JP2001023080A - Traffic signal control system and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a traffic signal control system resistant to disaster and the failure of a machine. SOLUTION: This traffic signal control system is provided with a traffic control center 100 for outputting a signal for controlling a signal device, a police station 102, and signal controllers 104a-104h connected with the signal device. Radio communication using an internet routing technique is operated among the signal controllers 104a-104h. Thus, when any failure is generated in one part of the transmission path, a signal from the traffic control center 100 can be easily transmitted to each signal controller in this traffic signal control system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a traffic signal control system and a traffic signal control device, and more particularly to a traffic signal control system and a traffic signal for performing communication using an Internet routing technology, a LAN (local area network), and a wireless LAN. It relates to a control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a central device for traffic signal control installed in a traffic control center and a signal controller which is a terminal connected to the central device by a dedicated line are used to control traffic signals for traffic control. Systems for performing control are known.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional traffic signal control system. Referring to the figure, the traffic signal control system includes a traffic control center 100 and signal controllers 701a to 701f. The traffic control center 100 and the signal controllers 701a to 701f are connected by a line.

[0004] Each signal controller 70 from the control center 100
By sending a control signal to 1a to 701f,
The signal controllers 701a to 701f control the lighting of the traffic lights near the point where the signal controllers are installed.

[0005]

However, in the conventional traffic signal control system, if a trouble occurs on one line due to a disaster or equipment failure, communication between the lines becomes impossible, and the traffic control center becomes inoperable. There has been a problem that a situation in which the traffic signal cannot be controlled from 100 may occur.

For example, in the prior art shown in FIG. 13, if a trouble occurs in the line between the traffic control center 100 and the signal controller 701d, the traffic control center 100 cannot control the signal controller 701d. .

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a traffic signal control system and a traffic signal control device that are resistant to disasters and equipment failures.

[0008]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a traffic signal control system for controlling traffic signals for traffic control, which uses Internet routing technology. Communication is performed.

According to the present invention, since communication using the Internet routing technology is performed, it is possible to provide a traffic signal control system that is resistant to disasters and equipment failures.

Preferably, the traffic signal control system includes a plurality of signal controllers, and the communication between the signal controllers is wireless.

By adopting wireless communication for communication between the signal controllers, it is possible to provide an inexpensive traffic signal control system with easy construction.

Preferably, the traffic signal control system is characterized in that radio waves modulated by a spread spectrum method are used for communication between the signal controllers.

When the spread spectrum system is used for communication as described above, it is possible to provide a traffic signal control system which is more reliable and has excellent information confidentiality.

Preferably, light is used for communication between the signal controllers. When light is used for communication in this way, it is possible to provide a traffic signal control system that is easy to construct.

[0015] Preferably, light and radio waves are used as communication media between the signal controllers. When light and radio waves are used for communication in this manner, a more reliable traffic signal control system can be provided.

Preferably, the signal controller is capable of communicating with another communication device.

As described above, if the signal controller can communicate with another communication device, a more useful traffic signal control system can be provided.

[0018] Preferably, communication for multiplexing real-time communication and packet communication is used for communication between the signal controllers.

By multiplexing real-time communication and packet communication in this manner, it is possible to provide a traffic signal control system capable of performing more efficient communication.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a traffic signal control device includes: a transmission device that communicates with another device;
The communication device includes a router that controls communication via the communication device, and a signal control unit that controls a signal in accordance with a result of communication by the communication device.

According to the present invention, since communication control via the communication device is performed by the router, it is possible to provide a traffic signal control device that is resistant to disasters and equipment failures.

[0022] Preferably, the traffic signal control device is capable of communicating with a mobile radio base station.

As described above, when communication is performed between mobile radio base stations in a communication device, a more convenient traffic signal control device can be provided.

[0024]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a traffic signal control system in one embodiment.

Referring to the figure, the traffic signal control system comprises:
A PHS base station 106 connected to the traffic control center 100, the police station 102, the signal controllers 104a to 104h, the signal controllers 104e, and the PHS base station 106; ) 108.

Communication is performed between the traffic control center 100 and the police station 102 by a WLL (subscriber wireless access system) or a wired line. Wireless communication by the spread spectrum method is performed between the police station 102 and the signal controllers 104a to 104h. As a result, communication excellent in confidentiality and resistant to noise is realized.

Further, wireless communication is performed between the PHS base station 106 and the PHS portable terminal 108.

For example, one signal controller is installed at one intersection, and a signal controller at the intersection is controlled by the signal controller. In addition, the signal controllers 104a to 104a
An IP address is assigned to each of the 104h, and communication using the Internet routing technology is performed between the police station 102 and the signal controllers 104a to 104h.

FIG. 2 shows the police station 102 and the signal controller 1
It is a figure for explaining the communication method between 04a-104h.

Referring to FIG. 2, the communication between police station 102 and signal controllers 104a to 104h may be performed by full-duplex (upper left in the figure) communication using channels f1 to f8. , The communication may be performed by the half-duplex (lower right in the figure) method using the channels f1 to f4.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one configuration of the signal controllers 104a to 104h.

Referring to the figure, a signal controller 104a includes a transmission device 200 for transmitting and receiving radio waves, a router 202 for determining a destination of a received signal, and a signal controller for controlling a signal at an intersection or the like. And a unit 204.

A plurality of directional antennas are connected to the transmission device 200, and each antenna communicates with another signal controller. The router 202 controls to which signal controller the information is transmitted based on the IP address of the transmitted signal.

Note that instead of providing the transmission device 200 with a plurality of directional antennas, a single omni-directional antenna may be provided. Alternatively, light communication may be performed using a light emitting diode or a photodiode.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the present embodiment. It is assumed that a control signal of the signal controller 104m has been sent from the traffic control center 100 to the signal controller 104i. At this time, the signal controllers 104i, 104j, 104k, 104
Assume that a signal is transmitted to the signal controller 104m via l. However, in the case where the line between the signal controller 104l and the signal controller 104m is interrupted due to an accident, in this embodiment, the information sent from the traffic control center 100 by the Internet routing technology is used for the signal control. Signal control device 104 via the devices 104i, 104j, 104k and 104n (detour route).
m. This makes it possible to configure a system that can easily transmit desired information to a predetermined location even if a disaster or equipment failure occurs.

In the above embodiment, wireless communication such as light or radio wave is used for communication between the signal controllers, but wired communication may be used instead.

Further, the signal controller is referred to as a "transmission device + router".
And a “signal control unit”.

[Modification 1] As shown in FIG. 5, a traffic control center 100 and a plurality of police stations 102a to 102a to
Communication may be performed with the communication device 2c. And
Each of the police stations 102a to 102c is connected to a signal controller, and controls the signal controller using the Internet routing technology.

In such a system, as shown in FIG.
When you want to control the 4z, usually the police station 1
Suppose a case where a signal is transmitted via the second 02b. At this time, even when the line between the traffic control center 100 and the police station 102b is disconnected due to an accident, communication is performed between the traffic control center 100 and the police station 102c to form a detour route. , Signal controller 1
04z can be transmitted. This makes it possible to provide a system that is more resistant to disasters and device failures.

[Modification 2] In the above-described embodiment, light or radio waves are used for communication between signal controllers. However, as shown in FIG. , And light may be used for communication in a certain section 303. For example, communication using radio waves has interference, and communication using light has disadvantages in that information may be difficult to reach due to obstacles. By adopting, such a defect can be covered.

[Modification 3] At least one configuration of the signal controller may be as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the present modification, PHS base station 400 is connected to router 202 of signal controller 104.
Is connected.

By adopting such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 9, each PH of the signal controller 104p is
Mobile stations 402a and 402b in the mobile communication cell of the S base station
Are present, the respective mobile stations 402a, 402
b, communication can be performed with the signal controllers 104p and 104q via the traffic signal control system. As a result, a more convenient system can be provided.

The signal controller may be connected to a device for providing information to drivers and pedestrians, a traffic flow monitoring / measuring device using an ITV camera or the like, A device (beacon) may be connected. [Modification 4] The configuration shown in FIG. 10 may be employed in a signal controller. In this signal controller, a PHS communication unit 500 is connected to a router 202. PHS communication section 500 performs communication with a mobile station. Thereby, similarly to the third modification, using the PHS communication unit 500,
Communication with the mobile station becomes possible.

[Modification 5] In communication between signal controllers, packet communication and real-time communication may be multiplexed as shown in FIG. In packet communication, there is an advantage that a large amount of data can be transmitted although there is a time delay. In real-time communication, there is an advantage that a small amount of data can be transmitted in real time. Thus, by selecting whether to use packet communication or real-time communication in accordance with the characteristics of data, it is possible to construct a system capable of performing more efficient communication.

[Modification 6] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a signal controller in Modification 6.

Referring to FIG. 12, a signal controller includes a communication control unit 600 for controlling communication, an encoder / decoder 602 for encoding and decoding data,
A switching unit 604 for switching between communication using light or communication using radio waves, a modulation / demodulation unit 606 for modulating / demodulating data to be transmitted, an amplifying unit 608, an antenna 610 for performing communication using radio waves, It includes a modulation / demodulation unit 612 for modulating / demodulating a signal for performing communication using light, an amplifying unit 614, a light transmitting / receiving unit 616 including a light emitting diode or a photodiode, a router, and a signal control unit.

In this embodiment, communication is performed using two types of communication media: radio waves and light. For example,
The communication error rate is monitored, and the switching unit 60 switches to the one with better communication quality.
By switching the communication in 4, it is possible to provide a more reliable signal control system.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a traffic signal control system according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining communication using radio waves between signal controllers.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one configuration of a signal controller.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an effect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a first modification;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an effect of the first modification.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a second modification.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a signal controller according to a third modification.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an effect of the third modification.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a signal controller according to a fourth modification.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a traffic signal control system according to a fifth modification.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a signal controller according to a sixth modification.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a traffic signal control system according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 traffic control center, 102 police station, 104a
~ 104h Signal controller, 106 PHS base station, 10
8 PHS portable terminal, 200 transmission device, 202 router, 204 signal control unit, 400 PHS base station, 50
0 PHS communication unit, 600 control unit, 604 switching unit,
610 Antenna, 616 Transmitting / receiving unit.

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 5H180 BB04 BB05 CC12 JJ02 5K033 AA06 BA06 CB01 CB14 CC01 DA06 DA17 DB09 DB18 5K067 AA26 AA41 BB21 CC08 CC10 EE35 EE37 5K072 AA18 AA25 BB02 BB17 CC40 GG40 CC20

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A traffic signal control system for controlling a traffic signal for traffic control, wherein the traffic signal control system performs network communication using Internet routing technology. 2. The traffic signal control system according to claim 1, wherein the traffic signal control system includes a plurality of signal controllers, and communication between the signal controllers is wireless. 3. The traffic signal control system according to claim 2, wherein a spread spectrum system is used for communication between said signal controllers. 4. The traffic signal control system according to claim 2, wherein light is used for communication between said signal controllers. 5. The traffic signal control system according to claim 2, wherein light and radio waves are used for communication between said signal controllers. 6. The traffic signal control system according to claim 2, wherein the signal controller can perform communication with another communication device. 7. The traffic signal control system according to claim 2, wherein the communication between the signal controllers performs multiplexing of real-time communication and packet communication. 8. A transmission device for communicating with another device, a router for controlling communication via the communication device, and a signal control for controlling a signal according to a result of communication by the communication device. Traffic signal control device comprising: 9. The traffic signal control device according to claim 8, wherein said traffic signal control device can perform communication with a mobile radio base station.