JP2001101575A - Portable traffic signal and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable traffic signal which can be controlled in such a way that the signal can be turned on accurately synchronously with a plurality of other portable traffic signals for a long period. SOLUTION: A standard long wave receiver 4 receives a standard long radio wave 2 and outputs standard time data. A time piece 5 automatically adjusts the time of the internal time data held by the time piece 5 based on the standard time data. A storing section 6 stores the time table of the turning-on pattern of the light sections 8 of a signal. A control section controls the turning-on of the light sections 8 based on the internal time data outputted from the clock 5 and the time table outputted from the storing section 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable traffic signal device and a control method therefor, and more particularly to a portable traffic signal device capable of accurately and synchronously controlling the lighting of a plurality of portable traffic signal devices over a long period of time. The present invention relates to a signal device and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When one-lane traffic is performed during construction,
A portable traffic signal device may be installed for traffic control of vehicles and accident prevention. This portable traffic signal device is generally installed at each end of a range where one-sided lane traffic is used, and a plurality of signal devices are used at the same time, and these signal devices are used for a long time with the construction period. Sometimes.

For this reason, it is necessary to control the lighting of a plurality of portable traffic signal devices in a synchronized manner over a long period of time.

As a conventional control method, a plurality of signal devices are divided into a master unit and a slave unit, and each of the signal units is connected by a cable. A control method for transmitting a control signal to the slave unit through the control unit to synchronize the lighting of the slave unit, a clock for outputting the time for each signal device, and a time table storing the lighting pattern of each signal lamp, and A control method or the like is used in which the time of a clock is adjusted, and a plurality of signal devices are turned on in synchronization with each other based on the time output from the clock and the time table.

However, in the former method described above,
Since the main unit and the child unit are connected by a cable, they can be synchronized and controlled accurately, but they must be installed so that the cable does not block the traffic of pedestrians and automobiles, and the signal device cable does not break. And it took time to install the signal device. Further, if the cable is disconnected, there is a disadvantage that the control of the signal devices cannot be performed.

On the other hand, in the latter control method, the time of the clock is shifted as the use period of the signal device elapses, so that the lighting of the plurality of signal devices is also shifted. For this reason, the time of the clock of each signal device must be periodically adjusted, which is troublesome.

In order to solve these problems, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
The “portable traffic signal device” as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 106496 is configured to receive a radio wave including time data transmitted from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite for each portable traffic signal device, and receive the received radio wave. And means for storing a time table of the lighting pattern of the signal lamp in advance, and lighting of the signal light based on the time data obtained by the means and the time table stored in the storage unit. Since the control is performed, when a plurality of the signaling devices are used at the same time, the lighting of the signaling lamps of the signaling devices can be accurately synchronized and controlled.

[0008]

However, the portable traffic signal device of the conventional control method using the means for receiving the GPS radio wave and acquiring the time data has a problem in that the radio wave reception condition deteriorates. In places where radio waves cannot be received,
Time data could not be obtained, leading to control failure. If this affected the lighting operation of the signal light, it was inconvenient for purposes such as traffic control and accident prevention. Further, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the receiving device for receiving the GPS radio wave is expensive.

In view of the above, the present invention controls a plurality of portable traffic signal devices so as to be accurately and synchronously turned on for a long period of time without falling into a control failure in any case, thereby enabling one-lane traffic. It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable traffic signal device capable of performing traffic control and accident prevention and reducing the manufacturing cost of a receiving device, and a control method thereof.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect of the present invention includes a signal light unit having at least red and blue signal lights, and the traffic light of the vehicle is controlled by turning on the signal lights. In portable traffic signal devices,
A signal light section having at least red and blue signal lights,
Standard radio wave receiving means for receiving a standard radio wave including time information, time information obtaining means for obtaining time information from the standard radio wave received by the standard radio wave receiving means, and time information obtained by the time information obtaining means. Lighting control means for controlling lighting of the signal light based on the control signal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a time measuring means for measuring a time and outputting the measured time as internal time information, and the time information acquired by the time information acquiring means. A time adjusting means for adjusting the time measured by the time measuring means, based on the internal time information adjusted by the time adjusting means and output from the time measuring means. The lighting control is performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a storage means for storing a plurality of lighting patterns of the signal lamp, and the lighting control means obtains the lighting information obtained by the time information obtaining means. A predetermined lighting pattern is selected from a plurality of lighting patterns stored in the storage unit based on time information, and lighting control of the signal light unit is performed based on the selected lighting pattern and the time information. And

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a portable traffic signal device, comprising a signal light unit having at least red and blue signal lights and controlling traffic of the vehicle by lighting the signal lights. Including standard radio waves,
Time information is acquired from the received standard radio wave, and lighting control of the signal light unit is performed based on the acquired time information.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the time is measured, the time to be measured is adjusted based on the time information, and the signal light unit is controlled based on the adjusted time. Lighting control is performed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a predetermined lighting pattern is selected from a plurality of lighting patterns set in advance based on the time information, and the selected lighting pattern and the time are selected. The lighting control of the signal light unit is performed based on the information.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a portable traffic signal device and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the configuration of a portable traffic signal device to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the portable traffic signal device.

In FIG. 1, a portable traffic signal device 3 comprises:
Long wave standard radio wave receiver 4, clock 5, storage unit 6, control unit 7
And a signal light section 8.

The long-wave standard radio wave receiving apparatus 4 includes a receiving antenna 4-1, a time code acquisition section 4-2, a standard time data generation section 4-3, and a standard time data output section 4-4. . The receiving antenna 4-1 receives the long-wave standard radio wave 2 transmitted from the long-wave standard radio wave transmitting antenna 1 for transmitting the long-wave standard radio wave 2 described later, and the time code acquisition section 4-2 obtains the time code included in the long-wave standard radio wave. Upon acquisition, the standard time data generation unit 4-3 generates standard time data from the time code, and outputs the standard time data to the standard time data output unit 4-3.
-4 to the clock 5.

The clock 5 has a standard time data receiving section 5-1,
It comprises an internal time data automatic adjustment unit 5-2, an internal time data holding unit 5-3, and an internal time data output unit 5-4. When the standard time data receiving unit 5-1 confirms that the standard time data has been received, the internal time data automatic adjustment unit 5-2 sends the internal time data currently held to the internal time data holding unit 5-3. The data is adjusted based on the time of the standard time data, and the adjusted internal time data is output from the internal time data output unit 5-4 to the control unit 7. When the standard time data receiving unit 5-1 confirms that the standard time data has not been received, the internal time data output unit 5-4 does not adjust the internal time data. And outputs the internal time data held as is.

The storage unit 6 includes a time table setting unit 6
1 and a time table memory 6-2. In the time table setting section 6-1, the administrator can set a time table of the lighting time and the lighting pattern of the signal lamp.
-2. The contents of the time table are output from the time table output unit 6-3. It should be noted that a plurality of different time tables can be stored in the time table memory 6-2.

The control unit 7 has an internal time data receiving unit 7-
1, a time table receiving section 7-2 and a control signal output section 7-3. The traffic light unit 8 includes at least a red traffic light 8-1 and a green traffic light 8-2 for traffic control. The internal time data receiving section 7-1 receives the internal time data output from the clock 5, and the time table receiving section 7-2 receives the time table output from the storage section 6, and then receives the internal time data and the time table. , The control signal output unit 7-3 outputs the red signal light 8-1 and the green signal light 8 of the signal light unit 8.
A control signal for turning on -2 is transmitted, and each signal lamp is turned on.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the long-wave standard radio wave received by the portable traffic signal device will be described.
2 and 3 are diagrams showing definitions of main time codes of the long wave standard radio wave, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a time code system (normal time) of the long wave standard radio wave.

The portable traffic signal device 3 receives a long-wave standard radio wave including time data in order to set time data inside the clock. This long-wave standard time signal is based on Japan Standard Time (J
ST) is a radio wave operated by the Communications Research Laboratory of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, in order to widely disclose ST) in Japan and overseas, and always transmits information on time as a time code with high accuracy.

As time codes relating to time and date,
There is time code information indicating hours, minutes, years, total days, and days of the week, and for these, BCD (binary decimal logic)
Sent in positive logic. The second signal indicating the second is transmitted so that the value of the rising edge of the pulse signal at 55% (the center between the values of 10% and 90%) is synchronized with one second of the standard time. Further, there are spare bits corresponding to daylight saving time and time code information indicating stop notice information of standard radio waves.

The time code system of the long-wave standard time signal includes two types of time code: a normal time code transmitted at a time other than 15 minutes and 45 minutes per hour, and a time code transmitted at 15 minutes and 45 minutes each hour. There are various types, and the time code is repeatedly transmitted at an interval of 60 seconds (bit), one bit per second, for one cycle.

Next, the means for setting the internal time data of the clock will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the means for setting the internal time data of the clock.

When the control of the portable traffic signal device 3 is started (step 41), in the long wave standard radio wave receiving device 4, the receiving antenna 4-1 is changed to the long wave standard radio wave transmitting antenna 1.
Receives the long wave standard radio wave 2 transmitted from the
2) The time code acquisition unit 4-2 acquires the time code included in the received long wave standard radio wave 2 (step 4).
3).

At this time, if the time code acquisition section 4-2 acquires the time code (YES in step 44),
The standard time data generation section 4-3 generates standard time data from the obtained time code (step 45), and outputs the generated standard time data from the standard time data output section 4-4 (step 46).

Further, in the clock 5, when the internal time data receiving section 5-1 receives the standard time data output from the long wave standard radio wave receiving device 4, the internal time data automatic adjusting section 5-2 sets the internal time data holding section. The internal time data held in 5-3 is automatically adjusted based on the standard time data (step 47), and the automatically adjusted internal time data is output from the internal time data output unit 5-4 (step 48). .

If it is determined in step 43 that the time code acquisition unit 4-2 cannot acquire the time code due to a poor reception of the long-wave standard radio wave or the like (step 44)
NO), the standard time data generation unit 4-3 cannot generate the standard time data, so that the standard time data output unit 4-4 does not output the standard time data.

Further, in the clock 5, since the internal time data receiving section 5-1 does not receive the standard time data, the internal time data automatic adjusting section 5-2 does not automatically adjust the internal time data, but outputs the internal time data output section. From 5-4, the internal time data held in the internal time data holding unit 5-3 is output as it is (step 48).

While the portable traffic signal device 3 is being controlled, after outputting the internal time data, the process returns to step 42 again to repeat a series of these flows.

Here, a setting example of a time table and control based on the time table will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a setting example of the time table, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a control state based on the time table.

In FIG. 6, the time table includes, from the top, a red signal light 26-1, a green signal light 26-2 of the portable traffic signal device 23-1, a red signal light 26-3 of the portable traffic signal device 23-2, The respective lighting states of the green signal lights 26-4 are shown, and the horizontal axis of the straight line indicates the time during which these signal lights are lit. For the time zone in which the red traffic light is on, the straight line is hatched on a straight line, and for the green traffic light, a grid is filled, and a blank portion where nothing is painted indicates that the traffic light is off.
Note that the control states of the portable traffic signal device at the time of (a) to (c) in FIG. 7 correspond to each of FIG. 7 (a) to (c).

In the state of FIG. 7A, the signal light of the portable traffic signal device 23-1 is lit in blue, and the signal light of the portable traffic signal device 23-2 is lit in red.
At this time, vehicles 24-1 to 24-3 passing through the lane
Travels, while vehicles 25-
1 is stopped.

In the state shown in FIG. 3B, the signal light of the portable traffic signal device 23-1 lights red, and the signal light of the portable traffic signal device 23-2 lights blue.
The vehicle 24-1 that passes through the lane stops, whereas the vehicles 25-1 through 25-4 that pass through the following lanes pass.

In the state shown in FIG. 3C, the signal light of the portable traffic signal device 23-1 and the portable traffic signal device 2
The signal light 3-2 indicates that red is lit. The vehicle 24-1 passing through the lane and the vehicle 25-1 passing through the following lane are both stopped.

During the one-lane traffic as shown in the figure, the portable traffic signal devices 23-1 and 23-2 (c) → based on the time table shown in FIG.
Lighting states such as (a) → (c) → (b) → (c) → (a) → (c) are repeated.

Further, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a description will be given of a setting example of a time table to which time code information other than the time and date of the standard radio wave is applied and a control based on the time table. 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of setting a plurality of time tables.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the standard radio wave includes time code information related to time and date,
It contains some time code information, and similarly, such information can be easily extracted.

For example, using the day information included in the time code of the long wave standard radio wave, a week time table can be set in which a different time table can be implemented for each day of the week.

The time table memory 6-2 of the storage unit 6
In addition, assuming that the traffic volume is substantially the same in both directions as shown in FIG.
23-2, the lighting time of each signal lamp in the time table (1) is set short, assuming that the traffic volume is reduced as shown in FIG. The stored time table is stored.

Further, a timetable (2) is implemented from Monday to Friday, and a weekly timetable is stored so that the timetable is automatically switched to the timetable (1) on Saturday or Sunday.

In this case, on weekdays when the traffic of the vehicle is small, the lighting time of the traffic light is set to be short, so that the traffic light can be switched quickly, and the vehicle can travel with a short waiting time. Also, on weekends when traffic is heavy, the lighting time of the signal lamp is set longer than on weekdays, so that the switching of lighting is small and many vehicles can pass at once. In this manner, control can be performed in consideration of an increase in the traffic volume on the weekend, a quietness due to the day of the week, and the like.

In addition, the long wave standard time signal has time code information of daylight saving time information in case that daylight saving time will be implemented in Japan in the future. Timetable can be set.

The time table memory 6-2 of the storage unit 6
In addition to the normal time table shown in FIG. 8A, the portable traffic signal device 23-1 is assumed to have a very large traffic volume in one lane direction as shown in FIG. The lighting time of the signal light 26-2 is changed to the portable traffic signal device 23-2.
Remember timetables at longer intervals.

Further, in the morning commuting time zone, the time table (1) is automatically switched to the time table (3), and when the commuting time zone ends, the time table (3) is changed to the time table (1). The time table is stored so as to return to.

In this case, it is possible to prioritize traffic on the lane side where congestion is likely to occur in accordance with the morning commute time when traffic volume in the lane direction increases, so that congestion during the commute time is reduced. Can be.

However, during the period in which daylight savings time is in effect, the commuting time in the morning is increased because the start time is advanced at work or school. Therefore, by storing the time table for daylight saving time so that the time table for morning commuting time is automatically advanced according to the daylight saving time information based on the daylight saving time information of the long wave standard radio wave, daylight saving time is implemented. Even during this period, traffic can be smoothly arranged during the morning commuting hours.

In addition, the stop announcement information of the long wave standard radio wave includes the start and end times of the stop of the standard radio wave in advance.
You can know the suspension period. By using this, the administrator can grasp in advance the suspension of the radio wave and manage the time adjustment even when the radio wave cannot be received, so that the time table is not affected.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, while the standard radio wave is being received, the clock automatically adjusts the internal time data time based on the standard time data output from the receiving device. In addition, regardless of the reception status of the radio wave, the clock is configured to continuously output the stored internal time data, so that the lighting control is performed by synchronizing a plurality of signal devices accurately over a long period of time. By smoothing traffic control and preventing accidents when driving in one lane, it has been possible to provide safe traffic.

In addition, since a long-wave standard radio wave is received and time is extracted from a time code included in the radio wave without using a GPS radio wave as in the related art, the receiving device can be manufactured at low cost. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portable traffic signal device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a definition of main time codes included in a long-wave standard time signal (part 1).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing definitions of main time codes included in a long-wave standard time signal (part 2).

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a main time code system (normal time) included in a long-wave standard radio wave.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a means for setting internal time data of a clock.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a setting example of a time table.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a control state based on a time table.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a setting example of a plurality of time tables (part 1).

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a setting example of a plurality of time tables (part 2).

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 Longwave standard radio wave transmitting antenna 2 Longwave standard radio wave 3 Portable traffic signal device 4 Longwave standard radio wave receiving device 4-1 Receiving antenna 4-2 Time code acquisition unit 4-3 Standard time data generation unit 4-4 Standard time data output unit 5 Clock 5-1 Standard time data receiving section 5-2 Internal time data automatic adjustment section 5-3 Internal time data holding section 5.4 Internal time data output section 6 Storage section 6-1 Time table setting section 6-2 Time table Memory 6-3 Time table output unit 7 Control unit 7-1 Internal time data reception unit 7-2 Time table reception unit 7-3 Control signal output unit 8 Signal light unit 8-1 Red signal light 8-2 Blue signal light 21 Road 22 Construction Section (one-lane traffic section) 23-1, 23-2 Portable traffic signal device 24-1 to 24-3 Vehicle (upper lane) 25-1 to 25-4 Vehicle 26-1 Red signal light (portable traffic signal device 23-1) 26-2 Green signal light (portable traffic signal device 23-1) 26-3 Red signal light (portable traffic signal device 23-2) 26-2 -4 Green traffic light (portable traffic signal device 23-2)

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroaki Shinada 2-2-2 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Japan Conlux Japan Co., Ltd. (72) Kiyoshi Urushihata 2-2-2 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Co., Ltd. F term in Japan Conlux (reference) 5H180 BB15 CC12 GG03 JJ17 JJ23

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A portable traffic signal device comprising a signal light unit having at least red and blue signal lights, and performing traffic control of a vehicle by lighting the signal lights, comprising: a signal light unit having at least red and blue signal lights; Standard radio wave receiving means for receiving a standard radio wave including information, time information obtaining means for obtaining time information from the standard radio wave received by the standard radio wave receiving means, and time information obtained by the time information obtaining means. And a lighting control means for controlling lighting of the signal light. 2. A time measuring means for measuring a time and outputting the measured time as internal time information, based on the time information acquired by the time information acquiring means.
The lighting control means further comprises a time adjusting means for adjusting the time measured by the time measuring means, and the lighting control means controls the lighting of the signal lamp unit based on the internal time information adjusted by the time adjusting means and output from the timing means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
A portable traffic signal device as described. 3. A storage unit storing a plurality of lighting patterns of the signal lamp, wherein the lighting control unit stores the plurality of lighting patterns based on the time information acquired by the time information acquiring unit. 2. The portable traffic signal device according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined lighting pattern is selected from the lighting patterns, and lighting control of the signal light unit is performed based on the selected lighting pattern and the time information. 3. 4. A control method for a portable traffic signal device comprising a signal light section having at least red and blue signal lights and controlling traffic of a vehicle by lighting the signal lights, comprising: receiving a standard radio wave including time information; A method for controlling a portable traffic signal device, comprising: acquiring time information from the received standard radio wave; and performing lighting control of the signal light unit based on the acquired time information. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the time is measured, the measured time is adjusted based on the time information, and the lighting control of the signal lamp unit is performed based on the adjusted time. A method for controlling a portable traffic signal device. 6. A predetermined lighting pattern is selected from a plurality of lighting patterns set in advance based on the time information,
The lighting control of the signal light unit is performed based on the selected lighting pattern and the time information.
A control method of the portable traffic signal device according to the above.