Monitoring device for multiplex data communication equipment

Abstract

 A monitoring device for multiplex transmitters preferably used for composed vehicles accurately monitors abnormal condition of slave devices regardless of erroneous multiplex data communication between a master device (101) and the slave devices (102,103). The monitoring device according to the present invention comprising: a master device; a plurality of slave devices multiply communicated with the master device; control means (8,9) connected to the plurality of slave devices each, the controlled means (7) controlled by command signals from the master device; master memory (4) provided to the master device for sequentially storing the command signals transmitted to the plurality of slave devices and state signals indicating condition of the controlled means of the slave device each; slave memories (11a) each provided to the plurality of slave devices each for sequentially storing command signals received by the slave devices and the state signals indicating condition of the slave device, timing signals generated in the master device, the timing signals transmitted to the slave memories each, the timing signals stored in the master memory and the slave memories each according to stored content of the master memory and the slave memories each; and a memory output means (12) for reading out and displaying the command signals and timing signals stored in the master device and the received command signals, the state signals, and timing signals stored in the slave memories.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to a monitoring device for multiplex data communication equipment and in particular to a monitoring device for multiplex data communication equipment preferably used for composed vehicles or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

[0002] In order to transmit information on command control and state indication of vehicles or the like, a method has been used to transmit multiplexed information with a multiplex transmitter in place of conventional method in which single transmission lines are utilized, respectively. In this method, a master device controlling the communication is provided with a monitoring means for monitoring the condition of the communication to monitor abnormal condition or to record operating condition at the abnormal state, which makes it possible to analyze the reason for the failure of the multiplex data communication equipment.

[0003] In the conventional device as described above, since only master device is provided with a memory for storing the operating condition of the multiplex data communication equipment there is a possibility that abnormal condition of slave devices are not stored in the memory of the master device, which makes it difficult to analyze the reason for the failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a monitoring device for multiplex data communication equipment in which abnormal condition of the slave devices such as the failure of the devices is accurately monitored regardless of erroneous multiplex data communication between the master device and the slave devices.

[0005] A monitoring device for multiplex data communication equipment according to the present invention comprising: a master device; a plurality of slave devices multiply communicated with the master device; control means connected to the plurality of slave devices each, the controlled means controlled by command signals from the master device; master memory provided to the master device for sequentially storing the command signals transmitted to the plurality of slave devices and state signals indicating condition of the controlled means of the slave device each; slave memories each provided to the plurality of slave devices each for sequentially storing command signals received by the slave devices and the state signals indicating condition of the slave device, timing signals generated in the master device, the timing signals transmitted to the slave memories each, the timing signals stored in the master memory and the slave memories each according to stored content of the master memory and the slave memories each; and a memory output means for reading out and displaying the command signals and timing signals stored in the master device and the received command signals, the state signals, and timing signals stored in the slave memories.

[0006] In the monitoring device for multiplex data communication equipment according to the present invention, a master device and a plurality of slave devices are connected to each other so that multiplex transmission with time duplicated system, frequency duplicated system or the like is applied. In accordance with command signals transmitted from the master device, controlled means connected to the slave devices each is controlled. In a master memory for the master device is sequentially stored command signals transmitted to the slave devices and state signals indicating conditions of the controlled means of the slave devices each. Further, the slave devices each is provided with a slave memory for sequentially storing command signals received from the master device and state signals indicating conditions of controlled means of the slave device. Then, timing signals are transmitted from the master device to the slave devices so as to be stored in accordance with stored contents of the master device and the slave devices. A portable memory output apparatus is utilized by workers to read out the command signals and the timing signals stored in the master memory and output these signals for recording on chart or visual monitoring. Moreover, the memory output apparatus is detachably connected to the slave memories each to read out and the received command signals, the state signals, and the timing signals. Consequently, the command signals of the master device according to the timing signals, which are printed on the chart or the like, are compared with the received command signals and the state signals of the slave device to check whether or not an error occurs in the multiplex data communication and whether or not the conditions of the controlled means of the slave devices are abnormal due to the failure or the like based on the state signals. As a result, an error in the multiplex data communication failure of the controlled means or the like is detected and the reason for the abnormality will be analyzed with ease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention will be more apparent from the ensuring description with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of overall system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a structure of the master memory 4;

Figure 3 shows condition in which stored content in the master memory 4 outputted by the monitoring means 5 and the memory output apparatus 12;

Figure 4 shows a structure of the slave device 11a1;

Figure 5 shows condition in which stored content in the slave memory 11a1 is outputted by the memory output apparatus 12;

Figure 6 is a flowchart for explaining operation of the master device 101a; and

Figure 7 is a flowchart for explaining operation of the slave device 101b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an overall system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In composed vehicles having a plurality of vehicles, in a cab of a vehicle are provided a master device 101a and a slave device 101b constituting a multiplex data communication equipment and other vehicles each is provided with slave devices 102 and 103 each respectively. In the vehicle with the cab the master device 101a and the slave device 101b share a processing circuit 3 realized by microcomputer or the like, an interface 61, and a communication controller 8. The master device 101a includes a master memory 4, a monitoring means 5, a memory command switch 16 for recording. The slave device 101b has a slave memory 11a1 connected to the processing circuit. By way of an interface 61 are connected controlled means 7a1, 7b1, and 7c1 to each other. These controlled means 7a1, 7b1, and 7c1 may be driving means including for example cylinders for opening or closing right and left doors, heaters for passengers, lightings, vehicle driving motors, and brakes. The communication controller 8 connects the master device 101a to the slave device 101b and is connected to a communication controller 9 of a slave device 102 of neighboring vehicle. Further, the communication controller 8 is connected to communication controller 9a of a slave device 103 in the other vehicle.

[0009] In the slave device 102, to the communication controller 9 is connected a processing circuit 10 realized by a microcomputer or the like, and slave memory 11a2. The processing circuit 10 is further connected to controlled means 7a2, 7b2, and 7c2 each by way of an interface 62. Further, in a slave device 103, to a communication controller 9a is connected a processing circuit 10a, to which are connected a slave memory 11a3 and an interface 63 and is further connected controlled means 7a3, 7b3, and 7c3 each, in the same manner as the device 102. The interface 61 for the master device 101a and the slave device 101b is provided with a connector 6a1, and interfaces 62 and 63 for slave devices 102 and 103 are provided with the connectors 6a1 and 6a3. To the connectors 6a1, 6a2, and 6a3 is detachably connected a connector 14a of a portable memory output apparatus 12.

[0010] The memory output apparatus 12 is connected to a processing circuit 13 realized by a microcomputer or the like by way of the interface 14 connected to the connector 14a. The processing circuit 13 is connected to an output means 15. The output means 15 may be a printer with a chart or a visual display means for visual observation. The processing circuit is provided with a memory 17. This memory 17 has a memory area to which the contents in the master memory and slave memories 11a1, 11a2, and 11a3 are transmitted and stored. The processing circuit 13 is also provided with a command input means 18 to command and control the operation of the memory output apparatus 12 according to the present invention. With the multiplex data communication equipment described above, multiplex data communication is performed between the communication controllers 8, 9, and 9a and the information is processed by the processing circuits 3, 10, and 10a to control the controlled means 7a1 to 7c1, 7a2 to 7c2, and 7a3 to 7c3 by way of the interfaces 61, 62 and 63. Further, in the multiplex data communication equipment the controlled means are monitored to detect failures and the like to obtain signals for indicating the condition of the controlled means. Then, the signals are transmitted to the display means by way of the interface 61 for a driver to visually monitor the condition of the controlled means.

[0011] Figure 2 shows a structure of the master memory 4 in the master device 101a. The master memory 4a is basically provided with a work area 4a and a memory area 4b. At the work area 4a, ever-changing information is filled out at a prescribed intervals of time while stored information being erased. The memory area has sufficient capacity to store the stored content in the work area 4a as it is after the content is transmitted. The condition in which the stored information in the master memory 4 is displayed by the monitoring means 5, and are outputted and displayed by the memory output apparatus 12 as described in Fig. 3. In the work area 4a and the memory area 4b are stored command signals transmitted from the processing means 3 of the master device 101a for controlling the controlled means and state signals for indicating the condition of the controlled means in the slave devices 101b, 102, and 103, respectively. That is, one of the signals stored and recorded in the memory 4 is a command signal outputted from the master device 101a and indicates the content of the operational command for various controlled means for opening and closing doors, turning on and off brakes and the like. Then, each command signal is stored as logical "0" and logical "1" according to "ON" and "OFF" of the controlled means respectively. When the signal is analog signal, it is stored as a row of bits with a required number of bits. Time pulses are utilized when maintenance shop workers transversely check the stored content in the master memory 4 and the slave memories 11a1 to 11a3 which are transmitted between the master device 101b and the slave devices 101b, 102, and 103 so that the information in the same instance is compared. Therefore, the time pulses are used for correcting the time of the information when there is a difference in time between the information. In the master memory 4 is stored state signals as state information which are transmitted from the slave memories 101b, 102, and 103 each. The state information shows the condition of the controlled means, for example, whether the doors are opened or closed, and whether or not the brakes are applied. The state signals are stored in the same manner as the command signals. In the master memory is stored time and are further stored memory transmission factor codes for coding factors to show the condition in which information in the work area 4a is transmitted to the memory area 4b.

[0012] Figure 4 shows the structure of the slave memory 11a1 of the slave device 101b. This structure is also applied to the other slave memories 11a2 and 11a3 of the slave devices 102 and 103. The slave memory 11a1 is provided with a work area 11a and a memory area 11a1b. The work area 11a and memory area 11a1b work in the same manner as those of the aforementioned master memory. In the master memory 11a1 are stored state signals for indicating the condition of the controlled means each as to failure or the like as well as command signals transmitted from the master device 101a. For example, in the slave memory 11a1 is stored state signals for indicating the condition of the controlled devices 7a1 to 7c1 of the slave device 101b.

[0013] Figure 5 shows a chart on which the stored information in the slave memory 11a1 after reading is recorded by the memory output means 12. In the slave device 101b is stored command signals which the slave device 101b is received from the master device 101a; state signals and time which the slave device transmit to the master device 101b; and time pulses as time signals transmitted from the master device 101a. In addition, memory transmission factor code for coding factors to show the condition that information in the work area 11a1 is transmitted to the memory area 11a1b and is read out by the memory output apparatus 12.

[0014] To the slave devices 101b, 102, and 103 each is transmitted a time pulse at irregular intervals in accordance with random numbers or the like from the master device 101a to simultaneously store the time pulse as a time signal in the master memory 4, slave memories 11a1, 11a2, and 11a3. When the stored information in the memories 4 and 11a1 to 11a3 is outputted at certain intervals, the stored content according to the time signal is checked by the workers with outputs shown in Figs 3 and 5, which makes it possible to adjust the time which is individually stored in the memories 4 and 11a1 to 11a3 each of the master device and the slave devices 101b, 102, and 103. That is, stored information in the memories 4 and 11a1 to 11a3 in the same instant is able to be checked.

[0015] The memory transmission factor code is a code which shows factors indicating the condition in which information in the work area 4a of the master memory 4 is transmitted to the memory area 4b as an example. The relation between the transmission factors and the codes is described below. That is, a code "01" shows the condition in which the memory command switch 16 at a cab console is depressed when a motorman feels some abnormality. A code "10" shows the condition in which the processing circuits 3, 10, and 10a each of the master device, or slave devices 101b, 102, and 103 detect an abnormal operation by itself. This code is outputted at the failure of hardware or runaway of the composed vehicles. Further, a code "11" is outputted when there is a discrepancy between the command signal outputted by the processing circuit 3 of the master device 101a and the state signals from the slave devices 101b, 102, and 103. For instance, this code "11" is outputted when even though a command signal is outputted from the master device 101a to show the state in which a right door is opened, the state signals from the slave device 101b includes a signal showing the condition that the right door is not opened after the time required for the operation of a controlled means for opening the door such as 7a1. In addition, the code "11" is outputted when the condition in which the speed of the vehicle is not decreased at all is detected although a command signal for applying brakes is outputted from the master device 101a. To the other slave devices 102 and 103 besides the slave device 101b is applied the same thing as described above.

[0016] In the aforementioned conditions, the codes "01" or "11" transmits signals including themselves from the work area of the master device 101a to the memory area of the slave devices 101b, 102, and 103. Further, from the master device 101a or the slave devices 101b, 102, and 103 to other master device 101a or other slave devices 101b, 102, and 103 are transmitted signals including themselves from the work area to the memory area. Through these transmissions, signals including the factor codes are outputted to display the signals in the monitoring means 5 as shown in Fig. 3. As a result, the motorman will recognize the transmission from the work area to the memory area. The stored contents in the memories 4 and 11a1 to 11a3 each is able to be read out by the memory output apparatus 12.

[0017] As described above, the memory output apparatus 12 has the processing circuit 13, the interface 14, the memory 17, and the display means 15, which are all built-in the memory output apparatus 12. The memory 17 is provided with sufficient capacity to transmit and store the stored contents in the memories 4 and 11a1 to 11a3 each. In order to read out the stored content in the memories 4 and 11a1 to 11a3 each by the memory output apparatus, workers like the motorman connect the connector 14a of the memory output apparatus 12 selectively to the connectors 6a1, 6a2, and 6a3, permitting the contents in the memories 4 and 11a1 each to 11a3 to be transmitted to the memory 17. As a result, the processing circuit 13 is capable of outputting all or a selected portion of the stored content in the memory 17 according to the command signal from the command input means 18a to display the information as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 by the display means. The display means may be a printer or a display apparatus for visual observation. Further, an external memory such as a floppy disk may be used for the same purpose. With the output results from the display means 15, the stored contents in the master memory 4 and the slave memories 11a1 to 11a3 are compared in accordance with the time signals to clarify the condition of the components of the multiplex data communication, which is not clarified in the aforementioned prior art. As a result, whether or not a communication error occurs in the multiplex data communication and whether or not a failure occurs in the controlled means 7a1 to 7c1, 7a2 to7c3, and 7a3 to 7c3 are monitored. In addition, the reason for the error and the failure is analyzed with ease.

[0018] Referring to Fig. 6, operation of the processing circuit 3 of the master device 101a will be explained. In step a1, in the work area 4a of the master memory 4 is stored the condition of the master device 101a. In step a2, whether or not the command signals outputted from the master device 101a correspond to the state signals of the controlled means 7a1 to 7c1, 7a2 to 7c2, and 7a3 to 7c3 of the slave devices 101b, 102, and 103, that is, the proper relation between the command signals and the state signals is checked. Then, if the proper relation is not recognized, the program proceeds step a3 . In step a3, it is judged whether or not the memory command switch 16 at the cab console is depressed for operation. Then, if the switch is not depressed, the program proceeds step a4. In step a4, it is determined whether or not starting signals, that is, signals indicating the memory transmission factor mode and the like, are generated at the slave devices 101b, 102, and 103. If the signals are not generated, the program proceeds step a5 where it is determined whether the processing circuit 3 of the master device 101a is abnormal or not. If the circuit is not abnormal, step a8 is executed to determine whether or not the timing pulses as timing signals are to be outputted. Then, when the timing pulse should be outputted, step a9 is executed to output the timing signal to the slave devices 101b, 102, and 103 where the signal is stored in the work area 4a. In steps a3 to a5, when all the judgment are "YES", the program proceeds step a6 to transmit starting signals to the slave devices 101b, 102, and 103 and simultaneously transmit the stored content in the work area 4a of the master memory 4 to the memory area 4b.

[0019] Referring to Fig. 7, operation of the slave device 101b will be explained. The operation of the slave device is the same as those of the other slave devices 102 and 103. In step b1, the condition of the work area 11a1a of the slave memory 11a1 and the controlled means 7a1 to 7c1 are stored as state signals. In step b2, it is determined whether or not the processing circuit 3 of the slave device 101b is abnormal. Then, if the abnormality is not detected, the program proceeds step b5 to determine whether or not starting signals are generated at the master device 101a or the other slave devices 102 and 103. When the result is "NO", step b6 is executed to determine whether or not timing signals are inputted from the master device 101a. Then, if the timing signals are received, the program proceeds step b7 to store the timing signals in the work area 11a1a.

[0020] In step b2, when the abnormality of the processing circuit 3 in the slave device 101b is detected, step b3 is executed to transmit starting signals or memory transmission factor mode signals to the master device 101a, or other slave devices 102 and 103. After step b3 and in step b5, when the starting signals are inputted from the master device 101a or other slave devices 102 and 103, step b4 is executed. In the step b4, the stored content in the work area 11a1a is transmitted to the memory area 11a1b.

[0021] The present invention is applied to not only vehicles but also other technical fields.

[0022] According to the present invention described above, command signals transmitted from a master device to slave devices are stored in a master memory, and command signals received from the master device and state signals showing condition of controlled means of the slave devices are stored in slave memories. Then, stored content in the master memory according to timing signals from the master device, and received command signals and state signals according to timing signals of the slave device which receives the timing signals from the master device are outputted to display by a portable memory output apparatus. Then, the stored contents in the master memory and the slave memory, which corresponds to the timing signals, are compared with each other to check errors in multiplex data communication and abnormal conditions such as failure of the controlled means connected to the slave devices, which makes it possible to analyze the reason for the failure or the like with ease.

Claims

1. A monitoring device for multiplex data communication equipment comprising:
   a master device;
   a plurality of slave devices multiply communicated with said master device;
   control means connected to said plurality of slave devices each, said controlled means controlled by command signals from said master device;
   master memory provided to said master device for sequentially storing said command signals transmitted to said plurality of slave devices and state signals indicating condition of said controlled means of said slave device each;
   slave memories each provided to said plurality of slave devices each for sequentially storing command signals received by said slave devices and said state signals indicating condition of said slave device, timing signals generated in said master device, said timing signals transmitted to said slave memories each, said timing signals stored in said master memory and said slave memories each according to stored content of said master memory and said slave memories each; and
   a memory output means for reading out and displaying said command signals and timing signals stored in the master device and said received command signals, said state signals, and timing signals stored in said slave memories.

2. A monitoring device for multiplex transmitters as claimed in claim 1, wherein said master memory comprising:
   a work area sequentially filled out ever-changing information at a prescribed intervals of time while stored information in said work area being erased; and
   a memory area for storing said stored content in said work area as it is after said stored content is transmitted from said work area.

3. A monitoring device for multiplex transmitters as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controlled means include doors, heaters, lightings, vehicle driving motors, and brakes.

4. A monitoring device for multiplex transmitters as claimed in claim 1, wherein said memory output means includes a printer.

5. A monitoring device for multiplex transmitters as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multiplex transmission between said master device and said slave devices includes time division system.

Drawing