JP2012053599A - Roadside communication equipment and method for stopping monitoring abnormality of signal information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent signal information from being transmitted in the case of indeterminate control by a signal information abnormality monitoring function.
A roadside communication apparatus (for example, an optical beacon 5) according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit 53 that acquires a signal information having a storage field for a display scheduled time for each lamp color every predetermined time, and a signal information that has already been acquired. An update unit 551 that generates update information in which the current lamp color display scheduled time is replaced with a countdown value obtained by subtracting the elapsed time from the acquisition time, and the newly acquired display time of new information that is signal information is updated. An abnormality monitoring unit (lamp color comparison unit 552 and determination unit 553) that monitors whether there is an abnormality in the new information by comparing with the scheduled display time of information, and a lamp color with an uncertain display scheduled time A monitoring cancel unit 554 that stops monitoring processing by the abnormality monitoring unit when indeterminate control that is signal control is being executed.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention obtains signal information having a field for storing a scheduled display time for each lamp color every predetermined time, and this device performs a roadside communication device that transmits the obtained signal information to an in-vehicle device or other external device. The present invention relates to a method for canceling abnormal monitoring of signal information.

  Conventionally, for the purpose of preventing traffic accidents in and around the intersection, signal information including the duration (scheduled display time) for each light color of the traffic signal provided at the intersection has been provided to the vehicle. Based on the information, it is determined whether the in-vehicle device should stop before the intersection or can pass, and using the determination result, the vehicle speed control is performed, the driver is prompted to decelerate, or the driver is alerted A safe driving support system has already been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the device described in Patent Document 1, for example, time information until a signal lamp displaying a blue signal becomes a red signal is transmitted to a vehicle from a transmission device provided on the road.
Then, in the in-vehicle device that has received the time information, calculation is performed based on the time information and the traveling speed at that time, and when it is determined that there is no time to safely pass the intersection, that is, stop before the intersection. When it is determined that it should be, the brake is automatically applied and the vehicle is decelerated or stopped.

A road communication system for realizing such safe driving support is usually a traffic signal controller that generates signal information indicating a display time for each color of a signal lamp, and receives the signal information from the traffic signal controller. And a road communication device provided to the vehicle side.
In this case, in order to reduce the communication frequency between the traffic signal controller and the road communication device, a second cycle shorter than the first cycle (for example, 10 seconds) for transmitting signal information from the traffic signal controller to the road communication device. Until the next second cycle in which the roadside communication device updates the signal information and acquires new signal information every 1 second (for example, 1 second), the expected display time of the previously acquired signal information is acquired. There has been proposed a method in which update information replaced with a countdown value obtained by subtracting an elapsed time from a point in time is provided to the vehicle side (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

On the other hand, “point sensitive control” (also referred to as terminal sensitive control) may be executed at a certain intersection. This control is a sensitive control performed for each traffic signal controller of the terminal based on a detection signal from a vehicle sensor. For example, when the traffic demand changes for a relatively short time, for example, at the start or end of blue display The time point is determined, and the blue time length and cycle length are dynamically changed.
A traffic signal controller that executes such point sensitive control is suitable for a traffic situation within a predetermined sensitivity range (time range for executing point sensitive control) predetermined for each type of point sensitive control. A predetermined lamp color is cut off or extended at the timing.

In this case, since the traffic signal controller provides the vehicle side with the scheduled display time of the lamp color for which the display is cut off or extended by the point sensitive control as time information having a certain range although it is not a fixed value, Signal information is generated in which values different from each other by the sensitivity width are stored in the color maximum time and minimum time storage fields (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
On the other hand, in the case of normal traffic signal control (hereinafter, simply referred to as “normal control”) according to the signal control command determined by the central device without performing point sensitive control, the scheduled display time of each lamp color Is determined to be one value, the traffic signal controller generates signal information in which one determined value is stored in the maximum time and minimum time storage fields of each lamp color.

Japanese Patent No. 2806801 JP 2008-152680 A JP 2010-146133 A

According to the method described in Patent Document 2, even when the communication frequency between the traffic signal controller and the roadside communication device is set low, the signal information is provided to the vehicle side as finer information (information in units of one second). There is an advantage that you can.
However, the traffic signal controller, which is the signal information source device, generates signal information with an error in the scheduled display time for some reason, or the road communication device receives the signal information due to an unexpected communication delay, etc. At that time, there is a possibility that the scheduled display time of the current lamp color is already out of order.

If such abnormal signal information with erroneous data content is unconditionally adopted and transmitted to the vehicle side, there is a possibility that safe driving support on the vehicle side may be hindered.
Therefore, for example, in the road communication device, the display scheduled time of the newly acquired signal information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “new information”) is compared with that of the update information, and the scheduled display time of the new information is updated. If an abnormal value is indicated, it is conceivable to perform abnormality monitoring so as not to provide new information to the vehicle side.

  However, in the signal information generated by the traffic signal controller, focusing on the storage fields of the maximum and minimum lamp colors that can be changed by the point sensitive control, as described above, the time values stored in both fields are usually In the control, it is unified with one fixed value, but in the point sensitive control, different values corresponding to the sensitive width are stored in order to represent uncertain time information having a certain width.

  Therefore, when the traffic signal control at a certain intersection is switched from normal control to point sensitive control, if the roadside communication device continues to monitor the abnormality that was being performed during normal control, it switches to point sensitive control. The road signal communication device determines that all the new information received after the road is abnormal, and the correct signal information generated by the traffic signal controller after shifting to the point sensitive control remains in the road communication device and is not transmitted to the vehicle side. There is a problem that the time zone continues for a long time.

In addition, as the display control performed by the traffic signal controller, there is a case of “flash display” in which “yellow flashing” or “red flashing” is continued for a road in a specific direction. In this case, the traffic signal controller has no light color information other than “yellow flashing” or “red flashing”, and the time value is unknown in the storage field of the maximum time and minimum time of “yellow flashing” or “red flashing”. In order to indicate this, signal information storing the maximum bit value on the standard is generated.
For this reason, the signal color change number and other data contents are significantly different in the first place between signal information generated during execution of normal control and signal information generated during execution of flash control.

  Therefore, even if the traffic signal control at a certain intersection is switched from normal control to flash display, if the road communication device continues to monitor the abnormality that was being performed during normal control, the flash display will be displayed. The new information received after switching is judged to be all abnormal by the road communication device, and the correct signal information generated by the traffic signal controller after shifting to flash control remains in the road communication device and is not transmitted to the vehicle side. The time zone will continue for a long time.

  In view of such a conventional problem, the present invention may be referred to as signal control including a lamp color whose display scheduled time is indefinite, such as point-sensitive control or flash display (hereinafter referred to as “indeterminate control”). ) Is executed, the object is to provide a roadside communication device or the like that can prevent signal information in the case of indeterminate control from being transmitted by the signal information abnormality monitoring function.

  (1) The roadside communication device of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires signal information having a storage field for a display scheduled time for each lamp color every predetermined time, and a display scheduled time for the current lamp color of the already acquired signal information. Is updated with a countdown value obtained by subtracting the elapsed time from the acquisition time, an update unit that generates update information, and the newly acquired display schedule time of new information that is the signal information is set as the display schedule time of the update information. By comparing the abnormality monitoring unit that monitors whether there is an abnormality in the new information, and when the uncertain control that is a signal control including a lamp color with an uncertain display time is being executed, A monitoring stop unit that stops monitoring processing by the abnormality monitoring unit.

According to the roadside communication device of the present invention, in the roadside communication device having the abnormality monitoring unit that monitors the abnormality of the new information by comparing the scheduled display time of the new information with that of the update information, the indeterminate control (for example, the point When the traffic signal control shifts from normal control to indeterminate control, an abnormality monitoring is provided. The monitoring process by the department is stopped.
For this reason, even if the traffic signal controller performs indeterminate control, it is possible to prevent the signal information in the case of indeterminate control from being transmitted by the signal information abnormality monitoring function by the roadside communication device.

(2) By the way, in order to enable the monitoring stop unit of the roadside communication device to detect whether or not the indeterminate control on the traffic signal controller side is executed, for example, the type of traffic signal control being executed by the traffic signal controller is changed. What is necessary is just to be able to detect from the signal information acquired sequentially from the traffic signal controller.
In this regard, as described above, when the traffic signal controller performs the point sensitive control, signal information is generated in which different values corresponding to the sensitive width are stored in the storage fields for the maximum time and the minimum time of the light color. If signal information with a difference between the time values of the maximum time and minimum time storage fields arrives, it can be determined that the traffic signal controller has shifted to point sensitive control.

  Therefore, in the roadside communication device of the present invention, when the signal information includes a storage field for the maximum time and the minimum time as the storage field for the scheduled display time for one lamp color, the monitoring canceling unit When the difference between the time values recorded in the storage field of the maximum time and the minimum time included in the information is larger than 0, it is determined that the point sensitive control which is a kind of the indeterminate control is being executed. it can.

  (3) In addition, for example, in the case of point sensitive control, storage for requesting a stop of countdown processing by the updating unit in order to prevent a decrease in accuracy of signal information due to the roadside communication device uniformly executing countdown processing. A field may be included in signal information (see paragraphs 0047 to 0051 and paragraph 0055 of Patent Document 3).

  Therefore, in the roadside communication device of the present invention, when the signal information includes a storage field for a countdown process stop request by the update unit, the monitoring stop unit includes the stop request included in the new information. When the stop command for the countdown process is stored in the storage field for, it may be determined that the point sensitive control which is a kind of the indeterminate control is being executed.

(4) In addition, as described above, in the case of flash display, information indicating that the time value is unknown in the storage field of the maximum time or the minimum time of “yellow flashing” or “red flashing” (for example, specified (The highest bit value above) is stored.
Therefore, in the roadside communication device of the present invention, when the signal information has a maximum time and a minimum time storage field as the storage field for the scheduled display time of one lamp color, the monitoring cancel unit is configured to store the maximum time When information indicating that the time value is unknown is stored in one of the time and the minimum time storage fields, a flash display that is a type of the indeterminate control is being executed. Can be determined.

(5) The signal information abnormality monitoring stop method according to the present invention is a roadside communication according to the present invention in which abnormality monitoring is performed by comparing newly acquired new information with updated information obtained by updating signal information acquired in the past. This is a cancellation method performed by the apparatus, and has substantially the same configuration as the roadside communication apparatus of the present invention.
For this reason, the signal information abnormality monitoring stop method according to the present invention has the same effects as the roadside communication apparatus of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the uncertain control is being executed, the abnormality monitoring for the new information is stopped, so when the traffic signal control is shifted from the normal control to the uncertain control, It is possible to prevent the signal information from being transmitted to the vehicle side by the signal information abnormality monitoring function by the roadside communication device.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an information relay system. It is a figure which shows the example of a format of signal information. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of an information relay apparatus. It is a time chart which shows the process sequence of the information in an information relay system. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of an optical beacon. It is a flowchart which shows the abnormality determination process which the control part of an optical beacon performs. It is a time chart which shows the variation of the time lag which arises between new information and update information. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the data content of the update information and new information corresponding to the time chart of Fig.7 (a). It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the data content of the update information corresponding to the time chart of FIG.7 (b), and new information. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the data content of the update information and new information corresponding to the time chart of FIG.7 (c). It is a flowchart which shows the cancellation process of the abnormality monitoring which the monitoring cancellation part of a control part performs.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a roadside communication device (for example, an optical beacon 5) and an information relay system using the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Information relay system]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an information relay system.
As shown in FIG. 1, the information relay system of this embodiment includes an information relay device 1, a traffic signal controller 2 as an example of an information source device, an image-type vehicle detector 4 as an example of an information source device, and a roadside. An optical beacon 5 as a communication device and a central device 8 are provided.

1 is merely an example, and the information relay system including the roadside communication device of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of FIG.
In the example of FIG. 1, two vehicle detectors 4A and 4B are installed near the intersection, and two optical beacons 5A and 5B are installed on the same inflow road toward the intersection. In the present specification, the common symbol “4” is used for the common items of the vehicle detectors, and the individual items different for each vehicle detector are distinguished by using the symbols “4A” and “4B”. To do. The same applies to optical beacons.

The central device 8 includes a workstation (WS) and a personal computer (PC), and supervises collection, processing (calculation), recording, signal control and information provision of various traffic information acquired from the information relay device 1 and the like. Do it.
Further, the central device 8 performs, for the traffic signal controllers 2 belonging to its own network, system control for adjusting traffic signal groups on the same road, and wide area control (surface control) by extending this system control to the road network. be able to.

That is, the central device 8 can perform central sensitive control in which signal control parameters (split, cycle length, offset, etc.) are set according to traffic conditions. Examples of the central sensitive control include MODERATO control and profile control. Etc. are included.
Accordingly, the central device 8 performs the above-described system control (including surface control) every predetermined time (for example, every 2.5 minutes), and generates a signal control command relating to the lamp color switching timing of the signal lamp 3 at each intersection. To do.

In addition, the central device 8 generates control type information indicating the type of signal control (type of terminal sensitive control or fixed cycle control) to be performed at each intersection at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 5 minutes), and the signal control command And the control type information are transmitted to the traffic signal controller 2 every predetermined time.
The central device 8 periodically acquires VICS information acquired from the VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System: VICS) center, and includes traffic information related to traffic jams, accidents, traffic regulations, and the like included therein. To the information relay device 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, signal lamps 3 are installed near the four corners of the intersection. Each signal lamp 3 is controlled by the traffic signal controller 2.
The traffic signal controller 2 generates “signal information” (see FIG. 2) every predetermined time (for example, 1 second) based on the lamp color switching timing included in the signal control command received from the central device 8. Can be sent to the outside. This signal information is composed of information such as the remaining scheduled display time (number of remaining seconds) in the current step of each signal lamp 3, and the display time (for example, two cycles) in the future step.

An image type vehicle detector 4 is installed in the vicinity of the intersection. The vehicle detector 4 can detect a vehicle, a pedestrian, and the like that exist in the sensing area 40, which is a required area of a road connected to the intersection or an area in the intersection.
The vehicle detector 4 generates “vehicle detection information” such as the presence of the vehicle, the number of vehicles existing in the detection area 40, the position and speed of the vehicle, the vehicle type, the elapsed time after the detection, and transmits this to the outside. be able to.

Of the two vehicle detectors 4A and 4B shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle detector 4A is a traffic jam length or traffic on a road that flows in the direction of arrow X (hereinafter, simply referred to as “inflow road”). It is for detecting the quantity.
The vehicle detector 4B is for detecting the position and speed of the oncoming straight vehicle as seen from the vehicle traveling on the inflow road and entering the intersection. The position and speed of the oncoming vehicle are information that is useful, for example, when performing safe driving support that prevents a right-handed accident.
The vehicle detector 4 is not limited to the image type, and may be another type such as an ultrasonic type.

An optical beacon 5 is installed on the inflow road described above. The optical beacon 5 performs two-way communication using infrared light with the in-vehicle device 7 in the communication area 50. Accordingly, downlink information including necessary information corresponding to the information providing service can be transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 7 of the vehicle passing through the communication area 50 via the optical beacon 5.
Further, the optical beacon 5 can receive uplink information including travel time and probe data from the vehicle-mounted device 7 of the vehicle passing through the communication area 50.

Of the two optical beacons 5A and 5B shown in FIG. 1, the optical beacon 5A that is separated from the intersection upstream by an appropriate distance is installed mainly for transmitting the sensing information of the vehicle detector 4A to the in-vehicle device 7. It is a thing. The optical beacon 5B in the vicinity of the intersection is installed mainly for transmitting the sensing information of the vehicle detector 4B to the in-vehicle device 7.
Instead of the optical beacon 5, a radio wave beacon, DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication), a wireless LAN communication device in a narrow area, or the like can be used.

The information relay device 1 is installed at an appropriate location near the intersection. The information relay device 1 is connected to a central device 8, a traffic signal controller 2, a vehicle detector 4, and an optical beacon 5 installed in a traffic control center or the like according to a predetermined interface standard.
As shown in FIG. 1, the information relay device 1 may be separate from other devices, but may be an integrated device built in the traffic signal controller 2 or the optical beacon 5.

The information relay device 1 relays various information output by the central device 8, the traffic signal controller 2, the vehicle detector 4, and the like according to the contents of the information providing service. That is, the optical beacon 5 acquires information necessary for the information providing service set in the optical beacon from the information source device via the information report relay device 1, and transmits the acquired information to the in-vehicle device 7.
The information relay device 1 relays information transmitted from the optical beacon 5 to the wired interface side to the central device 8, the traffic signal controller 2, and the like.

[Data format of signal information]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a format example of signal information. In the example of FIG. 2, the data format of the signal information of one signal lamp device 3 that determines the right of passage of one inflow road is shown.
In FIG. 2, the data length of the record that can be stored in each field is 1 or 2 bytes.
“Version information” indicates the version of the stored information. When the version is undecided or unknown, a full bit is stored. “Data length” indicates the actual data length after the next field.

The “total number of lamps (J)” indicates the number of groups in which the lamp color and the change timing thereof are common, and the “lamp color change number (K)” indicates the signal lamp color in the current cycle and the next cycle. Indicates the number of output changes.
“Lamp color information (1)” indicates information on the current signal lamp color, and “Lamp color information (2)” indicates information on the second signal lamp color. The “round signal lamp color display” indicates the lamp color of the round lamp in the lamp color information, and the stored lamp color data value includes “0: unknown”, “1: blue”, “2: yellow”, “3: There are seven types: red, 4: flashing yellow, 5: flashing red, and 6: light extinction.

The “blue arrow signal display direction” represents the permitted passage direction of the blue arrow lamp. The data value indicating the permitted direction includes “bit 7: diagonally left” “bit 6: left” “bit 5: diagonally left” “bit 4”. There are eight directions: "straight ahead", "bit3: diagonally right forward", "bit2: right", "bit1: diagonally right backward", and "bit0: U-turn". If the lamp color is not a blue arrow lamp, “0” is stored.
The “minimum remaining number of seconds” (minimum time) is a storage field for describing the minimum number of seconds (0.1 second unit: 0.0 to 240.0 seconds) of the scheduled continuation of the lamp color. In this field, when the remaining number of seconds is fixed, the determined number of seconds is stored, and when the remaining number of seconds is variable, the minimum remaining number of seconds is stored.

“Maximum remaining number of seconds” (maximum time) is a storage field for writing the maximum number of seconds (0.1 second unit: 0.0 to 240.0 seconds) of scheduled continuation of the lamp color. In this field, when the remaining number of seconds is fixed, the determined number of seconds is stored, and when the remaining number of seconds is variable, the maximum remaining number of seconds is stored.
Accordingly, the values stored in the remaining number of seconds field represent the scheduled display time for each lamp color of the signal lamp 3 in the current cycle. In the present specification, the term “remaining seconds” simply includes both “minimum remaining seconds” and “maximum remaining seconds”.

The “minimum guaranteed time” set in the lamp color information (1) in FIG. 2 is the minimum value that can be counted down with respect to the “minimum remaining number of seconds” in the countdown process performed by the update unit 551 of the optical beacon 5 described later. Is a storage field for writing
For this reason, the update unit 551 does not update the “minimum remaining number of seconds” value to a value lower than the time value in the case of the lamp color information in which the time value is written in the storage field for the minimum guaranteed time. . As a result, it is possible to prevent the update information from becoming inaccurate due to the “minimum remaining number of seconds” being counted down more than necessary during execution of point sensitive control described later.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, for example, a new flag field is provided in the signal information, and when the flag information in this field is on, there is a rule that the update unit 551 immediately stops the countdown process. You may decide to adopt.
Therefore, both the “minimum guaranteed time” storage field shown in FIG. 2 and the flag field for stopping the countdown process simultaneously with reception are storage fields for making a request to stop the countdown process by the update unit 551.

As described above, the minimum guaranteed time and the flag field are for preventing a decrease in accuracy of signal information that may occur during execution of point sensitive control.
Therefore, a predetermined value (countdown process stop command) is written in the storage field of the minimum guaranteed time in the signal information received by the optical beacon 5, or the flag information written in the flag field is on (stop of the countdown process). Command), it can be determined that the traffic signal controller 2 is executing point sensitive control.

[Point-sensitive control by traffic signal controller]
The traffic signal controller 2 of this embodiment can perform one or more types of “point sensitive control”. The traffic signal controller 2 executes the point sensitive control when the control type information of the central device 4 permits the point sensitive control.
Examples of the point sensitive control include right turn sensitive control, dilemma sensitive control, high speed sensitive control, bus sensitive control, and simple semi-sensitive control.

Among these, “Right turn sensitive control” is a blue arrow that meets the traffic demand of the right turn lane with the aim of preventing the straight turn lane from being blocked due to overflow of the right turn car and eliminating the wasteful time of the right turn arrow. The display time is adjusted.
The “dilemma sensitive control” is to stop the green light when there is no vehicle in the dilemma zone or the option zone before the intersection in order to reduce the risk of a rear-end collision or encounter accident after the yellow signal is displayed.

"High-speed sensitive control" is intended to reduce high-speed driving and reduce accidents caused by overspeeding. When a high-speed vehicle traveling on an inflow road is detected, it is blue shortened or red extended to stop at a red light. Is to do.
“Bus Sensitive Control” is designed to reduce the stop time when a bus traveling on an inflow road is detected for the purpose of reducing the signal waiting time and giving priority to the public bus. Blue extension or red shortening.

“Simple semi-sensitive control” usually gives the right of access to the main road by giving the right of access to the sub road only when there is sub road traffic. When a vehicle or a pedestrian on the road is detected, the right of passage is given to the subway.
When executing the point sensitive control, the traffic signal controller 2 decides to cut off or extend a predetermined lamp color at an appropriate timing according to the traffic situation within a predetermined range of sensitivity set for each type. To do.

In addition, the traffic signal controller 2 provides the vehicle side with the scheduled display time of the lamp color for which the display is interrupted or extended as time information having a certain range although it has not been determined. Signal information is generated by storing different values for the sensitive width in the storage fields of “maximum remaining seconds” and “minimum remaining seconds”.
On the other hand, when the traffic signal controller 2 performs normal control in accordance with the signal control command determined by the central device 8, the scheduled display time of each lamp color is fixed to one value. Store the same fixed value in the storage fields of “maximum remaining seconds” and “minimum remaining seconds”.

  Accordingly, when there is lamp color information in which different values are written in the storage fields of “maximum remaining seconds” and “minimum remaining seconds” among a plurality of lamp color information included in the received signal information, traffic signals When the controller 2 can determine that the point sensitive control is being executed, and the same value is stored in the storage fields of “maximum remaining seconds” and “minimum remaining seconds” for all lamp color information, It can be determined that the traffic signal controller 2 is executing normal control.

The traffic signal controller 2 of the present embodiment can also perform “flash display” that keeps “yellow blinking” and “red blinking” for a long time on a road in a specific direction. In this case, the traffic signal controller 2 has no lamp color information other than “yellow flashing” or “red flashing”, and the scheduled display time is displayed in the maximum time and minimum time fields of “yellow flashing” or “red flashing”. Generate signal information that stores a full-bit value on the rule indicating that it is unknown.
Therefore, when the full bit is stored in the “maximum remaining seconds” and “minimum remaining seconds” storage fields in the received signal information, the traffic signal controller 2 is executing the flash display. It can be judged.

[Configuration of information relay device]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information relay apparatus 1.
As shown in FIG. 3, the information relay device 1 of the present embodiment includes a first interface unit 11, a second interface unit 12, a relay unit 13, a control unit 10 that controls the entire information relay device 1, a storage unit 14, and the like. I have.

The first interface unit 11 has a communication function among the central device 8 as the information source device, the vehicle detector 4, and the traffic signal controller 2. The 2nd interface part 12 has a communication function between the optical beacons 5 as a roadside communication apparatus.
The relay unit 13 relays information transmitted / received via the first interface unit 11 and the second interface unit 12. Specifically, the relay unit 13 sends the dynamic information received from the vehicle detectors 4A and 4B and the traffic signal controller 2 to any of the optical beacons 5A and 5B under the control of the control unit 10, for example. To decide.

In addition to the various relay programs executed by the control unit 10, the storage unit 14 corresponds to the information providing service determined for each of the optical beacons 5 </ b> A and 5 </ b> B, and the traffic signal controller 2 and each vehicle sensor that are information source devices A service table (not shown) in which relay routes between 4A and 4B and the optical beacons 5A and 5B that provide the information to the vehicle-mounted device 7 are associated is stored.
Based on the service table, the control unit 10 instructs the relay unit 13 on the relay destination of information transmitted by the traffic signal controller 2 and the vehicle detectors 4A and 4B, which are information source devices.

In the present embodiment, the vehicle detection information sent from the vehicle detector 4A is transmitted to the optical beacon 5A via the relay unit 13, and the vehicle detection information sent from the vehicle sensor 4B is transferred to the relay unit 13. Is transmitted to the optical beacon 5B.
The signal information transmitted from the traffic signal controller 2 is transmitted to both optical beacons 5A and 5B via the relay unit 13.

[Information Processing Procedure in Information Relay System]
FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an information processing procedure in the information relay system.
As shown in FIG. 4, first, at P <b> 1, the central device 8 transmits a “signal control command” to the traffic signal controller 2.
In P2, the traffic signal controller 2 generates “signal information” for each signal lamp 3 based on the received signal control command, and transmits the generated signal information to the information relay device 1 in P3. The signal information is transmitted at a predetermined time interval (for example, every time 1 second elapses).

In P4, the information relay apparatus 1 appropriately edits the acquired signal information. In P5, the information relay apparatus 1 refers to the service table of the own apparatus, and relays the acquired signal information to the optical beacon 5 that needs it.
In this embodiment, since the optical beacons 5A and 5B both require signal information from the traffic signal controller 2, the signal information is transmitted to both optical beacons 5A and 5B. In P6, the optical beacon 5 transmits the acquired signal information to the in-vehicle device 7.

In P <b> 7, the vehicle detector 4 transmits “vehicle detection information” to the relay device 1. In P8, the information relay apparatus 1 appropriately edits the vehicle detection information acquired from the vehicle detector 4.
In P9, the information relay device 1 relays the vehicle detection information to the optical beacon 5 that provides the information providing service that requires the acquired vehicle detection information.

In this embodiment, since the optical beacon 5A requires the vehicle detection information from the vehicle detector 4A, the vehicle detection information of the vehicle detector 4A is transmitted to the optical beacon 5A.
Moreover, since the optical beacon 5B requires the vehicle detection information from the vehicle detector 4B, the vehicle detection information of the vehicle detector 4B is transmitted to the optical beacon 5B. In P10, the optical beacon 5 transmits the acquired vehicle sensing information to the in-vehicle device 7.

The transmission of the vehicle detection information from the vehicle detector 4 can be performed, for example, every 200 milliseconds. That is, in P11 to P14 of FIG. 4, the same processing as P7 to P10 is performed, and thereafter the same processing is repeated every time 200 milliseconds elapse, for example.
Further, in P15 to P18, the same processing as P3 to P6 is performed, and thereafter the same processing is repeated, for example, every time 1 second elapses (in the case of normal control).
In addition, when the traffic signal controller 2 is executing the point sensitive control, the traffic signal controller 2 generates and transmits signal information in a faster cycle, for example, less than 0.5 seconds.

[Configuration of optical beacon]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the optical beacon 5.
As shown in FIG. 5, the optical beacon 5 includes a beacon controller 51 and one or a plurality of beacon heads 52. The beacon controller 51 includes a relay side interface unit 53, a head side interface unit 54, a control unit 55, a storage unit 56, and the like.
The relay side interface unit 53 has a communication function with the information relay device 1. Moreover, the head side interface part 54 has a communication function between the beacon heads 52 provided for every lane.

The beacon head 52 is installed for each lane on a beam constructed on a road, and is configured by storing a light emitting element made of a light emitting diode or the like and a light receiving element made of a photodiode or the like in a casing.
The light emitting element transmits downlink information composed of an optical signal to the in-vehicle device 7 in the communication area 50, and the light receiving element receives uplink information composed of an optical signal from the in-vehicle apparatus 7 in the communication area 50.

The control unit 55 of the beacon controller 51 includes an update unit 551, a light color comparison unit 552, a determination unit 553, and a monitoring cancellation unit 554.
Among these, the update unit 551 executes “countdown processing” of the signal information acquired by the relay side interface unit 53. This process replaces the remaining number of seconds of the “current lamp color” of the acquired signal information (that is, both the minimum remaining number and the maximum remaining number of seconds) with a countdown value obtained by subtracting the elapsed time from the acquisition time point. "Update information" is generated and the data content of the signal information is updated to a substantially real time value.

In this countdown process, the number of remaining seconds is counted at a predetermined cycle (for example, a cycle of 100 milliseconds) that is sufficiently shorter than the reception interval of signal information (1 second in this embodiment) from the time when the signal information is input to the update unit 551. .
Therefore, for example, in the signal information shown in FIG. 2, the “minimum remaining seconds” and “maximum remaining seconds” of the lamp color information (1) at the time of input of the signal information are “100” (= 10.0 seconds). For example, in the update information after the elapse of 0.8 seconds, the “minimum remaining number of seconds” and the “maximum remaining number of seconds” of the lamp color information (1) are “92” (= 9.2 seconds).

When the maximum remaining number of seconds becomes “0” by the countdown process for the signal lamp color (1), the update unit 551 of the present embodiment has the same lamp color data value as the signal lamp color (1) and the remaining number of seconds is “0”. “Previous lamp color information” is generated, stored in the storage unit 56, and “carrying up processing” for continuing the countdown for the next lamp color is performed.
That is, for example, in the signal information shown in FIG. 2, when the remaining number of seconds of the lamp color information (1) is counted down and becomes “0”, the lamp color information (1) becomes “previous lamp color information” (remaining seconds). Number = 0), the next lamp color information (2) is carried up to lamp color information (1), and the remaining number of seconds is counted down at a predetermined period.

The third and subsequent lamp color information (i) (i ≧ 3) is advanced to lamp color information (i−1) with the remaining number of seconds remaining unchanged.
In this embodiment, it is assumed that “previous lamp color information” generated by this carry-over processing is also included in “update information”.
Further, as described above, in the case of the signal lamp color including the “minimum guaranteed time” (see FIG. 2), the update unit 551 sets the value of “minimum remaining seconds” to a value lower than the value stored in the field. There is no renewal.

  The lamp color comparison unit 552 uses the lamp color of the signal information newly acquired by the relay-side interface unit 53 (hereinafter referred to as “new information”) and the lamp of “update information” obtained by counting down the signal information already acquired. Compare with color. This comparison includes the following three types of comparisons defined by (x) to (z).

(X) First comparison: Comparison of whether or not the current lamp color (value of signal information (1)) of the new information matches the “current lamp color” (value of signal information (1)) of the update information (y ) Second comparison: Comparison of whether or not the current lamp color of new information (value of signal information (1)) matches the “next lamp color” of update information (value of signal information (2)) (z) 3 Comparison: Comparison of whether or not the current lamp color of new information (value of signal information (1)) matches the “previous lamp color” of update information (lamp color of previous signal information)

Then, the lamp color comparison unit 552 searches for which of the first comparison, the second comparison, and the third comparison is positive. For example, the lamp color comparison unit 552 performs the second comparison when the result of the first comparison is negative, and further executes the third comparison when the result of the second comparison is negative. Searches are performed in order (see steps ST2, ST3, and ST8 in FIG. 6), and the search results are output to the determination unit 553.
Note that the lamp color comparison unit 552 determines that the new information is abnormal when the results of the first, second, and third comparisons are all negative. The reason is considered that when all the results of the first, second and third comparisons are negative, there is a high possibility that there is an error in the remaining number of seconds of any lamp color included in the new information. Because.

On the other hand, when any of the results of the first comparison, the second comparison, or the third comparison is positive in the search by the lamp color comparison unit 552, the determination unit 553 determines between the lamp colors determined to match in the comparison. It is determined whether or not the generated time lag is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold Th (for example, 500 milliseconds).
Specifically, when the result of the first comparison is affirmative, the determination unit 553 sets the current light color of the new information and the “current light color” of the update information, which are determined to match in the first comparison. New information is determined to be normal when the time lag occurring between the thresholds is equal to or less than the threshold Th, and when it exceeds, the new information is determined to be abnormal.

In addition, when the result of the second comparison is affirmative, the determination unit 553 occurs between the current light color of the new information and the “next light color” of the update information, which are determined to match in the second comparison. If the time lag is less than or equal to the threshold Th, the new information is determined to be normal, and if it exceeds, the new information is determined to be abnormal.
Further, when the result of the third comparison is affirmative, the determination unit 553 occurs between the current light color of the new information and the “previous light color” of the update information, which are determined to match in the third comparison. If the time lag is less than or equal to the threshold Th, the new information is determined to be normal, and if it exceeds, the new information is determined to be abnormal.

As described above, the lamp color comparison unit 552 and the determination unit 553 in the control unit 55 compare the scheduled display time (number of remaining seconds) of the new information with the scheduled display time (number of remaining seconds) of the update information. An “abnormality monitoring unit” is configured to monitor whether there is an abnormality in the information.
The monitoring canceling unit 554 performs monitoring processing by the abnormality monitoring unit when detecting execution of uncertain control such as point sensitive control or flash display, which is signal control including a lamp color whose remaining number of seconds is uncertain. skip. The cancellation process (FIG. 11) by the monitoring cancellation unit 554 will be described later.

The storage unit 56 of the beacon controller 51 includes a storage area for a computer program for executing the above functions by each part of the control unit 55, and a data storage area for temporarily storing information acquired by the relay side interface unit 53. Have
This data storage area includes a storage area for “new information” that is newly acquired signal information, a storage area for “update information” to be updated by the update unit 551, and the like.

[Abnormality judgment processing by optical beacon]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an abnormality determination process performed by the control unit 55 of the optical beacon 5.
This abnormality determination process is performed in a short processing time of less than a countdown period (100 milliseconds) simultaneously with reception of signal information transmitted approximately every second.
Point B in FIG. 6 is a branch point for executing the abnormality determination process or skipping. When the monitoring canceling unit 554 outputs an execution signal, the control unit 55 proceeds to step ST2 and performs an abnormality determination process. When the monitoring canceling unit 554 outputs a skip signal, the control unit 55 shows a wavy line in FIG. The process ends without performing the abnormality determination process as indicated by.

In the following description, the abnormality determination process performed by the control unit 55 will be described assuming that the traffic signal controller 2 is executing the normal control and thus the monitoring cancellation unit 554 outputs an execution signal.
As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 55 repeatedly determines whether or not signal information has been received (step ST1). If received, the control unit 55 receives the current lamp color (lamp color information ( It is determined whether or not 1)) matches the “current lamp color” of the update information (first comparison) (step ST2).

When the result of the first comparison is “match”, the control unit 55 calculates a time lag between the matched lamp colors (step ST3), and determines whether the calculated time lag is equal to or less than the threshold Th. (Step ST4).
As a result of the determination, the control unit 55 determines that the new information is normal when the calculated time lag is equal to or smaller than the threshold Th (step ST11), and determines that the new information is abnormal when exceeding the threshold Th ( Step ST12).

  When the result of the first comparison is “mismatch”, the control unit 55 determines that the current lamp color (lamp color information (1)) of the new information is “next lamp color” (signal information (2)) of the update information. Is determined (second comparison) (step ST5).

When the result of the second comparison is “match”, the control unit 55 calculates the time lag between the matched lamp colors (step ST6), and determines whether or not the calculated time lag is equal to or less than the threshold Th. (Step ST7).
As a result of the determination, the control unit 55 determines that the new information is normal when the calculated time lag is equal to or smaller than the threshold Th (step ST11), and determines that the new information is abnormal when exceeding the threshold Th ( Step ST12).

  When the result of the second comparison is “mismatch”, the control unit 55 sets the current lamp color (lamp color information (3)) of the new information to “update the previous lamp color” (the lamp of the previous lamp color information). A third comparison is made as to whether or not the color matches (color) (step ST8).

When the result of the third comparison is “match”, the control unit 55 calculates a time lag between the matched lamp colors (step ST9), and determines whether or not the calculated time lag is equal to or less than the threshold Th. (Step ST10).
As a result of the determination, the control unit 55 determines that the new information is normal when the calculated time lag is equal to or smaller than the threshold Th (step ST11), and determines that the new information is abnormal when exceeding the threshold Th ( Step ST12).

The control unit 55 of the optical beacon 5 takes the new information determined to be normal into the update information storage area of the storage unit 56 and replaces it with the existing update information.
On the other hand, in the case of new information determined to be abnormal, the control unit 55 takes in the update information storage area of the storage unit 56 without discarding the new information, but stores the new information in the downlink information to the in-vehicle device 7. It is not specified as providing information. Thereby, it is possible to prevent abnormal signal information having an error in the data contents such as the remaining number of seconds from being transmitted to the in-vehicle device 7 in advance.

In the flowchart showing the abnormality determination process shown in FIG. 6, the order of the processes from step ST2 to ST4, the process from step ST5 to ST7, and the process from step ST8 to ST10 may be changed.
That is, the execution order of the first comparison (step ST2), the second comparison (step ST5), and the third comparison (step ST5), which is the search order performed by the lamp color comparison unit 552, is an arbitrary variation with the number of permutations. Can be replaced.

  However, the cases where “second comparison” and “third comparison” are positive are relatively rare cases as shown in FIG. 7B and FIG. From the viewpoint of shortening the average processing time required for the abnormality determination process for new information as much as possible, it is highly likely that the “first comparison” for comparing lamp colors will be positive. As shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable to execute the first comparison (step ST2) first.

[Specific example of time lag calculation method]
Next, referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, a specific example of a method of calculating “time lag” between matched lamp colors (steps ST3, ST6, ST9 in FIG. 6) in the above-described abnormality determination process (FIG. 6). Will be described.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing variations in time lag occurring between new information and update information.
In FIG. 7, the time point tc indicates the time point when the data of both pieces of information is compared by the control unit 55 (lamp color comparison unit 552), and Δt (for example, 0.4 seconds) is the size of the time lag actually generated between the two pieces of information. Suppose there is.
In this embodiment, since the threshold value Th = 500 milliseconds, in each example shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, it is determined that the new information is normal.

7A to 7C, FIG. 7A shows a case where the current lamp colors of both pieces of information at the comparison time tc match.
In FIG. 7B, since the update information is delayed by Δt from the new information, the comparison time tc is the time when the new information is switched from blue to yellow and the update information is switched from blue to yellow. The case where it is pinched | interposed between time is shown.
In FIG. 7C, since the update information is advanced by Δt from the new information, the comparison time tc is the time when the update information is switched from blue to yellow and the new information is switched from blue to yellow. The case where it is pinched | interposed between time is shown.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of data contents of update information and new information corresponding to the time chart of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of data contents of update information and new information corresponding to the time chart of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of data contents of update information and new information corresponding to the time chart of FIG.

8 to 10, the hatched portion indicates the data portion of the current lamp color (lamp color information (1)).
Three arrows respectively indicate the correspondence relationship of the data to be subjected to the first to third comparisons, and a solid line arrow indicates that the result of the comparison is positive. On the other hand, the dashed arrow indicates that the result of the comparison is negative.

  FIG. 7A shows a case where the current light color (blue) of the new information at the comparison time tc matches the current light color (blue) of the update information. The matching of the lamp colors is determined by step ST2 (first comparison) in the abnormality determination process of FIG.

In this case, the difference in the scheduled end time (Δ mark) of the lamp color (blue) determined to be the same in the first comparison, that is, the difference in the remaining seconds of the current lamp color (blue) of both pieces of information becomes the time lag.
Therefore, in order to obtain the time lag from the data shown in FIG. 8, the remaining seconds (5.0 seconds and 5.4 seconds) of the current lamp color (blue) are extracted from both pieces of information, and the difference between the values (0. 4 seconds) may be used as a time lag.

  FIG. 7B shows that the current light color (yellow) of the new information at the comparison time tc does not match the current light color (blue) of the update information, but is the same as the next light color (yellow) of the update information. This is the case. The matching of the lamp colors is determined by step ST5 (second comparison) in the abnormality determination process of FIG.

In this case, the difference in the scheduled end time (Δ mark) of the lamp color (yellow) determined to match in the second comparison, that is, the remaining number of seconds of the current lamp color (yellow) of the new information, and the current lamp color of the update information The difference between the remaining number of seconds (blue) and the total number of remaining seconds of the next lamp color (yellow) is the actual time lag.
Therefore, to obtain the time lag from the data shown in FIG. 9, the remaining seconds value (2.7 seconds) of the current lamp color (yellow) is extracted from the new information, and the remaining seconds value of the current lamp color (blue) from the update information. (0.1 seconds) and the remaining seconds (3.0 seconds) of the next lamp color (yellow) are extracted, and the time lag may be calculated as 3.0 + 0.1-2.7 = 0.4.

  In FIG. 7C, the current light color (blue) of the new information at the comparison time tc does not match the current light color (yellow) of the update information, but is the same as the previous light color (blue) of the update information. I'm doing it. This coincidence is determined by step ST8 (third comparison) in the abnormality determination process of FIG.

Also in this case, similarly to the above, the scheduled end time difference of the lamp color (blue) determined to match in the third comparison becomes the time lag.
However, in this embodiment, since the remaining number of seconds of the previous lamp color information generated by the “carrying process” is always set to “0”, the remaining number of seconds of the previous lamp color (blue) of the update information is scheduled. Cannot be used to calculate end time. That is, at the determination time point tc when the current lamp color of the update information is “yellow”, it is impossible to know the past scheduled end time of “blue” which is the previous lamp color.

As described above, when the scheduled end time of the lamp color (blue) determined to match in the third comparison cannot be obtained, for example, the scheduled end time difference (Δ mark) of the next lamp color (yellow) is used. The time lag can be obtained.
The reason is that the yellow time (3 seconds in the present embodiment) has the same value in both pieces of information, and therefore the planned end time difference between blue is the same value as the planned end time difference between yellow.

Therefore, in order to obtain the time lag from the data shown in FIG. 10, the remaining seconds value (0.1 seconds) of the current lamp color (blue) and the remaining seconds value (3.0 seconds) of the next lamp color (yellow) from the new information. And the remaining time value (2.7 seconds) of the current lamp color (yellow) is extracted from the update information, and the time lag may be calculated as 3.0 + 0.1-2.7 = 0.4.
In this way, the time lag that occurs between the matching lamp colors in the third comparison is replaced by the scheduled end time difference of the matching lamp colors instead of the scheduled end time difference of the matching lamp colors. be able to.

In addition, in the case of the lamp colors that matched in the first comparison and the second comparison, as described above, the time lag can be calculated by the difference in the scheduled end times of the matched lamp colors themselves. Instead of the scheduled end time difference of the lamp color itself, the scheduled end time difference of the corresponding lamp color after the next time may be substituted.
The time lag calculation method described above is merely a specific example, and there may be various other variations.

[Effects of abnormality judgment processing]
As described above, according to the optical beacon 5 of the present embodiment, when the result of the first comparison is positive, the control unit 55 (determination unit 553) occurs between the lamp colors that match in the first comparison. Since the abnormality of the new information is determined depending on whether the time lag is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, it is possible to monitor the arrival of abnormal signal information having an error in the data contents.
For this reason, the new information determined to be abnormal is processed so as not to be transmitted from the optical beacon 5 to the vehicle-mounted device 7, thereby preventing adverse effects on safe driving support due to the abnormal signal information passing to the vehicle-mounted device 7. Can do.

  Further, according to the optical beacon 5 of the present embodiment, when the control unit 55 (determination unit 553) determines that the result of the second comparison is positive, there is a time lag that occurs between the matching lamp colors in the second comparison. Since the abnormality of the new information is determined based on whether or not it is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, for example, as shown in FIG. Even when tc is the timing between the lamp color switching time of the new information and the lamp color switching time of the update information, the abnormality of the new information can be accurately determined.

  Furthermore, according to the optical beacon 5 of the present embodiment, when the control unit 55 (determination unit 553) determines that the result of the third comparison is affirmative, there is a time lag that occurs between the matching lamp colors in the third comparison. Since the abnormality of the new information is determined based on whether or not it is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, for example, as shown in FIG. Even when tc is the timing between the lamp color switching time of the new information and the lamp color switching time of the update information, the abnormality of the new information can be accurately determined.

[Abnormal monitoring stop processing]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the abnormality monitoring cancellation process performed by the monitoring cancellation unit 554 of the control unit 55.
As shown in FIG. 11, the monitoring cancellation unit 554 repeatedly determines whether or not signal information has been received (step S1), and if received, based on the data content of the newly received new information, It is determined whether or not “flash display” is executed in the traffic signal controller 2 that is the transmission source (step S2).

The determination in step S2 is performed based on, for example, whether or not a full bit indicating that the time value is unknown is stored in the storage fields of “maximum remaining seconds” and “minimum remaining seconds” in the new information. be able to.
When it is determined that the “flash indication” is being executed, the monitoring cancellation unit 554 outputs a skip signal for abnormality monitoring (step S4). It is determined whether or not “point sensitive control” is being executed in the original traffic signal controller 2 (step S3).

The determination in step 3 can be made, for example, based on whether or not different values are stored in the “maximum remaining seconds” and “minimum remaining seconds” storage fields in the signal information.
Further, in the determination in step 3, whether or not a predetermined value is written in the “minimum guaranteed time” storage field of certain lamp color information, and the flag information in the flag field for requesting stop of the countdown process is ON. It can also be done depending on whether or not.

The monitoring cancel unit 554 outputs a skip signal when it is determined that “point sensitive control” is being executed (step S4), and outputs an abnormality monitoring execution signal when it is determined that it is not being executed. (Step S5). Accordingly, the monitoring cancel unit 554 outputs an abnormality monitoring execution signal when normal control that is neither flashing indication nor point sensitive control is being executed.
And the abnormality monitoring part (lamp color comparison part 552 and determination part 553) of the control part 55 will complete | finish a process, without performing the step after the branch point B of FIG. 6, if the monitoring cancellation part 554 outputs a skip signal. (The wavy line in FIG. 6), thereby stopping the monitoring process. On the other hand, when the monitoring cancellation unit 554 outputs an execution signal, the abnormality monitoring unit executes the steps after the branch point B.

[Effect of canceling abnormal monitoring]
As described above, according to the optical beacon 5 of the present embodiment, when the monitoring canceling unit 554 is executing the uncertain control such as the point sensitive control or the flashing display, the abnormality monitoring unit (lamp color comparing unit) 552 and the determination unit 553) are stopped, so when the traffic signal control at a certain intersection shifts from normal control to uncertain control, the monitoring process by the abnormality monitoring unit is stopped.
For this reason, even if the traffic signal controller 2 executes the indeterminate control, the signal information in the case of the indeterminate control is not transmitted to the in-vehicle device 7 by the signal information abnormality monitoring function performed by the optical beacon 5 in advance. Can be prevented.

[Other variations]
The above-described embodiment is to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the “second comparison” performed by the lamp color comparison unit 552 indicates that the current lamp color of the new information (signal information (1)) is the next lamp color of the update information (signal information (2)). Although it is a process for determining whether or not they match, it is not always necessary to compare the “next light color” of the update information as a comparison target, and m times after the current light color of the update information (an integer of m ≧ 1). It is also possible to determine a match with the lamp color.

Similarly, in the above-described embodiment, the “third comparison” performed by the lamp color comparison unit 552 indicates that the current lamp color of the new information (signal information (1)) is the previous lamp color of the update information (the lamp color of the previous signal information). ), It is not always necessary to compare the “previous lamp color” of the update information, but n times before the current lamp color of the update information (n ≧ 1) It is also possible to determine a match with the (integer) lamp color.
In this case, however, it is necessary to leave at least n past lamp color information before the update information in the carry-up process at the time of the countdown performed by the update unit 551.

The lamp color comparison unit 552 does not necessarily perform all of the first to third comparisons, may perform only the first comparison, or may perform two types of comparisons including the first comparison (the first comparison). 1 comparison and 2nd comparison, or 1st comparison and 3rd comparison) may be performed. Note that the execution order in the case where the lamp color comparison unit 552 performs two types of comparison is arbitrary.
Further, the abnormality determination process (including its modification) shown in FIG. 6 and the cancellation process shown in FIG. 11 may be performed by the control unit 10 of the information relay device 1 instead of the control unit 55 of the optical beacon 5. .

  In this case, when the traffic signal controller 2 is performing normal control, even if there is an abnormality in the data content of the signal information newly received from the traffic signal controller 2, the abnormal signal information is not reflected in the optical beacon. 5, and even when the traffic signal controller 2 starts execution of indeterminate control after that, the signal in the case of indeterminate control by the signal information abnormality monitoring function performed by the information relay device 1 It is possible to prevent a situation in which the time during which information is not transmitted to the optical beacon 5 continues.

1 Information relay device 2 Traffic signal controller 4 Vehicle detector 5 Optical beacon (roadside communication device)
7 In-vehicle device 8 Central device 53 Relay side interface unit (acquisition unit)
54 Head side interface unit 55 Control unit 551 Update unit 552 Light color comparison unit 553 Determination unit 554 Monitoring stop unit 56 Storage unit

Claims (5)

An acquisition unit for acquiring signal information having a storage field of a scheduled display time for each lamp color every predetermined time;
An update unit that generates update information in which the display time of the current lamp color of the signal information already acquired is replaced with a countdown value obtained by subtracting the elapsed time from the acquisition time;
An abnormality monitoring unit that monitors whether there is an abnormality in the new information by comparing the scheduled display time of the new information that is the newly acquired signal information with the scheduled display time of the update information;
A monitoring cancellation unit that cancels the monitoring process by the abnormality monitoring unit when the uncertain control is being performed, which is a signal control including a lamp color with an uncertain display time;
A roadside communication device comprising: The signal information has a storage field of maximum time and minimum time as a storage field of the scheduled display time of one lamp color,
When the difference between the time values recorded in the storage fields for the maximum time and the minimum time included in the new information is greater than 0, the monitoring cancellation unit executes point sensitive control, which is a kind of indeterminate control. The roadside communication device according to claim 1, wherein the roadside communication device determines that the communication is performed. The signal information has a storage field for a stop request for countdown processing by the update unit,
When the stop command for the countdown process is stored in the storage field for the stop request included in the new information, the monitoring stop unit is executing point sensitive control which is a type of the uncertain control. The roadside communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the roadside communication device is determined. The signal information has a storage field of maximum time and minimum time as a storage field of the scheduled display time of one lamp color,
The monitoring cancel unit is a flash that is a kind of the indeterminate control when information indicating that the time value is unknown is stored in one of the storage fields of the maximum time and the minimum time. The roadside communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is determined that the presenting is being executed. A first step of acquiring signal information having a storage field of a scheduled display time for each lamp color at a predetermined time;
A second step of generating update information in which the scheduled display time of the current lamp color of the signal information already acquired is replaced with a value obtained by counting down the elapsed time from the acquisition time;
A third step of monitoring whether there is an abnormality in the new information by comparing the scheduled display time of the new information that is the newly acquired signal information with the scheduled display time of the update information;
A fourth step of canceling the third step when uncertain control is being executed, which is signal control including a lamp color with an uncertain display time;
A method of stopping signal information abnormality monitoring, comprising:

Images