Train control device

Abstract

A train control device includes a detector that detects the current location and speed of the train, a clock unit that tracks the current time, a schedule input section by which the schedule data including the scheduled arrival time of the train at each station on the line is input, and a computing unit that computes an operating schedule according to which the train runs at the detected location and the detected speed to the next station, based on a target operation time that is obtained by subtracting the current time from the scheduled arrival time at the next station, operation characteristics of the train and a condition of the line.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control device for a train, comprising:
 a detector configured to detect a current location and a speed of the train;   a clock unit configured to track a current time;   a schedule input section configured to receive an input of schedule data including a scheduled arrival time of the train at each station on a line; and   a computing unit configured to compute an operating schedule according to which the train runs at the detected current location and the detected speed to the next station, based on a target operation time that is obtained by subtracting the current time from a scheduled arrival time at the next station, operation characteristics of the train and a condition of the line.   
     
     
         2 . The control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the train has a speed braking pattern that is determined based on the condition of the line, and the operating schedule is computed so that the speed of the train is adjusted to be closer to the speed braking pattern. 
     
     
         3 . The control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the train has a speed braking pattern that is determined based on the condition of the line, and the operating schedule is computed so that the speed of the train is adjusted to decelerate earlier than specified by the speed braking pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The train control device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the schedule data includes scheduled passing time of the train at non-stop stations on the line; and   when the next station is a non-stop station, the computing unit is configured to compute the operating schedule based on a target operation time that is obtained by subtracting the current time from the scheduled passing time at the next station.   
     
     
         5 . The control device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a notification unit that provides a warning when an actual operating time has deviated from the target operation time.   
     
     
         6 . The control device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the computing unit is configured to re-compute the operation schedule after having decelerated to maintain a gap of a predetermined size or larger between the train and a preceding train.   
     
     
         7 . The control device according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a receiving unit configured to receive a number that indicates the number of closed sections between the train and the preceding train, wherein   the computing unit is configured to re-compute the operating schedule after the received number becomes a predetermined number or more.   
     
     
         8 . A method of controlling a train that is scheduled to run on a line having a plurality of stop stations and non-stop stations, comprising:
 acquiring a current location and speed of the train, and a current time;   determining a target operation time to a next station by subtracting the current time from a scheduled arrival or passing time at the next station; and   computing an operating schedule for the train based on the target operation time, operation characteristics of the train, and a condition of the line.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the condition of the line determines a maximum allowable speed of the train. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the maximum allowable speed of the train is set based on a separation gap between the train and a preceding train. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the maximum allowable speed of the train is increased when the separation gap increases. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the maximum allowable speed of the train is decreased when the separation gap decreases. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the maximum allowable speed of the train is set as the maximum speed at which the train can run on the line. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein a speed braking pattern is associated with the condition of the line and the operating schedule is computed so that the speed of the train is adjusted to be closer to the speed braking pattern. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein a speed braking pattern is associated with the condition of the line and the operating schedule is computed so that the speed of the train is adjusted to decelerate earlier than specified by the speed braking pattern. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 decelerating the train;   determining a new target operation time to the next station by subtracting the current time from the scheduled arrival or passing time at the next station; and   re-computing the operation schedule for the train based on the new target operation time, the operation characteristics of the train, and the condition of the line.   
     
     
         17 . A train that is scheduled to run on a line having a plurality of stop stations and non-stop stations, comprising:
 a driving and braking control device configured to drive and stop the train based on a powering command and a braking command; and   a control device configured to determine a target operation time to a next station by subtracting a current time from a scheduled arrival or passing time at the next station, compute an operating schedule for the train based on the target operation time, operation characteristics of the train, and a condition of the line, and generate the powering command or the braking command according to the operating schedule.   
     
     
         18 . The train according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a receiver configured to receive a maximum allowable speed of the train from an external device, the maximum allowable speed of the train being representative of a separation gap between the train and a preceding train or a maximum speed at which the train can run on the line.   
     
     
         19 . The train according to  claim 17 , wherein a speed braking pattern is associated with the condition of the line and the operating schedule is computed so that the speed of the train is adjusted to be closer to the speed braking pattern or to decelerate earlier than specified by the speed braking pattern. 
     
     
         20 . The train according to  claim 17 , wherein the control device is further configured to determine a new target operation time to the next station by subtracting the current time from the scheduled arrival or passing time at the next station and re-compute the operation schedule for the train based on the new target operation time, the operation characteristics of the train, and the condition of the line.