JP2006215917A - Visible light communication system between traffic signals - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a visible light communication system between traffic signals, capable of easily transmitting information from a traffic signal set at an intersection to a traffic signal set at a distant intersection. <P>SOLUTION: This visible light communication system between traffic signals performs, between traffic signals 10 provided at a plurality of intersections of roads in a specified area, transmission and receiving of information for the traffic of vehicles in the vicinity of intersections from an external traffic detector 21 as a visible light signal, whereby this information is reflected to appropriate lighting control of the mutual traffic signals. Various pieces of information transmitted from an external intelligence agency such as a traffic control center to a specified traffic signal 30 provided at a specified intersection can be successively transmitted from the specified traffic signal by a visible light signal to other traffic signals within the area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a visible light communication system applied to a traffic signal device having an indicator lamp made of a light emitting diode element installed at an intersection of a road or the like.

  In recent years, with the development of blue light-emitting diodes, traffic signals constructed using only light-emitting diodes as the light source of traffic signals have come to be adopted. Thus, by using the light emitting diode as the light emitting means, it becomes possible to modulate the signal, and the traffic signal not only displays traffic but also transmits various traffic information as a visible light modulation signal. Became possible.

As such a traffic signal device, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a modulation means that modulates an information signal collected from an external information transmission source through a communication network and outputs it as a modulated pulse signal, and based on the modulated pulse signal A modulated lighting signal output means for converting the lighting signal into a pulse signal having the same period as the modulated pulse signal and outputting it, and a display light is driven based on the output from the modulated lighting signal output means to emit a light modulated signal of visible light There is known one provided with a driving means. A light receiving means for receiving a light modulation signal emitted from the indicator lamp and converting it into an electrical signal; a demodulating means for demodulating an output signal from the light receiving means; and a display means for displaying the contents of the output from the demodulation means. By providing the light receiving device in the vehicle, it is possible to transmit the light modulation signal from the traffic light to the vehicle.
JP 2001-67585 A

  By the way, with regard to the above traffic signal, in the event of a natural disaster such as a traffic situation around an installed intersection, an accident occurrence situation, an earthquake or a flood, a visible light modulation signal that informs the occurrence of a disaster from the traffic signal Although the information is transmitted to the vehicle, the value of information transmission is not necessarily high enough because the vehicles that can be used are limited. For example, if information important to vehicles traveling on such roads can be communicated to traffic signals at other remote intersections and transmitted from the traffic signals to vehicles traveling around the intersection, it is convenient for vehicles traveling in the area. It is.

  The lighting time control according to the traffic volume of the traffic signal is performed based on information transmitted from the central traffic management center for each traffic signal through a communication line. However, there is a problem that the cost for connecting the traffic management center and each traffic signal via a communication line is very high, and the cost for creating and transmitting information for each traffic signal at the traffic management center is also high.

  The present invention is intended to solve such a problem, and it is possible to easily transmit information from a traffic signal installed at an intersection to a traffic signal installed at a remote intersection. An object of the present invention is to provide a visible light communication system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the structural feature of the present invention is that an indicator light of one traffic signal is located between adjacent intersections each having a traffic signal having an indicator light composed of a plurality of light emitting diode elements. Between the two traffic signals by causing the indicator lamp to display the traffic control lighting and transmitting a visible light signal representing various information and receiving the visible light signal by the receiver provided on the other traffic signal. The communication is about various information. Here, various types of information are related to road traffic such as traffic volume information, accident occurrence information, disaster information, as well as surrounding map information, commercial information (specialties, sightseeing spots, entertainment, etc.) Information is also included.

  In the present invention configured as described above, a visible light signal is transmitted by driving an indicator light of one traffic signal between adjacent intersections, and a visible light signal is received by a receiver provided in the other traffic signal. By doing so, it is possible to easily communicate between both traffic signals. Thereby, the traffic signal in each intersection can grasp | ascertain the traffic condition, accident occurrence condition, etc. in many intersections provided in the specific area. As a result, in the present invention, each traffic signal appropriately controls lighting using traffic information, thereby facilitating smooth travel of the vehicle and mitigating traffic congestion. In addition, according to the present invention, information obtained by communication between traffic signals can be transmitted from each traffic signal to vehicles around the intersection. As a result, it is easy for vehicles traveling in the area. It is convenient because you can know the traffic situation and accident occurrence situation at many intersections.

  Further, in the present invention, when the adjacent intersections cannot be seen linearly, a relay device is provided at an intermediate position between the intersections, and is provided at the adjacent intersection by a visible light signal or an infrared signal via the relay device. Communication between traffic signals can be performed. As described above, there may be a case where the intersections between the adjacent intersections cannot be seen linearly between a plurality of intersections in the specific area depending on the road arrangement state. On the other hand, between such intersections, a relay device is provided at an intermediate position between the traffic signals provided at both intersections by transmitting and receiving visible light signals or infrared signals via the relay device. It can be performed.

  Also, in the present invention, when the adjacent intersections cannot be seen linearly, by relaying the communication route by relaying the communication with the visible light signal between the traffic signals between the visible intersections, the adjacent intersections Can communicate with each other. In this way, even when adjacent intersections cannot be seen linearly, by relaying communication between traffic signals between intersections that can be seen and bypassing the communication route, traffic signals can be provided without providing a relay device on the way. Can communicate with each other. Therefore, it does not require the cost for installing the relay device, and is effective particularly when the installation of the relay device is difficult.

  Moreover, in this invention, the light emitting diode element which comprises an indicator lamp can be used as a light-receiving device of the traffic signal apparatus which receives a visible light signal. Thereby, since it is not necessary to provide a light receiving device other than the light emitting diode element in the traffic signal device, the configuration of the traffic signal device can be simplified and can be provided at low cost.

  Another feature of the present invention is a traffic signal communication system in which an information signal is transmitted from an external information transmission source to a plurality of traffic signals provided at a plurality of intersections. It has an indicator lamp composed of a diode element, and by driving the indicator lamp, it displays a traffic control lighting on the indicator lamp and transmits a visible light signal representing various information. From an external information source Various information signals are transmitted through a communication line to a specific traffic signal provided at a specific intersection of a plurality of intersections. For traffic signals other than the specific traffic signal, the information signals are sequentially adjacent to each other. It is to communicate with a traffic signal provided at the intersection of the vehicle by a visible light signal representing various information. Here, the external information source is private information that sends general information such as surrounding map information and commercial information in addition to public management organizations such as traffic management centers that control traffic signals in specific areas. Sources are also included.

  In this way, a plurality of traffic signals installed at intersections in a predetermined area can communicate information with each other by driving a display light and transmitting / receiving a visible light signal. When an information signal is transmitted from an external information source such as a traffic management center to a specific traffic signal provided at a specific intersection among these multiple intersections by a wired or wireless communication line such as a telephone line, a specific traffic signal is transmitted. A traffic signal transmits visible light signals representing various types of information to traffic signals provided at adjacent intersections sequentially from an indicator of the traffic signal. Thereby, various information from the external information transmission source is transmitted to other traffic signals by transmitting a visible light signal from the traffic signal. As a result, according to the present invention, there is no need to connect an external information source and a plurality of traffic communication devices one by one with a communication line as in the prior art, so the cost of installing the communication line is reduced, and all traffic signals in a specific area Traffic information etc. are provided at low cost. In addition, according to the present invention, various information transmitted by communication from a specific traffic signal to other traffic signals can be transmitted from each traffic signal to vehicles around the intersection. It is convenient for a traveling vehicle or the like because various information such as traffic information from an external information transmission source can be easily known.

  In the present invention, since it is possible to easily communicate between both traffic signals by using a visible light signal between adjacent intersections, information such as traffic conditions and accident occurrence conditions at a number of intersections provided in a specific area. The traffic signals can be transmitted to each traffic signal, and each traffic signal appropriately controls lighting using these traffic information, thereby facilitating smooth driving of the vehicle and alleviating traffic congestion. In addition, according to the present invention, information obtained by communication between traffic signals can be transmitted to vehicles around the intersection, etc., so that traffic conditions at many intersections can be easily obtained for vehicles traveling in the area. It is convenient because it can know.

  In addition, even if it is not possible to see linearly between adjacent intersections, it is possible to communicate by using a visible light signal etc. by installing a relay device, or by detouring the communication route during the traffic signal period between intersections that can be seen. Communication can be performed between the intersections. Furthermore, traffic signals can be simplified by using light emitting diode elements as a receiver for visible light signals. In addition, various traffic information from external information sources can be received by a specific traffic signal, and various information can be easily transmitted to other traffic signals using visible light signals. Since there is no need to connect the source and a plurality of traffic communication devices one by one with a communication line, the cost of installing the communication line is reduced, and various information is provided inexpensively to all traffic signals in a specific area.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a traffic signal used in a visible light communication system between traffic signals according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram of a visible light communication system between traffic signals according to the first embodiment. An application example is shown by an explanatory diagram. In this visible light communication system between traffic signals, information on the traffic volume of vehicles in the vicinity of intersections from traffic signal detectors 21 provided outside at traffic intersections 10 provided at a plurality of intersections of roads in a specific area. By transmitting and receiving as a visible light signal, this information is reflected in the appropriate lighting control of the traffic lights, and the traffic state of the vehicle in the area is also provided to the vehicle passing around the intersection by transmitting the visible light signal. is there. The traffic signal 10 includes a traffic signal body 11 provided at an intersection of a road, and a lighting drive control unit 15 that controls lighting of the traffic signal body 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the traffic signal main body 11 includes a blue display lamp 11 a, a yellow display lamp 11 b, a red display lamp 11 c, and a receiving device 13 including a light receiving element for receiving a visible light signal. . The blue indicator lamp 11a is composed of a blue light emitting diode, the yellow indicator lamp 11b is composed of a red light emitting diode and a blue light emitting diode, and the red indicator lamp 11c is composed of a red light emitting diode. The indicator lamps 11a to 11c are provided with driving units 12a to 12c for driving the light emitting diodes, respectively. Note that a laser diode may be used instead of the light emitting diode. The receiving device 13 includes a light receiving element 13a that converts a received optical signal into an electric signal, a capacitor 13b that removes a direct current component from the output of the light receiving element 13a, and an amplifier 13c that amplifies the output of the light receiving element 13a.

  The lighting drive control unit 15 includes a lighting signal generation device 16, a modulator 17, a signal synthesizer 18, and an adder 19, and a visible light signal from the reception device 13 and an external traffic volume detection device 21. From the information from the above, three kinds of lighting signals of blue, yellow and red for transmitting each of the indicator lamps 11a to 11c at a specified time interval or a blinking operation, and a transmission signal representing traffic information, etc. It is what happens. The lighting signal generator 16 is connected to the driving units 12a to 12c through the adder 19 by the blue signal line x, the yellow signal line y, and the red signal line z, and the traffic signal received from the traffic detector 21 A lighting signal is generated and output based on a received signal from the receiving device 13. The modulator 17 performs PCM modulation on the traffic signal received from the traffic detector 21 and generates a modulated signal. The signal synthesizer 18 synthesizes the received signal from the receiving device 13 and the modulated signal from the modulator 17 to generate a transmission signal having the same period. The adder 19 includes three AND circuits, and the input / output side of each AND circuit is connected to the blue signal line x, the yellow signal line y, and the red signal line z, and further the output from the modulator 17. The line is connected to the input side of each AND circuit, and adds the signal for transmission and the lighting signal.

  The visible light signal transmitted between the traffic signals 10 can be received by mounting the signal receiving device 25 on a vehicle traveling near the intersection. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the signal receiving device 25 receives the light pulse signals emitted from the indicator lamps 11 a to 11 c of the traffic signal main body 11 and passes through a filter 26 a that passes light of a specific color. A light receiving element 26 that converts an optical signal into an electrical signal, an amplifier 27 that amplifies the converted electrical signal by removing a direct current component with a capacitor 27a, a demodulator 28 that demodulates the amplified modulation signal, and a demodulated output. As long as it has a display device 29 for displaying video and audio.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, each of four traffic signals I-1 to I-4 and II- installed at four intersections I to IV adjacent to each other in a specific area where a visible light communication system between traffic signals is applied. The transmission / reception of visible light numbers between 1-4, III-1-4, and IV1-4 will be described. Signals are transmitted and received between traffic signal I-1 and traffic signal II-2 between intersection I and intersection II. For example, in the traffic signal I-1, a traffic volume signal indicating the traffic volume of vehicles in the directions of intersections I and II is output from the traffic volume detection device 21.

  In the modulator 17, the input traffic signal is PCM modulated to generate a modulated signal. Moreover, the receiver 13 receives the visible light signal regarding the traffic volume in another traffic signal apparatus, and outputs a received signal. The modulated signal and the received signal are combined in the signal combining unit 18 to generate a transmission signal for transmission to another traffic signal device II-2. On the other hand, the traffic volume signal from the traffic volume detection device 21 and the reception signal from the reception device 13 are input to the lighting signal generation device 16, thereby calculating the lighting times in the indicator lights 11a to 11c of the traffic signal I-1. In response to this, three lighting signals are output.

  The three lighting signals and the transmission signal are added by the three adders 19 and amplified by the driving units 12a to 12c, and the indicator lamps 11a to 11c are turned on or blinked at a specified time interval. 3 types of modulated lighting signals of blue, yellow and red having the same period as the transmission signal for generating the signal are generated. Thereby, each indicator lamp 11a-11c performs a lighting operation or a blinking operation at a predetermined time interval for traffic control, and transmits a visible light signal. This visible light signal is received at traffic lights II-1 and II-2 at intersection II. Similarly, a visible light signal is similarly transmitted from traffic signal II-2 to traffic signal 10 at the next intersection. The same signal transmission / reception is performed in the same manner between the intersection I and the intersection III, between the intersection II and the intersection IV, between the intersection III and the intersection IV, and sequentially between the intersections that follow.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the traffic signal 10 at each intersection can grasp traffic conditions, accident occurrence conditions, and the like at many intersections provided in a specific area. As a result, in the first embodiment, each traffic signal 10 appropriately performs lighting control using the traffic information, thereby facilitating smooth travel of the vehicle and mitigating traffic congestion. Further, according to the first embodiment, a vehicle traveling around each intersection can receive a visible light signal communicated between the traffic signals 10 by the signal receiving device 25 mounted on the vehicle. As a result, it is convenient for a vehicle or the like traveling in an area because it can easily know traffic conditions and accident occurrence conditions at a number of intersections.

  Next, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the intersections V and VI adjacent to each other are largely bent at the intermediate position M, and the intersections V and VI cannot be seen linearly, that is, directly visible light. A description will be given of a case where signal transmission / reception cannot be performed. In this case, a relay device 22 is provided at an intermediate position M between the two intersections V and VI, and a visible light signal is reflected by the relay device 22, thereby causing traffic signals V-1 and VI-2 provided at both intersections V and VI. Can communicate with each other. In addition, when communicating using the relay apparatus 22 between the intersections V and VI which cannot be seen linearly, it is also possible to use an infrared signal instead of a visible light signal. Thereby, an apparatus for transmission / reception of an infrared signal is required, but the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal can be increased, and the reliability of transmission is improved.

  Further, in the first embodiment, another correspondence when the adjacent intersections V and VI cannot be seen linearly will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, traffic signals V-3 and VII-2, 1 between intersections V and VII that can be seen, traffic signals VII-1 and VIII-2 between intersections VII and VIII, and intersections VIII and VI By relaying communication between traffic signals VIII-2 and VI-3, 2 to bypass the communication route, communication between adjacent intersections V, VI can be performed. In this way, even when adjacent intersections cannot be seen linearly, by relaying communication between traffic signals between intersections that can be seen and bypassing the communication route, traffic signals can be provided without providing a relay device on the way. Can communicate with each other. Therefore, it does not require the cost for installing the relay device, and is effective particularly when the installation of the relay device is difficult.

  Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. In the modification, as shown in FIG. 7, instead of the receiving device 13 including the light receiving element 13a, the capacitor 13b, and the amplifier 13c of the traffic signal device 10 as a receiving device that receives a visible light signal, an indicator lamp 11a is provided. The light emitting diodes constituting ˜11c are used as they are. For example, the visible light signal from the traffic signal 10 on the other side can be received by using the time when the yellow indicator lamp 11b having a short lighting time is turned off. As shown in FIG. 7, as the receiving device 24 of the traffic signal main body 11A, a signal selector 24a is provided on the connection line between the indicator lamp 11b and the capacitor 13b, and the output of the lighting signal generator 16 is connected to the signal selector 24a. did. Thereby, the signal selector 24a can be controlled to pass the electrical signal from the indicator lamp 11b only when the yellow signal is not output from the lighting signal generator 16. In this way, the visible light signal from the partner traffic signal 10 can be received using the indicator light 11b. As a result, it is not necessary to provide the traffic signal 10 with a receiving device other than the indicator light. The configuration can be simplified and provided at low cost.

  In addition, in the said Example 1 and a modification, the traffic signal from the external traffic volume detection apparatus 21 is received, and this is communicated between the traffic signal apparatuses 10 with a visible light signal. It is also possible to add public information or private general information signals to convert them into visible light signals and transmit them.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are block diagrams of the schematic configuration of a specific traffic signal 30 provided at a specific intersection and a traffic signal 10A provided at another intersection used in the visible light communication system between traffic signals according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 shows an application example of the visible light communication system between traffic signals according to the second embodiment. In this visible light communication system between traffic signals, only a specific traffic signal 30 provided at a specific intersection among the traffic signals provided at a plurality of intersections of roads in a specific area is connected to a central traffic management center 40 and a communication line. The traffic information transmitted through the communication line from the traffic management center 40 is sequentially transmitted from the specific traffic signal 30 to the other traffic signal 10A by a visible light signal.

  The specific traffic signal 30 includes a traffic signal body 31 provided at an intersection of a road, and a lighting drive control unit 33 that controls lighting of the traffic signal body 31. The traffic signal main body 31 has the same structure as that of the traffic signal main body 11 except that the receiving device 13 is not provided. The lighting drive control unit 33 includes a lighting signal generator 34 that generates a lighting signal for lighting the traffic signal body 31, a selector 35 that continuously takes in an information signal from an external information transmission source and outputs the information signal to the modulator 36. A modulator 36 that pulse-modulates and outputs a sequential information signal from the selector 35; a controller 37 that synchronizes the signals of the selector 35 and the modulator 36; and a lighting signal from the lighting signal generator 34 as a color code signal. And a code 38 output to the selector 35, and an adder 39 that pulses the lighting signal from the lighting signal generator 34 with the modulation signal from the modulator 36.

  The lighting signal generation device 34 has the same configuration as the lighting signal generation device 16 shown in the first embodiment, and is connected to each of the indicator lights 11a to 11c by the blue signal line x, the yellow signal line y, and the red signal line z. In addition, three kinds of lighting signals of blue, yellow and red are generated for causing each of the indicator lamps 11a to 11c to perform a lighting operation or a blinking operation at a predetermined time interval. The lighting signal generator 34 is connected to the traffic management center 40 via a communication line, and receives a traffic information signal from the traffic management center 40 to generate a lighting signal. The lighting signal generator 34 itself may be provided in the central traffic management center 40.

  The selector 35 arranges various information signals from an external information transmission source into sequential information signals based on commands from the controller 37 and outputs them. The information transmission source includes the traffic management center 40 and other information transmission agencies such as private advertising agencies. From the traffic management center 40, construction information, accident / disaster information, etc. are transmitted in addition to the traffic information, and commercial information (specialties, sightseeing spots, entertainment, etc.) is transmitted from the advertising agency. These information sources are input through a plurality of input terminals of the selector 35 through a wired or wireless communication line. In the selector 35, the plurality of information signals are formed in a series of formats arranged for each information and sandwiched between headers.

  The modulator 36 performs PCM modulation for performing pulse modulation after code conversion. Further, the controller 37 sends a control signal to the selector 35 and the modulator 36 to control the sequential arrangement of the information signals of the selector 35 and to synchronize to modulate the information signals. Controlled by commands from the center 40. The code 38 receives signals from the blue signal line x, yellow signal line y, and red signal line z, converts them into color code signals of the type of lighting signal, and outputs them to the selector 35.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the traffic signal 10 </ b> A does not receive a traffic signal from the traffic detection device 21 in the traffic signal 10 shown in the first embodiment, and therefore, a modulator 17 and a signal synthesis unit 18 are provided. There are no differences. Therefore, the lighting signal generator 16 also has a simple structure that only receives a reception signal from the receiver 13. The traffic signal 10A receives a visible light signal from the specific traffic signal 30 and generates a lighting signal for turning on its own indicator lights 11a to 11c in the lighting signal generator 16, and to another traffic signal 10A adjacent thereto. A visible light signal is transmitted.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment configured as described above will be described.
In the specific traffic signal 30, the color code from the traffic information signal from the traffic management center 40 and other external information signals i, ii, iii... The signals are sequentially fetched and output to the modulator 36, and the modulation operation of the modulator 36 is synchronized with the fetch operation of the selector 35. The transmission signal modulated by the modulator 36 is input to the adder 39. On the other hand, the lighting signal generator 34 generates three types of lighting signals of blue, yellow, and red for causing each of the indicator lamps 11a to 11c to perform a lighting operation at a predetermined time interval according to a command from the traffic management center 40. On the signal line where the lighting signal is generated, the adder 39 outputs a modulated lighting signal which is a pulse signal having the same cycle as the modulated signal. The driving units 12a to 12c drive the indicator lamps 11a to 11c based on the modulated lighting signal, so that a display for organizing the traffic of a vehicle or the like passing through the road, which is the original function of the traffic light body 11, is performed. Furthermore, a visible light signal is transmitted from the indicator lamps 11a to 11c based on the modulated lighting signal.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, each of the indicator lights 11a to 11c of the specific traffic signal 30 provided at a specific intersection S performs a lighting operation or a blinking operation at a specified time interval, and a visible light signal is transmitted. When transmitted, this visible light signal is received by traffic signal I-2 at the adjacent intersection I. Similar transmission / reception of signals is performed in the same manner between a specific intersection S and intersection II, between intersection I and intersection III, between intersection II and intersection III, and sequentially between subsequent intersections. .

  Thus, in Example 2, a wired or wireless communication line such as a telephone line from an external information transmission source such as the traffic management center 40 to a specific traffic signal 30 provided at a specific intersection among a plurality of intersections. When the information signal is transmitted, the specific traffic signal 30 transmits a visible light signal related to this information to the traffic signal 10A provided at the adjacent intersection sequentially from the indicator lights 11a to 11c. Thereby, various information from external information transmission sources, such as traffic management center 40, is transmitted to other traffic signal machine 10A with a visible light signal. As a result, according to the second embodiment, it is not necessary to connect the external information transmission source such as the traffic management center 40 and a plurality of traffic communication devices with a communication line one by one as in the prior art. Traffic information and the like are provided at low cost to all traffic signals in a specific area. Further, according to the second embodiment, various information transmitted from the specific traffic signal 30 to the other traffic signal 10A by the visible light signal is transmitted from the traffic signals 30, 10A to vehicles around the intersection, etc. In the vehicle, a visible light signal can be received by the mounted signal receiving device 25. As a result, it is convenient because various information such as traffic information from an external information transmission source can be easily known for vehicles traveling in the area.

  In the second embodiment, the method shown in the first embodiment can be applied to the case where the adjacent intersections cannot be seen linearly. In the second embodiment, the receiving device of the above modification can also be employed. In addition, what was shown in the said Example 1, 2 is an example, and can be implemented in various changes in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

  In the present invention, it is possible to easily communicate between traffic signals by using a visible light signal between adjacent intersections. Therefore, information such as traffic conditions and accident occurrence conditions at many intersections provided in a specific area It can be transmitted to traffic lights, and it is useful because each traffic traffic light can control smooth lighting by using these traffic information to facilitate smooth running of the vehicle and alleviate traffic congestion. . Further, according to the present invention, various information from an external information transmission source is received by a specific traffic signal, and various information can be easily transmitted to other traffic signals using a visible light signal. In addition, it is not necessary to connect external information sources and multiple traffic communicators with communication lines one by one, so the cost of installing communication lines can be reduced and various information can be provided inexpensively to all traffic signals in a specific area. is there.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the traffic signal used for the visible light communication system between the traffic signals which is Example 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of application of the visible light communication system between the traffic signals. It is a front view which shows roughly the display panel of the traffic signal main body of the traffic signal. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the signal receiver provided in a vehicle. It is explanatory drawing explaining the communication method between both intersections in case between adjacent intersections cannot be seen linearly. It is explanatory drawing explaining the other communication method between both intersections in case the adjacent intersections cannot be seen linearly. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the traffic signal which is a modification of Example 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the specific traffic signal used for the visible light communication system between the traffic signals which is Example 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the other traffic signal apparatus of Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the application example of the visible light communication system between the traffic signals based on Example 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,10A ... Traffic signal, 11 ... Traffic light main body, 11a ... Blue indicator lamp, 11b ... Yellow indicator lamp, 11c ... Red indicator lamp, 13 ... Receiver, 15 ... Lighting drive control part, 16 ... Lighting signal generator, 21 ... traffic volume detection device, 22 ... relay device, 24 ... reception device, 25 ... signal reception device, 30 ... specific traffic signal, 31 ... traffic light body, 33 ... lighting drive control unit, 34 ... lighting signal generator, 40 ... traffic Administration center.

Claims (8)

Between traffic lights having indicator lights composed of a large number of light-emitting diode elements, the traffic lights of one of the traffic lights are driven between the adjacent intersections, and the traffic lights are displayed on the indicator lights. A traffic signal device that transmits a visible light signal representing various types of information and receives the visible light signal by a receiving device provided in the other traffic signal unit, thereby communicating the various types of information between the traffic signal units. Visible light communication system between. When the adjacent intersections cannot be seen linearly, a relay device is provided at an intermediate position between the intersections, and traffic provided at the adjacent intersections by a visible light signal or an infrared signal through the relay device 2. The visible light communication system between traffic signals according to claim 1, wherein communication is performed between the traffic signals. When the adjacent intersections cannot be seen linearly, the communication between the adjacent intersections can be bypassed by relaying the communication route by relaying the communication by the visible light signal between the traffic signals between the visible intersections. The visible light communication system between traffic signals according to claim 1, wherein the communication is performed. The visible light between traffic signals according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a light emitting diode element constituting the indicator lamp is used as a receiving device of the traffic signal that receives the visible light signal. Communications system. A traffic signal communication system in which an information signal is transmitted from an external information source to a plurality of traffic signals provided at a plurality of intersections,
The traffic signal has indicator lights each composed of a large number of light emitting diode elements, and when the indicator lights are driven, traffic lights are displayed on the indicator lights for lighting and visible light signals representing various types of information are displayed. Is to send,
From the external information transmission source, various information signals are transmitted through a communication line to a specific traffic signal provided at a specific intersection among the plurality of intersections,
For traffic signals other than the specific traffic signal, communication is performed with visible light signals representing various information with respect to the traffic signal provided at the adjacent intersection sequentially from the indicator of the specific traffic signal. Visible light communication system between traffic signals. When the adjacent intersections cannot be seen linearly, a relay device is provided at an intermediate position between the intersections, and traffic provided at the adjacent intersections by a visible light signal or an infrared signal through the relay device 6. The visible light communication system between traffic signals according to claim 5, wherein communication between the signals is performed. When the adjacent intersections cannot be seen linearly, the communication between the adjacent intersections can be bypassed by relaying the communication route by relaying the communication by the visible light signal between the traffic signals between the visible intersections. The visible light communication system between traffic signals according to claim 5, wherein the communication is performed. The visible light between traffic signals according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a light emitting diode element that constitutes the indicator lamp is used as a receiving device of the traffic signal that receives the visible light signal. Communications system.

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