n pieces of data from “data1” to “data n” have been transmitted. On the other hand, “Ack” indicates data that has been successfully transmitted, and “No Ack” indicates data that has failed to be transmitted. Therefore, the data transmitting device100later retransmits the data (for example, the data X, the data n−1, the data n) corresponding to “No Ack”. Moreover, even in a case where the plurality of data that have failed to be transmitted are retransmitted, the transmission of all the data items is not guaranteed to succeed, so it is necessary to further re-retransmit the data that have failed to be retransmitted. By repeating the retransmission in this way, the number of data for retransmission is gradually reduced, and finally the transmission of all data is completed.

On the other hand, the data adjustment unit23adjusts the timing at which the data is to be retransmitted. The data adjustment unit23may retransmit the data to another receiving unit10different from the one that has failed in the transmission. In this case, the communication unit21transmits the specified data to the receiving unit10of the one vehicle2and then transmits the data corresponding to the retransmission portion of the specified data to the receiving unit10of another vehicle2.

A data transmission mode adjusted by the data adjustment unit23will be described with reference toFIG.4.FIG.4is a schematic diagram illustrating how the data transmitting device100transmits data to the receiving units10A,10B, and10C of the vehicles2A,2B, and2C. The bar graph corresponding to “vehicle2A and receiving unit10A” indicates the content of data transmitted to receiving unit10A of vehicle2A. Note that in the bar graph, time progresses from top to bottom. It should be noted that in this description, a set of a plurality of data is referred to as a “data group”.

In the example illustrated inFIG.4, the data adjustment unit23does not divide all the data but sequentially transmits the data according to the numbers corresponding to the respective data, and then after the first transmission of all the data is completed, the data for which transmission has failed is set for retransmission. Note that here, the data is not divided into a plurality of groups, and therefore all data is described as belonging to a “data group1”. In addition, a set of data that has failed to be transmitted in the data of the data group1is referred to as a “retransmission data group1”.

With such a setting, the data transmitting device100sequentially transmits the data of the data group1to the receiving unit10A. Here, the receivable data capacity of the receiving unit10A is less than the total capacity of the data group1. Therefore, the data transmitting device100transmits the transmittable number of data (here, 66% of the total data) to the receiving unit10A of the vehicle2A. Next, the data transmitting device100transmits the remaining data (34% of the total data) to the receiving unit10B of the vehicle2B. Here, the receiving unit10B of the vehicle2B has a surplus of receivable data capacity. Accordingly, the data transmitting device100performs the first retransmission for the retransmission data group1. Note that the remaining data capacity of the receiving unit10B of the vehicle2B is smaller than the data capacity of the first retransmission data group1. Therefore, the data transmitting device100transmits the data of the remaining first retransmission data group1to the receiving unit10C of the vehicle2C. The data transmitting device100retransmits the retransmission data group1with a plurality of data that has failed in the first retransmission to the receiving unit10C of the vehicle2C for the second time. The data transmitting device100completes the transmission of all data by repeating the retransmission of the retransmission group1a plurality of times (n times). Note that in the following description, in a case where the term “retransmit a retransmission group” is used, it means that all data transmission is completed by repeating retransmission a plurality of times, unless particularly specified otherwise.

Moreover, the data adjustment unit23may divide all data to be transmitted into a plurality of data groups and set each data group to be transmitted to mutually different receiving units10. In this case, the communication unit21transmits the divided plurality of data groups to the receiving units10of mutually different vehicles2. The data adjustment unit23may be set to retransmit the data to the same receiving unit10in which transmission has failed.

Another example of the data transmission mode adjusted by the data adjustment unit23will be described with reference toFIG.5. In the example illustrated inFIG.5, the data adjustment unit23divides all the data to be transmitted into three data groups1,2, and3according to the number of receiving units10A,10B, and10C. In addition, although the data adjustment unit23transmits the data groups1,2, and3, the data adjustment unit23allows the excess capacity of the receiving units10A,10B, and10C to remain and retransmits the retransmission data groups1,2, and3with respect to the remaining capacity.

With such a setting, the data transmitting device100transmits the data of the data group1to the receiving unit10A. Then, the data transmitting device100retransmits the retransmission data group1to the receiving unit10A. Next, the data transmitting device100transmits the data of the data group2to the receiving unit10B. Then, the data transmitting device100retransmits the retransmission data group2to the receiving unit10B. Next, the data transmitting device100transmits data of the data group3to the receiving unit10C. Then, the data transmitting device100retransmits the retransmission data group3to the receiving unit10C.

In a case where all the data to be transmitted cannot be transmitted with the capacity of all the receiving units10included in the moving body1in one formation, the data adjustment unit23may divide all the data into a plurality of data groups and may transmit the respective data groups to the receiving units10of the moving body1in a plurality of formations. Note that the data adjustment unit23may be set to retransmit the data to the receiving units10of the same formation as the one in which transmission has failed.

Another example of the data transmission mode adjusted by the data adjustment unit23will be described with reference toFIG.6. In the example illustrated inFIG.6, the data adjustment unit23divides all the data to be transmitted into three data groups1,2, and3, according to the capacity of all the data to be transmitted and the total data capacity of all the receiving units10of the moving body1per one formation. In addition, although the data adjustment unit23transmits the data groups1,2, and3, the data adjustment unit23allows the data capacity of formations1,2, and3to remain and retransmits the retransmission data groups1,2, and3with respect to the remaining capacity. Note that the data transmission modes to the plurality of receiving units10of each formation1,2, and3are the same as those illustrated inFIGS.4and5.

The data adjustment unit23adjusts the data transmission mode to each of the receiving units10of the plurality of vehicles2, according to the number of vehicles acquired by the parameter acquisition unit22. In the present embodiment, the moving body1has three receiving units10A,10B, and10C. Accordingly, the data adjustment unit23adjusts how the data is distributed to the three receiving units10A,10B, and10C. The data adjustment unit23adjusts the data transmission mode to each of the receiving units10of the plurality of vehicles2, according to the distance between the receiving units10acquired by the parameter acquisition unit22. In other words, the longer the distance between the receiving units10, the longer the time from when the receiving unit10enters the communication area DE until the next receiving unit10enters the communication area DE. The data adjustment unit23adjusts the data transmission mode to each of the receiving units10of the plurality of vehicles2, according to the speed of the moving body1acquired by the parameter acquisition unit22. The faster the speed of the moving body1, the longer the time that each receiving unit10stays in the communication area DE. The data adjustment unit23adjusts the data transmission mode to each of the receiving units10of the plurality of vehicles2, according to the total amount of all data to be transmitted.

The storage unit24is a unit that stores various types of information. The storage unit24stores data to be transmitted by the data transmitting device100. The data to be transmitted has information on at least one item of: temperature, current, voltage, vibration, and partial discharge of the cable provided on the route3. These pieces of information are updated in a specified period (for example, every day). Note that the route3is provided with a sensor (not illustrated) for detecting the information of the above items. The sensor transmits the acquired detection results to the storage unit24. As a result, the storage unit24stores the latest information.

Next, a block configuration of the communication device150will be described. The communication device150includes the receiving unit10, a parameter transmitting unit11, a storage unit12, and a data synthesizing unit13described above. Note that the storage unit12and the data synthesizing unit13may be provided in any one of the plurality of vehicles2included in the moving body1and may be provided in the lead vehicle2, for example.

The storage unit12stores parameters related to the moving body1for transmission to the data transmitting device100. The receiving units10A,10B, and10C has a function of transmitting the parameter stored in the storage unit12to the data transmitting device100. The parameters transmitted by the parameter transmitting unit11are parameters among the parameters acquired by the parameter acquisition unit22described above that are related to the moving body1.

The data synthesizing unit13synthesizes mutually different data received by the respective receiving units10. For example, in the example illustrated inFIG.4, the data synthesizing unit13synthesizes the data group1(data that has been successfully transmitted) received by the receiving unit10A, the data group1(data that has been successfully transmitted) received by the receiving unit10B, retransmission data group1received by the receiving unit10B, and retransmission data group1received by the receiving unit10C. In the example illustrated inFIG.5, the data synthesizing unit13synthesizing the data groups1,2, and3(data that has been successfully transmitted) received by the receiving units10A,10B, and10C and the retransmission data groups1,2, and3received by the receiving units10A,10B, and10C. Note that, in the case of the example illustrated inFIG.6, the data synthesizing unit13of any of the formations1,2, and3synthesizes the data groups1,2, and3and the retransmission data groups1,2, and3acquired by the formations1,2, and3.

Next, a communication method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS.7to9.FIGS.7to9are flowcharts illustrating a communication method according to embodiments of the present invention. Here, an example of a flowchart in a case where the data transmitting device100transmits data to the receiving unit10A of the vehicle2A, the receiving unit10B of the vehicle2B, and the receiving unit10C of the vehicle2C in the transmission mode illustrated inFIG.4is described. This communication method is a method in which the data transmitting device100provided on the route of the moving body1transmits data to the receiving units10A,10B, and10C of the moving body1having the plurality of vehicles2A,2B, and2C in one formation.

As illustrated inFIG.7, first, the data transmitting device100searches for a data transmission destination. The data transmitting device100transmits a signal declaring the establishment of communication to the surroundings at a regular time interval (step S100). In a case where the receiving unit10A does not reach the range of the communication area DE, the signal is not received (arrow indicated by a broken line), but when the receiving unit10A reaches the range of the communication area DE, the signal is received by the receiving unit10A (arrow indicated by a solid line). Accordingly, the data transmitting device100knows that the receiving unit10A exists within the communication area DE. Next, the data transmitting device100establishes communication with the receiving unit10A. Here, the data transmitting device100receives a connection request signal from the receiving unit10A (step S110) and transmits a response signal to the receiving unit10A indicating that the connection has been executed (step S120). As a result, the communication between the data transmitting device100and the receiving unit10A is established.

Next, the data transmitting device100makes a data transmission plan. Here, the data transmitting device100executes a receiving step for receiving information from the moving body1in which receiving units10A,10B, and10C for receiving data transmitted from the data transmitting device100are provided in the plurality of vehicles2A,2B, and2C. More specifically, the data transmitting device100receives a data request signal together with the parameter information from the receiving unit10A (step S130). Accordingly, the data transmitting device100executes the data transmission plan (step S140). In step S140, the data adjustment unit23of the data transmitting device100adjusts the data transmission mode as described inFIG.4, based on the received parameters and the data capacity to be transmitted. As a result, the data transmitting device100makes a plan of how to transmit the data. After that, the data transmitting device100transmits a signal to the receiving unit10A indicating that the data transmission plan is completed (step S150).

Next, the data transmitting device100performs data transmission for a part of the data group1to the receiving unit10A. The data transmitting device100repeatedly transmits data to the receiving unit10A (step S160) a set number of times. Accordingly, data transmission to the receiving unit10A of the data transmitting device100is completed.

Next, the data transmitting device100searches for the receiving unit10B and establishes communication. Similar to step S100, the data transmitting device100transmits a signal to the surroundings at a regular time interval declaring the establishment of communication (step S170) and recognizes the existence of the receiving unit10B existing within the communication area DE. Next, the data transmitting device100receives a connection request signal from the receiving unit10B (step S180) and transmits a response signal to the receiving unit10B indicating that the connection has been executed (step S190). As a result, the communication between the data transmitting device100and the receiving unit10B is established.

Next, the data transmitting device100transmits data to the receiving unit10B. The data transmitting device100receives a data request signal from the receiving unit10B (step S200). The data transmitting device100transmits the data of the remaining portion of the data group1to the receiving unit10B (step S210) and retransmits the retransmission data group1(step S220). This completes the data transmission by the data transmitting device100to the receiving unit10B.

Next, the data transmitting device100searches for the receiving unit10C and establishes communication. Similar to step S100, the data transmitting device100transmits a signal to the surroundings at a regular time interval declaring the establishment of communication (step S230) and recognizes the existence of the receiving unit10C existing within the communication area DE. Next, the data transmitting device100receives a connection request signal from the receiving unit10C (step S240) and transmits a response signal to the receiving unit10C indicating that the connection has been executed (step S250). As a result, the communication between the data transmitting device100and the receiving unit10C is established.

Next, the data transmitting device100transmits data to the receiving unit10C. The data transmitting device100receives a data request signal from the receiving unit10C (step S260). The data transmitting device100retransmits the remaining portion of the retransmission data group1to the receiving unit10C (step S270). This completes the data transmission by the data transmitting device100to the receiving unit10C. As described above, in steps S160, S210, S220, and S270, steps for transmitting mutually different data to the receiving units10A,10B, and10C of the plurality of vehicles2A,2B, and2C based on the information are executed.

Next, a data synthesizing step of synthesizing the mutually different data received by the communication device150by the mutually different receiving units10A,10B, and10C is executed (step S280). Here, the data synthesizing unit13synthesizes the data received by the receiving units10A,10B, and10C in steps S160, S210, S220, and S270. This ends the flowchart illustrated inFIGS.7to9.

Next, the operation and effects of the communication system200according to the present embodiment will be described.

The communication system200according to the present embodiment is the communication system200for transmitting data by the data transmitting device100provided on the route3of the moving body1to the moving body1having the plurality of vehicles2in one formation, wherein each of the plurality of vehicles2is provided with the receiving unit10that receives the data transmitted from the data transmitting device100, and the data transmitting device100transmits mutually different data to each of the receiving units10of the plurality of vehicles2.

In this communication system200, each of the plurality of vehicles2is provided with the receiving unit10that receives the data transmitted from the data transmitting device100. Then, the data transmitting device100transmits mutually different data to each of the receiving units10of the plurality of vehicles2. In this case, even though the data transmitting device100is in a state where the speed of the vehicle is high and is unable to send all the data to one receiving unit10, it is preferable that the data transmitting device100, as a result, transmits all the data by the combination the data transmitted to the plurality of receiving units10. As described above, a moving body does not need to perform low-speed operation or the like for special inspection and may acquire data even during normal operation. Moreover, it is not necessary to use an expensive receiving unit having a large capacity as the receiving unit10provided in the vehicle. As described above, it is possible to exchange a sufficient amount of data with a simple configuration without reducing the speed of the moving body1.

The data transmitting device100may transmit specified data to the receiving unit10of one vehicle2and then transmit the data corresponding to the retransmission portion of the specified data to the receiving unit10of another vehicle2, and in such case, even though there is data that has failed to be transmitted to one receiving unit10, another receiving unit10may receive the retransmission portion of the data. For example, in a case where one receiving unit10must receive all the data even though transmission failure occurs, it becomes necessary to improve the performance of the receiving unit10, to cope with increases in cost such as improving the communication performance and the like, and to reduce the speed of the moving body1; however, in the data transmitting device100of the present embodiment, all the data may be easily transmitted without the need to take such measures.

The data transmitting device100may divide all the data to be transmitted into a plurality of data groups and transmit the respective data groups to the receiving units of mutually different vehicles. In this case, even though the data transmitting device has a large amount of data to be transmitted, by distributing the data to the plurality of receiving units10, all the data may be transmitted as a result. For example, even though the data capacity is large, in a case where one receiving unit10must receive all the data, it becomes necessary to improve the performance of the receiving unit10, to cope with increases in cost such as improving the communication performance and the like, and to reduce the speed of the moving body1; however, in the data transmitting device100of the present embodiment, all the data may be easily transmitted without the need to take such measures.

The data transmitting device100may acquire the number of vehicles provided with the receiving units10of the moving body1and adjust the data transmission mode to each of the receiving units10of the plurality of vehicles2, according to the acquired number of vehicles. In this case, the data transmitting device100may transmit data in an appropriate transmission mode according to the number of vehicles.

The data transmitting device100may acquire the distance between the receiving units10of the moving body1and adjust the data transmission mode to each of the receiving units10of the plurality of vehicles2, according to the acquired distance. In this case, the data transmitting device100may transmit data in an appropriate transmission mode according to the distance between the receiving units10of the moving body1.

The data transmitting device100may acquire the speed of the moving body1and adjust the data transmission mode to each of the receiving units10of the plurality of vehicles2, according to the acquired speed. In this case, the data transmitting device100may transmit data in an appropriate transmission mode according to the speed of the moving body1.

The data transmitting device100may adjust the data transmission mode to each of the receiving units10of the plurality of vehicles2according to the total amount of all the data to be transmitted. In this case, the data transmitting device100may transmit data in an appropriate transmission mode according to the total amount of all the data.

The data to be transmitted by the data transmitting device100may have information on at least one item of: temperature, current, voltage, vibration, and partial discharge of the cable provided on the route3. Accordingly, the receiving unit10of the moving body1may inspect the cable while performing the normal operation without slowing down the moving speed and performing a special inspection.

The data transmitting device100according to the present embodiment is the data transmitting device100that is provided on the route3of the moving body1and that transmits data to the moving body1having the plurality of vehicles2in one formation, wherein the data transmitting device100is configured to transmit mutually different data to the plurality of receiving units10provided in the plurality of vehicles2of the moving body1, respectively.

The communication device150according to the present embodiment is the communication device150that is provided in the moving body1having the plurality of vehicles2in one formation and that receives data from the data transmitting device100provided on the route3of the moving body1, wherein the communication device150includes the plurality of receiving units10that are provided in the plurality of vehicles2and that are configured to receive mutually different data; and the data synthesizing unit13that is configured to synthesize the mutually different data received by each of the receiving units10

The communication method according to the present embodiment is a communication method for transmitting data by the data transmitting device100provided on the route3of the moving body1to the moving body1having the plurality of vehicles2in one formation, wherein the communication method includes: a receiving step of receiving information from the moving body1in which the receiving unit10for receiving data transmitted from the data transmitting device100is provided in each of the plurality of vehicles2; and a transmitting step of transmitting mutually different data to each of the receiving units10of the plurality of vehicles2based on the information.

With the data transmitting device100, the communication device150, and the communication method described above, it is possible to obtain the same operation and effects as those of the communication system described above.

The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described above.

In the embodiment described above, receiving units10are provided only in the three vehicles in the lead. However, the number of receiving units10is not particularly limited, and by providing the receiving units10in all the vehicles2, the same number of the receiving units10as the number of the vehicles2may be provided.

Moreover, as illustrated inFIG.10, in order to efficiently arrange the receiving unit10in consideration of the length of the vehicle2and the range of the communication area DE, the vehicles2in which the receiving unit10is not provided may be arranged between the vehicles2provided with the receiving unit10.FIG.10is a diagram schematically illustrating a positional relationship between a traveling mode of the moving body1and the communication area DE. As illustrated inFIG.10, the receiving unit10B enters the communication area DE before the receiving unit10A leaves the communication area DE. In this case, even though there are two receiving units10A,10B in the communication area DE, data may be transmitted to only one receiving unit, so the capacity of the other receiving unit is wasted. Therefore, the receiving unit10B is preferably omitted.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1Moving body,2Vehicle,3Route,10Receiving unit,13Data synthesizing unit,100Data transmitting device,150Communication device,200Communication system.