JP5845842B2 - Traffic signal information providing system and information providing apparatus - Google Patents

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 the vehicle and the like, and an information providing apparatus that constitutes the traffic signal information providing system.

  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. For this reason, in order to provide signal information, it is necessary to provide signal information from a central device, a signal control device, or the like.

  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

  Traffic conditions such as intersections are changing from time to time. In order to realize smooth traffic control, it is necessary to perform sensitive control that measures data such as traffic volume and changes the switching timing of signal lamps as needed according to the measured data. When signal information is generated and provided to the vehicle by a central device or signal control device other than the traffic signal controller, when the sensitive control is performed, the traffic signal controller changes the display time of the sensitive ladder. There is a risk that the traffic signal control performed on the vehicle will be different from the signal information provided to the vehicle. For this reason, when the traffic signal controller does not generate signal information at the intersection where the sensitive control is performed, the signal information cannot be provided to the vehicle.

  Therefore, it is possible to avoid discrepancies in signal information within the time range by providing a time width such as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds in the display time of the sensitive floor of the signal information provided by the central device or the signal control device. it can. However, when the traffic signal controller changes the display time of the sensitive floor by sensitive control, the central device or signal control device does not know when the sensitive floor has ended, so it is provided from the central device or signal control device. There is a problem that the remaining signal number after the end of the sensitivity is not known in the signal information.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a traffic signal information providing system capable of estimating the remaining number of seconds after the end of sensing and the traffic signal information providing even when sensitive control is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information providing apparatus that constitutes a system.

A traffic signal information providing system according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information providing device that provides signal information to an in-vehicle device, a traffic signal control device that switches signal light colors by sensitive control regardless of the signal information, and a signal to the information providing device. In a traffic signal information providing system comprising a signal control device for transmitting information, the signal control device updates the display time from time to time by sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color consisting of successive steps 1 or When a plurality of variable steps are included, first provisional signal information generating means for generating first provisional signal information in which the display time is divided by each variable step and the display time to each variable step is specified by a time width; Control device transmitting means for transmitting the first provisional signal information generated by the first provisional signal information generating means to the information providing device, wherein the information providing device includes the first provisional signal information. Receiving means for receiving and second provisional signal information excluding display time having a time width from the display time including the time width of the first provisional signal information received by the reception means to an arbitrary variable level. 2 provisional signal information generation means, and provision device transmission means for transmitting the second provisional signal information generated by the second provisional signal information generation means to be provided to the in-vehicle device every time after the end of the arbitrary variable floor. It is characterized by providing.

  A 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 signal lamp color switching time point and each variable level based on the switching time point detected by the detecting means. End time specifying means for specifying the end time of the second provisional signal information, wherein the second provisional signal information generating means excludes a display time having a time width up to the end time specified by the end time specifying means. It is characterized by generating.

  A traffic signal information providing system according to a third invention is the traffic light information providing system according to the first invention or the second invention, wherein the information providing device is based on the first provisional signal information received by the receiving means, and has the same light color composed of successive steps. 3rd provisional signal information generation means which generates the 3rd provisional signal information which specified display time by time width, and the providing device transmission means starts the first step of the first step of the successive steps. It is configured to transmit to be provided to the in-vehicle device at the time.

A traffic signal information providing system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an information providing device that provides signal information to an in-vehicle device, a traffic signal control device that switches a signal light color by sensitive control regardless of the signal information, and a signal to the information providing device. In the traffic signal information providing system comprising a signal control device for transmitting information, the signal control device is a last step of a plurality of consecutive steps in which the light colors of all the lamps controlled by the traffic signal controller do not change. In addition, the information providing apparatus includes a control device transmitting unit that includes a variable ladder whose display time is updated as needed by sensitive control, and transmits fourth provisional signal information specifying the display time by a time width to the information providing device, Receiving means for receiving the fourth provisional signal information, and display time having a time width from the fourth provisional signal information received by the receiving means to an arbitrary stage after the variable stage A fifth provisional signal information generating means for generating excluded fifth provisional signal information, to provide a fifth provisional signal information generated by the fifth provisional signal information generating means to the vehicle-mounted device since the end of the given revised And providing device transmitting means for transmitting accordingly.

  In the traffic signal information providing system according to a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the information providing apparatus is based on a detecting means for detecting a switching time of the color of the signal lamp for the vehicle, and a switching time detected by the detecting means. And an end time specifying means for specifying an end time of the arbitrary floor, wherein the fifth provisional signal information generating means excludes a display time having a time width until the end time specified by the end time specifying means. The fifth provisional signal information including the display time after the end point is generated.

  The traffic signal information providing system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the traffic signal information providing system according to the fourth aspect, wherein the information providing device includes a detecting means for detecting a switching time of the color of the pedestrian signal lamp, and a switching time detected by the detecting means. And an end time specifying means for specifying an end time of the arbitrary floor, and the fifth provisional signal information generating means is configured to display a display time having a time width until the end time specified by the end time specifying means. The fifth provisional signal information including the display time after the end time is excluded and generated.

  In a traffic signal information providing system according to a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, the detecting means detects blue blinking of a pedestrian signal lamp, and the fifth provisional signal information generating means is the blue When the blinking floor starts from the extinguished light, the fifth provisional signal information including the display time after the blue blinking start time is generated.

The traffic signal information providing system according to an eighth invention is the traffic signal information providing system according to any one of the first invention to the seventh invention, wherein the sensitive control includes gap sensitive control, high speed sensitive control, pedestrian sensitive control, elderly sensitive control, profile. It includes any one of sensitive control, dilemma sensitive control, and specific vehicle priority control.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus for providing signal information transmitted from a signal control apparatus to an in-vehicle device, wherein the display time is controlled by sensitive control during a display time of the same lamp color composed of successive steps. Receiving means for receiving first provisional signal information in which the display time is divided by each variable step and the display time to each variable step is specified by a time width when one or a plurality of variable steps updated at any time are included; The second provisional signal information generation for generating the second provisional signal information excluding the display time having the time width from the display time including the time width of the first provisional signal information received by the receiving unit to the arbitrary variable level. And provision device transmitting means for transmitting the second provisional signal information generated by the second provisional signal information generation means to be provided to the vehicle-mounted device every time after the end of the arbitrary variable floor. Do

An information providing apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is an information providing apparatus that provides signal information transmitted by a signal control device to an in-vehicle device, wherein a plurality of continuous lamp colors of all lamps controlled by the traffic signal controller do not change . Receiving means for receiving, from the signal control device, fourth provisional signal information including a variable floor whose display time is updated as needed by sensitive control in addition to the last floor of the floor, and specifying the display time by the time width; Fifth provisional signal information generating means for generating fifth provisional signal information excluding a display time having a time width from the fourth provisional signal information received in step S4 to an arbitrary step after the variable step, and the fifth provisional signal And providing device transmitting means for transmitting the fifth provisional signal information generated by the information generating means so as to be provided to the vehicle-mounted device after the end of the arbitrary floor.

In the first and ninth aspects of the invention, the signal control device includes one or a plurality of variable stairs in which the display time is updated at any time by the sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color composed of a plurality of stairs. In this case, the display time is divided by each variable step, first provisional signal information specifying the display time to each variable step by time width is generated, and the generated first provisional signal information is transmitted to the information providing apparatus. The sensitive control is, for example, right turn sensitive control, dilemma sensitive control, priority vehicle control, or the like. The variable step is a step (step) in which the display seconds are changed by the sensitive control. For example, the display seconds can be specified by the time width such as the minimum seconds and the maximum seconds.

  For example, when the lamp colors of the floors (steps) 1 to 7 are red (the same lamp color composed of a plurality of floors) and the floors 3 and 5 are sensitive floors (including variable floors), the first provisional signal information Is the display time of each variable stage (stage 3), such as red display seconds to floors 1 to 3, red display seconds to floors 4 to 5, and red display seconds to floors 6 to 7. 5), and the divided display time is specified by the time width such as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds.

  The information provision apparatus receives the first provisional signal information, and excludes the display time having a time width from the display time including the time width of the received first provisional signal information to an arbitrary variable level, to the second provisional signal information. Is generated. For example, the received first provisional signal information includes the red display seconds to the floors 1 to 3, the red display seconds to the floors 4 to 5, and the red display seconds to the floors 6 to 7. When the display time is divided by each variable step (steps 3, 5) and the divided display time is specified by the time width such as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds, the second provisional signal information is the step 1 Includes red display seconds up to 4-7, excluding red display seconds up to ~ 3. Further, the second provisional signal information includes red display seconds up to the floors 6 to 7 excluding red display seconds from the floors 4 to 5 in addition to the floors 1 to 3.

  Then, the information providing apparatus transmits the generated second provisional signal information to be provided to the in-vehicle device every time after the end of the arbitrary variable floor. For example, the information providing apparatus obtains the second provisional signal information including the red display seconds to the floors 4 to 7 excluding the red display seconds to the floors 1 to 3 when the variable floor 3 is finished. Send. Also, the information providing device transmits the second provisional signal information including the red display seconds to the floors 6 to 7 excluding the red display seconds to the floors 1 to 5 when the variable floor 5 is finished. To do. Note that the information providing device provides signal information to the in-vehicle device not only when the information providing device indirectly provides to the in-vehicle device via another infrastructure such as an optical beacon, but also directly from the information providing device. This includes the case where signal information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device.

  With the above configuration, the second provisional signal information provided to the in-vehicle device has a display time after the end of each variable step divided by variable step, so when the variable step is censored by sensitive control Even if the display time of the variable deck is changed, it is possible to estimate the remaining seconds of the lamp color after the end of the variable deck.

  In the second aspect of the invention, the information providing device detects the switching time of the signal lamp color, and specifies the end time of each variable deck based on the detected switching time. 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 each variable floor is detected, the lamp color of the variable floor is being displayed, and when the current becomes zero, the end time of the variable floor shall be set Can do. The information providing apparatus generates second provisional signal information excluding the display time having the time width until the identified end time. As a result, even when the traffic signal controller changes the display time of the variable deck by sensitive control, it is possible to specify the actual end point of the variable deck, and to accurately determine the remaining seconds of the lamp color after the variable deck has ended. Can be estimated.

  In the third invention, the information providing device generates, based on the received first provisional signal information, third provisional signal information specifying the display time of the same lamp color composed of successive floors by the time width, The generated third provisional signal information is transmitted to be provided to the vehicle-mounted device at the start of the first floor of successive floors. For example, the received first provisional signal information includes the red display seconds to the floors 1 to 3, the red display seconds to the floors 4 to 5, and the red display seconds to the floors 6 to 7. When the display time is divided by each variable step (steps 3, 5) and the divided display time is specified by the time width such as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds, the third provisional signal information is the step 1 Including red display seconds from ~ 7. Since the third provisional signal information is transmitted at the first floor start time, the display time of the lamp color can be estimated from an early time point even when the sensitive control is performed.

In the fourth invention and the tenth invention, the signal control device displays the display time by sensitive control in addition to the last of the plurality of consecutive floors where the color of all the lamps controlled by the traffic signal controller does not change. Includes the variable level that is updated as needed, and transmits the fourth provisional signal information specifying the display time by the time width to the information providing apparatus. The sensitive control is, for example, right turn sensitive control, dilemma sensitive control, priority vehicle control, or the like. The variable step is a step (step) in which the display seconds are changed by the sensitive control. For example, the display seconds can be specified by the time width such as the minimum seconds and the maximum seconds.

  For example, it is assumed that the lamp color of the signal lamps (steps) 1 to 6 for one road is red (the same lamp color composed of continuous floors), and the floor 1 is a sensitive floor (variable floor). In addition, it is assumed that the lamp colors of the floors 1 to 6 of the signal lamps with respect to the road on the intersection side that intersects the one road at the intersection are switched in the order of blue, yellow, and red. The fourth provisional signal information is, for example, the number of red display seconds up to an arbitrary level (for example, levels 2, 3, 4, etc.) including the level 1 which is the variable level of the signal lamp for the one road. The maximum number of seconds is specified by the time width, and the number of seconds displayed in red after the next floor of the arbitrary floor is represented. Further, the fourth provisional signal information includes, for example, the number of seconds displayed in blue up to an arbitrary level (for example, levels 2, 3, 4, etc.) including the level 1 which is a variable level of the signal lamp for the road on the intersection side. It is specified by the time width such as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds, and indicates the display seconds of yellow and red after the next floor of the arbitrary floor.

  The information providing apparatus receives the fourth provisional signal information, and generates fifth provisional signal information excluding display time having a time width from the received fourth provisional signal information to an arbitrary floor after the variable floor. For example, as described above, the fourth provisional signal information indicates that the red display seconds to any level including the level 1 which is the variable level of the signal lamp for one road are the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds. Specified by time width, the number of blue display seconds to any floor including the first floor which is the variable floor of the signal lamp for the road on the crossing side is specified by the time width like the minimum and maximum seconds. In this case, for example, when the fifth provisional signal information is provided to the vehicle-mounted device after the end of the floor 3, the fifth provisional signal information excludes the display time having the time width from the floors 1 to 3, for example, It includes red display times for signal lights on floors 4-6 for one road, and blue, yellow, and red display times for signal lights on floors 4-6 for intersection roads. Note that the fifth provisional signal information can include the display time of the next cycle of the next cycle after the floor 6.

  The information providing apparatus transmits the generated fifth provisional signal information to be provided to the in-vehicle device after the end of the arbitrary floor (the floor 3 in the above example). With the above configuration, when there is no variable floor after the arbitrary floor, the fifth provisional signal information provided to the vehicle-mounted device includes the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds from the display seconds of the lamp color. Since the display seconds having the time width are excluded, the remaining seconds after the end of the response can be provided accurately. In addition, the remaining number of seconds can be provided after the end of the floor after the variable floor, or even after the light of the same color after the light of the variable floor (for example, blue) The remaining number of seconds after the end of any floor can be provided.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, the information providing device detects the switching time of the lamp color of the vehicular signal lamp device, and specifies the end time of an arbitrary floor based on the detected switching time. 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 vehicle signal lamp with a current sensor or the like, it is detected which lamp color is displayed. can do. For example, when a current for driving a signal lamp color corresponding to an arbitrary floor is detected, the lamp color of the arbitrary floor is being displayed, and when the current becomes zero, the end time of the arbitrary floor is can do. The information providing apparatus excludes the display time having a time width until the identified end time, and generates fifth provisional signal information including the display time after the end time. Thereby, even when the traffic signal controller changes the display time of the variable floor by the sensitive control, it is possible to accurately provide the remaining number of seconds of the lamp color after the completion of the arbitrary floor after the variable floor.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, the information providing device detects the switching time of the lamp color of the pedestrian signal lamp, and identifies the end point of any floor based on the detected switching time. For the 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 pedestrian signal lamp with a current sensor or the like, which lamp color is displayed. Can be detected. For example, when a current for driving a signal lamp color corresponding to an arbitrary floor is detected, the lamp color of the arbitrary floor is being displayed, and when the current becomes zero, the end time of the arbitrary floor is can do. The information providing apparatus excludes the display time having a time width until the identified end time, and generates fifth provisional signal information including the display time after the end time. Thereby, even when the traffic signal controller changes the display time of the variable floor by the sensitive control, it is possible to accurately provide the remaining number of seconds of the lamp color after the completion of the arbitrary floor after the variable floor.

  In the seventh invention, the information providing apparatus detects the blinking blue light of the pedestrian signal lamp, and when the blinking blue light starts from the extinguished light, the information providing apparatus includes a display time after the start time of the blinking blue. 5 Generate provisional signal information. For example, when the light color of the pedestrian signal lamp is switched from blue (PG) to blue flashing (PF), when the blue flashing is started from the extinguished light, the fifth provisional signal information is the start point of blue flashing. It includes the display time (number of remaining seconds) of the subsequent lamp color. As a result, even if the traffic signal controller changes the display time of the variable floor by the sensitive control, the remaining number of seconds of the light color at the end of the pedestrian signal light after the variable floor at the blue end (at the start of blue flashing) is accurate. Can be provided.

In the eighth invention, the sensitive control includes any of gap sensitive control, high speed sensitive control, pedestrian sensitive control, elderly sensitive control, profile sensitive control, dilemma sensitive control, or specific vehicle priority control. Right turn sensitive control, which is an example of gap sensitive control, extends the display time of the right turn arrow when there is a right turn vehicle based on data from a vehicle sensor that detects a right turn vehicle at an intersection, and turns right. When there is no vehicle, control is performed to shorten the display time of the right turn arrow and extend or shorten the display time of the right turn arrow. In addition, the high-speed sensitive control is to control the lamp color so that a vehicle traveling toward the intersection at a high speed (exceeding the regulation speed) is stopped at the intersection. In the pedestrian sensitive control, a pedestrian crossing the roadway is detected by a sensor, and the blue time of the signal lamp is controlled. Elderly person sensitive control is control performed at intersections where there are many crossings such as elderly persons or physically disabled persons, and controls the blue time by detecting the operation of a push button or the operation of a portable transmitter. . The profile sensitive control is a control for shortening or extending the blue time of the signal light color by using an arrival profile that is time-series data of the predicted traffic volume of the vehicle arriving at the stop line at the intersection. In addition, the dilemma control is, for example, to display the number of seconds displayed in the green light in order to stop safely before the intersection from the position and speed of the vehicle traveling toward the intersection, or to pass the intersection safely without stopping. Control to shorten or extend. In addition, specific vehicle priority control is a control that extends or shortens the number of seconds displayed in green light so that specific vehicles such as emergency vehicles and buses can travel preferentially compared to other vehicles without stopping at the intersection. is there. Thereby, even if various sensitive controls are performed, it is possible to estimate the remaining number of seconds after completion of the sensitive.

  According to the present invention, in the second provisional signal information provided to the in-vehicle device, since the display time after the end of each variable step is divided for each variable step, at which point the variable step is detected by the sensitive control. Even if the display is stopped, that is, the display time of the variable deck is changed, the remaining number of seconds of the lamp color after the variable deck can be estimated.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the traffic signal information provision system of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a structure of the traffic signal information provision system of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the signal control apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the information provision apparatus of 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 presenting floor plan. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information corresponding to the left on the east-west direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information corresponding to the right of the east-west direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information corresponding to the left of the north-south direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information corresponding to the right of the north-south direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information registered into an optical beacon at the time of the first stage 1 start. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information registered into an optical beacon at the time of the end of the floor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the signal information at the time of cutting off the floor 3 as a comparative example in 7 seconds. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information registered into an optical beacon at the time of the end of the floor. 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 information provision apparatus of this Embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a current floor plan according to a second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information corresponding to the east-west direction which a signal control apparatus transmits to an information provision apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information corresponding to the north-south direction which a signal control apparatus transmits to an information provision apparatus. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal information registered in an optical beacon at the start of the first floor 1 of the second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information registered into an optical beacon at the time of completion | finish of the floor 4 of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the signal information at the time of cutting off the floor 1 as a comparative example of Embodiment 2 in 20 seconds. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information corresponding to the east-west direction which a signal control apparatus transmits to an information provision apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information corresponding to the north-south direction which a signal control apparatus transmits to an information provision apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information registered into an optical beacon at the time of the end of the floor 3 of Embodiment 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the signal information at the time of cutting off the floor 1 as a comparative example of Embodiment 2 in 20 seconds. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the blue blink start of the signal lamp device for pedestrians. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information corresponding to the east-west direction which a signal control apparatus transmits to an information provision apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information corresponding to the north-south direction which a signal control apparatus transmits to an information provision apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information registered into an optical beacon at the time of the end of the level 2 when a blue blink starts from a light extinction. It is explanatory drawing which shows the signal information at the time of cutting off the floor 1 as a comparative example of Embodiment 2 in 20 seconds. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information corresponding to the east-west direction which a signal control apparatus transmits to an information provision apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information corresponding to the north-south direction which a signal control apparatus transmits to an information provision apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information registered into an optical beacon at the time of the end of the level 2 when blue blinking starts from lighting.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a traffic signal information providing system according to the present invention and an information providing apparatus constituting the traffic signal information providing system will be described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a traffic signal information providing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the traffic signal information providing system according to the present 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 9, 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, the road R1 in the east-west direction and the road R2 in the north-south direction intersect at the intersection, and the signal lamp 1 (round lamp) and 1A (right turn arrow) for vehicles traveling in the east-west direction are installed. In addition, a signal lamp 2 (round lamp) 2A (right turn arrow) for a vehicle traveling in the north-south direction is installed. In addition, a pedestrian signal lamp 1P crossing the road R2 is installed, and a pedestrian signal lamp 2P crossing the road R1 is installed. Each of the signal lamps 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 1P, and 2P is switched at a predetermined switching timing by a control signal from the traffic signal controller 9.

An optical beacon 4 is installed at a required position from the intersection of the road R2. 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. In place of the optical beacon 4, a radio beacon, DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication)
: Dedicated narrow area communication) or the like. In addition, in the example of FIG. 1, although the optical beacon 4 is installed in one place of the road R2, 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 9, 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, respectively. The traffic signal controller 9 and the information providing device 3 are collectively controlled. That is, the signal control device 5 is connected to a plurality of traffic signal controllers 9 installed at each intersection, and is 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.

  For example, the central device 8 transmits to the signal control device 5 a higher order command determined before the time when the display of the green light on the road R1 is started (the time when the floor 1 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.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the signal control device 5 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information providing device 3 of the present embodiment.

  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 9 based on the received higher order command. More specifically, the signal control device 5 generates signal information including the display seconds of each signal lamp color of the signal lamp (1, 1A, 2, 2A, 1P, 2P) based on the higher order command, The generated signal information is transmitted to the conversion device 6, and at the time corresponding to the signal lamp color switching timing specified by the generated signal information, the traffic signal controller 9 receives a step signal (step) as a switching timing signal. Hex command). The step command is a command to advance the display to the next level.

  In addition, when the signal control device 5 generates and transmits signal information, the display time is updated at any time by the sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color composed of a plurality of floors. Is included, the first provisional signal information is generated by dividing the display time by each variable step and the display time to each variable step is specified by the time width, and the generated first provisional signal information is converted to the conversion device 6. To the information providing apparatus 3 via The variable step is a step (step) in which the display seconds are changed by the sensitive control. For example, the display seconds can be specified by the time width such as the minimum seconds and the maximum seconds.

  For example, when the lamp colors of the floors (steps) 1 to 7 are red (the same lamp color composed of a plurality of floors) and the floors 3 and 5 are sensitive floors (including variable floors), the first provisional signal information Indicates the display time for each of the variable floors (the floors 3 to 3), such as the red display seconds to the floors 1 to 3, the red display seconds to the floors 4 to 5, and the red display seconds to the floors 5 to 7. 5), and the divided display time is specified by the time width such as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds. Details of the first provisional signal information will be described later.

  The traffic signal controller 9 switches the display of the signal lamp color of the signal lamps (1, 1A, 2, 2A, 1P, 2P) according to the step command. Further, the traffic signal controller 9 can acquire data (for example, vehicle position, speed, vehicle type, etc.) relating to the vehicle detected by a vehicle detector (not shown), for example, and based on the acquired data, Sensitive control can be performed. The traffic signal controller 9 does not generate and output signal information. That is, the traffic signal controller 9 switches the signal lamp color according to the sensitive control regardless of the signal information once provided from the signal control device 5 to the vehicle via the conversion device 6.

  Sensitive control includes, for example, gap sensitive control represented by right turn sensitive control, high-speed sensitive control, pedestrian sensitive control, elderly sensitive control, profile sensitive control, dilemma sensitive control, specific vehicle priority control, etc. Can also be employed alone or in combination. For example, right turn sensitive control is based on data from a vehicle detector that detects a right turn vehicle at an intersection.If a right turn vehicle exists, the display time of the right turn arrow is extended, and if there is no right turn vehicle, In this control, the display time of the right turn arrow is shortened, and the display time of the right turn arrow is extended or shortened.

  In addition, the high-speed sensitive control is to control the lamp color so that a vehicle traveling toward the intersection at a high speed (exceeding the regulation speed) is stopped at the intersection. In the pedestrian sensitive control, a pedestrian crossing the roadway is detected by a sensor, and the blue time of the signal lamp is controlled. Elderly person sensitive control is control performed at intersections where there are many crossings such as elderly persons or physically disabled persons, and controls the blue time by detecting the operation of a push button or the operation of a portable transmitter. . The profile sensitive control is a control for shortening or extending the blue time of the signal light color by using an arrival profile that is time-series data of the predicted traffic volume of the vehicle arriving at the stop line at the intersection.

  In addition, the dilemma control is, for example, to display the number of seconds displayed in the green light in order to stop safely before the intersection from the position and speed of the vehicle traveling toward the intersection, or to pass the intersection safely without stopping. Control to shorten or extend. In addition, specific vehicle priority control is a control that extends or shortens the number of seconds displayed in green light so that specific vehicles such as emergency vehicles and buses can travel preferentially compared to other vehicles without stopping at the intersection. is there. In the following, the case of right-turn sensitivity will be described, but the present invention can also be applied to other sensitive controls.

  The conversion device 6 converts the signal information transmitted from the signal control device 5 into a data format for providing to the in-vehicle device 7, and transmits the converted signal information 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.

  Based on the received first provisional signal information, the information providing device 3 generates the third provisional signal information (signal information) that specifies the display time of the same lamp color composed of successive floors by the time width, and generates the generated first provisional signal information. 3 Provisional signal information is transmitted to be provided to the vehicle-mounted device 7 via the optical beacon 4 at the start of the first floor (for example, the floor 1) of successive floors. For example, the received first provisional signal information includes red display seconds up to levels 1 to 3, red display times up to levels 4 to 5, and red display times up to levels 5 to 7. When the display time is divided by each variable step (steps 3, 5) and the divided display time is specified by the time width such as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds, the third provisional signal information is the step 1 Including red display seconds from ~ 7.

  Further, the information providing device 3 receives the first provisional signal information, and excludes the display time having the time width from the display time including the time width of the received first provisional signal information to the arbitrary variable level. Provisional signal information (signal information) is generated. For example, the received first provisional signal information includes red display seconds up to levels 1 to 3, red display times up to levels 4 to 5, and red display times up to levels 5 to 7. When the display time is divided by each variable step (steps 3, 5) and the divided display time is specified by the time width such as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds, the second provisional signal information is the step 1 Includes red display seconds up to 4-7, excluding red display seconds up to ~ 3. Further, the second provisional signal information includes red display seconds up to the floors 6 to 7 excluding red display seconds from the floors 4 to 5 in addition to the floors 1 to 3.

  The information providing device 3 transmits the generated second provisional signal information to be provided to the in-vehicle device 7 via the optical beacon 4 every time after the end of the arbitrary variable floor. For example, the information providing apparatus obtains the second provisional signal information including the red display seconds to the floors 4 to 7 excluding the red display seconds to the floors 1 to 3 when the variable floor 3 is finished. Send. Also, the information providing device transmits the second provisional signal information including the red display seconds to the floors 6 to 7 excluding the red display seconds to the floors 1 to 5 when the variable floor 5 is finished. To do.

  The information providing apparatus 3 registers the signal information in the optical beacon 4 by transmitting the second temporary signal information and the third temporary signal information (signal information) to the optical beacon 4. The optical beacon 4 records the remaining display seconds obtained by subtracting the elapsed time after the lapse of the registration time from the display seconds of the signal lamp color (for example, red) that is currently displayed in the received signal information. , 0.1 seconds), the remaining display seconds are updated, and the signal information at that time is transmitted to the vehicle at the time of communication with the vehicle.

  When the signal information includes the maximum number of seconds and the minimum number of seconds, the optical beacon 4 subtracts the predetermined period from the maximum number of seconds each time a predetermined period (for example, 0.1 seconds) elapses, and starts from the minimum number of seconds. The signal information is updated by reducing the predetermined period, and the updated signal information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 7. Further, when the maximum number of seconds and the minimum number of seconds are the same number of display seconds, the optical beacon 4 subtracts the predetermined period from the display seconds every time a predetermined period (for example, 0.1 second) elapses. Thus, the signal information is updated, and the updated signal information is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 7.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the signal control device 5 is updated from a control unit 51 that controls the entire device, a generation unit 52, a storage unit 53 that stores predetermined information such as signal information, 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 signal information, and the like are provided.

  When the display time of the same lamp color composed of a plurality of floors includes one or a plurality of variable floors whose display time is updated as needed by sensitive control, the generation unit 52 divides the display time by each variable floor. The first provisional signal information generating means for generating the first provisional signal information specifying the display time to each variable floor by the time width.

  In the first provisional signal information, for example, the lamp colors of the floors (steps) 1 to 7 are red (the same lamp color including a plurality of floors), and the floors 3 and 5 are sensitive floors (including variable floors). In this case, the display time can be set to each variable level (level 3), such as the red number of seconds displayed to the floors 1 to 3, the red number of seconds displayed to the levels 4 to 5, and the red number of seconds displayed to the levels 5 to 7. 5), and the divided display time is specified by the time width such as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds.

  The transmission unit 55 has a function as a control device transmission unit that transmits the generated first provisional signal information to the information providing device 3.

  The transmission timing of the first provisional signal information (signal information) is, for example, a time point a predetermined time before the start point of the blue signal (first floor 1) for the intersection road R1. The predetermined time can be set longer than the time required for the information providing apparatus 3 to generate the third provisional signal information (signal information) based on the received first provisional signal information.

  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 signal information, a transmission unit 33 that transmits signal information to the optical beacon 4 to provide the vehicle with a signal light, A detection unit 34 as a detection unit that detects a color switching time point, a specification unit 35 as an end point specification unit that specifies an end point of each variable level, and a second provisional signal that generates second provisional signal information (signal information) An information generation unit and a generation unit 36 as a third provisional signal information generation unit for generating third provisional signal information (signal information), a storage unit 37 for storing predetermined information such as signal information, and the like are provided.

  The detection unit 34 displays any signal lamp color by detecting the drive current in the drive line from the traffic signal controller 9 to the signal lamp (1, 1A, 2, 2A, 1P, 2P) with a current sensor or the like. Detect whether it has been. That is, by detecting the current flowing through the drive line corresponding to each lamp color of the signal lamp (1, 1A, 2, 2A, 1P, 2P) 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 end time of each variable step based on the switching time detected by the detecting unit 34. For example, when the current for driving the signal lamp color corresponding to each variable floor is detected, the lamp color of the variable floor is being displayed, and when the current becomes zero, the end time of the variable floor shall be set Can do. As a result, even when the traffic signal controller 9 changes the display time of the variable deck by the sensitive control, the actual end time of the variable deck can be specified, and the remaining number of seconds of the lamp color after the completion of the variable deck can be accurately determined. It can be estimated well.

  Based on the first provisional signal information received by the reception unit 32, the generation unit 36 generates third provisional signal information (signal information) that specifies the display time of the same lamp color composed of successive floors by the time width. For example, the received first provisional signal information includes red display seconds up to levels 1 to 3, red display times up to levels 4 to 5, and red display times up to levels 5 to 7. When the display time is divided by each variable step (steps 3, 5) and the divided display time is specified by the time width such as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds, the third provisional signal information is the step 1 Including red display seconds from ~ 7.

  Further, the generation unit 36 generates second provisional signal information excluding display time having a time width from the display time including the time width of the first provisional signal information received by the reception unit 32 to an arbitrary variable level. . For example, the received first provisional signal information includes red display seconds up to levels 1 to 3, red display times up to levels 4 to 5, and red display times up to levels 5 to 7. When the display time is divided by each variable step (steps 3, 5) and the divided display time is specified by the time width such as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds, the second provisional signal information is the step 1 Includes red display seconds up to 4-7, excluding red display seconds up to ~ 3. Further, the second provisional signal information includes red display seconds up to the floors 6 to 7 excluding red display seconds from the floors 4 to 5 in addition to the floors 1 to 3.

  The control unit 31 controls the transmission unit 33 to transmit the third provisional signal information generated by the generation unit 36 to be provided to the in-vehicle device 7 at the start of the first floor (for example, the first floor) of the continuous floors. To do. Thereby, since the 3rd temporary signal information is transmitted at the time of the first floor start, even when sensitive control is performed, it is possible to estimate the lamp color display time from an early time point.

  In addition, the control unit 31 controls the transmission unit 33 to transmit the second provisional signal information generated by the generation unit 36 to be provided to the in-vehicle device 7 every time after the end of the arbitrary variable floor. For example, when the variable deck 3 is finished, the control unit 31 excludes the red display seconds from the floors 1 to 3 and excludes the second provisional signal information including the red display seconds from the floors 4 to 7. Send. Moreover, the control part 31 transmits the 2nd provisional signal information containing the red display seconds to the floors 6-7 which excluded the red display seconds to the floors 1-5 when the variable floor 5 was complete | finished. To do.

  As a result, in the second provisional signal information provided to the in-vehicle device 7, the display time after the end of each variable step is divided for each variable step, so at which point the variable step is censored by the sensitive control. However, even if the display time of the variable deck is changed, the remaining number of seconds of the lamp color after the variable deck can be estimated.

  The optical beacon 4 is provided with a time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time from the time when the signal information is received, and has received the display seconds (including the maximum number of seconds and the minimum number of seconds) when the signal information is received. Signal information including the display seconds corrected (for example, subtracted) with the elapsed time from the time point to the time point of communication with the on-vehicle device 7 is transmitted to the on-vehicle device 7. Thus, the signal information (third provisional signal information and second provisional signal information) to be transmitted to the optical beacon 4 is synchronized with the start time of the first floor 1 and the end time of the variable floor by the traffic signal controller 9. Thus, the signal information transmitted from the optical beacon 4 to the in-vehicle device 7 can also be synchronized with the signal color switching timing (actual control) by the traffic signal controller 9 and provided to the in-vehicle device 7 via the optical beacon 4. The signal information can be synchronized with the signal lamp color switching timing (actual control) by the traffic signal controller 9. In addition to the above-described elapsed time, the display time may be corrected by further reducing the communication required time 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 59.7 seconds (60.0 seconds-0.3 seconds). Become.

  The sensitive control includes any of gap sensitive control, high-speed sensitive control, pedestrian sensitive control, elderly sensitive control, profile sensitive control, dilemma sensitive control, or specific vehicle priority control. Thereby, even if various sensitive controls are performed, it is possible to estimate the remaining number of seconds after completion of the sensitive.

  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 also stores information such as the lamp number for identifying each signal lamp, the number of lamp colors of each lamp number, the display lamp colors, the minimum seconds and the maximum seconds of each display lamp color. ing.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the current floor plan. The current floor plan shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the intersection illustrated in FIG. Information included in the current floor plan illustrated in FIG. 6 is held by the central device 8. As shown in FIG. 6, one cycle of the signal cycle is composed of floors 1 to 14, and in the current display 1 (floors 1 to 7), the signal lamps 2 and 2 </ b> A corresponding to the north-south direction are made red and the current display 2 ( In the floors 8 to 14), the signal lamps 1, 1A corresponding to the east-west direction are made red. Of the floors 1 to 14, the floors 3 and 5 are variable floors whose display seconds are changed by sensitive control. The lamp colors PG, PF, PR, Y, A, and AR mean pedestrian blue, pedestrian blue blinking (yellow), pedestrian red, yellow, right turn blue, and all red (east, west, north, and south), respectively.

  The floor 1 is the first floor in which blue lights up in the east-west direction (road R1). In the floor 1, the signal lamps 1, 1P, 2 and 2P are blue, blue, red and red, respectively. In addition, the displayed number of seconds of the floor 1 indicates that the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds are 32 seconds, which is not a variable level (fixed level).

  In the floor 2, the signal lamps 1, 1P, 2, 2P are blue, yellow, red, and red, respectively. Further, the display time of the floor 2 is 8 seconds in which the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds are the same.

  In the floor 3, the signal lamps 1, 1P, 2 and 2P are blue, red, red and red, respectively. In addition, the display time of the floor 3 is 5 seconds for the minimum number of seconds and 10 seconds for the maximum number of seconds.

  In the floor 4, the signal lamps 1, 1P, 2 and 2P are yellow, red, red and red, respectively. Further, the display time of the floor 4 is 3 seconds, which is the same as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds.

  On the floor 5, the signal lamps 1, 1A, 1P, 2, 2P are red, blue arrows, red, red, and red, respectively. Further, the display time of the floor 5 is a variable floor with a minimum number of seconds being 5 seconds and a maximum number of seconds being 10 seconds.

  In the floor 6, the signal lamps 1, 1P, 2 and 2P are yellow, red, red and red, respectively. In addition, the display seconds of the floor 6 are 3 seconds in which the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds are the same.

  On the floor 7, the signal lamps 1, 1P, 2, 2P are red, red, red, and red, respectively. In addition, the display time of the floor 7 is 4 seconds in which the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds are the same. The same applies to the floors 8 to 14.

  Next, signal information generated by the signal control device 5 and transmitted to the information providing device 3 will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal information corresponding to the left in the east-west direction, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal information corresponding to the right in the east-west direction, and FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of signal information corresponding to the left, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of signal information corresponding to the right in the north-south direction. Here, right-left indicates signal information for a straight traveling vehicle or a left-turn vehicle, and right indicates signal information for a right-turn vehicle. 7 to 10 are based on the current floor plan shown in FIG.

  Since FIG. 7 is signal information corresponding to a vehicle traveling straight in the east-west direction or a left turn vehicle from the east-west direction, the color of the signal lamp 1 is related. As shown in FIG. 6, the lamp colors of the signal lamp 1 are G (blue) for the floors 1 to 3, Y (yellow) for the floor 4, R (red) for the floor 5, Y (yellow) for the floor 6, and the floor. 7 to 14 are R (red), the sum of the minimum seconds of the tiers 1 to 3 is 45 seconds, and the sum of the maximum seconds is 50 seconds. The total number of seconds displayed on the floors 7 to 14 is 64 seconds. The signal information in FIG. 7 is obtained by extracting the order of the lamp colors corresponding to the signal lamp device 1 in FIG. 6 and the display seconds of each lamp color. The signal information in FIG. 7 does not include one or a plurality of variable steps whose display time is updated as needed by the sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color composed of a plurality of steps. It is not in a format in which the display time to each variable floor is specified by the time width divided by variable floor.

  Since FIG. 8 shows signal information corresponding to a right turn vehicle from the east-west direction, the lamp colors of the signal lamps 1, 1A are related. As shown in FIG. 6, the lamp colors of the signal lamp 1 are G (blue) for floors 1 to 3, Y (yellow) for floor 4, 1A (blue arrow) and R (red) for floor 5, and floor 6 for floor 6. Y (yellow), the floors 7 to 14 are R (red), the total of the minimum seconds of the floors 1 to 3 is 45 seconds, and the total of the maximum seconds is 50 seconds. The total number of seconds displayed on the floors 7 to 14 is 64 seconds. The signal information in FIG. 8 is obtained by extracting the order of the lamp colors corresponding to the signal lamps 1 and 1A in FIG. 6 and the display seconds of each lamp color. The signal information in FIG. 8 does not include one or a plurality of variable steps whose display time is updated as needed by the sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color composed of a plurality of steps. It is not in a format in which the display time to each variable floor is specified by the time width divided by variable floor.

  Since FIG. 9 is signal information corresponding to a vehicle traveling straight in the north-south direction or left-turning from the north-south direction, the color of the signal lamp 2 is related. As shown in FIG. 6, the lamp color of the signal lamp 2 is displayed by the sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color (R) composed of a plurality of floors (in the example of FIG. 6, the floors 1 to 7). 1 or a plurality of variable levels (levels 3 and 5) are included. Therefore, the signal control device 5 generates first provisional signal information in which the display time is divided by each variable step and the display time to each variable step is specified by the time width as illustrated in FIG.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the light colors of the signal lamp 2 are red (the same light color composed of a plurality of floors) of the floors 1 to 7, and the floors 3 and 5 are sensitive floors (variable). As shown in FIG. 9, the first provisional signal information includes R (red) display seconds 45 to 50 seconds to floors 1 to 3, and R (red) to floors 4 to 5, as shown in FIG. The display time is divided by each variable step (steps 3 and 5), such as the display time of 8-13 seconds and the red display time of 7 to 7 seconds, and the divided display time is the minimum number of seconds. And the maximum number of seconds.

  In FIG. 6, the light colors of the signal lamp 2 are R (red), Y (yellow), and R (red) in the floors 12, 13, and 14, but in FIG. (Yellow) is regarded as R (red), and the lamp colors of the floors 12 to 14 are R (red).

  Since FIG. 10 shows signal information corresponding to a right turn vehicle from the north-south direction, the lamp colors of the signal lamps 2 and 2A are related. As shown in FIG. 6, the lamp colors of the signal lamps 2 and 2A are controlled by sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color (R) composed of a plurality of floors (in the example of FIG. 6, the floors 1 to 7). One or a plurality of variable levels (levels 3 and 5) whose display times are updated as needed are included. For this reason, the signal control device 5 generates first provisional signal information in which the display time is divided by each variable step and the display time to each variable step is specified by the time width as illustrated in FIG.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the light colors of the signal lamps 2 and 2A are red (the same lamp color composed of a plurality of floors) of the floors 1 to 7, and the floors 3 and 5 are sensitive floors. (The variable floor is included), as shown in FIG. 10, the first provisional signal information includes R (red) display seconds 45 to 50 seconds up to floors 1 to 3 and R (up to 4 to 5 floors). The display time is divided by each variable floor (stages 3 and 5), such as the red display time of 8 to 13 seconds and the red display seconds of the floors 6 to 7 are 7 seconds, and the divided display time is minimized. It is specified by the time width such as seconds and maximum seconds.

  Next, the second provisional signal information and the third provisional signal information that the information providing apparatus 3 generates and transmits to the optical beacon 4 will be described. Hereinafter, a case where the second provisional signal information and the third provisional signal information are generated based on the first provisional signal information illustrated in FIG. 9 will be described.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal information P1 registered in the optical beacon 4 when the first floor 1 is started. The signal information P1 shown in FIG. 11 shows an example of the third provisional signal information. As shown in FIG. 9, the first provisional signal information received by the information providing device 3 includes the red display seconds to the floors 1 to 3, the red display seconds to the floors 4 to 5, and the floors 6 to 7. When the display time is divided by each variable ladder (Stages 3, 5) like the red display seconds until and the divided display time is specified by the time width like the minimum seconds and the maximum seconds As shown in FIG. 11, if the same lamp color is continuous, the third provisional signal information combines the lamp colors (three to three of floors 1 to 3, floors 4 to 5, and floors 6 to 7). Assume that R (red) display seconds (for example, the minimum number of seconds is 60 seconds and the maximum number of seconds is 70 seconds) from level 1 to level 7 are combined.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal information P2 registered in the optical beacon 4 at the end of the floor 3. The signal information P2 shown in FIG. 12 shows an example of the second provisional signal information. As shown in FIG. 9, the first provisional signal information received by the information providing device 3 includes the red display seconds to the floors 1 to 3, the red display seconds to the floors 4 to 5, and the floors 6 to 7. When the display time is divided by each variable ladder (Stages 3, 5) like the red display seconds until and the divided display time is specified by the time width like the minimum seconds and the maximum seconds The second provisional signal information excludes the red display seconds up to the floors 1 to 3, and the red display seconds up to the floors 4 to 7 (the minimum number of seconds is 15 seconds and the maximum number of seconds is 20 seconds). ).

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing signal information when the floor 3 as a comparative example is cut off in 7 seconds. The example of FIG. 13 is an example when this embodiment is not adopted. As shown in FIG. 6, the light color of the signal lamp 2 is R (red) continuously on the floors 1 to 7, and the minimum number of seconds of R (red) in the entire floors 1 to 7 is 60 seconds. The maximum number of seconds is 70 seconds. If the variable floor 3 (minimum number of seconds is 5 seconds and maximum number of seconds is 10 seconds) is cut off in 7 seconds and the process proceeds to the floor 4, 40 seconds have already passed in the floors 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 13, the remaining display seconds of red at the time point when the period is cut off at 7 seconds is 13 seconds when the minimum number of seconds is calculated by 60− (40 + 7), and the maximum number of seconds is 70− (40 + 7). It is calculated to be 23 seconds. The difference between the maximum number of remaining display seconds and the minimum number of seconds is 10 seconds.

  However, in actuality, as shown in FIG. 12, when the variable ladder 3 is finished, the remaining display seconds of red are 15 seconds as the minimum seconds and 20 seconds as the maximum seconds. The difference between the maximum number of seconds and the minimum number of seconds is 5 seconds. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, the remaining seconds after the end of the sensitivity are estimated with higher accuracy even when the sensitivity control is performed, as compared with the comparative example illustrated in FIG. You can see that

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal information P3 registered in the optical beacon 4 at the end of the floor 5. The signal information P3 shown in FIG. 14 shows an example of the second provisional signal information. As shown in FIG. 9, the first provisional signal information received by the information providing device 3 includes the red display seconds to the floors 1 to 3, the red display seconds to the floors 4 to 5, and the floors 6 to 7. When the display time is divided by each variable ladder (Stages 3, 5) like the red display seconds until and the divided display time is specified by the time width like the minimum seconds and the maximum seconds The second provisional signal information includes the red display seconds up to the floors 6-7 excluding the red display seconds up to the floors 1-5 (7 seconds with the same minimum and maximum seconds). Shall be.

  FIG. 15 is a time chart showing the operation of the traffic signal information providing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the signal control device 5 receives a higher order command (signal information) from the central device 8 at an arbitrary time.

  The signal control device 5 uses the latest higher order command (for example, including the information shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) to provide temporary signal information (for example, information shown in FIGS. 7 to 10) as the first temporary signal information. It is generated and transmitted to the information providing device 3.

  The information providing device 3 generates second provisional signal information and third provisional signal information (signal information) using the received first provisional signal information.

The information providing device 3 transmits the generated third provisional signal information (information shown in FIG. 11) to the optical beacon 4 and registers the third provisional signal information in the optical beacon 4 at the start of the floor 1.

  Further, the information providing device 3 identifies the end point of the variable floor 3 by detecting the current driven from the traffic signal controller 9 to each signal lamp, and at the end point of the variable floor 3, The second provisional signal information (information shown in FIG. 12) is registered in the optical beacon 4.

  Further, the information providing device 3 identifies the end point of the variable deck 5 by detecting the current driven from the traffic signal controller 9 to each signal lamp, and at the end point of the variable deck 5, The second provisional signal information (information shown in FIG. 14) is registered in the optical beacon 4.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the information providing apparatus 3 according to this embodiment. The control unit 31 determines whether or not provisional signal information has been received from the signal control device 5 via the conversion device 6 (S11). If the provisional signal information has not been received (NO in S11), the control unit 31 performs step S11. Continue processing.

  When provisional signal information is received from the signal control device 5 (YES in S11), the control unit 31 generates provisional signal information (third provisional signal information) that combines consecutive identical lamp colors (S12), and each variable. Provisional signal information (second provisional signal information) excluding the display seconds until the floor is generated (S13).

  The control unit 31 determines whether or not it is the start time of the floor 1 (S14), and when it is not the start time of the floor 1 (NO in S14), the process of step S14 is continued. When it is the start time of the floor 1 (YES in S14), the control unit 31 transmits the signal information (third provisional signal information) at the start time of the floor 1 to the optical beacon 4 (S15).

  The control unit 31 determines whether or not it is the variable deck end time (S16), and when it is not the variable deck end time (NO in S16), the process of step S16 is continued. When it is the time of variable deck end (YES in S16), the control unit 31 transmits the signal information (second provisional signal information) at the time of variable deck end to the optical beacon 4 (S17).

  The control unit 31 determines whether or not the variable level remains (S18). If the variable level remains (YES in S18), the process from step S16 is continued. If the variable floor does not remain (NO in S18), the control unit 31 determines whether or not the process is finished (S19). If the process is not finished (NO in S19), the process from step S11 is continued. If it is finished (YES in S19), the process is finished.

  In the first embodiment described above, the case where the signal information is provided to the vehicle-mounted device 7 of the vehicle traveling in the north-south direction on the basis of the blue start time (the start time of the floor 1) of the signal lamp with respect to the east-west direction has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and signal information can also be provided to the vehicle-mounted device 7 of the vehicle traveling in the east-west direction with reference to the blue start time (start time of the floor 1) of the signal lamp in the north-south direction. Further, east, west, north, and south are for convenience, and the direction of the road is not limited to east, west, north, and south.

  In the first embodiment described above, the information providing device 3 generates the second provisional signal information at the end of the variable level and transmits it to the optical beacon 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The providing device 3 may notify the optical beacon 4 of the end time of the variable floor, and the second beacon signal information at the end time of the variable floor may be generated by the optical beacon 4.

(Embodiment 2)
In Embodiment 1, the provisional signal information is registered in the optical beacon 4 at the end of the variable floor, but the registration timing in the optical beacon 4 is not limited to this. For example, the provisional signal information can be registered in the optical beacon 4 at the end of an arbitrary level after the end of the variable level (or at the start of the next level after the level). Hereinafter, such a case will be described. The configurations of the signal control device 5, the information providing device 3, and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, as the end point of any floor after the end of the variable floor, the red end point of the pedestrian signal lamp (the yellow start point of the vehicle signal lamp), the blue flash point end point of the pedestrian signal lamp (red start point) ) And blue end time (blue flashing start time) will be described.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the current floor plan of the second embodiment. 17 corresponds to the intersection illustrated in FIG. 1, but blue arrows (1A, 2A) are omitted. The information included in the current floor plan illustrated in FIG. 17 is held by the central device 8. As shown in FIG. 17, one cycle of the signal cycle is composed of floors 1 to 11, and in the current display 1 (floors 1 to 6), the signal lamp 2 corresponding to the north-south direction is made red, and the current display 2 (the floor 7 ˜11), the signal lamp 1 corresponding to the east-west direction is made red. Of the floors 1 to 11, the floor 1 is a variable floor whose display seconds are changed by the sensitive control. The lamp colors PG, PF, PR, Y, and AR mean pedestrian blue, pedestrian blue blinking (yellow), pedestrian red, yellow, and all red (east, west, north, and south), respectively.

  The floor 1 is the first floor in which blue lights up in the east-west direction (road R1). In the floor 1, the signal lamps 1, 1P, 2 and 2P are blue, blue, red and red, respectively. Further, the display seconds of the floor 1 are a variable floor, with the minimum number of seconds being 15 seconds and the maximum number of seconds being 25 seconds.

  In the floor 2, the signal lamps 1, 1P, 2 and 2P are blue, blue, red and red, respectively. Further, the display time of the floor 2 is 32 seconds in which the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds are the same.

  In the floor 3, the signal lamps 1, 1P, 2 and 2P are blue, yellow (blue blinking), red and red, respectively. Further, the display seconds of the floor 3 are 10 seconds, the same as the minimum seconds and the maximum seconds.

  In the floor 4, the signal lamps 1, 1P, 2, 2P are blue, red, red, and red, respectively. Further, the display time of the floor 4 is 3 seconds, which is the same as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds.

  In the floor 5, the signal lamps 1, 1P, 2 and 2P are yellow, red, red and red, respectively. Further, the display time of the floor 5 is 3 seconds in which the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds are the same.

  In the floor 6, the signal lamps 1, 1P, 2 and 2P are red, red, red and red, respectively. In addition, the display time of the floor 6 is 5 seconds in which the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds are the same. The same applies to the floors 7 to 11 as shown in FIG.

  First, the case of the red end point of the pedestrian signal lamp (the yellow start point of the vehicle signal lamp) will be described as the end point of the arbitrary floor after the variable floor. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal information corresponding to the east-west direction transmitted from the signal control device 5 to the information providing device 3, and FIG. 19 corresponds to the north-south direction transmitted from the signal control device 5 to the information providing device 3. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information to do. 18 and 19 are examples of the fourth provisional signal information, and are based on the current floor plan shown in FIG.

  Since FIG. 18 shows signal information corresponding to the east-west direction, the lamp color of the signal lamp device 1 is related. As shown in FIG. 17, the lamp colors of the signal lamp 1 are G (blue) for the floors 1 to 4, Y (yellow) for the floor 5, R (red) for the floor 6, and the minimum seconds of the floors 1 to 4. The total number is 60 seconds and the maximum maximum number is 70 seconds. The total number of seconds displayed on the floors 6 to 11 is 57 seconds. The signal information in FIG. 18 is obtained by extracting the order of lamp colors corresponding to the signal lamp 1 in FIG. 17 and the display seconds of each lamp color. Note that the signal information in FIG. 18 includes a variable level (stair 1) whose display time is updated as needed by the sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color (G) composed of successive levels (levels 1 to 4). Including the display time, the display time is specified by the time width (60 seconds to 70 seconds).

  Since FIG. 19 shows signal information corresponding to the north-south direction, the lamp color of the signal lamp 2 is related. As shown in FIG. 17, the light colors of the signal lamp 2 are: R (red) for the floors 1 to 6, G (blue) for the floors 7 to 9, Y (yellow) for the floor 10, and R (red) for the floor 11. It is. Further, the total of the minimum number of seconds of the floors 1 to 4 is 60 seconds, and the total of the maximum number of seconds is 70 seconds. The signal information of FIG. 19 is obtained by extracting the order of the lamp colors corresponding to the signal lamp 2 of FIG. 17 and the display seconds of each lamp color. Note that the signal information in FIG. 19 includes a variable ladder (stage 1) whose display time is updated as needed by sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color (R) composed of successive floors (stages 1 to 4). Including the display time, the display time is specified by the time width (60 seconds to 70 seconds).

  As shown in FIG. 17, the light color of the steps (steps) 1 to 6 of the signal lamp 2 with respect to one road (the north-south direction road) is red (the same light color consisting of successive floors), and the floor 1 is sensitive. It shall be a floor (variable floor). In addition, it is assumed that the lamp colors of the floors 1 to 6 of the signal lamp device 1 are switched in the order of blue, yellow, and red with respect to the road on the intersection side (east-west direction) intersecting the one road at the intersection.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the fourth provisional signal information transmitted from the signal control device 5 to the information providing device 3 includes, for example, a level 1 that is a variable level of the signal lamp 2 with respect to the one road (the road in the north-south direction). Specify the number of seconds to display red up to an arbitrary level (for example, level 4), including the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds, and then the level after the level (for example, level 5) after the level. It represents the number of seconds displayed in red, blue, yellow, and red (the minimum number of seconds is the same as the maximum number of seconds).

  As shown in FIG. 18, the fourth provisional signal information is, for example, up to an arbitrary level (for example, level 4) including the level 1 that is a variable level of the signal lamp 1 with respect to the road on the crossing side (east-west direction). The blue display seconds are specified by the time width, such as the minimum and maximum seconds, and the yellow and red display seconds (the minimum and maximum seconds) The same number of seconds).

  Next, the 5th provisional signal information which the information provision apparatus 3 produces | generates and transmits to the optical beacon 4 is demonstrated. Hereinafter, a case where the fifth provisional signal information is generated based on the fourth provisional signal information illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 will be described.

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal information registered in the optical beacon 4 at the start of the first floor 1 of the second embodiment. The signal information shown in FIG. 20 shows an example of the fifth provisional signal information. As shown in FIG. 20, among the signal information registered in the optical beacon 4 at the start of the floor 1, the signal information for the signal lamp 1 is the same as the signal information shown in FIG. Further, among the signal information registered in the optical beacon 4 at the start of the floor 1, the signal information for the signal lamp 2 is red as shown in FIG. 19. Therefore, the red lamps are combined into one, and the display seconds of the floors 1 to 4 and the floors 5 to 6 are totaled to obtain the minimum number of seconds (68 seconds) of the display seconds from the floors 1 to 6. The maximum number of seconds (78 seconds) is included.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of signal information registered in the optical beacon 4 at the end of the floor 4 according to the second embodiment. The signal information shown in FIG. 21 shows an example of the fifth provisional signal information. The information providing apparatus 3 receives the fourth provisional signal information shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, and the fifth provisional signal information excluding the display time having the time width from the received fourth provisional signal information to an arbitrary floor after the variable floor. Provisional signal information is generated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the fourth provisional signal information indicates the number of red display seconds up to an arbitrary level (for example, level 4) including level 1 which is a variable level of signal lamp 2 with respect to the road in the north-south direction. Assume that the time width is specified as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds. In addition, as shown in FIG. 18, the fourth provisional signal information indicates the number of blue display seconds up to an arbitrary level (for example, level 4) including the level 1 which is the variable level of the signal lamp 1 for the road in the east-west direction. Assume that the time width is specified as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds. For example, when the fifth provisional signal information is provided to the vehicle-mounted device after the end of the floor 4, for example, the fifth provisional signal information excludes the display time having the time width from the floors 1 to 4, and the road in the north-south direction The display time of red to the floors 5 to 6 of the signal lamp 2 with respect to the road, and the display time of yellow and red to the floors 5 to 6 of the signal lamp 1 with respect to the road in the east-west direction are included. It should be noted that the display time of the next cycle floor after the floor 6 can be included.

  The information providing device 3 transmits the generated fifth provisional signal information to be provided to the vehicle-mounted device 7 after the end of the arbitrary floor (in the above example, the floor 4) (after the start of the floor 5). With the above-described configuration, when there is no variable floor after the arbitrary floor, the fifth provisional signal information provided to the in-vehicle device 7 includes the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds from the lamp color display seconds. Thus, since the display seconds having the time width are excluded, the remaining seconds after the end of the sensitivity can be provided accurately. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the red display seconds of the signal lamp 2 for the road in the north-south direction are 68 seconds when the minimum remaining seconds of red of the stairs 1 to 6 are 68 seconds at the start of the stairs 1. Yes, the maximum number of seconds is 78 seconds, and the displayed number of seconds has a width of 10 seconds. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. Seconds are confirmed.

  In addition, the remaining number of seconds can be provided after the end of the floor after the variable floor, or even after the light of the same color after the light of the variable floor (for example, blue) The remaining number of seconds after the end of any floor can be provided.

  FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing signal information when the floor 1 as a comparative example of the second embodiment is cut off in 20 seconds. The example of FIG. 22 is an example when the second embodiment is not adopted. As shown in FIG. 17, the signal color of the signal lamp 2 is R (red) continuously on the floors 1 to 6, and the minimum number of seconds of R (red) is 68 seconds for the entire floors 1 to 6. The maximum number of seconds is 78 seconds. If the variable level 1 (minimum number of seconds is 15 seconds and maximum number of seconds is 25 seconds) is aborted in 20 seconds to advance to the level 2, the total number of display seconds from the level 1 to the end of the level 4 is 65 Second (20 + 32 + 10 + 3). That is, the display seconds until the end of the level 4 is 65 seconds. Accordingly, the minimum number of seconds remaining on the floors 5 to 6 is 3 seconds (68-65), and the maximum number of remaining seconds is 13 seconds (78-65). The difference between the maximum number of remaining display seconds and the minimum number of seconds is 10 seconds.

  That is, as illustrated in FIG. 21, in the second embodiment, the remaining display time of red on the floors 5 to 6 of the signal lamp device 2 is 8 seconds, which is a sensitive control as compared with the comparative example illustrated in FIG. 22. Even when the process is performed, the remaining number of seconds after the end of the sensitivity can be accurately obtained.

  Next, the case where the pedestrian signal lamp finishes blinking blue (the pedestrian signal lamp starts red) as the end point of the arbitrary floor after the variable floor will be described. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of signal information corresponding to the east-west direction transmitted from the signal control device 5 to the information providing device 3, and FIG. 24 corresponds to the north-south direction transmitted from the signal control device 5 to the information providing device 3. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information to do. FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are examples of the fourth provisional signal information and are based on the current floor plan shown in FIG.

  Since FIG. 23 shows signal information corresponding to the east-west direction, the lamp color of the signal lamp device 1 is related. As shown in FIG. 17, the lamp colors of the signal lamp 1 are G (blue) for the floors 1 to 3, G (blue) for the floor 4, Y (yellow) for the floor 5, and R (red) for the floor 6. The total of the minimum number of seconds of the floors 1 to 3 is 57 seconds, and the total of the maximum number of seconds is 67 seconds. The total number of seconds displayed on the floors 6 to 11 is 57 seconds. The signal information in FIG. 23 is obtained by extracting the order of the lamp colors corresponding to the signal lamp device 1 in FIG. 17 and the display seconds of each lamp color. Note that the signal information in FIG. 23 includes a variable level (level 1) in which the display time is updated as needed by sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color (G) consisting of continuous levels (levels 1 to 3). Including the display time, the display time is specified by the time width (57 seconds to 67 seconds).

  Since FIG. 24 shows signal information corresponding to the north-south direction, the lamp color of the signal lamp 2 is related. As shown in FIG. 17, the light colors of the signal lamp 2 are: R (red) for the floors 1 to 6, G (blue) for the floors 7 to 9, Y (yellow) for the floor 10, and R (red) for the floor 11. It is. Further, the sum of the minimum seconds of the floors 1 to 3 is 57 seconds, and the sum of the maximum seconds is 67 seconds. The signal information in FIG. 24 is obtained by extracting the order of the lamp colors corresponding to the signal lamp device 2 in FIG. 17 and the display seconds of each lamp color. Note that the signal information in FIG. 24 includes the variable deck (stage 1) whose display time is updated as needed by sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color (R) composed of successive floors (stages 1 to 3). Including the display time, the display time is specified by the time width (57 seconds to 67 seconds).

  As shown in FIG. 17, the light color of the steps (steps) 1 to 6 of the signal lamp 2 with respect to one road (the north-south direction road) is red (the same light color consisting of successive floors), and the floor 1 is sensitive. It shall be a floor (variable floor). In addition, it is assumed that the lamp colors of the floors 1 to 6 of the signal lamp device 1 are switched in the order of blue, yellow, and red with respect to the road on the intersection side (east-west direction) intersecting the one road at the intersection.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the fourth provisional signal information transmitted from the signal control device 5 to the information providing device 3 includes, for example, a level 1 that is a variable level of the signal lamp 2 for the one road (the road in the north-south direction). Specify the number of seconds to display red up to an arbitrary level (for example, level 3) including the minimum width and the maximum number of seconds, and then the level after the level (for example, level 4) after the level. It represents the number of seconds displayed in red, blue, yellow, and red (the minimum number of seconds is the same as the maximum number of seconds).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 23, the fourth provisional signal information is, for example, up to an arbitrary level (for example, level 3) including the level 1 which is a variable level of the signal lamp 1 with respect to the road on the intersection side (east-west direction). Specify the blue display seconds of the time by the time width such as the minimum and maximum seconds, and display the blue, yellow and red display seconds (minimum and maximum seconds after the next floor of the arbitrary floor concerned) Represents the same number of seconds).

  Next, the 5th provisional signal information which the information provision apparatus 3 produces | generates and transmits to the optical beacon 4 is demonstrated. Hereinafter, a case where the fifth provisional signal information is generated based on the fourth provisional signal information illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24 will be described. The signal information registered in the optical beacon 4 at the start of the first floor 1 is the same as the signal information illustrated in FIG.

  FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal information registered in the optical beacon 4 at the end of the floor 3 of the second embodiment. The signal information shown in FIG. 25 is an example of fifth provisional signal information. The information providing apparatus 3 receives the fourth provisional signal information shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, and removes the display time having the time width from the received fourth provisional signal information to an arbitrary floor after the variable floor. Provisional signal information is generated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the fourth provisional signal information indicates the red display seconds up to an arbitrary level (for example, level 3) including the level 1 which is the variable level of the signal lamp 2 for the road in the north-south direction. Assume that the time width is specified as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds. In addition, as shown in FIG. 23, the fourth provisional signal information indicates the number of blue display seconds up to an arbitrary level (for example, level 3) including the level 1 which is the variable level of the signal lamp 1 with respect to the road in the east-west direction. Assume that the time width is specified as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds. For example, when the fifth provisional signal information is provided to the vehicle-mounted device after the end of the floor 3, for example, the fifth provisional signal information excludes the display time having the time width from the first to the third floor, and the road in the north-south direction The display time of red to the floors 4 to 6 of the signal lamp 2 with respect to the road is included, and the display time of blue, yellow and red to the floors 4 to 6 of the signal lamp 1 to the road in the east-west direction is included. It should be noted that the display time of the next cycle floor after the floor 6 can be included.

  The information providing device 3 transmits the generated fifth provisional signal information to be provided to the in-vehicle device 7 after the end of the arbitrary floor (the floor 3 in the above example) (the start of the floor 4). With the above-described configuration, when there is no variable floor after the arbitrary floor, the fifth provisional signal information provided to the in-vehicle device 7 includes the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds from the lamp color display seconds. Thus, since the display seconds having the time width are excluded, the remaining seconds after the end of the sensitivity can be provided accurately. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the red display seconds of the signal lamp 2 for the road in the north-south direction are 68 seconds when the minimum remaining seconds of red of the stairs 1 to 6 are 68 seconds at the start of the stairs 1. Yes, the maximum number of seconds is 78 seconds, and the displayed number of seconds has a width of 10 seconds. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. Seconds are confirmed.

  In addition, the remaining number of seconds can be provided after the end of the floor after the variable floor, or even after the light of the same color after the light of the variable floor (for example, blue) The remaining number of seconds after the end of any floor can be provided. In the example of FIG. 25, the remaining display seconds can be determined at a timing earlier than the display seconds of the floor 4 by the display seconds of the floor 4.

  FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing signal information when the floor 1 as a comparative example of the second embodiment is cut off in 20 seconds. The example of FIG. 26 is an example when the second embodiment is not adopted. As shown in FIG. 17, the signal color of the signal lamp 2 is R (red) continuously on the floors 1 to 6, and the minimum number of seconds of R (red) is 68 seconds for the entire floors 1 to 6. The maximum number of seconds is 78 seconds. If the variable deck 1 (minimum number of seconds is 15 seconds and maximum number of seconds is 25 seconds) is aborted in 20 seconds to advance to the level 2, the total number of display seconds from the level 1 to the end of the level 3 is 62 Second (20 + 32 + 10). That is, the display seconds from the level 1 to the end of the level 3 is 62 seconds. Accordingly, the minimum number of remaining display seconds on the floors 4 to 6 is 6 seconds (68-62), and the maximum number of remaining seconds is 16 seconds (78-62). The difference between the maximum number of remaining display seconds and the minimum number of seconds is 10 seconds.

  That is, as illustrated in FIG. 25, in the second embodiment, the remaining display time of red on the floors 4 to 6 of the signal lamp device 2 is 11 seconds, which is a sensitive control as compared with the comparative example shown in FIG. Even when the process is performed, the remaining number of seconds after the end of the sensitivity can be accurately obtained.

  Next, the case of the blue end point of the pedestrian signal lamp device (the blue blinking start point of the pedestrian signal lamp unit) will be described as the end point of the arbitrary floor after the variable floor.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory view showing an example of the blue blinking start of the pedestrian signal lamp. Depending on the configuration or structure of the pedestrian signal lamp, there are cases where the start of blue flashing (PF) starts from the extinguished light and the start of blue flashing (PF) starts from the lighting. One cycle of blue blinking is, for example, 500 ms (0.5 seconds), and the lighting time and extinguishing time in one cycle are 250 ms (0.25 seconds), respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2 7, when the blue flashing (PF) begins flashing lamp, at the end t of blue (PG), registers the signal information (fifth provisional signal information). On the other hand , when the blue flashing (PF) starts from lighting, the start time of the turn-off is delayed by the turn-off time for one cycle (250 ms) from the end point t of blue (PG). For this reason, the registration timing of the signal information (fifth provisional signal information) is a point in time when the light extinction time (250 ms) is added to the end point t of blue (PG). Hereinafter, the case where the blue blinking starts from the extinguished light and the case where the blue blinking starts from the lighting are described separately.

  First, the case where blue blinking starts from the extinguished light will be described. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal information corresponding to the east-west direction transmitted from the signal control device 5 to the information providing device 3, and FIG. 29 corresponds to the north-south direction transmitted from the signal control device 5 to the information providing device 3. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information to do. 28 and 29 are examples of the fourth provisional signal information, and are based on the current floor plan shown in FIG.

  Since FIG. 28 shows signal information corresponding to the east-west direction, the lamp color of the signal lamp device 1 is related. As shown in FIG. 17, the lamp colors of the signal lamp 1 are G (blue) for the floors 1 and 2, G (blue) for the floors 3 to 4, Y (yellow) for the floor 5, and R (red) for the floor 6. The total of the minimum seconds of the floors 1 and 2 is 47 seconds, and the total of the maximum seconds is 57 seconds. The total number of seconds displayed on the floors 6 to 11 is 57 seconds. The signal information in FIG. 28 is obtained by extracting the order of the lamp colors corresponding to the signal lamp device 1 in FIG. 17 and the display seconds of each lamp color. Note that the signal information in FIG. 28 includes a variable floor (stage 1) whose display time is updated at any time by sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color (G) composed of successive floors (stages 1 and 2). Including the display time, the display time is specified by the time width (47 seconds to 57 seconds).

  Since FIG. 29 shows signal information corresponding to the north-south direction, the lamp color of the signal lamp 2 is related. As shown in FIG. 17, the light colors of the signal lamp 2 are: R (red) for the floors 1 to 6, G (blue) for the floors 7 to 9, Y (yellow) for the floor 10, and R (red) for the floor 11. It is. Further, the total of the minimum number of seconds of the floors 1 and 2 is 47 seconds, and the total of the maximum number of seconds is 57 seconds. The signal information in FIG. 29 is obtained by extracting the order of the lamp colors corresponding to the signal lamp device 2 in FIG. 17 and the display seconds of each lamp color. Note that the signal information in FIG. 29 includes a variable floor (stage 1) whose display time is updated at any time by sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color (R) composed of successive floors (stages 1 and 2). Including the display time, the display time is specified by the time width (47 seconds to 57 seconds).

  As shown in FIG. 17, the light color of the steps (steps) 1 to 6 of the signal lamp 2 with respect to one road (the north-south direction road) is red (the same light color consisting of successive floors), and the floor 1 is sensitive. It shall be a floor (variable floor). In addition, it is assumed that the lamp colors of the floors 1 to 6 of the signal lamp device 1 are switched in the order of blue, yellow, and red with respect to the road on the intersection side (east-west direction) intersecting the one road at the intersection.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the fourth provisional signal information transmitted from the signal control device 5 to the information providing device 3 includes, for example, a floor 1 that is a variable floor of the signal lamp 2 with respect to the one road (the road in the north-south direction). Specify the number of seconds to display red up to an arbitrary level (for example, level 2), including the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds. It represents the number of seconds displayed in red, blue, yellow, and red (the minimum number of seconds is the same as the maximum number of seconds).

  As shown in FIG. 28, the fourth provisional signal information includes, for example, any level (for example, level 2) including the level 1 that is a variable level of the signal lamp 1 with respect to the crossing road (east-west direction). Specify the blue display seconds of the time by the time width such as the minimum and maximum seconds, and display the blue, yellow and red display seconds (minimum and maximum seconds after the next floor of the arbitrary floor concerned) Represents the same number of seconds).

  Next, the 5th provisional signal information which the information provision apparatus 3 produces | generates and transmits to the optical beacon 4 is demonstrated. In the following, the case where the fifth provisional signal information is generated based on the fourth provisional signal information illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 29 will be described. The signal information registered in the optical beacon 4 at the start of the first floor 1 is the same as the signal information illustrated in FIG.

  FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal information registered in the optical beacon 4 at the end of the level 2 when the blue blinking starts from the extinguished light. The signal information shown in FIG. 30 shows an example of the fifth provisional signal information. The information providing device 3 receives the fourth provisional signal information shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, and removes the display time having the time width from the received fourth provisional signal information to an arbitrary floor after the variable floor. Provisional signal information is generated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 29, the fourth provisional signal information indicates the number of red display seconds to an arbitrary level (for example, level 2) including the level 1 which is a variable level of the signal lamp 2 with respect to the road in the north-south direction. Assume that the time width is specified as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds. In addition, as shown in FIG. 28, the fourth provisional signal information indicates the number of blue display seconds up to an arbitrary level (for example, level 2) including the level 1 which is the variable level of the signal lamp 1 with respect to the road in the east-west direction. Assume that the time width is specified as the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds. For example, when the fifth provisional signal information is provided to the vehicle-mounted device after the end of the floor 2, the fifth provisional signal information excludes the display time having the time width from the floor 1 to the floors 2, and the road in the north-south direction The display time of red to the floors 3 to 6 of the signal lamp 2 with respect to the road is included, and the display time of blue, yellow and red to the floors 3 to 6 of the signal lamp 1 with respect to the east-west road is included. It should be noted that the display time of the next cycle floor after the floor 6 can be included.

  The information providing device 3 transmits the generated fifth provisional signal information to be provided to the vehicle-mounted device 7 after the end of the arbitrary floor (the floor 2 in the above example) (the start of the floor 3). With the above-described configuration, when there is no variable floor after the arbitrary floor, the fifth provisional signal information provided to the in-vehicle device 7 includes the minimum number of seconds and the maximum number of seconds from the lamp color display seconds. Thus, since the display seconds having the time width are excluded, the remaining seconds after the end of the sensitivity can be provided accurately. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the red display seconds of the signal lamp 2 for the road in the north-south direction are 68 seconds when the minimum remaining seconds of red of the stairs 1 to 6 are 68 seconds at the start of the stairs 1. Yes, the maximum number of seconds is 78 seconds, and the displayed number of seconds has a width of 10 seconds. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. Seconds are confirmed.

  In addition, the remaining number of seconds can be provided after the end of the floor after the variable floor, or even after the light of the same color after the light of the variable floor (for example, blue) The remaining number of seconds after the end of any floor can be provided. In the example of FIG. 30, the remaining display seconds can be determined at a timing earlier than the example of FIG. 21 by the total display seconds of the floor 3 and the floor 4.

  FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing signal information when the floor 1 as a comparative example of the second embodiment is cut off in 20 seconds. The example of FIG. 31 is an example when the second embodiment is not adopted. As shown in FIG. 17, the signal color of the signal lamp 2 is R (red) continuously on the floors 1 to 6, and the minimum number of seconds of R (red) is 68 seconds for the entire floors 1 to 6. The maximum number of seconds is 78 seconds. If the variable floor 1 (minimum number of seconds is 15 seconds and maximum number of seconds is 25 seconds) is aborted in 20 seconds to advance to the level 2, the total number of display seconds from the level 1 to the end of the level 2 is 52 Second (20 + 32). That is, the display seconds from the level 1 to the end of the level 2 are 52 seconds. Accordingly, the minimum number of remaining display seconds on the floors 3 to 6 is 16 seconds (68-52), and the maximum number of remaining seconds is 26 seconds (78-52). The difference between the maximum number of remaining display seconds and the minimum number of seconds is 10 seconds.

  That is, as illustrated in FIG. 30, in the second embodiment, the remaining display time of red on the floors 3 to 6 of the signal lamp 2 is 21 seconds, which is a sensitive control as compared with the comparative example shown in FIG. Even when the process is performed, the remaining number of seconds after the end of the sensitivity can be accurately obtained.

  As described above, the information provision device 3 detects the blinking blue light of the pedestrian signal lamp, and when the blinking blue light starts from the extinguished light, the information provision device 3 includes the display time after the start time of the blinking blue. Generate signal information. For example, when the light color of the pedestrian signal lamp is switched from blue (PG) to blue flashing (PF), when the blue flashing is started from the extinguished light, the fifth provisional signal information is the start point of blue flashing. It includes the display time (number of remaining seconds) of the subsequent lamp color. As a result, even if the traffic signal controller changes the display time of the variable floor by the sensitive control, the remaining number of seconds of the light color at the end of the pedestrian signal light after the variable floor at the blue end (at the start of blue flashing) is accurate. Can be provided.

Next , a case where blue blinking starts from lighting will be described. FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal information corresponding to the east-west direction transmitted by the signal control device 5 to the information providing device 3, and FIG. 33 corresponds to the north-south direction transmitted by the signal control device 5 to the information providing device 3. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the signal information to do. 32 and 33 are examples of the fourth provisional signal information, and are based on the current floor plan shown in FIG.

Since FIG. 32 shows signal information corresponding to the east-west direction, the lamp color of the signal lamp device 1 is related. As shown in FIG. 17, the lamp colors of the signal lamp 1 are G (blue) for the floors 1 and 2, G (blue) for the floors 3 to 4, Y (yellow) for the floor 5, and R (red) for the floor 6. The total of the minimum seconds of the floors 1 and 2 is 47 seconds, and the total of the maximum seconds is 57 seconds. The total number of seconds displayed on the floors 6 to 11 is 57 seconds. The signal information in FIG. 32 is obtained by extracting the order of the lamp colors corresponding to the signal lamp 1 in FIG. 17 and the display seconds of each lamp color. However, since the blue flashing revised 3 (PF) it starts from the lighting, along with the floor ladder 2 Blue (PG) is 0.25 seconds long, blue flashes of the revised 3 (PF) is 0.25 seconds shorter. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 32, the display seconds of blue (G) on the floors 1 and 2 are 47.25 to 57.25, and the blue (G) of the floors 3 to 4 is 12.75 seconds. . Note that the signal information in FIG. 32 shows the variable level (stair 1) whose display time is updated as needed by sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color (G) consisting of successive levels (levels 1 and 2). Including the display time, the display time is specified by the time width (47.25 seconds to 57.25 seconds).

Since FIG. 33 shows signal information corresponding to the north-south direction, the lamp color of the signal lamp 2 is related. As shown in FIG. 17, the light colors of the signal lamp 2 are: R (red) for the floors 1 to 6, G (blue) for the floors 7 to 9, Y (yellow) for the floor 10, and R (red) for the floor 11. It is. Further, the total of the minimum number of seconds of the floors 1 and 2 is 47 seconds, and the total of the maximum number of seconds is 57 seconds. The signal information in FIG. 29 is obtained by extracting the order of the lamp colors corresponding to the signal lamp device 2 in FIG. 17 and the display seconds of each lamp color. However, since the blue flashing revised 3 (PF) it starts from the lighting, along with the floor ladder 2 red (R) is 0.25 seconds long, red of the revised 3 (R) is 0.25 seconds shorter. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 33, the display seconds of red (R) of the floors 1 and 2 are 47.25 to 57.25, and the red (R) of the floors 3 to 6 is 20.75 seconds. . Note that the signal information in FIG. 33 shows the variable deck (stage 1) whose display time is updated at any time by the sensitive control during the display time of the same lamp color (R) composed of successive floors (stages 1 and 2). Including the display time, the display time is specified by the time width (47.25 seconds to 57.25 seconds).

  As shown in FIG. 17, the light color of the steps (steps) 1 to 6 of the signal lamp 2 with respect to one road (the north-south direction road) is red (the same light color consisting of successive floors), and the floor 1 is sensitive. It shall be a floor (variable floor). In addition, it is assumed that the lamp colors of the floors 1 to 6 of the signal lamp device 1 are switched in the order of blue, yellow, and red with respect to the road on the intersection side (east-west direction) intersecting the one road at the intersection.

  FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal information registered in the optical beacon 4 at the end of the floor 2 when the blue blinking starts from lighting. The difference from the example of FIG. 30 is that the remaining number of seconds of blue (G) on the floors 3 to 4 is determined to be 12.75 seconds at the end of the floor 2 of the signal lamp 1, and the end of the floor 2 of the signal lamp 2 is completed. At that time, the remaining red seconds of the floors 3 to 6 are determined to be 20.75 seconds. Compared to the example of FIG. 30, the time is 0.25 seconds shorter.

  As described above, when the information providing device 3 detects the blue blinking of the pedestrian signal lamp and the blue blinking step starts from lighting, the lighting time during one cycle of the blue blinking is started. 5th provisional signal information including the display time after the time of adding is generated. For example, when the lighting time and the light extinguishing time in one cycle of blue blinking are 0.25 seconds, respectively, the fifth provisional signal including the display time after adding 0.25 seconds to the start point of blue blinking Generate information. This makes it possible to adjust the delay time for the flashing of the flashing blue light even when the timing of the transition of the floor from blue to flashing blue and the actual change in lamp color are not correct. It is possible to accurately provide the remaining number of seconds of the lamp color when the signal lamp is finished in blue (when the blue blinking starts).

  According to the second embodiment described above, the signal information is sent or registered not only at the timing when the lamp color is switched (for example, at the start of the floor 1 at which the signal cycle starts), but also at the variable floor. Is included, the remaining display seconds (remaining seconds) are determined at the end point of any step after the variable step (or the start point of the next step after that step), and accurate Signal information can be provided.

  In the second embodiment described above, the step (step) 1 has been described as a variable step, but the variable step is not limited to the step 1, and other steps may be variable steps.

  The first and second embodiments described above can be applied to a table control type traffic signal controller when the traffic signal controller does not generate signal information.

  The disclosed embodiments 1 and 2 should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

3 Information Providing Device 31 Control Unit 32 Receiving Unit (Receiving Unit)
33 Transmitter (providing device transmitting means)
34. Detection unit (detection means)
35 identification part (end point identification means)
36 generator (second provisional signal information generation means, third provisional signal information generation means)
37 storage unit 4 optical beacon 5 signal control device 51 control unit 52 generation unit (first provisional signal information generation means)
53 Storage Unit 54 Receiving Unit 55 Transmitting Unit (Control Device Transmitting Unit)
6 Conversion device 7 In-vehicle device 8 Central device 9 Traffic signal controller

Claims (10)

A traffic signal comprising an information providing device for providing signal information to an in-vehicle device, a traffic signal controller for switching a signal lamp color by sensitive control regardless of the signal information, and a signal control device for transmitting signal information to the information providing device In the information provision system,
The signal control device includes:
In the case where one or a plurality of variable steps whose display time is updated at any time by the sensitive control are included between the display times of the same lamp color composed of successive steps, the display times are divided by each variable step and each variable step is displayed. First provisional signal information generating means for generating first provisional signal information specifying the display time up to the time width;
Control device transmitting means for transmitting the first provisional signal information generated by the first provisional signal information generating means to the information providing device;
The information providing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the first provisional signal information;
Second provisional signal information generating means for generating second provisional signal information excluding display time having a time width from the display time including the time width of the first provisional signal information received by the reception means to an arbitrary variable level. When,
And a provision device transmitting means for transmitting the second provisional signal information generated by the second provisional signal information generation means so as to be provided to the in-vehicle device every time after the end of the arbitrary variable floor. Information provision system. The information providing apparatus includes:
Detecting means for detecting the switching time of the signal lamp color;
An end time specifying means for specifying the end time of each variable floor based on the switching time detected by the detecting means; and
The second provisional signal information generating means includes
2. The traffic signal information provision according to claim 1, wherein the provisional signal information is configured to generate second provisional signal information excluding a display time having a time width up to an end time specified by the end time specifying means. system. The information providing apparatus includes:
Based on the first provisional signal information received by the receiving means, comprising third provisional signal information generation means for generating third provisional signal information specifying the display time of the same lamp color consisting of successive floors by time width,
The providing device transmitting means includes
The traffic signal information according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third provisional signal information is transmitted so as to be provided to the vehicle-mounted device at the start of the first floor of the successive floors. Offer system. A traffic signal comprising an information providing device for providing signal information to an in-vehicle device, a traffic signal controller for switching a signal lamp color by sensitive control regardless of the signal information, and a signal control device for transmitting signal information to the information providing device In the information provision system,
The signal control device includes:
In addition to the last floor of a plurality of continuous floors that do not change the color of all the lamps controlled by the traffic signal controller, a variable floor whose display time is updated at any time by sensitive control is included, and the display time is represented by a time width. A control device transmitting means for transmitting the identified fourth provisional signal information to the information providing device;
The information providing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the fourth provisional signal information;
Fifth provisional signal information generating means for generating fifth provisional signal information excluding display time having a time width from the fourth provisional signal information received by the reception means to an arbitrary floor after the variable floor;
Traffic signal information provision comprising: provision device transmission means for transmitting the fifth provisional signal information generated by the fifth provisional signal information generation means to provide to the vehicle-mounted device after the end of the arbitrary floor system. The information providing apparatus includes:
Detecting means for detecting a switching time of the color of the signal lamp for the vehicle;
An end time specifying means for specifying an end time of the arbitrary floor based on the switching time detected by the detecting means; and
The fifth provisional signal information generating means includes
The fifth provisional signal information including the display time after the end time is generated by excluding the display time having the time width until the end time specified by the end time specifying means. The traffic signal information providing system according to claim 4. The information providing apparatus includes:
Detection means for detecting the switching time of the color of the pedestrian signal lamp;
An end time specifying means for specifying an end time of the arbitrary floor based on the switching time detected by the detecting means; and
The fifth provisional signal information generating means includes
The fifth provisional signal information including the display time after the end time is generated by excluding the display time having the time width until the end time specified by the end time specifying means. The traffic signal information providing system according to claim 4. The detection means includes
It is designed to detect blue flashing of pedestrian signal lights.
The fifth provisional signal information generating means includes
7. The fifth provisional signal information including a display time after the start point of the blue blinking is generated when the blue blinking step starts from a light extinction lamp. 8. Traffic signal information provision system. The sensitive control is
Gap-sensitive control, high-speed-sensitive control, pedestrian-sensitive control, elderly-sensitive control, profile-sensitive control, any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises either a dilemma sensitive control or specific vehicle priority control The traffic signal information providing system according to item 1. In the information providing device that provides the signal information transmitted by the signal control device to the in-vehicle device,
In the case where one or a plurality of variable steps whose display time is updated at any time by the sensitive control are included between the display times of the same lamp color composed of successive steps, the display times are divided by each variable step and each variable step is displayed. Receiving means for receiving first provisional signal information specifying a display time by a time width;
Second provisional signal information generating means for generating second provisional signal information excluding display time having a time width from the display time including the time width of the first provisional signal information received by the reception means to an arbitrary variable level. When,
Providing device transmitting means for transmitting the second temporary signal information generated by the second temporary signal information generating means to be provided to the in-vehicle device every time after the end of the arbitrary variable floor, apparatus. In the information providing device that provides the signal information transmitted by the signal control device to the in-vehicle device,
The display time is specified by the time width, including the variable floor where the display time is updated as needed by sensitive control in addition to the last floor of multiple consecutive floors where the color of all the lamps controlled by the traffic signal controller does not change Receiving means for receiving the fourth provisional signal information from the signal control device;
Fifth provisional signal information generating means for generating fifth provisional signal information excluding display time having a time width from the fourth provisional signal information received by the reception means to an arbitrary floor after the variable floor;
An information providing apparatus comprising: provision apparatus transmitting means for transmitting the fifth provisional signal information generated by the fifth provisional signal information generation means to provide to the vehicle-mounted device after the end of the arbitrary floor.

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