JP4866746B2 - Worker location warning system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a worker location alert system used for alerting the location of a worker when a plurality of workers perform work activities.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known a technique for confirming the location of a person who carries a wireless terminal within a management range by using a wireless communication system using a management device and a portable wireless terminal to prevent an accident.

For example, each bather has a sensor network device that wirelessly communicates current position information measured by GPS (Global Positioning System) to the management device, and the current position of each sensor network device received by the management device is preset. There is a technology that tries to prevent drought by determining whether or not it is in a dangerous marine area (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-348011 A

  By the way, there is a form in which a team is formed by a plurality of workers to perform work activities at various work sites. For example, track maintenance work on railway tracks is one of them, and a team is formed by at least one supervisor (= team leader) among a plurality of workers and deployed along a predetermined work section. Lay, inspect and maintain.

  When working with such teams, especially in cases where workers are deployed over a relatively wide area, such as track maintenance work, the supervisor must always know where each person is to ensure the safety of the workers. is there. The supervisor, for example, alerts the worker when he or she approaches a danger area where work accidents are a concern and prevents the accident in advance, or directs and supervises the entire team so that the worker is not far away. There must be. In most cases, the supervisor grasps the location of each worker by visual inspection, but in a situation where the work section cannot be seen, the supervisory position has to be changed slightly, which is a heavy burden on the supervisor.

  When considering reducing the burden on such supervisors, it is possible to apply the above-mentioned conventional technology. However, for example, in the technique of Patent Document 1, a sensor network device that an operator will carry is required to be equipped with a GPS function, and also requires electric power related to the GPS function. For this reason, it is difficult to reduce the size, weight, and operating time of sensor network devices. On the other hand, in work that requires a relatively long period of time, such as track maintenance, there is a strong demand for a portable device that is as small and light as possible and that the number of battery replacements should be reduced as much as possible. In addition, in the method that requires the current position to be detected by GPS as in the technique of Patent Document 1, there is a problem in that the accuracy of GPS and the use in environments where GPS cannot be used such as in tunnels are limited. Become.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to realize a warning system that can be used for warning related to the location of a worker without using a current position detection function by GPS. is there. Further, it is desirable to realize a device carried by an operator as small and light as possible.

  A first invention for solving the above-described problem is that a plurality of wireless communication terminals (for example, the worker terminal 100 in FIG. 1) and an alarm device (for example, the reader terminal 300 in FIG. 1) capable of ad hoc communication by multi-hop communication with each other. 1) terminal transmission means (for example, the control of FIG. 1) in which each wireless communication terminal periodically transmits its own identification information to the alarm device by the ad hoc communication. Unit 190, first wireless communication module 106, antenna 110), and the alarm device stores storage information (for example, control unit 390, IC memory 304 in FIG. The worker terminal registration data 372) of FIG. 13 and the identification information reception for receiving the identification information of the wireless communication terminal by the ad hoc communication Periodically (for example, the control unit 390, the first wireless communication module 306, the antenna 310 in FIG. 1), the identification information received by the identification information receiving means, and the identification information stored in the storage means Non-reception detecting means (for example, control unit 390 in FIG. 1, steps S100 to S104 in FIG. 18) for detecting occurrence of identification information that is not received, and first notification means for performing predetermined notification in response to the detection (For example, the vibrator 309 in FIG. 1, the LCD 316, the earphone 322, and step S106 in FIG. 18).

  According to the first invention, the wireless communication terminal can periodically transmit its own identification information to the alarm device by ad-hoc communication using multi-hop communication. On the alarm device side, the identification information received from the wireless communication terminal can be periodically checked with the identification information stored in the storage means, and the occurrence of identification information that is not received can be detected to give a predetermined notification. .

  For example, if a worker carries a wireless communication terminal and the team leader who is the supervisor possesses the alarm device, when the worker reaches a position where ad hoc communication is not possible, the wireless communication terminal sends the identification information of the own device to the alarm device. The alarm device automatically notifies the user. The team leader is automatically informed that the worker is about to leave the team by notification, so compared to the conventional case where the worker's location must always be confirmed visually, It becomes much easier to secure and secure the team. According to the first invention, the wireless communication terminal does not need a GPS function. Therefore, it becomes easy to reduce the size and weight of the wireless communication terminal. It can also be used for track maintenance work in tunnels where the GPS function cannot be used.

  A second invention is a worker location warning system comprising a plurality of wireless communication terminals and alarm devices capable of ad-hoc communication by multi-hop communication with each other, wherein each of the wireless communication terminals is addressed to the alarm device. Terminal transmitting means for periodically transmitting the identification information by the ad hoc communication, the alarm device storing the identification information of each of the plurality of wireless communication terminals, and the wireless communication terminal of the wireless communication terminal by the ad hoc communication Identification information receiving means for receiving identification information, and hop number excess detection means for detecting that the number of hops required to receive the identification information by the identification information receiving means exceeds a predetermined upper limit hop number. (For example, the control unit 390 in FIG. 1 and step S112 in FIG. 18) and a predetermined notification are performed in response to detection by the hop count excess detection means. Second informing means (e.g., control unit 390 of FIG. 1, a vibrator 309, LCD 316, earphone 322, step S114 of FIG. 18) is a worker location warning systems with, and.

  In addition, the third invention is characterized in that the alarm device detects that the number of hops required to receive the identification information by the identification information receiving means exceeds the predetermined upper limit hop number and has received the hop number excess. The worker location warning system according to the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising detection means and second notification means for performing predetermined notification in response to detection by the hop count excess detection means.

  In multi-hop communication, the effective communication distance is often limited to a relatively short distance of about several m to 10 m. In other words, if the number of hops required for multi-hop communication is multiplied by the effective communication distance, the approximate distance from the source wireless station can be grasped.

  According to the second and third inventions, when the number of hops required for the identification information transmitted from the wireless communication terminal to be received by the alarm device exceeds the predetermined upper limit hop number, this is detected. can do. That is, it can be determined that the wireless communication terminal that has transmitted the identification signal for which the excess has been detected is in a state of being approximately separated by a distance obtained by multiplying the upper limit hop count by the effective communication distance of multihop communication. Therefore, it is possible to notify that the worker who has the wireless communication terminal that transmitted the identification signal in which the excess has been detected is far away by performing a predetermined notification in response to the detection of the excess. Furthermore, by appropriately setting the upper limit hop number close to the number of wireless communications used in the system, it is possible to notify that the team is in a widely dispersed state.

  A fourth invention is a specific communication apparatus (for example, the relay apparatus 200 in FIG. 1) capable of relaying and transmitting radio signals to each other by receiving identification information transmitted by terminal transmission means of the radio communication terminal. , Proximity detection means for detecting the approach of the wireless communication terminal (for example, the first wireless communication module 206 in FIG. 1, the antenna 210, the control unit 290, step S70 in FIG. 17), and the identification received by the proximity detection means An approach detection signal transmission means (for example, the second wireless communication module 207, the antenna 210, and the control in FIG. 1) that relays or directly transmits an approach detection signal including information to the alarm device by wireless communication over a longer distance than the ad hoc communication. Unit 290, steps S72 to S84) of FIG. 17, and a specific communication installed in a predetermined dangerous area A proximity detection signal receiving means for receiving the proximity detection signal transmitted by the proximity detection signal transmission means (for example, the second wireless communication module 307 and the antenna 310 in FIG. 1); Third notification means for performing predetermined notification in response to reception of the approach detection signal by the approach detection signal receiving means (for example, control unit 390, vibrator 309, LCD 316, earphone 322, steps S124 to S126 of FIG. 18). And the worker location warning system according to any one of the first to third aspects of the invention.

  According to the fourth invention, the same effect as any one of the first to third inventions can be obtained and transmitted by the terminal transmission means of the radio communication terminal by the specific communication apparatus capable of relaying radio signals to each other. When the approach of the wireless communication terminal is detected by receiving the identification information, an approach detection signal including the identification information of the wireless communication terminal whose approach is detected can be transmitted to the alarm device. The alarm device can execute a predetermined notification when an approach detection signal is received.

  That is, for example, if each worker carries wireless communication and the team leader who is the supervisor carries the alarm device, the team leader indicates that the worker has approached the specific communication device installed in the danger area. Can be notified.

  In addition, since the specific communication device can relay or directly transmit the approach detection signal to the alarm device by wireless communication over a longer distance than the ad hoc communication of the wireless communication terminal, the alarm device is not affected by the arrangement conditions of the wireless communication terminal. It is possible to transmit the approach detection signal to the mobile phone and reliably perform the notification by the third notification means.

  A fifth invention is a specific communication device capable of relaying radio signals to each other, and receiving means for receiving identification information transmitted by the ad hoc communication of the radio communication terminal (for example, the first radio communication in FIG. 1) Module 206, antenna 210) and transmission means for relaying or directly transmitting the identification information received by the receiving means to the alarm device by wireless communication over a longer distance than the ad hoc communication together with the transmission path of the identification information. For example, the second wireless module 207 in FIG. 1 and steps S72 to S84 in FIG. 21 are provided with a plurality of specific communication devices, and the alarm device transmits the identification information transmitted by the transmission means of the specific communication device. And transmission reception means for receiving the transmission path (for example, the second wireless communication module 307 and the antenna 310 in FIG. 1), and the transmission receiver A long distance condition detection means (for example, the control unit 390 in FIG. 1, steps S108 to S112 in FIG. 22) for detecting that the transmission path of the identification information received by the remote controller satisfies a predetermined long distance condition; First notification means provided with fourth notification means (for example, control unit 390, vibrator 309, LCD 316, earphone 322, step S114 of FIG. 22) for performing predetermined notification in response to detection of the distance condition detection means. It is the worker location warning system of any 3rd invention.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the specific communication device receives the identification information transmitted by the ad hoc communication of the wireless communication terminal, and the identification information received by the reception unit. And a transmission means for relaying or directly transmitting to the alarm device by wireless communication over a longer distance than the ad hoc communication, and the alarm device transmits the identification information transmitted by the transmission means of the specific communication device And a transmission receiving means for receiving the transmission path, a long distance condition detecting means for detecting that the transmission path of the identification information received by the transmission receiving means satisfies a predetermined long distance condition, and the long distance condition detection A worker location warning system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, comprising: fourth notification means for performing predetermined notification in response to detection of the means.

According to the fifth and sixth inventions, the identification information received by the receiving means by the specific communication device, together with the transmission path of the identification information, is alerted by wireless communication over a longer distance than the ad hoc communication of the wireless communication terminal. It is relayed or directly transmitted to the destination. In the alarm device that has received this, when it is detected that the transmission path of the received identification information satisfies a predetermined long-distance condition, a predetermined notification is made by the fourth notification means. Therefore, for example, if a worker has a wireless communication terminal and a team leader has an alarm device, the presence of a worker far away so that the alarm device satisfies a long distance condition is automatically detected and notified. Will be.
In addition, since identification information transmitted by ad hoc communication of a wireless communication terminal via a specific communication device can be received and relayed to an alarm device, it can be reliably identified without being affected by the arrangement conditions of other wireless communication terminals. Information can be delivered to the alarm device.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, each of the specific communication devices includes an approach warning signal transmitting means (for example, the first wireless communication module 206 in FIG. 1 and step S84 in FIG. 17) that transmits a predetermined approach warning signal. In response to reception of an approach warning signal receiving means (for example, the first wireless communication module 306 in FIG. 1) for receiving an approach warning signal transmitted by the approach warning signal transmitting means, and the approach warning signal receiving means. Self-approach notification means (for example, control unit 390, vibrator 309, LCD 316, earphone 322, S116 to S118 of FIG. 18) for notifying that it has approached a predetermined area. 6 is a worker location warning system according to any one of the inventions.

  According to the seventh invention, the same effect as in any of the fourth to sixth inventions can be obtained, and when the alarm device receives an approach warning signal transmitted from the specific communication device, the device enters the predetermined area. Notification of approaching is made. Therefore, for example, if the team leader carries the alarm device, it is possible to warn the team leader himself / herself to the danger area and ensure safety.

  In an eighth aspect of the invention, the wireless communication terminal receives an approach warning signal received by the approach warning signal transmitter (for example, the wireless communication module 392 of the worker terminal 100B in FIG. 20). And own approach notifying means (for example, the control unit 390, vibrator 309, LCD 316, earphone of the worker terminal 100B in FIG. 20) for notifying that the user has approached a predetermined area in response to reception of the approach warning signal receiving means. 322, steps S36 to S38) of FIG. 25, and the worker location warning system of the seventh invention.

  According to the eighth invention, the same effect as the seventh invention is obtained, and when the approach warning signal transmitted from the specific communication device is received, notification that each wireless communication terminal itself has approached the danger area Is done. Therefore, for example, if an operator carries a wireless communication terminal, the worker can be more surely separated from the danger area by a double warning of alerting by the team leader and notification by the own approach notification means of each member's wireless communication terminal. Can be urged.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided specific communication device identification information transmission means (for example, the second wireless communication module 207 of FIG. 1) in which each specific communication device periodically relays or directly transmits its own identification information to the alarm device. 17, and the alarm device stores specific communication device identification information storage means (for example, the IC memory 304 of FIG. 1 and the relay device registration of FIG. 12) for storing the identification information of each of the specific communication devices. Data 370), the identification information transmitted by the specific communication device identification information transmission means, and the identification information stored in the specific communication device identification information storage means are periodically checked to generate identification information that is not received. Specific communication device identification information non-reception detecting means (for example, control unit 390 in FIG. 1, steps S120 to S122, S128 in FIG. 18) to be detected, and the specific communication device In response to detection by the device identification information non-reception detecting means, trouble generating device notification means (for example, the control unit 390, vibrator 309, LCD 316 in FIG. 1) that notifies that the specific communication device of the detected identification information has a problem. , Earphone 322, step S130 in FIG. 18), and the worker location warning system according to any one of the fourth to eighth inventions.

  According to the ninth invention, the same effect as any one of the fourth to eighth inventions is obtained, and the alarm device detects the identification information that is not periodically received from the specific communication device, and the detected information is detected. A notification that there is a problem with the specific communication device of the identification information is made.

  According to the present invention, the wireless communication terminal periodically transmits its own identification information to the alarm device by ad hoc communication using multi-hop communication. On the alarm device side, the identification information received from the wireless communication terminal is periodically checked against the identification information stored in the storage means, and the occurrence of identification information that is not received is detected to give a predetermined notification.

  Moreover, this is detected when the number of hops required until the identification information transmitted from the wireless communication terminal is received by the alarm device exceeds a predetermined upper limit hop number. That is, it is possible to notify that the wireless communication terminal that has transmitted the identification signal in which excess has been detected is in a state of being separated to a distance obtained by multiplying the upper limit hop count by the effective communication distance of multihop communication.

  Therefore, for example, if a wireless communication terminal is carried and carried by a worker, and an alarm device is carried and carried by a team leader who is a supervisor, the team leader becomes unclear even if the GPS function is not used. Can be prevented, and the safety of the work team can be easily secured. Further, in the present invention, the wireless communication terminal can be reduced in size and weight by the amount that the GPS function is not provided in the wireless communication terminal, and battery consumption can be suppressed.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, as a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied, a worker location warning system when used in a track maintenance team engaged in track maintenance work will be described as an example.

[System configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a worker location warning system used in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the worker location warning system in this embodiment includes a worker terminal 100, a relay device 200, and a reader terminal 300.

  The worker terminal 100 is a wireless communication terminal device possessed by a worker who performs track maintenance work in the work team, and is used in the same number as the number of workers in the work team. The worker terminal 100 includes a control unit 190 in which a CPU (central processing unit) 102, various IC memories 104, and a first wireless communication module 106 are mounted in a resin case 101, and a battery 108. In addition, the exterior portion includes an antenna 110 for wireless communication, an external information device such as a personal computer, and a cable jack 112 used for data transmission.

  The first wireless communication module 106 is connected to the same type of wireless station existing within the effective communication distance in an ad hoc manner by multi-hop by short-range wireless communication (first wireless) with an effective communication distance of about several meters to 10 meters. A function to perform communication is provided. For example, it can be realized by using a communication module such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or ZigBee (registered trademark).

  The cable jack 112 is a connection terminal of a transmission cable corresponding to a standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or IEEE1394.

  The control unit 190 is connected to an external information device such as a personal computer via a transmission cable connected by the cable jack 112, and is configured to be able to freely write programs and data from the external information device to the IC memory 104. . When the power switch 114 is turned on, the control unit 190 controls each part of the terminal based on the program and data stored in the IC memory 104 and automatically starts the worker terminal 100. Then, the wireless communication module 106 establishes ad hoc communication capable of multi-hop communication, and periodically transmits its identification information (hereinafter referred to as “worker terminal ID”) to the reader terminal 300; Control which transmits own worker terminal ID to the relay apparatus 200 regularly is performed.

  The relay device 200 is a fixed specific communication device, and is arranged in advance in or near the danger area in the area where the work team performs track maintenance work. The relay device 200 includes a control unit 290 in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 202, various IC memories 204, a first wireless communication module 206, and a second wireless communication module 207 are mounted in a resin case 201. In addition, the exterior portion includes an antenna 210 for wireless communication, an external information device such as a personal computer, and a cable jack 212 used for data transmission. Note that the power source is appropriately combined with a configuration in which power is supplied from an external power source such as an outlet or a configuration in which a battery is incorporated.

  The first wireless communication module 206 has a function of performing multi-hop communication by connecting to an ad hoc communication with the same type of wireless station existing within the effective communication distance by short-range wireless communication having an effective communication distance of about several meters to 10 meters. Prepare. For example, it can be realized by using a communication module based on a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or ZigBee (registered trademark).

  The second wireless communication module 207 performs ad hoc communication connection with the same type of wireless stations existing within the effective communication distance by long-range wireless communication (second wireless) with an effective communication distance of about 100 m to 150 m. The function to perform. For example, it can be realized by a wireless communication module such as a wireless LAN.

  In addition, when using the communication module which can switch a wireless effective communication distance, of course, it is good also as a structure which implement | achieves the 1st wireless communication module 206 and the 2nd wireless communication module 207 with the same wireless module. In that case, where it is described in the following description that transmission is performed by the first wireless communication module 206, it may be read that transmission is performed after the wireless output is switched to “small”. Similarly, where it is described that transmission is performed by the second wireless communication module 207, it may be read that transmission is performed after the wireless output is switched to “large”.

  The control unit 290 is configured to be connected to an external information device such as a personal computer via a transmission cable connected by the cable jack 212 and to freely write programs and data from the external information device to the IC memory 204. . When the power switch 214 is turned on, the control unit 290 controls the entire apparatus based on the program and data stored in the IC memory 204, and automatically activates the relay apparatus 200. Then, the first wireless communication module 206 and the second wireless communication module 207 establish ad hoc communication capable of multi-hop communication with other wireless stations, and periodically identify their own identification information (hereinafter referred to as “relay device ID”). A connection terminal list that lists the worker terminal IDs of the worker terminals 100 that are connected so as to be capable of one-hop ad hoc communication through the wireless communication by the first wireless communication module 206 and the transmission to the reader terminal 300. Control to create and transmit to the reader terminal 300 is executed.

  The leader terminal 300 is a wireless communication terminal device possessed by a leader who directs and supervises the entire work of the work team, and is an alarm device in this system. Basically, only one unit is used, but when conducting and supervising with primary and secondary leaders, it is possible to use a plurality of units.

  The reader terminal 300 includes a control unit 390 in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 302, various IC memories 304, a first wireless communication module 306, and a second wireless communication module 307 are mounted in a resin case 301, a battery 308, A vibrator 309 is incorporated. Further, on the exterior portion of the resin case 301, an antenna 310 for the wireless communication module 306, a cable jack 312, a power switch 314, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 316 for displaying various information images, and operation inputs are provided. A selection key 318 and a push button key 320 for performing the operation, and an earphone jack 324 for connecting the earphone 322.

  The first wireless communication module 306 has a function of performing multi-hop communication by connecting to the same type of wireless station existing within the effective communication distance and ad hoc by short-range wireless communication with an effective communication distance of about several meters to 10 meters. Prepare. For example, it can be realized by using a communication module such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or ZigBee (registered trademark).

  The second wireless communication module 307 has a function of performing multi-hop communication by performing ad hoc communication connection with the same type of wireless stations existing within the effective communication distance by long-range wireless communication having an effective communication distance of about 100 m to 150 m. . For example, it can be realized by a wireless communication module such as a wireless LAN.

  Of course, when using a communication module capable of switching the wireless effective communication distance, the first wireless communication module 306 and the second wireless communication module 307 may be realized by the same wireless module. In that case, in the following description, where it is described that transmission is performed by the first wireless communication module 306, it may be read that transmission is performed after the wireless output is switched to “small”. Similarly, where it is described that transmission is performed by the second wireless communication module 307, it may be read that transmission is performed after the wireless output is switched to “large”.

  The control unit 390 is configured so that a program and data can be freely written to an IC memory 304 mounted from an external device such as a personal computer connected by a cable jack 312, and automatically when the power switch 314 is turned on. Start up automatically. Then, the entire terminal is controlled based on the program and data stored in the IC memory 304, and the first wireless communication module 306 and the second wireless communication module 307 establish ad hoc communication capable of multihop communication with other wireless stations. Then, control related to reception of the worker ID from the worker terminal 100, reception of the relay device ID at the short distance / long distance from the relay device 200, and reception of the connection terminal list from the relay device 200 is executed. Further, a notification output for warning that the worker who has the worker terminal 100 based on the reception history of the worker ID is leaving the track maintenance work team, and the spread of the track maintenance work team becomes larger and is in a distributed state. Notification output for warning, notification output for warning of approach of worker to dangerous area based on connection terminal list received from relay device 200, notification output for warning of approach of leader owning reader terminal 300 to leader, Various notification controls are executed.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of use of this embodiment. In the example of the figure, the track maintenance team is composed of five workers 2a to 2e and one leader 4, and schematically illustrates a state in which the track maintenance work is performed along the railroad track 6. Yes. The track 6 is set so as not to pass a train because of track maintenance work, but the train passes through another track 8 provided.

  Workers 2a to 2e carry worker terminals 100a to 100e, respectively, and reader 4 carries reader terminal 300. The short-range wireless effective communication range of the worker terminals 100a to 100e and the reader terminal 300 is indicated by a broken line circle or a broken line arc centering on the transmission source device. Bidirectional data communication is possible if they are within the mutual effective communication range. In addition, when the receiving side is included in the effective communication range of the transmission source and the transmission source is not included in the effective communication range of the receiving side, data can be transmitted from the transmission source to the reception side, but from the reception side. Cannot send.

  Prior to the start of work, a plurality of relay apparatuses 200 (200a, 20b,...) Are arranged at intervals L in the vicinity of the danger area in the work section. In the example of FIG. 2A, since a train occasionally passes on the track 8, this is regarded as a dangerous area, and the relay device 200 is disposed at a position away from the track 8 in the direction of the track 6 by a safe distance. In addition, the danger area can be set as appropriate depending on the facility and environment arranged in the work section. For example, laying places such as turnouts, crossings, and transformers can be considered.

  The effective communication range of the short-range wireless by the first wireless communication module 206 of the relay device 200 is indicated by a broken-line circle or a broken-line arc centering on the device in FIG. The space | interval L is arrange | positioned so that it may become 4 times or less of the effective communication distance r by the short distance radio | wireless of the worker terminals 100a-100e and the reader terminal 300. FIG. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2B, the relay device 200 is a single relay device or a plurality of relay devices within the second wireless effective communication range (one-dotted line in the figure) by the second wireless communication module 207 of the relay device 200. The entire work section can be covered by the effective communication range of the relay device.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle relating to the control that warns that the worker 2 having the worker terminal 100 in the present embodiment is in a state of leaving the track maintenance work team. Note that the workers 2a to 2e and the reader 4 in FIG. Further, the effective communication range of the short-range wireless communication is added only for terminals necessary for explanation, and is omitted for other terminals.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the worker terminals 100 a to 100 e periodically transmit their worker terminal IDs to the reader terminal 300 using short-range radio. Hereinafter, this communication is referred to as “ID periodic communication”. As shown in the figure, in a situation where the worker and the leader are working close to each other, the worker terminals 100a to 100e and the reader terminal 300 are within the effective communication range of the short-range wireless communication with each other. Wireless communication is automatically connected to ad hoc by communication. Therefore, the ID regular communication transmitted by the worker terminals 100a to 100e is relayed to the reader terminal 300 by multi-hop communication. For example, the ID periodic communication of the worker terminal 100a is hopped in the order of the worker terminal 100a → the worker terminal 100b → the worker terminal 100d → the reader terminal 300 and is received by the reader terminal 300. When the reader terminal 300 receives the ID periodic communication addressed to itself, the reader terminal 300 stores the history of the reception time when the ID periodic communication is received for each of the worker terminals 100a to 100e.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3B, the position of the track maintenance work has moved to the right side of the figure, but the worker on the left side of the figure has become obsessed with the work and has moved away from other workers and leaders. Suppose that In this situation, since the worker terminals 100b to 100e continue to exist in the effective communication range of the short-range wireless as in FIG. 3A, the ID periodic communication transmitted by them is received by the reader terminal 300. can do. On the other hand, even the nearest worker terminal 100b does not exist in the short-range wireless effective communication range of the worker terminal 100a. For this reason, the ID regular communication transmitted from the worker terminal 100 a is not delivered to the reader terminal 300. As described above, the reader terminal 300 stores a history of reception times when the ID periodic communication is received for each of the worker terminals 100a to 100e, but the communication time is not updated for the worker terminal 100a. . That is, it can be seen that the worker terminal 100a is in a state of being separated from the team. Accordingly, in the reader terminal 300, when the worker terminal 100 whose ID reception time has not been updated for a certain time or more is extracted, that is, when the occurrence of identification information that is not received is detected, a predetermined notification output is made and a warning is given. To emit. For example, an alarm is issued by a display for notifying the worker of missing on the LCD 316, generation of vibration by the vibrator 309, and output of a warning sound to the earphone 322. Therefore, the leader may reconfirm the worker's position, call out to the worker, call attention, and appropriately change the monitoring position to act to prevent unnecessary accidents. It becomes possible.

  Even if the worker terminal 100 does not operate normally due to a failure or battery exhaustion, the reception time of the ID periodic communication is extracted as a worker terminal that has not been updated for a certain time or more. It can also serve as a failure alarm.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle relating to the control that warns that the spread of the track maintenance work team is large and is in a distributed state in this embodiment. Note that the workers 2a to 2e and the reader 4 in FIG. Further, the effective communication range of the short-range wireless communication is added only for terminals necessary for explanation, and is omitted for other terminals.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the ID periodic communication by the worker terminals 100a to 100e is delivered to the reader terminal 300 so as to be transferred between wireless stations wirelessly connected ad hoc by multi-hop communication. It should be noted that a delivery order between wireless stations, that is, a multi-hop communication route, is automatically selected as a route having the minimum number of hops by a known multi-hop communication technique.

  In the ID periodic communication, the worker terminal ID of the worker terminal 100 that is passed when hopping is added as information related to the route. After the ID periodic communication is received by the reader terminal 300, by counting the added worker terminal ID, the number of hops required to receive the communication is known, and the communication is performed from the effective communication distance of the short-range wireless communication. It is possible to roughly know the distance to the worker terminal 100 of the transmission destination.

  In this embodiment, the leader terminal 300 stores in advance the upper limit number of hops required for ID periodic communication. In the example of the figure, since five worker terminals 100 are used, the upper limit number of hops is “4”. The leader terminal 300 counts the number of hops of the communication every time the ID periodic communication is received, and when the upper limit hop number is “4” or more, the leader terminal 300 is in a distributed state in which the number of workers of the track maintenance work team is fully extended. Inform you. The upper limit number of hops can be set as appropriate depending on the degree of dispersion in which a warning is issued.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), when the worker is generally working nearby, when the user hops on the shortest route, the ID periodic communication is received with the number of hops smaller than the total number of worker terminals 100. Is possible. Since the number of hops is “3” even in the ID periodic communication of the worker terminal 100a located at the left end of the track maintenance team, no warning is issued.
However, as shown in FIG. 4B, in the state where the workers are relatively separated so that the track maintenance work team becomes longer along the track 6, the ID periodic communication of the worker terminal 100a is performed by all the other worker terminals 100b. It is received by the reader terminal 300 with the number of hops “5” through all of ˜100e. Here, in the reader terminal 300, since the upper limit hop number “4” is set, the ID periodic communication from the worker terminal 100a is equal to or greater than the upper limit hop number, and therefore, multihop communication by short-range wireless communication is possible. However, it can be determined that the track maintenance work team is in a distributed state so as to exceed the length capable of receiving ID periodic communication from all worker terminals.

  In this state, the leader terminal 300 reconfirms the position of the worker by issuing a warning by a display in which the leader terminal 300 notifies the team dispersion on the LCD 316, generation of vibration by the vibrator 309, and output of a warning sound from the earphone 322. Therefore, it is possible to take measures such as calling the corresponding worker and reestablishing the track maintenance work team system, thereby preventing unnecessary accidents.

  5 and 6 are conceptual diagrams for explaining the principle relating to the control for warning that the worker has approached the danger area in the present embodiment. Note that the workers 2a to 2e and the reader 4 in FIG. Further, the effective communication range of the short-range wireless communication is added only for terminals necessary for explanation, and is omitted for other terminals.

  The worker terminals 100a to 100e regularly transmit their worker terminal IDs to the maximum number of hops “1” to each of the relay apparatuses 200a, 200b, and 200c using short-range radio. Hereinafter, this communication is referred to as “communication for the relay device”.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when a worker is working from the relay devices 200 a, 200 b, and 200 c beyond the short-range wireless effective communication distance indicated by the broken-line circle, it is transmitted from the worker terminals 100 a to 100 e. The communication for the relay device does not reach the relay devices 200a, 200b, and 200c. In the first place, the relay device 200 is arranged in the vicinity of the danger area in the work section. Therefore, the fact that the communication for the relay device does not reach the relay devices 200a, 200b, and 200c can be determined that the worker is far away from the danger area, so that it is not necessary to issue a warning.

  On the other hand, when the worker approaches the relay device 200 within the short-range wireless effective communication distance, the relay device 200 receives communication for the relay device, and it can be determined that the worker has approached the danger area accordingly. . For example, in the example of FIG. 6, the leftmost worker in the figure is approaching the relay device 200a. The communication for the relay device of the worker terminal 100a is received only by the relay device 200a existing within the effective communication range of the short-range wireless communication, but is not received by the relay devices 200b and 200c not existing within the effective communication range.

  The relay device 200 a transmits the received worker terminal ID of the communication for the relay device to the reader terminal 300 by the second wireless communication module 207. Hereinafter, this communication is referred to as “connected terminal list communication”.

  The effective range of the second radio by the second radio communication module 207 is about 100 m to 150 m, and is set so as to cover a wide work area. Therefore, the reader terminal 300 is within the effective range of the second radio (in the drawing) It is located inside the one-dot broken line arc) and can always receive terminal list communication. The reader terminal 300 receives the connection terminal list communication from the relay device 200a, and outputs a notification output that warns that the worker corresponding to the worker terminal ID included in the connection terminal list communication is approaching the danger area. To do. For example, the LCD 316 issues a warning based on a display for notifying the worker of approach to the danger area, generation of vibration by the vibrator 309, and output of a warning sound from the earphone 322. As a result, the leader can reconfirm the position of the worker and can speak to the worker to prevent an unnecessary accident.

  Furthermore, if information regarding the arrangement position of the relay device 200 is set in advance, it is determined which of the risk areas is approached by determining from which relay device 200 the worker terminal ID that has approached the risk area is received. It becomes possible to know if there is.

  In the example of the figure, the worker terminal ID of the worker terminal 100 connected to the leader terminal 300 by the first radio is transmitted from the relay device 200a in one hop, but with other relay devices such as the relay device 200b. In some cases, it is delivered to the reader terminal 300 by multi-hop communication.

  FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle related to the control for warning that the reader has approached the dangerous area in the present embodiment. Note that the workers 2a to 2e and the reader 4 in FIG. Further, the effective communication range of the short-range wireless communication is added only for terminals necessary for explanation, and is omitted for other terminals.

  The relay devices 200a, 200b, and 200c use the first wireless communication module 206 to transmit their identification information (hereinafter referred to as “relay device ID”) with the maximum number of hops “1” using the reader terminal 300 as a transmission destination. To do. Hereinafter, the communication for transmitting the approach warning signal is referred to as “approach warning communication”. If the effective communication range of the first wireless module 306 of the reader terminal 300 and the effective communication range of the first wireless communication module 206 of the relay device are not far from each other, the approach warning communication is not received, and the reader terminal 300 is dangerous. Since it can be determined that the area is not approached, no warning is given. On the other hand, if the reader terminal 300 receives the approach warning communication from the relay device 200, it can be determined that the reader terminal 300 has approached the danger area accordingly. For example, in the example of FIG. 7, the reader terminal 300 is approaching the relay device 200c. The reader terminal 300 can receive the approach warning communication from the relay device 200c. And when receiving, the alerting | reporting output which alert | reports that it approached the dangerous area is output. For example, an alarm is generated by a display for notifying an approach to the danger area on the LCD 316, generation of vibration by the vibrator 309, and output of a warning sound from the earphone 322. Therefore, it is possible to prevent accidents by taking measures such as leaving the danger area.

[Description of functional block]
Next, a functional configuration that enables various notification outputs based on the above-described principle will be described.
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the worker terminal 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the worker terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 140, a processing unit 150, and a storage unit 160.

  The wireless communication unit 140 includes a reception unit 142 for receiving wireless communication and a first transmission unit 144 for transmitting wireless communication, and transmission / reception by the first wireless having an effective communication distance of about 10 m to 10 m. Is realized. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 140 corresponds to the wireless communication module 106 and the antenna 110 of FIG.

  The processing unit 150 is realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor, an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), an IC memory, and the like. The processing unit 150 inputs and outputs data to and from each functional unit of the worker terminal 100, and also stores a storage unit. Various arithmetic processes are executed in accordance with the programs and data stored in 160 to control the operation of each part of the worker terminal 100. In the present embodiment, the control unit 190 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

  The storage unit 160 is realized by an information storage medium such as an IC memory, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or a memory card, and stores computer-readable information. In the present embodiment, the IC memory 104 mounted on the control unit 190 of FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

The storage unit 160 stores a worker terminal control program 162 corresponding to the system program of the worker terminal 100 and a first communication control program 164 as programs.
In the first communication control program 164, control and data conversion processing for realizing multi-hop communication by ad hoc communication in the wireless communication unit 140, multi-hop route selection processing, and information on the multi-hop route are transmitted to other wireless stations. A program and data for executing the exchange processing and the like are stored, and can be realized by appropriately using a known short-range wireless technology standard.

  Further, the storage unit 160 includes, as data, a worker terminal ID 170 that is individual identification information of the worker terminal 100 itself, a reader terminal ID 172 that is individual identification information of the reader terminal 300, and individual identification information of the relay device 200. A certain relay device ID 174 and route information 176 are stored. The worker terminal ID 170, the reader terminal ID 172, and the relay device ID 174 are set and stored in advance before using the worker terminal 100.

  The route information 176 stores information on a multi-hop route used in ad hoc communication capable of multi-hop communication. Information exchanged with other radio stations by storing the first communication control program 164 is stored.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the relay device 200 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the relay device 200 includes a wireless communication unit 240, a processing unit 250, and a storage unit 260.

  The wireless communication unit 240 includes a reception unit 242 for receiving wireless communication, and a first transmission unit 244 for performing transmission by the first wireless communication having a relatively short distance with an effective communication distance of about several m to 10 m. And a second transmission unit 246 for performing transmission by second wireless communication having an effective communication distance of about 100 m to 150 m, and realizes wireless transmission and reception in accordance with a predetermined standard. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 240 corresponds to the antenna 210, the first wireless communication module 206, and the second wireless communication module 207 in FIG.

  The processing unit 250 is realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and an IC memory, for example. The processing unit 250 inputs and outputs data to and from each functional unit of the relay apparatus 200, and also stores the storage unit 260. Various arithmetic processes are executed according to programs and data stored in the control unit 200 to control the operation of each unit of the relay device 200. In the present embodiment, the control unit 290 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

  The storage unit 260 is realized by an information storage medium such as an IC memory, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or a memory card, and stores information that can be read by a computer. In the present embodiment, this corresponds to the memory 204 mounted on the control unit 290 of FIG.

  The storage unit 260 includes a relay device control program 262 corresponding to the system program of the relay device 200 as a program, and a first communication control program 264 for causing the processing unit 250 to realize the first wireless communication by the first transmission unit 244. The second communication control program 266 for causing the processing unit 250 to realize the second wireless communication by the second transmission unit 246 is stored.

  The first communication control program 264 and the second communication control program 266 relate to control and data conversion processing for realizing multi-hop communication by ad hoc communication in the wireless communication unit 240, multi-hop route selection processing, and multi-hop route. A program and data for executing processing for exchanging information with other radio stations and the like are stored. The former can be realized, for example, by appropriately using known short-range wireless technology standards. The latter can be realized by appropriately using, for example, a known wireless LAN technology standard.

  The storage unit 260 also includes, as data, a relay device ID 270 that is the individual identification information of the relay device 200, a reader terminal ID 272 that is the individual identification information of the reader terminal 300, connection terminal list data 274, and route information. 276 is stored. The relay device ID 270 and the reader terminal ID 272 are set and stored in advance before using the relay device 200.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the connection terminal list data 274 is a transmission source of communication for a relay device addressed to itself (= its own relay device ID is set as the transmission destination ID) by the first transmission unit 244. The worker terminal ID of the worker terminal 100 is stored as the connected terminal ID 274a, and the reception time 274b of the communication for the relay device is associated and registered in association with this. In the initial state, the connected terminal list data 274 is not generated or nothing is registered. In addition, the processing unit 250 deletes the registration of the worker terminal ID that has not received the communication for the relay device continuously for a certain time or longer. In other words, the worker terminal ID registered in the connected terminal list data 274 approaches the relay device 200 as it enters the effective communication range of short-range wireless, and the worker terminal that exists continuously in the range for a certain time or longer. 100 is shown.

  The route information 276 stores information related to a multi-hop route used for multi-hop communication. Information exchanged with other radio stations by storing the first communication control program 264 and the second communication control program 266 is stored.

  FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the reader terminal 300 in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the reader terminal 300 includes a wireless communication unit 340, a processing unit 350, an operation input unit 352, an alarm unit 354, and a storage unit 360.

  The wireless communication unit 340 includes a reception unit 342 for receiving wireless communication, and a first transmission unit 344 for performing transmission by the first wireless communication having a relatively short distance with an effective communication distance of about several m to 10 m. And a second transmission unit 346 for performing transmission by second wireless communication having an effective communication distance of about 100 m to 150 m, and realizing wireless transmission and reception in accordance with a predetermined standard. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 340 corresponds to the antenna 310, the first wireless communication module 306, and the second wireless communication module 307 in FIG.

  The processing unit 350 is realized by an electronic component such as a microprocessor, an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), an IC memory, and the like. The processing unit 350 inputs and outputs data to and from each functional unit of the reader terminal 300 and also stores the storage unit 360. Various arithmetic processes are executed in accordance with the programs and data stored in the terminal to control the operation of each unit of the reader terminal 300. In the present embodiment, the control unit 390 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

  The operation input unit 352 is realized by, for example, an analog lever, a track pad, a mouse, a track ball, or a touch panel. The direction key 318 and the push button 320 in FIG.

  The alarm unit 354 is realized by an image display element, a vibration generating element, a sound emitting element, and a driver circuit thereof, and notifies various warnings to a person carrying the reader terminal 300. The LCD 316, the vibrator 309, the earphone 322, and the earphone jack 324 in FIG.

  The storage unit 360 is realized by an information storage medium such as an IC memory, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or a memory card, and stores information that can be read by a computer. In this embodiment, the memory 304 mounted on the control unit 390 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

  The storage unit 360 includes a reader terminal control program 362 corresponding to the system program of the reader terminal 300 as a program, and a first communication control program 364 for causing the processing unit 350 to realize the first wireless communication by the first transmission unit 344. The second communication control program 366 for causing the processing unit 350 to realize the second wireless communication by the second transmission unit 346 is stored.

  The first communication control program 364 and the second communication control program 366 relate to control and data conversion processing for realizing multi-hop communication by ad hoc communication in the wireless communication unit 340, multi-hop route selection processing, and multi-hop route. A program and data for executing processing for exchanging information with other radio stations and the like are stored. The former can be realized, for example, by appropriately using known short-range wireless technology standards. The latter can be realized by appropriately using, for example, a known wireless LAN technology standard.

  The storage unit 360 also includes relay device registration data 370, worker terminal registration data 372, upper limit hop count 374, route information 376, and reader terminal ID 378 that is individual identification information of the reader terminal 300 itself. Is remembered.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the relay device registration data 370 stores the relay device ID 370a, the arrangement location information 370b, and the communication time 370c in association with each other for the relay device 200 to be used. The placement location information 370b stores text that briefly indicates where the corresponding relay device 200 has been placed before the start of work. In the example of the figure, for example, the relay device 200a is arranged “in the vicinity of the first turnout”, and the relay device 200b is arranged “in the downlink: near the 12 km distance marker”. The communication time 370c stores the time at which communication including the relay device ID periodically transmitted from the relay device 200 to the reader terminal 300 by the second radio (hereinafter referred to as “relay device periodic communication”) is received. The

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the worker terminal registration data 372 includes worker terminal ID 372 a and worker information 372 b that stores information for identifying an individual such as the name of the person who carries the worker terminal 10. And the communication time 372c are stored in association with each other. The communication time 372c stores the time at which the ID periodic communication periodically transmitted from the worker terminal 100 to the reader terminal 300 by multi-hop communication is received.

  The upper limit hop number 374 stores an upper limit reference value for the number of hops required until the reader terminal 300 receives the ID periodic communication of the worker terminal 100. When the hop count of the received data is equal to or greater than the upper limit hop count 374, it is determined that the track maintenance work team has developed too widely.

  The route information 376 stores information related to a multi-hop route used for multi-hop communication. Information exchanged with other radio stations by storing the first communication control program 364 and the second communication control program 366 is stored.

[Description of operation]
Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described.
First, FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of ad hoc communication processing in the present embodiment common to the worker terminal 100, the relay device 200, and the reader terminal 300. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a packet structure of data transmitted in the ad hoc communication process according to the present embodiment.

  The ad hoc communication processing in the present embodiment can basically be realized by a known ad hoc communication standard capable of multi-hop communication. The processing units of the worker terminal 100, the relay device 200, and the reader terminal 300 are realized by reading out and executing the first communication control programs 164, 264, 364 and the second communication control programs 266, 366, respectively. It is executed repeatedly in the control cycle. As a premise, it is assumed that communication is automatically established with a radio station corresponding to the standard existing within the effective communication range.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the ad hoc communication process according to the present embodiment, if data is first received (YES in step S2), whether or not the transmission destination ID of the received data matches its own identification information (ID). Is determined (step S4).

  As shown in FIG. 15, the data transmitted in the ad hoc communication in the present embodiment includes a header 10, a transmission source ID 12, a transmission destination ID 14, a relay maximum hop count 16, payload data 18, and a path stack 20. The transmission source ID 12 stores the identification information (worker terminal ID and relay device ID) of the device on the transmission side, and the transmission destination ID identifies the identification information (reader terminal ID and relay) of the destination device to which data is to be sent. Device ID). The maximum relay hop count 16 stores the maximum number of hops permitted for the communication. The payload data 18 stores data attached to the communication. The route stack 20 is route information of the communication, and stores an ID of a wireless station that has become a route by multi-hop communication. By counting the IDs stored in the route stack 20, it is possible to know the number of hops required until the data is received.

  Accordingly, in step S4, the destination ID 14 of the received data is compared with its own identification information (worker terminal ID, relay device ID, reader terminal ID) stored in the respective storage units 160, 260, 360. . As a result of the comparison, when the transmission destination ID matches the own ID (YES in step S4), the processing units 150, 250, and 350 store the received data in the respective storage units 160, 260, and 360 (steps). S6).

  On the other hand, if the destination ID of the received data does not match its own ID (NO in step S4), the processing units 150, 250, and 350 next receive the current hop of the received data obtained from the path stack 20 The number is counted, and it is determined whether or not the relay maximum hop number 16 has been reached (step S8). If the current hop count has reached the maximum relay hop count of 16 (YES in step S8), it is determined that further hops are not permitted, so the received data is deleted (step S14). ), The ad hoc communication process is terminated.

If the current number of hops has not reached the maximum number of relay hops 16 (NO in step S8), the route information 176, 276, 376 is referred to, and itself is on the shortest route to be relayed to the destination with the minimum number of hops. It is determined whether or not there is (step S10). If it is determined that there is itself on the shortest route (YES in step S10), the ID is added to the route stack 20 of the received data and transmitted (step S12), and the ad hoc communication process is terminated.
In the transmission in step S12, if the device executing the ad hoc processing is the relay device 200, the first wireless station on the shortest route is the worker terminal 100 or the reader terminal 300. It is assumed that transmission is performed by the first transmission unit 244, and transmission is performed by the second transmission unit 246 when the next radio station is the relay device 200.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no one on the route relayed to the transmission destination with the minimum number of hops (NO in step S10), the received data is deleted (step S14), and the ad hoc communication process is terminated.

  Therefore, the data addressed to itself is stored, but the data that is not addressed to itself, the data that exceeds the maximum number of hops, or the case where the terminal does not exist on the shortest route that relays to the destination with the minimum number of hops. Discard / erase, and then do not hop. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in communication traffic as one system including the worker terminal 100, the relay device 200, and the reader terminal 300, and it is possible to prevent battery consumption due to suppression of useless transmission. In particular, the latter is very useful for a relatively long work once the work is started, such as a track maintenance work.

Next, the operation of each device will be described individually.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of communication processing unique to the worker terminal 100 in the present embodiment. The process described here is repeatedly executed in a predetermined control cycle before or after the previous ad hoc communication process or in parallel.

  First, the processing unit 150 determines whether it is a regular communication time to the reader terminal 300 (step S30). In the regular communication, an appropriate time such as an interval of 10 seconds is set in advance. In the case of the regular communication time (YES in step S30), the worker terminal ID is transmitted using the reader terminal 300 as the transmission destination (step S32). That is, ID periodic communication is performed to the reader terminal 300. Since the worker terminal ID is originally included in the transmission source ID 12 (see FIG. 15), it is sufficient to refer to this in the reader terminal 300, but it may be stored in the payload data 18 of the data to be communicated. Also, an extremely large predetermined number such as “999” is stored so that the maximum number of relay hops 16 is unlimited.

  Next, the processing unit 150 sets its own worker terminal ID to the maximum number of relay hops “1” and transmits it to each of the plurality of relay devices 200 being used (step S34). That is, communication for the relay device is executed.

  On the other hand, if it is not the regular communication time to the reader terminal 300 (NO in step S30), nothing is transmitted.

  In the present embodiment, the communication for the relay device is transmitted at the same time as the ID regular communication to the reader terminal. However, the communication for the relay device may be configured to set an original regular communication cycle. Also, in this embodiment, the relay device is configured to individually transmit the communication for the relay device. However, by setting a common ID in the relay device 200 in advance and setting this as the transmission source ID, the broadcast format is used. Of course, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which communication for a plurality of relay apparatuses is performed at a time.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of communication processing unique to the relay apparatus 200 in the present embodiment. The process described here is repeatedly executed in a predetermined control cycle before or after the previous ad hoc communication process or in parallel.

  When the processing unit 250 first receives data addressed to itself from the worker terminal (YES in step S70), the processing unit 250 stores the work stored in the connection source list data 274 in the transmission source ID 12 (see FIG. 15). The employee terminal ID is stored in the connected terminal ID 274a, and the received time is stored and registered in the reception time 274b (step S72). Next, the worker terminal ID already registered in the connected terminal list data 274 is compared with the current time and the time stored in the reception time 274b, and the reception time 274b is updated for a predetermined time or more (for example, 20 seconds or more). The worker terminal ID that has not been deleted is deleted (step S74).

  On the other hand, even if data is received from the worker terminal, if the data is not addressed to itself (NO in step S70), the process of registering the worker terminal ID in the connection terminal list data 274 is not performed.

  Next, the processing unit 250 determines whether it is a regular communication time to the reader terminal (step S76). Although the time interval of regular communication can be set as appropriate, it is set to 20 seconds, for example. When it is the regular communication time (YES in step S76), the relay device of its own to the reader terminal 300 by the second radio whose effective communication distance realized by the second transmission unit 246 of the radio communication unit 240 is about 100 m to 150 m. The ID is transmitted (step S78). That is, the same communication as the ID regular communication of the worker terminal 100 is performed.

  Next, with reference to the connected terminal list data 274, it is determined whether there is a registered worker terminal ID (step S80). If there is a registered worker terminal ID (YES in step S80), the connection terminal list data 274 is transmitted to the reader terminal 300 by the second radio (step S82). If there is no worker terminal ID registered in the connection terminal list data 274 (NO in step S80), the connection terminal list data 274 is not transmitted.

Next, the processing unit 250 has an effective communication distance of several m to 10 m realized by the first transmission unit 244 of the wireless communication unit 240 as an approach warning communication to the danger area where the relay device of the reader terminal 300 is arranged. With the first radio of the degree, the relay apparatus ID is set to the relay maximum hop number “1” and transmitted (step S84). Then, the process returns to step S70.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S76 that it is not the regular communication time (NO in step S76), the process returns to step S70 without performing transmission to the reader terminal.

  In the present embodiment, the connection terminal list data 274 transmission and the approach warning communication are transmitted at the same time as the ID periodic communication of the relay device to the reader terminal 300, but each has its own regular communication cycle. Of course.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of communication processing unique to the reader terminal 300 in the present embodiment. The process described here is repeatedly executed in a predetermined control cycle before or after the previous ad hoc communication process or in parallel.

  When the processing unit 350 first receives data addressed to itself from the worker terminal 100 (YES in step S100), the processing unit 350 communicates with the worker terminal ID 372a corresponding to the transmission source ID 12 of the received data from the worker terminal registration data 372. The time 372c is updated with the time when the data is received (step S102).

  Next, with reference to the worker terminal data 372, the current time and the communication time 372c are compared, and a worker terminal that has not been updated for a predetermined time or longer (for example, 30 seconds or longer) is extracted. When there is a worker terminal whose communication time has not been updated for a predetermined time or more (YES in step S104), the processing unit 350 outputs a notification output that warns that the worker carrying the corresponding worker terminal ID 372a is unknown. (Step S106). Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, together with the text “warning” on the LCD 316 and the text (“name1” in the figure) stored in the carrier information 372b corresponding to the corresponding worker terminal ID 372a. Display “Unknown”. Further, the vibrator 309 is vibrated with a predetermined vibration pattern. In addition, a predetermined warning sound is emitted from the earphone 322 connected to the earphone jack 324.

  Next, the processing unit 350 refers to the received data path stack 20 (see FIG. 15), obtains the number of hops required to be received by the reader terminal 300, and compares it with the upper limit hop number 374. As a result of the comparison, when the number of hops of the received data is greater than or equal to the upper limit hop number 374 (YES in step S112), the processing unit 350 executes a notification output that warns of “team distribution” (step S114). Specifically, the characters “warning” and “team distribution” are displayed on the LCD 316, and the vibrator 309 is vibrated and a warning sound is emitted to the earphone 322 in a pattern different from that in the case where the worker is unknown. Let it sound.

Next, when the processing unit 350 receives data addressed to itself from the relay device 200 by the first radio having an effective communication distance of about several m to 10 m (YES in step S116), a notification that warns of its own danger area approach. Output is performed (step S118). More specifically, the characters “Warning” and “Dangerous area approach” are displayed on the LCD 316. In addition, the vibrator 309 is vibrated in a pattern different from other notifications and the earphone 322 emits a warning sound. That is, the communication addressed to the reader terminal 300 transmitted from the relay device 200 by the first radio plays a role as an approach warning signal that warns that the reader terminal 300 has approached the relay device 200.
Of course, if the data addressed to itself is not received from relay apparatus 200 by the first radio (NO in step S116), the notification output is not executed.

  Next, when the processing unit 350 receives data addressed to itself from the relay apparatus 200 by the second radio having an effective communication distance of about 100 m to 150 m (YES in step S120), the processing unit 350 stores the received data in the transmission source ID 12. The communication time 370c of the relay device registration data 370 corresponding to the relay device ID being updated is updated with the data reception time (step S122).

Furthermore, when the connected terminal list data 274 is included in the payload data 18 (see FIG. 15) in the received data (YES in step S124), the worker terminals registered in the connected terminal list data 274 are identified. A notification output for warning of “dangerous area approach” is executed (step S126). Specifically, for example, on the LCD 316, the text stored in the worker terminal carry information 372 b registered in the connection terminal list data 274 together with the characters “warning” and the characters “dangerous area approach” are displayed. Let Further, with reference to the relay device registration data 370, the text stored in the location information 370b corresponding to the relay device ID stored in the transmission source ID 12 is displayed. In addition, the vibrator 309 is vibrated in a pattern different from other notifications and the earphone 322 emits a warning sound.
On the other hand, when the connected terminal list data 274 is not included in the received data (NO in step S124), the notification output is not executed.

Next, the processing unit 350 refers to the relay device registration data 370, extracts a relay device whose communication time 370c has not been updated for a predetermined time or longer (for example, 30 seconds or longer), and if there is a corresponding relay device (YES in step S128), a notification output is issued to warn of failure of the corresponding relay device (step S130). Specifically, for example, the characters “warning” and “(text of arrangement position information 370b) arrangement relay device failure” are displayed on the LCD 316. In addition, the vibrator 309 is vibrated in a pattern different from other notifications and the earphone 322 emits a warning sound.
On the other hand, if a relay device whose communication time 370c has not been updated for a predetermined time or longer is not extracted (NO in step S128), a failure alarm is not executed.

Next, for example, when a predetermined notification release operation is input from the selection key 318 or the push button 320 (YES in Step S132), the processing unit 350 stops the notification output (Step S134), and proceeds to Step S100. Return.
Of course, when the notification canceling operation is not input or when the notification output is not performed, the processing returns to step S100 without executing the notification output stop processing.

  When the worker terminal 100, the relay device 200, and the leader terminal 300 execute the above processing, first, as described with reference to FIG. 3B, the worker leaves the track maintenance work team. It becomes possible to warn that it is in a state. Second, as described with reference to FIG. 4B, it is possible to warn that the track maintenance team is in a distributed state. Thirdly, as described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, it is possible to warn that the worker has approached the dangerous area and to warn of the failure of the relay device 200. Become. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 7, it is possible to warn that the reader has approached the dangerous area.

  The effective communication distance between the first radio and the second radio is not limited to the above example, and the effective communication distance of the second radio is longer than the effective communication distance of the first radio and the effective communication of the second radio. The distance only needs to be such that the work section is covered by one or a plurality of relay apparatuses 200, and can be set as appropriate.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. The present embodiment is basically realized with the same configuration as the first embodiment, but is configured so that an alarm is also generated at the worker terminal, and the first radio and the second radio. Is realized by changing the output of the same wireless communication standard. Below, it demonstrates paying attention mainly to a different point from 1st Embodiment. Constituent elements similar to those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a worker location warning system used in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the worker terminal 100B has a hardware configuration similar to that of the reader terminal 300, and includes an LCD 316, a vibrator 309, an earphone 322, and an earphone jack 324 for notification output.

  In the present embodiment, the first wireless communication modules 106, 206, and 306 and the second wireless communication modules 207 and 307 in the first embodiment have a “small” output and an effective communication distance that are about an effective communication distance of m to 10 m. For example, the wireless communication modules 292 and 392 such as Bluetooth can be switched between “large” output of 100 m to 150 m. Therefore, the worker terminal 100B, the relay device 200B, and the reader terminal 300 can realize multi-hop communication and ad hoc communication so that transmission output can be switched.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of communication processing unique to the relay device 200B in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the configuration is basically the same as the processing flow of FIG. 17 in the first embodiment, but the processing unit 250 is registered in the connected terminal list data 274 after step S74. A signal (hereinafter referred to as a “dangerous area approach signal”) that warns of an approach that triggers the worker terminal 100B to trigger a notification output that warns that “approach to the dangerous area” is sent to the worker terminal ( Step S75) and the process proceeds to Step S76.

  22 and 23 are flowcharts for explaining the flow of communication processing unique to the reader terminal 300 in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the configuration is basically the same as the processing flow of FIG. 18 in the first embodiment, but some steps are added.

  First, the first additional step will be described. The processing unit 350 obtains the number of hops of data received after step S106 in consideration of the hops by the relay device ID. Specifically, when the relay device ID is included in the route with reference to the route stack 20 of the received data (YES in step S108), the number of hops of the relay device is weighted and received. By calculating the number of hops of data as “the number of hops of received data = the total number of hops by the worker terminal 100B + the number of hops by the relay device 200B × the weighting coefficient k”, the transmission route is determined using the number of hops as a parameter. It is set as distance information (step S110). In the following step S112, it is determined whether or not the calculated number of hops is equal to or greater than the upper limit hop number. If the calculated number of hops is the upper limit hop number (YES in step S112), that is, the transmission route satisfies a predetermined long-distance condition. When it is satisfied, a notification output for warning of “team dispersion” is executed (step S114). Thus, in the present embodiment, the ID periodic communication path of the worker terminal 100B includes the hop by the relay device 200B, so that the “team distributed” warning can be issued.

  More specifically, for example, when the work situation of the track maintenance work team is as shown in FIG. 24, the first radio having an effective communication range of about m to 10 m and the second radio having an effective communication range of 100 m to 150 m are present. Since it is realized by the output difference of the communication of the same standard, the worker terminal 100a can be connected to the relay device 200a together with the worker terminal 100b by the first radio. In route selection by multi-hop communication, the route is selected so that data is delivered to the transmission destination with the minimum number of hops. In this case, the route “worker terminal 100a → relay device 200a → leader terminal 300” is followed. Become. In the first place, the team distribution warning is based on the principle that the worker terminal 100a is separated from the leader terminal 300 by a distance obtained by multiplying the effective communication distance of the first radio by the number of hops. Therefore, the actual number of hops is “2” by setting the weighting coefficient k = “4”, for example, so that the hops by the relay device 200a are virtually regarded as a plurality of hops of the worker terminal 100B. The number of hops of the received data is calculated as “5”. Accordingly, the leader terminal 300 outputs a notification to warn of “team distribution”.

Note that the value of the weighting coefficient k should be set in advance from the relationship between the arrangement interval of the relay device 200B and the effective communication distance by the first radio, and is not limited to this example.
Moreover, in the example of the figure, as a result, the worker terminal 100a is approaching the distance that can be communicated with the relay device 200a by the first wireless communication, so the worker terminal 100a is warned of “danger area approach”. Notification output is also executed.

Next, the second additional step will be described.
In step S114, the processing unit 350 performs a notification output to warn of “team dispersion”, and then triggers a notification output of “team dispersion” warning at each worker terminal to all worker terminals by the first radio. A signal (hereinafter referred to as “team dispersion warning signal”) is transmitted (step S115).

  As a third additional step, the processing unit 350 determines whether or not it is a regular communication time addressed to each worker terminal after step S134 (step S136). For example, it is assumed that a regular communication time with a cycle of 20 seconds is set. If it is the regular communication time (YES in step S136), the reader terminal ID is transmitted to each worker terminal by the first radio (step S138), and the process returns to step S100.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of communication processing unique to the worker terminal 100B in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the configuration is basically the same as the processing flow of FIG. 16 in the first embodiment, but some steps are added.

  As an added step, when the processing unit 150 receives a dangerous area approach signal from the relay device 200B following step S34 (YES in step S36), the processing unit 150 executes a notification output that warns that it has approached the dangerous area. (Step S38). For example, the characters “Warning” and “Dangerous area approach” are displayed and output on the LCD 316 of the worker terminal 100B, and the vibrator 309 of the worker terminal 100B is vibrated with a predetermined vibration pattern. Sound is emitted. That is, the danger area approach signal transmitted from the relay device 200B plays a role as an approach warning signal to the relay device 200B. Therefore, if the danger area approach signal is not received (NO in step S36), the notification output is not executed.

  Next, when the processing unit 150 receives a team distribution warning signal from the leader terminal 300 (YES in step S40), the processing unit 150 executes a notification output for warning that the team is in a distributed state (step S42). For example, the characters “warning” and the characters “team distributed state” are displayed on the LCD 316 of the worker terminal 100B, and the vibrator 309 of the worker terminal 100B is vibrated with a specific vibration pattern different from other notifications. A specific warning sound is emitted from the earphone 322 of the worker terminal 100B. If the team distribution warning signal is not received (NO in step S40), the notification output is not executed.

  Next, when the regular communication addressed to itself is received from the reader terminal 300 (YES in step S44), the processing unit 150 stores the time when the regular communication is received in the storage unit 160 (step S46). Then, the stored reception time is compared with the current time, and when the reception time of the regular communication from the leader terminal 300 has not been updated for a predetermined time or more (YES in step S48), the terminal leaves the team. A notification output for warning that the state is present is executed (step S50) and the process returns to step S30. For example, “Warning” and “I am away from the team” are displayed on the LCD 316 of the worker terminal 100B, and the vibrator 309 of the worker terminal 100B vibrates with a specific vibration pattern different from other notifications. And a specific warning sound is emitted from the earphone 322 of the worker terminal 100B. If the team distribution warning signal is not received (NO in step S44), the notification output is not executed and the process returns to step S30.

  Through the processing in the present embodiment, various warnings are also given at the worker terminal 100B, and each worker can be assisted to be able to act to prevent unnecessary accidents.

  As described above, in this embodiment, there is a case where the ID periodic communication addressed from the worker terminal 100B to the reader terminal 300 passes through the relay device 200B. Passing through the relay device 200B is also evidence that the worker terminal 100B has approached the dangerous area within the effective communication distance of the first radio. Therefore, as a modification of the present embodiment, a form in which “communication for relay devices” for periodically transmitting the worker terminal ID from the worker terminal 100B to each relay device 200B can be considered. In this case, the power consumption required for communication for the relay device can be reduced, so that the continuous operation time can be extended.

[Description of Modification]
The first embodiment and the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied have been described above, but the application of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. As long as the gist of the invention is not deviated, the components can be changed, added, or omitted as appropriate.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the system of the track maintenance work team engaged in the track maintenance work of the railway is taken as an example, so the effective communication distance of the first radio is about several m to 10 m, the second radio The effective communication distance of 100m to 150m is not limited to this. For example, it can be used for other team work such as highway track maintenance work, airport runway maintenance work, etc. The effective communication distance of the first radio and the second radio is set other than the above depending on the size of the work section You may do it.

  In the warning notification on the LCD 316 in the reader terminal 300, an example of displaying text has been given. However, map information is stored in the storage unit 360 in advance, and the location information 370b in the relay device registration data 370 is included in the map information. Coordinates can be stored, and the periphery of the relay device can be displayed on a map when a notification is output.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the position and soundness of the worker terminal 100 are confirmed using reception / non-reception of multi-hop communication. However, with GPS or between wireless stations whose position coordinates are specified in advance. A known position detection technique using communication can also be applied. In this case, when the position of the worker terminal 100 is detected in units of meters and the worker terminal 100 is separated from the reader terminal 300 by a predetermined meter or more, a warning notification of “unknown location” is detected and the relay device 200 approaches within a predetermined meter. Warning accuracy can be further improved, for example, warning notification of “dangerous area approach”.

  Furthermore, as a configuration in which the position of the worker terminal 100 is sequentially detected, the leader terminal 300 calculates the moving speed of each worker terminal 100 and is predetermined outside the dangerous area but toward the dangerous area (that is, the relay device). If it is configured to issue a warning notification “dangerous area approach” when moving at a speed higher than the speed, a warning can be issued more predictably.

The figure explaining the structure of the worker location alert system used in 1st Embodiment. The conceptual diagram which shows the usage example of the worker location alert system in 1st Embodiment. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the principle which concerns on the control which warns that a worker is the state which left | separated from the track maintenance work team. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the principle which concerns on the control which warns that the breadth of a track maintenance work team becomes large and is a distributed state. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the principle which concerns on the control which warns that a worker approached the danger area. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the principle which concerns on the control which warns that a worker approached the danger area. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the principle which concerns on the control which warns that the reader | leader approached the danger area. The functional block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of a worker terminal. The functional block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of a relay apparatus. The data block diagram which shows an example of the data structure of a connection terminal list | wrist. The functional block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of a reader terminal. The data block diagram which shows an example of a data structure of relay apparatus registration data. The data block diagram which shows an example of the data structure of worker terminal registration data. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the ad hoc communication process common to a worker terminal, a relay apparatus, and a leader terminal. The figure which shows the example of the packet structure of the data transmitted in an ad hoc communication process. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the communication process peculiar to the worker terminal in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the communication processing peculiar to the relay apparatus in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the communication processing peculiar to the reader terminal in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the alerting | reporting output which alert | reports that a worker is unknown. The figure explaining the structure of the worker location alert system used in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the communication processing peculiar to the relay apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the communication processing peculiar to the reader terminal in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart following FIG. The conceptual diagram which shows an example which transmits worker terminal ID to a leader terminal via a relay apparatus from a worker terminal in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the communication processing peculiar to the worker terminal in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

2 (2a to 2e) Worker 4 Reader 100 (100a to 100e) Worker terminal 106 First wireless communication module 110 Antenna 200 (200a to 200c) Relay device 206 First wireless communication module 207 Second wireless communication module 300 Leader terminal 306 First wireless communication module 307 Second wireless communication module 309 Vibrator 316 LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
322 Earphone

Claims (4)

A plurality of wireless communication terminals capable of ad-hoc communication by multi-hop communication (hereinafter referred to as “short-range ad-hoc communication”), and ad-hoc communication (hereinafter “long-distance”) by multi-hop communication that is longer than the ad-hoc communication of the wireless communication terminal. a plurality of specific communication devices capable relay transmission radio signals with each other by that ad hoc communication "), a worker location warning system and a warning device,
Each wireless communication terminal is
Terminal transmission means for periodically transmitting the identification information of the own device to the alarm device by the short-range ad hoc communication,
Each of the specific communication devices is
Receiving means for receiving identification information transmitted by the short-range ad hoc communication from the wireless communication terminal;
Transmission means for relaying or directly transmitting the identification information received by the reception means together with the transmission path of the identification information to the alarm device by the long distance ad hoc communication;
With
The alarm device is
Storage means for storing identification information of each of the plurality of wireless communication terminals;
Identification information receiving means for receiving identification information of the wireless communication terminal transmitted by the short-range ad hoc communication;
A first hop count excess detection means for detecting that the number of hops required to receive the identification information has exceeded a predetermined number of upper-hop by the identification information receiving means,
Transmission receiving means for receiving identification information and a transmission path of the wireless communication terminal transmitted by the long distance ad hoc communication;
The number of hops required to receive the identification information by the transmission receiving means is calculated by weighting the number of hops related to the long distance ad hoc communication, and the calculated number of hops exceeds the predetermined upper limit number of hops. Second hop count excess detection means for detecting
A row intends notifying means a predetermined notification in accordance with any one of the detection of the first and second hops excess detection means,
A worker's location warning system. The specific communication device is installed in a predetermined dangerous area ,
The alarm device is
When the identification information is received by the transmission receiving means, dangerous area terminal approach notifying means for notifying that the wireless communication terminal of the identification information is approaching the dangerous area ,
The worker location warning system according to claim 1, comprising: Each of the specific communication devices is
Provided with an approach warning signal transmitting means for transmitting a predetermined approach warning signal,
The alarm device is
An approach warning signal receiving means for receiving an approach warning signal transmitted by the approach warning signal transmitting means;
Self-approach notifying means for notifying that the user has approached a predetermined area in response to reception of the approach warning signal receiving means;
The worker location warning system according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising: Each wireless communication terminal is
An approach warning signal receiving means for receiving an approach warning signal transmitted by the approach warning signal transmitting means;
Self-approach notifying means for notifying that the user has approached a predetermined area in response to reception of the approach warning signal receiving means;
The worker location warning system according to claim 3 , comprising:

Images