JPS5941239B2 - traffic sign control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a traffic sign control device that controls a large number of variable traffic signs, such as speed restriction signs and restriction section signs, installed at regular intervals on expressways, etc. The present invention relates to a traffic sign control device which is controlled by data transmission between a mask sign installed at a representative point and a slave sign controlled by the mask sign installed at another point.

For example, on intercity expressways, to prevent accidents,
Variable speed limit signs are installed at multiple locations.

On such expressways, the speed regulation unit section is several kilometers long, and is made to match the interval between signs.

That is, since each sign can be controlled independently, each sign can serve as the starting point, intermediate point, or end point of the speed restriction section.

Therefore, in order to specify whether each sign represents a starting point, an intermediate point, or an end point, regulation section signs are provided in association with each other.

However, recently, there has been a tendency for speed control signs to be installed at relatively short fixed distances (for example, 800 m), and a large number of speed control signs are installed within a restriction unit section.

Therefore, it is necessary to use a simple method to monitor whether the plurality of variable speed restriction signs displayed for each restriction unit section are displayed normally (75).

In addition, in order to make it easier to understand whether each speed restriction sign represents a starting point, intermediate point, or end point, if the speed restriction sign displays the same information as the previous speed restriction sign, it indicates that it is an intermediate point.
It is desired that the device be simple so as to indicate that it is the starting point when it is different, and that the display can be controlled or monitored with a small number of control signals.

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to easily and inexpensively control the display of a plurality of traffic signs such as variable speed restriction signs that can satisfy the above-mentioned needs, and to monitor their status with a small number of control signals. It is an object of the present invention to provide a traffic sign control device that can easily control the display of restricted sections using signs.

The above objects and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram showing an outline of the invention.

In Figure P, an appropriate interchange CH is provided for each long section of the expressway HW.

At the cutting point near the interchange CH, first sign control units (hereinafter referred to as mask sign units) Ml, M2...
・ will be provided.

For example, an interchange CH and the next interchange C
If the speed restriction unit section (area with the same speed limit) is between
m), a plurality of second marker control units (hereinafter referred to as slave marker units) 81 to Sn are provided.

The slave indicator units 81 to Sn each include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit, which will be described later.

These mask sign sections Ml, M2, . , an intermediate point, an end point, etc.) D20 to D2n are provided.

Preferably, a variable type indicator is used as the restriction section indicator D20 provided in relation to the mask marking sections Ml, M2, . . . Section indicator D21~D2n? A fixed display is used here.

Next, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to FIG.

The mask indicator section M1 receives control data RD related to the speed regulation information transmitted from the master station, displays the regulation speed on the corresponding variable speed display D10, and displays the control data RD in multiple numbers within the speed regulation unit section. The signal is given to the slave marker portions 81 to Sn and the mask marker portion M2 provided downstream (the next point in the traveling direction of the vehicle).

Each of the slave indicator units 81 to Sn has a corresponding variable speed indicator D11 to Dln based on the control data RD.
! The regulated speed (for example, two types, 50 Km/h and 80 Km/h) is displayed.

On the other hand, since the regulatory speed indicators D21 to D2n corresponding to the respective slave sign sections 81 to Sn are the same as the variable speed indicators D'll to Din within the speed regulation unit section, the intermediate point A regulation zone sign (for example, ←) on a fixed plate is used.

Furthermore, the mask indicator section M1 (or M2) receives control data F? transmitted from the master station. , D and the control data RD' within the previous speed regulation unit section given through the mask sign section provided upstream (the previous point on the opposite side of the direction of travel of the vehicle).
Compare with.

The mask sign part M1 is a variable restriction zone indicator D20 corresponding to the mask sign part M1 to indicate that the speed limit is the same as the previous zone when both control data match.
A section marker (←) representing the halfway point is displayed.

Further, if the two control data do not match, a section marker (for example, →) is displayed on the variable regulation section display D20 to indicate that it is the starting point.

In addition, in the illustration, for the sake of simplification of explanation, only the road signs and one-way lanes have been described, but each sign is provided in the same manner in the other lane.

FIG. 2 shows the slave indicator section 81 in an embodiment of the present invention.
~Sn? FIG. 2 is a specific circuit diagram of a receiving circuit included in this embodiment.

In the figure, the control data F? , D are applied to a positive differentiator DF1 and a negative differentiator DF2G, and are also provided as one input of an AND gate G7, and further provided as one input of an AND gate G6 via an inverter 6.

As shown in FIG. 3a described later, this control data RD includes a signal that defines a reception period of the control data RD, and a signal that sequentially transmits the monitoring data SD to each of the plurality of slave indicator units 81 to Sn. The signals that define the transmission period are sent to the slave indicator units 81 to S.
The number of repeated pulses correlates with the number of n.

In addition, these control data R and D are used when there are two types of speed limit signs to be displayed (for example, 50 Km/h,
80 Km/h), one speed limit sign (50 Km/h)
The other speed limit sign (80 km/h) is an inverted signal of the signal representing 80 km/h.

The outputs of the differentiating circuits DF1 and DF2 are OR gates)
GO as the reset input of the detection period signal generator DT, and the first signal included in the counter CT.
Cell CT11 is given.

This detection period signal generation section DT includes a counter, and when a certain value is reached by counting the clocks given from the clock generator CGI, the detection period signal generation section DT is used to define a period for detecting the type of speed limit sign of the control data RD. A detection period signal g is derived.

This signal g is provided as a reset signal for the counter CT, and is also provided as the other input of AND gates G6 and G7.

The output of the AND game) G6 (or G7) is given as the set input of the flip-flop F1 (or F2).

The set output of these flip-flops F1 and F2 is
It is applied to the display drive circuit DR.

The output of the display drive circuit DR is output from each slave indicator section 81 to Sn.
? The variable speed indicators D11 to D provided in this connection
1n.

The counter CT corresponds to the first to fourth cells CT1 to CT4.
The pulses generated by the first cell CT1 sequentially counting the outputs of the OR gate GO are transmitted to the second to fourth cells.
The frequency is divided stepwise by cells CT2 to CT4, and each cell CT1
The count value is derived from the output C-f0 of ~CT4.

The output C of this first cell CT1 is connected to the AND gate G1~
It is given as one input of G5.

The outputs d, e, f of the second to fourth cells CT2 to CT4 are
It has a weight of numerical value 1.2.4 and is given to the decoder DC.

The decoder DC decodes the input df and derives the output of the numerical value θ~4, which is applied as the other input of the AND gates 01~G5.

AND gate) Gl~G5 outputs are each impark 1
1 to ■5, and each slave indicator part 81 to S
Period signals h1 to h5 for transmitting the monitoring data SD of No. 5 are given to a transmitting circuit shown in FIG. 4, which will be described later.

For example, it is assumed that the signal h1 is applied to the transmission circuit of the slave indicator S1, and is similarly applied to the corresponding slave indicator.

In addition, this example shows a case where slave marking portions 81 to S5 are provided at five locations within a speed regulation unit section.

FIG. 3 shows an input/output waveform diagram of each part in FIG. 2.

In particular, for example, Fig. 3a shows the waveform of the control data FtD, and (a-1) indicates a case where a regulated speed of 50 km/h is commanded, and (a-2) indicates a case where a regulated speed of 80 km/h is commanded. show.

Figure 3 shows OR gate GO output, Figure 3 C shows counter C.
T4 output, Figure 3 d is counter CT2 output, Figure 3 e is counter CT3 output, Figure 3 f is counter CT4 output,
Figure 3g shows the speed regulation signal detection circuit DT output, and the third diagram shows the impark 11 to ■5 outputs of each slave sign section 8.
The waveforms of transmission period signals 1]1 to h5 that define the transmission period of the monitoring data SD from 1 to S5 are shown.

FIG. 4 shows the slave indicator section 81 of one embodiment of the present invention.
This is a specific circuit of the transmitting circuit included in ~Sn.

In the figure, the transmitting circuit includes a clock generator CG2, a counter CTA that receives transmitting period signals h1 to h5 given from the receiving circuit and derives a transmitting command signal, and displays information on variable speed indicators D11 to D1n, for example. (50km
/h.

80 Km/h) BO, B1, and a multiplexer MP that sequentially transmits monitoring data SD such as abnormality information B2 and site change information B3 at the installation point of the slave marker.

FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram for explaining the operation of FIG. 4,
Particularly, for example, FIG. 5A shows the waveform of the control data RD, FIG.
is the waveform of the monitoring data SD, and FIG. 5d is the mask marking portion M1.
The waveform of the sampling pulse is shown.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the control data RD
Let us explain the operation when controlling the display of the variable speed indicators D11 to D15 based on the following.

For example, let us assume that a speed limit sign of 50 km/h is to be displayed.

During the control data reception period, bi-level control data RD (see FIG. 3 a-1) representing the regulated speed soKm/h is included in the slave indicator S1c from the master station via the front mask indicator M1. It is given as one input of AND gate G7, and is inverted by inpark 6 and given as one input of AND gate G6.

Since this control data RD continues to be a bi-level signal during the control data reception period, the differentiating circuits DF1 and DF2 do not derive differential outputs.

Therefore, the detection period signal generator DT continues to count the clock pulses from the clock generator CG1 without being reset, and derives the detection period signal g when the clock pulses reach a certain value O.

This signal g resets the counter CT and is also provided as the other input of AND gates G6 and G7.

In response, AND gate G7 causes flip-flop F2 to be set.

The set output of this flip-flop F2 is the regulation speed 5
It is given to the display drive circuit DR as a display command signal of 0 km/h.

Therefore, the display drive circuit DR is connected to the variable speed display Dllt.
Display the restricted speed of 50km/h.

Similarly, the variable speed indicators D12 to D15 corresponding to the other slave indicator parts 82 to S5 indicate that the speed limit is 50 Km/
The display is controlled by h.

Next, the operation when controlling the transmission of the monitoring data SD will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

For example, let us assume that monitoring data of the slave indicator S2 is to be transmitted.

During the monitoring data transmission period, slave indicator units 81 to S
Control data RD of the pulse specifying 5 (see Figure 3 C)
) is transmitted from the master station via the mask indicator M1 to the differentiating circuits T) Fl and DF2? included in the receiving circuit. This is given.

This differentiating circuit DPI or DF2 differentiates with positive or negative pulses.

This differential output is applied to the first cell CT1 of the counter CT via the OR gate GO, and resets the counter including the detection period signal generating section DTc.

Therefore, the detection period signal generator DT is reset during the monitoring data transmission period and continues to disable AND gates G6 and G7.

At this point, the counter CT1 sequentially counts the pulses from the control data RD during the monitoring data transmission period, and outputs the output C of the first cell CTI (see FIG. 3C) to the AND gate 01~
It is given as one input to G5, and the outputs df of the second to fourth cells CT2 to CT4 are given to the decoder DC.

Since the decoder DC derives a numerical value "1" output when the counter CT counts the second pulse, the transmission period signal h2 (see Figure 3 or Figure 5) is derived from the inverter 2. Ru.

This transmission period signal h2 is given to the counter CTA of the transmission circuit included in the slave indicator section S2&.

Accordingly, the counter CTA sequentially counts the clocks supplied from the clock generator CG2 and instructs the multiplexer MP to sequentially derive the monitoring data.

For this reason, the multiplexer MP is connected to the variable speed indicator D1.
Regulatory speed information (50km/h) displayed in 2BO
, information indicating the presence or absence of an abnormality B2. On-site change information 8
Monitoring data SD such as No. 3 (see FIG. 5C) are sequentially transmitted to the mask marking section M1 within the transmission period signal h2.

In the mask marking section M1, the monitoring data SD is sampled using a sampling pulse synchronized with the transmission period of the monitoring data SD as shown in FIG. 5, and is transmitted to the master station.

In addition, in the case of other slave indicator parts 81.83 to S5, the monitoring data of the slave indicator part is changed to the mask indicator part M1 for each transmission period signal hLh3 to h5 sequentially derived within the monitoring data transmission period. transmitted to.

That is, within the monitoring data transmission period included in the control data RD, the monitoring data SD of each of the slave marking sections 81 to S5 provided in association with the mask marking section M1 is transmitted to the mask marking section M1 in time sequence.

FIG. 6 is a specific circuit diagram of the mask marking section M1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the configuration, the mask marking section M1 includes an upper transmission section UTC that receives control data from a master station and an upstream mask marking section and transmits monitoring data to the master station, the variable speed indicator D10, and the regulation section display 5D20. a display drive circuit DR that controls the display, and the plurality of slave indicator sections 81.
A slave control circuit SC for transmitting control data RD to ~Sn and receiving monitoring data SD transmitted from the transmission circuit of each slave indicator unit 81 to Sn to the slave indicator unit set.
C, storage units MEI to MEn that individually store monitoring data SD transmitted from each slave indicator unit 81 to Sn for each information BO to B3, and monitoring data SD of the same type stored in each storage unit. The OR gates 08 to G'll collectively derive the information BO to B3.

Next, with reference to Figures 1 to 6, the mask marking section M.
Let us explain the specific configuration of 1 and its operation.

The upper transmission unit UTC receives a mask indicator unit M1 from the master station.
Control data RD regarding speed regulation information to be displayed on the variable speed indicators D10 to Dln of the plurality of slave indicator units 81 to Sn is transmitted and given, and control data RD'lJ5 is also provided from the upstream mask indicator unit. .

The upper transmission unit UTC provides the speed regulation information (for example, 50 km/h) of the control data FtD transmitted from the master station to the display drive circuit DR, and causes the variable speed display D10 to display the speed regulation information, The control data RD transmitted from the master station is compared with the control data RD' given from the upstream mask indicator.

If both control data match, the master sign section MU, the speed limit sign to be displayed on the corresponding variable speed indicator DIO, the mask sign section of the previous speed limit unit section, and the slave sign section ( If the speed limit sign displayed on the corresponding variable speed display matches, the upper transmission unit UTC gives a match signal to the display drive circuit DR to set the intermediate point on the restricted section display D20. The display is controlled so that the section indicator (for example, →) representing the section is displayed.

In addition, if the two control data do not match, the upper transmission unit UTC
gives the discrepancy signal to the display drive circuit DR to control the display so that a section indicator (for example, →) representing the starting point of the restricted section display D20I is displayed.

Further, the upper transmission unit UTC provides the control data RD transmitted from the master station to the slave control circuit SCC.

This slave control circuit SCC provides the control data RD to the receiving circuits (see FIG. 2) included in the plurality of slave indicator units 81 to Sn, and outputs the control data to the variable speed indicators D11 to D11 as explained in FIG. 2 above. Regulatory speed information on Dln (50km/
Display h).

On the other hand, each transmission circuit (see FIG. 4) included in the plurality of slave indicator units 81 to Sn has a variable speed display 5D11 to D1.
Respective speed limit information (e.g. 50 Km/h or 80 Km/h) BO or B displayed
1, information B2 indicating the presence or absence of an abnormality, information B3 changed by the site, etc., are stored in the monitoring data S as explained in Fig. 4 above.
It is transmitted as D to the slave control circuit SCC.

The slave control circuit SCC controls each slave indicator section 81 to S
Each information BO to B transmitted as monitoring data SD every n
3 to each slave indicator section 81 to SN1 corresponding memory section M.
Give to E1 to M E n.

The storage units MEI to MEn individually store information BO to B3, respectively, and when each piece of information BO to B3 exists, the corresponding lamp L is turned on and displayed.

Therefore, for example, if there is an abnormality in any of the slave indicator sections 81 to Sn, it can be easily detected by checking the lighting of the corresponding lamp in the section of the storage section ME2 that stores the abnormality information.

As described above, the same type of information among the pieces of information BO to B3 stored in each of the storage units MEI to MEn is transmitted to the upper transmission unit UTC via the same OR gate.
will be given in bulk.

For example, each slave indicator portion 81 to Sn? When the regulated speed of 5 oKm/h is displayed on the corresponding variable speed indicators D11 to D1n, logic "1" is stored in the regulated speed information BO storage areas of the storage units MEI to MEn, and each storage unit ME1
~MEn information BO is given to the upper transmission unit UTC via OR gate G8.

In addition, if any of the slave indicator sections 81 to Sn is abnormal, a logic "
1" is stored.

This abnormality information B2 is given to the upper transmission unit UTC via the O'R game GIO.

This upper transmission unit UTC transmits monitoring data SD such as restricted speed information BO, B1, abnormality information B2, change information 83, etc. given via OR gates 08 to G11 to the master station.

If this (!: Ki, abnormality information B2 is included), the observer can go to the mask marking section M1 and check the lighting status of the lamp L provided in the mask marking section M1 to determine which slave marking section is abnormal. You can easily know what

As described above, this embodiment provides the following unique effects.

In other words, even when one control data Ft, I) is divided into a reception period and a transmission period, and restricted speed information is transmitted within the reception period and commonly given to a plurality of slave indicator units 81 to Sn. The monitoring data SD, including the speed regulation information and other information displayed on the variable speed display devices corresponding to multiple slave sign sections, is sent in time sequential order during the transmission period, so it can be displayed or monitored with fewer control signals. .

Therefore, the control device has a simple configuration and is inexpensive.

In addition, when controlling the display of the restricted section indicator corresponding to the mask sign section, it is performed based on the control data from the master station and the control data from the upstream mask sign section. There is no need to transmit information for

Moreover, in order to collectively transmit the same type of information among the monitoring data SD that monitors the status of a plurality of slave indicator units 81 to Sn to the master station, regardless of the number of slave indicator units, the information is transmitted to the master station. Less amount of information is needed.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case of speed limit was explained as an example of a traffic sign, but it goes without saying that similar effects can be obtained with other traffic signs.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily and inexpensively control the display of traffic signs such as variable speed restriction signs, and monitor their status with a small number of control signals. A traffic sign control device that can control the display of traffic signs can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram showing an outline of the invention. FIG. 2 shows slave indicator portions 81 to S of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a specific circuit diagram of a receiving circuit included in n. FIG. 3 shows an input/output waveform diagram of each part in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows slave marking portions 81 to S of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a specific circuit diagram of a transmitting circuit included in n. FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram for explaining the operation of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a specific circuit diagram of the mask marking section M1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, M12M2 is a mask marking section, 81 to Sn are slave marking sections, D10 to D1n are variable speed indicators, and D
20 to D2n are regulation interval indicators, DFl and DR2 are differentiating circuits, CT and CTA are counters, DT is a detection period signal generator, CG1 and CG2 are clock generators,
DC is a decoder, Fl and F2 are flip-flops,
DR is the display drive circuit, MP is the multiplexer, UTC is the upper transmission section, SCC is the slave control circuit, ME1 to ME
n indicates a storage section, and 01 to G11 indicate gates.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A master station that transmits a traffic sign control signal for displaying a traffic sign; and a traffic sign control signal transmitted from the master station; a first sign portion; a plurality of second sign portions provided in association with the first sign portion; and a plurality of second sign portions provided in association with each of the sign portions of each set 2, from the first sign portion. Upon receiving the traffic sign control signal, display the same traffic sign as the first traffic sign on a corresponding second sign section, and display the traffic sign displayed based on the traffic sign control signal O. A traffic sign control device, comprising: a control means for transmitting a control signal for monitoring a state to the first sign section.