JP2022087207A - Traffic light control device, and traffic light - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a traffic light control device which can appropriately switch display states of a signal display unit even when a control signal for switching the display states of the signal display unit cannot be received.

SOLUTION: A traffic light control device controls a traffic light, and comprises: an imaging unit which images an image near an intersection; a sound pickup unit which picks up sound near the intersection; a detection unit which detects a situation near the intersection on the basis of information from the imaging unit and the sound pickup unit; and a display control unit which switches display states of a signal display unit attached to the traffic light. The detection unit discriminates an emergency vehicle on the basis of the information of an alarm lamp of the emergency vehicle imaged by the imaging unit and the information of siren sound of the emergency vehicle picked up by the sound pickup unit, and causes the display control unit to switch the display states of the signal display unit so as to allow the emergency vehicle to preferentially proceed.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a traffic light control device and a traffic light.

Conventionally, a traffic light receives a control signal for switching the display state of the signal display unit from a higher-level control device, and switches the display state of the signal display unit based on the received control signal (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-97696

An aspect according to the present invention is a signal control device for controlling a signal, which includes an image pickup unit that captures an image near an intersection, a sound collection unit that collects sound near the intersection, and the image pickup unit and the sound collection unit. It has a detection unit that detects the situation near the intersection based on the information from the above, and a display control unit that switches the display state of the signal display unit attached to the signal device, and the detection unit is imaged by the image pickup unit. The emergency vehicle is discriminated based on the information of the warning light of the emergency vehicle and the information of the siren sound of the emergency vehicle picked up by the sound collecting unit, and the display for preferentially advancing the emergency vehicle. This is a signal control device that causes the control unit to switch the display state of the signal display unit.

An aspect according to the present invention is a signal control device that controls a signal, and includes an acquisition unit that wirelessly acquires information including time information indicating a time, and the time information included in the information acquired by the acquisition unit. Based on this, the display control unit is provided, which specifies a reference time as a reference and switches the display state of the signal display unit attached to the signal device based on the elapsed time from the specified reference time. The control unit is a signal device control device that adjusts the switching timing of the display state of the signal display unit based on the image captured by the image pickup unit.

Further, the aspect according to the present invention is a traffic light provided with the traffic light control device described above.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the signal system and the signal control device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a state transition diagram explaining the transition between the modes of a traffic light. It is explanatory drawing which shows the intersection (1st example) as an example. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the detected traffic volume. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the period of turning on and off of a signal lamp. It is an operation diagram which shows the operation of the traffic light in this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the intersection (second example) as an example.

It has been found that the traffic signal shown in Patent Document 1 described above has a problem that the display state of the signal display unit cannot be appropriately switched when the control signal cannot be received from the host control device, for example, in the event of a disaster. rice field.
Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, a traffic light control device, a traffic light, and a traffic light that can appropriately switch the display state of the signal display unit even when the control signal for switching the display state of the signal display unit cannot be received. , Offer the program.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a signal system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the signal system 1, the signal control device 100 included in each of the plurality of signal devices and the host control device 200 are connected to each other via the communication network 300. Hereinafter, the traffic light control device 100 will be referred to as a traffic light 100.

Here, it is assumed that the plurality of traffic lights 100 are installed on the road and each of them is identified by the identification information. The host control device 200 transmits a control signal for controlling each of the traffic lights 100 to the traffic light 100 via the communication network 300. As a result, the host control device 200 can control each of the plurality of traffic lights 100.

Each of the plurality of traffic lights 100 has a similar configuration. Therefore, here, the configuration of one traffic light 100 will be described. The traffic light 100 includes an image pickup unit 10, a control unit 20, a signal display unit 30, a power supply unit 40, and a sound collection unit 50. The image pickup unit 10 and the control unit 20 are connected via an I / F (interface) 70. The control unit 20 and the signal display unit 30 are connected via an I / F 71. The sound collecting unit 50 and the control unit 20 are connected via an I / F (interface) 72.

The signal display unit 30 includes a first light emitting unit 31, a second light emitting unit 32, and a third light emitting unit 33. The first light emitting unit 31 lights up in blue (or green), and indicates that "may proceed" (hereinafter, "progressable") at the time of lighting. The second light emitting unit 32 lights up in yellow, indicating that "stops at the stop position. However, if it does not stop at the stop position, it may proceed as it is" (hereinafter referred to as "stop"). The third light emitting unit 33 lights up in red, indicating that "it must not proceed" (hereinafter, "progress is not possible") when it is lit.

The image pickup unit 10 includes an image pickup device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, and outputs the captured image to the control unit 20 via the I / F 70. The image pickup unit 10 is attached to the traffic light 100. For example, the image pickup unit 10 is attached to the traffic light 100 so as to be at a position on the upper side, a lower part, a left side, or a right side of the signal display unit 30. Further, the image pickup unit 10 may be attached to the traffic light 100 together with the signal display unit 30.

As an example, the image pickup unit 10 captures an orientation of 360 degrees in the horizontal direction. In this case, the imaging unit 10 may combine a plurality of imaging devices to capture a 360-degree orientation. Further, the image pickup unit 10 may capture an orientation of 360 degrees by performing image processing on an image captured through a mirror surface member having a shape such as a triangular pyramid or a sphere.

The sound collecting unit 50 is a sound collecting device such as a microphone, and outputs the collected sound to the control unit 20 via the I / F (interface) 72. The sound collecting unit 50 may be, for example, a sound collecting device including a plurality of microphones and collecting sound so that the direction of a sound source can be specified. The sound collecting unit 50 is attached to the traffic light 100. For example, the sound collecting unit 50 is attached to the traffic light 100 so as to be at a position on the upper side, a lower part, a left side, or a right side of the signal display unit 30. Further, the sound collecting unit 50 may be attached to the traffic light 100 together with the signal display unit 30.

The power supply unit 40 supplies power to the image pickup unit 10, the control unit 20, the signal display unit 30, and the sound collection unit 50, which are each of the configurations included in the traffic light 100.

The power supply unit 40 includes a power supply unit 41, a power storage unit 42, and a power supply switching unit 43. Power is supplied to the power supply unit 41 from the outside of the traffic light 100 via the power supply line. Electric power (charge) is stored in the power storage unit 42, and the stored power is output. For example, the power storage unit 42 is charged by the power supply supplied to the power supply unit 41 while the power supply unit 41 is supplied with power from the outside. The power storage unit 42 is, for example, a secondary battery.

The power switching unit 43 supplies, for example, electric power selected from the power supply unit 41 and the power storage unit 42 to each configuration included in the traffic light 100. The power supply switching unit 43 detects the voltage or current of the power supply supplied to the power supply unit 41, and based on the detected voltage or current, the power supply unit that supplies power to each configuration included in the traffic light 100. The 41 is switched to either the power supply unit 41 or the power storage unit 42.

Here, the mode switching by the power supply switching unit 43 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. In the following description, the case where power is supplied from the power supply unit 41 to each configuration provided in the traffic light 100 by the power supply switching unit 43 is referred to as a "first mode", and the traffic light unit 100 from the power storage unit 42 is referred to as a "first mode". The case where power is supplied to each configuration provided in the above is referred to as a "second mode" and will be described.

First, the power switching unit 43 shifts the state to the first mode when the traffic light 100 is activated (in the case of the state "at the time of activation" in FIG. 2) and when the activation condition 1 is satisfied, and at the time of activation. When the condition 2 is satisfied, the state is changed to the second mode.

The start-up condition 1 may be, for example, a condition that the voltage or current of the power supply supplied to the power supply unit 41 is larger than a predetermined threshold value. Further, the start-up condition 2 may be a condition that, for example, the voltage or current of the power supply supplied to the power supply unit 41 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. That is, the start-up condition 1 may be a condition that power is supplied to the traffic light 100 from the outside, and the start-up condition 2 may be a condition that power is not supplied to the traffic light 100 from the outside. ..

After that, for example, when the power switching unit 43 supplies power from the power supply unit 41 to each configuration provided in the traffic light 100 (when the state is the first mode), the power supply supplied to the power supply unit 41. Voltage or current is detected. Then, when the detected voltage or current becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (when the condition 2 is satisfied), the power supply switching unit 43 switches the power supply to the power storage unit 42 (state is in the second mode). To transition to).

This condition 2 corresponds to, for example, a case where the power supply line for supplying power to the traffic light 100 is cut off or a power failure occurs in the facility for supplying power to the traffic light 100 in the event of a disaster or the like.

Further, when the power supply switching unit 43 supplies power from the power storage unit 42 to each configuration provided in the traffic light 100 (when the state is the second mode), the voltage of the power supply supplied to the power supply unit 41 or The current is being detected. Then, when the detected voltage or current becomes larger than a predetermined threshold value (when the condition 1 is satisfied), the power supply switching unit 43 switches the power supply to the power supply unit 41 (the state is first). Transition to mode).

This condition 1 corresponds to, for example, a case where a disconnected power line that supplies power to the traffic light 100 is connected due to a recovery process after a disaster, or a case where a power failure of a facility that supplies power to the traffic light 100 ends. do.

After that, the power switching unit 43 shifts the state between the first mode and the second mode. The power supply switching unit 43 controls information indicating that the state is changed from the first mode to the second mode and information indicating that the state is changed from the second mode to the first mode. Output to unit 20. Alternatively, the power switching unit 43 outputs information indicating that the current state is the first mode or the second mode to the control unit 20. From this information, the control unit 20 can determine whether the current mode is the first mode or the second mode.

Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the control unit 20 includes a detection unit 21, a display control unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The communication unit 23 receives a control signal for switching the display state of the signal display unit 30 from the host control device 200 via the communication network 300. This control signal is, for example, control information indicating that progress is possible, stop, or is not possible. That is, this control signal is control information indicating that the first light emitting unit 31, the second light emitting unit 32, or the third light emitting unit 33 is made to emit light.

In the first mode, the display control unit 22 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 via the I / F 71 based on the control signal received from the host control device 200 by the communication unit 23. For example, in the first mode, when the display control unit 22 receives control information indicating that the first light emitting unit 31 is to emit light from the host control device 200 via the communication unit 23, the display control unit 22 is a signal display unit. The first light emitting unit 31 included in the 30 is turned on, and the second light emitting unit 32 and the third light emitting unit 33 are turned off.

The detection unit 21 detects the traffic volume based on the image captured by the image pickup unit 10. In the second mode, the display control unit 22 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 based on the traffic volume detected by the detection unit 21.

For example, the detection unit 21 detects the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes based on the images of the plurality of lanes captured by the image pickup unit 10. At this time, as an example, the detection unit 21 detects one vehicle at a time and each lane by image processing or pattern matching technology for images of a plurality of lanes captured by the image pickup unit 10. Then, the detection unit 21 detects the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes by detecting the number of vehicles per unit time traveling in each lane.

The display control unit 22 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 based on the result of comparing the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes detected by the detection unit 21. At this time, the display control unit 22 is a vehicle in which a vehicle traveling in a lane with a large traffic volume travels in a lane with a small traffic volume based on the result of comparing the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes detected by the detection unit 21. The display state of the signal display unit 30 is switched so that the vehicle can proceed with priority in comparison with.

In this way, in the first mode, the control unit 20 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 attached to the traffic light 100 based on the control signal received from the host control device 200 by the communication unit 23. .. Further, in the second mode, the control unit 20 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 attached to the traffic light 100 based on the image captured by the image pickup unit 10.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, an example in which the display control unit 22 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 based on the traffic volume detected by the detection unit 21 in the second mode will be described. ..

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the case of two lanes, each of which is one-way, will be described. Lane A, which is one of the two lanes, is a one-way lane from right to left on the paper of FIG. Lane B, which is the other lane of the two lanes, is a one-way lane from top to bottom on the paper of FIG. Lane A and lane B intersect each other at intersection C.

Further, in FIG. 3, in the lane A, the traffic light 100-1 is installed in front of the intersection C. Further, in the lane B, a traffic light 100-2 is installed in front of the intersection C. The traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 have the same configuration as the traffic light 100 described above with reference to FIG.

Further, in FIG. 3, there is a stop line L1 in front of the traffic light 100-1 and a stop line L2 in front of the traffic light 100-2 with respect to the intersection C. Therefore, according to the signal display unit 30 of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2, the vehicle stops before the stop line L1 and the vehicle stops before the stop line L2 with respect to the intersection C. ..

Next, the traffic volume detected by the traffic light 100 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the signal display units 30 of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 are lit in blue (or green) indicating that progress is possible, and in red indicating that progress is not possible, respectively. A case where the third light emitting unit 33 is provided will be described.

Further, here, the control units 20 of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 turn off the first light emitting unit 31 and the third light emitting unit 33 with respect to the signal display unit 30 included in the own device, respectively. Will be described as being executed almost at the same time. On the contrary, the control unit 20 of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 lights the first light emitting unit 31 and the third light emitting unit with respect to the signal display unit 30 included in the own device, respectively. The turn-off of 33 will be described as being executed almost simultaneously.

As described above, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 each capture an orientation of 360 degrees in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 can each detect the traffic volume in the lane A and the lane B, respectively.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 alternately repeat the display states of progressable and non-progressable via the respective signal display units 30. Here, it is assumed that the respective periods in which the progressable state and the non-progressable state are displayed have the same time length.

For example, in the period T1, the traffic light 100-1 indicates "progressable" via the signal display unit 30 of the own device, and the traffic light 100-2 indicates "progress not possible" via the signal display unit 30 of the own device. .. Next, in the period T2, the traffic light 100-1 indicates "progress is not possible" via the signal display unit 30 of the own device, and the traffic light 100-2 indicates "progress is possible" via the signal display unit 30 of the own device. show. Hereinafter, the same operation as the period T3, the period T4, ... Is repeated for the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2. Then, it is assumed that the period T1, the period T2, the period T4 ... Have the same time length.

Here, the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100-1 detects the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes based on the images of the plurality of lanes captured by the image pickup unit 10 of the traffic light 100-1. Further, the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100-2 detects the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes based on the images of the plurality of lanes captured by the image pickup unit 10 of the traffic light 100-2.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100-1 and the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100-2 have five vehicles passing through lane A and zero vehicles passing through lane B during the period T1. Detects that each vehicle has passed. Further, the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100-1 and the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100-2 indicate that 0 vehicles passed through the lane A and 1 vehicle passed through the lane B during the period T2. Detect each. Similarly, the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100-1 and the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100-2 detect the traffic volume of each of the lane A and the lane B even in the period T3, the period T4, and so on.

Next, the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-1 compares the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes detected by the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100-1, and in this case, the traffic in the lane A is more than the traffic in the lane B. Judge that the amount is large. For example, the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-1 compares the traffic volume of each lane based on the total or average of the vehicles traveling in each lane during a predetermined period such as the period T1 to the period T4. You may.

Then, based on this result, the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-1 enables the vehicle traveling in the lane with a large amount of traffic to proceed preferentially to the vehicle traveling in the lane with a small amount of traffic. As shown above, the display state of the signal display unit 30 is switched. That is, in this case, since the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-1 has more traffic in the lane A than in the lane B, the lane A can proceed with priority over the lane B. The display state of the signal display unit 30 is switched.

On the other hand, the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-2 compares the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes detected by the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100-2, and similarly to the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-1. In this case, it is determined that lane A has more traffic than lane B. Then, based on this result, the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-2 enables the vehicle traveling in the lane with a large amount of traffic to proceed preferentially to the vehicle traveling in the lane with a small amount of traffic. As shown above, the display state of the signal display unit 30 is switched. That is, in this case, since the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-2 has more traffic in the lane A than in the lane B, the lane A is in the lane like the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-1. The display state of the signal display unit 30 is switched so that the progress can be performed with priority over B.

Here, the physical quantity of the traffic volume in a plurality of lanes has the same value as long as the measurement period is the same, even if the measurement subject is different, such as the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2. Therefore, the values of the traffic volume in the plurality of lanes detected by the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100-1 and the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100-2 are the same value. Therefore, in the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-1 and the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-2, the lane A has priority over the lane B based on the detected traffic volume for each of the plurality of lanes. The display state of the signal display unit 30 can be switched so that the vehicle can proceed. In this way, the detected lane is detected even when the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 operate independently of each other and even when the control signal is not received from the host control device. The display state of the signal display unit 30 can be appropriately switched based on the traffic volume for each traffic volume.

As an example, the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-1 and the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-2 are signaled so that the lane A can proceed in preference to the lane B, respectively. When switching the display state of the display unit 30, the following is performed.

For example, the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 has a ratio or difference of the traffic volume for each lane based on the traffic volume for each of a plurality of lanes detected by the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100. The larger the value, the longer the display state of the signal display unit 30 is switched so that the lane with a large amount of traffic can travel for a longer period than the lane with a small amount of traffic.

On the contrary, the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 is a ratio of the traffic volume for each lane or a ratio of the traffic volume for each lane based on the traffic volume for each of a plurality of lanes detected by the detection unit 21 of the traffic light 100. The larger the difference, the longer the display state of the signal display unit 30 is switched so that the lane with less traffic volume has a longer period during which the vehicle cannot proceed than the lane with heavy traffic volume.

In the case of FIG. 4 described above, the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 changes the period of the display state by the signal display unit 30 as shown in FIG. 5 as an example. For example, each display control unit 22 indicates a period during which the signal display unit 30 (lane A) of the traffic light 100-1 indicates that the signal display unit 30 (lane A) can proceed and the signal display unit 30 (lane B) of the traffic light 100-2 indicates that the vehicle cannot proceed. The time lengths of T11 and the period T13 are changed to be longer than the time lengths of the period T1 to the period T4 shown in FIG.

On the contrary, each display control unit 22 indicates that the signal display unit 30 (lane A) of the traffic light 100-1 cannot proceed, and that the signal display unit 30 (lane B) of the traffic light 100-2 can proceed. The time length between the period T12 and the period 14 is changed to be shorter than the time length in the case of the period T1 to the period T4 shown in FIG. After that, until the traffic volume changes, each display control unit 22 repeats switching the display state of each signal display unit 30 in the same manner as in the case of the period T11 to the period T14.

In this way, in the display control unit 22 of the traffic light 100, the vehicle traveling in the lane with a large traffic volume travels in the lane with a small traffic volume based on the traffic volume for each of the plurality of lanes detected by the detection unit 21. The display state of the signal display unit 30 can be switched so that the vehicle can proceed with priority in comparison with the vehicle.

<Operation of traffic light 100 when transitioning to the second mode>
Next, the operation of the traffic light 100 in the second mode will be described with reference to FIG. The operation of the traffic light 100 in FIG. 6 is, for example, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the operation of the traffic light 100 when the mode is changed from the first mode to the second mode.

First, the image pickup unit 10 captures an image and outputs the captured image to the control unit 20 via the I / F 70 (step S10). Next, the detection unit 21 of the control unit 20 detects the traffic volume based on the image captured by the image pickup unit 10 (step S20). Next, the display control unit 22 of the control unit 20 compares the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes detected by the detection unit 21 (step S30).

Next, the display control unit 22 of the control unit 20 performs signal control by switching the display state of the signal display unit 30 based on the result of comparison in step S30 (step S40). For example, the display control unit 22 of the control unit 20 is based on the result of comparing the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes detected by the detection unit 21 in this step S40, and the vehicle traveling in the lane with a large traffic volume is in traffic. The display state of the signal display unit 30 is switched so that the vehicle can proceed with priority in comparison with a vehicle traveling in a lane with a small amount of traffic. In this step S40, the display control unit 22 of the control unit 20 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 via the I / F 71.
After that, the traffic light 100 repeats the process from step S10 until the mode transitions to the first mode.

In this way, in the second mode, the traffic light 100 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 attached to the traffic light 100 based on the image captured by the image pickup unit 10. Therefore, the traffic light 100 according to the present embodiment appropriately controls to switch the display state of the signal display unit 30 even when the signal display unit 100 cannot communicate with the host controller or even when the control signal cannot be received from the host controller. be able to.

As shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the control unit 20 included in each traffic light 100 displays each signal so that the display state of the traffic light 100-1 and the display state of the traffic light 100-2 are different. The display state of the unit 30 is switched.

By the way, in the case of FIG. 3, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 are signal display units of the respective traffic lights 100 so that the vehicle traveling in the lane A and the vehicle traveling in the lane B do not collide at the intersection C. 30 needs to be controlled by the control unit 20 of the self-traffic light 100. For example, the control unit 20 of each traffic light 100 displays a signal of the traffic light 100 so that the vehicle traveling in the lane A and the vehicle traveling in the lane B cannot proceed toward the intersection C at the same timing. It is necessary to control the unit 30 by the control unit 20 of the self-traffic light 100.

That is, it is not allowed that both the display state of the traffic light 100-1 and the display state of the traffic light 100-2 can proceed at the same timing. It is possible that both the display state of the traffic light 100-1 and the display state of the traffic light 100-2 cannot proceed.
Therefore, in the control unit 20 included in each traffic light 100, the display state of the traffic light 100-1 and the display state of the traffic light 100-2 are different from each other, and both of them are not in a display state in which they can proceed at the same timing. , The display state of each signal display unit 30 is switched.
As a result, the vehicle traveling in the lane A and the vehicle traveling in the lane B do not collide at the intersection C, and the vehicle traveling in the lane A and the vehicle traveling in the lane B alternately proceed in the intersection C. can do.

By the way, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, even if the devices for measuring the traffic volume are different, such as the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2, the physical quantity value of the traffic volume in a plurality of lanes is high. , It is necessary to make sure that each device measures the same value. For that purpose, it is necessary that the start time and the end time of the period T1 for measuring the number of vehicles are synchronized between the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2.

For this synchronization, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 may be able to detect each other's reference time by, for example, timekeeping by a radio clock or timekeeping using GPS (Global Positioning System). .. Then, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 measure the elapsed time from the detected reference time by the time measuring unit inside each of them. Then, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 determine the start time and the end time of the period T1 or the like for measuring the number of vehicles based on the elapsed time measured by the respective time measuring units. In this way, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 synchronize the start time and the end time of the period T1 for measuring the number of vehicles between the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2. You may do it.

As a result, even if the device for measuring the traffic volume is different between the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2, the physical quantity value of the traffic volume in a plurality of lanes is measured as the same value in each device. be able to. Therefore, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 can appropriately switch the display state of the signal display unit 30.

In the description of FIG. 4, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 are based on the result of comparing the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes when the period from the period T1 to the period T4 has elapsed. Then, the display state of the signal display unit 30 was switched. However, the timing for comparing the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes is not limited to this. For example, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 may compare the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes for each predetermined period.

This "predetermined period" may be any predetermined period. Further, this "predetermined period" is determined based on the period in which the control unit 20 of each traffic light 100 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30, as in the period T1 to the period T4 described above. May be good.

Further, the "predetermined period" may be each period from the period T1 to the period T4. For example, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 compare the number of traveling vehicles in the lane A and the number of stopped vehicles in the lane B in the period T1, respectively, and based on the comparison result, the signal display unit 30 The display state may be switched.

Further, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 have the number of vehicles traveling in the lane A and the lane B in each period T2, the period T3, the period T4, and so on, as in the case of the period T1, respectively. Compare with the number of stopped vehicles. Then, based on the results of comparison, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 proceed with priority given to the vehicle traveling in the lane with heavy traffic compared to the vehicle traveling in the lane with light traffic. The display state of the signal display unit 30 may be switched so as to be possible.

Further, the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-2 compare the traffic volume of each of the plurality of lanes when the total number of vehicles traveling in the plurality of lanes exceeds a predetermined number. You may.

Further, here, the number of vehicles traveling in a lane or the number of vehicles traveling in a unit time has been described as the traffic volume, but the traffic volume is not limited to this. For example, the detection unit 21 may detect the number of vehicles stopped in front of the intersection C as the traffic volume. In this case, the display control unit 22 can switch the display state of the signal display unit 30 so as to reduce the number of stopped vehicles according to the stopped vehicle.

<In the case of multiple lanes>
In the above description using FIG. 3, the case of two lanes, each of which is one-way, has been described, but the traffic light 100 according to the present embodiment is the case of such two lanes of one-way traffic. It is not limited and can accommodate any number of lanes that are not one-way.

Here, an example of a lane having an arbitrary number of lanes, which is not a one-way street, will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In the figure, the parts corresponding to the parts of FIGS. 1 or 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 7, lanes A1 and A2, which are opposite lanes, and lanes B1 and B2, which are opposite lanes, intersect at an intersection C. In lanes A1 and A2, and lanes B1 and B2, traffic lights 100-1 and 100-3, and traffic lights 100-2 and 100-4 are installed in front of the intersection C. There is. The traffic light 100-1, the traffic light 100-2, the traffic light 100-3, and the traffic light 100-4 have the same configuration as the traffic light 100 described with reference to FIG. 1 as in the case of FIG. ..

Further, in FIG. 7, there is a stop line L1 in front of the traffic light 100-1 and a stop line L3 in front of the traffic light 100-3 with respect to the intersection C. Further, with respect to the intersection C, there is a stop line L2 in front of the traffic light 100-2, and there is a stop line L4 in front of the traffic light 100-4. Therefore, according to the signal display unit 30 of the traffic light 100-1 to the traffic light 100-4, the vehicles in each lane stop at the intersection C from the stop line L1 to the front of the stop line L4.

By the way, also in the case of FIG. 7, as in the case of FIG. 3, the traffic light 100-1, the traffic light 100-2, the traffic light 100-3, and the traffic light 100-4 are vehicles traveling in the lane A1 or the lane A2. It is necessary to control the signal display unit 30 of each traffic light 100 by the control unit 20 of the own traffic light 100 so that the vehicle traveling in the lane B1 or the lane B2 does not collide at the intersection C.

For example, the control unit 20 of each traffic light 100 allows a vehicle traveling in the lane A1 or A2 and a vehicle traveling in the lane B1 or B2 to proceed toward the intersection C at the same timing. It is necessary to control the signal display unit 30 of the traffic light 100 by the control unit 20 of the own traffic light 100 so as not to be.

Therefore, as an example, the control unit 20 of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-3 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 to the same display state at the same timing, respectively. Further, the control unit 20 of the traffic light 100-2 and the traffic light 100-4 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 to the same display state at the same timing, respectively. Then, the control unit 20 included in each traffic light 100 displays each signal so that the display state of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-3 and the display state of the traffic light 100-2 and the traffic light 100-4 are different. The display state of the unit 30 is switched.

As described above, it is permissible that both the display state of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-3 and the display state of the traffic light 100-2 and the traffic light 100-4 can proceed at the same timing. Not done. This is because when both the display state of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-3 and the display state of the traffic light 100-2 and the traffic light 100-4 cannot proceed at the same timing, the vehicle traveling in different lanes becomes unable to proceed. This is because there is a possibility of collision at the intersection C. It is possible that both the display state of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-3 and the display state of the traffic light 100-2 and the traffic light 100-4 cannot proceed.

Therefore, in the control unit 20 included in each traffic light 100, the display state of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-3 and the display state of the traffic light 100-2 and the traffic light 100-4 are different, and both of them are different. The display state of each signal display unit 30 is switched so that the display state can be advanced at the same timing.

Therefore, also in this case, the control unit 20 of the traffic light 100-1 and the traffic light 100-3 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 as in the case of the lane A described with reference to FIG. And the traffic light 100-4, the control unit 20 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 as in the case of the lane B described with reference to FIG. Therefore, in the case of FIG. 7, as in the case of FIG. 4, the traffic lights 100-1 to 100-4 cannot receive the control signal from the higher control device even when the higher control device cannot communicate with the traffic light 100-1 to 100-4. Also, the control for switching the display state of the signal display unit can be appropriately controlled.

As shown by the reference numeral P in FIG. 7, there may be a vehicle traveling in the lane B2 by turning right at the intersection C from the lane A1. That is, there may be a vehicle that turns right at the intersection C.

Therefore, the display control unit 22 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 so as to give priority to the right turn (right turn signal). As a result, for example, it is possible to reduce the increase in the number of vehicles that cannot turn right because the vehicle traveling in lane A1 cannot turn right at the intersection C and stops near the stop line L1. Therefore, the display control unit 22 can reduce (alleviate) the congestion caused by turning right at the intersection C.

Further, the display control unit 22 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 so as to adjust the time of the right turn signal. This makes it easier for the vehicle to turn right at the intersection C. Then, it is possible to reduce the increase in the number of vehicles that cannot turn right by stopping near the stop line L1 without being able to turn right at the intersection C. Therefore, the display control unit 22 can reduce the traffic congestion caused by turning right at the intersection C.

In this way, when the display control unit 22 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 so as to give priority to the right turn or adjust the time of the right turn signal, the detection unit 21 is imaged. Detects a vehicle turning right based on the image.

For example, the detection unit 21 detects a vehicle that is stopped in the intersection C or in front of the intersection C and is close to the right end of the lane as a vehicle that makes a right turn, based on the captured image. Further, it is assumed that a turn signal indicating the direction when the vehicle changes course by blinking a light, and the direction indicator provided in the vehicle is imaged by the image pickup unit 10. In this case, even if the detection unit 21 detects a vehicle turning right by determining whether or not the vehicle turns right based on the image of the direction indicator included in the vehicle captured by the imaging unit 10. good. Further, the detection unit 21 may detect a vehicle turning right by arbitrarily combining such methods for detecting a vehicle turning right.

Then, as described above, when the detection unit 21 detects a vehicle turning right, the display control unit 22 gives priority to the right turn or adjusts the time of the right turn signal. The display state of 30 is switched.

When the display control unit 22 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 so as to give priority to a right turn (right turn signal), the display control unit 22 does not turn right or when there is no vehicle turning right at the intersection C. The display state of the signal display unit 30 is switched so that the vehicle turning right has priority over the vehicle and can proceed. The term "vehicle that does not turn right" as used herein means, for example, a vehicle that goes straight in the lane without changing course or a vehicle that turns left.

As an example, it is assumed that the signal display unit 30 is provided with a light emitting unit corresponding to a right turn. In this case, the display control unit 22 controls the display state of the light emitting unit corresponding to the right turn, and switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 so as to give priority to the vehicle turning right.

Further, when the display control unit 22 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 so as to adjust the time of the right turn signal, the display control unit 22 means that there is no vehicle that turns right at the intersection C or a vehicle that does not turn right. In contrast to the above, the time for switching the display state of the signal display unit 30 is adjusted so that the period during which the vehicle turning right can proceed is longer than that of the vehicle turning right.

As an example, it is assumed that the signal display unit 30 is provided with a light emitting unit corresponding to a right turn. In this case, the display control unit 22 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 so as to adjust the time of the right turn signal, for example, when the display control unit 22 does not have a vehicle to turn right at the intersection C or turns right. The display state of the light emitting unit corresponding to the right turn is controlled so that the display state of the signal display unit 30 is changed so that the period during which the vehicle turning right can turn right and proceed is longer than that of the vehicle that does not. It is to switch.

<Priority of emergency vehicles>
The detection unit 21 may detect the type of vehicle based on the captured image. For example, an emergency vehicle has a red warning light. Therefore, the detection unit 21 determines whether or not the vehicle has a red warning light based on the captured image, and if the vehicle has a red warning light, the detection unit 21 determines whether or not the vehicle has a red warning light. This vehicle type may be detected as an emergency vehicle. The emergency vehicle is, for example, a fire-fighting vehicle, an emergency vehicle, or a patrol car.

Also, the emergency vehicle may be in a predetermined color such as red or white. Therefore, the detection unit 21 may determine whether or not the type of vehicle is an emergency vehicle by combining the color of the vehicle with the determination criterion of whether or not the vehicle has a red warning light. For example, the detection unit 21 determines whether or not the color of the vehicle is red or white based on the captured image. Then, when the color of the vehicle is red or white and the vehicle has a red warning light, the detection unit 21 may detect this type of vehicle as an emergency vehicle.

Then, in the second mode, when the detected vehicle type is an emergency vehicle, the display control unit 22 can proceed with priority over the vehicle whose vehicle type is not an emergency vehicle. The display state of the signal display unit 30 may be switched so as to be. As a result, the emergency vehicle can preferentially travel in the lane over the vehicle whose vehicle type is not an emergency vehicle. As described above, it is preferable that the emergency vehicle can preferentially travel in the lane in the event of a disaster or the like.

Further, when the detection unit 21 detects the type of vehicle based on the captured image, the detection unit 21 detects the type of vehicle based on the captured image and the sound picked up by the sound collecting unit 50. May be good. For example, if the vehicle type is an emergency vehicle, this vehicle may be sounding a siren. Therefore, the detection unit 21 determines whether or not the sound collected by the sound collecting unit 50 contains the sound of the siren, and the determination result is based on the determination result and the captured image described above. And may be combined to determine whether the vehicle type is an emergency vehicle.

When the sound collecting unit 50 is a sound collecting device that collects sound so that the direction of the sound source can be specified, the detecting unit 21 may detect the direction of the emergency vehicle equipped with the sound source sounding the siren. can. In this case, the detection unit 21 can detect the emergency vehicle more accurately based on the direction of the detected emergency vehicle and the direction of the emergency vehicle detected based on the image.

Since the emergency vehicle can be detected more accurately in this way, the display control unit 22 is more accurate in the signal display unit so that the emergency vehicle can preferentially proceed in the second mode. The display state of 30 can be switched. Since the display control unit 22 can more accurately know the direction of the emergency vehicle via the detection unit 21, the lane in which the emergency vehicle is going can be estimated more accurately. Therefore, in the second mode, the display control unit 22 can switch the display state of the signal display unit 30 so that the emergency vehicle can proceed with higher priority. In this way, the emergency vehicle can preferentially travel in the lane. As described above, it is preferable that the emergency vehicle can preferentially travel in the lane in the event of a disaster or the like.

<Countermeasures for the west sun and the morning sun>
By the way, in the signal display unit 30 described above with reference to FIG. 1, the light emitting unit corresponding to one signal may each include a plurality of light emitting elements. The light emitting unit corresponding to this one signal is the first light emitting unit 31, the second light emitting unit 32, or the third light emitting unit 33 described above. Further, the plurality of light emitting elements are, for example, a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). That is, the signal display unit 30 of the above-described traffic light 100 may have a light emitting method using an LED.

In this case, when the display control unit 22 of the control unit 20 turns on the light emitting unit of the signal display unit 30, some of the light emitting elements included in the light emitting unit emit light or turn off. While doing so, the plurality of light emitting elements are made to emit light so that the position of the light emitting or extinguished portion changes in the light emitting portion. That is, the display control unit 22 of the control unit 20 does not light the entire litable area of each color of the traffic light, but moves only a part of the lit area (or the extinguished area) to emit a plurality of light sources. Make the element emit light.

For example, when the west sun, the morning sun, or the like is inserted into the traffic light 100, the user who sees the traffic light 100 visually recognizes which of the plurality of light emitting units included in the signal display unit 30 is emitting light. It can be difficult. On the other hand, as described above, the display control unit 22 of the control unit 20 turns on the light emitting unit of the signal display unit 30, so that the lit light emitting unit is not simply lit. The part that is emitting light is moving. Therefore, even when the west sun or the morning sun is inserted into the traffic light 100, the user who sees the traffic light 100 can see which of the plurality of light emitting units provided in the signal display unit 30 is emitting light. Is easier to see.

Further, when the display control unit 22 of the control unit 20 lights the light emitting unit of the signal display unit 30, the light emitting element of the plurality of light emitting elements included in the light emitting unit is emitted or turned off while some of the light emitting elements emit light or are turned off. Moreover, a plurality of light emitting elements may be made to emit light so that the light emitting or extinguishing portion rotates, moves, expands, or contracts in the light emitting portion. By doing so, even when the west sun or the morning sun is inserted into the traffic light 100, the user who sees the traffic light 100 can further select any of the light emitting units among the plurality of light emitting units provided in the signal display unit 30. It will be easier to see if it is emitting light.

Further, when the light emitting unit of the signal display unit 30 is turned on, the display control unit 22 of the control unit 20 is a light emitting element included in the light emitting unit that is turned on, and changes the brightness of the light emitting element that is turned off. In this way, the light emitting unit may be made to emit light. For example, when the display control unit 22 of the control unit 20 turns on the light emitting unit of the signal display unit 30, the brightness of the light emitting element that is turned off while some light emitting elements emit or turn off as described above. May be changed in order from dark brightness to bright brightness, instead of simply turning off the light. Further, the display control unit 22 of the control unit 20 may change the light emitting element from dark brightness to bright brightness in order, and then change from bright brightness to dark brightness in order, and repeat the change in brightness. ..

As a result, even when the west sun or the morning sun is inserted into the traffic light 100, the user who sees the traffic light 100 further emits light from any of the light emitting units among the plurality of light emitting units provided in the signal display unit 30. It will be easier to see if it is.

In the above description, the traffic lights 100 are described as operating independently of each other, but the traffic lights 100 may communicate with each other. For example, each traffic light 100 may communicate via the communication network 300 described with reference to FIG. In the event of a disaster, communication via the communication network 300 may become impossible. Therefore, the traffic light 100 may communicate with each other via a communication network different from that of the communication network 300. The communication network in this case may be a wireless communication network.

In the case of FIG. 3, such a communication network only needs to be able to communicate with at least the traffic lights 100-1 and 100-2 related to the intersection C. Further, in the case of FIG. 7, it is sufficient that at least the traffic lights 100-1 to 100-4 related to the intersection C can communicate with each other.
Further, also in this case, as described with reference to FIG. 3 or FIG. 7, each traffic light 100 displays the display of each signal display unit 30 so that vehicles traveling in different lanes do not collide at the intersection C. Switch states. For example, the control unit 20 included in each traffic light 100 is set so that the display states of the traffic lights 100 corresponding to the lanes that are not opposite to each other are different and the display states are not such that the traffic lights can proceed at the same timing. The display state of the signal display unit 30 is switched.

As long as the traffic lights 100 related to the intersection can communicate with each other in this way, the information of the traffic volume detected by each other may be transmitted and received to each other. In this case, in each traffic light 100, the image pickup unit 10 may be attached to the traffic light 100 so as to image at least the lane whose traffic is controlled by the display state of the signal display unit 30. That is, the traffic light 100 detects the traffic volume only in the lane in which the own device controls the traffic. Then, the detected traffic volume is transmitted to another traffic light 100. In this way, all the traffic lights 100 related to the intersection may detect the traffic volume of all the lanes related to the intersection.

Even in this way, each traffic light 100 can detect the traffic volume for each lane based on the image captured by the image pickup unit 10 by each traffic light. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 3 or 7, the signal 100 can be used in the signal display unit even when it cannot communicate with the host control device or even when it cannot receive the control signal from the host control device. The control for switching the display state can be made appropriate.

Although the case where the traffic lights 100 related to the intersection communicate with each other has been described here, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, traffic lights 100 installed side by side in the same lane may communicate with each other. As a result, vehicles traveling in the same lane and passing through the traffic lights 100 installed side by side in order are lined up in order so that they can proceed without being disabled by any of the traffic lights 100. It is also possible for each of the installed traffic lights 100 to control the signal display unit 30 of its own device.

When the traffic lights 100 installed side by side communicate with each other, the wireless communication unit included in each traffic light 100 may perform relay transfer. As a result, the traffic lights 100 installed adjacent to each other can only communicate with each other, and the distant traffic lights 100 can also communicate with each other.

In the description of FIG. 2, the power supply switching unit 43 shifts the state between the first mode and the second mode based on the voltage or current of the power supply supplied to the power supply unit 41. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the power supply switching unit 43 may change the state between the first mode and the second mode based on the control signal for switching the mode. The control signal for switching this mode may be, for example, one received via wireless communication. Further, the control signal for switching this mode may be broadcast in the event of a disaster or the like. As a result, each of the traffic lights 100 can reliably switch modes in the event of a disaster without depending on the voltage or current of the power supply supplied to the power supply unit 41.

The traffic light 100 may be a temporary traffic light for construction work. In this case, the traffic light 100 may be operated by supplying power only from the power storage unit 42. Also in this case, the traffic light 100 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 attached to the traffic light 100 based on the image captured by the image pickup unit 10. Therefore, the user can only install the signal 100, which is a temporary signal for construction work, in the lane, and there is no communication between the upper control device 200 and the signal 100, and the user cannot receive the control signal from the upper control device 300. Even in this case, the control for switching the display state of the signal display unit 30 can be appropriately controlled. Therefore, the traffic light 100 can appropriately control the traffic. Therefore, such a traffic light 100 is suitable for construction work.

When the traffic light 100 is a temporary traffic light for construction work, the power supply unit 40 of the traffic light 100 may supply power to each configuration of the traffic light 100 only from the power storage unit 42. In this case, in the mode described with reference to FIG. 2, the power switching unit 43 may shift the state to the second mode after the power is turned on, and then continue to shift the state to the second mode. good.

For example, if the traffic light 100 is a temporary traffic light for construction work, power may not be supplied from the outside. As described above, the power supply unit 40 of the traffic light 100 supplies power to each configuration provided in the traffic light 100 only from the power storage unit 42, so that even when power is not supplied from the outside as described above. , The control unit 22 can switch the display state of the signal display unit 30.

In the above description, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display control unit 22 is based on the control signal received from the host control device 200 by the communication unit 23 in the first mode. The present invention has been described as switching the display state of the signal display unit 30 via the I / F 71. However, in the first mode, the method by which the display control unit 22 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 is not limited to this.

For example, the display control unit 22 may switch the display state of the signal display unit 30 based on the traffic volume detected by the detection unit 21 in the first mode. That is, in the first mode as well, the display control unit 22 may switch the display state of the signal display unit 30 based on the traffic volume detected by the detection unit 21 as in the case of the second mode. ..
Further, the display control unit 22 may switch the display state of the signal display unit 30 based on a predetermined timing determined in advance in the first mode.

In the above description, the case where the vehicle travels on the left side has been described, but the traffic light 100 according to the present embodiment can be applied to the case where the vehicle travels on the right side as well as the case where the vehicle travels on the left side. In the case of right-hand traffic, the right turn in the case of left-hand traffic described above is a left turn. The right turn in the case of left-hand traffic or the left turn in the case of right-hand traffic described above is to change the course so that the vehicle intersects the oncoming lane with respect to the lane in which the vehicle has been traveling so far. be.

Then, as described above, "the display control unit 22 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 so as to give priority to turning right" means that the control unit 20 (or the display control unit 22) takes an image. Based on the image captured by the unit 10, when the vehicle changes course so as to intersect the oncoming lane with respect to the lane in which the vehicle has been traveling so far, the vehicle to change the course is given priority. The display state of the signal display unit 30 is switched. "

Further, the above-described "display control unit 22 switches the display state of the signal display unit 30 so as to adjust the time of the right turn signal" means that the control unit 20 (or the display control unit 22) Based on the image captured by the image pickup unit 10, when the vehicle changes course so as to intersect the oncoming lane with respect to the lane in which the vehicle has been traveling so far, the vehicle changing the course can proceed. It is to switch the display state of the signal display unit 30 so as to adjust the time. "

By doing so, the traffic light 100 according to the present embodiment causes the vehicle to intersect the oncoming lane with respect to the lane in which the vehicle has been traveling so far, regardless of whether the traffic light is on the left side or the right side. When changing the course, it is possible to facilitate the change of course by making the vehicle intersect the oncoming lane with respect to the lane in which the vehicle has been traveling so far. As a result, the traffic light 100 according to the present embodiment changes its course so that the vehicle intersects the oncoming lane with respect to the lane in which the vehicle has been traveling so far, regardless of whether the traffic light is on the left side or the right side. It is possible to reduce (alleviate) the traffic congestion caused by the above.

When the traffic light 100 according to the present embodiment supports both left-hand traffic and right-hand traffic, the setting provided in the traffic light 100 when the power is turned on to the traffic light 100 or when the traffic light 100 is shipped. It may be possible to set which of the left-hand traffic and the right-hand traffic corresponds to the traffic light 100 via the unit. Then, the control unit 20 may determine which of the left-hand traffic and the right-hand traffic corresponds to, based on the setting.

Further, the traffic light 100 may determine whether the lane in which the own device controls traffic is left-hand traffic or right-hand traffic, based on the image captured by the image pickup unit 10. Then, based on the result of this determination, the traffic light 100 may set which of the left-hand traffic and the right-hand traffic corresponds to the own device via the setting unit of the own device. ..

In the above description, only the traffic light for the vehicle has been described as the traffic light 100, but the traffic light 100 is not limited to the vehicle, but may be a traffic light when a person crosses a road (or a roadway). It may be a traffic light for a train on a railroad.

It should be noted that each configuration of the detection unit 21, the display control unit 22, the communication unit 23, the power supply switching unit 43, and the like included in the signal control device 100 in FIG. 1 may be realized by dedicated hardware. Each of these configurations may be composed of a memory and a CPU (central processing unit), and the functions may be realized by loading and executing a program for realizing the functions of each configuration in the memory.

In addition, a program for realizing the functions of each configuration is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium is read into a computer system and executed to execute processing according to each configuration. You may. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

Further, the "computer system" includes the homepage providing environment (or display environment) if the WWW system is used.
Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. Further, a "computer-readable recording medium" is a communication line for transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and dynamically holds the program for a short period of time. In that case, it also includes those that hold the program for a certain period of time, such as the volatile memory inside the computer system that is the server or client. Further, the above program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions, and may be further realized for realizing the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.
As described above, according to the aspect of the present invention, even when the control signal for switching the display state of the signal display unit cannot be received, the display state of the signal display unit can be appropriately switched.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and the design and the like within a range not deviating from the gist of the present invention are also included.

10 ... Imaging unit, 20 ... Control unit, 21 ... Detection unit, 22 ... Display control unit, 30 ... Signal display unit, 31 ... First light emitting unit, 32 ... Second light emitting unit, 33 ... Third light emitting unit , 42 ... Power storage unit, 50 ... Sound collection unit

Claims (5)

It is a traffic light control device that controls traffic lights.
An imaging unit that captures an image near an intersection, a sound collecting unit that collects sound near the intersection, a detection unit that detects the situation near the intersection based on information from the imaging unit and the sound collecting unit, and the traffic light. It has a display control unit that switches the display state of the signal display unit attached to the
The detection unit determines the emergency vehicle based on the information of the warning light of the emergency vehicle captured by the imaging unit and the information of the siren sound of the emergency vehicle collected by the sound collecting unit, and the above-mentioned A traffic light control device that causes the display control unit to switch the display state of the signal display unit so that the emergency vehicle advances preferentially. It is a traffic light control device that controls traffic lights.
An image pickup unit that captures an image near an intersection,
An acquisition unit that wirelessly acquires information including time information indicating the time, and
The reference time is specified based on the time information included in the information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the signal display unit attached to the signal device is based on the elapsed time from the specified reference time. Display control unit that switches the display state of
Equipped with
The display control unit adjusts the switching timing of the display state of the signal display unit based on the image captured by the image pickup unit.
Traffic light control device. The traffic light control device is provided for each of a plurality of the traffic lights installed side by side in the same lane.
The detection unit detects the traffic volume based on the image captured by the image pickup unit by the traffic light.
Information indicating the traffic volume detected by the detection unit is transmitted to the other traffic lights.
The traffic light control device according to claim 1. The power supply unit to which power is supplied from the outside of the own device via the power supply line,
A storage unit that stores electric power and
A power supply switching unit that switches the power supply for supplying electric power to each configuration of the own device from the power supply unit and the power storage unit.
A detection unit that detects a vehicle that stops near an intersection based on an image captured by the image pickup unit, and a detection unit.
Further prepare
When the power supply switching unit selects the power storage unit, the display control unit specifies the reference time based on the time information included in the information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the specified reference time. The display state is switched based on the elapsed time from the time and the detection result by the detection unit.
The traffic light control device according to claim 2. The traffic light control device according to any one of claims 1 to 2.
traffic lights.

Images