JP2007148793A - Traffic signal control system and traffic signal controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle unit and a vehicle driver with information corresponding to changes in actual signal color. <P>SOLUTION: The traffic signal controller 24 includes a GPS unit 60, a clock 64, a CPU 70, a memory 62, a CPU 70, and a beacon interface 72. The GPS unit 60 receives information indicating a time of day. The clock 64 detects the time of day. The CPU 70 corrects the time of day detected by the clock 64 on the basis of information indicating the time of day and generates information indicating correspondences between the color of the signal and the time of day which the CPU 70 has corrected by itself. The memory 62 stores information on the color of signal associated with order of turning on. The beacon interface 72 outputs generation information being the information generated by the CPU 70. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  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 control device capable of transmitting instructions to a vehicle.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a traffic signal controller including a traffic jam determination unit, a traffic control pattern unit, and a timer. The traffic jam determination unit is connected to an external vehicle sensor, and determines the traffic jam status based on data from the vehicle sensor. The traffic control pattern unit gives a control signal to the signal lamp connected to the outside in accordance with the traffic condition determination data from the traffic determination unit and the time signal from the timer. The timer provides a time signal according to a predetermined time schedule to the traffic control pattern unit.

  According to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, the traffic situation can be controlled by the traffic signal controller at the site without the central command from the central traffic control center.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a power supply unit that receives commercial power and supplies operating power, a constant storage unit that stores blue, yellow, and red display times for each time zone, a clock that indicates the current time, Backs up the time of the clock immediately before the power failure, the blue, yellow, red lighting display at that time, the status storage unit that stores the elapsed time of the lighting display, and the clock, constant storage unit, and status storage unit at the time of commercial power failure Whether to obtain the elapsed time indicating the difference between the current time of the clock and the time stored in the status storage unit when the backup power supply and the commercial power supply are restored, and to continue the lighting state immediately before the power failure according to the elapsed time A processing unit that determines whether or not, a control unit that controls the supply of commercial power based on a result determined by the processing unit and a display time, and a signal lamp that lights a blue, yellow, and red lamp according to the control of the control unit Traffic signal control device To disclosure.

  According to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, the lighting state immediately before the power failure can be continued for a power failure within a predetermined number of seconds.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a central communication unit that communicates with a traffic control center, a terminal communication unit that communicates with a plurality of traffic signal controllers, and a command to transmit from the traffic control center to a plurality of traffic signal controllers. A storage unit for storing each signal controller, a time unit for measuring the day type and time, a selection unit for selecting a current control command from the storage unit, and a monitoring unit for monitoring a line state with the traffic control center; When the central line is normal, the control command from the traffic control center is transmitted to multiple traffic signal controllers connected via the central communication unit and terminal communication unit, and the line with the traffic control center is connected. If not, the selection unit reads the current day type and time from the timing unit, selects a control command in which the day type and time match from the storage unit, and transmits the selected control command to each of the connected traffic signal controllers. An aggregation device is disclosed.

According to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 3, the traffic signal controller can be systematically controlled even when the line with the traffic control center is not connected.
JP-A-7-93690 JP 2000-215385 A JP 2002-63689 A

  However, in the inventions disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, there is a problem that it is difficult to provide information corresponding to the actual signal color change to the in-vehicle device or the vehicle driver. If the signal color change time recognized by the vehicle-mounted device or the vehicle driver is different from the actual signal color change time, even if the difference is slight, it may cause an accident. Because there is.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to determine the time of signal color change and the time of actual signal color change recognized by the vehicle-mounted device or the vehicle driver. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a traffic signal control system and a traffic signal control device that can provide information corresponding to a change in actual signal color to an in-vehicle device or a vehicle driver.

  The traffic signal control system according to the first invention includes a receiving means, a detecting means, a correcting means, a storing means, a generating means, and an output means. The receiving means receives information representing time. The detection means detects time. The correcting means corrects the time detected by the detecting means based on information representing the time. The storage means stores signal color information associated with the lighting order. The generation unit generates information representing a correspondence relationship between the signal color and the time corrected by the correction unit based on the information stored in the storage unit. The output means outputs generation information that is information generated by the generation means.

  In the traffic signal control system according to the second invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the generation means is information indicating a correspondence relationship between the plurality of signal colors and the time corrected by the correction means, and the plurality of signals Means for generating correspondence information is included in which a change with time of color is information constituting at least one period.

  The traffic signal control system according to a third aspect of the invention further includes a transmission device that transmits generation information to the vehicle in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention. In addition, the generation means includes means for generating information representing a correspondence relationship between the signal color of the travel lane that is the lane in which the vehicle that receives the generation information travels and the time corrected by the correction means.

  In the traffic signal control system according to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect of the invention, the means for generating the information representing the correspondence relationship is corrected by the signal color and the correction means for the lane different from the traveling lane. And means for generating relation information, which is information indicating the correspondence between the signal color of the traveling lane and the time corrected by the correcting means, together with the corresponding relation with the time.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the traffic signal control system includes means for generating the relationship information, the signal color and the correction for the lane in which the traveling direction of the vehicle is opposite to the traveling lane. Means for generating information indicating the correspondence between the signal color for the traveling lane and the time corrected by the correction means together with the correspondence with the time corrected by the means.

  In the traffic signal control system according to the sixth invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the generation means uses the generation information as information indicating the time at which the light of the signal color starts to be turned on by the correction means. Means for generating

  A traffic signal control device according to a seventh invention is characterized in that the traffic signal control system according to any one of the first invention, the second invention, or the sixth invention is housed in one casing.

  Since the traffic signal control system according to the present invention outputs information indicating the correspondence between the signal color and the time corrected by the correcting means based on the information indicating the time, the vehicle-mounted device or the vehicle driver can acquire this information. For example, the in-vehicle device or the vehicle driver can make the recognized signal color change time coincide with the actual signal color change time. Therefore, it is possible to provide information corresponding to the actual signal color change to the vehicle-mounted device or the vehicle driver.

  In addition, information indicating a correspondence relationship between the plurality of signal colors and the time corrected by the correcting unit, and information that changes with time of the plurality of signal colors constitutes at least one cycle is output. If the vehicle driver acquires this information, the time of the signal color change recognized by the vehicle-mounted device or the vehicle driver over a sufficient time can coincide with the time of the actual signal color change. Accordingly, it is possible to provide information corresponding to the actual signal color change to the in-vehicle device or the vehicle driver for a sufficient time.

  In addition, when information indicating the correspondence relationship between the signal color and the time for the traveling lane, which is the lane in which the vehicle is traveling, is transmitted, the vehicle-mounted device or the driver of the vehicle that has received this information reliably recognizes the traveling lane. It is possible to make the time of signal color change and the time of actual signal color change coincide with each other. Therefore, it is possible to reliably provide information corresponding to a change in the actual signal color to the in-vehicle device and the vehicle driver for the traveling lane.

  In addition, when the information indicating the correspondence between the signal color and the time for the traveling lane is transmitted together with the correspondence between the signal color and the time for the lane different from the traveling lane that is the lane in which the vehicle travels, the information is received. The vehicle-mounted device and the driver of the vehicle can make the signal color change time recognized for these lanes coincide with the actual signal color change time. Therefore, it is possible to provide information that takes into consideration the behavior that a vehicle traveling in a lane different from the traveling lane can take in response to a change in the actual signal color in the lane.

  In addition, when information indicating the correspondence relationship between the signal color and the time for the traveling lane is transmitted together with the correspondence relationship between the signal color and the time for the lane whose traveling direction is opposite to the traveling lane which is the lane in which the vehicle travels, The vehicle-mounted device or driver of the vehicle that has received the information can make the time of signal color change recognized for these lanes coincide with the time of actual signal color change. Therefore, the vehicle-mounted device also takes into account the behavior that a vehicle traveling in a lane with a reverse traveling direction, which is particularly important among lanes different from the traveling lane, can take corresponding to the actual signal color change in the lane. Or to the vehicle driver.

  Further, as the above-described generation information, when information indicating the time when the light of the signal color starts to turn on is generated by the correction means, the vehicle-mounted device can be used without adding complicated processing to the output information. And provide information to vehicle drivers.

  The traffic signal control apparatus according to the present invention accommodates the traffic signal control system according to any one of the first invention, the second invention, or the sixth invention in one casing, so Information corresponding to the change can be provided to the in-vehicle device and the vehicle driver, and the installation work can be efficiently performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  Referring to FIG. 1, control system 20 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of traffic lights 21 and a center device 22. The traffic light 21 is a device that controls traffic of the vehicle by turning on one of the blue, yellow, and red lights. The traffic light 21 is a device that controls the passage of the vehicle based on a control signal received from the center device 22. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the control system 20 according to the present embodiment at the intersection. The optical beacon 23 and the traffic signal controller 24 described later are separated from several tens of meters to 100 meters.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the center device 22 includes a display 30, a printer 32, a keyboard 34, a mouse 36, a hard disk 42, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 44, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 46, A random access memory (RAM) 48, a bus 50, and an interface 51 are included. The display 30 outputs information to the manager of the center device 22 by display. The printer 32 outputs information to the manager of the center device 22 by printing. The keyboard 34 is a device that receives information from an administrator of the center device 22. The mouse 36 is a device that receives the amount of movement of the pointer displayed on the display 30 from the administrator of the center device 22. The hard disk 42 is a device that stores a program for realizing the center device 22 according to the present embodiment. The CPU 44 is a device that performs calculations to control each unit of the center device 22. The RAM 48 is a device that temporarily stores information necessary for the CPU 44 to perform calculations. The ROM 46 is a device that stores an operating system executed by the CPU 44. The bus 50 is an information path between the respective units constituting the center device 22. The interface 51 is a device that communicates with the center device 112 by wireless communication.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the traffic light 21 includes an optical beacon 23, a traffic signal control device 24, and a signal lamp 26. The optical beacon 23 is a transmission device that transmits information to be described later to a vehicle (in the case of the present embodiment, actually an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle). The traffic signal control device 24 is a device that controls an electric lamp that the signal lamp 26 lights up. The signal lamp 26 is a device that emits light of a signal color of blue, yellow, or red when an electric lamp is turned on.

  Referring to FIG. 4, traffic signal control device 24 includes GPS (Global Positioning System) unit 60, memory 62, clock 64, lamp interface 66, communication unit 68, CPU 70, and beacon interface 72. including. In the case of the present embodiment, the traffic signal control device 24 is a traffic signal control system composed of these devices (in principle, the “traffic signal control system” is each of the devices housed in the housing of the traffic signal control device 24. The optical beacon 23 may also be considered as a part of the traffic signal control system). The GPS unit 60 is a device that receives information representing time and a plurality of information representing positions. In the case of the present embodiment, GPS unit 60 receives information representing time and information representing position from each of a plurality of transmitters mounted on each of a plurality of GPS satellites 28. In the case of the present embodiment, the GPS unit 60 has a function equivalent to that of a commercially available GPS unit. The memory 62 is a device that stores information necessary for the traffic signal control device 24 to control the signal lamp 26. The clock 64 is a device that detects time. The lamp interface 66 is a device that communicates with the signal lamp 26. The communication unit 68 is a device that communicates with the center device 22 and other traffic lights 21 (specifically, the traffic signal control device 24 of the other traffic lights 21). The CPU 70 is a device that controls each part of the traffic signal control device 24. The CPU 70 is also a device that performs calculations necessary for controlling the signal lamp 26. The CPU 70 is also a device that corrects the time detected by the clock 64 using a time correction value described later (the time correction value is stored in the time area of the memory 62). The beacon interface 72 is a device that outputs information to the optical beacon 23.

  The storage area of the memory 62 includes a signal pattern area, a position area, a time area, an arrangement area, and a general area. The signal pattern area is an area for storing signal pattern information to be described later. The position area is an area for storing information representing the position of the GPS unit 60. The time area is an area for storing information indicating time and time correction values. The arrangement area is an area for storing information representing the arrangement of the other traffic lights 21. The general area is an area that stores information that is not stored in each area described above.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the program executed by center device 22 performs the following control with respect to the update of position information.

  In step S200, the CPU 44 of the center apparatus 22 refers to the update flag stored in the RAM 48. In step S202, the interface 51 of the center device 112 transmits the value of the update flag to the traffic signal control device 24 of the traffic light 21. In step S <b> 204, the interface 51 of the center device 112 receives information representing the position of the GPS unit 60 of the traffic signal control device 24 from the traffic signal control device 24 of the traffic light 21 as a reply.

  In step S206, CPU 44 of center device 112 determines whether or not the reply from traffic signal control device 24 includes information (position information) indicating the position of GPS unit 60. If it is determined that the position information is included (YES in step S206), the process proceeds to step S208. If not (NO in step S206), the process ends.

  In step S208, the CPU 44 of the center device 112 is included in the position information (specifically, of the GPS unit 60) of each traffic light 21 stored in the hard disk 42 and the reply from the traffic signal control device 24, and the RAM 48 Check the stored position information.

  In step S <b> 210, the CPU 44 of the center device 112 updates information that differs from the position information stored in the RAM 48 among the position information of the traffic light 21 stored in the hard disk 42. As a result, the hard disk 42 of the center device 112 stores information representing the positions of the GPS units 60 of the plurality of traffic signal control devices 24 received by the interface 51 of the center device 112.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the program executed by traffic signal control device 24 of traffic light 21 executes the following control with respect to communication of position information.

  In step S220, the clock 64 of the traffic signal control device 24 measures time under the control of the CPU 70. As a result, the clock 64 detects the time. The clock 64 outputs the measured time to the CPU 70 as time information.

  In step S222, CPU 70 of traffic signal control device 24 determines whether or not to correct the time based on the contents of the time information. In the case of the present embodiment, the CPU 70 corrects the time when a predetermined time comes. If it is determined that the time is to be corrected (YES in step S222), the process proceeds to step S224. If not (NO in step S222), the process proceeds to step S232.

  In step S224, the GPS unit 60 of the traffic signal control device 24 starts receiving signals from the GPS satellites 28. In order to receive a signal from the GPS satellite 28, decoding using a predetermined random number table is necessary. The CPU 70 reads a random number table necessary for decoding from the general area of the memory 62. The GPS unit 60 analyzes the signal transmitted by the GPS satellite 28 to identify the timing for starting the acquisition of information. When the GPS unit 60 starts acquiring information, the clock 64 detects the time. The CPU 70 stores in advance in the time area of the memory 62 the time when the acquisition of information output from the clock 64 starts.

  When a signal from GPS satellite 28 is received in step S226, GPS unit 60 outputs time information (information indicating time) represented by the acquired signal to CPU 70. The CPU 70 calculates the time when the GPS unit 60 receives a signal based on the information indicating the time output by the GPS unit 60. When the time at which the GPS unit 60 receives the signal is calculated, the CPU 70 refers to the time at which the acquisition of information, which is output from the clock 64 and stored in advance in the time area of the memory 62, is started. When the time is referred, the CPU 70 calculates the difference between the time calculated by the GPS unit 60 and the time when the GPS unit 60 receives the signal and the time at which the time area of the memory 62 stores information in advance. Thus, a time correction value is calculated. As a result, the CPU 70 calculates a time correction value based on the information representing the time output by the GPS unit 60.

  In step S228, when a signal from the GPS satellite 28 is received, the GPS unit 60 outputs a plurality of pieces of position information represented by the acquired signal to the CPU 70. CPU 70 calculates the position of GPS unit 60 on the earth based on a plurality of pieces of information representing the position output by GPS unit 60. Since the method for calculating the position of the GPS unit 60 based on the information received from the GPS satellite 28 is well known, it will not be repeated here.

  In step S230, CPU 70 stores information representing the correction value of the time calculated in step S226 in the time area of memory 62. The CPU 70 stores information representing the position of the GPS unit 60 calculated in step S228 in the position area of the memory 62. As a result, the information stored in the position area of the memory 62 and the information stored in the time area are updated.

  In step S232, the CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 refers to the value of the update flag stored in the general area of the memory 62 to determine whether or not there has been a request for position information from the center device 112. If it is determined that there has been a request for position information (YES in step S232), the process proceeds to step S234. If not (NO in step S232), the process proceeds to step S220.

  In step S <b> 234, CPU 44 of traffic signal control device 24 outputs information representing the position of GPS unit 60 read from memory 62 to communication unit 68. Thereby, the position information of the GPS unit 60 is set in the communication unit 68. In step S236, the communication unit 68 of the traffic signal control device 24 transmits information representing the position of the GPS unit 60 output by the CPU 70 to the center device 22.

  With reference to FIG. 7, the program executed by the traffic light 21 executes the following control with respect to transmission of information to the vehicle.

  In step S237, the clock 64 detects the time. The clock 64 outputs the measured time to the CPU 70 as time information. The CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 corrects the time by adding the time correction value calculated in step S226 to the time represented by the time information. When the time is corrected, the CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 displays information indicating the correspondence between the signal color and the time corrected by itself in step S226 based on the information stored in the signal pattern area of the memory 62. Generate.

  In step S238, the beacon interface 72 outputs the information generated by the CPU 70 in step S237 to the optical beacon 23.

  In step S239, the optical beacon 23 transmits information to the vehicle. The information transmitted by the optical beacon 23 is information output from the beacon interface 72 in step S238. The optical beacon 23 transmits information as a near-infrared pulse having a constant period.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the program executed by traffic light 21 executes the following control with respect to vehicle control.

  In step S240, the CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 refers to the arrangement area and the signal pattern area of the memory 62. Thereby, the position information and the pattern information indicating the position of the traffic light 21 stored in the arrangement area and the signal pattern area of the memory 62 are read out. In the present embodiment, the “pattern information” is information representing a lighting pattern of the signal lamp 26. In the present embodiment, the “lighting pattern of the signal lamp 26” is information obtained by grouping information on signal colors to be lighted in association with the lighting order. In the present embodiment, the pattern information to be read is a pattern that is being implemented by the traffic light 21.

  In step S242, the CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 changes the position information of the other traffic lights 21 and the signal color to blue in the arrangement area and the signal pattern area of the memory 62 based on the information output from the memory 62. It is determined whether or not the time information (strictly speaking, the information indicating the time when the lamp interface 66 of the other traffic light 21 outputs the signal color to be turned on in blue) is stored. If it is determined that the position information and the information of the time when the signal color is blue are stored (YES in step S242), the process proceeds to step S244. If not (NO in step S242), the process proceeds to step S254.

  In step S244, the CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 determines itself from the position information read from the memory 62 (the position of the GPS unit 60 of the other traffic signal control device 24 represented by the information received by the communication unit 68). The distance between the traffic signal control device 24 that transmitted the position information and itself (that is, the distance between the traffic signal control device 24) is calculated.

  In step S246, the CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 calculates the timing for changing the signal pattern based on the distance calculated in step S244 and the signal pattern read from the memory 62. The CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 calculates the timing for changing the signal pattern according to the following steps. The first step is a step in which the CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 calculates time. The time calculated by the CPU 70 is a time spent for the vehicle to travel in the section described below. The section is a section from the position of the GPS unit 60 mounted on the traffic signal control device 24 that transmitted the position information to the position of the GPS unit 60 mounted on the traffic signal control device 24 that received the position information. The second step is a step of predicting the arrival time of the vehicle at the installation point of the traffic signal control device 24 (that is, itself) that has received the position information. The CPU 70 adds the time that the vehicle spends to travel to the time when the lamp interface 66 of the traffic signal control device 24 that transmitted the position information outputs information (information that turns on the signal color to light blue). , Predict time. The time is the timing for changing the signal pattern.

  In step S248, the CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 refers to the time output by the clock 64.

  In step S250, CPU 70 of traffic signal control device 24 determines whether it is time to change the signal pattern. If it is determined that the time to change the signal pattern has arrived (YES in step S250), the process proceeds to step S252. Otherwise (NO in step S250), the process proceeds to step S248. As a result, the CPU 70 determines that the information indicating that the signal color to be lit is blue among the signal pattern information (information of the signal color to be lit) corresponds to the vehicle arrival time predicted by the CPU 70 itself. The interface 66 will be controlled.

  In step S252, the CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 outputs the changed signal pattern information to the lamp interface 66. The lamp interface 66 outputs signal pattern information (signal color information to be lit) to the signal lamp 26. A control device (not shown) of the signal lamp 26 controls the color of light emitted from the signal lamp 26 by controlling the relay based on the information output from the lamp interface 66.

  In step S254, the communication unit 68 of the traffic signal control device 24, the communication unit 28 of the other traffic signal control device 24, and the position information of the traffic light 21 (in the case of this embodiment, actually the position of the GPS unit 60). ) And information on the time when the signal color becomes blue (strictly, information indicating the time when the lamp interface 66 of each traffic light 21 outputs the information that turns on the signal color to be blue). To do.

  An operation of the control system 20 based on the above structure and flowchart will be described.

  The CPU 44 of the center device 112 refers to the update flag stored in the RAM 48 (step S200). The interface 51 of the center device 112 transmits the value of the update flag to the traffic signal control device 24 of each traffic light 21 (step S202).

  Referring to FIG. 9, the format of the signal transmitted from center apparatus 112 to traffic signal control apparatus 24 includes header 80 and update flag value 86. The format shown in FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the content of information transmitted from the center device 112 to the traffic signal control device 24 as an array of data and information. The header 80 is data representing the head of information. The update flag value 86 is the value of the update flag read by the CPU 44 from the RAM 48.

  When the value of the update flag is transmitted, the clock 64 measures the time in the traffic signal control device 24 of each traffic light 21 (step S220). When the time is measured, the CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 determines whether or not to correct the time (step S222). In this case, if it is determined that the time is to be corrected (YES in step S222), GPS unit 60 of traffic signal control device 24 starts communication with GPS satellite 28 (step S224). When communication is started, the GPS unit 60 acquires time information (step S226). When the time information is acquired, the GPS unit 60 acquires position information (step S228).

  Referring to FIG. 10, the format of the signal received by GPS unit 60 from GPS satellite 28 includes header 90, position information 92, time information 94, ionosphere correction data 96, and position information 98 of other satellites. including. The GPS satellite 28 repeatedly transmits predetermined information as a radio wave signal. The format shown in FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contents of information transmitted by the GPS satellite 28 as an array of data and information. The header 90 represents a delimiter of information. The position information 92 is information representing the position of the GPS satellite 28 that is the transmission source. The time information 94 represents the time when the GPS satellite 28 transmits information. The GPS satellite 28 incorporates an atomic clock. The time represented by the time information 94 represents a highly accurate time output by the atomic clock. The ionosphere correction data 96 is data for correcting an error regarding the time and position caused by the radio wave from the GPS satellite 28 passing through the ionosphere. The CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 uses the ionosphere correction data 96 to obtain a clue for specifying its own position and accurate time. The position information 98 of other satellites represents the position of a satellite different from the source satellite of the signal shown in FIG.

  When the position information is acquired, the CPU 70 updates the time information and the position information (step S230). When the time information and the position information are updated, the CPU 70 determines whether or not there is a request for position information based on the value of the update flag stored in the memory 62 (step S232). In this case, if there is a request for position information (YES in step S232), CPU 70 of traffic signal control device 24 sets position information in communication unit 68 (step S234). When the position information is set, the communication unit 68 transmits the position information to the center device 112 (step S236).

  When the position information is transmitted, the interface 51 of the center device 112 receives a reply from each traffic signal control device 24 (step S204). When the reply is received, the CPU 44 of the center apparatus 112 determines whether or not the reply includes position information (step S206). In this case, since position information is included (YES in step S206), CPU 44 of center device 112 collates the position information of each traffic light 21 with the information stored in hard disk 42 (step S208). When the information is collated, the CPU 44 updates the position information (step S210).

  Referring to FIG. 11, the signal format from traffic signal control device 24 to center device 112 includes header 80, ID 100, position information 102, and time information 104. ID 100 represents an ID for identifying each traffic light 21. The position information 102 represents the position information stored in the memory 62 of each traffic signal control device 24. The time information 104 represents the time at which each traffic signal control device 24 transmits the information shown in FIG.

  When the communication unit 68 of the traffic signal control device 24 transmits the position information to the center device 112, the CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 generates information indicating the correspondence between the signal color and the time corrected by itself in step S226. (Step S237). The CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 generates the information based on the information stored in the signal pattern area of the memory 62. In the case of the present embodiment, the CPU 70 generates information when the signal color of the signal lamp 26 becomes blue.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the contents of the information generated by CPU 70 in step S249. Referring to FIG. 12, the information generated by CPU 70 includes information representing the signal color of the traveling lane, information representing the time, information representing the signal color of the oncoming lane, and information representing the signal color of the right secondary road. And information indicating the signal color of the left secondary road. In the present embodiment, the “traveling lane” is a lane in which the vehicle that receives the generation information travels. “Generated information” is information generated by the CPU 70 in step S249. The “traffic lane signal color” refers to the color of light emitted by a signal lamp that controls traffic in the lane. The “opposite lane” is a lane in which the vehicle travels in a direction opposite to the travel lane. The “right side road” is a road that forms an intersection with the traveling lane and the opposite lane, and is a lane on the right side when viewed from the vehicle traveling in the traveling lane. The “left side secondary road” is a road that forms an intersection with the traveling lane and the opposite lane, and is a lane on the left side when viewed from the vehicle traveling in the traveling lane. In FIG. 12, “time” is the time when the signal lamp signal is lit, corrected by the CPU 70 in step S 237. As is apparent from FIG. 12, the CPU 70 of the traffic signal control device 24 generates information representing the correspondence between the plurality of signal colors and the time corrected by itself in step S226 so as to satisfy the following condition. The first condition is that the change with time of the signal color constitutes at least one cycle. The second condition is the correspondence between the signal color for the lane in which the traveling direction of the vehicle is opposite to the travel lane and the time corrected by the CPU 70 and the correspondence between the signal color for the travel lane and the time corrected by the CPU 70. To represent. The third condition is that the time when the signal color light starts to turn on is information representing the time corrected by the CPU 70.

  When information indicating the correspondence between the signal color and the time corrected by the CPU 70 is generated, the beacon interface 72 outputs the information to the optical beacon 23 (step S238). The optical beacon 23 transmits the information to the vehicle (step S239).

  Referring to FIG. 13, the format of the signal for transmitting information from light beacon 23 to the vehicle includes header 120, ID 122, and color information 124. The header 120 is data representing the head of information. The ID 122 represents an ID for identifying each optical beacon 23. The color information 124 represents information generated by the CPU 70 in step S249.

  When the communication unit 68 of the traffic signal control device 24 transmits position information to the center device 112 in step S236, the CPU 70 refers to the arrangement area and signal pattern area of the memory 62 (step S240). When the memory 62 is referred to, the CPU 70 determines whether the position information of the other traffic signals 21 and the information of the time when the signal color has turned blue are stored in the arrangement area and the signal pattern area (step). S242). In the case of the present embodiment, if the communication unit 68 has previously received the position information and the information of the time when the signal color has turned blue from the other signal device 21, the memory 62 stores the position information of the other signal device 21. And information on the time when the signal color is blue. In this case, if the position information and the information of the time when the signal color has turned blue are not stored (NO in step S242), the communication unit 68 of the traffic signal control device 24 is connected between the traffic signal control devices 24. Then, the position information of the traffic light 21 and the information of the time when the signal color is blue are communicated (step S254).

  When the position information and the time information when the signal color is blue are communicated, the CPU 70 calculates the distance to the traffic signal control device 24 that transmitted the position information (step S244). When the distance is calculated, the CPU 70 calculates the timing for changing the signal pattern (step S246). When the timing is calculated, the CPU 70 refers to the time output by the clock 64 (step S248). When the time is referred, the CPU 70 determines whether it is time to change the signal pattern (step S250). In this case, if it is time to change the signal pattern (YES in step S250), CPU 70 outputs the changed signal pattern information to lamp interface 66 (step S252). The lamp interface 66 outputs signal pattern information to the signal lamp 26. Thereby, the signal lamp 26 will change a signal pattern.

  As described above, the traffic signal control device (traffic signal control system) according to the present embodiment can acquire extremely accurate time by acquiring time information from each of a plurality of GPS satellites. Since a very accurate time can be acquired, the signal color can be controlled very accurately. Since an extremely accurate time is acquired, in the control system according to the present embodiment, each traffic signal control device can autonomously control traffic without being controlled by the center device. Since control of the center device is not required, the cost for communication with the center device and the cost due to the performance of the center device can be reduced. Since the cost is reduced, the traffic signal control apparatus according to the present embodiment can be installed even at an intersection with a small traffic volume. As a result, it is possible to provide a control system and a traffic signal control device that can be installed even at an intersection with a small traffic volume and control signal colors very accurately.

  In addition, the traffic signal control device according to the present embodiment communicates the mutual position and the timing of signal color control. Since the positions of each other and the timing of signal color control determined based on extremely accurate time are communicated, the traffic signal control device according to the present embodiment can operate in an extremely accurate manner. Since it can operate in a highly accurate manner, the traffic signal control device included in the control system according to the present embodiment can control the traffic of the vehicle very accurately. As a result, it is possible to provide a control system and a traffic signal control device that link traffic signals with high accuracy.

  Moreover, the traffic signal control apparatus according to the present embodiment can identify its own accurate position by acquiring information representing the position from each of a plurality of GPS satellites and comparing the transmitted information. The traffic signal control device according to the present embodiment can transmit position information acquired from a GPS satellite to the center device. Since the position information can be transmitted to the center device, the traffic signal control device according to the present embodiment can obtain the following advantages. A first advantage is that labor and cost for registering the position of the traffic signal control device and the distance between the traffic signal control devices in the center device can be saved. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional traffic control system. The conventional traffic control system requires a dedicated line 114 as shown in FIG. 17 between the traffic signal control device 110 and the center device 112. The traffic signal control apparatus according to the present embodiment does not require such a line. The second advantage is that the possibility of erroneously registering the position of the traffic signal control device can be reduced. Less traffic because the cost for communication with the center device, the labor and cost for registering the position of the traffic signal control device and the distance between the traffic signal control devices, and the cost due to the performance of the center device are reduced. Even at an intersection, the traffic signal control apparatus according to the present embodiment can be installed. As a result, it is possible to provide a control system and a traffic signal control device that can be installed even at an intersection with a small traffic volume and accurately register the position of the traffic signal control device.

  In addition, the traffic signal control device according to the present embodiment corrects the time detected by itself based on the time information acquired from the GPS, controls the signal lamp based on the corrected time, and sets the signal color and the time itself. Information indicating the correspondence with the time corrected based on the information is output. The time information that can be acquired from the GPS is information that can be acquired by the in-vehicle device of the vehicle exactly the same information. Thereby, if the vehicle-mounted device or the vehicle driver obtains this information, the time of the signal color change recognized by the vehicle-mounted device or the vehicle driver can coincide with the time of the actual signal color change. . The communication from the traffic signal control device to the vehicle does not cause an error in the timing of the signal color change. Since the time of signal color change can be matched, the in-vehicle device can perform various controls.

  A first example of such control is a countdown until the signal color changes. For example, the control is such that the display of the navigation system displays how many seconds later the signal turns red. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the concept of such control. In the case of the control shown in FIG. 14, the traffic signal control device 24 transmits the absolute time when the signal color is red to the vehicle 130 via the optical beacon 23. The display 140 of the navigation system of the vehicle 130 displays in the signal color area 142 the signal color that the traffic light 21 will light next. The display 140 displays the number of seconds until the signal color is turned on in the seconds area 144. The information transmitted by the traffic signal control device 24 is not information indicating how many seconds later the signal color becomes red. The reason why the information indicating how many seconds later the signal color becomes red is not transmitted is that transmission delay occurs due to transmission. When a transmission delay occurs, the time indicated by the transmitted information is different from the time when the signal color is actually red. If the in-vehicle device of the vehicle 130 can also receive the absolute time from the GPS satellite 28, when the traffic signal control device 24 transmits the absolute time when the signal color is red, the display 140 can display information that is not affected by the transmission delay. In addition, it is determined according to the use of the information which traffic color control apparatus 24 transmits the absolute time about which signal color.

  The second example of the control described above is a display of the signal color of the signal that is on the other side of the sharp curve when viewed from the vehicle. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the concept of such control. In the case of the control shown in FIG. 15, the traffic signal control device 24 transmits the signal color displayed by the signal lamp 26 on the other side of the sharp curve to the vehicle 132 via the optical beacon 23. Since the traffic signal control device 24 receives the absolute time from the GPS satellite 28, it can also receive information for specifying its own position. Since the information for specifying its own position can be received, the traffic signal control device 24 can transmit information representing its own position together with information on the absolute time when the signal color changes. When such information is transmitted, the vehicle 132 can accurately identify the position of the traffic signal that is the nearest traffic signal and before passing. As a result, the vehicle 132 can identify the signal color and display the correct signal color on the display 160 even for a traffic light that is not visible to the driver due to reasons such as being on the other side of a sharp curve. The period for displaying the signal color may be a period until the signal color passes under or next to the traffic light.

  The third example of the control described above is control that issues a warning that the speed is too high or prompts the driver to decelerate. For example, when the speed of the vehicle is high even though the signal color is soon yellow, the control is such that the seat belt is pulled lightly or a sound such as “please step on the brake” is output. If the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 36 km / h, the vehicle travels 10 meters per second. If there is an error of 0.5 seconds at the time when the signal color turns yellow, the driver of the vehicle may step on the brake so as to stop at a place 5 m ahead of the place where the signal should be stopped. Considering the location of pedestrian crossings and vehicle stop lines in Japan, it is extremely dangerous to go 5 meters from where you should stop. Since the traffic signal control device 24 according to the present embodiment can transmit the absolute time when the signal color changes so as to eliminate the influence of transmission delay, such a dangerous situation can be avoided.

  Therefore, by matching the time of the signal color change recognized by the vehicle-mounted device or the vehicle driver with the time of the actual signal color change, the actual signal color change is suppressed while suppressing the possibility of an accident. It is possible to provide a traffic signal control device capable of providing information corresponding to the information to the in-vehicle device or the vehicle driver.

  Further, since the information necessary for the automatic driving of the vehicle can be output, it is possible to provide a traffic signal control device capable of causing the vehicle to automatically perform many operations when the automatic driving of the vehicle is put into practical use in the future. An example of such operation is engine control such that the vehicle does not start if the signal color is red. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the concept of such control. In the case of the control shown in FIG. 16, the traffic signal control device 24 transmits the absolute time when the signal color changes to the vehicle 134 via the optical beacon 23 installed immediately before the pedestrian crossing. Also in this case, since the influence of transmission delay can be eliminated, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the vehicle 134 starts automatically even though the signal color is actually red.

  Traffic signal control device 24 may include a device that receives information representing time and information representing position from each of a plurality of transmitters instead of GPS unit 60. A device that receives time information and position information from each of a plurality of transmitters is provided with time information and position information from a mobile phone base station instead of a GPS satellite. A receiving device is included. Even when the information indicating the time and the information indicating the position are received from each of the plurality of transmitters, the possibility of erroneously registering the position of the traffic signal control device can be reduced. Since the information indicating the time and the information indicating the position are received from each of the plurality of transmitters, the timing of the traffic signal operation can be accurately determined by comparing the transmitted information. Thereby, the traffic signal control device can control the traffic of the vehicle in an accurate manner. Since the information representing the time is acquired, each traffic signal control device can autonomously control traffic without being controlled by the center device. Since control of the center device is not required, the cost for communication with the center device and the cost due to the performance of the center device can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to provide a control system and a traffic signal control device that can be installed even at an intersection with a small amount of traffic, can accurately link traffic signals, and accurately register the position of the traffic signal control device. .

  Further, the traffic signal control device 24 may include a device that receives information representing time and a plurality of information representing positions instead of the GPS unit 60. Devices that receive information representing time and a plurality of information representing positions include devices that receive standard radio waves from a plurality of standard radio wave transmission stations at a frequency unique to each standard radio wave transmission station. The standard radio wave transmitted at a frequency specific to the standard radio wave transmission station corresponds to the position of the standard radio wave transmission station, so even if the signal indicating the position of the standard radio wave transmission station is not included, the standard radio wave transmission station The information indicating the position of is included. As a result, since the information representing the time is received, the operation timing of the traffic signal can be determined relatively accurately. Since the information representing the time is acquired, each traffic signal control device can autonomously control traffic without being controlled by the center device. Since control of the center device is not required, the cost for communication with the center device and the cost due to the performance of the center device can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to provide a control system and a traffic signal control device that can link traffic signals relatively accurately.

  Further, a part of the traffic signal control device 24 according to the present embodiment may be an independent signal color control device. The signal color control device includes a GPS unit 60, a CPU 70, a memory 62, a first reception terminal (not shown), a second reception terminal (not shown), and a lamp interface 66. The GPS unit 60 receives time information and position information from each of the plurality of transmitters. The CPU calculates a time correction value based on at least one of the time information, corrects the time received by the first reception terminal using the time correction value, and sets the signal color to be lit. The lamp interface 66 is controlled so that the information corresponds to the time corrected by itself. The memory 62 stores information representing the correction value of the time and information of the signal color to be lit. The first reception terminal receives time from a clock built in the traffic signal control device. A 2nd reception terminal receives the information of the signal color to light from a traffic signal control apparatus. The lamp interface 66 outputs signal color information for lighting to the signal lamp. As a result, it is possible to provide a signal color control device that can link traffic signals relatively accurately.

  In step S249, CPU 70 generates information not including information representing the signal color of the oncoming lane, information representing the signal color of the right secondary road, and information representing the signal color of the left secondary road. May be. In this case, the information generated by the CPU 70 is information representing a correspondence relationship between the signal color of the traveling lane and the time corrected by the CPU 70.

  In step S249, CPU 70 may generate information that does not include information representing the signal color of the oncoming lane. In this case, the information generated by the CPU 70 is information indicating the correspondence between the signal color for the lane different from the travel lane and the time corrected by the CPU 70 and the correspondence between the signal color for the travel lane and the time corrected by the CPU 70. It is.

  In step S238, the beacon interface 72 may output the information generated by the CPU 70 to a communication device or an electric bulletin board constituting the wireless LAN.

Further, the traffic light 21 may include a radio wave beacon instead of the optical beacon 23.
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points 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.

It is a figure showing the structure of the control system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing arrangement | positioning of the control system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram of the center apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram of the traffic signal control device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of control of the update process of the positional information of the center apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of control of the update process of the positional information of the traffic signal control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of control of the transmission process of the information which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of control of the vehicle which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the format of the information transmitted to the traffic signal control apparatus from the center apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the format of the information which the traffic signal control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention receives from a GPS satellite. It is a figure showing the format of the information transmitted to the center apparatus from the traffic signal control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the example of the correspondence of the signal color which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the time which CPU correct | amended. It is a figure showing the format of the information transmitted to the vehicle from the optical beacon which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram showing the 1st example of the control which a vehicle can implement based on control of the traffic signal control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram showing the 2nd example of the control which a vehicle can implement based on control of the traffic signal control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram showing the example of the control which can be implemented when the automatic driving | operation of a vehicle is put into practical use in the future based on control of the traffic signal control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the structure of the traffic control system which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

  20 control system, 21 traffic light, 22, 112 center device, 23 optical beacon, 24, 110 traffic signal control device, 26 signal lamp, 28 GPS satellite, 30 display, 32 printer, 34 keyboard, 36 mouse, 42 hard disk, 44, 70 CPU, 46 ROM, 48 RAM, 50 bus, 51 interface, 60 GPS unit, 62 memory, 64 clock, 66 lamp interface, 68 communication unit, 72 beacon interface, 80, 90 header, 82 accident information, 84 traffic jam information , 86 Update flag value, 92, 102 Position information, 94, 104 Time information, 96 Ionospheric correction data, 98 Other satellite position information, 100 ID, 114 Dedicated line, 120 Header, 122 ID, 124 colors Distribution, 130, 132 vehicle, 140 and 150 display, 142 signal color area, 144 seconds Number of areas.

Claims (7)

Receiving means for receiving information representing time;
Detection means for detecting time;
Correction means for correcting the time detected by the detection means based on the information representing the time;
Storage means for storing signal color information associated with the order of lighting;
Generation means for generating information representing a correspondence relationship between the signal color and the time corrected by the correction means based on the information stored in the storage means;
And a traffic signal control system including output means for outputting generated information which is information generated by the generating means.   The generation means is information indicating a correspondence relationship between the plurality of signal colors and the time corrected by the correction means, and is information in which a change with time of the plurality of signal colors constitutes at least one cycle. The traffic signal control system of claim 1, comprising means for generating information. The traffic signal control system further includes a transmission device that transmits the generation information to a vehicle,
The generation means includes means for generating information representing a correspondence relationship between the signal color and a time corrected by the correction means for a travel lane that is a lane in which a vehicle that receives the generation information travels. Item 4. The traffic signal control system according to Item 1.   The means for generating information representing the correspondence relationship includes the signal color for the travel lane and the correction together with the correspondence relationship between the signal color for the lane different from the travel lane and the time corrected by the correction means. 4. The traffic signal control system according to claim 3, further comprising means for generating relation information, which is information representing a correspondence relationship with the time corrected by the means.   The means for generating the relationship information includes the signal color for the travel lane together with the correspondence between the signal color for the lane in which the travel direction of the vehicle is opposite to the travel lane and the time corrected by the correction means. 5. The traffic signal control system according to claim 4, further comprising means for generating information representing a correspondence relationship between the correction time and the time corrected by the correction means.   2. The traffic signal control according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit includes a unit for generating, as the generation information, information representing a time when the light of the signal color starts to be turned on by a time corrected by the correction unit. system.   A traffic signal control apparatus comprising the traffic signal control system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 6 accommodated in one casing.

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