JP7636670B2 - Traffic light information output device, traffic light information output method, and traffic light information output program - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a technology that generates and outputs signal information indicating the time it takes for a signal control device to change the state of a traffic light color at an intersection.

As is well known, a traffic light control device switches the state of traffic lights (green, yellow, red, etc.) at an intersection based on preset signal control parameters. The volume of vehicular traffic within an intersection, on the entry road for vehicles to the intersection, and on the exit road for vehicles to leave the intersection, varies depending on the time of day. The traffic light control device has signal control parameters preset for each time of day.

When a vehicle driver is traveling on an approach road to an intersection and the traffic light changes from green to yellow shortly (e.g., about 3 seconds) before the vehicle reaches the intersection, the driver may suddenly brake to stop before the intersection or suddenly accelerate to pass through the intersection. Sudden braking or sudden acceleration by the driver increases the possibility of a traffic accident. In order to prevent traffic accidents from occurring, there is a device that is configured to notify the driver of the remaining time (e.g., remaining green time) until the traffic light control device changes the traffic light state as traffic light information by transmitting (outputting) it to vehicles approaching the intersection (e.g., see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2012-233854 A JP 2021-77069 A

However, the signal control device switches the signal control parameters set for each time period based on the time measured by a timer (hereinafter referred to as the second timer) installed in the main body. On the other hand, the signal information output device determines the signal control parameters (control pattern that switches the state of the signal light of the traffic light) that the signal control device uses to control the state of the signal light of the traffic light (green light, yellow light, red light, etc.) based on the time measured by a timer (hereinafter referred to as the first timer) installed in the device itself.

Therefore, to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of the traffic signal information output by the traffic signal information output device, it was necessary to manage the discrepancy between the time measured by the first timer and the time measured by the second timer with a certain degree of accuracy.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a technology that can suppress the deterioration of the accuracy of traffic signal information caused by the discrepancy between the time kept by the traffic signal information output device itself and the time kept by the traffic signal control device.

To achieve the above objective, the signal information output device of this invention is configured as shown below.

The signal information output device includes a state detection unit, a first memory unit, a signal information generation unit, and an output unit.

The state detection unit detects the state of the light color signal of a traffic light that is controlled by the signal control device according to the signal control parameters set for each time period and the input recall request. The state of the light color signal of a traffic light is, for example, a green light, a yellow light, or a red light. A green light is a state in which the blue light color light source is on, a yellow light is a state in which the yellow light color light source is on, and a red light is a state in which the red light color light source is on.

The first memory unit stores a control pattern for the signal control device to control the state of the traffic light's light signal by time period. The traffic light information generation unit generates traffic light information that predicts the timing at which the state of the traffic light's light signal will change, using the detection result of the state of the traffic light's light signal by the state detection unit and the control pattern of the traffic light's light signal stored in the first memory unit. The output unit outputs the traffic light information generated by the traffic light information generation unit.

This allows drivers of vehicles approaching an intersection to be notified of the time remaining until the traffic light's color changes.

The signal information output device also has the following configuration:

The estimation unit estimates the deviation of the other party's time, which is clocked on the signal control device side, from the time clocked by the timing unit. The second storage unit stores the deviation estimated by the estimation unit. The first determination unit determines a target time period in which the deviation stored in the second storage unit is allocated to the time clocked by the timing unit at the change timing when the state detection unit detects that the light color signal of the traffic light has changed to a predetermined first state, and determines whether a control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit.

The timing of change to the first state is the timing when the signal control device switches the signal control parameters. For example, the timing of change is the timing when the traffic light on the main road changes to a green light. When the first determination unit determines that a control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit, the second determination unit determines whether the signal control device switches the signal control parameters set for each time period at the timing of change.

Furthermore, when the second determination unit determines that the signal control device switched the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing, the estimation unit estimates the deviation width by correcting the start time of the target time period according to the change timing, and when the second determination unit determines that the signal control device did not switch the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing, the estimation unit estimates the deviation width by correcting the end time of the target time period according to the change timing.

According to this configuration, the deviation between the time kept by the timing unit of the traffic signal information output device and the other party time kept by the signal control device can be updated when a predetermined condition is satisfied. This condition is that a control pattern whose start time is within a target time period determined by the timing at which the traffic signal's light color changes to a predetermined first state is stored in the first storage unit. This makes it possible to appropriately reduce the deviation between the time kept by the timing unit of the traffic signal information output device and the other party time kept by the signal control device. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of traffic signal information due to a deviation between the time kept by the main body of the traffic signal information output device and the time kept by the signal control device.

The traffic light information generating unit may be configured to generate traffic light information predicted using a control pattern whose start time is within the target time period, and traffic light information predicted using a control pattern whose end time is within the target time period, when the first determining unit determines that a control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit.

The estimation unit may also be configured to make an estimation that lengthens the deviation width for a certain period of time, for example, when the time measured by the clock unit reaches a predetermined set time.

Furthermore, if the signal control device is configured to switch the signal control parameters set for each time period when the time clocked by the device itself reaches the start time, the deviation between the time clocked by the clock unit of the signal information output device and the other party's time clocked by the signal control device can be updated according to the timing of the recall request.

Specifically, a recall request detection unit is provided that detects input of a recall request to the signal control device, and the first judgment unit, second judgment unit, and estimation unit are changed to the configuration shown below.

The first determination unit determines a target time zone in which the deviation width stored in the second storage unit is allocated to the time measured by the timing unit at the recall timing when the recall request detection unit detects the input of the recall request to the signal control device, and determines whether a control pattern whose start time is within the target time zone is stored in the first storage unit. If the first determination unit determines that a control pattern whose start time is within the target time zone is stored in the first storage unit, the second determination unit determines whether the signal control device has switched the signal control parameters set for each time zone before the recall timing. Then, if the second determination unit determines that the signal control device has switched the signal control parameters set for each time zone before the recall timing, the estimation unit estimates the deviation width by correcting the start time of the target time zone according to the recall timing, and if the second determination unit determines that the signal control device has not switched the signal control parameters set for each time zone before the recall timing, the estimation unit estimates the deviation width by correcting the end time of the target time zone according to the recall timing.

According to this configuration, the deviation between the time kept by the timing unit of the traffic signal information output device and the other party time kept by the signal control device is updated when a predetermined condition is satisfied. This condition is that a control pattern whose start time is within a target time period determined by the timing at which the recall request is made is stored in the first storage unit. This makes it possible to appropriately reduce the deviation between the time kept by the timing unit of the traffic signal information output device and the other party time kept by the signal control device. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the decrease in accuracy of traffic signal information that is caused by the deviation between the time kept by the main body of the traffic signal information output device and the time kept by the signal control device.

This invention makes it possible to suppress the deterioration of the accuracy of traffic signal information caused by the discrepancy between the time kept by the traffic signal information output device main body and the time kept by the traffic signal control device.

1 is a schematic diagram of an intersection to which a traffic light information output device according to this example is applied. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between a signal information output device, a signal control device, and a traffic light in this example. 1 is a diagram illustrating the phase steps at which a signal control device switches the state of a light color signal of a traffic light installed at an intersection. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main part of a signal information output device according to this embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of a push button box; 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of a signal connection box; 13 is a flowchart showing a first deviation width update process of the signal information output device of this example. 13 is a flowchart showing a second deviation width update process of the signal information output device of this example. 13 is a diagram for explaining the target time period set by the traffic signal information output device of this example. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a signal information generating process of the signal information output device of the first modified example. 13 is a flowchart showing a second deviation width updating process of the signal information output device of the first modified example. 13 is a diagram for explaining a target time period set by a traffic signal information output device of the first modified example. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a signal information generating process of the signal information output device of the first modified example.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, time and timing refer to a single point in time, while duration, time period, and offset width refer to the length between two different points in time.

＜1. Application examples＞
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an intersection to which a traffic light information output device according to this embodiment is applied.

The intersection shown in FIG. 1 is a crossroad where a main road and a secondary road intersect. In FIG. 1, the road on which vehicles 100 (100a, 100b) travel in the left-right direction is the main road, and the road on which vehicles 100 (100c, 100d) travel in the up-down direction is the secondary road. Traffic lights 6 and 7 are installed at each approach road of the intersection. In this example, traffic lights 6 (6a, 6b) display current signals for vehicles 100a and 100b entering the intersection from the left and right in FIG. 1. Traffic lights 7 (7a, 7b) display current signals for vehicles 100c and 100d entering the intersection from the up-down direction in FIG. 1.

In this example, the light color signal states of traffic lights 6 and 7 are explained as three: green, yellow, and red. A green light is when the blue light color light source is on, a yellow light is when the yellow light color light source is on, and a red light is when the red light color light source is on.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationships between the signal information output device, signal control device, push button box, signal connection box, and traffic lights at the intersection shown in Figure 1. In this example, the signal information output device 1, signal control device 2, push button box 3, and traffic lights 6 and 7 are connected to the signal connection box 4. The signal information output device 1 generates and outputs signal information. The signal control device 2 switches the light color signal state of the traffic lights 6 and 7. The push button box 3 makes a recall request to the signal control device 2. The details of the connections between the signal information output device 1, signal control device 2, push button box 3, signal connection box 4, and traffic lights 6 and 7 will be described later.

In this example, the signal control device 2 synchronously switches the light signal states of traffic lights 6a and 6b, and synchronously switches the light signal states of traffic lights 7a and 7b.

The push button box 3 outputs a recall request to the signal control device 2, which requests that the traffic light 7 on the secondary road be switched to a green light. The push button box 3 is provided with a push button that is operated when making a recall request. The push button box 3 is also provided with a display unit. This display unit displays a message (e.g., "Please wait a moment") notifying the signal control device 2 that a recall request has already been made. This display unit also displays a message (e.g., "Please press the button") notifying the signal control device 2 that a recall request operation is waiting (the operation related to the recall request is enabled). In the following explanation, a message notifying the signal control device 2 that a recall request has already been made is called a requested notification. Also, a message notifying the signal control device 2 that a recall request operation is waiting is called an unrequested notification. A pedestrian who wants to cross the main road can make a recall request to the signal control device 2 by pressing the push button on the push button box 3.

Although not specifically shown in FIG. 2, a vehicle detector is installed at the intersection on the secondary road side of the intersection, which detects vehicles 100c, 100d stopped at a red light. When this vehicle detector detects vehicles 100c, 100d stopped at a red light, it outputs a recall request to the signal control device 2, requesting that traffic light 7 on the secondary road side be switched to a green light.

In this example, the traffic light information output device 1 generates and outputs the remaining green time of the traffic light 6 on the main road side as traffic light information. The traffic light information output device 1 may also generate and output one or more of the remaining yellow time of the traffic light 6 on the main road side, the remaining red time of the traffic light 6 on the main road side, the remaining green time of the traffic light 7 on the minor road side, the remaining yellow time of the traffic light 7 on the minor road side, and the remaining red time of the traffic light 7 on the minor road side as traffic light information. The remaining time referred to here (remaining green time, remaining red time, remaining yellow time) is the time until the lit light source is turned off.

Figure 3 is a diagram explaining the phase steps in which the signal control device switches the state of the light color signals of traffic lights installed at an intersection. The signal control device 2 switches the state of the light color signals of traffic lights 6 and 7 in the order of phase steps φ1 to φ7 shown in Figure 3. The signal control device 2 repeats phase steps φ1 to φ7 as one cycle.

Steps φ1 and φ2 are steps where traffic light 6 is green and traffic light 7 is red. Step φ3 is a step where traffic light 6 is yellow and traffic light 7 is red. Step φ4 is a step where traffic light 6 is red and traffic light 7 is red. Step φ5 is a step where traffic light 6 is red and traffic light 7 is green. Step φ6 is a step where traffic light 6 is red and traffic light 7 is yellow. Step φ7 is a step where traffic light 6 is red and traffic light 7 is red.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the signal control device 2 of this example, signal control parameters are set for each time period. As is well known, signal control parameters are parameters that determine the time of the staircase steps φ1 to φ7. In this example, signal control parameter A for the time period from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, signal control parameter B for the time period from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and signal control parameter C for the time period from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM are set in the signal control device 2.

Note that the time periods for which the signal control parameters are set are not limited to this example. Furthermore, the number of time periods for which the signal control parameters are set may be any number of divisions, as long as they are two or more.

The signal control device 2 changes the time t1 of the step φ1 in response to a recall request. Specifically, if the recall request occurs before the time elapsed from the start of the step φ1 reaches the minimum time t1min defined by the signal control parameters A, B, and C selected at that time, the signal control device 2 controls the time t1 of the step φ1 to this minimum time t1min. Furthermore, if there is no recall request even when the time elapsed from the start of the step φ1 reaches the minimum time t1min, the signal control device 2 continues the step step φ1 until there is a recall request.

Here, when signal control parameter A is selected, "A" is added to the end of the time determined by this signal control parameter A. For example, the minimum time t1min of the step step φ1 when signal control parameter A is selected is described as minimum time t1minA. Similarly, when signal control parameter B is selected, "B" is added to the end of the time determined by this signal control parameter B, and when signal control parameter C is selected, "C" is added to the end of the time determined by this signal control parameter C. Also, if the selected signal control parameter is not specified, "A", "B", or "C" is not added to the end.

The times t2 to t7 of the step steps φ2 to φ7 are determined by the signal control parameters A, B, and C selected at that time.

As is clear from the above explanation, the length of one cycle during which the signal control device 2 controls the state of the light color signals of traffic lights 6 and 7 varies depending on the signal control parameters selected at that time.

When the time clocked by the signal control device 2 (corresponding to the other party's time in this invention) reaches the start time of one of the signal control parameters set for each time period, the signal control device 2 waits for the next cycle's step φ1 and switches to the signal control parameter whose start time has been reached this time. For example, when the time clocked by the signal control device 2 reaches 7:00 a.m., the signal control device 2 waits for the next cycle's step φ1 and switches from the previously selected signal control parameter C to signal control parameter A. In other words, the signal control parameter switching in the signal control device 2 is not performed at the start time of the signal control parameter set for each time period. As is clear from the above explanation, the time of step step φ1 varies depending on the timing of the recall request, so the times of step steps φ1 to φ7 are not constant even when the same signal control parameter is selected.

As is well known, traffic lights 6 and 7 are connected to a power supply line that supplies power to light each light color light source for each light color light source. A signal control device 2 supplies power to light the light color light sources of traffic lights 6 and 7. In this example, the traffic light information output device 1 detects the state of the light color signals of traffic lights 6 and 7 by detecting the supply state (supply in progress, supply stopped) of power to light each light color light source of traffic lights 6 and 7.

The signal control device 2 also supplies power to the push button box 3 to display the requested notification and the unrequested notification. When a recall request is input, the signal control device 2 supplies power to the push button box 3 for displaying the requested notification. When the signal control device 2 is supplying power to the push button box 3 for displaying the requested notification, it does not supply power to the push button box 3 for displaying the unrequested notification. When the signal control device 2 is supplying power to the push button box 3 for displaying the unrequested notification, it does not supply power to the push button box 3 for displaying the requested notification.

In addition, the signal control device 2 may have time periods during which it does not supply power to the push button box 3 for displaying both requested notifications and unrequested notifications.

In this example, the signal information output device 1 detects the input of a recall request to the signal control device 2 by detecting the power supply status (on, off) of the power that lights up the requested notification to the push button box 3.

In this example, the traffic light information output device 1 stores a control pattern (in this example, the indication stage steps shown in FIG. 3) for the traffic light control device 2 to switch the light color signals of the traffic lights 6 and 7. The traffic light information output device 1 in this example detects the start timing of the green light of the traffic light 6 and the start timing of the display of the requested notification in the push button box 3, and generates traffic light information estimating the remaining green time until the green light of the traffic light 6 ends. The traffic light information output device 1 outputs the generated traffic light information. The traffic light information output device 1 may also detect the start timing of the yellow light of the traffic light 6 and generate the remaining yellow time until the yellow light of the traffic light 6 ends as traffic light information, or may detect the start timing of the red light of the traffic light 6 and generate the remaining red time until the red light of the traffic light 6 ends as traffic light information.

The traffic light information output device 1 may also generate the remaining green time, remaining yellow time, and remaining red time of the traffic light 7 as traffic light information.

In addition, the traffic signal information output device 1 updates the deviation between the time kept by its own device and the time kept by the signal control device 2 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. This allows the traffic signal information output device 1 to suppress a decrease in the accuracy of the traffic signal information that is caused by the deviation between the time kept by its own device and the time kept by the signal control device 2. This can therefore improve the reliability of the traffic signal information output by the traffic signal information output device 1.

In addition, the signal information output device 1 in this example can use the existing signal control device 2, push button box 3, and traffic lights 6 and 7 as is. In other words, when using the signal information output device 1, there is no need to replace the existing signal control device 2, push button box 3, and traffic lights 6 and 7.

2. Configuration example
4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the traffic signal information output device according to this example. The traffic signal information output device 1 includes a control unit 11, an input unit 12, a timer unit 13, a first storage unit 14, a second storage unit 15, and an output unit 16.

The control unit 11 controls the operation of each part of the main body of the signal information output device 1. The control unit 11 also has a state detection unit 21, a signal information generation unit 22, a recall request detection unit 23, a first judgment unit 24, a second judgment unit 25, and an estimation unit 26. Details of the state detection unit 21, the signal information generation unit 22, the recall request detection unit 23, the first judgment unit 24, the second judgment unit 25, and the estimation unit 26 of the control unit 11 will be described later.

In this example, seven current sensors 4a to 4g, which will be described later, are connected to the input unit 12. The current sensors 4a to 4g are current probes that detect and output the magnitude of the current flowing through the power supply line, which is arranged so as to sandwich the line.

The timekeeping unit 13 is a timer that keeps track of the current time. The timekeeping unit 13 may have a function of synchronizing with standard time. For example, the timekeeping unit 13 may have a configuration that receives a standard radio wave and synchronizes with standard time, or may have a configuration that synchronizes with time information output from a GPS satellite or the like.

The first storage unit 14 stores control patterns that the signal control device 2 uses to control the state of the light color signals of the traffic lights 6 and 7. Specifically, the first storage unit 14 stores data (for example, the signal control parameters or the times of the step steps φ1 to φ7) that can be used to obtain the times of each of the step steps φ1 to φ7 for each of the signal control parameters A, B, and C that are set by time period as shown in FIG. 3.

The second memory unit 15 stores the deviation of the time clocked by the signal control device 2 (the other party's time in this invention) from the time clocked by the clock unit 13. The deviation here is the range in which the time clocked by the signal control device 2 may deviate from the time clocked by the clock unit 13. In other words, the deviation does not indicate the time difference between the time clocked by the clock unit 13 and the time clocked by the signal control device 2. The second memory unit 15 stores the delay and advance as deviations. The delay is the range in which the time clocked by the signal control device 2 may lag behind the time clocked by the clock unit 13. The advance is the range in which the time clocked by the signal control device 2 may lead ahead of the time clocked by the clock unit 13. This deviation (delay and advance) is estimated by the estimation unit 26, which will be described later.

The first storage unit 14 and the second storage unit 15 are configured with a storage medium such as a memory. Furthermore, the first storage unit 14 and the second storage unit 15 may be configured with separate storage areas on the same storage medium, or may be configured with different storage media.

A transmitting device (not shown), such as a beacon or a wireless transmitter, is connected to the output unit 16. The output unit 16 outputs signal information to the connected transmitting device. This transmitting device wirelessly transmits the signal information.

Next, we will explain the state detection unit 21, signal information generation unit 22, recall request detection unit 23, first judgment unit 24, second judgment unit 25, and estimation unit 26 that the control unit 11 has.

The state detection unit 21 detects the state of the light color signal of the traffic light 6 based on the inputted output of the current sensors 4a to 4c. The state detection unit 21 also detects the state of the light color signal of the traffic light 7 based on the inputted output of the current sensors 4d to 4f. Details will be described later, but the current sensor 4a detects the current flowing in the power supply line that supplies the power to turn on the blue light color light source of the traffic light 6. The current sensor 4b detects the current flowing in the power supply line that supplies the power to turn on the yellow light color light source of the traffic light 6. The current sensor 4c detects the current flowing in the power supply line that supplies the power to turn on the red light color light source of the traffic light 6. The current sensor 4d detects the current flowing in the power supply line that supplies the power to turn on the blue light color light source of the traffic light 7. The current sensor 4d also detects the current flowing in the power supply line that supplies the power to turn on the yellow light color light source of the traffic light 7. The current sensor 4e detects the current flowing through the power supply line that supplies power to turn on the red light source of the traffic light 7.

The recall request detection unit 23 detects the timing at which a recall request is input to the signal control device 2 based on the output of the current sensor 4g. Details will be described later, but the current sensor 4g detects the current flowing through the power supply line that supplies power to the push button box 3 to display a request completion notification.

The signal information generating unit 22
(a) a control pattern stored in the first storage unit 14 for the signal control device 2 to control the state of the light color signals of the traffic lights 6 and 7;
(b) the timing at which the state of the light color signals of the traffic lights 6 and 7 detected by the state detection unit 21 changed; and
(c) the input timing of the recall request to the signal control device 2 detected by the recall request detection unit 23;
is used to generate signal information indicating the time until the light color light source that is currently turned on is turned off.

The first determination unit 24 determines whether the start timing of the step step φ1 detected by the state detection unit 21 (the start timing of the green light of the traffic light 6) is the timing at which the deviation width stored in the second memory unit 15 can be updated.

When the first judgment unit 24 judges that it is time to update the deviation width stored in the second memory unit 15, the second judgment unit 25 judges whether the signal control device 2 has changed the signal control parameters at the start timing of the step step φ1 detected by the state detection unit 21.

The estimation unit 26 estimates the deviation width according to the judgment result of the second judgment unit 25. The deviation width stored in the second memory unit 15 is updated to the deviation width estimated by the estimation unit 26.

The control unit 11 of the signal information output device 1 is composed of a hardware CPU, memory, and other electronic circuits. When the hardware CPU executes the signal information output program of the present invention, it operates as a state detection unit 21, a signal information generation unit 22, a recall request detection unit 23, a first judgment unit 24, a second judgment unit 25, and an estimation unit 26. The memory also has an area for expanding the signal information output program of the present invention, and an area for temporarily storing data generated during execution of the signal information output program. The control unit 11 may be an LSI that integrates the hardware CPU, memory, etc. Also, the hardware CPU is a computer that executes the signal information output method of the present invention.

Here, we will explain the push button box 3 and the signal connection box 4. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the push button box.

The push button box 3 includes an input/output unit 31, a push button 32, a first light-emitting unit 33, and a second light-emitting unit 34. The input/output unit 31 is a terminal block that is connected to the signal connection box 4. The push button 32, the first light-emitting unit 33, and the second light-emitting unit 34 are electrically connected to this terminal block.

The push button 32 is a switch whose contacts are open when not pressed and close when pressed.

The first light-emitting unit 33 is a light source such as an LED, and emits light when power is supplied. When the first light-emitting unit 33 emits light, the push button box 3 displays the message "Please wait a moment," which is a request completion notification.

The second light-emitting unit 34, like the first light-emitting unit 33, is a light source such as an LED, and emits light when power is supplied. When the second light-emitting unit 34 emits light, the push button box 3 displays the message "Please press the button," which is an unsolicited notification.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the signal connection box. As shown in Figure 6, the signal connection box 4 is a repeater that electrically connects the signal information output device 1, the signal control device 2, the push button box 3, and the traffic lights 6 and 7. The signal connection box 4 is also provided with current sensors 4a to 4g.

Current sensor 4a is connected to signal control device 2 and is arranged to sandwich the power supply line that supplies power to light the blue light source of traffic light 6. Current sensor 4b is connected to signal control device 2 and is arranged to sandwich the power supply line that supplies power to light the yellow light source of traffic light 6. Current sensor 4c is connected to signal control device 2 and is arranged to sandwich the power supply line that supplies power to light the red light source of traffic light 6. In this example, current sensors 4a to 4c are installed before the branch point of the power supply line for traffic lights 6a and 6b (on the signal control device 2 side), but they may be arranged to sandwich the power supply line for the branched traffic light 6a (or 6b).

Current sensor 4d is connected to the signal control device 2 and is arranged so as to sandwich the power supply line that supplies power to light the blue light source of the traffic light 7. Current sensor 4e is connected to the signal control device 2 and is arranged so as to sandwich the power supply line that supplies power to light the yellow light source of the traffic light 7. Current sensor 4f is connected to the signal control device 2 and is arranged so as to sandwich the power supply line that supplies power to light the red light source of the traffic light 7. In this example, current sensors 4d to 4f are provided before the branch point of the power supply line for traffic lights 7a and 7b (on the signal control device 2 side), but they may be arranged so as to sandwich the power supply line for the branched traffic light 7a (or 7b).

The current sensor 4g is connected to the signal control device 2 and is arranged so as to sandwich the power supply line that supplies power to light the light source such as the LED of the first light-emitting unit 33.

As described above, the current sensors 4a to 4g are connected to the input unit 12. The state detection unit 21 detects the state of the light color signal of the traffic light 6 from the outputs of the current sensors 4a to 4c. The state detection unit 21 also detects the state of the light color signal of the traffic light 7 from the outputs of the current sensors 4d to 4f. The recall request detection unit 23 detects whether a recall request has been made to the signal control device 2 from the output of the current sensor 4g.

Note that even if the configuration does not include any one of the current sensors 4a to 4c, it is possible to detect the timing when each light color signal of traffic light 6 is turned on and off. For example, if current sensor 4b is not included, the timing when the yellow light of traffic light 6 is turned on can be detected by current sensor 4a as the timing when the green light of traffic light 6 is turned off. Also, if current sensor 4b is not included, the timing when the yellow light of traffic light 6 is turned off can be detected by current sensor 4c as the timing when the red light of traffic light 6 is turned on. Similarly, even if the configuration does not include any one of the current sensors 4d to 4f, it is possible to detect the timing when each light color signal of traffic light 7 is turned on and off.

<3. Operation example>
The following describes the operation of the traffic signal information output device 1 of this example. The traffic signal information output device of this example executes a first deviation width update process, a second deviation width update process, and a traffic signal information generation process.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the first deviation width update process. This first deviation width update process is a process that periodically updates the length of the deviation width between the time kept by the timing unit 13 and the time kept by the signal control device 2, depending on the time keeping accuracy of the signal control device 2.

Specifically, when the time kept by the timer 13 of the traffic signal information output device 1 reaches a predetermined time (e.g., 0:00 AM), the estimation unit 26 lengthens the deviation width stored in the second memory unit 15 by a predetermined time (s1, s2). In s2, the delay width and advance width of the deviation width stored in the second memory unit 15 are each lengthened by a set time (e.g., several seconds (approximately 2 to 5 seconds)). Specifically, the delay width stored in the second memory unit 15 is updated to a width obtained by adding a set time, and the advance width stored in the second memory unit 15 is updated to a width obtained by adding a set time. The set time may be determined according to the timing accuracy of the timer 13 and the timing accuracy of the signal control device 2.

By repeating the processes of s1 and s2, the traffic signal information output device 1 can update the length of the discrepancy between the time kept by the timing unit 13 and the time kept by the signal control device 2 in accordance with the timing accuracy of the timing unit 13 and the timing accuracy of the time kept by the signal control device 2.

Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the second deviation width update process. In the first deviation width update process described above, the deviation width stored in the second memory unit 15 gradually increases depending on the timing accuracy of the timing unit 13 and the timing accuracy of the time in the signal control device 2. This second deviation width update process is a process for appropriately reducing the deviation width stored in the second memory unit 15.

The traffic light information output device 1 waits for the state detection unit 21 to detect the start timing of the green light of the traffic light 6 (the start timing of the step φ1) (s11). The state detection unit 21 processes the output of the current sensor 4a to detect the start timing of the green light of the traffic light 6. Specifically, the state detection unit 21 detects the start timing of the green light of the traffic light 6 as the start timing of the green light of the traffic light 6.

When the state detection unit 21 detects the start timing of the green light of the traffic light 6, the first determination unit 24 sets a target time zone based on the time Tx that the timing unit 13 has clocked at the start timing of the green light (s12). The target time zone set in s12 is a time zone in which the delay width and advance width stored in the second storage unit 15 at that time point are set with respect to the time Tx, as shown in FIG. 9. The estimation unit 26 estimates the deviation width (delay width and advance width) so that the time that the signal control device 2 has clocked at the start timing of the green light falls within the target time zone set in s12.

The first determination unit 24 determines whether or not there is a signal control parameter whose start time falls within the target time period set in s12 among the multiple signal control parameters set by time period (s13). In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the start times of the three signal control parameters set by time period are 7:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.

When the first determination unit 24 determines that there is no signal control parameter whose start time is within the target time period set in s12, the signal information output device 1 returns to s11. In s13, it is determined whether there is a possibility that the signal control device 2 will switch the signal control parameter at the start timing of the green light of the currently detected traffic light 6.

When the first determination unit 24 determines that there is a signal control parameter whose start time is within the target time period set in s12, it determines whether or not the signal control device 2 has already switched to the signal control parameter whose current start time is determined to be within the target time period set in s12 during the previous cycle of the light color signal of traffic lights 6 and 7 (whether the signal control device 2 has already switched (whether the signal control parameter has already been switched)) during the previous cycle of the light color signal of traffic lights 6 and 7 (s14). When the signal information output device 1 determines that the signal control parameter has already been switched in s14, it returns to s11.

When the first determination unit 24 determines in s14 that switching has not been completed, the traffic signal information output device 1 acquires the control pattern of the staircase steps φ2 to φ7 shown in FIG. 3 based on the state of the light color signals of the traffic signals 6 and 7 detected by the state detection unit 21 (s15). The control pattern of the staircase steps φ2 to φ7 acquired in s15 is a control pattern of a period that continues from the staircase step φ1 detected in s11. Therefore, the process in s15 requires the time from when a recall request is input to the signal control device 2 until the signal control device 2 completes control of the traffic signals 6 and 7 for the staircase steps φ2 to φ7 (i.e., the time until the start timing of the next staircase step φ1).

Based on the control pattern of the step steps φ2 to φ7 acquired in s15, the second judgment unit 25 judges whether the signal control device 2 switched the signal control parameters at the start timing of the green signal detected this time in s11 (s16). For example, the second judgment unit 25 judges whether the control pattern of the step steps φ2 to φ7 acquired in s15 is a control pattern of the step steps φ2 to φ7 corresponding to the signal control parameters whose start time is within the target time zone, or a control pattern of the step steps φ2 to φ7 corresponding to the signal control parameters whose end time is within the target time zone. If the control pattern is a control pattern of the step steps φ2 to φ7 corresponding to the signal control parameters whose start time is within the target time zone, the second judgment unit 25 judges that the signal control device 2 switched the signal control parameters at the start timing of the green signal detected in s11. If the control pattern is a control pattern of the step steps φ2 to φ7 corresponding to the signal control parameters whose end time is within the target time zone, the second judgment unit 25 judges that the signal control parameters were not switched at the start timing of the green signal detected in s11.

The second determination unit 25 may determine whether the signal control parameter was switched at the start timing of the green light detected by the signal control device 2 in s11 by comparing with the control pattern of one of the staircase steps φ2 to φ7 of the signal control parameter whose start time is within the target time period or the signal control parameter whose end time is within the target time period.

When the estimation unit 26 determines that the signal control parameters were switched at the start timing of the green light detected by the second determination unit 25 in s11 (time Tx shown in FIG. 9), it corrects the delay amount stored in the second storage unit 15 (s17) and returns to s11. In addition, when the estimation unit 26 determines that the signal control parameters were not switched at the start timing of the green light detected by the second determination unit 25 in s11, it corrects the lead amount stored in the second storage unit 15 (s18) and returns to s11.

In s17, the estimation unit 26 estimates the difference between the time clocked by the timing unit 13 of the traffic signal information output device 1 at the start timing of the green light detected in s11 and the start time of the signal control parameter determined to have been switched this time as a corrected delay width. In s18, the estimation unit 26 estimates the difference between the time clocked by the timing unit 13 of the traffic signal information output device 1 at the start timing of the green light detected in s11 and the start time of the signal control parameter determined to have not been switched this time as a corrected lead width.

In this way, by performing this second deviation width update process, the signal information output device 1 in this example can appropriately reduce the deviation width between the time kept by the timing unit 13 and the other party's time kept by the signal control device 2.

Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the traffic light information generation process. The traffic light information output device 1 waits for the state detection unit 21 to detect the start timing of the green light of the traffic light 6 (the start timing of the step step φ1) (s21). The process in s21 is the same as the process in s11 above.

When the state detection unit 21 detects the start timing of the green light of the traffic light 6, the first judgment unit 24 sets the target time zone based on the time Tx that the timer unit 13 has clocked at the start timing of the green light (s22). The process in s22 is the same as the process in s12 above. The first judgment unit 24 judges whether or not there is a signal control parameter whose start time is within the target time zone set in s22 among the multiple signal control parameters set by time zone (s23). The process in s23 is the same as the process in s13 above. When the first judgment unit 24 judges that there is a signal control parameter whose start time is within the target time zone set in s22, the traffic light information output device 1 judges whether or not the previous control of the light signal of the traffic lights 6 and 7 was a signal control parameter whose start time was within the target time zone set in s22 (s24). The process in s24 is the same as the process in s14 above.

If the first judgment unit 24 judges that there is no start time for switching the signal control parameters within the target time period set in s22, and if it judges that the switching has already been done in s24, the signal information generation unit 22 judges that the traffic lights 6 and 7 will be controlled by the signal control device 2 with the same signal control parameters as in the previous cycle, and generates signal information for the current cycle (s25).

On the other hand, if the traffic light information generating unit 22 determines in s24 that the switching has not been completed, it cannot identify which of the two signal control parameters the signal control device 2 will use to control the traffic lights 6 and 7 in the current cycle. One of the two signal control parameters is the same as that in the previous cycle, and the other is a signal control parameter whose start time is within the target time period set in s22. The traffic light information generating unit 22 generates traffic light information when the traffic lights 6 and 7 are controlled by the signal control device 2 with the same signal control parameters as in the previous cycle, and traffic light information when the traffic lights 6 and 7 are controlled by the signal control device 2 with signal control parameters whose start time is within the target time period set in s22 (s27, s28).

When the traffic light information output device 1 generates traffic light information in s25, it causes the output unit 16 to output the generated traffic light information (s26). When the traffic light information output device 1 generates traffic light information in s27 and s28, it causes the output unit 16 to output signal information with a range (s29). Signal information with a range means that the two pieces of signal information calculated in s27 and s28 are output.

The signal information for s25, s27, and s28 may be generated by the state detection unit 21 each time the state of the light color signal of traffic lights 6 and 7 changes (i.e., at the start of a staircase step), or may be generated at the start of one or more predetermined staircase steps φ1 to φ7.

The traffic signal information output device 1 in this example can appropriately suppress the deviation between the time kept by the timing unit 13 and the time kept by the signal control device 2 by performing the second deviation width update process shown in FIG. 8. This can reduce the frequency with which the traffic signal information output device 1 outputs the two pieces of traffic signal information (traffic signal information with a deviation) calculated in s27 and s28. This can improve the reliability of the traffic signal information generated by the traffic signal information output device 1. In addition, the processing load required for generating traffic signal information in the traffic signal information output device 1 can also be reduced.

In the above explanation, the detailed configuration of the signal control device 2 and the process by which this signal control device 2 controls the state of the light color signals of traffic lights 6 and 7 are well known, so a detailed explanation has been omitted.

4. Modifications
Next, a modified example of the signal information output device will be described.

Modification 1
This modified example 1 differs from the above example in the process in which the signal control device 2 switches the signal control parameters used to control the traffic lights 6 and 7. Specifically, when the start time of any of the signal control parameters set for each time period arrives, if a recall request has not been made at this point and the state of the light signals of the traffic lights 6 and 7 is step step φ1, the signal control device 2 of this modified example 1 switches to the signal control parameters that have reached the current start time. At this time, the signal control device 2 executes a control cycle based on the signal control parameters before the switch while maintaining the light signal states of the traffic lights 6 and 7 (traffic light 6 is green and traffic light 7 is red), and switches to the signal control parameters that have reached the current start time when this control cycle is completed.

In addition, if a recall request has already been made when the start time for any of the signal control parameters set for a particular time period arrives (including when the state of the light color signals of traffic lights 6 and 7 is step step φ1), the signal control device 2 waits for the end of this control period and switches to the signal control parameters whose start time has now arrived.

The signal information output device 1 of this modified example 1 has the configuration shown in FIG. 4, similar to the example described above. The signal information output device 1 of this modified example 1 also executes the first deviation width update process shown in FIG. 7. The signal information output device 1 of this modified example 1 executes the second deviation width update process shown in FIG. 11.

The traffic signal information output device 1 of this modified example 1 waits for a recall request to be made to the traffic signal control device 2 (s31). Specifically, it waits for the recall request detection unit 23 to detect the start timing of power supply to light the light source of the first light-emitting unit 33 of the push button box 3.

When the recall request detection unit 23 detects that a recall request has been made to the signal control device 2, the first determination unit 24 sets a target time period based on the time Ty measured by the timer unit 13 at the start timing of the recall request (s32). The target time period set in s32 is a time period in which the lag width and lead width stored in the second memory unit 15 at that time point are set with respect to the time Ty, as shown in FIG. 12.

The first determination unit 24 determines whether or not there is a signal control parameter whose start time falls within the target time period set in s32 among the multiple signal control parameters set by time period (s33).

When the first judgment unit 24 judges that there is no signal control parameter whose start time is within the target time period set in s32, the signal information output device 1 returns to s31. In s33, it is judged whether there is a possibility that the signal control device 2 is switching the signal control parameters (including in the middle of switching) at the time when the current recall request is detected.

When the first judgment unit 24 of the traffic signal information output device 1 judges that there is a signal control parameter whose start time is within the target time period set in s32, it judges whether the previous control of the light color signal of traffic lights 6 and 7 was a signal control parameter whose start time was within the target time period set in s12 (s34). In s34, it is judged whether a switch to a signal control parameter whose start time is within the target time period set in s32 was made (whether a switch has already been made) before the timing of detection of the current recall request. When the traffic signal information output device 1 judges that a switch has already been made in s34, it returns to s31. The first judgment unit 24 also makes the judgment related to s34.

When the signal information output device 1 determines in s34 that the signal has not been switched, it acquires the control pattern of the staircase steps φ2 to φ7 shown in FIG. 3 based on the state of the light color signals of the traffic lights 6 and 7 detected by the state detection unit 21 (s35). The control pattern of the staircase steps φ2 to φ7 acquired in s35 is the control pattern that continues from the staircase step φ1 at the time of input of the recall request detected in s31. Therefore, the process in s35 requires the time until the signal control device 2 completes the control of the traffic lights 6 and 7 for the staircase steps φ2 to φ7 in response to the input recall request (i.e., the time until the start timing of the next staircase step φ1).

Based on the control pattern of the step steps φ2 to φ7 acquired in s35, the second judgment unit 25 judges whether the signal control parameter was switched at the detection timing of the recall request detected by the signal control device 2 in s31 (s36). For example, if the control pattern of the step steps φ2 to φ7 acquired in s35 is a control pattern of the step steps φ2 to φ7 corresponding to the signal control parameter whose start time is within the currently set target time zone, the second judgment unit 25 judges that the signal control parameter was switched at the start timing of the green signal detected by the signal control device 2 in s31. Also, if the control pattern of the step steps φ2 to φ7 acquired in s35 is a control pattern of the step steps φ2 to φ7 corresponding to the signal control parameter whose end time is within the currently set target time zone, the second judgment unit 25 judges that the signal control parameter was not switched at the detection timing of the recall request detected by the signal control device 2 in s11.

The second judgment unit 25 may judge that the signal control parameter was not switched at the detection timing of the recall request detected by the signal control device 2 in s31 if the control pattern of the stage steps φ2 to φ7 acquired in s35 is not a control pattern of the stage steps φ2 to φ7 corresponding to the signal control parameter whose start time is within the currently set target time zone. The second judgment unit 25 may also judge that the signal control parameter was switched at the detection timing of the recall request detected by the signal control device 2 in s31 if the control pattern of the stage steps φ2 to φ7 acquired in s35 is not a control pattern of the stage steps φ2 to φ7 corresponding to the signal control parameter whose end time is within the currently set target time zone.

When the estimation unit 26 determines that the signal control parameters were switched at the detection timing of the recall request detected by the second determination unit 25 in s31 (time Ty shown in FIG. 12), the estimation unit 26 corrects the delay amount stored in the second storage unit 15 (s37) and returns to s31. When the estimation unit 26 determines that the signal control parameters were not switched at the detection timing of the recall request detected by the second determination unit 25 in s31, the estimation unit 26 corrects the advance amount stored in the second storage unit 15 (s38) and returns to s31.

In s37, the estimation unit 26 estimates the difference between the time kept by the timing unit 13 of the signal information output device 1 at the detection timing of the recall request detected in s31 and the start time of the signal control parameter determined to have been switched this time as a corrected delay width. In s38, the estimation unit 26 estimates the difference between the time kept by the timing unit 13 of the signal information output device 1 at the detection timing of the recall request detected in s31 and the start time of the signal control parameter determined to have not been switched this time as a corrected lead width.

In this way, the signal information output device 1 in this example also performs this second deviation width update process, and similarly to the above example, can appropriately reduce the deviation width between the time kept by the timing unit 13 and the other party's time kept by the signal control device 2.

Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the traffic light information generation process of the traffic light information output device of this modified example 1. The traffic light information output device 1 waits for a recall request to be made to the traffic light control device 2 (s41). The process in s41 is the same as the process in s31 above.

When the recall request detection unit 23 detects that a recall request has been made to the signal control device 2, the first determination unit 24 sets the target time period based on the time Ty measured by the timer unit 13 at the start timing of the recall request (s42). The process in s42 is the same as the process in s32 above.

The first determination unit 24 determines whether or not there is a signal control parameter whose start time falls within the target time period set in s42 among the multiple signal control parameters set by time period (s43). The process in s43 is the same as the process in s33 above.

When the first determination unit 24 determines that there is a signal control parameter whose start time is within the target time period set in s32, the signal information output device 1 determines whether the previous control of the light color signal of traffic lights 6 and 7 was a signal control parameter whose start time was within the target time period set in s12 (s44). The process in s44 is the same as the process in s34 above.

If the first judgment unit 24 judges that there is no start time for switching the signal control parameters within the target time period set in s42, and if it judges that the switching has already been done in s44, the signal information generation unit 22 judges that the signals 6 and 7 will be controlled by the signal control device 2 with the same signal control parameters as in the previous cycle, and generates signal information for the step steps φ2 to φ7 in the current cycle (s45).

On the other hand, if the traffic light information generating unit 22 determines in s44 that the switching has not been completed, it cannot determine which of the two signal control parameters the signal control device 2 will use to control the traffic lights 6 and 7 in the current cycle. One of the two signal control parameters is the same as that in the previous cycle, and the other is a signal control parameter whose start time is within the target time period set in s22. The traffic light information generating unit 22 generates traffic light information when the traffic lights 6 and 7 are controlled by the signal control device 2 with the same signal control parameters as in the previous cycle, and traffic light information when the traffic lights 6 and 7 are controlled by the signal control device 2 with signal control parameters whose start time is within the target time period set in s22 (s47, s48).

When generating signal information in s48, the signal information generating unit 22 assumes that the time kept by the signal control device 2 reaches the start time of one of the signal control parameters just before detecting the recall request in s41. In other words, it assumes that the signal control device 2 starts switching the signal control parameters just before detecting the recall request in s41. This assumption maximizes the remaining green time of the traffic light 6 calculated in s48.

Under the above assumption, the signal control device 2 executes the step steps φ1 to φ7 based on the signal control parameters before the switch while maintaining the light signal state of traffic lights 6 and 7, and switches the signal control parameters. Immediately after starting the step step φ1 based on the switched signal control parameters, the signal control device 2 accepts the currently detected recall request and controls the light signal state of traffic lights 6 and 7 based on the currently switched signal control parameters.

When the traffic light information output device 1 generates traffic light information in s45, it causes the output unit 16 to output the generated traffic light information (s46). When the traffic light information output device 1 generates traffic light information in s47 and s48, it causes the output unit 16 to output signal information with a range (s49). Signal information with a range means that, as in the above example, the two pieces of traffic light information calculated in s47 and s48 are output.

The signal information relating to s45, s47, and s48 may be generated whenever a recall request is detected and whenever the state of the light color signal of traffic lights 6 and 7 is changed by the state detection unit 21 (i.e., the start timing of staircase steps φ1 to φ7), or may be generated whenever one or more predetermined staircase steps φ1 to φ7 start.

The traffic signal information output device 1 in this example can appropriately suppress the deviation between the time kept by the timing unit 13 and the time kept by the signal control device 2 by performing the second deviation width update process shown in FIG. 13. This can reduce the frequency with which the traffic signal information output device 1 outputs the two pieces of traffic signal information (traffic signal information with a deviation) calculated in s47 and s48. This can improve the reliability of the traffic signal information generated by the traffic signal information output device 1. In addition, the processing load required for generating traffic signal information in the traffic signal information output device 1 can also be reduced.

In the above explanation, the detailed configuration of the signal control device 2 and the process by which this signal control device 2 controls the state of the light color signals of traffic lights 6 and 7 are well known, so a detailed explanation has been omitted.

Modification 2
In the above example, the signal information output device 1 has the outputs of the current sensors 4a to 4g connected to the input unit 12, but for example, a processing circuit may be provided in the signal connection box 4 for each of the current sensors 4a to 4g, which processes the output and outputs a signal indicating that power is being supplied/power is being stopped. For example, a well-known comparator may be used to compare the output of the current sensors 4a to 4g with a reference value, and the comparison result may be output as a signal indicating that power is being supplied/power is being stopped. In this case, the output of the current sensors 4a to 4g to be compared with the reference value may be amplified by an amplifier.

Modification 3
Also, an A/D conversion circuit that outputs digital values obtained by A/D converting the outputs of the current sensors 4a to 4g may be provided in the signal connection box 4. In this case, the outputs of the current sensors 4a to 4g are input to the signal information output device 1 as digital values.

Modification 4
Furthermore, the state of the light color signals of the traffic lights 6, 7 may be detected by processing images of the traffic lights 6, 7, or may be detected by other methods.

・Modifications (other)
Furthermore, the traffic lights 6 and 7 installed at the intersection may display a right turn arrow signal or the like as a light color signal. Moreover, the traffic light information output device 1 can output the traffic light information of the traffic lights 6 and 7 regardless of whether a pedestrian signal device is installed at the intersection.

The signal information output device 1 can also be applied not only to intersections where a main road and a secondary road intersect, but also to any location where a traffic light 6 is installed, for example, a location where there is no secondary road intersecting the main road on which the vehicle 100 is traveling, and a pedestrian crossing is provided across the main road.

The traffic light information output device 1 can also be applied to an intersection where, when a vehicle 100 stopped at a red light on the secondary road side is detected, a recall request is made to the traffic light control device 2. In this case, the traffic light information output device 1 may detect the timing at which a recall request is made to the traffic light control device 2 by supplying power to a display device that notifies the driver of the vehicle 100 stopped at a red light that a recall request has been made.

Note that this invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and in the implementation stage, the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist of the invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined. In addition, the order of each step in the processing flowchart of the signal information output device 1 shown in the description of each embodiment is not limited to the order shown in the figures, and may be rearranged as appropriate.

Furthermore, the correspondence between the configuration according to the present invention and the configuration according to the above-described embodiment can be described as follows.
<Additional Notes>
a state detection unit (21) for detecting the state of a light color signal of a traffic light (6, 7) controlled by a traffic light control device (2) in accordance with a traffic light control parameter set for each time period and an input recall request;
a first storage unit (14) for storing a control pattern for the signal control device (2) to control the state of the light color signal of the traffic light (6, 7) by time period;
a signal information generating unit (22) that generates signal information predicting a timing at which the state of the light signal of the traffic light (6, 7) will change, using a result of detection of the state of the light signal of the traffic light (6, 7) by the state detecting unit (21) and a control pattern of the light signal of the traffic light (6, 7) stored in the first storage unit (14);
An output unit (16) that outputs the signal information generated by the signal information generation unit (22),
A timekeeping unit (13) that keeps time;
an estimation unit (26) for estimating a deviation of a time on the other side measured by the signal control device side (2) from a time measured by the timing unit (13);
a second storage unit (15) for storing the deviation width estimated by the estimation unit (26);
a first determination unit (24) that determines a target time zone in which the deviation width stored in the second storage unit (15) is allocated at the time when the timing unit (13) has timed a change timing when the state detection unit (21) detects that the light color signal of the traffic light (6, 7) has changed to a predetermined first state, and determines whether the control pattern whose start time is within the target time zone is stored in the first storage unit (14);
a second determination unit (25) that, when it is determined by the first determination unit (24) that the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit (14), determines whether the signal control device (2) has switched the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing,
the signal control device (2) switches the signal control parameters set for each time period at a timing when the light color signal of the traffic light (6, 7) is changed to the first state;
The estimation unit (26)
When the second determination unit (25) determines that the signal control device (2) has switched the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing, the second determination unit (25) estimates the deviation width obtained by correcting the start time of the target time period according to the change timing,
When the second judgment unit (25) judges that the signal control device (2) has not switched the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing, the signal information output device (1) estimates the deviation amount by correcting the end time of the target time period in accordance with the change timing.

1...Signal information output device 2...Signal control device 3...Push button box 4...Signal connection box 4a to 4g...Current sensor 6 (6a, 6b), 7 (7a, 7b)...Traffic signal 11...Control unit 12...Input section 13...Timekeeping section 14...First memory section 15...Second memory section 16...Output section 21...State detection section 22...Signal information generation section 23...Recall request detection section 24...First judgment section 25...Second judgment section 26...Estimation section 31...Input/output section 32...Push button 33...First light-emitting section 34...Second light-emitting section 100 (100a to 100d)...Vehicle

Claims (14)

a status detection unit that detects the status of a light color signal of a traffic light that is controlled by the traffic light control device in accordance with a traffic light control parameter set for each time period and an input recall request;
a first storage unit that stores a control pattern for the signal control device to control a state of a light color signal of the traffic light by time period;
a traffic light information generating unit that generates traffic light information predicting a timing at which a state of the traffic light will change, using a detection result of the state of the light signal of the traffic light by the state detecting unit and a control pattern of the light signal of the traffic light stored in the first storage unit;
an output unit that outputs the signal information generated by the signal information generation unit,
A timing unit that measures time;
an estimation unit that estimates a deviation of a counterpart time kept by the signal control device from a time kept by the timing unit;
a second storage unit that stores the deviation width estimated by the estimation unit;
a first determination unit that determines a target time period in which the deviation width stored in the second storage unit is allocated at a time when the timing unit has timed a change timing at which the state detection unit detects that the light color signal of the traffic light has changed to a predetermined first state, and determines whether the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit;
a second determination unit that, when it is determined by the first determination unit that the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit, determines whether the signal control device has switched the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing,
the signal control device switches the signal control parameters set for each time period at a timing when the light color signal of the traffic light is changed to the first state,
The estimation unit is
When the second determination unit determines that the signal control device has switched the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing, the second determination unit estimates the deviation width by correcting the start time of the target time period according to the change timing;
When the second judgment unit determines that the signal control device did not switch the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing, the signal information output device estimates the deviation width by correcting the end time of the target time period according to the change timing. The traffic light information output device according to claim 1, wherein, when the first determination unit determines that the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit, the traffic light information generation unit generates traffic light information predicted using the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period and traffic light information predicted using the control pattern whose end time is within the target time period. The traffic light information output device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second determination unit makes a determination based on a change pattern of the state of the light color signal of the traffic light detected by the state detection unit after the change timing and a control pattern of the light color signal of the traffic light stored in the first storage unit. The traffic light information output device according to claim 3, wherein the second determination unit makes a determination based on a change pattern of the state of the traffic light signal in a period from the end timing of the first state of the traffic light signal of the traffic light, which is after the change timing and closest in time to the change timing, to the start timing of the next first state. a status detection unit that detects the status of a light color signal of a traffic light that is controlled by the traffic light control device in accordance with a traffic light control parameter set for each time period and an input recall request;
a first storage unit that stores a control pattern for the signal control device to control a state of a light color signal of the traffic light by time period;
a traffic light information generating unit that generates traffic light information predicting a timing at which a state of the traffic light will change, using a detection result of the state of the light color signal of the traffic light by the state detecting unit and a control pattern of the light color signal of the traffic light stored in the first storage unit;
an output unit that outputs the signal information generated by the signal information generation unit,
A timing unit that measures time;
an estimation unit that estimates a deviation of a counterpart time kept by the signal control device from a time kept by the timing unit;
a second storage unit that stores the deviation width estimated by the estimation unit;
a recall request detection unit that detects an input of the recall request to the signal control device;
a first determination unit that determines a target time period in which the deviation width stored in the second storage unit is allocated at a time measured by the timing unit at a recall timing at which the input of the recall request to the signal control device is detected by the recall request detection unit, and determines whether the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit;
a second determination unit that, when it is determined by the first determination unit that the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit, determines whether the signal control device has switched the signal control parameters set for each time period before the recall timing,
the signal control device switches the signal control parameters set for each time period when a time measured by the signal control device reaches a start time;
The estimation unit is
When the second determination unit determines that the signal control device has switched the signal control parameters set for each time period before the recall timing, the second determination unit estimates the deviation amount obtained by correcting the start time of the target time period according to the recall timing;
A signal information output device that, when the second judgment unit determines that the signal control device has not switched the signal control parameters set for each time period before the recall timing, estimates the deviation width by correcting the end time of the target time period according to the recall timing. The traffic light information output device according to claim 5, wherein, when the first determination unit determines that the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit, the traffic light information generation unit generates traffic light information predicted using the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period and traffic light information predicted using the control pattern whose end time is within the target time period. The traffic light information output device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second determination unit makes a determination based on a change pattern of the state of the light color signal of the traffic light detected by the state detection unit and a control pattern of the light color signal of the traffic light stored in the first storage unit after the recall timing. The signal information output device according to claim 7, wherein the second determination unit makes a determination based on a change pattern of the state of the light color signal of the traffic light during a period from the recall timing until the signal control device ends control of the light color signal of the traffic light in response to the current recall request. The signal information output device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the estimation unit estimates that the deviation width is to be extended for a certain period of time when the time measured by the clock unit reaches a predetermined set time. The signal information output device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the estimation unit estimates the advance and delay of the other party's time relative to the time kept by the clock unit. a status detection step of detecting a status of a light color signal of a traffic light that is controlled by the traffic light control device in accordance with a traffic light control parameter set for each time period and an input recall request;
a signal information generating step of generating signal information predicting a timing at which the state of the light signal of the traffic signal will change, using a detection result of the state of the light signal of the traffic signal in the state detecting step and a control pattern for controlling the state of the light signal of the traffic signal by the signal control device, the control pattern being stored by time period in a first storage unit;
an output step of causing an output unit to output the signal information generated in the signal information generating step,
The computer,
an estimation step of estimating a difference between a time measured by a timing unit and a time measured by the signal control device;
a storage step of storing the deviation width estimated by the estimation step in a second storage unit;
a first determination step of determining a target time period in which the deviation width stored in the second storage unit is allocated to the time measured by the timing unit at the timing when the change in the light color signal of the traffic light to a predetermined first state is detected in the state detection step, and determining whether the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit;
a second determination step of determining whether the signal control device has switched the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing when it is determined in the first determination step that the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit;
the signal control device switches the signal control parameters set for each time period at a timing when the light color signal of the traffic light is changed to the first state,
The estimation step includes:
When it is determined in the second determination step that the signal control device has switched the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing, the deviation width is estimated by correcting the start time of the target time period according to the change timing;
When it is determined in the second determination step that the signal control device has not switched the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing, the deviation amount is estimated by correcting the end time of the target time period according to the change timing.
The steps are:
Signal information output method. a status detection step of detecting a status of a light color signal of a traffic light that is controlled by the traffic light control device in accordance with a traffic light control parameter set for each time period and an input recall request;
a signal information generating step of generating signal information predicting a timing at which the state of the light signal of the traffic signal will change, using a detection result of the state of the light signal of the traffic signal in the state detecting step and a control pattern for controlling the state of the light signal of the traffic signal by the signal control device, the control pattern being stored by time period in a first storage unit;
an output step of causing an output unit to output the signal information generated in the signal information generating step,
The computer,
an estimation step of estimating a deviation of a time of a remote party clocked on the signal control device side from a time clocked by a clock unit;
a storage step of storing the deviation width estimated by the estimation step in a second storage unit;
a recall request detection step of detecting an input of the recall request to the signal control device;
a first determination step of determining a target time period in which the deviation width stored in the second storage unit is allocated to the time measured by the timing unit at the recall timing when the input of the recall request to the signal control device is detected in the recall request detection step, and determining whether the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit;
a second determination step of determining whether or not the signal control device has started switching the signal control parameters set for each time period before the recall timing when it is determined in the first determination step that the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit;
the signal control device switches the signal control parameters set for each time period when a time measured by the signal control device reaches a start time;
The estimation step includes:
When it is determined in the second determination step that the signal control device has started switching the signal control parameters set for each time period before the recall timing, the deviation width is estimated by correcting the start time of the target time period according to the recall timing;
When it is determined in the second determination step that the signal control device has not switched the signal control parameters set for each time period before the recall timing, the deviation width is estimated by correcting the end time of the target time period according to the recall timing.
The steps are:
Signal information output method. a status detection step of detecting a status of a light color signal of a traffic light that is controlled by the traffic light control device in accordance with a traffic light control parameter set for each time period and an input recall request;
a signal information generating step of generating signal information predicting a timing at which the state of the light signal of the traffic signal will change, using a detection result of the state of the light signal of the traffic signal in the state detecting step and a control pattern for controlling the state of the light signal of the traffic signal by the signal control device, the control pattern being stored by time period in a first storage unit;
an output step of causing an output unit to output the signal information generated in the signal information generating step,
The computer includes:
an estimation step of estimating a deviation of a time of a remote party clocked on the signal control device side from a time clocked by a clock unit;
a storage step of storing the deviation width estimated by the estimation step in a second storage unit;
a first determination step of determining a target time period in which the deviation width stored in the second storage unit is allocated to the time measured by the timing unit at the timing when the change in the light color signal of the traffic light to a predetermined first state is detected in the state detection step, and determining whether the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit;
a second determination step of determining whether the signal control device has switched the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing when it is determined in the first determination step that the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit,
the signal control device switches the signal control parameters set for each time period at a timing when the light color signal of the traffic light is changed to the first state,
The estimation step includes:
When it is determined in the second determination step that the signal control device has switched the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing, the deviation width is estimated by correcting the start time of the target time period according to the change timing;
When it is determined in the second determination step that the signal control device has not switched the signal control parameters set for each time period at the change timing, the deviation amount is estimated by correcting the end time of the target time period according to the change timing.
The steps are:
Signal information output program. a status detection step of detecting a status of a light color signal of a traffic light that is controlled by the traffic light control device in accordance with a traffic light control parameter set for each time period and an input recall request;
a signal information generating step of generating signal information predicting a timing at which the state of the light signal of the traffic signal will change, using a detection result of the state of the light signal of the traffic signal in the state detecting step and a control pattern for controlling the state of the light signal of the traffic signal by the signal control device, the control pattern being stored by time period in a first storage unit;
an output step of outputting the signal information generated in the signal information generating step to an output unit,
The computer includes:
an estimation step of estimating a deviation of a time of a remote party clocked on the signal control device side from a time clocked by a clock unit;
a storage step of storing the deviation width estimated by the estimation step in a second storage unit;
a recall request detection step of detecting an input of the recall request to the signal control device;
a first determination step of determining a target time period in which the deviation width stored in the second storage unit is allocated to the time measured by the timing unit at the recall timing when the input of the recall request to the signal control device is detected in the recall request detection step, and determining whether the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit;
a second determination step of determining whether or not the signal control device has started switching the signal control parameters set for each time period before the recall timing when it is determined in the first determination step that the control pattern whose start time is within the target time period is stored in the first storage unit,
the signal control device switches the signal control parameters set for each time period when a time measured by the signal control device reaches a start time;
The estimation step includes:
When it is determined in the second determination step that the signal control device has started switching the signal control parameters set for each time period before the recall timing, the deviation width is estimated by correcting the start time of the target time period according to the recall timing;
When it is determined in the second determination step that the signal control device has not switched the signal control parameters set for each time period before the recall timing, the deviation width is estimated by correcting the end time of the target time period according to the recall timing.
The steps are:
Signal information output program.

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