JP2019153834A - Communication system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a communication system and a method that allow the same telephone terminal to communicate with operation machines provided at multiple points while ensuring system redundancy.SOLUTION: A communication system includes: an operation device (12) for receiving input operation related to communication with any telephone terminal (42); a communication device (16) for performing control processing to establish and maintain communication on the basis of the input operation received by the operation device (12); a relay device (24) connected between the communication device (16) and the telephone terminal (42) for performing relay processing to relay communication; a communication device (18) for standing ready without performing control processing when the communication device (16) is performing control processing but for performing control processing instead of the communication device (16) when the communication device (16) stops control processing; and a relay device (30) for standing ready without performing relay processing when the relay device (24) is performing relay processing but for performing relay processing instead of the relay device (24) when the relay device (24) stops relay processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system and method, and more particularly to a communication system and method for controlling communication performed between remote locations.

  A command telephone system that realizes command communication by telephone between the command center and the related facilities is being used as a safety facility for operators such as railway companies that are highly public and have a wide range of security. . The command telephone system mainly uses a communication network dedicated to command communication. The command telephone system performs broadcast communication and individual business communication to ensure security. For example, in the case of a railway company, a command telephone system is used to ensure communication between the operation command center and railway-related equipment such as each station, thereby ensuring smooth operation of the railway.

JP-A-3-273838

  However, a command telephone system such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 is usually operated by only one system in a railway company. Therefore, if only a part of the system backbone part collapses due to a natural disaster such as an earthquake or a human disaster such as terrorism or bombing, the entire command telephone system cannot be used.

  For this reason, there has been a demand for a redundant command phone system, that is, a business continuity plan (BCP) so that railway companies can use the command phone system even in the event of an emergency. In the case of a railroad company, if the command telephone system is made redundant and the console at the damaged base can no longer be used, it is possible to operate the console at another base. The operation can be continued.

  However, system redundancy can be realized by providing a large number of command terminal slaves at each station. However, if a large number of command terminal slave units are provided, users will be confused about which command terminal slave units are selectively or preferentially used during normal operation, and this will hinder smooth operation of the system.

  Therefore, there has been a demand for a communication system that realizes command communication with multiple points using the same telephone terminal slave unit while ensuring system redundancy.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system and method for realizing communication with operating devices respectively provided at multiple points on the same telephone terminal while ensuring system redundancy. And

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention includes an operating device that receives an input operation related to communication with an arbitrary telephone terminal, and a control process that establishes and maintains communication based on the input operation received by the operating device. One communication device to be performed, one relay device connected between one communication device and a telephone terminal for performing relay processing for relaying communication, and when one communication device is performing control processing, no control processing is performed. If one communicator stops control processing but another communicator performs control processing on behalf of one communicator, and one relay performs relay processing, no relay processing is performed. However, when one relay station stops the relay process, it has another relay station that performs the relay process instead of the one relay station.

  In addition, the present invention provides an operation process for receiving an input operation related to communication with an arbitrary telephone terminal, and a control process for establishing and maintaining communication based on the input operation received by the operation process by providing one communication device A communication process for performing communication, and one relay process for performing relay processing for relaying communication by providing one relay device connected between one communication device and a telephone terminal. When one communicator is performing control processing, another communicator is put on standby without performing a communication process, while when one communicator stops control processing, it is replaced with another communicator instead of one communicator. When the communication process is performed and another repeater is provided and one repeater performs a relay process, the other repeater waits without performing the relay process, while one repeater performs the relay process. When it stops, it will replace one relay To perform the relay process to another relay machine Te.

  Further, the present invention establishes and maintains communication between an operating device and a telephone terminal in a communication system that performs communication between an operating device that accepts an input operation related to communication with an arbitrary telephone terminal and an arbitrary telephone terminal. In a communication device having a control unit that executes control processing and a storage unit that stores a control processing program executed by the control unit, the control processing program is based on an operating device and an input operation received by the operating device. One communication device that performs control processing for establishing and maintaining communication, one relay device that is connected between one communication device and a telephone terminal, performs relay processing for relaying communication, and one communication device performs control processing. When one of the communication devices stops performing control processing without performing control processing when performing, another communication device that performs control processing instead of one communication device and one relay device When the relay processing is performed, the communication system has a standby state without performing the relay processing, and when one relay stops the relay processing, the communication system has another relay that performs the relay processing instead of the one relay. When configured, the program includes a program for causing the control unit to execute standby and control processing as another communication device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the communication system and method which implement | achieve communication with the operating device each provided in many points with the same telephone terminal can be provided, ensuring the redundancy of a system.

It is a figure which illustrates roughly the structure of the Example of the communication system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which illustrates roughly the structure of the communication apparatus used for the Example of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement at the time of normal operation in the Example of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement when a failure arises in the communication apparatus in the Example of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement when a failure arises in a relay machine in the Example of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement when a failure arises in a communication apparatus and a relay machine in the Example of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement at the time of carrying out the simultaneous call in the system | strain of a terminal from an operating device in the Example of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement at the time of making each system | strain simultaneous call of a terminal from an operating device in the Example of FIG. It is a figure which illustrates roughly the structure and operation | movement of the other Example of the communication system which concerns on this invention.

  Embodiments of a communication system according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. An embodiment of the communication system 10 according to the present invention is a railway command telephone system that is used by a railroad operator and realizes command communication by telephone between a command station as a base and a railway related facility such as a station. Therefore, hereinafter, the embodiment of the communication system 10 may be described as the railway command telephone system 10 or the like.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the command telephone system 10 is provided with consoles 12 at a plurality of command stations, that is, at multiple points. In the present embodiment, for example, the consoles 12a, 12b, and 12c may be considered to be installed at one command station, and the consoles 12d, 12e, and 12f may be installed at another command station. A user at the command center operates one of the consoles 12 to transmit various commands to the railway equipment such as a station. That is, the user operates the console 12 to transmit a call signal. The console 12 is a command console that transmits a command related to railway operation when it is arranged at the command center.

  The communication system 10 according to the present embodiment includes communication devices 16 and 18 that can be selectively connected to any console 12. In the railway command telephone system, the communication devices 16 and 18 are command exchanges 16 and 18 that are used for transmitting commands from the command center and performing other necessary business communications. Therefore, hereinafter, the communication devices used in the embodiment of the communication system 10 may be described as the command exchanges 16 and 18.

  The command exchanges 16 and 18 can execute a comprehensive control process of the railway command telephone system 10. Connection between each console 12 and each command exchange 16, 18 is preferably made by a network communication line 20. The connection path of the communication line 20 shown in FIG. 1 conceptually shows possible connection states between the console 12 and the command exchanges 16 and 18.

  In the communication system 10 according to the present embodiment, two command exchanges are installed. Of the two command switches, the command switch 16 is normally operated as a main command switch, and the other command switch 18 is not operated as a spare device during normal times and is waiting for an emergency.

  The command exchanges 16 and 18 are connected to each other by a network communication line 22 via a network so that the standby command exchange 18 can continuously monitor the operation status of the main command exchange 16. When the spare command switch 18 detects that the main command switch 16 is not operating normally, it executes a comprehensive control process of the command telephone system 10 in place of the main command switch 16.

  It should be noted that it is preferable that the console 12 can be monitored in addition to the spare command exchange 18 to determine whether the command exchange 16 is operating normally.

  The command telephone system 10 according to the present embodiment is connected to the command exchange 16, and a line adapter that executes a relay process for communicably connecting between the command exchange 16 and a telephone line that leads to a desired terminal slave unit described later, That is, it has a repeater 24. The relay 24 receives a processing command from the command switch 16 via the communication line 26 connecting the command switch 16 and the relay 24, and executes a predetermined process.

  The repeater 24 is configured to be connectable to a spare command exchange 18 via a communication line 28. When the main command switch 16 is not operating normally, communication between the command switch 16 and the relay 24 cannot be performed normally. Therefore, when the spare command exchange 18 executes the comprehensive control processing of the command telephone system 10 in place of the main switch 16 in which an abnormality has occurred, the spare command exchange 18 is connected to the repeater via the communication line 28. A processing instruction related to relay processing is issued to 24.

  Further, the command telephone system 10 according to the present embodiment is connected to the command exchanges 16 and 18, and relay processing for communicably connecting the command exchange 16 or 18 and a telephone line leading to a desired terminal slave unit to be described later. A line adapter that can execute the above-described operation, that is, a repeater 30. In FIG. 1 which shows a schematic configuration of the present embodiment, a communication line for communicably connecting the command exchange 16 and the relay 30 is connected to the communication line 32, and communication between the command exchange 18 and the relay 30 is communicable. A communication line to be performed is indicated as a communication line 34. The repeater 30 serves as a backup relay execution device for the repeater 24. When the repeater 24 is not operating normally, the repeater 30 receives a processing command from the command switch 16 via the communication line 32 and performs predetermined processing if the command switch 16 is operating normally. Execute. On the other hand, if not only the relay switch 24 but also the command switch 16 is not operating normally, the relay switch 30 receives a processing command from the command switch 18 from the communication line 34 and executes a predetermined process.

  Note that the command exchanges 16 and 18 may monitor whether the relay 24 is operating normally. Alternatively, the repeaters 24 and 30 may be connected via a network like the communication line 36 shown in FIG. 1 so that the repeater 30 can monitor the operating status of the repeater 24.

  The repeaters 24 and 30 are connected to a railway-related facility such as a station via a telephone line 38 so that they can communicate with each other. More specifically, referring to FIG. 1, the relays 24 and 30 are connected to a plurality of transmitters 40a to 40f that transmit system signals via a telephone line 38, and finally the transmitters 40a to 40f. Telephone terminals 42a to 42n, which are respectively assigned to telephone terminals 40f, are connected to 40f. Here, the terminals 42a to 42n are, for example, telephone terminals provided at each station, and the terminals 42 belong to any one of the systems classified according to, for example, railway lines. The system signal transmitters 40a to 40f are devices that are provided for each system, and execute a signal carrying process and the like necessary for establishing a call of the terminal slave unit 42 belonging to each system. Moreover, in this specification, the system | strain itself classified for every railway line may be described as the system | strain 40-40f.

  Here, the connection path of the telephone line 38 shown in FIG. 1 conceptually shows possible connection states between the repeaters 24 and 30 and each terminal 42. The communication method is not limited as long as the railway command telephone system 10 can be realized. For example, a push button signal (PB signal) is used between the relay unit and the terminal slave unit.

  In response to such a connection configuration, the adapter that is not used for command communication of the relays 24 and 30 receives, for example, instructions from the command exchanges 16 and 18 and outputs signals to the line 38 and the line 38. It is preferable that the closing process can be executed to prevent signal input from the terminal.

  Next, the configuration of the command exchange provided in the present embodiment, particularly the spare command exchange 18, will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The command exchange 18 provided in the present embodiment includes a control unit 46 that executes control processing necessary for communication between the console 12 and the terminal 42. The control unit 46, in addition to the control processing executed in the conventional railroad command telephone system, cooperates with each unit to be described later in the command switch 18 as necessary, and controls the monitoring and command of the other command switch 16. The overall control processing of the telephone system 10 is executed and stopped, and the execution command of the blocking processing to the relay 24 or 30 is transmitted.

  When the command switch 16 is operating normally, the main control process executed by the control unit 46 of the command switch 18 is mainly the control process for monitoring the other command switch 16. As long as it can be detected that the command switch 16 is operating normally, the control unit 46 of the command switch 18 on the monitoring side does not execute the comprehensive control processing of the command telephone system 10, and Put all 18 in standby.

  The command switch 18 further includes a monitoring unit 50 that is connected to the control unit 46 and monitors whether the other command switch 16 is operating normally through the network communication line 22 under the control of the control unit 46. . Any method may be used for the monitoring unit 50 to monitor the command exchange 16, but monitoring by the heartbeat method is preferable. It is set so that a signal is transmitted to the spare command switch 18 repeatedly (for example, at a predetermined cycle), and the monitoring unit 50 of the command switch 18 is transmitting a signal from the other command switch 16 Check continuously. In this case, the signal transmitted from the command switch 16 to the spare command switch 18 repeatedly is, for example, an ICMP Echo Request (ping request) signal using ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol). Further, a setting is made so that a signal is repeatedly sent from the spare command exchange 18 (for example, at a predetermined cycle) to the command exchange 16, and the response signal from the command exchange 16 is monitored by the monitoring unit 50 of the command exchange 18 Thus, it may be continuously checked whether or not a signal is transmitted from the command exchange 16. In this case, the signal that the spare command switch 18 transmits to the repeat command switch 16 is, for example, an ICMP Echo Request (ping request) signal using ICMP, and the command switch 16 transmits to the spare command switch 18. The response signal is, for example, an ICMP Echo Reply (ping response) signal using ICMP.

  When the monitoring unit 50 can confirm that a signal is transmitted from the command exchange 16, the monitoring unit 50 under the control of the control unit 46 determines that the command exchange 16 is operating normally. The control unit 46 that has received the determination result causes the monitoring unit 50 to continue monitoring the command exchange 16. On the other hand, when the monitoring unit 50 cannot confirm that the signal is transmitted from the command exchange 16, the monitoring unit 50 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the command exchange 16 that makes the system inoperable. Receiving the determination result, the control unit 46 operates the command exchange 18 from the standby state so that the overall control process of the command telephone system 10 can be executed.

  The monitoring unit 50 may be configured to monitor not only the operating state of the other command exchange 16 but also the operating state of the relays 24 and 30. The command exchange 18 having such a monitoring unit 50 can appropriately switch the relay station as a signal transmission destination according to the monitoring result.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each console 12 may also include a monitoring unit 54 that performs monitoring similar to the monitoring unit 50 of the command exchange. When the monitoring unit 54 of the console 12 detects an abnormality of the main command switch 16, the console 12 automatically switches the destination of the call signal from the command switch 16 to the command switch 18.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, each of the repeaters 24 and 30 may also have a monitoring unit 56 that performs monitoring similar to the monitoring unit 50 of the command exchange. The monitoring target of the monitoring unit 56 may be the other relay machine. By providing the monitoring unit 56 in the relay unit 30 provided as a spare, the operation status of the other relay unit 24 is monitored, and when it is detected that the relay unit 24 is not operating normally, the monitoring unit 56 The repeater 30 having the function enables the relay process to be executed promptly.

  The command exchange 18 preferably includes a block processing command unit 60 that is connected to the control unit 46 and blocks the adapter that is not used for command communication among the relays 24 and 30. Under the control of the control unit 46, the block processing command unit 60 generates a block command signal for instructing either the relay 24 or 30 to block, and transmits the signal to the adapter on the block ordering side. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent signal output from the non-operating repeater to the line 38 and signal input from the line 38 to the non-operating repeater.

  The command exchange 18 further includes a storage unit 62 that is connected to the control unit 46 and stores a program relating to a specific procedure of the above-described control process executed by the control unit 46. Note that the storage unit 62 also stores a program related to the calling method of the terminal 42 from the console 12. When the control unit 46 executes the program stored in the storage unit 62, it is possible to select any one of the terminals 42 from the console 12 as a call line. Alternatively, all the terminals 42 can be called by executing a program.

  By executing the program, all of a part of the terminals 42 belonging to the system are selected and all of the terminals 42 (for example, any of the terminals 42a to 42d belonging to the system 40a) are simultaneously called as a call line. It is also possible to make a call. It is also possible to make a simultaneous call within a system using a plurality of systems 40 at the same time. Further, by executing the program, specific terminals 42 defined for each system are called together as a call line (for example, terminal 42a of system 40a, terminal 42d of system 40b, terminal 42e of system 40c,...) It is also possible to make a call.

  If the terminals 42 that are likely to be called all at once are grouped in advance and stored in the storage unit 62, and any group can be selected from the console 12, the user can perform simultaneous operations within the system with a simple operation. You can call or call each system simultaneously.

  Incidentally, the monitoring unit 50 and the blockage processing command unit 60 described so far may also be included in the main command switch 16 as well as the spare command switch 18, similarly to the control unit 46 and the storage unit 62. Absent.

  Subsequently, an example of operation of the embodiment of the command telephone system 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, components and communication lines that are substantially operating as communication paths and main monitoring paths between the console 12 and the terminal 42 are indicated by solid lines, and components and communication that are not actually operating. The line is indicated by a broken line.

  A call path during normal operation in which the embodiment of the command call system 10 does not cause any trouble is shown in FIG. During normal operation, the main command exchange 16 and the relay 24 are in operation, while the spare command exchange 18 and the relay 30 do not perform processing related to call establishment from the console 12 or the terminal 42. Stand-by in preparation for device malfunction.

  However, at least the standby command switch 18 operates the monitoring unit 50 to continuously monitor other devices, particularly the main command switch 16. A network communication line 22 is used for monitoring the command exchange 16.

  Taking the case where the terminal 42a is called from the console 12a as an example, the operation during normal operation of the system 10 will be described in more detail with reference to arrows A1 to A4 shown in FIG. The call signal is first transmitted from the console 12a via the communication line 20 to the command exchange 16 via the route indicated by arrow A1. The command exchange 16 recognizes the terminal slave that is the call destination, and transmits a call signal to the relay 24 together with a processing command signal for the relay 24 via the communication line 26 through the path indicated by the arrow A2.

  At this time, a call signal is not input to the other command exchange 18, and the command exchange 18 does not perform control processing for establishing a call, but the monitoring unit 50 of the command exchange 18 Make the monitoring run continuously.

  In accordance with the processing command signal received from the command exchange 16, the repeater 24 transmits a paging signal by the PB method or the like to the transmitter 40a of the system to which the terminal 42a belongs through the route indicated by the arrow A3.

  At this time, the other repeater 30 receives the block command signal from the command exchange 16 or 18, and blocks the repeater 30 so as not to mistakenly transmit or receive a call signal or other signal used for realizing the command call. is doing.

  The transmitter 40a that has received the call signal for the terminal 42a transmits the call signal to the terminal 42a as indicated by an arrow A4. As a result, the terminal 42a can be called from the console 12a.

  When calling the console 12 from the terminal 42, the call signal passes through the path opposite to the call path from the console 12 to the terminal 42 described above, that is, from the terminal 42 to the transmitter 40, the repeater 24, and the command exchange 16 in this order. Is transmitted, and the call signal reaches the desired console 12.

  Next, an operation operation when a failure occurs in the command exchange 16 in the command call system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. When the monitoring unit 50 provided in the spare command switch 18 detects that the main command switch 16 is not operating normally, the standby command switch 18 in the standby state immediately starts operating. Thus, comprehensive control processing of the command telephone system 10 is executed. More specifically, for example, when calling the terminal 42a from the console 12a, the command exchange 18 recognizes the terminal slave that is the call destination and calls the call signal together with the processing command signal for the repeater 24 via the communication line 28. Is transmitted to the repeater 24.

  Sending a call signal from the console 12 to the command exchange 18 as shown by the arrow B1 is performed by the command exchange 18 notifying the console 12 of the monitoring result of the monitoring unit 50 or by the monitoring unit 54 of the console 12 This is realized by changing the command exchange to which the operation console 12 transmits the call signal when the abnormality of the exchange 16 is detected. In any case, the operator who operates the console 12 does not need to perform any operation, and the command exchange serving as the communication destination can be automatically changed.

  The destination of the call signal from the command exchange 18 is not the standby relay 30 but the main relay 24 that is operating normally as shown by the arrow B2.

  The operation operation from when a signal is transmitted to the repeater 24 until the terminal 42 is called is the same as that of the call path during normal operation shown in FIG. Further, the operation of calling the console 12 from the terminal 42 side is a call operation on a route opposite to the above-described route, and goes through the command switch 18 instead of the command switch 16.

  The monitoring unit 50 of the command switch 18 may continue to monitor the command switch 16 even when the command switch 18 is operating in place of the command switch 16 to establish a call. When the monitoring unit 50 detects the restoration of the command exchange 16, the command exchange 18 may stop operating and enter the standby state again.

  Next, an operation operation when a failure occurs in the repeater 24 in the command call system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the signal path between the console 12 and the command exchange 16 is the same as that of the call path during normal operation shown in FIG.

  At least one of the monitoring unit 50 of the command exchange and the monitoring unit 56 of the repeater 30 continuously monitors whether or not the main repeater 24 is operating normally. When these monitoring units detect that the repeater 24 is not operating normally, the monitoring unit 30 sets the repeater 30 instead of the repeater 24 as a signal path. Therefore, when a call signal is transmitted from the console 12 to the command switch 16, the command switch 16 performs necessary control processing, and then the processed signal is transmitted via the communication line 32 as indicated by an arrow C2. Send to.

  In accordance with the processing command signal received from the command exchange 16, the repeater 30 calls the system transmitter 40a as shown by an arrow C3 when a call is made to the transmitter of the system to which the terminal slave belongs, for example, the terminal 42a. Send a signal. The subsequent operation is the same as that during normal operation. Further, the operation of calling the console 12 from the terminal 42 side is the same as the operation in the normal operation shown in FIG. 3 except that the operation console 12 is routed through the relay device 30 instead of the relay device 24.

  The monitoring units 50 and 56 may continue to monitor the relay device 24 even when the relay device 30 is operating in place of the relay device 24 to establish a call. When these monitoring units 50 detect the recovery of the relay device 24, the relay device 30 may stop operating and enter the standby state again.

  Further, by combining the actions taken when a failure has occurred described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a failure has occurred in both the command exchange 16 and the repeater 24 in the command call system 10 as shown in FIG. Can also deal with cases. In this case, transmission / reception of signals between the command exchange 18 and the repeater 30 is performed via the communication line 34 as indicated by an arrow D2.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7, an operation in the case where the in-system simultaneous call for simultaneously calling the terminals 42 belonging to the specific system 40 in the command call system 10 will be described. Here, a description will be given assuming an example in which all the terminals 42g and 42h of the system 40c, all the terminals 42i and 42j of the system 40d, and some of the terminals 42a and 42c of the system 40a are called from the console 12a all at once. It is assumed that no failure has occurred in the command call system 10. In FIG. 7, some components that are less relevant to the description of this operation example are not shown.

  When an operator at a command center operates the console 12a to call all the terminals 42g and 42h of the system 40c, all the terminals 42k and 42l of the system 40e, and some of the terminals 42a and 42c of the system 40a at the same time, These terminal slave unit call signals are transmitted from the console 12a to the command exchange 16 as indicated by an arrow E1. If these terminal slave units are grouped and set in advance, the operator can easily operate the console 12a.

  The command exchange 16 recognizes a plurality of terminal slaves that are simultaneous call destinations, and transmits each call signal to the repeater 24 together with a processing command signal for the repeater 24 via the communication line 26 as indicated by an arrow E2. . At this time, the other command exchange 18 continuously monitors the main command exchange 16.

  The repeater 24 transmits a calling signal to the transmitters 40a, 40c and 40e as indicated by an arrow E3 in accordance with the processing command signal received from the command exchange 16. At this time, the other repeater 30 is closed.

  The transmitter 40c transmits a call signal to the terminals 42g and 42h because all the terminal slave units belonging to the system 40c are the target of the call. Similarly, the transmitter 40e also transmits a call signal to the terminals 42k and 42l since all the terminal slave units belonging to the system 40e are the target of the call. On the other hand, the transmitter 40a transmits a call signal only to the terminals 42a and 42c to be called. By such an operation, as shown by an arrow E4, simultaneous calling from the console 12 to all or a part of the terminals 42 belonging to an arbitrary system is realized. As is apparent from the above description and the drawings, the arbitrary system that can be called is not limited to one system, and may be a plurality of systems.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a description will be given of an operation in the case of performing each system simultaneous call that calls the specific terminals 42 defined for each system in the command call system 10 all at once. Here, from the console 12a, the terminal 42a belonging to the system 40a, the terminal 42h belonging to the system 40c, the terminal 42k belonging to the system 40e, and the terminal 42n belonging to the system 40f are grouped as terminal slaves installed in the large-scale station. It will be explained assuming an example of calling. It is assumed that no failure has occurred in the command call system 10. In FIG. 7, some components that are less relevant to the description of this operation example are not shown.

  When an operator at a command station operates the console 12a to call the terminals 42a, 42h, 42k, and 42n installed in the large-scale station as described above, these terminal elements are indicated by an arrow F1. A machine call signal is transmitted from the console 12a to the command exchange 16. If these terminal slave units are grouped and set in advance, the operator can easily operate the console 12a.

  The command exchange 16 recognizes a plurality of terminal slaves that are simultaneous call destinations, and transmits each call signal together with a processing command signal for the repeater 24 to the repeater 24 via the communication line 26 as indicated by an arrow F2. . At this time, the other command exchange 18 continuously monitors the main command exchange 16.

  The repeater 24 transmits a calling signal to the transmitters 40a, 40c, 40d, 40e, and 40f as indicated by the arrow F3 according to the processing command signal received from the command exchange 16. At this time, the other repeater 30 is closed.

  The transmitters 40a, 40c, 40e, and 40f transmit call signals to the terminals 42a, 42h, 42k, and 42n that are called by the devices, respectively. With such an operation, simultaneous calling from the console 12 to any of a plurality of terminals 42 regardless of the difference in system is realized.

  It is also possible to call a plurality of terminals 42 from the console 12 by combining the in-system simultaneous call shown in FIG. 7 and the respective system simultaneous call shown in FIG. If these simultaneous calls are arbitrarily combined, the types of combinations of terminals 42 that can be called at the same time are greatly expanded, and the employees of the service provider can respond to all the command operations.

  Next, another embodiment of the command telephone system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the description of another embodiment, components that are the same as those used in the previous embodiment are shown with the same reference numerals, and repeated description in the present specification. Omitted.

  The command telephone system 10 according to the present embodiment adopts a configuration capable of cooperating with an external radio signal transmitter 68. Specifically, the communicator 16 and the command exchange 16 are provided with a wireless receiver 70, and the wireless receiver 70 receives a wireless signal 71 transmitted from an external wireless signal transmitter 68. Similarly, the repeater 24 is also provided with a wireless receiver 72 that receives a wireless signal 71 transmitted from an external wireless signal transmitter 68.

  The external wireless transmitter 68 is a communication device that is provided in, for example, an early earthquake warning system and transmits a wireless signal 71 that notifies a prediction result when the warning system predicts the arrival of severe shaking. Of course, the observation target is not limited to earthquakes, and other natural disasters and man-made disasters may be targeted as long as they can be predicted by observation.

  The command switch 16 is connected to the radio receiver 70, and a switching unit 74 that controls permission or denial of communication with other devices, particularly the other command switch 18, in accordance with the radio signal 71 received by the radio receiver 70. Have. The switching unit 74 is also connected to the control unit 46, and receives the control of the control unit 46 when executing the switching process.

  The switching unit 74 includes, for example, an input / output port provided at the connection port with the network communication line 22, and sends a permission signal that permits communication with the communication device 18 and the command exchange 18 or a disapproval signal that does not allow communication. A component that orders opening or closing of a port.

  When the wireless reception unit 70 receives the wireless signal 71 transmitted from the wireless transmitter 68, the switching unit 74 transmits a non-permission signal prohibiting communication between the command exchanges to the port. The port that has received the non-permission signal closes the communication path with the command exchange 18.

  When the port of the switching unit 74 closes the network communication line 22 serving as a communication path with the command switch 18, the command switch 18 cannot receive a signal such as a heartbeat from the command switch 16. Then, the monitoring unit 50 of the command exchange 18 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the command exchange 16. The control unit 46 of the command exchange 18 that has received the determination result operates the command exchange 18 from the standby state so that the overall control processing of the command telephone system 10 can be executed. In other words, the command switch 16 immediately puts itself into a pseudo-failure state when the wireless receiver 70 receives the wireless signal 71. With such a configuration, the command telephone communication path can be moved to the command switch 18 side in preparation for the possibility that the command switch 16 may actually become inoperable, and there is no possibility that the call is disabled even temporarily. .

  Similarly to the command exchange 16, the repeater 24 is also connected to the wireless reception unit 72, and a switching unit 78 that controls permission or rejection of communication with other devices according to the wireless signal 71 received by the wireless reception unit 72. Have The switching unit 78 includes, for example, a port provided at a connection port with another communication line, and sends a permission signal that permits communication with the connected device or a non-permission signal that does not permit communication to the port. It is a component that orders closure.

  When the wireless receiver 72 receives the wireless signal 71 transmitted from the wireless transmitter 68, the switching unit 78 transmits a non-permission signal prohibiting communication with other devices to each port. The port that has received the non-permission signal closes the communication path.

  When the port of the switching unit 78 closes the communication lines 28 and 36, the command exchange 18 and the relay unit 30 cannot receive signals such as heartbeats from the relay unit 24. The command switch 18 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the relay 24 and causes the relay 30 to be set in the signal path instead of the relay 24. The relay machine 30 also determines that an abnormality has occurred in the relay machine 24, and executes relay processing instead of the relay machine 24. In other words, the relay device 24 immediately sets itself to a pseudo-failure state when the wireless receiver 72 receives the wireless signal 71.

With such a configuration, the communication path of the command telephone can be moved to the relay 30 in preparation for the possibility of the relay 24 becoming inoperable, and there is no possibility that the call cannot be disabled even temporarily.

  As described above, when the wireless receivers 70 and 72 receive the wireless signal 71 transmitted from the wireless transmitter 68, the command exchange 16 and the relay 24 are changed to the pseudo-failure state, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. The command call is realized through such a communication path. The operation in this case is the same as the operation described in the previous embodiment except that the command exchange 16 and the relay 24 change their own devices to the pseudo-failure state. Needless to say, when only the radio receiver 70 of the command exchange 16 receives the radio signal 71 transmitted from the radio transmitter 68, the command call is realized through the communication path as shown in FIG. When only the radio reception unit 72 of the repeater receives the radio signal 71 transmitted from the radio transmitter 68, the command call is realized through the communication path as shown in FIG.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, specific methods for implementing the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments. As long as the present invention can be implemented, the design, operation procedure, and the like can be changed as appropriate. For example, a circuit or other equipment used for assisting the function of the components used in the present invention can be added and omitted as appropriate.

10 Communication system
12 Controller
16, 18 communication equipment
24, 30 repeater
40 Transmitter
42 terminals
46 Control unit
50, 54, 56 Monitor
60 Blocking processing command section
62 Memory
70, 72 Receiver
74, 78 selector

Claims (23)

An operating device that accepts input operations related to communication with any telephone terminal,
A first communication device that performs a control process for establishing and maintaining the communication based on an input operation received by the operation device;
A first communication device connected between the first communication device and the telephone terminal and performing a relay process for relaying the communication, and realizing the communication, the system further comprising:
When the first communicator is performing the control process, it waits without performing the control process, and when the first communicator stops the control process, the control process is performed on behalf of the first communicator. A second communication device;
When the first repeater is performing the relay process, it waits without performing the relay process, and when the first repeater stops the relay process, performs the relay process on behalf of the first repeater A communication system comprising a second repeater.   2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second communication device includes a first monitoring unit that monitors an operating state of the first communication device, and the second communication device including the first monitoring unit is the first communication device. When the communication device detects that the communication processing is not performed, the communication processing is performed instead of the first communication device.   3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the first monitoring unit further monitors the operating state of the first repeater, and the second communication device having the first monitoring unit is configured so that the first repeater performs the relay process. If it is detected that the relaying is not performed, a communication system is characterized in that a second relaying device performs the relaying process instead of the first relaying device.   The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second relay unit includes a second monitoring unit that monitors an operating state of the first relay unit, and includes a second monitoring unit. A communication system, wherein when a relay station detects that the first relay station is not performing the relay processing, the relay station performs the relay processing instead of the first relay station.   5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the operating device includes a third monitoring unit that monitors an operating state of the first communication device, and the operating device including the third monitoring unit is the first. When the communication device detects that the communication device is not performing the control processing, the communication device switches the transmission destination of the communication signal generated by the input operation of the operation unit to the second communication device.   6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second communication device further provides the telephone terminal to the relay device that is not performing the relay processing among the first or second relay devices. And a block processing instruction unit for instructing to close a line connected to the communication system.   The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein all telephone terminals connected to the system are classified into one of a plurality of systems, and the plurality of systems are operated by operating the controller. A communication system configured to select at least one system and call all or a part of telephone terminals belonging to the selected system all at once.   The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein all telephone terminals connected to the system are classified into one of a plurality of systems, and are classified for each system by operating the operating device. A communication system characterized by being configured to call all specified telephone terminals all at once. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the first communication device and the first relay device is:
A receiver for receiving a radio signal transmitted from an external radio transmitter;
A switching unit that receives the wireless signal by the receiving unit and switches the operating state of the first communication device having the receiving unit and the first repeater itself to a pseudo-failure state that cannot be detected from the outside; A communication system characterized by the above. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the system is used in a railway telephone command system that realizes command communication related to railway operation,
The operating device is a command console that transmits commands related to railway operation,
A communication system, wherein one telephone terminal is provided for each station. An operation process for receiving an input operation related to communication with an arbitrary telephone terminal;
A communication step of providing a first communicator and performing a control process for establishing and maintaining the communication based on an input operation received by the operation step;
A communication method for realizing the communication including a first relay step of providing a first relay connected between the first communication device and the telephone terminal and performing a relay process for relaying the communication. The method further includes a second communicator, and when the first communicator performs the control process, the second communicator waits without performing the communication step, and the first communicator performs the control process. When the communication device stops the control process, the second communication device performs the communication step in place of the first communication device,
A second repeater is provided, and when the first repeater performs the relay process, the second repeater waits without performing the repeat process, and the first repeater performs the repeat process. When the communication is stopped, the communication method is characterized in that the second repeater performs the relay process in place of the first repeater.   12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising a first monitoring step of causing the second communication device to monitor the operating state of the first communication device, wherein the second monitoring step executes the first monitoring step. A communication method, wherein when a communication device detects that the first communication device is not performing the control processing, the communication device performs the control step in place of the first communication device.   13. The method according to claim 12, wherein in the first monitoring step, the operating state of the first repeater is further monitored, and in the second communication device that executes the monitoring step, the first repeater performs the relay process. A communication method characterized by causing a second repeater to perform the relay step in place of the first repeater when it is detected that the relay is not performed. A method according to any of claims 11 to 13,
The second repeater executes a second monitoring step for monitoring the operating state of the first repeater, and the second repeater that executes the second monitoring step is configured so that the first repeater performs the relay process. A communication method characterized by performing the relay process in place of the first repeater when it is detected that it has not been performed.   15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the operation step includes a third monitoring step of monitoring an operating state of a first communication device, and the first communication device is operated by the third monitoring step. A communication method characterized by switching a transmission destination of a communication signal generated by the operation step to a second communication device when it is detected that control processing is not performed.   16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the method further includes a step of connecting the telephone terminal with respect to one of the first and second repeaters that has not performed the relay processing. A communication method comprising: a block processing instruction step for closing a line connecting the two.   17. The method according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of telephone terminals communicable by the method are classified into any of a plurality of systems, and the operation step includes at least one of the plurality of systems. A communication method characterized by including an intra-system simultaneous calling step of selecting a system and simultaneously calling all or part of telephone terminals belonging to the selected system.   The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein a plurality of telephone terminals communicable by the method are classified into any of a plurality of systems, and the operation step includes a specific classification classified for each system. A communication method characterized by including a simultaneous calling process for each system for calling telephone terminals all at once. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the step executed by at least one of the first communication device and the first relay device comprises:
A receiving step of receiving a radio signal transmitted from an external radio transmitter;
A switching step of receiving the reception of the radio signal by the reception step and switching the operation state of the first communication device that executes the reception step and the first repeater itself to a pseudo failure state that cannot be detected from the outside. A communication method characterized by the above. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the method is used for a railway telephone command method for realizing command communication related to railway operation,
The operation process is realized by operating a command console that transmits a command related to railway operation,
A communication method, wherein one telephone terminal is provided for each station. Control processing for establishing and maintaining communication between the operating device and the telephone terminal in a communication system that performs communication between the operating device that accepts an input operation related to communication with an arbitrary telephone terminal and an arbitrary telephone terminal A control unit to execute;
In a communication device having a storage unit that stores a control processing program executed by the control unit, the control processing program is:
The operating device;
A first communication device that performs a control process for establishing and maintaining the communication based on an input operation received by the operation device;
A first relay that is connected between the first communication device and the telephone terminal and performs a relay process for relaying the communication;
When the first communicator is performing the control process, it waits without performing the control process, and when the first communicator stops the control process, the control process is performed on behalf of the first communicator. A second communication device;
When the first repeater is performing the relay process, it waits without performing the relay process, and when the first repeater stops the relay process, performs the relay process on behalf of the first repeater A communication device comprising: a program for causing the control unit to execute the standby and the control processing as a second communication device when the communication system is configured with a second relay device .   23. The communication device according to claim 21, wherein the communication device includes a monitoring unit that monitors an operation state of another communication device operating as the first communication device, and the communication device is configured to perform the control process. If it is detected that the communication is not performed, the communication processing is performed on behalf of another communication device.   23. The communication device according to claim 22, wherein the monitoring unit further monitors an operating state of the first repeater, and when the communication device detects that the first repeater is not performing the relay process, A communication device, wherein a second relay device performs the relay processing in place of one relay device.

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