JP2011065555A - Traffic signal information providing system, signal control device, and information providing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a traffic signal information providing system, a signal control device and an information providing device for providing a vehicle with updated signal information in real time regardless of the update timing of the signal information. <P>SOLUTION: A detection part 34 detects driving currents on a driving line from a traffic signal control unit 2 to a signal lamp 1 by a current sensor or the like, and detects which signal light color is displayed. A specification part 35 specifies the display end point of time of the signal light color corresponding to the display time information specified with the time width on the basis of the switching point of time detected by the detection part 34. A generation part 36 generates a time limit table (signal information ) including the display time information of the signal light color having a switching point of time after the display end point of time of the signal light color corresponding to the display time information specified with the time width. A control part 31 transmits the time limit table generated by the generation part 36 so as to provide it to an in-vehicle unit after the display end point of time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a traffic signal information providing system that provides traffic signal control information to a vehicle in order to support safe driving of a vehicle or the like, a signal control device that constitutes the traffic signal information providing system, and an information providing device.

  The signal control methods of traffic signal controllers currently in widespread use are roughly divided into table control type and step control type. In the table control type, a signal control device installed in a traffic control center or the like transfers signal control command information, which is a command used as a basis for determining a signal control plan, based on a higher-order command from a higher-level central device or the like. The signal is transmitted to the signal controller, and the traffic signal controller determines its own signal control plan based on the signal control command information, and then switches the display of each signal lamp color according to the signal control plan. Usually, the signal control plan is determined for one cycle at the start of one cycle. That is, in the table control type, since the traffic signal controller determines its own signal control plan, the traffic signal controller itself retains information on when the signal lamp color will change in the future.

  On the other hand, in the step control type, a signal control device installed in a traffic control center or the like determines a signal control plan including a timing for switching each signal light color of a signal light device based on a higher order command from a higher order central device or the like. In the above, a switching timing signal (stepping command) is sent to the traffic signal controller at a time corresponding to the switching timing, and the traffic signal controller switches the display of the signal lamp color according to the stepping command. In the step control type, since the signal control device determines the signal control plan, the traffic signal controller does not hold information on when the signal light color is switched in the future.

  In the past, information on signal control plans held by roadside devices has never been provided to the vehicle side, but in recent years, roadside devices have been transferred from the roadside device to the vehicle side for the purpose of promoting traffic safety and preventing traffic accidents. Road-vehicle coordination systems that improve the safety of vehicles by transmitting information and using the received information on the vehicle side are being studied. As such a system, for example, a safe driving support system that transmits operation information of a traffic light to a vehicle wirelessly and performs brake control according to a remaining display time of a green signal included in the operation information received by the vehicle is disclosed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In a conventional road-vehicle cooperation system, when the signal control method is a step control type, the signal control device sends a step command to the traffic signal controller and also provides information on the signal control plan (for example, signal information). Send to the information provider. The information providing device transmits the received signal information to a roadside communication device such as an optical beacon. The optical beacon transmits the received signal information to a vehicle that passes through a communicable area with the optical beacon. The vehicle uses the received signal information for safe driving and safe driving. In this case, the signal information received by the vehicle needs to be synchronized with the signal lamp color switching timing by the traffic signal controller. For this reason, for example, the information providing apparatus registers the signal information in the optical beacon in synchronization with the start of the display of the green signal.

Japanese Patent No. 2806801

  When the traffic signal controller is of the table control type, the traffic signal controller knows future signal information, so the signal information is synchronized with a predetermined time (for example, the start of displaying a green light on the main road side). Can be sent to and registered on roadside communication devices such as optical beacons, as well as signal information updated every predetermined period (for example, 0.5 seconds, 1 second, etc.) to optical beacons. Met. Then, the optical beacon updates the signal information registered at a second predetermined cycle (for example, 0.1 second) shorter than the above-described predetermined cycle. For this reason, there was no discrepancy between the signal lamp switched by the traffic signal controller and the signal information transmitted from the optical beacon to the in-vehicle device.

  On the other hand, when the traffic signal controller is a step control type, the traffic signal controller cannot grasp the future signal information and cannot update the signal information. For this reason, the signal control device only transmits the signal information to the optical beacon in synchronization with a predetermined time point (for example, the display start time point of the green light on the main road side), and registers the signal information in the optical beacon. The signal information registered by the optical beacon at a predetermined cycle (for example, 0.1 second) has been updated.

  Further, the transmission timing of the higher order command from the central device to the signal control device is irrelevant to the signal lamp color switching timing by the traffic signal controller. For this reason, for example, a higher order command from the central device is issued from the time when the display of the green signal is started (for example, the floor 1G) until the time when the display of the next green signal is started (the next floor 1G). When updated, in order to synchronize with the timing of switching the signal lamp color by the traffic signal controller, it is necessary to register the signal information in the optical beacon after the time when the display of the next green signal is started. That is, the point in time when the signal information based on the updated higher order command can be used is delayed until the display start time of the next green signal, and the signal information based on the higher order command can be changed immediately. It has been desired to use updated signal information in real time.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a traffic signal information providing system capable of providing updated signal information to a vehicle in real time regardless of the update timing of the signal information, and the traffic signal information provision It is an object of the present invention to provide a signal control device and an information providing device that constitute a system.

  A traffic signal information providing system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an information providing device that provides signal information to an in-vehicle device, and a signal control device that transmits signal information to the information providing device, and the signal control device controls traffic signal control. In a traffic signal information providing system that performs traffic signal control by sending a step signal to the aircraft, the signal control device determines whether or not there is a plan to update the signal information between two predetermined time points Update schedule determination means for generating, and when the update schedule determination means determines that there is an update schedule, provisional signal information for generating provisional signal information specifying the display time information of the signal lamp color included in the signal information before the update by the time width Generating means, and transmitting means for transmitting provisional signal information generated by the provisional signal information generation means to the information providing apparatus, wherein the information providing apparatus includes receiving means for receiving the provisional signal information; Transmitting means for transmitting provisional signal information received by the receiving means to the vehicle-mounted device, and a signal lamp color having a switching time after the display end time of the signal lamp color corresponding to the display time information specified by the time width. Signal information generating means for generating signal information including display time information, and the transmitting means transmits the signal information generated by the signal information generating means to be provided to the in-vehicle device after the display end time. It is characterized by being.

  The traffic signal information providing system according to a second invention is the traffic signal information providing system according to the first invention, wherein the information providing device is configured to detect a time point based on a detecting means for detecting a signal lamp color switching time and a switching time detected by the detecting means. End time specifying means for specifying the display end time of the signal lamp color corresponding to the display time information specified in step (a), and the signal information generating means sets the switching time after the display end time specified by the end time specifying means. It is configured to generate signal information including display time information of the signal lamp color.

  A traffic signal information providing system according to a third invention is the traffic signal information providing system according to the first or second invention, wherein the signal control device comprises receiving means for receiving signal information updated from outside at a predetermined reception time point, and The determination means is configured to compare the reception time point with the predetermined time point to determine whether or not there is a signal information update schedule between the two predetermined time points.

  The traffic signal information providing system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the traffic signal information providing system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the signal control device determines that there is an update schedule by the update schedule determination means and Provisional means for determining which display time information of the display time information of information is to be specified by a time width, wherein the provisional signal information generation means includes provisional signal information including the display time information determined by the determination means It is characterized by generating.

  The traffic signal information providing system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the traffic signal information providing system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the update of the signal information includes at least one update of an offset or a cycle.

  The traffic signal information providing system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the traffic signal information providing system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, wherein the blue display time point is one cycle after the blue display time point of the signal light color between the two predetermined time points. It is characterized by being between.

  A traffic signal information providing system according to a seventh invention is the traffic signal information providing system according to any one of the first invention to the sixth invention, wherein the information providing device transmits signal information in synchronization with the predetermined time point, A roadside communication device is provided that receives signal information transmitted by the information providing device and updates the received signal information at a predetermined period.

  The traffic signal information providing system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the traffic signal information providing system according to the seventh aspect, wherein the roadside communication device is provided with time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from the time when the signal information is received, and when the signal information is received. This display time information is configured to transmit to the in-vehicle device signal information including the display time information corrected by the elapsed time from the reception time to the communication time with the in-vehicle device.

  A signal control device according to a ninth aspect of the invention is a signal control device for transmitting signal information to an information providing device, an update schedule determination means for determining whether or not there is a signal information update schedule between two predetermined time points, If the update schedule determination means determines that there is an update schedule, provisional signal information generation means for generating provisional signal information specifying the display time information of the signal lamp color included in the signal information before the update by the time width, and the provisional signal And provisional signal information generated by the information generation means. The transmission means transmits the provisional signal information to the information providing apparatus.

  An information providing apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the invention is an information providing apparatus for providing signal information transmitted by a signal control apparatus to an in-vehicle device, receiving means for receiving provisional signal information specifying display time information of a signal lamp color by time width; A transmission means for transmitting provisional signal information received by the reception means to the vehicle-mounted device, and a signal lamp color having a switching time after the display end time of the signal lamp color corresponding to the display time information specified by the time width Signal information generating means for generating signal information including display time information of the display information, and the transmitting means transmits the signal information generated by the signal information generating means to be provided to the in-vehicle device after the display end time. It is characterized by being.

  In the first invention, the ninth invention, and the tenth invention, the traffic signal information providing system sends an advance signal to the information providing device that provides signal information to the in-vehicle device and the traffic signal controller. A signal control device that transmits signal information to the information providing device. The signal control device determines whether or not there is a plan to update the signal information between two predetermined time points. The period between the two predetermined time points can be, for example, a period from the start point of the green signal display to the main road side of the intersection until the display start point of the next green signal. The update schedule of the signal information can be determined based on, for example, the timing at which the updated higher order command from the higher order central apparatus is transmitted. If the signal control device determines that there is an update plan, the signal control device generates temporary signal information specifying the display time information of the signal lamp color included in the signal information before the update by the time width, and the generated temporary signal information to the information providing device Send. In the provisional signal information, for example, the display time information (display seconds) of the tier that may be changed according to the higher order command can be expressed as, for example, a time width composed of a minimum time and a maximum time. . Such a floor can be a floor 1G or a floor 2G if it is a two-way intersection. Here, the floor 1G is a green light display floor for the main road, and the floor 2G is a green light display floor for the secondary road. Further, if it is a three-way intersection, it can be a floor 1G, a floor 2G, and a floor 3G.

  The information providing apparatus receives the provisional signal information and transmits the received provisional signal information to provide the in-vehicle device. In addition, the transmission timing of provisional signal information is the display start time nearest to the green signal with respect to the main road side of the intersection, for example. Thereby, the signal information provided to the vehicle via the optical beacon can be synchronized with the signal lamp color switching timing (actual control) by the traffic signal controller. The information providing device generates signal information including the display time information of the signal lamp color having the switching time after the display end time of the signal lamp color corresponding to the display time information specified by the time width, and displays the generated signal information. Send it to the in-vehicle device after the time. For example, when the display time information of the floor 2G is specified by the time width in the provisional signal information, the end time of the floor 2G is detected, and the signal information including the display time information of the signal lamp color having the switching timing after the floor 2G is obtained. Generate. Similarly, when the display time information of the floor 3G is specified by the time width in the provisional signal information, the end time of the floor 3G is detected, and the display time information of the signal lamp color having the switching timing after the floor 3G is included. Generate signal information. As a result, the signal information can be provided to the vehicle before the next green signal display start time, for example, at the time of the floor 2G or the time of the floor 3G. The updated signal information can be provided to the vehicle in real time without waiting for the display start time of the green signal.

  In the second invention, the information providing device detects the signal lamp color switching time, and based on the detected switching time, specifies the signal lamp color display end time corresponding to the display time information specified by the time width. To do. For detection of the signal lamp color switching time, for example, by detecting the drive current in the drive line from the traffic signal controller to the signal lamp device with a current sensor or the like, it is detected which signal lamp color is displayed. Can do. For example, when the current for driving the signal lamp color corresponding to the display time information specified by the time width is detected, the signal lamp color is being displayed, and when the current becomes 0, the display of the signal lamp color is ended. It can be a point in time. The information providing device generates signal information including display time information of a signal lamp color having a switching time after the specified display end time. Thereby, the signal information provided to the vehicle can be synchronized with the actual signal lamp color control to the signal lamp by the traffic signal controller at a timing earlier than the display start time of the next green signal.

  In the third invention, the signal control device receives the signal information (upper order command) updated from the outside (for example, the central device) at a predetermined reception time point, and compares the reception time point with each predetermined time point. It is determined whether or not the signal information is scheduled to be updated between two predetermined time points. The signal control device can specify the timing at which the host command is transmitted from the central device, i.e., the reception time point. Therefore, if the reception time point is compared with each predetermined time point, two predetermined time points It is possible to determine whether or not the signal information is scheduled to be updated during the period. Thereby, irrespective of the update timing of signal information, the presence or absence of the update schedule between each predetermined time can be determined easily.

  In the fourth invention, when the signal control device determines that the signal information is scheduled to be updated between two predetermined time points, any display time information (display) of the display time information of the signal information before the update is displayed. Whether the number of seconds) is specified by the time width, and provisional signal information including the determined display time information is generated. For example, it is assumed that the signal information for the main road side includes the floor 1G, the floor 2G, and the floor 3G at the Sangenji intersection. The floor 1G is a green light display floor for the main road, the floor 2G is a green light display floor for the first secondary road, and the floor 3G is a green light display floor for the second secondary road. When the update schedule is before the floor 2G, the display time information of the floor 2G and the floor 3G is specified by the time width. When the update schedule is between the floor 2G and the floor 3G, the display time information of the floor 3G is specified by the time width. Thereby, the signal information provided to the vehicle can be synchronized with the actual signal lamp color control to the signal lamp by the traffic signal controller at the earliest timing according to the update timing of the signal information.

  In the fifth invention, the update of the signal information includes at least one update of an offset or a cycle. Thereby, the signal information when the offset or the cycle is updated can be provided to the vehicle in real time.

  In the sixth invention, the time between the two predetermined time points is between the blue display time point of one cycle after the blue display time point of the signal lamp color. Thereby, the signal information can be provided to the vehicle in real time without waiting for the display start point of the green signal after one cycle.

  In the seventh invention, the information providing apparatus transmits the signal information in synchronization with a predetermined time point (for example, the display start time point of the green signal on the main road side), and the signal information transmitted by the information providing apparatus. And a road communication device that updates the received signal information at a predetermined cycle (for example, 0.1 second). The road communication device is, for example, an optical beacon. Thereby, the signal information synchronized with the switching timing of the signal lamp color can be provided to the vehicle regardless of the update timing of the signal information.

  In the eighth invention, the roadside communication device includes a time measuring unit that measures an elapsed time from the time when the signal information is received, and the display time information at the time when the signal information is received is mounted on the vehicle from the time of the reception. Signal information including display time information corrected (for example, subtracted) by the elapsed time up to the point of communication with the device is transmitted to the in-vehicle device. As a result, the signal information transmitted to the road communication device is synchronized with the signal light color switching timing (actual control) by the traffic signal controller, and the signal information transmitted from the road communication device to the vehicle is also transmitted by the traffic signal controller. Signal light color switching timing (actual control) can be synchronized, and signal information provided to the vehicle via the road communication device can be synchronized with signal light color switching timing (actual control) by the traffic signal controller. it can.

  According to the present invention, the updated signal information can be provided to the vehicle in real time regardless of the update timing of the signal information.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the traffic signal information provision system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a structure of the traffic signal information provision system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the signal control apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the information provision apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of the signal information contained in a high-order command. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a timetable. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the timetable based on the high-order command before update. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a provisional timetable. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of a provisional timetable. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the timetable based on the high-order command | command after an update. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the timetable at the time of the end of 2nd floor. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the timetable at the time of the end of the floor 3G. It is a time chart which shows operation | movement of the traffic signal information provision system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the signal control apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the information provision apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a traffic signal information providing system, a signal control device, and an information providing device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a traffic signal information providing system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the traffic signal information providing system according to the present embodiment. These are block diagrams which show an example of a structure of the signal control apparatus 5 which concerns on this Embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the information provision apparatus 3 which concerns on this Embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the traffic signal information providing system according to the present embodiment includes at least an information providing device 3 and a signal control device 5, and further includes a signal lamp 1, a traffic signal controller 2, and roadside communication. An optical beacon 4 as a device, a conversion device 6, a central device 8 and the like are provided. As shown in FIG. 1, a signal lamp device 1 for a vehicle is installed at a predetermined position of an intersection, and a signal lamp color is switched at a predetermined switching timing by a control signal from a traffic signal controller 2. In addition, although omitted in FIG. 1, a signal lamp for pedestrians can be installed.

  At the intersection, the main road R1, the first secondary road R2, and the second secondary road R3 intersect, and the optical beacon 4 is installed at a required position from the intersection of the main road R1. . The optical beacon 4 can perform bidirectional communication with the in-vehicle device 7 in the communicable area 41. That is, required information (for example, signal information) is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 7 via the optical beacon 4. Instead of the optical beacon 4, a radio wave beacon, DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication), or the like can be used. In addition, in the example of FIG. 1, although the optical beacon 4 is installed in one place of the main road R1, it can also be installed in the required position of each road of the other direction which cross | intersects an intersection.

  The traffic signal controller 2, the information providing device 3, and the optical beacon 4 are installed at each intersection or a road near the intersection, and the signal control device 5 and the conversion device 6 are installed at a plurality of intersections as subordinate control devices. Each traffic signal controller 2 and information providing device 3 are controlled together. That is, the signal control device 5 is connected to a plurality of traffic signal controllers 2 installed at each intersection and connected to a plurality of information providing devices 3 installed at each intersection via the conversion device 6. Is done. A central device 8 is connected to the signal control device 5 as an external host control device. The central device 8, the signal control device 5, and the conversion device 6 can be installed in the traffic control center.

  The central device 8 transmits to the signal control device 5 an upper order command determined before a predetermined time point 1G (for example, a time point when the display of the green light on the main road R1 is started). The higher order command includes, for example, signal control parameters such as cycle, split, and offset. The cycle is the time of one cycle of the signal lamp (for example, the time from the blue display to the next blue display after one cycle). Split is the percentage of time that each display occupies in one cycle. The offset is a time difference in cycle start timing between intersections. For example, the central device 8 is updated at a timing of less than one cycle (for example, 50 seconds) for the split. The cycle and offset are updated every 15 minutes, for example.

  The signal control device 5 receives the higher order command transmitted from the central device 8 and sends the step command for the cycle to the traffic signal controller 2 based on the received higher order command. More specifically, the signal control device 5 generates a time table (signal information) including the display seconds of each signal light color of the signal light device, based on the higher order command, and the generated time table to the conversion device 6. At the same time as the transmission, a step signal (step command) as a switch timing signal is sent to the traffic signal controller 2 at a time corresponding to the switch timing of the signal lamp color specified in the generated timetable. The step command is a command to advance the display to the next level.

  The traffic signal controller 2 switches the display of the signal lamp color of the signal lamp device 1 according to the step command.

  The conversion device 6 converts the time table transmitted from the signal control device 5 into a data format for providing to the in-vehicle device 7, and transmits the converted time table to the information providing device 3. In addition, it can also be set as the structure which includes the function of the converter 6 in the signal control apparatus 5, and is collected as one apparatus.

  The information providing apparatus 3 transmits the received timetable to the optical beacon 4 in synchronization with a predetermined time point 1G (for example, when the display of the green light on the main road R1 is started), thereby making the timetable an optical beacon. Register to 4. The optical beacon 4 records the remaining display seconds obtained by subtracting the elapsed time T2 after the lapse of the predetermined time point 1G from the display seconds of the signal lamp color (for example, blue) currently displayed in the received timetable, Each time (for example, 0.1 seconds) elapses, the remaining display seconds are updated, and at the time of communication with the vehicle, the timetable at that time is transmitted to the vehicle.

  The optical beacon 4 has a predetermined period (for example, 0.1 second) when the update target floor (that is, the floor being executed by the traffic signal controller 2) includes the maximum display seconds and the minimum display seconds. ), The signal period is updated by subtracting the predetermined period from the maximum number of display seconds and subtracting the predetermined period from the minimum number of display seconds, and the updated signal information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device.

  On the other hand, the optical beacon 4 has a predetermined period (for example, 0) when the update target floor (that is, the floor being executed by the traffic signal controller 2) does not include the maximum display seconds and the minimum display seconds. .1 second), the signal information is updated by subtracting a predetermined period from the display seconds, and the updated signal information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device. Thereby, the signal information synchronized with the switching timing of the signal lamp color can be provided to the vehicle regardless of the update timing of the signal information.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the signal control device 5 is updated from a control unit 51 that controls the entire device, a determination unit 52, a storage unit 53 that stores predetermined information such as a timetable, and the central device 8 (external). A receiving unit 54 that receives a higher-level command that is signal information at a predetermined reception time point, a transmission unit 55 that transmits a step command and a timetable that is signal information, and the like are provided.

  The determination unit 52 determines whether or not the update schedule of the higher order command, which is signal information, is between two predetermined time points 1G (1G to 1G). The update schedule of the higher order command can be determined based on the timing at which the updated higher order command is transmitted from the central device 8, for example. That is, the determination unit 52 can determine whether or not there is a plan to update the upper command between two predetermined time points 1G by comparing the reception time of the higher command and each predetermined time point 1G. Between each predetermined time point 1G, for example, it is set between the display start time point 1G of the green signal for the main road R1 at the intersection and the display start time point 1G of the next green signal (after one cycle) (1G to 1G). be able to. Thereby, irrespective of the update timing of signal information, the presence or absence of the update plan between each predetermined time 1G can be determined easily. Further, the signal information can be provided to the vehicle in real time without waiting for the display start point of the green signal after one cycle.

  Since the signal control device 5 can specify the timing at which the higher order command is transmitted from the central device 8, that is, the reception time point, the next time point can be determined by comparing the reception time point with each predetermined time point 1G. It is possible to determine whether or not the reception time is between two predetermined time points 1G. Accordingly, it is possible to easily determine whether or not there is an update schedule between two predetermined time points 1G regardless of the update timing of the higher order command.

  The control unit 51 has a function as a determination unit that determines which display seconds are specified by the time width among the display seconds of the timetable before the update. When the determination unit 52 determines that the upper command (signal information) is scheduled to be updated between the two predetermined time points 1G, the control unit 51 determines which display seconds from among the display seconds in the timetable before the update. Decide whether to specify by time span. For example, it is assumed that a floor 1G, a floor 2G, and a floor 3G are included in the timetable at a three-way intersection as shown in FIG. The floor 1G is a green light display floor for the main road R1, the floor 2G is a green light display floor for the secondary road R2, and the floor 3G is a green light display floor for the secondary road R3. When the update schedule is before the floor 2G, the display seconds of the floor 2G and the floor 3G are specified by the time width. When the update schedule is between the floor 2G and the floor 3G, the display seconds of the floor 3G are specified by the time width. Thereby, the signal information provided to the vehicle can be synchronized with the actual signal lamp color control to the signal lamp 1 by the traffic signal controller 2 at the earliest timing according to the update timing of the signal information.

  The control unit 51 has a function as provisional signal information generation means for generating provisional signal information. When the determination unit 52 determines that there is a plan to update the higher order command, a timetable before the update (for example, the latest timetable received) A temporary timetable (provisional signal information) including the determined display seconds (displayed seconds expressed in time width) is generated using a timetable based on the latest higher-order command, and is converted via the converter 6 The generated provisional timetable is transmitted to the information providing device 3.

  The transmission timing of the provisional timetable is, for example, the latest display start time 1G in the future of the green light for the main road R1 at the intersection. Thereby, the signal information (time table) provided to the vehicle via the optical beacon 4 can be synchronized with the signal lamp color switching timing (actual control) by the traffic signal controller 2.

  The provisional timetable represents, for example, display time information (displayed seconds) of a tier that may be changed according to a higher order command, for example, as a time width composed of a minimum time and a maximum time. The minimum time and the maximum time can be appropriately determined according to the traffic situation at the intersection and the presence or absence of a pedestrian signal lamp. As the above-mentioned floors, the floor 1G and the floor 2G can be used if they are two intersections. Here, the floor 1G is a green light display floor for the main road, and the floor 2G is a green light display floor for the secondary road. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, a three-way intersection can be a floor 1G, a floor 2G, and a floor 3G. Details of the provisional timetable will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the information providing device 3 includes a control unit 31 that controls the entire device, a receiving unit 32 that receives a timetable, a transmission unit 33 that transmits the timetable to the optical beacon 4 to provide the vehicle, a signal lamp A detection unit 34 as a detection unit that detects a color switching time point, and a specification unit 35 as an end point specification unit that specifies a display end point of the signal lamp color corresponding to the display time information (display seconds) specified by the time width. And a generation unit as signal information generation means for generating signal information (time table) including signal lamp color display time information having a switching time after the signal lamp color display end time corresponding to the display time information specified by the time width 36, and a storage unit 37 for storing predetermined information such as a timetable.

  The detection part 34 detects which signal lamp color is displayed by detecting the drive current in the drive line from the traffic signal controller 2 to the signal lamp device 1 with a current sensor or the like. That is, by detecting the current flowing through the drive line corresponding to each lamp color of the signal lamp device 1 with a current sensor or the like, it is possible to detect the switching time of the signal lamp color.

  The specifying unit 35 specifies the display end point of the signal lamp color corresponding to the display time information specified by the time width based on the switching point detected by the detecting unit 34. For example, when the current for driving the signal lamp color corresponding to the display time information specified by the time width is detected, the signal lamp color is being displayed, and when the current becomes 0, the display of the signal lamp color is ended. It can be a point in time.

  The production | generation part 36 produces | generates the timetable (signal information) containing the display time information of the signal lamp color which has a switching time after the display end time of the signal lamp color corresponding to the display time information specified by the time width.

  For example, when the display time of the floor 2G is specified by the time width (for example, the maximum time and the minimum time) in the provisional timetable, the end time of the floor 2G is detected, and the signal lamp color having the switching timing after the floor 2G A time table (time table at the end of the floor 2G) including the displayed number of seconds is generated. Similarly, when the display time of the floor 3G is specified by the time width in the provisional timetable, the end time of the floor 3G is detected, and the display time of the signal lamp color having the switching timing after the floor 3G is included. A time table (time table at the end of the floor 3G) is generated. As a result, the timing table (signal information) can be provided to the vehicle before the next green signal display start time, for example, at the time of the floor 2G or the time of the floor 3G. Regardless, the updated signal information can be provided to the vehicle in real time without waiting for the display start time of the next green signal.

  The control unit 31 transmits the timetable generated by the generation unit 36 to be provided to the in-vehicle device after the display end time. That is, the control unit 31 transmits the timetable at the end of the floor 2G to the end of the floor 2G, and transmits the timetable at the end of the floor 3G to the end of the floor 3G. Note that the transmission timing may be a point when an appropriate time has elapsed from the end of each floor, but the end of the floor is preferable in order to provide updated signal information (time table) at an early timing.

  Moreover, the signal information provided to the vehicle can be synchronized with the actual signal light color control to the signal lamp device 1 by the traffic signal controller 2 at a timing earlier than the display start time of the next green signal.

  As described above, the optical beacon 4 includes a time measuring unit that measures the elapsed time from the time when the time table is received, and the number of seconds displayed at the time when the time table is received, A timetable including the display seconds corrected (for example, subtracted) with the elapsed time up to the communication time is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 7. Thereby, after synchronizing the timetable which transmits to the optical beacon 4 with the switching timing (actual control) of the signal lamp color by the traffic signal controller 2, the timetable transmitted from the optical beacon 4 to the vehicle is also the traffic signal controller. The timing table provided to the vehicle via the optical beacon 4 can be synchronized with the signal lamp color switching timing (actual control) by the traffic signal controller 2. Can be made. In addition to the elapsed time T2, the display time may be corrected by further reducing the communication time required from the information providing device 3 to the optical beacon 4. For example, if the required communication time is 0.3 seconds and the display seconds before correction is 60 seconds, the display seconds after correction is 57.7 seconds (60.0 seconds-0.3 seconds). Become.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the signal information included in the higher order command. The signal information shown in FIG. 5 shows an example of signal information transmitted from the central device 8 to the signal control device 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the signal information includes a header and data, and the header stores information such as an identifier indicating the signal information and the size of the signal information. The data stores information such as the number of information providing lamp colors, each display lamp color, and the display seconds of each lamp color (display time information).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a timetable. The timetable is synonymous with signal information, but the expression format is different. As shown in FIG. 6, the current level is represented in the order of 1G, 1Y, 1AR, 2G, 2Y, 2AR, 3G, 3Y, and 3AR, for example. Each floor has a signal light color for the main road R1, a signal light color for the first secondary road R2, a signal light color for the second secondary road R3, display seconds and display seconds. Data (flag) indicating whether or not is variable or fixed is defined. For example, in the floor 1G, the signal lamp color for the main road R1 is blue, the signal lamp color for the subordinate road R2 is red, and the signal lamp color for the subordinate road R3 is red. On the floor 1AR, the signal lamp color is red for both the main road R1, the secondary road R2, and the secondary road R3.

  The number of seconds displayed for each floor is set such that the floor 1G is 50.0 seconds, the floor 1Y is 5.0 seconds, and so on, indicating that the floor 1G, the floor 2G, and the floor 3G are variable. Here, the variable means that the display seconds are changed at an update timing such as a cycle or an offset (for example, updated every 15 minutes).

  In the following description, the timetable is expressed in a simplified manner. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a timetable based on a higher order command before update. The timetable in FIG. 7 is obtained by extracting each step and the number of display seconds from those illustrated in FIG. Further, “before update” means that the time table is one time before the time table to be updated when the time table updated based on the higher order command is used as a reference.

  When the determination unit 52 determines that the higher order command is scheduled to be updated, the control unit 51 temporarily uses the timetable before update illustrated in FIG. 7 (for example, the timetable based on the latest higher order command received most recently). A timetable (provisional signal information) is generated.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a provisional timetable. As shown in FIG. 8, the provisional timetable indicates, for example, the display seconds of the floors (variable floors, the floor 2G and the floor 3G) that may be changed according to the higher order command, respectively. It is expressed as a time width composed of a minimum time and a maximum time such as 0 second to 40.0 seconds, 10.0 seconds to 30.0 seconds. As shown in FIG. 8, the display time of the floor 1G is not represented by a time width, but this is because the update timing of the higher order command is scheduled after the display start time (predetermined time 1G) of the floor 1G. It is. Since the floor 1G is a variable floor, it can also be represented by a time width.

  The example of FIG. 8 is a provisional timetable that is generated when it is determined that the update timing of the upper command is between the display start time of the floor 1G (predetermined time 1G) and the display start time of the floor 2G. is there.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the provisional timetable. The example of FIG. 9 is a provisional timetable that is generated when it is determined that the update timing of the upper command is between the display start time of the floor 2G and the display start time of the floor 3G. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the provisional timetable indicates, for example, the display seconds of a floor (a floor 3G that is a variable floor) that may be changed according to a higher order command from 15.0 seconds to 35.35. It is expressed as a time width composed of a minimum time and a maximum time such as 0 seconds.

  Thereby, the timetable provided to the vehicle can be synchronized with the actual signal light color control to the signal lamp 1 by the traffic signal controller 2 at the earliest timing according to the update timing of the higher order command (signal information). . In the following description, the example of FIG. 8 is used. That is, it is assumed that the upper command update timing is between the display start time of the floor 1G (predetermined time 1G) and the display start time of the floor 2G.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a time table based on the updated higher order command. Compared to the timetable before updating in FIG. 7, the display time of the floor 2G is changed from 30.0 seconds to 35.0 seconds, and the display time of the floor 3G is changed from 20.0 seconds to 25.0 seconds. Has been. The information providing apparatus 3 uses the updated timetable shown in FIG. 10 to generate a timetable at the end of the floor 2G, which will be described later, and a timetable at the end of the floor 3G. In addition, you may use the timetable before the update shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a timetable at the end of the floor 2G, and FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a timetable at the end of the floor 3G. As shown in FIG. 11, the timetable at the end of the floor 2G has a switching timing after the end of the floor 2G among the display seconds (display time information) included in the provisional timetable illustrated in FIG. The number of seconds displayed on the floor is displayed.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the timing table at the end of the floor 3G has a switching timing after the end of the floor 3G in the display seconds (display time information) included in the provisional timetable illustrated in FIG. The number of seconds displayed for each floor is displayed. In the example of FIGS. 11 and 12, the floors after the floor 1G of the next cycle can be included after the floor 3AR.

  The update of the signal information includes at least one update of offset or cycle. Thereby, the signal information when the offset or the cycle is updated can be provided to the vehicle in real time.

  FIG. 13 is a time chart showing the operation of the traffic signal information providing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, when the signal control device 5 determines that there is a plan to update the higher order command between the predetermined time point 1G and the next predetermined time point 1G, the latest upper signal already received from the central device 8 A temporary timetable is generated using the timetable based on the command, and the generated temporary timetable is transmitted to the information providing device 3 (see P1).

  The information providing apparatus 3 transmits the provisional timetable to the optical beacon 4 and registers the provisional timetable in the optical beacon 4 at the predetermined time point 1G (see P2).

  The signal control device 5 receives the updated upper command from the central device 8 (see P3), and transmits an updated timetable based on the received higher command to the information providing device 3 (see P4).

  The information providing device 3 identifies the end time of the floor 2G by detecting the current driven from the traffic signal controller 2 to the signal lamp 1, and at the end time of the floor 2G, displays the timetable of the end of the floor 2G. It transmits to the optical beacon 4 and registers the timetable at the end of the floor 2G in the optical beacon 4 (see P5).

  The information providing device 3 detects the current driven from the traffic signal controller 2 to the signal lamp 1 to identify the end time of the floor 3G, and at the end time of the floor 3G, displays the timetable of the end of the floor 3G. Transmit to the optical beacon 4 and register the timetable at the end of the floor 3G in the optical beacon 4 (see P6).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the signal control apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 51 determines whether or not there is a plan to update the higher order command during a predetermined time (1G to 1G) (S11). If there is a plan to update (YES in S11), the control unit 51 determines according to the timing of the update plan. Then, among the floors of the timetable before the update, the floor that gives the time width to the display seconds is determined (S12).

  The control part 51 produces | generates the temporary timetable containing the determined display time of the step, and transmits the produced | generated temporary timetable to the information provision apparatus 3 (S13). The control unit 51 determines whether or not a higher order command has been received from the central device 8 (S14), and when no higher order command is received (NO in S14), the process of step S14 is continued.

  When receiving the higher order command (YES in S14), the control unit 51 transmits the updated timetable based on the received higher order command to the information providing apparatus 3 (S15). When there is no plan to update the upper command during a predetermined time (1G to 1G) (NO in S11), the control unit 51 performs a process of step S16 described later.

  The control unit 51 determines whether or not the process is finished (S16). If the process is not finished (NO in S16), the process from step S11 is continued, and if the process is finished (YES in S16), the process is performed. finish.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the information providing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 31 determines whether or not the provisional timetable has been received from the signal control device 5 via the converter 6 (S21). If the provisional timetable has not been received (NO in S21), the control unit 31 performs step S21. Continue processing.

  When the provisional timetable is received (YES in S21), the control unit 31 transmits the received provisional timetable to the optical beacon 4 (S22). Note that the transmission timing is a predetermined time point 1G. The control unit 31 determines whether or not the updated timetable has been received (S23). If the updated timetable has not been received (NO in S23), the process of step S23 is continued.

  When the updated timetable is received (YES in S23), the control unit 31 determines whether or not the display time of the floor 2G has ended (S24), and when the display time of the floor 2G has not ended ( (NO in S24), the process of step S24 is continued.

  When the display time of the floor 2G has ended (YES in S24), the control unit 31 generates a timetable at the time when the floor 2G ends and transmits it to the optical beacon 4 (S25). The control unit 31 determines whether or not the display time of the floor 3G has ended (S26). If the display time of the floor 3G has not ended (NO in S26), the process of step S26 is continued.

  When the display time of the floor 3G has ended (YES in S26), the control unit 31 generates a timetable at the time when the floor 3G ends and transmits it to the optical beacon 4 (S27). The control unit 31 determines whether or not the process is finished (S28). If the process is not finished (NO in S28), the process from step S21 is continued, and if the process is finished (YES in S28), the process is performed. finish.

  In the above-described embodiment, the information providing device 3 is configured to transmit the timetable at the end of the floor 2G or the floor 3G to the optical beacon 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information providing device 3 The end time of the floor 2G and the floor 3G may be notified to the optical beacon 4 and the timetable of the end time of the floor 2G and the floor 3G may be generated by the optical beacon 4.

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

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Signal lamp 2 Traffic signal controller 3 Information provision apparatus 4 Optical beacon 5 Signal control apparatus 6 Conversion apparatus 7 In-vehicle apparatus 8 Central apparatus 31 Control part 32 Reception part 33 Transmission part 34 Detection part 35 Specification part 36 Generation part 37 Storage part 51 Control unit 52 Judgment unit 53 Storage unit 54 Reception unit 55 Transmission unit

Claims (10)

An information providing device that provides signal information to the in-vehicle device, and a signal control device that transmits the signal information to the information providing device, and the signal control device sends a step signal to the traffic signal controller; In the traffic signal information providing system that performs traffic signal control,
The signal control device includes:
Update schedule determination means for determining whether or not there is a signal information update schedule between two predetermined time points;
If the update schedule determination means determines that there is an update schedule, provisional signal information generation means for generating provisional signal information specifying the display time information of the signal lamp color included in the signal information before update by the time width;
Transmission means for transmitting provisional signal information generated by the provisional signal information generation means to the information providing apparatus, and
The information providing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the provisional signal information;
Transmitting means for transmitting provisional signal information received by the receiving means to provide to the in-vehicle device;
Signal information generating means for generating signal information including signal lamp color display time information having a switching time after a signal lamp color display end time corresponding to the display time information specified by the time width, and
The transmission means includes
The traffic signal information providing system, wherein the signal information generated by the signal information generating means is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device after the display end time. The information providing apparatus includes:
Detecting means for detecting the switching time of the signal lamp color;
An end time specifying means for specifying a display end time of the signal lamp color corresponding to the display time information specified by the time width based on the switching time detected by the detecting means,
The signal information generating means
The traffic signal information according to claim 1, wherein signal information including display time information of a signal lamp color having a switching time after the display end time specified by the end time specifying means is generated. Offer system. The signal control device includes:
Receiving means for receiving signal information updated from outside at a predetermined reception time point,
The update schedule determination means includes
2. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein the reception time point is compared with the predetermined time point to determine whether or not there is a signal information update schedule between the two predetermined time points. Item 3. The traffic signal information providing system according to Item 2. The signal control device includes:
When it is determined that there is an update schedule by the update schedule determination unit, the display unit includes a determination unit that determines which display time information is specified by the time width among the display time information of the signal information before the update,
The provisional signal information generating means includes
The traffic signal information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein provisional signal information including display time information determined by the determining means is generated. The update of the signal information is
The traffic signal information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of an offset or a cycle is updated. Between the two predetermined time points,
The traffic signal information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the system is between a blue display time point of a signal lamp color and a blue display time point after one cycle. The information providing apparatus includes:
The signal information is transmitted in synchronization with the predetermined time point,
The traffic signal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a road communication device that receives the signal information transmitted by the information providing device and updates the received signal information at a predetermined period. Information provision system. The road communication device is
Comprising time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time from the time of receiving the signal information,
The display time information at the time of receiving the signal information is configured to transmit the signal information including the display time information corrected by the elapsed time from the reception time to the time of communication with the on-vehicle device to the on-vehicle device. The traffic signal information providing system according to claim 7, wherein the traffic signal information providing system is provided. In a signal control device that transmits signal information to an information providing device,
Update schedule determination means for determining whether or not there is a signal information update schedule between two predetermined time points;
If the update schedule determination means determines that there is an update schedule, provisional signal information generation means for generating provisional signal information specifying the display time information of the signal lamp color included in the signal information before update by the time width;
A signal control apparatus comprising: transmission means for transmitting provisional signal information generated by the provisional signal information generation means to the information providing apparatus. In the information providing device that provides the signal information transmitted by the signal control device to the in-vehicle device,
Receiving means for receiving provisional signal information specifying the display time information of the signal lamp color by the time width;
Transmitting means for transmitting provisional signal information received by the receiving means to provide to the in-vehicle device;
Signal information generating means for generating signal information including signal lamp color display time information having a switching time after a signal lamp color display end time corresponding to the display time information specified by the time width, and
The transmission means includes
The information providing apparatus, wherein the signal information generated by the signal information generating means is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device after the display end time.

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