Patents by Inventor Toshifumi NISHI

Toshifumi NISHI has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11548486
    Abstract: Upon detecting a current balise, an onboard system of a train calculates a speed curve based on measured traveling speed at a timing of the detection and sets a minimum required time period for traveling to each of a next balise and a balise subsequent to the next balise. Upon detecting the next balise, the onboard system compares a traveling time period from the timing of detecting the current balise to the timing of detecting the next balise with the set minimum required time period. The onboard system activates an emergency brake when the elapsed time period is shorter than the minimum required time period to stop the train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Mizuno, Shuji Nambu, Toshifumi Nishi, Tamotsu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11352036
    Abstract: A train activates an emergency brake when a Station Loop Coil (SLC) used for a stop-position determination function to determine whether the train has stopped at a stop target in a terminal becomes unable to be detected (non-detected state) before the train is determined to have stopped at a stop-position by the stop-position determination function after the SLC has been detected. Thus, the train can be prevented from colliding with a car stop disposed at an end of a track as a result of overrunning. In the terminal protection, an emergency brake or a service brake is activated also when a reception duration during which the SLC continues to be detected reaches a predetermined threshold time period, or when a traveling position of the train reaches a disposed position of the SLC but the SLC is not detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Noritoshi Fujiwara, Shuji Nambu, Toshifumi Nishi, Kenji Mizuno
  • Patent number: 10974745
    Abstract: An on-board system increases a forward margin distance and a backward margin distance to expand an train occupancy range, when it is determined that position correction communications with a balise fail to be performed when a train passes through an installation position of the balise, that is, when it is determined that a detection failure has occurred. The expanded train occupancy range is restored to the train occupancy range before being expanded, when it is determined that the position correction communications have been successfully performed with a next balise, that is, when detection has been successfully performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomonori Itagaki, Toshifumi Nishi, Kenji Mizuno, Tamotsu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10974747
    Abstract: Whether or not slip-or-skid of a wheel on any one of a plurality of axles of a train to which pulse generators (PGs) are provided has occurred is determined on the basis of speed pulses output from the PGs. When occurrence of slip-or-skid is detected, a train occupancy range is calculated with a front end portion of the train determined on the basis of a forward-side one of train positions obtained on the basis of the speed pulses output by the PGs, and with a rear end portion of the train determined on the basis of a backward-side one of the train positions. Whether or not any of the PGs is abnormal is determined on the basis of the speed pulses or a speed and acceleration/deceleration calculated from the speed pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Mizuno, Tamotsu Yokoyama, Tomonori Itagaki, Toshifumi Nishi
  • Patent number: 10967888
    Abstract: At an on-board control unit of an on-board apparatus, a coupling detecting unit detects coupling of a failure train with respect to the own train. Then, in the case where detection is performed by the coupling detecting unit, a train occupancy range calculating unit updates train length information using the number of vehicles of the failure train and uses the updated train length information to calculate train occupancy range information. Further, a traveling control unit controls traveling and stop of the own train as a series of coupled trains in the case where detection is performed by the coupling detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshifumi Nishi, Tamotsu Yokoyama, Tomonori Itagaki, Kenji Mizuno
  • Patent number: 10875558
    Abstract: When there is a train entering a building of a rail yard, a ground apparatus stores vehicle-formation-set IDs of respective vehicle-formation-sets of the train in the entering order by a FILO method. Additionally, when there is the train leaving the building, the vehicle-formation-set IDs are sequentially read by the FILO method, an inquiry addressed to the vehicle-formation-set IDs is transmitted in the order of the reading to obtain the train information from the on-board apparatus of each of the vehicle-formation-sets forming the train. When the on-board apparatus does not respond to the inquiry, and obtaining of the train information fails, the ground apparatus performs a predetermined alarm output control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Katayama, Toshifumi Nishi, Kenji Mizuno, Tomonori Itagaki, Kaoru Oshima, Tamotsu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10723374
    Abstract: A first ground apparatus performs polling communication with a train using a first train list. A second ground apparatus performs polling communication with a train using a second train list. Each ground apparatus respectively acquires train location information from the trains to be managed. The first ground apparatus notifies the second ground apparatus of a going-out notification of a boundary passing train that goes out from a first radio communication control region and comes in a second radio communication control region, and, in the case where the boundary passing train goes out from the first radio communication control region, deletes train identification information of the boundary passing train from the first train list. The second ground apparatus adds the train identification information of the boundary passing train to the second train list in the case where the going-out notification is input from the first ground apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomonori Itagaki, Toshifumi Nishi, Kenji Mizuno, Tamotsu Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10562551
    Abstract: In a ground apparatus system, polling communication where a ground apparatus serves as a primary station and a train serves as a secondary station is performed. A ground apparatus that is a ground apparatus of the ground apparatus system and is capable of communicating with a platform screen door control apparatus performs polling communication at a first communication frequency to obtain train location information from the train. When the train reaches an impending arrival range including a stop position at a station, the ground apparatus switches the communication frequency to a second communication frequency higher than the first communication frequency. The apparatus then transmits, to the train through polling communication, synchronized opening and closing control instruction information received from the platform screen door control apparatus, and transmits, to the platform screen door control apparatus, train state information obtained from the train through polling communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Mizuno, Tamotsu Yokoyama, Tomonori Itagaki, Toshifumi Nishi
  • Patent number: 10513278
    Abstract: A ground apparatus system performs polling communication in which ground apparatuses are set as primary stations and trains are set as secondary stations. The ground apparatus stores a train list of train IDs of trains to be managed. The ground apparatus acquires, train information including train location information from the train to determine a train location of each train included in the train list. The ground apparatus calculates a coming-in allowable range of each train to generate traveling control information, and transmits the traveling control information to the train. The ground apparatus updates the train list by adding a train ID of a train that comes in a radio communication control region of the ground apparatus and deleting a train ID of a train that goes out from the radio communication control region by performing handover control of the trains to be managed with an adjacent ground apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomonori Itagaki, Toshifumi Nishi, Kenji Mizuno, Tamotsu Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20190217828
    Abstract: Upon detecting a current balise, an onboard system of a train calculates a speed curve based on measured traveling speed at a timing of the detection and sets a minimum required time period for traveling to each of a next balise and a balise subsequent to the next balise. Upon detecting the next balise, the onboard system compares a traveling time period from the timing of detecting the current balise to the timing of detecting the next balise with the set minimum required time period. The onboard system activates an emergency brake when the elapsed time period is shorter than the minimum required time period to stop the train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Kenji MIZUNO, Shuji NAMBU, Toshifumi NISHI, Tamotsu YOKOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190217876
    Abstract: A train activates an emergency brake when a Station Loop Coil (SLC) used for a stop-position determination function to determine whether the train has stopped at a stop target in a terminal becomes unable to be detected (non-detected state) before the train is determined to have stopped at a stop-position by the stop-position determination function after the SLC has been detected. Thus, the train can be prevented from colliding with a car stop disposed at an end of a track as a result of overrunning. In the terminal protection, an emergency brake or a service brake is activated also when a reception duration during which the SLC continues to be detected reaches a. predetermined threshold time period, or when a traveling position of the train reaches a disposed position of the SLC but the SLC is not detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Noritoshi FUJIWARA, Shuji NAMBU, Toshifumi NISHI, Kenji MIZUNO
  • Publication number: 20190092357
    Abstract: In a ground apparatus system, polling communication where a ground apparatus serves as a primary station and a train serves as a secondary station is performed. A ground apparatus that is a ground apparatus of the ground apparatus system and is capable of communicating with a platform screen door control apparatus performs polling communication at a first communication frequency to obtain train location information from the train. When the train reaches an impending arrival range including a stop position at a station, the ground apparatus switches the communication frequency to a second communication frequency higher than the first communication frequency. The apparatus then transmits, to the train through polling communication, synchronized opening and closing control instruction information received from the platform screen door control apparatus, and transmits, to the platform screen door control apparatus, vehicle state information obtained from the train through polling communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Kenji MIZUNO, Tamotsu YOKOYAMA, Tomonori ITAGAKI, Toshifumi NISHI
  • Publication number: 20190077426
    Abstract: At an on-board control unit of an on-board apparatus, a coupling detecting unit detects coupling of a failure train with respect to the own train. Then, in the case where detection is performed by the coupling detecting unit, a train occupancy range calculating unit updates train length information using the number of vehicles of the failure train and uses the updated train length information to calculate train occupancy range information. Further, a traveling control unit controls traveling and stop of the own train as a series of coupled trains in the case where detection is performed by the coupling detecting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Toshifumi NISHI, Tamotsu YOKOYAMA, Tomonori ITAGAKI, Kenji MIZUNO
  • Publication number: 20190077432
    Abstract: A first ground apparatus performs polling communication with a train using a first train list. A second ground apparatus performs polling communication with a train using a second train list. Each ground apparatus respectively acquires train location information from the trains to be managed. The first ground apparatus notifies the second ground apparatus of a going-out notification of a boundary passing train that goes out from a first radio communication control region and comes in a second radio communication control region, and, in the case where the boundary passing train goes out from the first radio communication control region, deletes train identification information of the boundary passing train from the first train list. The second ground apparatus adds the train identification information of the boundary passing train to the second train list in the case where the going-out notification is input from the first ground apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Tomonori ITAGAKI, Toshifumi NISHI, Kenji MIZUNO, Tamotsu YOKOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190077430
    Abstract: When there is a train entering a building of a rail yard, a ground apparatus stores vehicle-formation-set IDs of respective vehicle-formation-sets of the train in the entering order by a FILO method. Additionally, when there is the train leaving the building, the vehicle-formation-set IDs are sequentially read by the FILO method, an inquiry addressed to the vehicle-formation-set IDs is transmitted in the order of the reading to obtain the train information from the on-board apparatus of each of the vehicle-formation-sets forming the train. When the on-board apparatus does not respond to the inquiry, and obtaining of the train information fails, the ground apparatus performs a predetermined alarm output control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Jun KATAYAMA, Toshifumi NISHI, Kenji MIZUNO, Tomonori ITAGAKI, Kaoru OSHIMA, Tamotsu YOKOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190077433
    Abstract: A ground apparatus system performs polling communication in which ground apparatuses are set as primary stations and trains are set as secondary stations. The ground apparatus stores a train list of train IDs of trains to be managed. The ground apparatus acquires, train information including train location information from the train to determine a train location of each train included in the train list. The ground apparatus calculates a coming-in allowable range of each train to generate traveling control information, and transmits the traveling control information to the train. The ground apparatus updates the train list by adding a train ID of a train that comes in a radio communication control region of the ground apparatus and deleting a train ID of a train that goes out from the radio communication control region by performing handover control of the trains to be managed with an adjacent ground apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Tomonori ITAGAKI, Toshifumi NISHI, Kenji MIZUNO, Tamotsu YOKOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190077431
    Abstract: Whether or not slip-or-skid of a wheel on any one of a plurality of axles of a train to which pulse generators (PGs) are provided has occurred is determined on the basis of speed pulses output from the PGs. When occurrence of slip-or-skid is detected, a train occupancy range is calculated with a front end portion of the train determined on the basis of a forward-side one of train positions obtained on the basis of the speed pulses output by the PGs, and with a rear end portion of the train determined on the basis of a backward-side one of the train positions. Whether or not any of the PGs is abnormal is determined on the basis of the speed pulses or a speed and acceleration/deceleration calculated from the speed pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Kenji MIZUNO, Tamotsu YOKOYAMA, Tomonori ITAGAKI, Toshifumi NISHI
  • Publication number: 20190077427
    Abstract: An on-board system increases a forward margin distance and a backward margin distance to expand an train occupancy range, when it is determined that position correction communications with a balise fail to be performed when a train passes through an installation position of the balise, that is, when it is determined that a detection failure has occurred. The expanded train occupancy range is restored to the train occupancy range before being expanded, when it is determined that the position correction communications have been successfully performed with a next balise, that is, when detection has been successfully performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Tomonori ITAGAKI, Toshifumi NISHI, Kenji MIZUNO, Tamotsu YOKOYAMA
  • Patent number: 9162689
    Abstract: An onboard system measures the train position by measuring the rotational speed of a tacho-generator, determines an estimated train occupancy range (in which the train may be present) using the train position, and transmits the estimated train occupancy range to a ground system. The onboard system corrects the train position based on the results of communication with a correction coil when the train has passed through the installation point of a correction coil. When the train position has been shifted backward as a result of correction that utilizes the correction coil, the onboard system determines and transmits the estimated train occupancy range based on the train position immediately before correction until the latest train position reaches the train position immediately before correction, and determines and transmits the estimated train occupancy range based on the latest train position after the latest train position has reached the train position immediately before correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomonori Itagaki, Fumio Hashimoto, Tamotsu Yokoyama, Toshifumi Nishi
  • Publication number: 20140117168
    Abstract: An onboard system measures the train position by measuring the rotational speed of a tacho-generator, determines an estimated train occupancy range (in which the train may be present) using the train position, and transmits the estimated train occupancy range to a ground system. The onboard system corrects the train position based on the results of communication with a correction coil when the train has passed through the installation point of a correction coil. When the train position has been shifted backward as a result of correction that utilizes the correction coil, the onboard system determines and transmits the estimated train occupancy range based on the train position immediately before correction until the latest train position reaches the train position immediately before correction, and determines and transmits the estimated train occupancy range based on the latest train position after the latest train position has reached the train position immediately before correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomonori ITAGAKI, Fumio HASHIMOTO, Tamotsu YOKOYAMA, Toshifumi NISHI