JP4831217B2 - Information relay device and information relay system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a device that supports safe driving of a vehicle or the like and the safety of a pedestrian, and in particular relays information for an information providing service output from an information source device to a roadside communication device that can communicate with an in-vehicle device. The present invention relates to an information relay device and an information relay system including the information relay device.

  In order to support the safe driving of vehicles and the safety of pedestrians, information on vehicles traveling on the road, information on pedestrians, etc. are detected, or signal information of traffic signals etc. is used to make the vehicle safer Technologies related to road-vehicle coordination systems that provide useful information for driving have been developed.

  For example, a central device, a traffic signal, a road device, etc. are provided, and the central device transmits service intersection information including information for identifying whether or not each intersection is a service intersection to a plurality of traffic signals. And a roadside apparatus receives service intersection information from the traffic signal connected via the communication line, and transmits to a vehicle equipment. An information providing system for providing a safe driving support service is disclosed in which an in-vehicle device creates a notification information by superimposing a location of a service intersection on a road map based on the service intersection information and provides the information to the driver. (See Patent Document 1).

  In the information providing system described above, in order to exchange information between the central device or traffic signal that is the information source device and the on-road device that can communicate with the vehicle-mounted device, set an information table that defines a connection network between the devices. In accordance with a predetermined connection network. For example, a certain traffic signal is set to transmit information to a predetermined road device, and another traffic signal is set to transmit information to another road device. Such an information table is set when an apparatus constituting the information providing system is installed.

JP 2008-112255 A

  However, there is a need to change the contents of the service to be provided due to changes in road conditions or traffic conditions after installing the devices constituting the information providing system as described above and starting the provision of the initial information service. Sometimes. However, the conventional information provision system requires maintenance work to change the information table at the site where the equipment is installed every time the service to be provided is changed, reducing human error associated with maintenance work and reducing work labor. Was desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an information relay apparatus and an information relay system including the information relay apparatus that can save maintenance work even when the information providing service is changed. And

  An information relay device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information relay device that relays information for an information providing service output from one or more information source devices to one or more roadside communication devices communicable with an in-vehicle device. A storage unit for storing identification information for identifying the information source device and one or a plurality of information providing services provided to the in-vehicle device via each roadside communication device are associated with each roadside communication device. An identification unit that identifies the identification information of the information source device corresponding to the information providing service based on the system information acquired by the acquisition unit with reference to the storage unit and the acquisition unit that acquires the system information determined from the outside An information specifying unit; and a relay information generating unit that generates, for each roadside communication device, relay information that associates the information providing service with the identification information specified by the identification information specifying unit. Based on the generated relay information generation unit, characterized in that the information output from the information source apparatus is arranged to relay to the roadside communication device.

  An information relay apparatus according to a second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the relay information generation unit is configured to generate relay information every time the acquisition unit acquires system information.

  An information relay system according to a third aspect of the invention provides one or a plurality of information source devices, one or a plurality of roadside communication devices communicable with a vehicle-mounted device, and information for an information providing service output from the information source device. In an information relay system including an information relay device that relays to a roadside communication device, the information relay device includes a storage unit for storing identification information for identifying the information source device, and the roadside communication device through the roadside communication device. Acquire one or a plurality of information providing services to be provided to the vehicle-mounted device from the outside by acquiring the system information determined by associating with each roadside communication device and the storage unit. An identification information specifying unit that specifies identification information of an information source device corresponding to the information providing service based on the system information, and the information providing service and the identification information specifying for each roadside communication device. A relay information generating unit that generates relay information in association with the identification information identified in step (b), the information source device includes an output unit that outputs the information to the information relay device, and the information relay device includes: Based on the relay information generated by the relay information generation unit, the information output from the information source device is configured to be relayed to the roadside communication device.

  An information relay system according to a fourth invention is characterized in that, in the third invention, the information source device is at least one of a vehicle sensor or a traffic signal controller.

  In the first invention and the third invention, the information relay apparatus stores identification information for identifying the information source apparatus. The information source device is a device that is an information source of information for the information providing service. For example, sensors such as a vehicle sensor that measures the presence, number, type, position, speed, and the like of vehicles and a pedestrian sensor that measures the presence of pedestrians are included. Also included is a traffic signal controller that transmits traffic signal information. Further, a central device that manages a safe driving support system such as an information providing system is also included.

  The information relay apparatus obtains, from the outside, system information determined by associating each roadside communication apparatus with one or a plurality of information providing services provided to the vehicle-mounted device via each roadside communication apparatus. The roadside communication device can perform bidirectional communication with an in-vehicle device such as an optical beacon. The roadside communication device may be a radio beacon, a DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication), a narrow-band wireless LAN communication device, or the like instead of the optical beacon. The information providing service can provide various services according to road conditions and traffic conditions. For example, a signal information providing service that provides signal information, a regulation information providing service that provides regulations regarding road traffic, an obstacle detection information providing service that provides information on obstacles on the road, and road surface information that provides road surface information Services can be provided. The system information is transmitted from the central device. The system information transmitted by the central device is received by each roadside communication device via the information relay device. Each roadside communication device transmits required information to the in-vehicle device according to the information providing service defined by the received system information.

  The information relay device refers to the storage unit, identifies the identification information of the information source device corresponding to the information providing service based on the acquired system information, and identifies the identification information identified as the information providing service for each roadside communication device. Generate relay information that associates. For example, the information relay device specifies the identification information (C1) of the information source device corresponding to the information providing service (B1) provided via the roadside communication device (A1) from the system information corresponding to the roadside communication device (A1). And In addition, the information relay device specifies the identification information (C2) of the information source device corresponding to the information providing service (B2) provided via the roadside communication device (A2) from the system information corresponding to the roadside communication device (A2). And In this case, in the relay information, the information providing service (B1) and the identification information (C1) are associated with the roadside communication device (A1). The relay information is associated with the roadside communication device (A2) with the information providing service (B2) and the identification information (C2).

  When the system information is changed, the information relay device refers to the storage unit, specifies the identification information of the information source device corresponding to the information providing service based on the acquired system information, and sets the information for each roadside communication device. Then, relay information that associates the information providing service with the identified identification information is generated. For example, the information relay apparatus identifies the identification information (C1 and C2) of the information source apparatus corresponding to the information providing service (B1 and B2) provided via the roadside communication apparatus (A1) from the system information corresponding to the roadside communication apparatus (A1). ). In addition, the information relay device specifies the identification information (C2) of the information source device corresponding to the information providing service (B2) provided via the roadside communication device (A2) from the system information corresponding to the roadside communication device (A2). And In this case, the relay information includes the information providing service (B1) and the identification information (C1) associated with the roadside communication device (A1), and the information providing service (B2) and the identification information (C2). Associated. The relay information is associated with the roadside communication device (A2) with the information providing service (B2) and the identification information (C2). That is, the information relay apparatus can generate relay information corresponding to the system information only by changing the system information.

  The information relay device relays the information output from the information source device to the roadside communication device based on the generated relay information. As described above, even when the information providing service is changed, the information providing service and the identification information of the information source device of the information used in the information providing service are related by the relay information, so that the information providing service is provided via each roadside communication device. It is possible to automatically acquire information used in the information providing service from the required information source device based on relay information, and at the site where the device is installed every time the service to be provided is changed Maintenance work to change the table becomes unnecessary, and the maintenance work can be saved.

  In the second invention, the information relay device generates relay information each time system information is acquired. Thereby, when changing the information providing service, the relay information can be automatically generated only by sending the system information to the information relay device each time.

  In the fourth invention, the information source device is at least one of a vehicle sensor or a traffic signal controller. Thereby, various information can be provided by the information providing service.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to save the maintenance work when changing the information providing service.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of an information relay system. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of an information relay apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of an apparatus table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of system information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of a service table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the relay state of the information determined by the service table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the system information after a change. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the service table after a change. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the relay state of the information determined by the service table after change. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of service table generation. It is a time chart which shows the process sequence at the time of system operation start. It is a time chart which shows the process sequence after operation permission. It is a time chart which shows an example of the process sequence at the time of abnormality. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when an information relay apparatus returns to a normal state. It is a time chart which shows the process sequence of the information relay system using the information relay apparatus which does not comprise a determination part. It is a time chart which shows the process sequence of the information relay system using the information relay apparatus provided with the determination part.

  Hereinafter, an information relay device and an information relay system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an information relay system, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information relay apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the information relay system includes an information relay device 1, a traffic signal controller 2 as an example of an information source device, an image-type vehicle sensor 4 as an example of an information source device, and a roadside communication device. Optical beacons 5, 6 and a central device 8 are provided. The number and installation locations of the above-described devices are examples and are not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, signal lamps 3 are installed near the four corners of the intersection, and each signal lamp 3 is controlled by a traffic signal controller 2. The traffic signal controller 2 can output signal information. The signal information includes, for example, two cycles of the remaining display time in the current step and the display time in the future step of each signal lamp 3.

  In the vicinity of the intersection, an image-type vehicle detector 4 is installed, and it is possible to detect a vehicle or the like existing in a required area of one road connected to the intersection and a sensing area 40 that is an area in the intersection. The vehicle detector 4 can output 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, and the elapsed time after detection. 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 near the intersection and another optical beacon 6 is installed at an appropriate distance from the intersection on other roads in the same traveling direction with the above-mentioned road and the intersection in between. The optical beacons 5 and 6 can perform bidirectional communication with the vehicle-mounted device 7 in the communication areas 50 and 60, respectively. That is, necessary information corresponding to the information providing service is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 7 via the optical beacons 5 and 6. In place of the optical beacon 6, a radio beacon, DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication), a narrow-range wireless LAN communication device, or the like can be used.

  The information relay device 1 can be installed at an appropriate location near the intersection. The information relay device 1 is installed in a traffic control center or the like and has a predetermined interface with a central device 8 for managing an information providing service, the traffic signal controller 2, the vehicle detector 4, the optical beacons 5, 6 and the like described above. Connected by standard. In addition, although the information relay apparatus 1 can also be installed as a separate apparatus, it is good also as a structure incorporated in the traffic signal controller 2 and the optical beacons 5 and 6. FIG.

  The information relay device 1 relays information output from the central device 8, the traffic signal controller 2, the vehicle detector 4, and the like according to the information providing service assigned to each optical beacon 5, 6. The optical beacons 5 and 6 acquire information relayed via the information relay device 1 and store the acquired information as registration information. In addition, the information output from the optical beacons 5 and 6 is relayed to the central device 8, the traffic signal controller 2, and the like.

  The central device 8 transmits system information determined by associating the information providing service provided to the vehicle-mounted device 7 via the optical beacons 5 and 6 with the optical beacons 5 and 6. The system information transmitted by the central device 8 is received by the optical beacons 5 and 6 via the information relay device 1. Each of the optical beacons 5 and 6 transmits necessary information to the in-vehicle device 7 according to the information providing service defined by the received system information.

  The services provided by the information relay system include, for example, a signal information providing service for providing signal information, a regulation information providing service for providing regulations regarding road traffic, and an obstacle detection information providing for information on obstacles on the road Services, road surface information providing services that provide road surface information, and the like, but are not limited thereto.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the information relay device 1 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 15, a specifying unit 14, and a generation unit. Unit 16, a service table 17 as relay information, a determination unit 18, and the like.

  The first interface unit 11 has a communication function with the central device 8 as the information source device, the vehicle detector 4, the traffic signal controller 2, and the like.

  The 2nd interface part 12 has a communication function between the optical beacons 5 and 6 as a roadside communication apparatus.

  The relay unit 13 relays information exchanged via the first interface unit 11 and the second interface unit 12. More specifically, under the control of the control unit 10, for example, to which optical beacon the information transmitted from the vehicle detector 4 is transmitted is determined. Similarly, it is determined to which optical beacon the information sent from the traffic signal controller 2 is sent.

  The storage unit 15 stores a device table 151 as identification information for identifying the vehicle sensor 4, the traffic signal controller 2, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of the device table 151. The device table 151 is an information table in which a device name and a device identification number of an information source device configured to be connectable via the information relay device 1 are associated with each other. As shown in FIG. 1, since the traffic signal controller 2 (device identification number 21) and the vehicle detector 4 (device identification number 41) can be connected to the information relay apparatus 1, the device table 151 is shown in FIG. 3 is configured. The central device 8 is not described in the device table 151, but may be described. Further, when a plurality of vehicle detectors 4 can be connected, the device identification numbers may be given as 41, 42,.

  When the central unit 8 acquires system information transmitted from the central device 8 to each of the optical beacons 5 and 6, the specifying unit 14 refers to the device table stored in the storage unit 15 and acquires the system. Based on the information, the device identification numbers of the vehicle detector 4 and the traffic signal controller 2 corresponding to the information providing service are specified.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of system information. As shown in FIG. 4, the system information is configured separately for each optical beacon. The system information includes the optical beacon number, the number of information providing services provided via the optical beacon, the information providing service name as the information providing service information indicating the content of the information providing service, the information providing service number, and the type of service being operated. The information providing service type that indicates is defined.

  For example, 1 can be a signal information providing service, 2 can be a regulation information providing service, 3 can be an obstacle detection information providing service, and 4 can be a road surface information providing service. In the example of FIG. 4, the number of information providing services provided via the optical beacon with the optical beacon number 5 is 1, the information providing service name is the obstacle detection information providing service, the information providing service number is 2, The information providing service type is 2. The number of information providing services provided via the optical beacon of optical beacon number 6 is 1, the information providing service name is signal information providing service, the information providing service number is 1, and the information providing service type is 1 It is.

  The generating unit 16 generates, for each optical beacon, a service table 17 as relay information in which the information providing service defined by the system information is associated with the device identification number specified by the specifying unit 14.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the service table 17. As shown in FIG. 5, the service table 17 is generated for each optical beacon, and the name of the information providing service provided via each optical beacon and the device identification number of the information source device of the information used in the information providing service Are defined in association with each other. For example, in the service table 17 of the optical beacon 5, the obstacle detection information providing service and the device identification number 41 (that is, the vehicle detector 4) are associated with each other. Based on the service table 17, the control unit 10 controls the relay unit 13 so that the information transmitted from the vehicle sensor 4 is transmitted to the optical beacon 5 via the relay unit 13.

  Similarly, in the service table 17 of the optical beacon 6, the signal information providing service and the device identification number 21 (that is, the traffic signal controller 2) are associated with each other. Based on the service table 17, the control unit 10 controls the relay unit 13 so that the information transmitted from the traffic signal controller 2 is transmitted to the optical beacon 6 via the relay unit 13.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a relay state of information determined by the service table 17. FIG. 6 schematically shows a relay state of information in the relay unit 13 by the control unit 10 based on the service table 17 shown in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the information transmitted from the vehicle detector 4 is transmitted to the optical beacon 5 via the relay unit 13. The information sent from the traffic signal controller 2 is sent to the optical beacon 6 via the relay unit 13.

  As shown in the example of FIG. 1, devices (traffic signal controller 2, vehicle detector 4, optical beacons 5, 6, etc.) constituting a system for an information providing service are installed to provide an initial information providing service After the start, there may be a need to change the contents of the information providing service provided due to changes in road conditions or traffic conditions. A case will be described in which the service table 17 is changed in the information relay system of the present embodiment in order to cope with such a situation.

  First, in the central device 8, system management personnel create system information that defines the changed information providing service using a terminal device (not shown), and the created system information (changed) via the information relay device 1. After system information) is transmitted to the optical beacons 5 and 6.

  When the relay unit 13 as the acquisition unit acquires the changed system information transmitted from the central device 8 to each of the optical beacons 5 and 6, the specifying unit 14 refers to the device table stored in the storage unit 15 and acquires the changed system information. Based on the changed system information, the device identification numbers of the vehicle detector 4 and the traffic signal controller 2 corresponding to the information providing service are specified.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the system information after change. As shown in FIG. 7, in the post-change system information, the number of information providing services provided via the optical beacon of optical beacon number 5 is 1, the information providing service name is an obstacle detection information providing service, The information providing service number is 2, and the information providing service type is 2. Further, the number of information providing services provided via the optical beacon of optical beacon number 6 is 2, the information providing service name is the signal information providing service and the obstacle detection information providing service, and the information providing service number is 1 and 2, respectively, and information providing service types are 1 and 2, respectively.

  The generating unit 16 generates, for each optical beacon, a service table 17 as relay information in which the information providing service defined by the changed system information and the device identification number specified by the specifying unit 14 are associated.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the service table 17 after the change. As shown in FIG. 8, in the service table 17 of the optical beacon 5, the obstacle detection information providing service and the device identification number 41 (that is, the vehicle detector 4) are associated with each other. Based on the service table 17, the control unit 10 controls the relay unit 13 so that the information transmitted from the vehicle sensor 4 is transmitted to the optical beacon 5 via the relay unit 13.

  In the service table 17 of the optical beacon 6, the signal information providing service and the device identification number 21 (that is, the traffic signal controller 2) are associated with each other, the obstacle detection information providing service and the device identification number 41 (that is, the vehicle detection number). 4). Based on the service table 17, the control unit 10 sends the information sent from the traffic signal controller 2 and the information sent from the vehicle detector 4 to the optical beacon 6 via the relay unit 13. The relay unit 13 is controlled.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a relay state of information determined in the changed service table 17. FIG. 9 schematically shows a relay state of information in the relay unit 13 by the control unit 10 based on the service table 17 shown in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 9, the information transmitted from the vehicle detector 4 is transmitted to the optical beacon 5 and the optical beacon 6 via the relay unit 13. The information sent from the traffic signal controller 2 is sent to the optical beacon 6 via the relay unit 13.

  In the examples of FIGS. 7 to 9 described above, the information that can be transmitted from the optical beacon 6 to the vehicle-mounted device 7 can be changed (the information that can be provided can be increased) simply by changing the system information.

  As described above, even when it is necessary to change the information providing service, the information relay device 1 can store the service table 17 corresponding to the changed information providing service only by sending the changed system information from the central device 8. Generate automatically. That is, since the information providing service and the device identification number of the information source device of the information used in the information providing service are associated by the service table 17 (relay information), the information providing service provided via the optical beacons 5 and 6 Can be automatically acquired from the required information source device based on the service table 17, and information is provided at the site where the device is installed each time the information providing service to be provided is changed. Maintenance work that changes the relay status of the system becomes unnecessary, and labor can be saved.

  Further, each time the system information is acquired, that is, even when the system information is updated or changed, the information relay apparatus 1 generates the service table 17 based on the updated or changed system information. Thereby, when the information providing service is changed, the service table 17 can be automatically generated only by sending the system information to the information relay apparatus 1 each time.

  The determination unit 18 determines that the information relay apparatus 1 has returned from an unacquisable state in which information (eg, system information) cannot be acquired to an acquirable state in which information can be acquired. The non-acquisition state is, for example, a state where a failure or abnormality has occurred for some reason or a power failure state, and indicates a state where system information cannot be relayed to an optical beacon. Note that the determination unit 18 may or may not be included.

  When the control unit 10 determines that the determination unit 18 has returned to the acquirable state, the control unit 10 deletes the relayed system information that has been relayed in the past (before the acquisition is disabled) via the relay unit 13. Is output to the optical beacons 5 and 6.

  If the optical beacon 5 or 6 acquires a deletion request, the optical beacon 5 or 6 acquires the deletion request by configuring the optical beacon 5 or 6 to delete the registration information (including at least system information). The registered information is deleted, and information unregistered (information request), which is a signal indicating that the information is unregistered, can be transmitted to the central apparatus 8 via the information relay apparatus 1.

  Thereby, when the information relay apparatus 1 falls into a situation where it cannot relay the system information for some reason and then returns to the original normal state, the latest system information is automatically obtained from the optical beacons 5 and 6. Since the requested “information not registered” is sent, the maintenance staff goes to the place where the optical beacons 5 and 6 are installed, and performs a reset process to send “information not registered” requesting the latest system information. There is no need to perform this, and the return operation can be made easier than before. In addition, after the information relay apparatus 1 is restored, the optical beacons 5 and 6 can automatically acquire the latest system information and perform the latest information providing service.

  In addition, when information unregistered is acquired from the optical beacons 5 and 6, the control unit 10 can relay the acquired information unregistered to the vehicle detector 4 in addition to the central device 8. If the vehicle detector 4 is configured to output predetermined information to the information relay device 1 when information unregistered is acquired, the information relay device 1 cannot relay system information for some reason (stopped state) ) Occurs, the information relay device 1 can relay the predetermined information output from the vehicle detector 4 to the optical beacons 5 and 6 after the information relay device 1 returns.

  Next, the operation of the information providing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for generating the service table 17. Below, operation | movement of each part including the control part 10 is collectively demonstrated as the control part 10. FIG. The control unit 10 determines whether or not system information has been acquired (S11). If the system information has not been acquired (NO in S11), the process of step S11 is continued.

  When the system information is acquired (YES in S11), the control unit 10 refers to the device table 151 (S12) and specifies a device identification number corresponding to the information providing service based on the system information (S13).

  The control unit 10 generates the service table 17 by associating the information providing service with the device identification number (S14), and determines whether or not the processing has been completed for all the optical beacons (S15). If the processing has not been completed for all the optical beacons (NO in S15), the control unit 10 continues the processing from step S13. If the processing is completed (YES in S15), the processing for generating the service table 17 is terminated. To do.

  Next, the operation of the information relay system will be described. FIG. 11 is a time chart showing a processing procedure at the start of system operation. The example of FIG. 11 shows, for example, a case where system information is first transmitted from the central device 8 or a case where updated system information is transmitted from the central device 8 in order to change the information providing service. Each process is represented by P1, P2,.

  First, in P1, the central apparatus 8 transmits system information to the information relay apparatus 1. In addition to the system information, the central device 8 can also transmit information necessary for the information providing service.

  In P2, the information relay apparatus 1 outputs the received system information to the optical beacons 5 and 6. The optical beacons 5 and 6 receive the system information and store the received system information as registration information. The optical beacons 5 and 6 transmit information for a required information providing service to the in-vehicle device 7 based on the registration information.

  In P3, the information relay apparatus 1 generates a service table 17 using the acquired system information. The service table 17 is generated according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. Note that before and after P2 and P3 are arbitrary.

  In P4, the vehicle detector 4 outputs obstacle detection information to the information relay device 1. The obstacle detection information is initial information indicating a detection area or a service section detected by the vehicle detector 4.

  In P5, the information relay apparatus 1 outputs the acquired obstacle detection information to the optical beacons 5 and 6.

  In P6, the central apparatus 8 transmits an operation permission to the information relay apparatus 1.

  In P7, the information relay apparatus 1 outputs the received operation permission to the optical beacons 5 and 6. Thereby, the optical beacons 5 and 6 determine that the information providing service can be started.

  FIG. 12 is a time chart showing a processing procedure after the operation is permitted. In the example of FIG. 12, the information relay device 1 relays the information when predetermined information is output from each information source device after the system operation start process is completed in the procedure shown in FIG. Indicates.

  First, in P11, the traffic signal controller 2 outputs signal information to the information relay device 1. The signal information can be output at an appropriate interval (for example, every time 1 second elapses).

  In P12, the information relay apparatus 1 refers to the contents of the service table 17, decomposes the acquired signal information for each optical beacon, and relays it to each optical beacon. In the example of FIG. 12, the signal information is output to the optical beacon 6 according to the service table 17 shown in FIG.

  In P14, the optical beacon 6 acquires the signal information and transmits the acquired signal information to the in-vehicle device 7.

  In P15, the vehicle detector 4 outputs vehicle detection information to the information relay device 1.

  In P16, the information relay apparatus 1 appropriately edits the vehicle detection information acquired from the vehicle detector 4.

  In P <b> 17, the information relay device 1 outputs vehicle detection information to the optical beacon 6. Although not shown in FIG. 12, when the service table 17 is shown in the example of FIG. 8, the information relay device 1 also outputs vehicle sensing information to the optical beacon 5.

  In P <b> 18, the optical beacon 6 acquires vehicle detection information, and transmits the acquired vehicle detection information to the in-vehicle device 7. Although not shown in FIG. 12, when the service table 17 is shown in the example of FIG. 8, the optical beacon 5 also acquires the vehicle detection information and transmits the acquired vehicle detection 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. In this case, in P19 to P22, the same processing as P15 to P18 is performed, and thereafter the same processing is repeated, for example, every time 200 milliseconds elapse.

  Moreover, in P23-P26, the process similar to P11-P14 is performed, and after that, the same process is repeated, for example, whenever 1 second passes.

  FIG. 13 is a time chart showing an example of a processing procedure at the time of abnormality. The example of FIG. 13 shows processing when an abnormality occurs in the vehicle detector 4 and the vehicle detector 4 notifies its own abnormality.

  In P31, the vehicle detector 4 sends an abnormality signal to the information relay device 1 because an abnormality has occurred.

  In P32, the information relay apparatus 1 refers to the service table 17, specifies an information providing service that uses information from the vehicle detector 4 in which an abnormality has occurred, and performs a process for stopping the specified information providing service. .

  In P33, the information relay device 1 outputs service stop information indicating that the information providing service using the vehicle sensor 4 in which an abnormality has occurred is stopped to the optical beacon 6. Although not shown in FIG. 13, when the service table 17 is shown in the example of FIG. 8, the information relay apparatus 1 also outputs service stop information to the optical beacon 5.

  In P34, the information relay apparatus 1 transmits to the central apparatus 8 service stop information indicating that the information providing service using the vehicle sensor 4 in which an abnormality has occurred is stopped.

  Next, the operation of the information relay apparatus 1 when a situation (stopped state) in which the information relay apparatus 1 cannot relay the system information to the optical beacons 5 and 6 for some reason will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the information relay apparatus 1 returns to a normal state. Below, operation | movement of each part including the control part 10 is collectively demonstrated as the control part 10. FIG.

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not the system information acquisition enabled state (normal state) has been restored (S21). If the system information acquisition enabled state has not been restored (NO in S21), the process of step S21 is continued. . Note that the determination as to whether or not the system information acquisition state has been restored can be made based on, for example, whether or not a required power supply has been applied, whether or not a sensor that detects an operation state has detected a normal operation, and the like. it can.

  When returning to the system information obtainable state (YES in S21), the control unit 10 outputs to the optical beacons 5 and 6 a deletion request for deleting registration information (including system information stored in the optical beacon). (S22). The optical beacons 5 and 6 can be configured to delete registration information and send information unregistered requesting registration information when a deletion request is acquired.

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not information unregistered output from the optical beacon has been acquired (S23). If information unregistered has not been acquired (NO in S23), the process of step S23 is continued. When information unregistration is acquired (YES in S23), the control unit 10 transmits information unregistration to the central device 8 (S24). The central device 8 transmits the system information to the information relay device 1 when the information unregistered is received.

  The control unit 10 determines whether or not the process has been completed for all the optical beacons (S25), and if the process has not been completed for all the optical beacons (NO in S25), the process from step S23 is continued. When the process is finished (YES in S25), the process is finished.

  Next, the operation of the information relay system when a situation (stopped state) in which the information relay apparatus 1 cannot relay the system information to the optical beacons 5 and 6 for some reason will be described. FIG. 15 is a time chart illustrating a processing procedure of the information relay system using the information relay device 90 that does not include the determination unit 18.

  The central apparatus 8 transmits the system information 100 to the information relay apparatus 90. The information relay device 90 relays the system information 100 to the optical beacons 5 and 6. Thereafter, it is assumed that the information relay apparatus 90 is in a stopped state (a state in which system information is acquired and cannot be relayed) for some reason.

  It is assumed that the system information is updated while the information relay apparatus 90 is in a stopped state, and the central system 8 transmits the updated system information 200. In this case, since the information relay apparatus 90 cannot acquire and relay the system information 200, the updated system information 200 is not sent to the optical beacons 5 and 6.

  That is, although the information providing service has been updated, the updated system information 200 is not registered in the optical beacons 5 and 6, so the optical beacons 5 and 6 use the old system information 100 before the update to provide the information providing service. Will do.

  In addition, in order to solve such a situation and perform the latest information providing service, maintenance personnel go to the place where the optical beacons 5 and 6 are installed, and the optical beacons 5 and 6 have no system information. After the reset process (registration information deletion process) is performed so that a signal indicating registration (information not registered) is transmitted to the central apparatus 8, the stop state of the information relay apparatus 90 is canceled and the normal state is restored. I have to let it. In the embodiment including the determination unit 18, as shown in the example of FIG. 14, the return operation can be simplified and facilitated. Hereinafter, the operation of the information relay system when the information relay apparatus 1 including the determination unit 18 is used will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a time chart showing a processing procedure of the information relay system using the information relay apparatus 1 including the determination unit 18. When the information relay apparatus 1 returns from the stopped state to a state where the system information can be relayed, a registration information deletion request is output to the optical beacon 5 in P41, and similarly, a registration information deletion request is transmitted to the optical beacon 5 in P42. Output to beacon 6.

  In P43, the optical beacon 5 deletes the registration information and outputs information unregistration to the information relay apparatus 1. Similarly, in P45, the optical beacon 6 deletes the registration information and sets the information unregistration to the information relay apparatus 1. Output to.

  In P44 and P46, the information relay apparatus 1 transmits the unregistered information output by the optical beacons 5 and 6 to the central apparatus 8.

  When the central device 8 receives the unregistered information, the central device 8 transmits the system information to the information relay device 1 in P47. The information relay apparatus 1 generates a service table using the acquired system information. The subsequent processing is as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the information relay apparatus 1 determines that the system information can be acquired, the information relay apparatus 1 outputs a deletion request to delete the registered information to the optical beacons 5 and 6. 1 automatically requests the latest system information from the optical beacons 5 and 6 when the system returns to the normal state after falling into a situation where the system information cannot be relayed for some reason. ”Is sent, so there is no need for the maintenance personnel to go to the place where the optical beacons 5 and 6 are installed, and to perform a reset process for deleting the registration information, making it easier to perform the return work than before. Can do. Further, after the information relay device 1 is restored, the optical beacons 5 and 6 can automatically acquire the latest system information and can provide the latest information providing service.

  In the above-described embodiment, for example, when each device is installed as in the example of FIG. 1, an example included in the information providing service is information provision for preventing a right turn collision. In this case, the information of the oncoming straight vehicle acquired by the vehicle detector 4 via the information relay device 1 is relayed to the optical beacon 5. The optical beacon 5 can provide information on a vehicle traveling on the opposite lane toward the intersection with respect to the vehicle about to turn right at the intersection.

  The installation location and the number of devices are not limited to the example in FIG. 1 and can be changed as appropriate according to road conditions, traffic conditions, contents of information provision, and the like. Further, the present invention is not limited to the vicinity of an intersection equipped with a signal lamp, and each device can be installed at an intersection without a signal lamp (a point where a priority road and a non-priority road intersect), a junction of roads, and the like. In addition, for the purpose of providing information, it is possible to provide information for preventing rear-end collision, preventing head-on collision, and the like.

  The disclosed embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative 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.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information relay apparatus 2 Traffic signal controller 4 Vehicle detector 5, 6 Optical beacon 7 In-vehicle apparatus 8 Central apparatus 10 Control part 11 1st interface part 12 2nd interface part 13 Relay part 14 Specifying part 15 Storage part 151 Equipment table 16 Generation unit 17 Service table 18 Determination unit

Claims (4)

In an information relay device that relays information for an information providing service output from one or more information source devices to one or more roadside communication devices that can communicate with the vehicle-mounted device,
A storage unit for storing identification information for identifying the information source device;
An acquisition unit for acquiring system information externally determined by associating each roadside communication device with one or more information providing services provided to the in-vehicle device via each roadside communication device;
An identification information identifying unit that identifies the identification information of the information source device corresponding to the information providing service based on the system information acquired by the acquiring unit with reference to the storage unit;
A relay information generating unit that generates, for each roadside communication device, relay information that associates the information providing service with the identification information specified by the identification information specifying unit;
An information relay device configured to relay information output from the information source device to the roadside communication device based on relay information generated by the relay information generation unit. The relay information generation unit
The information relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein relay information is generated each time system information is acquired by the acquisition unit. One or a plurality of information source devices, one or a plurality of roadside communication devices capable of communicating with the vehicle-mounted device, and an information relay device that relays the information providing service information output from the information source devices to the roadside communication device In an information relay system comprising:
The information relay device
A storage unit for storing identification information for identifying the information source device;
An acquisition unit for acquiring system information externally determined by associating each roadside communication device with one or more information providing services provided to the in-vehicle device via each roadside communication device;
An identification information identifying unit that identifies the identification information of the information source device corresponding to the information providing service based on the system information acquired by the acquiring unit with reference to the storage unit;
A relay information generating unit that generates, for each roadside communication device, relay information that associates the information providing service with the identification information specified by the identification information specifying unit;
The information source device is:
An output unit that outputs the information to the information relay device;
The information relay device
An information relay system configured to relay information output from the information source device to the roadside communication device based on relay information generated by the relay information generation unit. The information source device is:
The information relay system according to claim 3, wherein the information relay system is at least one of a vehicle sensor and a traffic signal controller.

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