JP2020061059A - Signal control device and processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a signal control device that can appropriately output a light color switching signal of a signal light device.SOLUTION: A signal control device for switching the color of a signal light device comprises: a light driving unit that supplies electric power to the signal light device; a control unit that switches the color of the signal light device by switching the light driving unit; an output terminal for outputting a light color switching signal of the signal light device to an external device; and a housing that houses the light driving unit, the control unit, and the output terminal. The housing is provided with an opening that exposes the output terminal to an outside, an opening/closing door that closes the opening, and a locking mechanism that locks the opening/closing door.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a signal control device and a processing system.

In recent years, for the purpose of promoting traffic safety and preventing traffic accidents, an intelligent road transportation system that receives information from infrastructure equipment installed on roads and uses this information to improve vehicle safety has been studied. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).
A communication system forming a part of the intelligent transportation system includes a plurality of roadside communication devices which are wireless communication devices on the infrastructure side and a plurality of vehicle-mounted communication devices which are wireless communication devices mounted on each vehicle. .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-2285

In the above conventional example, the roadside communication device gives signal information such as the remaining time of the color of the signal light device to the in-vehicle communication device by wireless communication.
In order to generate the signal information, the roadside communication device needs to access a traffic signal controller (signal control device) that controls the signal light device and acquire information on the light color switching control in the signal light device.

Here, the traffic signal controller is managed and operated by a prefectural public safety commission or a road administrator delegated by the prefectural public safety commission. Since the control of the traffic signal is related to road traffic, it is not preferable that a business operator other than the administrator of the traffic signal controller access the traffic signal, and the traffic signal is controlled strictly.
For this reason, it is generally difficult for a business operator other than the administrator of the signal controller to access the traffic signal controller and acquire information regarding the light color switching control.

  Therefore, it is conceivable that the traffic signal controller is provided with an output terminal and a signal (light color switching signal) including information on the switching control of the light color is outputted from the output terminal from the output terminal.

However, if such an output terminal is provided outside the traffic signal controller, it may be used by an unspecified person, which is not preferable. If the output terminal is provided inside the traffic signal controller, it will be difficult for a business operator other than the manager of the traffic signal controller to use the terminal because of management problems.
Therefore, a measure for appropriately outputting the light color switching signal from the traffic signal controller is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of appropriately outputting a light color switching signal of a signal light device.

  A signal control device according to one embodiment is a signal control device that switches a lighting color of a signal lamp, and a lamp driving unit that supplies electric power to the signal lamp and the signal lamp by switching the lamp driving unit. A controller for switching the lamp color of the signal lamp, an output terminal for outputting a lamp color switching signal of the signal lamp to an external device, and a housing for housing the lamp driver, the controller and the output terminal. The housing is provided with an opening that exposes the output terminal to the outside, an opening / closing door that closes the opening, and a locking mechanism that locks the opening / closing door.

  A processing system according to another embodiment is a processing system including the signal control device and the external device connected to the output terminal of the signal control device via a connection line, The external device includes a processing unit that performs processing based on the light color switching signal provided via the connection line.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately output the light color switching signal of the signal lamp.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an intersection where a roadside communication device is installed. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of a traffic signal and a roadside communication device. FIG. 3 is an external view showing a housing of the traffic signal controller. FIG. 4 is an external view showing a housing of a traffic signal controller according to another embodiment.

First, the contents of the embodiment will be listed and described.
[Outline of Embodiment]
(1) A signal control device according to one embodiment is a signal control device that switches the lighting color of a signal lamp, and switches a lamp driving part that supplies electric power to the signal lamp and the lamp driving part. A control unit that switches the light color of the signal light device, an output terminal for outputting a light color switching signal of the signal light device to an external device, a housing that houses the lamp device drive unit, the control unit, and the output terminal And an opening for exposing the output terminal to the outside, an opening / closing door for closing the opening, and a locking mechanism for locking the opening / closing door.

According to the above configuration, the output terminal can be exposed to the outside through the opening while preventing access to the control unit. As a result, the administrator who manages the signal controller can allow the operator of the external device to access the output terminal while maintaining the management of the control unit. Makes it easy to acquire the light color switching signal.
As described above, according to the above configuration, the light color switching signal of the signal light device can be appropriately output.

(2) In the signal control device, the casing includes a casing main body and a main body door provided in the casing main body, and the opening, the opening / closing door, and the locking mechanism are provided in the main body door. Preferably.
In this case, an opening can be provided in the existing main body door.

(3) In the signal control device, it is preferable that the locking mechanism is a locking mechanism that can be unlocked by an operator of the external device.
In this case, the operator of the external device can access the output terminal by unlocking the locking mechanism, while preventing an unspecified person from using the output terminal.

(4) In the signal control device, the lamp color switching signal is at least one of a switching signal for controlling the lamp drive unit and a signal including information indicating a remaining time of the current lamp color. It is preferable to include.

(5) Further, in a processing system according to another embodiment, the signal control device according to any one of (1) to (4) above is connected to the output terminal of the signal control device via a connection line. A processing system including an external device, wherein the external device includes a processing unit that performs processing based on the lamp color switching signal provided via the connection line.

(6) In the signal information distribution system, it is preferable that the external device further includes a relay terminal for outputting the light color switching signal received via the connection line to another external device.
In this case, the light color switching signal of the signal lamp can be output to another external device via the external device.

[Details of Embodiment]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
It should be noted that at least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[Configuration of traffic signal controller and roadside communication device]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an intersection where a roadside communication device is installed.
In FIG. 1, a roadside communication device 2 and a traffic signal 6 are installed at an intersection J.
The roadside communication device 2 is, for example, a communication device that constitutes a wireless communication system in an intelligent transportation system (ITS), and wirelessly communicates with a vehicle-mounted communication device 12 mounted on a vehicle V running around the roadside communication device (roadside). Inter-vehicle communication).

The roadside communication device 2 has a function of providing support information regarding safe driving support such as traffic information to the vehicle-mounted communication device 12 by road-vehicle communication.
The support information provided by the roadside communication device 2 includes signal information indicating the timing of switching the color of the signal light in the traffic signal 6 at the intersection J where the own device 2 is installed. The signal information includes information indicating the scheduled switching time of the light color such as the light color start time and the light color duration time of each light color of the signal light at the traffic signal 6 at the intersection J where the own device 2 is installed, and the current time. Information and the like indicating the remaining time of the light color are included.

  The vehicle V equipped with the in-vehicle communication device 12 executes a process related to safe driving support and a process related to automatic driving based on the support information from the roadside communication device 2.

The traffic signal 6 includes a plurality of signal lights 8 and a traffic signal controller 10 that controls the plurality of signal lights 8.
The traffic signal controller 10 (signal control device) supplies power to each signal lamp 8 through a signal line 8a that connects each signal lamp 8 and controls the lighting and extinction of each signal lamp 8 to change the lamp color. Switch.

In addition, in this embodiment, the setting regarding the signal control of the traffic signal 6 is performed by an administrator who manages the traffic signal 6 (for example, a prefectural public safety commission or a road administrator (police, etc.) entrusted by the prefectural public safety commission. )) Does.
On the other hand, the roadside communication device 2 is managed by a business operator other than the manager who manages the traffic signal 6 (for example, an operator who operates an intelligent transportation system). That is, the person who manages the traffic signal 6 is different from the person who manages the roadside communication device 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the traffic signal device 6 and the roadside communication device 2.
The traffic signal controller 10 of the traffic signal 6 includes a power supply unit 10a, a lamp driving unit 10b, and a control unit 10c.
The power supply unit 10a is connected to, for example, a commercial power supply (not shown), and supplies necessary power in the traffic signal controller 10 to each unit of the traffic signal controller 10.

The lamp drive unit 10b drives each signal lamp 8 by supplying the power supplied from the power supply unit 10a to each signal lamp 8.
The lamp drive unit 10b includes a plurality of semiconductor relays (not shown), and has a function of turning on / off (switching) the power individually supplied to the signal lamps corresponding to the respective lamp colors of the signal lamps 8. Have.
Although only one signal lamp 8 is shown in FIG. 2, each signal lamp 8 included in the traffic signal 6 is connected to the lamp driver 10b.

  The control unit 10c is configured by a computer including a processing unit (not shown) including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and a storage unit (not illustrated) including a memory and a hard disk. Necessary programs and information are stored in the storage unit. The function of the control unit 10c described later is realized by the processing unit executing the program and the like.

The control unit 10c has a function of controlling the power supply unit 10a and the lamp drive unit 10b.
A timetable 14 is stored in the storage unit of the control unit 10c. The timetable 14 is a signal control parameter used to determine the switching timing of the color of the signal lamp 8.
The control unit 10c controls the lamp driving unit 10b to control the color of each signal lamp 8.
The control unit 10c performs the fixed cycle control for the lamp color of each signal lamp 8 according to the timetable 14 which is a signal control parameter.
That is, the traffic signal controller 10 of the present embodiment employs point control that operates independently according to the timetable 14.

  As described above, the administrator who manages the traffic signal 6 sets the signal control of the traffic signal 6. Therefore, the plurality of timetables 14 are also managed by the administrator who manages the traffic signal 6.

A connector 20 is connected to the control unit 10c via an output line 21.
The controller 10c outputs a light color switching signal from the connector 20. The lamp color switching signal is a signal indicating the switching timing of the lamp color in the traffic signal 6, and may be, for example, a switching signal given to the lamp driving section 10b in order to control the on / off operation of the lamp driving section 10b. However, it may be a signal including information indicating the current remaining time of the light color or a signal including information indicating the scheduled switching time of each light color, and includes at least one of these signals.

The housing 16 of the traffic signal controller 10 is configured to include a main housing 16a and a sub housing 16b.
The power supply unit 10a, the lamp drive unit 10b, and the control unit 10c described above are housed in the main housing 16a.
The sub housing 16b is fixed to one surface 16a1 of the main housing 16a.
The connector 20 is provided inside the sub housing 16b.

A connector 24 provided at the tip of a connection line 22 extending from the roadside communication device 2 is detachably connected to the connector 20.
The light color switching signal output from the connector 20 is given to the processing device of the roadside communication device 2 via the connector 24 and the connection line 22.

The roadside communication device 2 includes a communication unit 30, a processing device 32, and a relay device 34.
The communication unit 30 has an antenna 30a and has a function of performing wireless communication with the in-vehicle communication device 12.
The processing device 32 is configured by a computer including a CPU and a storage unit, and executes various processes for realizing the functions of the roadside communication device 2.
The connection line 22 is connected to the processing device 32. Therefore, the light color switching signal, which is the output from the control unit 10c given to the roadside communication device 2 via the connection line 22, is given to the processing device 32.
The processing device 32 performs various processes to be executed by the roadside communication device 2 based on the light color switching signal.
For example, the processing device 32 performs a process of generating signal information based on the light color switching signal from the control unit 10c and transmitting the generated signal information to the in-vehicle communication device 12.

  That is, the roadside communication device 2 constitutes an external device including the processing device 32 that performs processing based on the light color switching signal given via the connection line 22, and includes the traffic signal controller 10 and the roadside communication device 2. And configures a processing system that performs processing based on the light color switching signal.

  The connection line 22 is also connected to the relay device 34. In addition to the connection line 22, the connector 26 is connected to the relay device 34. The connector 26 is a connector for giving a light color switching signal to a device other than the roadside communication device 2 which is its own device.

The relay device 34 has a function of outputting a light color switching signal given through the connection line 22 from the connector 26 and relaying the light color switching signal to the other device.
As a result, the lamp color switching signal output from the control unit 10c can be given to another device via the roadside communication device 2.
Therefore, when the other device is a device that provides a service to the vehicle-mounted communication device 12 by using the light color switching signal, the light color switching signal provided to the roadside communication device 2 can be used more effectively. .

[Case of traffic signal controller 10]
FIG. 3 is an external view showing the housing 16 of the traffic signal controller 10.
As described above, the housing 16 includes the main housing 16a that houses the power supply unit 10a, the lamp driving unit 10b, and the control unit 10c, and the sub housing 16b that houses the sensor 18 and the connector 20.

An opening 60 and a front door 62 that closes the opening 60 are provided on the front surface of the main housing 16a. In FIG. 3, the front door 62 is shown in a closed state.
When the front door 62 is opened, it is possible to access the power supply unit 10a, the lamp drive unit 10b, and the control unit 10c housed inside the main housing 16a.
The front door 62 is provided with a locking device 64. The locking device 64 is locked or unlocked only by the administrator of the traffic signal 6.

As described above, the setting regarding the signal control of the traffic signal 6 is performed by the administrator who manages the traffic signal 6. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the control unit 10c and the like related to the control of the signal lamp 8 housed in the main housing 16a from being accessed by anyone other than the administrator of the traffic signal 6.
Therefore, only the administrator of the traffic signal 6 can lock or unlock the locking device 64.

An opening 66 and an opening / closing door 68 that closes the opening 66 are also provided on the front surface of the sub housing 16b. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the opening / closing door 68 is opened.
The connector 20 housed inside the sub housing 16b is provided so as to be exposed from the opening 66 toward the outside of the housing.
That is, the opening 66 exposes the connector 20 to the outside of the housing.
Accordingly, the connector 20 can be connected to the connector 24 of the connection line 22 extending from the roadside communication device 2 by opening the opening / closing door 68.

The edge 66a of the opening 66 is provided with a hole 66b for guiding the connecting wire 22 to the outside of the housing when the connector 24 is connected to the connector 20 and the opening / closing door 68 is closed.
The opening 66 is provided so that the inside of the sub-housing 16b can be viewed, and the state of the inside can be confirmed by opening the opening / closing door 68.

The opening / closing door 68 is provided with a locking device 70. The locking device 70 is locked or unlocked by an operator who operates the roadside communication device 2 (intelligent transportation system).
An operator who operates the roadside communication device 2 needs to expose the connector 20 of the traffic signal controller 10 to the outside in order to obtain the output of the sensor 18.
Therefore, the operator who operates the roadside communication device 2 can lock or unlock the locking device 70.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to expose the connector 20 (output terminal) to the outside through the opening 66 while preventing access to the control unit 10c in the main housing 16a. Thereby, the administrator who manages the traffic signal controller 10 can allow the operator of the roadside communication device 2 to access the connector 20 while maintaining the management of the control unit 10c. The operator can easily obtain the light color switching signal.

  Further, since the opening / closing door 68 is provided in the opening 66, the operator of the roadside communication device 2 can access the connector 20 by unlocking the locking device 70 of the opening / closing door 68, while an unspecified person can access the connector 20. It is possible to prevent the use of 20.

FIG. 4 is an external view showing a housing 16 of a traffic signal controller 10 according to another embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the housing 16 includes a housing main body 72 and a main body door 74 provided on the front surface of the housing main body 72, and the main body door 74 has an opening 76 for exposing the connector 20 to the outside of the housing. It is different from the above-mentioned embodiment in that it is provided.

The power supply unit 10 a, the lamp drive unit 10 b, the control unit 10 c, and the connector 20 are housed inside the housing body 72.
An opening 78 is provided on the front surface of the housing body 72.
The main body door 74 closes the opening 78 so that the opening 78 can be opened and closed. When the main body door 74 is opened, it is possible to access each part housed inside the main housing 16a.
The main body door 74 is also provided with the locking device 80 as in the above embodiment. The locking device 80 is locked or unlocked only by the administrator of the traffic signal 6.

The main body door 74 is provided with an opening / closing door 82 that closes the opening 76 provided in the main body door 74. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the opening / closing door 82 is opened.
The connector 20 housed inside the housing main body 72 is provided so as to be exposed from the opening 76 toward the outside of the housing, and the opening 76 exposes the connector 20 to the outside of the housing.
At the edge portion 76a of the opening 76, a hole portion 76b that guides the connection line 22 to the outside of the housing when the connector 24 is connected to the connector 20 and the main body door 74 and the opening / closing door 82 are closed is provided.

  The opening / closing door 82 is provided with a locking device 84. The locking device 84 is locked or unlocked by an operator who operates the roadside communication device 2.

  In the present embodiment, for example, an opening 76 for exposing the connector 20 to the outside can be additionally provided to the existing traffic signal controller 10 including the main body door 74 in which the opening 76 is not provided. .

[Other]
It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplifications in all points and not restrictive.
In the above embodiment, the case where the opening 66 and the opening / closing door 68 are provided on the front surface of the sub housing 16b is illustrated, but the opening 66 and the opening / closing door 68 may be provided on the side surface or the upper and lower surfaces of the sub housing 16b. Good. The main body door 74 in FIG. 4 is also the same, and may be provided on the side surface or the upper and lower surfaces of the housing main body 72.

  Further, the traffic signal controller 10 of each of the above-described embodiments exemplifies the one that employs the point control method, but it is a traffic signal controller that employs the centralized control method that is remotely controlled by the central device of the traffic control center. Good.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the roadside communication device 2 forming the wireless communication system in the ITS is connected to the traffic signal controller 10 as an external device forming the processing system is exemplified, but the invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, as an external device, for example, a transmission device that transmits signal information to the vehicle V by an optical beacon may be connected to the traffic signal controller 10, or a device that transmits signal information to the vehicle V through a network may be a traffic signal. It may be connected to the controller 10.

  The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above meaning but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

1 signal information distribution system 2 roadside communication device 6 traffic signal device 8 signal light device 10 traffic signal controller (signal control device)
10a Power supply unit 10b Lamp drive unit 10c Control unit 12 In-vehicle communication device 14 Timetable 16 Housing 16a Main housing 16a1 One surface 16b Sub housing 18 Sensor 20 Connector 21 Connection line 22 Connection line 24 Connector 26 Connector 30 Communication unit 30a Antenna 32 processing device 34 relay device 60 opening 62 front door 64 locking device 66 opening 66a edge 66b hole 68 opening / closing door 70 locking device 72 housing body 74 body door 76 opening 76a edge 76b hole 78 opening 80 locking device 82 opening and closing Door 84 locking device

Claims (6)

A signal control device for switching the color of a signal light device,
A lamp driving section for supplying electric power to the signal lamp,
A control unit that switches the lamp color of the signal lamp by switching the lamp driving unit,
An output terminal for outputting a light color switching signal of the signal light device to an external device,
A housing that houses the lamp drive unit, the control unit, and the output terminal,
In the case,
A signal control device comprising: an opening that exposes the output terminal to the outside; an opening / closing door that closes the opening; and a locking mechanism that locks the opening / closing door. The casing includes a casing body and a body door provided in the casing body,
The signal control device according to claim 1, wherein the opening, the opening / closing door, and the locking mechanism are provided in the main body door. The locking mechanism is
The signal control device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a locking mechanism that can be unlocked by an operator of the external device. The lighting color switching signal includes at least one of a switching signal for controlling the lamp driving unit and a signal including information indicating a remaining time of the current lighting color. The signal control device according to any one of claims. A signal control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A processing system comprising: the external device connected to the output terminal of the signal control device via a connection line,
The external device is
A processing system comprising a processing unit that performs processing based on the light color switching signal provided via the connection line. The external device is
The processing system according to claim 5, further comprising a relay terminal for outputting the light color switching signal received via the connection line to another external device.

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