WO2016117147A1

WO2016117147A1 - Information processing device, roadside control device, cloud system, computer program and virtual machine operation method

Info

Publication number: WO2016117147A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/069891
Authority: WO
Inventors: 勝之鈴木; 松本　洋; 茂樹梅原
Original assignee: 住友電気工業株式会社
Priority date: 2015-01-19
Filing date: 2015-07-10
Publication date: 2016-07-28

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to operate, at a low cost, a traffic control system using a virtual machine of a cloud system. One embodiment of this invention relates to an information processing device (physical machine 2) which is provided with one or more virtual machines VMi constructed by the virtualization of hardware resources. The information processing device is provided with: a virtual machine VMi that has a remote control unit (application) 14 for executing remote control which is traffic signal control for controlling the right of way at a plurality of intersection points Jk included in a prescribed area Ai; and a determination processing unit (VM control unit 29) that performs processing to determine whether to cause the remote control unit 14 to execute remote control, in accordance with the traffic situation of the area Ai.

Description

Information processing apparatus, roadside control apparatus, cloud system, computer program, and virtual machine operation method

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a roadside control apparatus, a cloud system, a computer program, and a virtual machine operation method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for using a virtual machine constructed in a cloud system for a traffic control system.

The traffic control system includes, for example, a central device installed in a traffic control center, a traffic signal controller, a vehicle detector, an information board, and a traffic monitoring terminal that communicate with the central device through a dedicated communication line. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
In such a traffic control system, a traffic indicator for a predetermined road section is calculated from a detection signal of a vehicle detector arranged at an appropriate place in a jurisdiction area, and an optimal signal light color switching is performed for a plurality of intersections based on the calculated traffic indicator. Traffic sensitive control such as setting timing is performed.

JP 2006-215977 A

In order to newly construct the above traffic control system, it is necessary to install at least a central device. Therefore, assuming that the system is introduced into another country, for example, the cost required for the initial investment becomes high, and there is a risk that the introduction of the system may be hesitant.
Moreover, even if a system operator can construct a traffic control system in many countries, there is a problem that the maintenance management of the traffic control system deployed in each country becomes complicated.

Therefore, it is conceivable to construct a virtual machine that executes a traffic control application on a server computer (physical machine) in the data center, and to cause the virtual machine to execute traffic signal control performed by the central device. In this way, at least the equipment cost of the central device is unnecessary, and the introduction barrier of the traffic control system is lowered.
However, if the virtual machine is always operated without considering local traffic conditions, the usage amount of the cloud server becomes high in the case of pay-as-you-go charging that is charged according to the resource usage status.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object thereof is to enable a traffic control system using a virtual machine of a cloud system to be operated at a low cost.

(1) An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus including one or more virtual machines constructed by virtualizing hardware resources, and includes a plurality of intersections included in a predetermined area. Whether to cause the remote control unit to execute the remote control according to the traffic situation of the area, and the virtual machine having a remote control unit that executes a remote control that is a traffic signal control whose traffic right is a control target And a determination processing unit that performs the determination process.

(10) A roadside control device according to an aspect of the present invention is capable of switching a traffic signal control control method at an intersection, and includes road control including point control and remote control defined below as the switchable control method. A communication unit that communicates with a remote control device that executes the remote control for a plurality of intersections in a predetermined area including the intersection, and the intersection so that a traffic index at the intersection satisfies a predetermined condition A control unit that determines whether or not the point control for the remote control device can be executed, and transmits a request for execution of the remote control to the remote control device to the communication unit when the determination result is negative. .
Point control: Traffic signal control that controls the right of traffic at one intersection Remote control: Traffic signal control that controls the right of traffic at multiple intersections

(12) A cloud system according to an aspect of the present invention is capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus described above and the information processing apparatus, and is capable of switching a traffic signal control control method at the intersection included in the area. And when the remote control execution command is received from the information processing device, the roadside control device switches the control method to remote control, and the remote control release command from the information processing device. Is received, the control method is switched to point control which is traffic signal control for which the right of passage at one intersection is controlled.

(13) A computer program according to an aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing an information processing apparatus to function as one or a plurality of virtual machines constructed by virtualizing hardware resources. A step in which the control unit executes remote control, which is traffic signal control for controlling the right of traffic at a plurality of intersections included in a predetermined area, and the determination processing unit of the information processing device And a step of determining whether or not to cause the remote control unit to execute the remote control.

(14) A method according to an aspect of the present invention is an operation method of one or a plurality of virtual machines constructed by virtualizing hardware resources of an information processing apparatus, wherein the remote control unit of the virtual machine has a predetermined A step of executing remote control, which is traffic signal control for controlling traffic rights of a plurality of intersections included in the area, and the determination processing unit of the information processing device performs the remote control according to the traffic situation of the area. And a step of determining whether or not to cause the control unit to execute the remote control.

According to the present invention, a traffic control system using a virtual machine of a cloud system can be operated at low cost.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a cloud system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a physical machine and a management server. It is a block diagram which shows the software configuration of a physical machine and a management server. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the traffic control system containing a remote control apparatus. It is a top view of the intersection where the roadside control apparatus was installed. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a roadside control apparatus and a vehicle-mounted communication apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the execution process of remote control. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the cancellation | release process of remote control. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the execution process of remote control. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the cancellation | release process of remote control. (A) is explanatory drawing of a sign oversight prevention assistance, (b) is explanatory drawing of rear-end collision prevention assistance. (A) is explanatory drawing of encounter collision prevention support, (b) is explanatory drawing of signal oversight prevention support. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of eco-drive support.

<Outline of Embodiment of the Present Invention>
Hereinafter, an outline of embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described.
(1) An information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is an information processing apparatus including one or more virtual machines constructed by virtualizing hardware resources, and has the right to pass through a plurality of intersections included in a predetermined area. The virtual machine having a remote control unit that executes a remote control that is a traffic signal control to be controlled, and a determination process for determining whether or not to cause the remote control unit to execute the remote control according to the traffic situation of the area And a determination processing unit that performs

According to the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment, the determination processing unit determines whether or not to cause the remote control unit of the virtual machine to execute remote control according to the traffic condition of the area. Accordingly, the remote control unit of the virtual machine can be appropriately stopped, paused, or degenerated.
For this reason, compared with the case where the remote control part of a virtual machine continues remote control unconditionally, the usage-amount of the resource of information processing apparatus can be restrained, and a traffic control system can be operated at low cost.

(2) In the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment, it is preferable that the determination processing unit performs the determination process based on a road traffic index calculated by a roadside control device installed in the area.
In this case, since the remote control unit of the virtual machine does not have to calculate the traffic index, resource usage in the information processing apparatus is saved as compared with the case where the remote control unit of the virtual machine calculates the traffic index. be able to.

(3) In the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the determination processing unit performs the determination processing based on a resource usage rate necessary for the remote control unit to execute the remote control.
In this case, for example, when the resource usage rate of the remote control unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the amount of resources used in the information processing apparatus can be suppressed by not performing the remote control, and the traffic control system can be reduced in cost. Can be used.

(4) In the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment, it is preferable that the area where the remote control unit executes the remote control is one sub-area.
In this case, compared to the case where the remote control unit of one virtual machine remotely controls a plurality of subareas, the amount of resources required for the operation of the virtual machine can be reduced to a small scale. It can be kept relatively low. Therefore, there is an advantage that the client can easily introduce the cloud service of the present embodiment.

(5) In the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the determination processing unit performs the determination process in response to reception of the execution request for the remote control from the roadside control device installed in the area.
In this way, the virtual machine can be remotely controlled only when the necessity of remote control actually occurs in a predetermined area, so that the hardware resources of the information processing apparatus can be used effectively. Can do.

(6) In the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the determination processing unit may perform the determination processing at predetermined intervals.
In this way, the determination process is automatically performed without waiting for the execution request from the roadside control device to be received, so the determination process can be performed more reliably.

(7) In the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the determination processing unit performs the determination process based on a time zone in which the remote control set in advance for the area is executed.
In this case, the remote control unit of the virtual machine can be operated only during the above-mentioned time period, and the remote control unit of the virtual machine can be stopped during other time periods, and the hardware resources of the information processing apparatus can be efficiently used. be able to.

(8) In the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the plurality of areas in which the remote control units of the plurality of virtual machines perform the remote control preferably include areas that exist in different regions with a time difference. .
In this way, it is possible to distribute the operation time of a plurality of virtual machines each responsible for remote control of an area having a time difference, so that the hardware resources of the information processing apparatus can be used efficiently.

(9) In the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment, the remote control unit of the virtual machine can execute at least one of the following (a) to (d) in addition to the remote control. It is preferable.
(A) Traffic information analysis in the area (b) Provision of privilege information around the area (c) Provision of signal information in the area (d) Route guidance of vehicles in the area

In this case, since the contents of the traffic service executed by the virtual machine in the area are abundant, there is an advantage that the client can easily introduce the cloud system of the present embodiment.

(10) The roadside control device of the present embodiment is a roadside control device that can switch the traffic signal control method at an intersection and includes the point control and remote control defined below as the switchable control method. A communication unit that communicates with a remote control device that executes the remote control for a plurality of intersections in a predetermined area including the intersection, and the point for the intersection so that a traffic index at the intersection satisfies a predetermined condition A control unit that determines whether the control can be performed and, when the determination result is negative, a control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit an execution request for the remote control to the remote control device.
Point control: Traffic signal control that controls the right of traffic at one intersection Remote control: Traffic signal control that controls the right of traffic at multiple intersections

According to the roadside control device of the present embodiment, when the control unit cannot execute the point control for the intersection so that the traffic index at the intersection satisfies the predetermined condition, the control unit causes the communication unit to transmit a remote control execution request. The remote control device (specifically, the virtual machine) can be requested to execute the remote control corresponding to the traffic situation in the area.
For this reason, when the traffic situation is insufficient with the point control, the remote control device can start the remote control.

(11) In the roadside control device of the present embodiment, the control unit performs the determination while the control unit is selecting the remote control, and when the determination result is affirmative, the remote control device The remote control cancellation request is transmitted to the communication unit, so that the remote control device 12 that is the virtual machine VMi can be requested to cancel the remote control according to the traffic situation in the area Ai.
For this reason, it is possible to prevent the remote control device from continuing the remote control uselessly when the traffic situation is sufficient for the point control.

(12) The cloud system of the present embodiment can communicate with the information processing apparatus of the present embodiment described above and the information processing apparatus, and can switch the traffic signal control control method at the intersection included in the area. A roadside control device, and when the roadside control device receives the execution instruction of the remote control from the information processing device, the control method is switched to the remote control, and the remote control of the information processing device When a cancellation command is received, the control method is switched to point control which is traffic signal control with the right of passage at one intersection as a control target.

According to the cloud system of the present embodiment, the roadside control device capable of switching the traffic signal control method at the intersection included in the area switches the control method to the remote control in response to receiving the execution command, and receives the release command. Since the control method is switched to point control according to the above, when remote control is not executed at each intersection included in the area, the point control can be executed at the intersection. Therefore, both remote control and point control can be performed on the intersections included in the area.

(13) A computer program according to the present embodiment is a computer for causing the information processing apparatus described in (1) to (9) above to function as one or a plurality of virtual machines constructed by virtualizing hardware resources. It is a program.
Therefore, the computer program of the present embodiment has the same effects as the information processing apparatus described in the above (1) to (9).

(14) The operation method of this embodiment is one or a plurality of operation methods constructed by virtualizing the hardware resources of the information processing apparatus described in (1) to (9) above.
Therefore, the operation method of this embodiment has the same effects as the information processing apparatus described in the above (1) to (9).

<Details of Embodiment of the Present Invention>
Hereinafter, details of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, you may combine arbitrarily at least one part of embodiment described below.

〔Definition of terms〕
In describing the details of the present embodiment, first, terms used in this specification are defined.
“Vehicle”: refers to all vehicles passing on the road, for example, vehicles according to the Road Traffic Act. Vehicles under the Road Traffic Act include automobiles, motorbikes, light vehicles, and trolley buses. In the present embodiment, the term “vehicle” includes both a probe vehicle having an in-vehicle device capable of transmitting probe information and a normal vehicle having no in-vehicle device.

“Probe information”: Various information related to the vehicle obtained from the vehicle-mounted device of the probe vehicle that actually travels on the road. Sometimes referred to as probe data or floating car data. This includes data such as vehicle ID, vehicle position, vehicle speed, vehicle orientation, and the time of occurrence thereof.

“Traffic signal controller”: A controller that turns on and off a signal lamp of a traffic signal at a predetermined lamp color switching timing.
The traffic signal controller of the present embodiment can execute a point control method and a remote control method described later. The traffic signal controller normally performs point control for an intersection corresponding to the traffic signal controller. When a signal control parameter is received from a roadside control device described later, the lamp color switching timing of the signal lamp at the intersection corresponding to the own aircraft is determined according to the received signal control parameter.

“Signal control parameter”: Generally, this refers to the cycle length, split and offset described later. In the present embodiment, the lamp color switching timing (such as the start time and display time of each lamp color) of the signal lamp at the intersection may be included in this.

“Cycle length”: The time of one cycle from the blue (or red) start time of a traffic signal to the next blue (or red) start time.
“Split”: The ratio of the time (green signal time, red signal time, etc.) allocated to each display to the cycle length.
“Offset”: Refers to the deviation of the green signal start time between adjacent intersections. Expressed as a percentage or second of the time of one cycle.

“Roadside sensor”: A sensor device installed to sense traffic conditions on the road. Roadside sensors include vehicle detectors, surveillance cameras, optical beacons and the like.
The vehicle sensor is composed of an ultrasonic vehicle sensor that senses a vehicle passing underneath one by one using ultrasonic waves, and the surveillance camera is composed of a CCD camera that captures a moving image of the road. An optical beacon is an optical communication device that performs optical communication with a vehicle-mounted device that supports optical communication at a predetermined position on a road and exchanges predetermined information with the infrastructure side.

“Remote control device”: A traffic signal control device capable of executing remote control described later. The remote control device according to the present embodiment also performs a determination process as to whether or not the traffic signal controller at the intersection included in the area managed by the own device is to execute remote control described later.
When the remote control device causes the traffic signal at the intersection included in the area to execute remote control, the remote control device transmits the downlink information including the remote control execution command and the downlink information including the signal control parameter to the roadside corresponding to the intersection. Send to control device.

“Roadside control device”: A control device installed on the roadside that switches the control method of traffic signal control at an intersection. The roadside control device switches the control method of traffic signal control at the intersection based on an execution command received from the remote control device.
“Sub-area”: An area that is divided to include one or more intersections that perform traffic control control according to a common cycle length. One subarea usually includes at least one important intersection.

“Important intersection”: An intersection that usually has a large load factor and often becomes a bottleneck. In general, this is an intersection between trunk and semi-trunk roads. At important intersections, it is usually possible to measure the traffic demand on all inflow paths by means of vehicle detectors.
“General intersection”: An intersection where traffic demand on the secondary road is less than that of an important intersection, and for example, it is only necessary to secure the green time of a crossing pedestrian. At general intersections, it is possible to measure traffic demand on some inflow paths using vehicle detectors, or to measure traffic demand.

“Point control”: A traffic signal control method that controls the right of traffic at one intersection. Specifically, it means traffic signal control that independently controls the light color switching timing of a traffic signal at one intersection regardless of other intersections. Also called single control.
In the point control, a regular cycle control for switching the signal lamp color is usually performed according to a predetermined time schedule. In some intersections where point control is executed, point sensitive control such as pedestrian push button control, recall control, and right turn sensitive control may be performed.

“System control”: Traffic signal control for controlling the color switching timings of signal lamps in association with each other so as to cause a time delay in signal display at a plurality of intersections that continue along one route. A route for performing system control is referred to as a “system section”.
For example, in system control, by adjusting the offset between intersections included in the system section of the subarea, it is easier to pass a specific direction of the system section with a blue signal (priority offset), or conversely, stop with a red signal. Control to make it easier is included.

“Surface control”: Traffic signal control for controlling the color switching timing of signal lamps in relation to a plurality of intersections included in a road network that spreads across the surface. Specifically, it refers to wide-area traffic signal control that extends system control to the road network.

“Remote control”: A traffic signal control method that controls the right of traffic at multiple intersections. Specifically, it refers to traffic signal control for controlling a plurality of intersections included in a predetermined area in association with the lighting color switching timing of a traffic signal.
Therefore, both the above system control and surface control correspond to remote control. Area control in which the predetermined area is a system section is system control, and area control that is a road network in which the predetermined area spreads is surface control.

The correspondence between the remote control device and the area may be “one-to-one” or “one-to-many”. When the correspondence is one-to-one, one remote control device manages one area and performs remote control that associates the lamp color switching timings of intersections included in the area.
When the correspondence relationship is one-to-many, one remote control device controls a plurality of areas and performs remote control that associates the lamp color switching timings of intersections included in the plurality of areas. The association of the lamp color switching timings of a plurality of intersections may be performed for each area, may be performed for some of the plurality of areas, or may be performed for all areas.

“Service Provider”: A virtual machine is constructed on hardware resources that can be virtualized provided by an IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) provider, and a predetermined traffic signal control service is provided by application software executed by the virtual machine It means a business. It is a so-called SaaS (Software as a Service) operator.
“Client”: refers to an operator who enjoys a predetermined traffic signal control service using application software executed by the virtual machine of the SaaS operator.

[Overall configuration of cloud system]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a cloud system according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cloud system includes a plurality of physical machines 2 that are information processing apparatuses installed in a data center 1 operated by an IaaS provider, and a management server 3 that is an information processing apparatus that manages the physical machines 2. And a roadside control device 5, a provider terminal 6 and a client terminal 7 that communicate with the data center 1 via a public communication network 4 such as the Internet.

The plurality of physical machines 2 and the management server 3 are configured by server computers including hardware resources such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a communication interface.
The plurality of physical machines 2 and the management server 3 can communicate with each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) constructed in the data center 1. The management server 3 can communicate with the provider terminal 6 and the client terminal 7 via the public communication network 4.

The physical machine 2 includes a server computer that can be virtualized, and includes virtualization software 11 and one or more virtual machines 12. The virtualization software 11 may be either a host OS type operating on an OS (Operating System) of the physical machine 2 or a hypervisor type.
However, in the present embodiment, the hypervisor type virtualization software 11 with higher processing efficiency in the physical machine 2 is assumed.

The virtualization software (hereinafter referred to as “hypervisor”) 11 can activate a virtual OS 13 (see FIG. 3), which is an OS for the virtual machine 12, by allocating a part of the hardware resources of the physical machine 2. it can.
As a result, one or a plurality of virtual machines 12 are constructed in one physical machine 2, and a predetermined application software 14 (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the virtual OS 13 of the virtual machine 12 is ready to be executed.

That is, in the virtual OS 13 of the virtual machine 12, application software 14 (see FIG. 3) is provided in which a service provider (SaaS provider) provides a predetermined service for each client.
The client enjoys the traffic signal control service executed by the application software 14 within the scope of a predetermined use contract concluded with the service provider.

The service provided by the application software (hereinafter referred to as “application”) 14 of the virtual machine 12 is necessary for remote control in a predetermined area Ai (i = 1, 2,...) Of the road and remote control in the area Ai. For example, a determination process of NO.
In other words, the virtual machine 12 functions as a traffic signal control device capable of providing a client with a service such as remote control with the area Ai formed by a predetermined system section or road network decided between the client and the service provider as a control target. To do.

Hereinafter, a “virtual machine” that is remotely controlled by the application 14 provided by the service provider is also referred to as a “remote control device”.
Further, the reference symbol of one virtual machine (remote control device) 12 corresponding to one area Ai may be described as VMi (i = 1, 2,...).

As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, a case is assumed where the correspondence between the virtual machine VMi and the area Ai is one-to-one. Therefore, the virtual machine VMi executes remote control for one area Ai set as its own control target. The area Ai is not limited to Japan, and may be in any country in the world.
Roadside control devices 5 are installed at a plurality of intersections included in the area Ai. The roadside control device 5 included in the area Ai can communicate with the hypervisor 11 and the virtual machine VMi corresponding to the area Ai via the public communication network 4.

The provider terminal 6 is a computer device capable of IP communication owned by a service provider. The client terminal 7 is a computer device capable of IP communication owned by a client.
These terminals 6 and 7 may be a computer terminal such as a desktop personal computer or a notebook personal computer, or may be a mobile terminal such as a tablet computer or a smartphone.

In the cloud system of FIG. 1, the scale of one area Ai in which one virtual machine VMi performs remote control is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the area Ai is a sub-area in order to suppress the unit price of one virtual machine VMi. It shall consist of areas.
In addition, it is assumed that areas A1 to An corresponding to the plurality of virtual machines VM1 to VMn include areas of regions having different time differences. That is, for example, area A1 exists in Japan and area A2 exists in the United States.

The management server 3 allocates the hardware resources of the group of physical machines 2 for the service provider within the scope of the use contract between the IaaS provider and the service provider in response to the use request input from the provider terminal 6.
The above usage contract includes hardware specifications necessary for the operation of the virtual machine 12, such as the number of cores and clock frequency, memory capacity (GB), data capacity of a mass storage device, IP communication bandwidth (Gbps), And monthly charge or pay-per-use charge type.

The provider terminal 6 uploads software such as an application 14 to be operated on the virtual OS 13 of the virtual machine 12 and data such as setting parameters necessary for the execution of the application 14 to the management server 3.
The management server 3 installs the software and data uploaded from the provider terminal 6 in the assigned mass storage device (“second storage unit 23” in FIG. 2) of the predetermined physical machine 2.

The management server 3 collects control data (such as signal control parameters for each intersection in the area Ai) generated by the virtual machine 12 by remote control, and stores the collected control data in the control database DB2 (see FIG. 2).
The management server 3 provides the control data of all areas Ai to the provider terminal 6 in response to the browsing request of the provider terminal 6. The management server 3 provides the client terminal 7 with control data for the client in response to a browsing request from the client terminal 7.

[Hardware configuration of physical machine and management server]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the physical machine 2 and the management server 3.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the physical machine 2 includes a processing unit 21, a first storage unit 22, a second storage unit 23, and a communication unit 24. These are connected by an internal bus 25. The management server 3 includes a processing unit 31, a first storage unit 32, a second storage unit 33, and a communication unit 34. These are connected by an internal bus 35.

In the physical machine 2, the processing unit 21 includes a multi-core CPU that can be virtualized. The first storage unit 22 includes a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory).
The second storage unit 23 includes a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or an SD memory card. The communication unit 24 includes a communication interface that supports both IP communication and LAN.

The second storage unit 23 stores software such as the hypervisor 11 and the virtual machine 12 and control data generated by the virtual machine 12 by remote control.
The processing unit 21 reads the hypervisor 11 stored in the second storage unit 23, virtualizes a part of hardware resources included in the physical machine 2, and converts a predetermined number of virtual machines 12 into a physical machine that is the own device. Build in 2.

In the management server 3, the processing unit 31 is composed of, for example, a multi-core CPU. The first storage unit 32 includes a volatile memory such as a DRAM or an SRAM.
The second storage unit 33 is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as an HDD, SSD, USB memory, or SD memory card. The communication unit 34 includes a communication interface that supports both IP communication and LAN.

The second storage unit 33 includes management software 36 for monitoring a predetermined physical machine 2 assigned to the service provider, an area database DB1 for associating the virtual machine VMi with the area Ai, and the control received from each virtual machine 12. A control database DB2 that holds data is stored.
The processing unit 31 reads the management software 36 stored in the second storage unit 33 and associates the virtual machine 12 operating on the hypervisor 11 with the provider terminal 6 and the client terminal 7.

[Physical machine software configuration]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing software configurations of the physical machine 2 and the management server 3.
As shown in FIG. 3, the physical machine 2 includes a hypervisor 11 and one or a plurality of virtual machines 12.

In the example of FIG. 3, a physical machine 2 that can include a maximum of three virtual machines 12 is illustrated.
For example, the left physical machine 2A includes three virtual machines VM1 to VM3, the central physical machine 2B includes two virtual machines VM4 and VM5, and the right physical machine 2C includes one virtual machine VN6. .

The virtual machines VM1 to VM6 include a virtual OS 13 that is an OS for the virtual machine 12, and an application 14 that operates on the virtual OS 13.
The virtual machines VM1 to VM6 execute the remote control described above by executing the application 14 using a part of the core (resource) of the processing unit 21 and a part of the memory (resource) of the first storage unit 22. It functions as the remote control device 12. Therefore, hereinafter, the remote control functional part realized by the execution of the application 14 by the virtual machine 12 is also referred to as a “remote control unit 14”.

The remote control device 12 controls the communication unit 24 to perform IP communication with the roadside control device 5 included in the area Ai and local communication with the communication unit 24 of the other physical machine 2 and the communication unit 34 of the management server 3. Communication is possible.
The hypervisor 11 controls the communication unit 24 to perform IP communication with the roadside control device 5 included in the area Ai, and local communication with the communication unit 24 of the other physical machine 2 and the communication unit 34 of the management server 3. Is possible.

The virtual machines VM1 to VM6 distributed to the physical machines 2A to 2C are remote functions as functional parts executed by a part of hardware resources (resources) such as the processing unit 21 and the first storage unit 22 of the physical machines 2A to 2C. In addition to the control unit 14, an uplink collection unit 26, a resource monitoring unit 27, a time zone acquisition unit 28, and a VM control unit 29 are provided.

The uplink collection unit 26 collects uplink information that the roadside control device 5 included in the area Ai transmits to the data center 1 in uplink.
The uplink information includes at least one information of a traffic index calculated by the roadside control device 5 in the area Ai and a remote control execution request and cancellation request generated by the roadside control device 5. The traffic index includes at least one of the inflow traffic volume at the intersection included in the area Ai, the congestion length, the travel time of the road section, and the average speed of the vehicle.

The remote control execution request is to request the data center 1 to execute remote control when the roadside control device 5 at the intersection that is performing point control determines that remote control is necessary based on the traffic index calculated by itself. It is a communication frame for doing.
The remote control cancellation request is made when the roadside control device 5 determines that the remote control is unnecessary based on the traffic index while the traffic signal controller is executing the remote control with the signal control parameter generated by the virtual machine VMi. This is a communication frame for requesting the data center 1 to cancel remote control.

The physical machine 2A in FIG. 3 includes three virtual machines VM1 to VM3 corresponding to the areas A1 to A3. Accordingly, the uplink collection unit 26 of the physical machine 2A collects uplink information from the roadside control device 5 included in the areas A1 to A3.
Similarly, the uplink collection unit 26 of the physical machine 2B collects uplink information from the roadside control device 5 included in the areas A4 and A5, and the uplink collection unit 26 of the physical machine 2C is included in the area A6. Uplink information from the roadside control device 5 is collected.

The resource monitoring unit 27 monitors the resource usage status of the virtual machine VMi that is executing the remote control. The resources to be monitored include, for example, a core usage rate and a memory usage rate for each predetermined time in the virtual machine VMi.
The resource monitoring unit 27 of the physical machine 2A monitors the usage status of the resources of the virtual machines VM1 to VM3, and the resource monitoring unit 27 of the physical machine 2B monitors the usage status of the resources of the virtual machines VM4 and VM5. The 2C resource monitoring unit 27 monitors the resource usage status of the virtual machine VM6.

The time zone acquisition unit 28 reads and acquires the time zone for executing remote control in the area Ai (for example, the commuting time zone from AM 7:00 to AM 10:00) from the second storage unit 23.
The time zone acquisition unit 28 of the physical machine 2A acquires the time zone specified for the areas A1 to A3 from the second storage unit 23, and the time zone acquisition unit 28 of the physical machine 2B is specified for the areas A4 and A5. The time zone is acquired from the second storage unit 23, and the time zone acquisition unit 28 of the physical machine 2C acquires the time zone specified for the area A6 from the second storage unit 23.

By the way, assuming “pay-as-you-go charging” in which charging is performed according to the resource usage status (core usage rate, memory usage rate, etc.) per unit time of the virtual machine VMi, the processing load on the virtual machine VMi is reduced or unnecessary. In such a case, it is preferable that the amount of resources used by the physical machine 2 be suppressed by terminating or pausing.

Therefore, the VM control unit 29 of each virtual machine 12 performs “grade control” for switching the quality of remote control executed by the remote control unit 14 for the area Ai, and starts / ends the application 14 and the virtual OS 13 of the virtual machine VMi. In addition, “operation state switching control” for transitioning operation states such as pause / restart can be executed.
3 exemplifies a case where each virtual machine 12 includes the VM control unit 29, but the hypervisor 11 may include the VM control unit 29.

(Example of grade control)
Grade control includes, for example, high-quality surface control for all intersections in area Ai and some intersections in area Ai based on traffic conditions and resource usage conditions in area Ai. Control which switches surface control (or system control) with low quality is included.
The grade control includes high-load traffic signal control with high quality (for example, MODERATO) and low-load traffic signal control with low quality (for example, pattern control) based on the traffic conditions and resource usage conditions in the area Ai. ).

For example, in the grade control of the VM control unit 29, the quality of the remote control is set to “high level” when the resource usage state is less than a predetermined threshold, and the quality of the remote control is “ Set to low level.
Thereby, in each area Ai, it is possible to suppress an increase in resources (both virtual core and memory) necessary for the operation of the virtual machine VMi while ensuring the minimum necessary remote control quality.

(Example of operation state switching control)
The operation state switching control by the VM control unit 29 includes, for example, a process of automatically changing the operation state of the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi in accordance with the time zone of the area Ai. That is, the VM control unit 29 determines whether or not the current time is included in the time zone in which the remote control is executed in the area Ai.

Then, the VM control unit 29 activates or restarts the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi when it is within the time zone, and ends the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi when it is outside the time zone. Or stop it.
In this case, the virtual OS 13 of the virtual machine 12 may be activated or resumed, terminated, or suspended according to activation, resumption, termination, or suspension of the remote control unit (application) 14.

As a result, a part of the resources of the physical machine 2 can be released in a time zone set in advance that remote control is unnecessary.
For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of the use fee which is useless by the remote control part 14 and virtual OS13 of virtual machine VMi operate | moving in an unnecessary time slot | zone can be prevented.

The operation state switching control by the VM control unit 29 can be performed according to the number of traffic indicators in the area Ai. That is, in the case of a traffic index (inflow traffic volume, traffic jam length, travel time, etc.) that is more relevant to traffic jams as the value increases, the VM control unit 29 receives the traffic index received from the roadside control device 5 in area Ai. Is determined to be greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

Then, the VM control unit 29 activates or resumes the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi when it is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and terminates or pauses the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi when it is less than the threshold value. Let
In this case, the virtual OS 13 of the virtual machine 12 may be activated or resumed, terminated, or suspended according to activation, resumption, termination, or suspension of the remote control unit (application) 14.

Further, in the case of a traffic index (such as an average speed of a vehicle) that is more relevant to traffic jams as the value is smaller, the VM control unit 29 determines that the traffic index received from the roadside control device 5 in the area Ai is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. It is determined whether or not.

Then, the VM control unit 29 activates or restarts the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi when it is equal to or less than the threshold value, and terminates the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi when it is less than the threshold value or Pause.
In this case, the virtual OS 13 of the virtual machine 12 may be activated or resumed, terminated, or suspended according to activation, resumption, termination, or suspension of the remote control unit (application) 14.

As a result, a part of the resources of the physical machine 2 can be released in a traffic situation that does not require much remote control in the area Ai.
For this reason, in the current traffic situation, it is possible to prevent generation of useless metered charges due to the remote control unit 14 or the virtual OS 13 of the virtual machine VMi operating in the area Ai that does not require remote control.

The switching control of the operation state by the VM control unit 29 can be performed according to the resource usage rate (for example, the memory usage rate every predetermined time) by the remote control unit 14 executing the remote control of the area Ai. .
In other words, the VM control unit 29 monitors the resource usage rate necessary for the remote control unit 14 to execute remote control, and if the resource usage rate being monitored exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the VM control unit 29 The VMi remote control unit 14 may be terminated or suspended.

Thereby, the resource usage in the physical machine 2 can be suppressed below a predetermined threshold. Therefore, the usage fee of the physical machine 2 in the case of pay-per-use billing can be kept low, and the traffic control system can be operated at low cost.

(Virtual machine placement method)
The hypervisor 11 according to the present embodiment determines an optimum arrangement in accordance with the contents of the contract with the IaaS provider regarding which physical machine 2A to 2C the virtual machine VMi is to be arranged.
The hypervisors 11 of the physical machines 2A to 2C exchange information on the installation status of the virtual machines Ai of the other physical machines 2 at the present time, and cooperate with the hypervisors 11 of the other physical machines 2 for the above optimal placement control. Do it.

For example, there is no particular limitation on the hardware resource occupancy rate of one physical machine 2, and a billing system is assumed in which the amount of server usage is reduced as the number of unused physical machines 2 increases.
In the example of FIG. 3, since there is one free space in the physical machine 2B, the physical machine 2C can be completely released by migrating the virtual machine VM6 of the physical machine 2C to the physical machine 2B. Therefore, the hypervisor 11 of the

physical machines

2B and 2C migrates the virtual machine VM6 from the physical machine 2C to the physical machine 2B.

Further, a charging system is assumed in which the occupancy rate of hardware resources of one physical machine 2 is restricted to a maximum of 70% and there is a physical machine 2 exceeding this, a penalty fee is generated.
In the example of FIG. 3, the occupation rate of the physical machine 2A is the maximum and a penalty fee is generated. However, even if one virtual machine VMi is added to the physical machine 2C, the restriction is not reached. Therefore, the hypervisor 11 of the

physical machines

2A and 2C migrates one of the virtual machines VM1 to VM3 from the physical machine 2A to the physical machine 2C.

[Management server software configuration]
As shown in FIG. 3, the management server 3 includes management software 36 that operates on a predetermined OS. The management software 36 can control the communication unit 34 to perform IP communication with the provider terminal 6 and the client terminal 7 and local communication with the communication unit 24 of each physical machine 2.

The management software 36 includes a provider management unit 37, an area management unit 38, and a data management unit 39 as functional parts executed by the processing unit 31.
The provider management unit 37 manages the operation state of the physical machines 2A to 2C assigned to the service provider. For example, the provider management unit 37 monitors the usage status of the hardware resources of the physical machines 2A to 2C, calculates a usage fee according to the usage status, and notifies the provider terminal 6 (in the case of usage-based charging).

The provider management unit 37 also manages the service provider identification information, the identification information of the physical machine 2 assigned to the provider, the contents of the use contract with the provider, and the like.
The area management unit 38 manages the area database DB1 (see FIG. 2) in the second storage unit 33. The area database DB1 is a table in which identification information of the area Ai set by the service provider, the number and identification information of the intersections and roadside control devices 5 in the area Ai, identification information of the client terminal 7 corresponding to the area Ai, and the like are associated with each other. including.

The hypervisor 11 of the physical machine 2 refers to the area database DB1 of the management server 3 when newly constructing a virtual machine VMi in its own device, and identifies identification information of the newly constructed virtual machine VMi and area Ai. It associates with the various information including the above.
Accordingly, the virtual machine VMi constructed in any one of the physical machines 2 includes the area Ai that is the object of remote control, the intersection and roadside control device 5 included in the area Ai, and the client that is the remote control service receiving entity. It is associated with the terminal 7.

The data management unit 39 manages the control database DB2 (see FIG. 2) in the second storage unit 33.
The control database DB2 associates identification information of the area Ai that is the control target of the virtual machine VMi, control data such as signal control parameters generated by the virtual machine VMi, identification information of the provider terminal 6 corresponding to the area Ai, and the like. Includes tables.

The provider terminal 6 can transmit a control data browsing request for all areas Ai to the data management unit 39.
In response to the browsing request from the provider terminal 6, the data management unit 39 reads out the control data of the area Ai designated by the browsing request from the control database DB 2 and provides the read control data to the provider terminal 6.

The client terminal 7 can transmit a control data browsing request for the area Ai where the client receives the remote control service to the data management unit 39.
In response to a browsing request from the client terminal 7, the data management unit 39 reads the control data of the area Ai corresponding to the client from the control database DB 2 and provides the read control data to the client terminal 7.

Although FIG. 3 illustrates the case where the management server 3 holds only the management software 36, the management server 3 may be a server computer that can execute hardware resource virtualization in the same manner as the physical machine 2. .
That is, by providing the management server 3 with the hypervisor 11 similar to the physical machine 2, the management server 3 may be included in one of the physical machines 2 that can construct the virtual machine VMi.

[Overall configuration of traffic control system]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the traffic control system including the remote control device 12.
In FIG. 4, a grid structure in which a plurality of roads in the north-south direction and the east-west direction intersect with each other is assumed as an example of the road structure, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, since the area Ai may be other than Japan, it may be a road on which the vehicle 43 passes on the right side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the traffic control system of this embodiment includes a vehicle 43 equipped with a remote control device 12 (virtual machine VMi), a roadside control device 5, a traffic signal device 41, and an in-vehicle communication device 42 (see FIG. 5). And a roadside sensor 44 and the like.
As described above, the remote control device 12 includes the virtual machine VMi constructed by the hypervisor 11 of the data center 1. The traffic signal 41 and the roadside control device 5 are respectively installed at the intersection Jk (k = 1 to 9 in FIG. 1) included in the area Ai.

The roadside control device 5 is installed in the vicinity of the intersection Jk so that it can wirelessly communicate with the vehicle 43 passing through the road branched from the intersection Jk. Therefore, the roadside control device 5 can receive radio waves transmitted by the vehicle 43 that performs vehicle-to-vehicle communication with the in-vehicle communication device 42 on the road.
The roadside sensor 44 is connected to the roadside control device 5 via a predetermined communication line 45 (see FIG. 5). A traffic signal controller 47 (see FIG. 5) of the traffic signal 41 is also connected to the roadside control device 5 via a predetermined communication line 45.

The roadside sensor 44 is installed at an appropriate place on the road in the area Ai mainly for the purpose of counting the number of vehicles flowing into the intersection Jk.
The roadside sensor 44 includes a vehicle sensor that senses the vehicle 43 passing directly below by ultrasonic waves, a monitoring camera that captures the traffic state of the vehicle 43 in time series, and an optical beacon that performs optical communication with the vehicle 43 using near infrared rays. Etc. are included.

The remote control device 12 transmits downlink information S1 including a remote control execution command, a signal control parameter, or a remote control release command to the roadside control device 5 of each intersection Jk included in the area Ai.
The downlink information S1 for the intersection Jk to which the remote control device 12 is downlinked is transmitted to the roadside control device 5 corresponding to the intersection Jk included in the area Ai via the public communication network 4 or the mobile communication network. The

That is, the remote control device 12 transmits the downlink information S1 for the intersection J1 to the roadside control device 5 at the intersection J1, and the downlink information S1 for the intersection J2 to the roadside control device 5 at the intersection J2. Send.
Accordingly, each roadside control device 5 included in the area Ai receives the downlink information S1 for the intersection Jk corresponding to the own device.

When the remote control device 12 causes the traffic signals 41 of some or all of the intersections Jk included in the area Ai to start remote control, the remote control device 12 includes an “execution command” for remote control in the downlink information S1.
When the remote control device 12 terminates the remote control to return to the point control by causing the traffic signals 41 at some or all of the intersections Jk included in the area Ai to return to the point control, the remote control device 12 includes the remote control “release command” in the downlink information S1. .

When the remote control device 12 executes remote control for some or all of the intersections Jk included in the area Ai, the remote control device 12 performs system control or surface control on the part or all of the intersections Jk included in the area Ai. The signal control parameter applied to the traffic signal 41 is generated for each intersection Jk.
The remote control device 12 includes the generated signal control parameter for each intersection Jk in the downlink information S1 and transmits the downlink to the roadside control device 5 at the corresponding intersection Jk.

The remote control device 12 can also include traffic information such as traffic jam information and traffic regulation information in the downlink information S1 and transmit it to the roadside control device 5.
The roadside control device 5 included in the area Ai transmits uplink information S2 including the traffic index calculated by itself and the “execution request” or “cancellation request” of the remote control to the remote control device 12 in uplink.

Uplink information S2 uplinked by the roadside control device 5 is transmitted to the remote control device 12 via the mobile communication network, the public communication network 4 or the like.
The sensor information that is the measurement result of the roadside sensor 44 includes vehicle sensor sensing information, surveillance camera image data, and the like. The sensor information is collected by the roadside control device 5 at the corresponding intersection Jk. The roadside control device 5 calculates a predetermined traffic index from the collected sensor information and the probe information received from the vehicle 43.

[Infrastructure facilities near intersections]
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the intersection Jk where the roadside control device 5 is installed.
As shown in FIG. 5, the traffic signal 41 includes a plurality of signal lamps 46 that display the presence / absence of right of passage in each inflow path of the intersection Jk, and a traffic signal controller 47 that controls the timing when the signal lamps 46 are turned on and off. With. The signal lamp 46 is connected to a traffic signal controller 47 via a predetermined signal control line 48.

The roadside sensor 44 is communicably connected to the traffic signal controller 47 via the communication line 45, and the traffic signal controller 47 is communicably connected to the roadside controller 5 via the communication line 45. The roadside sensor 44 may be connected to the roadside control device 5 via the traffic signal controller 47.

The roadside control device 5 switches the control method of the intersection Jk to remote control when the execution command is included in the downlink information S1. When the release information is included in the downlink information S1, the roadside control device 5 returns the control method of the intersection Jk to the point control.
When the roadside control device 5 receives the downlink information S1 including the signal control parameter from the remote control device 12, the roadside control device 5 transfers the signal control parameter to the traffic signal controller 47.

The roadside control device 5 can also wirelessly transmit the information to the vehicle 43 by broadcasting in order to provide the vehicle 43 with the signal switching timing and traffic information included in the received downlink information S1.

The remote control device 12 performs overall collection of uplink information S2 uplink-transmitted by the roadside control device 5 included in the area Ai, traffic signal control based on the information S2, information provision of control results, and the like.
Specifically, the remote control device 12 extends “system control” for adjusting traffic signal 41 groups on the same road to the traffic signal 41 at the intersection Jk belonging to the area Ai, and extends this system control to the road network. “Surface control” can be performed.

The remote control device 12 transmits downlink information S1 including control data for every remote control calculation cycle (for example, 2.5 minutes) such as surface control, and every predetermined cycle (for example, 5 minutes). Downlink information S1 including traffic information is transmitted in the downlink.

[Configuration of roadside control device and in-vehicle communication device]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the roadside control device 5 and the in-vehicle communication device 42.
The roadside control device 5 includes a wireless communication unit 52 to which an antenna 51 for wireless communication is connected, a wired communication unit 53 that communicates with the traffic signal controller 47 and the roadside sensor 44, and a CPU that performs communication control thereof. A control unit 54 including a processor and a storage unit 55 including a storage device such as a ROM and a RAM connected to the control unit 54 are provided.

The storage unit 55 of the roadside control device 5 stores a computer program for communication control executed by the control unit 54, various data received from other wireless communication devices, and the like.
The control unit 54 of the roadside control device 5 includes a control switching unit 54A and a data relay unit 54B that performs a relay process on received data of the

communication units

52 and 53 as functional units achieved by executing the computer program. Have

The data relay unit 54 </ b> B of the roadside control device 5 temporarily stores the signal control parameters received by the wireless communication unit 52 from the remote control device 12 in the storage unit 55, and the traffic signal controller 47 via the wired communication unit 53. Or broadcast transmission from the wireless communication unit 52 to the vehicle 43.
In addition, the data relay unit 54B temporarily stores the probe information received by the wireless communication unit 52 and the sensor information received by the wired communication unit 53 in the storage unit 55, and the remote control device via the wireless communication unit 52 Uplink transmission to 12 addressed.

The control switching unit 54 </ b> A of the roadside control device 5 switches the control method to be executed by the traffic signal controller 47 according to the content of the control command received from the remote control device 12.
Specifically, when the traffic signal controller 47 receives the remote control execution command while the traffic signal controller 47 is executing the point control, the control switching unit 54A stops the point control, and the downlink information S1 received from the remote control device 12 is displayed. Signal control parameters such as lamp color switching timing included are transferred to the traffic signal controller 47.

Further, when the traffic signal controller 47 receives the remote control release command while the traffic signal controller 47 is executing the remote control (during transfer of the lamp color switching timing), the control switching unit 54B applies the lamp color switching timing to the traffic signal controller 47. The transfer is stopped and the traffic signal controller 47 restarts the point control.

The in-vehicle communication device 42 includes a communication unit 62 to which an antenna 61 for wireless communication is connected, a control unit 63 including a processor that performs communication control on the communication unit 62, a ROM connected to the control unit 63, And a storage unit 64 including a storage device such as a RAM.
The storage unit 64 of the in-vehicle communication device 42 stores a computer program for communication control executed by the control unit 63, various data received from other wireless communication devices, and the like.

The control unit 63 of the in-vehicle communication device 42 is a control unit that causes the communication unit 62 to perform wireless communication using a carrier sense method for vehicle-to-vehicle communication.
Therefore, the communication unit 62 of the in-vehicle communication device 42 always senses the reception level of the predetermined carrier frequency, and when the value is equal to or higher than a certain threshold, wireless transmission is not performed, and when the value becomes less than the threshold Only intended to perform wireless transmission.

The control unit 63 of the in-vehicle communication device 42 generates probe information including information such as the vehicle ID of the vehicle 43, time information, vehicle position (latitude and longitude, etc.), vehicle speed, vehicle direction, vehicle attributes, etc., every predetermined time. The generated probe information is broadcasted to the communication unit 62.
As shown in FIG. 6, the wireless communication unit 52 of the roadside control device 5 includes a communication interface that can also communicate with the mobile terminal 49 owned by the pedestrian, and can perform inter-walk communication with the mobile terminal 49 of the pedestrian. it can.

Inter-walk communication between the portable terminal 49 and the roadside control device 5 can be used, for example, for providing information of the downlink information S1 to pedestrians.
When the roadside control device 5 executes the pushbutton control of the traffic signal device 41, the portable terminal 49 transmits a pushbutton request by inter-step communication, and the roadside control device 5 that receives this request passes the traffic signal device 41. Processing such as start of switching of rights may be performed.

[First execution process]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of remote control execution processing (first execution processing) performed in cooperation between the roadside control device 5 and the physical machine 2 belonging to the area Ai.
In FIG. 7, “roadside control device 5” and “physical machine 2” are the processing subjects, but the actual processing subjects are the control switching unit 54A (see FIG. 6) of the roadside control device 5 and the physical machine 2. This is a VM control unit 29 (see FIG. 3). This also applies to the processes of FIGS. 8 to 10 described later.

As shown in FIG. 7, each roadside control device 5 belonging to area Ai collects data (sensor information, probe information, etc.) necessary for calculating the traffic index every predetermined time (step ST10). A traffic index related to the intersection Jk is calculated based on the data (step ST11).
Next, the roadside control device 5 determines whether or not the intersection Jk where the own device is installed can be handled by point control (step ST12).

This determination is performed based on whether or not the point control for the intersection Jk can be executed so that the traffic index satisfies a predetermined threshold. For example, assuming “traffic volume”, the roadside control device 5 determines that it is possible to cope with the point control when the traffic volume is less than a predetermined threshold value, and cannot handle it with the point control when the traffic volume is more than the threshold value. judge.
If the determination result is affirmative, the roadside control device 5 continues the point control (step ST13) and repeats data collection for calculating the traffic index (step ST10).

If the determination result is negative, the roadside control device 5 transmits a remote control execution request to the physical machine 2 (step ST14), and the physical machine 2 receives the execution request (step ST15). .
Thereafter, the physical machine 2 determines the necessity of remote control in the area Ai based on the resource usage status in the own device, the time zone of the area Ai, etc., triggered by the reception of the execution request (step ST16, ST17).

For example, if the physical machine 2 uses less resources than the predetermined threshold and the current time is a time zone in which remote control is executed in the area Ai, the physical machine 2 is remote from the area Ai. It is determined that control is necessary.

If the determination result is negative, the physical machine 2 waits until further execution requests are received. If the determination result is positive, the physical machine 2 performs remote control. An execution command is transmitted to the roadside control device 5 as a transmission source (step ST18).
And the roadside control apparatus 5 of the transmission origin determines whether the execution command was received (step ST19).

When the above determination result is affirmative, the roadside control device 5 switches the control of the intersection Jk corresponding to the own device to the remote control (step ST20). Specifically, the roadside control device 5 stops the point control so far and transfers the signal control parameter received from the virtual machine VMi of the physical machine 2 to the traffic signal controller 47.
If the determination result is negative, the roadside control device 5 continues the point control as it is (step ST13).

[First release processing]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of remote control release processing performed in cooperation between the roadside control device 5 and the physical machine 2 belonging to the area Ai.
As shown in FIG. 8, each roadside control device 5 belonging to area Ai collects data (sensor information, probe information, etc.) necessary for calculating the traffic index every predetermined time (step ST30). A traffic index related to the intersection Jk is calculated based on the data (step ST31).

Next, the roadside control device 5 determines whether or not the intersection Jk where the device is installed can be handled by the point control (step ST32). As described above, this determination is performed based on whether or not the point control for the intersection Jk can be executed so that the traffic index satisfies a predetermined threshold.
If the determination result is negative, the roadside control device 5 continues the remote control (step ST33) and repeats data collection for calculating the traffic index (step ST30).

If the determination result is affirmative, the roadside control device 5 transmits a remote control release request to the physical machine 2 (step ST34), and the physical machine 2 receives the release request (step ST35). .
Thereafter, the physical machine 2 determines the necessity of canceling the remote control in the area Ai based on the resource usage status in the own device, the time zone of the area Ai, etc., triggered by reception of the received cancel request. (Steps ST36 and ST37).

For example, if the physical machine 2 uses the resource usage status by the virtual machine VMi at a predetermined threshold value or more, or if the current time is not a time zone for executing the remote control in the area Ai, the physical machine 2 is remote from the area Ai. It is determined that the control needs to be released.

If the determination result is negative, the physical machine 2 waits until a release request is received. If the determination result is positive, the physical machine 2 performs remote control. A cancellation command is transmitted to the roadside control device 5 as the transmission source (step ST38).
And the roadside control apparatus 5 of the transmission source determines whether the cancellation | release instruction | command was received (step ST39).

When the above determination result is affirmative, the roadside control device 5 switches the control of the intersection Jk corresponding to the own device to the point control (step ST40). Specifically, the roadside control device 5 stops the processing so far to transfer the signal control parameter received from the virtual machine VMi of the physical machine 2 to the traffic signal controller 47 and starts the point control.
If the determination result is negative, the roadside control device 5 continues the remote control as it is (step ST33).

[Second execution process]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of remote control execution processing performed in cooperation between the roadside control device 5 and the physical machine 2 belonging to the area Ai.
As shown in FIG. 9, each roadside control device 5 belonging to area Ai collects data (sensor information, probe information, etc.) necessary for calculating traffic indexes at predetermined time intervals (step ST50). A traffic index related to the intersection Jk is calculated based on the data (step ST51).

Next, the roadside control device 5 transmits the calculated traffic index to the physical machine 2 (step ST52), and the physical machine 2 receives the traffic index (step ST53).
Thereafter, the physical machine 2 determines the necessity of remote control in the area Ai based on the received traffic index, the resource usage status in the own device, the time zone of the area Ai (steps ST54 and ST55). In the second execution process, since the roadside control device 5 does not request execution of remote control, the physical machine 2 executes the determination of the necessity of remote control every predetermined time (for example, 2.5 minutes).

When the determination result is affirmative, the physical machine 2 transmits an execution command to the roadside control device 5 (step ST56).
After transmitting the traffic index to the physical machine 2, the roadside control device 5 determines whether or not to receive the execution command (step ST57).

When the above determination result is affirmative, the roadside control device 5 switches the control of the intersection Jk corresponding to the own device to the remote control (step ST58). Specifically, the roadside control device 5 stops the point control so far and transfers the signal control parameter received from the virtual machine VMi of the physical machine 2 to the traffic signal controller 47.
If the determination result is negative, the road control device 5 continues the point control as it is (step ST59).

[Second release processing]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of remote control cancellation processing performed in cooperation between the roadside control device 5 and the physical machine 2 belonging to the area Ai.
As shown in FIG. 10, each roadside control device 5 belonging to area Ai collects data (sensor information, probe information, etc.) necessary for calculating traffic indexes every predetermined time (step ST70). A traffic index related to the intersection Jk is calculated based on the data (step ST71).

Next, the roadside control device 5 transmits the calculated traffic index to the physical machine 2 (step ST72), and the physical machine 2 receives the traffic index (step ST73).
After that, the physical machine 2 determines the necessity of canceling the remote control in the area Ai based on the received traffic index, the resource usage status in the own device, the time zone of the area Ai (steps ST74 and ST75). . In the second release process, the roadside control device 5 does not request release of remote control, so the physical machine 2 determines whether or not to release remote control every predetermined time (for example, 2.5 minutes).

If the determination result is affirmative, the physical machine 2 transmits a release command to the roadside control device 5 (step ST76).
After transmitting the traffic index to the physical machine 2, the roadside control device 5 determines whether or not to receive the release command (step ST77).

When the above determination result is affirmative, the roadside control device 5 switches the control of the intersection Jk corresponding to the own device to the point control (step ST78). Specifically, the roadside control device 5 stops the previous processing for transferring the signal control parameter received from the virtual machine VMi of the physical machine 2 to the traffic signal controller 47 and switches to the point control.
If the determination result is negative, the roadside control device 5 continues the remote control as it is (step ST79).

[Other controls that can be executed by the remote control device]
FIG.11 and FIG.12 is explanatory drawing which shows the other control which the remote control apparatus 12 of a traffic control system can perform. Specifically, FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram of support for oversight prevention of signs, and FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram of support for prevention of rear-end collision.
FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram of the encounter collision prevention support, and FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram of the signal oversight prevention support.

In the control of FIG. 11A, a sign installed at a downstream intersection is notified to the vehicle 43 by a light beacon or the like on a curved road where the driver cannot see due to the presence of a building. This control helps prevent oversight.
In the control of FIG. 11B, a preceding vehicle waiting for a signal at a downstream intersection is shown on a curved road where the driver cannot visually recognize the presence of a building. It is control which notifies and assists the collision prevention with respect to a preceding vehicle.

In the control of FIG. 12A, a vehicle parked on a downstream side road is shown on a curved road where the driver cannot visually check due to the presence of a building. This is a control that supports the prevention of a head-on collision with a vehicle on the side road.
In the control of FIG. 12B, the signal lamp installed at the downstream intersection is notified to the vehicle 43 by a light beacon or the like on the curved road where the driver cannot see due to the presence of the building. This control helps prevent oversight of the vessel.

The control shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is performed at a relatively narrow point near the intersection, so that not only the remote control device 12 (virtual machine VMi) but also the roadside control device 5 performs the control independently. May be.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of eco-drive support that can be realized by the remote control device 12.
In the traffic control system of the present embodiment, the roadside control device 5 in the area Ai broadcasts data such as signal control parameters, which are calculation results of the remote control device 12, to the vehicle 43, so that the vehicle travels on a road section in the area Ai. The vehicle 43 inside can receive the signal switching timing at the downstream intersection in advance.

Therefore, when the remote control device 12 executes the offset control that becomes a through band that can pass through a plurality of intersections with a blue signal, the road control device 5 sets the through band setting speed together with the signal control parameter that is the calculation result. The vehicle 43 is notified.
In this way, the vehicle 43 can travel without waiting for a signal at a plurality of downstream intersections as the vehicle 43 travels the system section according to the notified set speed. This improves the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 43 and leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions.

In addition to the above-described control, if various applications are added to the remote control device 12, the convenience of the remote control device 12 using the cloud system can be improved, and a more attractive traffic control system can be provided to the client. .
For example, if the remote control device 12 analyzes traffic information in the area Ai and provides it to the client terminal 7, the client can acquire useful traffic information.

Further, the remote control device 12 may collect privilege information around the area Ai from an information special site or the like, and provide the obtained privilege information to the vehicle 43 from the road-side control device 5. The privilege information refers to information that is a privilege for the driver of the vehicle 43 traveling in the area Ai, such as location information and a time zone of a store that performs time service.
If the client distributes the privilege information for a fee, the advertising revenue from the information distribution can be obtained.

Furthermore, if the remote control device 12 provides signal information in the area Ai, the above-mentioned eco-drive support can be realized in the area Ai managed by the client.
In addition, the remote control device 12 notifies the vehicle 43 in the area Ai of a traffic jam section, a detour, and the like via the roadside control device 5, thereby performing route guidance that is advantageous for traffic in the area Ai. Thus, smooth vehicle traffic in the area Ai can be realized.

[Effect of cloud system]
According to the present embodiment, the VM control unit 29 (determination processing unit) of the physical machine 2 determines whether to cause the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi to perform remote control according to the traffic situation of the area Ai. Since the process is performed, the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi can be appropriately stopped, paused, or degenerated according to the actual traffic situation.
For this reason, compared with the case where the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi continues the remote control unconditionally, the resource usage of the physical machine 2 can be suppressed, and the traffic control system can be operated at a low cost. it can.

According to the present embodiment, the VM control unit 29 of the physical machine 2 performs remote control on the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi based on the road traffic index calculated by the roadside control device 5 installed in the area Ai. Since it is determined whether or not to execute, it is not necessary for the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi to calculate the traffic index.
For this reason, the hardware resources of the physical machine 2 can be saved as compared with the case where the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi calculates the traffic index.

According to the present embodiment, the VM control unit 29 of the physical machine 2 controls the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi based on the resource usage rate necessary for the remote control unit 14 to execute remote control. Since the determination process for determining whether or not to execute is performed, for example, when the resource usage rate of the remote control unit 14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it is possible to prevent remote control from being executed.
For this reason, the amount of resources used in the physical machine 2 can be suppressed, and the traffic control system can be operated at low cost.

According to the present embodiment, since the area Ai where the remote control unit 14 of one virtual machine VMi performs remote control is composed of one subarea, the remote control unit 14 of one virtual machine VMi includes a plurality of subareas. Compared to remote control, the amount of resources required for the operation of the virtual machine VMi can be reduced to a small scale.
For this reason, the introduction unit price of the traffic control system using the virtual machine VMi can be reduced, and the client can easily introduce the traffic control system using the cloud.

According to the present embodiment, the VM control unit 29 of the physical machine 2 executes remote control on the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi when receiving an execution request from the roadside control device 5 installed in the area Ai. Therefore, the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi can perform remote control only when the necessity for remote control actually occurs.
For this reason, compared with the case where the VM control unit 29 periodically determines the necessity of remote control, the hardware resources of the physical machine 2 can be effectively used.

According to the present embodiment, the VM control unit 29 of the physical machine 2 performs a determination process as to whether or not the virtual machine VMi is to execute remote control at predetermined intervals (see FIG. 9). The control unit 29 can automatically perform the determination process without waiting for the execution request from the roadside control device 5 to be received. Therefore, the above determination process can be performed more reliably.

According to the present embodiment, whether or not the VM control unit 29 of the physical machine 2 causes the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi to execute the remote control based on the time zone for executing the remote control set in advance for the area Ai. Therefore, the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi can be operated only during the set time zone, and the virtual machine VMi can be stopped during other time zones.
For this reason, hardware resources of the physical machine 2 can be used more efficiently than when the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi is operated regardless of the time zone.

According to the present embodiment, the plurality of areas Ai that are remotely controlled by the remote control units 14 of the plurality of virtual machines VMi include areas that exist in different regions with a time difference. It is possible to distribute the operation time of a plurality of virtual machines VMi each in charge of remote control.
For this reason, it is possible to reduce the time during which a plurality of virtual machines VMi operate simultaneously, and the hardware resources of the physical machine 2 can be efficiently used.

According to the present embodiment, the remote control unit 14 of the virtual machine VMi performs traffic information analysis in the area Ai, provision of privilege information around the area Ai, provision of signal information in the area Ai, area in addition to remote control. Since the route guidance of the vehicle in Ai can be executed, the contents of the traffic service in the area Ai that can be used by the client using the virtual machine VMi are abundant.
For this reason, it becomes easier for the client to introduce the cloud system of the present embodiment than in the case where these processes are not involved.

According to the present embodiment, the control switching unit 54A of the roadside control device 5 determines whether or not the point control for the intersection Jk can be executed so that the traffic index at the intersection Jk satisfies the predetermined condition. If not, a remote control execution request is transmitted to the remote control device 12 which is the virtual machine VMi (see FIG. 7).
Therefore, it is possible to request the remote control device 12 that is the virtual machine VMi to execute the remote control in accordance with the traffic situation in the area Ai.

According to the present embodiment, whether or not the control switching unit 54A of the roadside control device 5 can execute the point control for the intersection Jk so that the traffic index at the intersection Jk satisfies the predetermined condition while the remote control is selected. If it can be executed, a remote control release request is transmitted to the remote control device 12 that is the virtual machine VMi (see FIG. 8).
For this reason, it is possible to request the remote control device 12 that is the virtual machine VMi to release the remote control according to the traffic situation in the area Ai. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the remote control device 12 from continuing the remote control uselessly.

According to the cloud system of the present embodiment, the roadside control device 5 capable of switching the traffic signal control control method at the intersection Jk included in the area Ai responds to the reception of the execution request from the VM control unit 29 of the physical machine 2. The control method is switched to remote control, and the control method is switched to point control in response to reception of the release request (see FIGS. 7 to 10).
For this reason, when the virtual machine VMi does not execute the remote control on the intersection Jk included in the area Ai, the point control can be executed on the intersection Jk, and the remote control and the point control are performed on each intersection Jk included in the area Ai. Both of these controls can be executed.

[Other features of the cloud system]
As described above, in the cloud system of this embodiment, the virtual machine 12 that performs remote control is constructed using the virtualization software 11 of the data center 1. For this reason, regardless of the location of the area Ai, it is possible to construct an excellent traffic control system while minimizing an increase in the cost of infrastructure deployment on site.

In addition, since the location of the area Ai where the remote control is performed is not limited, a traffic control system can be constructed at low cost in any country and city, and the traffic control system in many countries can be constructed and managed centrally. can do.
However, the roadside control device 5 needs to be installed in the area Ai of the country or city specified by the client. Therefore, different businesses can be assumed depending on whether the client or the service provider bears the installation cost of the roadside control device 5 or the like.

For example, it is conceivable that the installation cost of the roadside control device 5 installed in the area Ai and the roadside sensor 44 installed as necessary is paid to the client.
In this case, it is assumed that ownership of control data such as signal control parameters obtained by remote control is on the client side and can be freely resold in the name of the client. In this way, control data such as signal control parameters can be a source of revenue for the client.

On the contrary, it is also conceivable that the installation cost of the road-side control device 5 installed in the area Ai and the road-side sensor 44 installed as necessary is paid by the provider.
In this case, the ownership of control data such as signal control parameters obtained by remote control is assumed to be on the provider side, and can be freely resold in the name of the provider. In this way, control data such as signal control parameters can be a source of revenue for the service provider.

In addition, by causing the remote control device 12 to execute various priority controls, it is possible to develop an unprecedented service.
For example, priority control corresponding to trucks entering and leaving the logistics company around the logistics company, priority control corresponding to morning and evening pick-up around the school, and priority control according to the individual's wishes that are not particularly social issues. This is the case. Further, the service provider may be able to provide advertising information to the vehicle for a fee through an information providing medium.

Since the client does not need to install and own the central device of the traffic control system, the initial investment at the time of introducing the system can be suppressed. For example, a client can order a system from a service provider even from one intersection.
In addition, the client can realize a desired traffic control system with a minimum investment amount. For example, in a time zone that does not require remote control, the virtual machine can be operated so as to minimize computer resources by performing degenerate operation of the virtual machine.

Since the client does not need to install and own the central device of the traffic control system, the remote control service once employed can be easily stopped.
In the case of a contract for acquiring ownership of control data such as signal control parameters on the condition that the roadside control device 5 and the roadside sensor 44 are installed, the client can obtain income by selling the control data. It is done.

Since the service provider can centralize the operation and management of the traffic control system by the plurality of virtual machines Vi in the predetermined data center 1, the management cost of the plurality of traffic control systems can be reduced.
Further, if the client outsources maintenance and management of information such as setting parameters necessary for operation of the traffic control system to the service provider, the maintenance of the traffic control system by the client becomes unnecessary.

[Other variations]
The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes all modifications within the scope equivalent to the configurations described in the claims.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the roadside control device 5 is a separate device from the traffic signal controller 47, but the roadside control device 5 may have the function of the traffic signal controller 47.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the remote control device 12 is composed of the virtual machine 2 virtually constructed in the physical machine 2 of the data center 1 is illustrated. However, the remote control device 12 is installed in a traffic control center or the like. It may also be a computer device for traffic signal control (also referred to as “central device”).
That is, the remote control device 12 composed of a central device may be communicably connected to at least one roadside control device 5 belonging to the jurisdiction area. The traffic control center is composed of dedicated facilities managed by the national, local government or private transport operators.

1 Data center 2 Physical machine (information processing equipment)
2A physical machine (information processing equipment)
2B physical machine (information processing equipment)
2C physical machine (information processing equipment)
3 Management Server 4 Public Communication Network 5 Roadside Control Device 6 Provider Terminal 7 Client Terminal 11 Virtualization Software (Hypervisor)
12 Virtual machine (remote control device)
13 Virtual OS
14 Application software (remote control unit)
21 processing unit 22 first storage unit 23 second storage unit 24 communication unit 25 internal bus 26 uplink collection unit 27 resource monitoring unit 28 time zone acquisition unit 29 VM control unit (determination processing unit)
Reference Signs List 31 processing unit 32 first storage unit 33 second storage unit 34 communication unit 35 internal bus 36 management software 37 provider management unit 38 area management unit 39 data management unit 41 traffic signal 42 in-vehicle communication device 43 vehicle 44 roadside sensor 45 communication line 46 Signal lamp 47 Traffic signal controller 48 Signal control line 49 Portable terminal 51 Antenna 52 Wireless communication part 53 Wired communication part 54 Control part 54A Point control part 54B Control switching part 54C Data relay part 55 Storage part 61 Antenna 62 Communication part 63 Control part 64 storage unit Ai area VMi virtual machine

Claims

An information processing apparatus comprising one or more virtual machines constructed by virtualizing hardware resources,
The virtual machine having a remote control unit that executes a remote control that is a traffic signal control that controls traffic rights of a plurality of intersections included in a predetermined area;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a determination processing unit that performs a determination process as to whether or not to cause the remote control unit to execute the remote control according to traffic conditions in the area.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination processing unit performs the determination process based on a road traffic index calculated by a roadside control apparatus installed in the area.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination processing unit performs the determination processing based on a resource usage rate necessary for the remote control unit to execute the remote control.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the area where the remote control unit executes the remote control is one sub-area.
The information according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination processing unit performs the determination processing in response to reception of an execution request for the remote control from a roadside control device installed in the area. Processing equipment.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination processing unit performs the determination processing at predetermined intervals.
The information according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the determination processing unit performs the determination processing based on a time zone in which the remote control unit set in advance for the area executes the remote control. Processing equipment.
8. The area according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of areas in which the remote control units of the plurality of virtual machines perform the remote control include areas that exist in different areas with a time difference. Information processing device.
9. The remote control unit of the virtual machine is capable of executing at least one of the following processes (a) to (d) in addition to the remote control. The information processing apparatus described in 1.
(A) Traffic information analysis in the area (b) Provision of privilege information around the area (c) Provision of signal information in the area (d) Route guidance of vehicles in the area
It is possible to switch the control method of traffic signal control at an intersection, and is a roadside control device including point control and remote control defined below as the switchable control method,
A communication unit that communicates with a remote control device that executes the remote control for a plurality of intersections in a predetermined area including the intersection;
It is determined whether the point control for the intersection can be executed so that the traffic index at the intersection satisfies a predetermined condition. If the determination result is negative, the remote control of the remote control device A roadside control device comprising: a control unit that transmits an execution request to the communication unit.
Point control: Traffic signal control that controls the right of traffic at one intersection Remote control: Traffic signal control that controls the right of traffic at multiple intersections
The said control part performs the said determination while selecting the said remote control, and when this determination result is affirmation, the cancellation | release request | requirement of the said remote control with respect to the said remote control apparatus is transmitted to the said communication part. The roadside control device described in 1.
An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A roadside control device capable of communicating with the information processing device and capable of switching a control method of traffic signal control at the intersection included in the area;
When the roadside control device receives the remote control execution command from the information processing device, the control method is switched to the remote control, and when the remote control release command is received from the information processing device, The cloud system which switches the said control system to the spot control which is the traffic signal control which makes the control right the traffic right of one intersection.
A computer program for causing an information processing apparatus to function as one or a plurality of virtual machines constructed by virtualizing hardware resources,
The remote control unit of the virtual machine executes remote control that is traffic signal control for controlling the right of passage of a plurality of intersections included in a predetermined area;
A computer program comprising: a determination processing unit of the information processing apparatus performing a determination process as to whether or not to cause the remote control unit to execute the remote control according to a traffic situation in the area.
An operation method of one or a plurality of virtual machines constructed by virtualizing hardware resources of an information processing apparatus,
The remote control unit of the virtual machine executes remote control that is traffic signal control for controlling the right of passage of a plurality of intersections included in a predetermined area;
A determination processing unit of the information processing apparatus performing a determination process as to whether or not to cause the remote control unit to execute the remote control according to a traffic situation in the area.