WO2023233596A1

WO2023233596A1 - Communication system, communication device, and communication method

Info

Publication number: WO2023233596A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/022367
Authority: WO
Inventors: 敬志利根川; 祐児佐藤; 一気尾形; 淳高澤; 英希吉川; 航生小林
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社
Priority date: 2022-06-01
Filing date: 2022-06-01
Publication date: 2023-12-07

Abstract

In the present invention, a communication system comprises: a communicator that is mounted to a traffic signal and is capable of executing software; a traffic information acquiring means that acquires traffic information about the surroundings of the traffic signal, or an intersection at which the traffic signal is provided; and a determination means that determines, on the basis of the traffic information, a timing at which to update the software, wherein the communicator performs the update of the software at said timing.

Description

Communication system, communication device, and communication method

The present invention relates to, for example, a communication system related to a communication device attached to a traffic light.

In recent years, consideration has been given to increasing the sophistication of traffic control using traffic lights that issue instructions to vehicles on the road. Sophistication means, for example, using a communication device newly attached to a traffic signal to give instructions to vehicles and coordinate between traffic lights. In this way, cameras and communication equipment are sometimes attached to traffic lights. A technique for traffic control using traffic lights is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

International Publication No. 2012/096046

When installing communication equipment to traffic lights, it is necessary to update the software running on the communication equipment. Since it is difficult to use the software during an update, for example, if software that supports traffic control is being updated, traffic control using traffic lights will stop. At this time, the more vehicles on the road, the greater the impact of traffic control suspension.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to suppress the influence of updating a communication device attached to a traffic light.

The communication system of the present invention includes:
a communication device attached to a traffic light and capable of executing software;
traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information around the communication device or at an intersection where the traffic light is installed;
and determining means for determining the timing of updating the software based on the traffic information,
The communication device updates the software at the timing.

The present invention is a communication method in a communication system including a communication device attached to a traffic light and capable of executing software, comprising:
Obtaining traffic information around the communication device or at an intersection where the traffic light is installed;
determining the timing of updating the software based on the traffic information;
The software is updated in the communication device at the timing.

Further, the communication device of the present invention includes:
a communication device attached to a traffic light and capable of executing software;
traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information around the communication device or at an intersection where the traffic light is installed;
and determining means for determining the timing of updating the software based on the traffic information,
The communication device updates the software at the timing.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the influence of updating a communication device attached to a traffic light.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a communication system in a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of operation of the communication system in the 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the modification of the communication system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a communication system in a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a flow chart which shows an example of operation of a communication system in a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing device that implements a communication system and the like in first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention. FIG.

<First embodiment>
A communication system 1 in a first embodiment will be described based on FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication system 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the communication system 1.

The configuration of the communication system 1 will be explained. The communication system 1 includes a communication device 11, a traffic information acquisition means 12, and a determination means 13. In addition, in FIG. 1, the communication device 11, the traffic information acquisition means 12, and the determination means 13 are provided integrally, but they may be separate bodies. The communication device 11, the traffic information acquisition means 12, and the determination means 13 can communicate with each other.

The communication device 11 is attached to the traffic light 20 and is capable of executing software. The traffic light 20 instructs the

vehicles

30A and 30B to stop with a red light, to permit passage with a green light, etc., under control from an internal control means. The communication device 11 receives, for example, an instruction from a higher-level system that performs traffic control. The communication device 11 executes software for, for example, adjusting the time for presenting each instruction to the control means in the traffic light 20, in accordance with instructions received from a higher-level system.

The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information around the communication device 11 or at an intersection where a traffic light 20 is installed. Traffic information refers to, for example, the congestion status or traffic volume of roads around the communication device 11 or intersections where the traffic lights 20 are provided. Note that the traffic information is stored in, for example, an MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) server. Specifically, the traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information by using any one of the following control methods: the first example, the second example, and the third example.

A first example for acquiring traffic information will be explained. The traffic information acquisition unit 12 acquires, for example, a video or an image captured by an imaging unit provided at least one of the traffic light 20 and the roadside. The imaging means is, for example, a camera. The imaging means photographs the vicinity of the communication device 11 or the intersection where the traffic light 20 is provided. The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information based on the image or video taken by the imaging means. The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information by analyzing the image or video taken by the imaging means. A known method is used for the above analysis.

A second example for acquiring traffic information will be explained. The communication device 11 communicates with an in-vehicle device installed in a vehicle passing through at least one of the intersection where the traffic light 20 is provided and the road around the communication device 11 . The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information based on the number of in-vehicle devices that have communicated with each other. For example, the traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information indicating that the intersection is not crowded when the on-vehicle device that performed the communication at the intersection is below a threshold value.

A third example for acquiring traffic information will be explained. In this example, the communication device 11 can acquire the state of the traffic light 20 in each period. Specifically, by accessing the control means of the traffic light 20, the communication device 11 can acquire the content of the instruction issued by the traffic light 20 to the

vehicles

30A, 30B and the time period during which the instruction is issued. Further, if the content of the instruction that the traffic light 20 will issue in the future and the time period for issuing the instruction are determined in advance, the communication device 11 can acquire the future state of the traffic signal 20. Each period corresponds to a first period. Further, the state of the traffic light 20 refers to the contents of the instructions issued by the traffic light 20 to each vehicle.

In the third example, the traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires the status of the traffic light 20 from the communication device 11. The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information based on the state of the traffic light 20. For example, when the traffic light 20 issues an instruction to allow passage with a green light, the traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information indicating that the intersection is congested. Further, for example, when the traffic light 20 instructs a traveling vehicle to stop due to a red light, the traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information indicating that the intersection is not crowded.

The determining means 13 determines the timing of updating the software executable by the communication device 11 based on the traffic information. Specifically, the determining means 13 determines a period when traffic volume is estimated to be low based on traffic information as the timing for updating the software. The communication device 11 updates the software at the determined timing.

Specifically, if the traffic information indicates that a road or an intersection is congested during a certain period, the determining means 13 does not determine the period as the timing for updating the software. On the other hand, if the traffic information indicates that the road or intersection is not congested during a certain period, the determining means 13 determines the period as the timing for updating the software. The method for determining the update timing will be explained below.

In the first example described above, the traffic information acquisition means 12 analyzes the image or video taken by the imaging means to determine the traffic volume around the communication device 11 or at the intersection where the traffic light 20 is installed for each time period. Obtain statistical values as traffic information.

For example, assume that the statistical value indicating the traffic volume from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. is less than or equal to the first threshold. In this case, the determining means 13 determines that the traffic information indicates that the road or intersection is not congested during the period from 1:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Thereafter, the determining means 13 determines the period as the timing for updating the software. In this manner, the determining means 13 determines, based on the statistical value of traffic volume, a time period in which the traffic volume is estimated to be equal to or less than the first threshold value as the update timing.

On the other hand, suppose, for example, that the statistical value indicating the traffic volume from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. exceeds the first threshold value. In this case, the determining means 13 determines that the traffic information indicates that the road or intersection is congested during the period from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thereafter, the determining means 13 does not determine the period as the timing for updating the software.

Furthermore, in the second example described above, the traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information based on the number of in-vehicle devices with which communication has been performed.

For example, assume that the number of in-vehicle devices that communicated within a unit time is less than or equal to a first threshold. The unit time is, for example, 5 minutes or 10 minutes. In this case, the determining means 13 determines that the traffic information indicates that the road or intersection is not congested at the present time. Thereafter, the determining means 13 determines a period from the current time until a predetermined time has elapsed as the timing for updating the software. In this manner, the determining means 13 determines, as the update timing, a time period in which the traffic volume is estimated to be equal to or less than the first threshold value, based on the number of in-vehicle devices that have communicated.

On the other hand, for example, assume that the number of in-vehicle devices that communicated within a unit time exceeds a first threshold. In this case, the determining means 13 determines that the traffic information indicates that the current road or intersection is congested, and determines that the road or intersection will be congested during a period from the current time until a predetermined time elapses. Thereafter, the determining means 13 does not determine the period as the timing for updating the software.
Furthermore, in the third example described above, the communication device 11 can acquire the state of the traffic light 20 in the first period. The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information based on the state of the traffic light 20.

For example, assume that in the first period, the traffic light 20 instructs the vehicle to stop due to a red light. In this case, the determining means 13 determines that the traffic information indicates that the road or intersection is not congested during the first period. Thereafter, the determining means 13 determines the first period as the software update timing. In this manner, when the traffic information indicates that the traffic light 20 requests the vehicle to stop, the determining means 13 determines the first period as the update timing.

On the other hand, it is assumed that, for example, in the first period, the traffic light 20 issues an instruction to the vehicle to pass with a green light. In this case, the determining means 13 determines that the traffic information indicates that the road or intersection is congested during the first period. Thereafter, the determining means 13 does not determine the first period as the software update timing.

The communication device 11 updates the software at the determined timing. At this time, if the communication device 11 determines that the update will not be completed within the determined timing, it communicates with the control circuit within the traffic light 20. By performing this communication, the communication device 11 may request the control circuit within the traffic light 20 to continue issuing a stop instruction using a red light until the update is completed.

Next, an example of the operation of the communication system 1 will be described using FIG. 2. The communication device 11 checks whether the software it executes needs to be updated (S101). Specifically, the communication device 11 checks whether an update is necessary by communicating with a higher-level system. If updating is not necessary (No in S101), the communication device 11 performs the process in S101 again after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. If an update is necessary (Yes in S101), the traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information around the communication device 11 or at an intersection (S102). Specifically, the traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information by using any one of the control methods in the first, second, and third examples described above.

The determining means 13 determines the update timing (S103). Specifically, as described above, the determining means 13 determines the update timing based on any one of the statistical value of traffic volume, the number of in-vehicle devices that have communicated, and the state of the traffic light 20. The communication device 11 updates the software at the determined timing (S104).

As described above, the communication system 1 includes the communication device 11, the traffic information acquisition means 12, and the determination means 13. The communication device 11 is attached to the traffic light 20 and is capable of executing software. The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information around the communication device 11 or at an intersection where a traffic light 20 is provided. The determining means 13 determines the timing of software update based on traffic information. The communication device 11 updates the software at the determined timing.

In the communication system 1, the timing of software update is determined based on traffic information around the communication device 11 or at an intersection where the traffic light 20 is installed. Therefore, according to the communication system 1, software can be updated, for example, at a time when there are few vehicles on the road. In this way, according to the communication system 1, it is possible to suppress the influence of traffic control suspension due to updating of the communication device attached to the traffic light.

<Second embodiment>
The communication system 2 in the second embodiment will be explained based on FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication system 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the communication system 2. As shown in FIG.

The configuration of the communication system 2 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication system 2 includes a first communication device 11A, a second communication device 11B, traffic information acquisition means 12, and determination means 13. In addition, in FIG. 3, the first communication device 11A, the second communication device 11B, the traffic information acquisition means 12, and the determination means 13 are provided integrally, but they may be separate bodies. The first communication device 11A, the second communication device 11B, the traffic information acquisition means 12, and the determination means 13 can communicate with each other.

The first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B each have the same functions, connection relationships, and configurations as the communication device 11 described above. The first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B are different from each other in that they are attached to different traffic lights.

Specifically, the first communication device 11A is attached to the first traffic light 20A provided at the first intersection 40A. Further, the second communication device 11B is attached to a second traffic light 20B provided at the second intersection 40B. The first intersection 40A is located within a predetermined distance from the second intersection 40B. The first traffic light 20A instructs the

vehicles

30A and 30B to stop with a red light, to permit passage with a green light, and the like. The second traffic light 20B instructs the

vehicles

30C and 30D to stop using a red light, or to allow passage using a green light, etc.

The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires first traffic information for the first intersection 40A and second traffic information for the second intersection 40B. The first traffic information refers to, for example, the congestion situation or traffic volume of the road around the first communication device 11A or the first intersection 40A where the first traffic light 20A is provided. Further, the second traffic information refers to the congestion situation or traffic volume of the road around the second communication device 11B or the second intersection 40B where the second traffic light 20B is provided.

Specifically, the traffic information acquisition means 12 uses any one of the control methods of the first example, second example, and third example for acquiring traffic information described above to obtain the first traffic information. Each of traffic information and second traffic information is acquired.

The details of the first example in this embodiment will be explained. In this example, the imaging means are multiple cameras. The imaging means photographs the area around the first communication device 11A and the area around the second communication device 11B. Moreover, the imaging means may photograph the first intersection 40A where the first traffic light 20A is provided and the second intersection 40B where the second traffic light 20B is provided. The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires first traffic information based on an image taken of the vicinity of the first communication device 11A or the first intersection 40A where the first traffic light 20A is provided. Furthermore, the traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires second traffic information based on an image taken of the vicinity of the second communication device 11B or the second intersection 40B where the second traffic light 20B is provided.

The details of the second example in this embodiment will be explained. In this example, the first communication device 11A is an in-vehicle device installed in a vehicle passing through at least one of the first intersection 40A where the first traffic light 20A is provided and the road around the first communication device 11A. connect. The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires first traffic information based on the number of in-vehicle devices that have communicated with the first communication device 11A. Further, the second communication device 11B communicates with an on-vehicle device installed in a vehicle passing through at least one of the second intersection 40B where the second traffic light 20B is provided and the road around the second communication device 11B. . The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires second traffic information based on the number of in-vehicle devices that have communicated with the second communication device 11B.

Details of the third example in this embodiment will be explained. In the third example, the traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires the state of the first traffic light 20A from the first communication device 11A, and acquires the state of the second traffic light 20B from the second communication device 11B. The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires first traffic information based on the state of the first traffic light 20A, and acquires second traffic information based on the state of the second traffic light 20B.

Note that in this embodiment, the traffic information acquisition means 12 may acquire the first traffic information and the second traffic information using different examples. For example, the traffic information acquisition means 12 may acquire the first traffic information using the first example and the second traffic information using the third example.

The determining means 13 determines a first timing for updating the first software that the first communication device 11A can execute and a first timing for updating the first software that the second communication device 11B can execute based on the first traffic information and the second traffic volume. A second timing for an executable second software update is determined.

Specifically, the determining means 13 determines the first timing based on the first traffic information and the second traffic information so that the first timing and the second timing do not include the same time. and the second timing are determined. An example of how the determining means 13 determines the first timing and the second timing will be described below.

In this explanation, the traffic information acquisition means 12, as in the first example described above, collects traffic information for each time period around the first communication device 11A or at the first intersection 40A where the first traffic light 20A is installed. It is assumed that the statistical value of traffic volume is acquired as the first traffic information. Further, as in the first example described above, the traffic information acquisition means 12 is configured to calculate the traffic volume for each time period around the second communication device 11B or at the second intersection 40B where the second traffic light 20B is provided. It is assumed that the statistical values are acquired as second traffic information.

For example, the determining means 13 assumes that, based on the first traffic information, the statistical value indicating the traffic volume from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. is less than or equal to the first threshold value. In this case, the determining means 13 determines that the first traffic information indicates that the road or intersection is not congested during the period from 1:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Further, it is assumed that, based on the second traffic information, the statistical value indicating the traffic volume from 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. is less than or equal to the first threshold value. In this case, the determining means 13 determines that the second traffic information indicates that the road or intersection is not congested during the period from 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM.

In this case, the determining means 13 determines, for example, from 1:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. as the first timing so that the above-mentioned first timing and the above-mentioned second timing do not include the same time. Then, the second timing is determined to be from 2:30 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Next, an example of the operation of the communication system 2 will be described using FIG. 4. Each of the first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B confirms whether the software that it executes needs to be updated (S201). In the process of S201, if only one of the first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B requires an update, the communication system 2 uses the one communication device that requires the update to perform the process in FIG. Perform the actions indicated. In the process of S201, if both the first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B require updating, the communication system 2 performs the process of S202.

The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires first traffic information and second traffic information (S202). Specifically, the traffic information acquisition means 12 obtains the first traffic information and the second traffic information by using at least one of the control methods of the first example, the second example, and the third example. get.

The determining means 13 determines the first timing and the second timing based on the first traffic information and the second traffic information so that the first timing and the second timing do not include the same time. The timing is determined (S203). The first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B update their software at the determined timing (S204). Specifically, the first communication device 11A updates the software at the first timing. Further, the second communication device 11B updates the software at a second timing.

As described above, the communication system 2 has the same configuration as the communication system 1. Therefore, like the communication system 1, the communication system 2 can suppress the influence of traffic control suspension due to updating of the communication device attached to the traffic light.

In addition, in the communication system 2, the first timing of updating the first software executable by the first communication device 11A and the second timing of updating the second software executable by the second communication device 11B. and the timing of each other are determined to be different from each other. Therefore, according to the communication system 2, simultaneous updating of the first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B provided corresponding to a plurality of intersections is suppressed. As a result, the communication system 2 can suppress the influence of traffic control suspension due to the update at intersections near the first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B.

Next, the communication system 2A will be explained. The communication system 2A is a modification of the communication system 2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication system 2A. Further, the communication system 2A has the same configuration as the communication system 2.

The communication system 2A differs from the communication system 2 in the operation of the determining means 13. In the communication system 2A, the determining means 13 determines the first timing based on the first traffic information and the second traffic information so that the first timing and the second timing include the same time. determining the timing and the second timing. An example of how the determining means 13 in the communication system 2A determines the first timing and the second timing will be described below.

For example, the determining means 13 determines, based on the first traffic information, that the statistical value indicating the traffic volume from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. is less than or equal to the first threshold value. In this case, the determining means 13 determines that the first traffic information indicates that the road or intersection is not congested during the period from 1:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Further, the determining means 13 determines that the statistical value indicating the traffic volume from 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. is less than or equal to the first threshold value based on the second traffic information. In this case, the determining means 13 determines that the second traffic information indicates that the road or intersection is not congested during the period from 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM.

In this case, the determining means 13 sets the first timing and the second timing, for example, from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. so that the first timing and the second timing include the same time. Determine as.

Next, an example of the operation of the communication system 2A will be described using FIG. 5. Each of the first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B confirms whether the software that it executes needs to be updated (S201). In the process of S201, if only one of the first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B requires an update, the communication system 2A uses the one communication device that requires the update to perform the process shown in FIG. Perform the actions indicated. In the process of S201, if both the first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B require updating, the communication system 2A performs the process of S202.

The determining means 13 determines the first timing and the second timing based on the first traffic information and the second traffic information so that the first timing and the second timing include the same time. The timing is determined (S203A). The first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B update their software at the determined timing (S204). Specifically, the first communication device 11A updates the software at the first timing. Further, the second communication device 11B updates the software at a second timing.

As described above, the communication system 2A has the same configuration as the communication system 1. Therefore, like the communication system 1, the communication system 2A can suppress the influence of traffic control suspension due to updating of the communication device attached to the traffic light.

Furthermore, in the communication system 2A, the first timing of updating the first software executable by the first communication device 11A and the second timing of updating the second software executable by the second communication device 11B. The timing is determined so that the timing includes the same time. Therefore, according to the communication system 2A, the first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B provided corresponding to a plurality of intersections can be updated in a short time. As a result, the communication system 2A can suppress the influence of traffic control suspension due to the update at intersections near the first communication device 11A and the second communication device 11B.
<Third embodiment>
A communication system 3 according to a third embodiment will be described using FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the communication system 3. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the communication system 3. Note that the communication systems 1, 2, and 2A described above are specific examples of the communication system 3. Furthermore, the communication system 3 may be a single communication device.

As shown in FIG. 6, the communication system 3 includes a communication device 11, a traffic information acquisition means 12, and a determination means 13. Note that the communication device 11, traffic information acquisition means 12, and determination means 13 of the communication system 3 have the same functions and connection relationships as the communication device 11, traffic information acquisition means 12, and determination means 13 of the communication systems 1, 2, and 2A. You may have one.

The communication device 11 is attached to a traffic light and can execute software. The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information around the communication device 11 or at an intersection where a traffic light to which the communication device 11 is attached is provided. The determining means 13 determines the timing of updating the software executed by the communication device 11 based on the acquired traffic information. The communication device 11 updates the software at the determined timing.

Next, the operation of the communication system 3 will be explained using FIG. 7. The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information around the communication device 11 or at an intersection where a traffic light to which the communication device 11 is attached is provided (S301). The determining means 13 determines the timing of updating the software to be executed by the communication device 11 based on the acquired traffic information (S302). The communication device 11 updates the software at the determined timing (S303). Note that the above processing of S301 to S303 is referred to as a communication method.

As described above, the communication system 3 includes the communication device 11, the traffic information acquisition means 12, and the determination means 13. The communication device 11 is attached to a traffic light and is capable of executing software. The traffic information acquisition means 12 acquires traffic information around the communication device 11 or at intersections equipped with traffic lights. The determining means 13 determines the timing of software update based on traffic information. The communication device 11 updates the software at the determined timing.

In the communication system 3, the timing of software updates is determined based on traffic information around the communication device 11 or at intersections equipped with traffic lights. Therefore, according to the communication system 3, software can be updated, for example, at a time when there are few vehicles on the road. In this way, according to the communication system 3, it is possible to suppress the influence of traffic control suspension due to updating of the communication device attached to the traffic light.

Moreover, a part or all of each component of each device or system is realized by an arbitrary combination of an information processing device 2000 and a program as shown in FIG. 8, for example. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an information processing device that implements the communication systems 1, 2, 2A, 3, etc. The information processing device 2000 includes, as an example, the following configuration.
・CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2001
・ROM (Read Only Memory) 2002
・RAM (Random Access Memory) 2003
・Program 2004 loaded into RAM 2003
- Storage device 2005 that stores the program 2004
- A drive device 2007 that reads and writes the recording medium 2006
・Communication interface 2008 connected to communication network 2009
・I/O interface 2010 that inputs and outputs data
・Bus 2011 that connects each component
Each component of each device in each embodiment is realized by the CPU 2001 acquiring and executing a program 2004 that realizes these functions. A program 2004 that realizes the functions of each component of each device is stored, for example, in advance in the storage device 2005 or RAM 2003, and is read out by the CPU 2001 as necessary. Note that the program 2004 may be supplied to the CPU 2001 via the communication network 2009, or may be stored in the recording medium 2006 in advance, and the drive device 2007 may read the program and supply it to the CPU 2001.

There are various variations in how each device is implemented. For example, each device may be realized by any combination of a separate information processing device 2000 and a program for each component. Further, a plurality of components included in each device may be realized by an arbitrary combination of one information processing device 2000 and a program.

In addition, some or all of the components of each device are realized by general-purpose or dedicated circuits including a processor, or a combination thereof. These may be composed of a single chip or multiple chips connected via a bus. A part or all of each component of each device may be realized by a combination of the circuits and the like described above and a program.

When some or all of the components of each device are realized by multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc., the multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally located or distributed. Good too. For example, information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be implemented as a client and server system, a cloud computing system, or the like, in which each is connected via a communication network.

Further, the traffic information may be construction information on roads around the communication device 11 or around an intersection where the traffic light 20 is installed. In this case, the communication device 11 receives the construction information and determines that the traffic volume is below the threshold value based on the received construction information. The construction information may include, for example, the date and time when the construction is being performed, and the number of lanes restricted by the construction.
Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The configuration and details of the present invention can be modified in various ways that can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention.

1, 2, 2A, 3 Communication system 11 Communication device 11A First communication device 11B Second communication device 12 Traffic information acquisition means 13 Determination means 20 Traffic light 20A First traffic light 20B

Second traffic light

30A, 30B, 30C, 30D Vehicle

40A First intersection

40B Second intersection 2001 CPU
2002 ROM
2003 RAM
2004 Program 2005 Storage device 2007 Drive device 2008 Communication interface 2009 Communication network 2010 Input/output interface 2011 Bus connecting each component

Claims

a communication device attached to a traffic light and capable of executing software;
traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information around the communication device or at an intersection where the traffic light is installed;
and determining means for determining the timing of updating the software based on the traffic information,
A communication system, wherein the communication device updates the software at the timing.
The communication device is capable of acquiring the state of the traffic light in a first period,
The traffic information acquisition means acquires the traffic information based on the state of the traffic light,
The determining means determines the first period as the timing when the traffic information indicates that the traffic signal requires a traveling vehicle to stop.
The communication system according to claim 1.
The traffic information acquisition means acquires the traffic information that is a statistical value of traffic volume for each time period around the communication device or at an intersection where the traffic light is installed;
The determining means determines, as the timing, a time period in which the traffic volume is estimated to be equal to or less than a first threshold value based on the statistical value.
The communication system according to claim 1 or 2.
a first communication device that is the communication device attached to a first traffic light provided at a first intersection;
further comprising a second communication device that is the communication device attached to a second traffic light provided at a second intersection located within a predetermined distance from the first intersection;
The traffic information acquisition means acquires first traffic information of the first intersection and second traffic information of the second intersection,
The determining means determines, based on the first traffic information and the second traffic information, the first timing of the first software update executed by the first communication device and the second timing of the update of the first software executed by the first communication device. determining the first timing and the second timing so that the second timing of the second software update to be executed does not include the same time;
The communication system according to claim 1 or 2.
a first communication device that is the communication device attached to a first traffic light provided at a first intersection;
further comprising a second communication device that is the communication device attached to a second traffic light provided at a second intersection located within a predetermined distance from the first intersection;
The traffic information acquisition means acquires first traffic information of the first intersection and second traffic information of the second intersection,
The determining means determines, based on the first traffic information and the second traffic information, the first timing of the first software update executed by the first communication device and the second timing of the update of the first software executed by the first communication device. determining the first timing and the second timing so that the second timing of the second software update to be executed includes the same time;
The communication system according to claim 1 or 2.
The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the traffic information acquisition means acquires the traffic information based on an image from an imaging means that photographs the vicinity of the communication device or an intersection where the traffic light is provided.
a communication device attached to a traffic light and capable of executing software;
traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information around the communication device or at an intersection where the traffic light is installed;
and determining means for determining the timing of updating the software based on the traffic information,
The communication device is a communication device that updates the software at the timing.
A communication method in a communication system including a communication device attached to a traffic light and capable of executing software, the method comprising:
Obtaining traffic information around the communication device or at an intersection where the traffic light is installed;
determining the timing of updating the software based on the traffic information;
updating the software at the timing in the communication device;
Communication method.