Signal system and signal light

Abstract

To provide a signal system and a signal light that can maintain appropriate lighting conditions while transmitting information by switching a display mode by light emission on the signal side, and reliably read the contents of transmission using the display mode on the light-receiving side.SOLUTION: A signal system 100 includes: a light-emitting unit EP that turns on a display mode indicating the transmission content on the signal side; a lighting control unit LC that switches the display mode between positive (positive) PP and negative (negative) NN; a camera 11, which is an image capturing unit that continuously captures images at a frame rate faster than the switching of the display mode on the vehicle side; and a signal reader 12s that reads the transmission content from image data captured by the camera 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a signal system and a signal lamp that can be applied to, for example, railway facilities and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, there is known a system in which a light-emitting object such as a traffic light emits light in a predetermined pattern shape, and the receiving side captures an image of this light, thereby recognizing the light-emitting object as the communication target (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-93700 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is expected that blinking control will be required such that the blinking pattern shape is not visible to the naked eye, and that the blinking frequency is high and the difference in light amount is small.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and has as its object to provide a signal system and signal lamp that can maintain an appropriate lighting state while transmitting a signal by switching the display mode by emitting light on the traffic light side, and can reliably read the content transmitted using the display mode on the light receiving side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A traffic light system for achieving the above-mentioned objective comprises, on the traffic light side, a light emitting unit that lights up a display mode indicating the content to be communicated, a lighting control unit that switches the display mode between positive and negative, and, on the vehicle side, an imaging unit that continuously captures images at a frame rate faster than the switching of the display mode, and a signal reading unit that reads the content to be communicated from image data captured by the imaging unit.

[0007] In the above-mentioned traffic light system, the light emitted from the traffic light side is switched between a positive and negative display mode, thereby maintaining an averaged lighting state, while the image captured on the vehicle side is continuously captured at a frame rate faster than the switching of the display mode on the traffic light side, thereby enabling the transmitted content to be read reliably.

[0008] In a specific aspect of the present invention, the signal reading unit extracts at least one of a positive state and a negative state from image data of the display state, and reads the communication content. In this case, accurate information can be read based on the extracted image data.

[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, the light emitting unit lights up the display mode using a plurality of LED light sources arranged in a matrix, and the lighting control unit controls the lighting of the plurality of LED light sources constituting the light emitting unit to switch the display mode. In this case, various display modes can be configured according to the arrangement of the plurality of LED light sources.

[0010] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the light-emitting unit has an attachment unit that allows the attachment position to be changed, and the signal reading unit reads the message content in accordance with the change in the display mode that accompanies the change in the attachment position of the light-emitting unit. In this case, even the same light-emitting unit can transmit different messages by changing the attachment position.

[0011] In still another aspect of the present invention, the light emitting section emits light in the visible light wavelength band. In this case, the display content of the light emitting section can be visually confirmed, and can also be read based on switching of the display mode.

[0012] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the signal reader reads the transmitted content as an autonomous driving signal. In this case, it is possible to accurately transmit and receive signals related to the autonomous driving signal.

[0013] A signal lamp for achieving the above object includes a light emitting unit that lights a display mode that indicates the message to be transmitted, and a lighting control unit that switches the display mode between a positive image and a negative image.

[0014] In the above-mentioned signal lamp, the light emitted from the traffic light is switched between a positive and negative display mode, making it possible to transmit information by switching the display mode while maintaining an averaged lighting state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the state of a railway in which a signaling system according to a first embodiment and a signal lamp constituting the signaling system are incorporated; [Diagram 2] 1 is a conceptual block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a signal system and a signal lamp that constitutes the signal system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the operation of a signal system. [Figure 4] (A) is a time chart showing one example of the transmission and reception relationship between the transmitting side and receiving side of a signal, and (B) is a time chart showing another example of the transmission and reception relationship between the transmitting side and receiving side of a signal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of a signal system. [Figure 6] 13(A) to 13(D) are conceptual diagrams for explaining an example of a signal lamp constituting a signal system of a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] [First embodiment] An example of the signal system of this embodiment and the signal lamps constituting the same will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 and the like. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the signal system 100 of this embodiment and the signal lamps 20 constituting the same, and Fig. 1 illustrates the signal system 100 when applied to signal communication processing between the onboard side and the ground side (signal side) performed during automatic operation of a train TR. The signal system 100 functions as a railway signal by transmitting a plurality of types of signal information. In particular, in this embodiment, in the above-mentioned configuration, when the signal lamps 20 are turned on, the display mode is switched between positive and negative when a signal is displayed by controlling the lighting of light in the visible light wavelength band, which also makes it possible to transmit part of the signal content.

[0017] In addition, various aspects are assumed for the automatic operation of the train TR mentioned above, and it is considered to include a wide range of aspects, from completely unmanned automatic operation without a driver, etc., to automatic operation where the driver performs driving operations and partially assists with them.

[0018] An outline of a signaling system 100 according to this embodiment and one configuration example of the signaling lamp 20 constituting the signaling system 100 will be described below. As shown in Fig. 1, the signaling system 100 comprises a receiving device 10 that receives various information including the contents of signal indications, a signaling lamp 20 that is a transmitting device that transmits various information such as the contents of signal indications, and a signal generating device 30 that generates the contents of signal indications to be transmitted from the signaling lamp 20. Of these, the receiving device 10 is mounted on the train TR as an on-board device that receives signals from the ground side. Meanwhile, the signaling lamp 20 and the signal generating device 30 are installed around the track RL as devices for transmitting signals from the signal side, i.e., the ground side.

[0019] First, the receiving device 10 is composed of a camera (image sensor) and functions as an imaging unit. More specifically, the receiving device 10 is mounted on the train TR, and captures continuous images of the external environment of the train TR on the train TR side, i.e., on the vehicle side, as an imaging unit. The receiving device 10 is capable of acquiring, analyzing, or extracting various information for automatic operation of the train TR or for assisting it from various acquired image data. For this reason, the receiving device 10 is attached facing forward so as to capture an image of the traveling direction of the train TR. In other words, the receiving device 10 is capable of acquiring various images of the external environment in addition to the signal lamp 20 present in front of the traveling direction of the train TR. In addition to the above, particularly in this embodiment, the signal lamp 20 is controlled to switch between a positive image and a negative image in terms of the display mode indicating the transmitted content, and the receiving device 10 is capable of reading the transmitted content from the captured image data by continuously capturing images at a frame rate faster than the switching of the display mode. This point will be described in detail later.

[0020] On the other hand, the signal lamps 20 and the signal generating device 30, as devices provided on the ground side to transmit information regarding the progress of the train TR, display signals to the train TR, more precisely, to the receiving device 10 mounted on the train TR. That is, as described above, the signal lamps 20 display signals by normal illumination, and also switch (reverse) the display mode between positive and negative.

[0021] Hereinafter, the configuration of the signal lamp 20 and the signal generating device 30 will be described first. The signal lamp 20 has a red signal lamp 20r that emits light in the red wavelength band, a yellow signal lamp 20y that emits light in the yellow wavelength band, and a blue signal lamp 20g that emits light in the blue wavelength band as indicator lamps using visible light to function as a railway signal or a part thereof, and further has a lighting control unit LC that controls the lighting and extinguishing of these, and performs the operation of emitting light. That is, in the signal lamp 20, the red signal lamp 20r, etc. are turned on and off according to the driving operation command from the lighting control unit LC, and as a railway signal, information on the progress of the train TR is transmitted to people and sensors that can detect visible light. Each of the color signal lamps 20r, 20y, and 20g has a light-emitting unit EP that is composed of multiple LED light sources ES arranged in a matrix and has a circular shape as a whole, as shown in the partially enlarged view surrounded by a dashed line CC1. The light emitting unit EP of each of the color signal lamps 20r, 20y, and 20g emits light in the above-mentioned color light wavelength bands as emitted light EL. In at least one of the color signal lamps 20r, 20y, and 20g (e.g., the blue signal lamp 20g), among the multiple LED light sources ES constituting the light emitting unit EP, those to be lit and those not to be lit are appropriately selected, thereby lighting up a display mode such as showing the number "1" (see FIG. 3).

[0022] In addition, in this embodiment, the lighting control unit LC controls the lighting of the LED light sources ES constituting the light-emitting unit EP to switch between a positive image and a negative image. That is, a positive image (image) is formed by setting the LED light sources ES constituting the light-emitting unit EP to be turned on or off depending on the position, and a negative image (inverted image) is formed by completely switching the lighting and turning off of the positive image, and these are switched and displayed. In this case, by setting the switching speed to a certain level or higher, the display mode (for example, the number "1" in FIG. 3) is not visually recognized by the human eye due to the effect of afterimage, and the brightness is averaged and it is visually recognized as a normal circular lighting state. In this embodiment, the emitted light EL is switched between the first image light ELp emitted as a positive image and the second image light ELn emitted as a negative image. On the other hand, on the vehicle side, i.e., on the receiving device 10 side, as described above, continuous imaging is performed at a frame rate faster than the switching of the display mode on the signal lamp 20 side. This makes it possible to obtain an image that captures only one of the positive and negative images in one frame. This makes it possible for the receiving device 10 to read the communication content indicated by the display mode contained in the emitted light EL.

[0023] The signal generating device 30 is a device for generating signals to be transmitted from the signal lamp 20, and outputs various information, such as information about the signal lamps to be turned on in the above-mentioned signal lamp 20, to the lighting control unit LC of the signal lamp 20.

[0024] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2 etc., a detailed description will be given of an example of the configuration of the signal system 100 of this embodiment and the signal lamp unit 20 constituting the signal system 100.

[0025] First, the signal lamp 20 will be described among the components constituting the signal system 100. As described above, the signal lamp 20 includes the color signal lamps 20r, 20y, and 20g and a lighting control unit LC, and displays a signal according to various information generated by the signal generating device 30, and switches the display mode at this time. For this reason, the lighting control unit LC of the signal lamp 20 includes a power supply board PB that controls the supply of power and a drive control unit DD that controls the drive operation of the light-emitting unit EP, as shown in the figure. Below, a configuration in which the blue signal lamp 20g among the color signal lamps 20r, 20y, and 20g is controlled by the lighting control unit LC will be described, but since the other color signal lamps 20r and 20y can also be configured in a similar manner, illustrations and descriptions of the color signal lamps 20r and 20y will be omitted.

[0026] The drive control unit DD drives each of the light emitting units EP and thus the multiple LED light sources ES that make up the blue signal lamp unit 20g by supplying power to each unit using the power supply board PB in order to perform normal display lighting and extinguishing by the blue signal lamp unit 20g, i.e., adjusts the timing of light emission for each of the LED light sources ES. In this way, the lighting control unit LC functions as a yin-yang switching unit that enables switching of the display mode of the multiple LED light sources ES described above. In addition to turning on and off the light emitting units EP in the signal lamp unit 20 (turning them off), they can also perform a blinking operation that alternates between these operations. For example, if the period of the blinking operation is slower than the period of switching the display mode described above, these can also be performed in parallel.

[0027] Next, the receiving device 10 will be described among the components constituting the signal system 100. The receiving device 10 includes a camera 11 that functions as an imaging unit, and an image processing unit 12 that processes various information such as image data acquired by the camera 11. In addition to these, in this embodiment, the camera 11 of the receiving device 10 includes an image sensor 11s that is composed of, for example, a CCD or CMOS and can capture images continuously at a high shutter speed. That is, in this embodiment, the camera 11, which is the imaging unit, can capture images at a high frame rate (for example, about 300 fps). In addition, in the receiving device 10, the image processing unit 12 includes a signal reading unit 12s that reads the transmitted communication content by using a switching of the display mode.

[0028] In the camera 11 of the receiving device 10, the brightness and darkness of light received by the image sensor 11s is converted into an electric signal and output as image data to the image processing unit 12. The camera 11 is capable of capturing continuous images at a predetermined frame rate. In other words, the camera 11 captures continuous images of the external environment of the train TR. Note that the frame rate during normal external environment confirmation may be set to a value lower than the frame rate for reading the transmitted content based on the above-mentioned switching of the display mode, for example.

[0029] The image processing unit 12 is composed of, for example, various circuit elements, and performs analysis processing on image data from the camera 11. More specifically, the image processing unit 12 performs various image analyses to determine whether or not the image contains any items that may affect railway operations, such as whether or not a person has entered the track captured by the camera 11, the traffic conditions around a railroad crossing, or the occurrence of an emergency signal. Furthermore, the image processing unit 12 may be configured to perform a judgment processing based on the analysis results.

[0030] In the above, in this embodiment, the receiving device 10 is further enabled to read the transmitted contents based on switching of the display mode from the ground side.

[0031] The above-mentioned information transmission will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 3 etc. Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the operation of the signal system 100, and an example of the switching of the display mode is shown in a partially enlarged view enclosed by a dashed line CC2. Note that the partially enlarged view can be regarded as showing the lighting status on the transmitting side (light emitting side), i.e., the signal lamp 20 side, and can also be regarded as showing the imaging result on the receiving side (light receiving side), i.e., the receiving device 10 side.

[0032] As shown in the balloon BL in Fig. 3, here, the display mode showing the number "1" is switched on the traffic light side (ground side), i.e., on the signal lamp 20 side. Note that "1" here means the position (track number) of the train TR that is stopped in front of the signal lamp 20. In other words, on board the train, the train's own location can be confirmed by reading this display mode.

[0033] Regarding the above, here, first, in the display area of ​​the signal lamp 20 (for example, the circular area occupied by the light-emitting part EP of the blue signal lamp 20g), a display mode in which a predetermined part indicating the number "1" is lit and other parts are turned off is defined as a positive image PP, and the inverse of this, that is, a display mode in which the above-mentioned predetermined part is turned off and other parts are turned on is defined as a negative image NN, and these can be switched between at a predetermined speed. More specifically, in the partially enlarged view shown surrounded by the dashed line CC2, first, as shown in state α1, a display mode in which the part corresponding to the part indicating the number "1" is turned off (shown by a black circle in the figure) and the other parts are turned on (shown by a white circle in the figure) among the multiple LED light sources ES arranged in a matrix to form a circular area is defined as one display mode (illumination display of the positive image PP). On the other hand, as shown in state α2, the display mode in which the state α1 is inverted is set as another display mode (lighting display of the negative image NN), that is, the display mode in which the LED light sources ES corresponding to the portion showing the number "1" are turned on (shown by white circles in the figure) and the other ones are turned off (shown by black circles in the figure) is set as another display mode. In this case, the lighting range in state α1 and the lighting range in state α2 are combined to be equivalent to a state in which the LED light sources ES are all turned on. Then, these display modes are switched (inverted) at high speed to perform display. For example, it is conceivable to perform display switching so that the state α1 and the state α2 are displayed 50 times each for the same length of time per second, and a total of 100 switchings are performed while maintaining an averaged lighting state. When switching is performed at such a high speed, the human eye visually recognizes the lighting display of the positive image PP and the lighting display of the negative image NN as overlapping due to an afterimage, and as a result, the LED light sources ES are visually recognized as being all turned on. That is, the driver of the train TR, etc., does not see the display mode showing the number "1", but sees it as a normal light (all lights on).

[0034] Under such circumstances, the vehicle-mounted side, i.e., the receiving device 10 side, continuously captures images at a frame rate (e.g., about 300 fps) faster than the switching of the display mode in the signal lamp 20 (e.g., about 100 times per second), thereby making it possible to obtain a first image G1 capturing an image of the display mode of the positive image PP in state α1 lit up, and a second image G2 capturing an image of the display mode of the negative image NN in state α2 lit up, as shown in a partially enlarged view. In other words, it is possible to obtain an instantaneous image in which only one of the positive image PP and negative image NN is displayed, without the display being mixed.

[0035] This makes it possible for the message content, such as the number "1," transmitted from the wayside to be read on the train. That is, the signal reading unit 12s provided in the image processing unit 12 of the receiving device 10 extracts at least one of the positive image PP state and the negative image NN state from the image data capturing the display state of the signal lamp 20, and can read the message content from the train, i.e., the signal lamp 20 side.

[0036] An example of how the present embodiment handles signal transmission based on the above-mentioned positive and negative image information will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. In both Fig. 4(A) and Fig. 4(B), the horizontal axis represents time.

[0037] First, Fig. 4(A) is a time chart showing an example of the relationship between the transmitting side and the receiving side of a signal, and in Fig. 4(A), chart CH1 shows the timing of switching the display mode between the display of a positive image PP and the display of a negative image NN for the emitted light EL emitted from the traffic light side, which is the transmitting side of the signal. Length T indicates the length of time for displaying one positive image PP or one negative image NN. Note that a specific value of length T may be, for example, 1 / 100 seconds. Note that in the example shown, the display of the positive image PP and the display of the negative image NN are alternated for the same length T (= 1 / 100 seconds).

[0038] In contrast, the frame rate of the camera 11 (image sensor 11s) of the receiving device 10, which is an imaging unit, is finer than the frequency of switching the display mode. That is, in the illustrated example, the length of time corresponding to one frame is set to t for the frame rate, and this length t is smaller than the length T indicating the unit length of the transmission time on the signal side (the conversion frequency of the emitted light PL). Note that the illustrated example shows an example in which the frame rate of the camera 11 is three times the frequency of switching the display mode, that is, T:t=3:1 (that is, the frame rate is 300 fps).

[0039] 4(A) shows a case where the timing of the switching on the traffic light side and the timing of the separation between frames on the vehicle-mounted camera 11 are aligned. In this case, since T:t=3:1, the image sensor 11s alternates between detecting three consecutive frames of "positive" images (positive images PP) and three consecutive frames of "negative" images (negative images NN). Based on the information detected in this way, the information transmitted from the traffic light side (for example, that the track number is "1") is restored on the vehicle-mounted side.

[0040] In contrast, FIG. 4(B) shows a case where the timing of the switching on the traffic light side and the timing of the separation between frames on the vehicle-mounted camera 11 are not aligned. Note that, even here, it is assumed that T:t=3:1. In this case, as shown in the chart CH2, during one frame of image data acquired by the image sensor 11s, a switch from a positive image PP to a negative image NN, or a switch from a negative image NN to a positive image PP, may occur. Note that in the figure, this is shown as being perceived as a "mixed" image. In this case, when a "mixed" image is detected in one frame, more specifically, when a positive image PP and a negative image NN are mixed and the multiple LED light sources ES are all lit, depending on the degree of mixing, the display state may not be read. However, in the case of the above-mentioned state, since T:t=3:1, in the two frames after such a "mixed" image occurs, a "negative" image or a "positive" image is detected, as circled in the figure. Therefore, in this case too, the information transmitted from the traffic light (for example, the track number being "1") is restored on board the vehicle based on the detected information.

[0041] The above-mentioned aspects are merely examples, and as long as it is possible to maintain the ability to extract at least one of the positive image PP state and the negative image NN state, the frame rate on the vehicle side and the switching frequency on the traffic light side can be in various forms, and are not limited to 3:1.

[0042] In the above, as an example of a display mode, a case has been described in which a display mode showing the number "1" is switched to indicate the platform number indicating the position of the train TR, but the display mode is not limited to the number "1" and can be various. The contents of the transmission are also not limited to platform number information, such as that the platform number is "1", and can be various. Furthermore, the contents of the transmission are not limited to fixed information, but can be information that can change in various ways depending on, for example, the operating conditions of the train.

[0043] Hereinafter, an overview of a signal system 100 including a signal lamp unit 20 will be described with reference to a conceptual diagram shown in FIG.

[0044] As shown in the figure and as described above, the signal system 100 of this embodiment has a receiving device 10 constituting the vehicle-mounted side and a signal lamp 20 constituting the traffic light side. In the signal lamp 20, the light-emitting unit EP is controlled by a lighting control unit LC to switch the display mode between a positive image PP and a negative image NN, and the switched light is called the emitted light EL. In this case, if the switching is performed at a speed faster than a certain level, the human eye will see the positive image PP and the negative image NN in a mixed (overlapping) state due to an afterimage, so the display mode is not visible and it is recognized as normal lighting (full lighting). In contrast, in the receiving device 10 on the vehicle-mounted side, the camera 11 (image sensor 11s) continuously captures images at a frame rate faster than the switching of the display mode, making it possible to obtain an image in which the positive image PP and the negative image NN are not mixed (not overlapped). That is, the receiving device 10 is capable of extracting the positive image PP and the positive image PP that cannot be seen by the naked eye. The positive image PP and the image data including the positive image PP extracted by the image sensor 11s are analyzed by the signal reading unit 12s of the image processing unit 12, whereby the information of the image data, i.e., the contents of the communication from the ground side, can be read.

[0045] Furthermore, looking at the above from a different perspective, it can be said that the signal system 100 of this embodiment is capable of transmitting information for automatic driving by switching the display mode to the receiving device 10 with respect to the normal operation of the signal lamp 20 without affecting the visibility of the driver, etc.

[0046] As described above, the signal system 100 of this embodiment includes, on the traffic light side, a light-emitting unit EP that lights up a display mode indicating the communication content, a lighting control unit LC that switches the display mode between a positive image PP and a negative image NN and lights the display, and, on the vehicle-top side, a camera 11 that is an imaging unit that continuously captures images at a frame rate faster than the switching of the display mode, and a signal reading unit 12s that reads the communication content from image data captured by the camera 11. In the above-mentioned signal system 100, the display mode is switched between a positive image PP and a negative image NN as the light emission on the traffic light side, thereby maintaining an averaged lighting state, while the communication content can be reliably read by continuously capturing images on the vehicle-top side at a frame rate faster than the switching of the display mode on the traffic light side.

[0047] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a configuration example of a signal system of the second embodiment and a signal lamp constituting the same will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6(A) is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a signal lamp 220 constituting the signal system of this embodiment, and Figs. 6(B) to 6(D) are conceptual diagrams for explaining how the mounting attitude is changed when the light-emitting unit EP is mounted to the signal lamp 220. Note that this embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except for the light-emitting unit EP and the structure for mounting it, so that for components having the same functions and properties as the signal system 100 of the first embodiment, the matters explained in the first embodiment will be appropriately cited as necessary, and detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0048] In the signal lamp device 220 shown in FIG. 6A, the light-emitting units EP constituting the respective color signal lamp devices 220r, 220y, and 220g are as follows, as shown in the partially enlarged view surrounded by the dashed line CC3 in the drawing: A mounting portion MP is provided that allows the mounting position to be changed.

[0049] The mounting part MP is provided on the peripheral side of the light emitting part EP, which is circular in front view, and is formed by having screw fastening parts SC1, SC2, and SC3 at positions corresponding to the vertices of an equilateral triangle whose center is the center position (not shown) of the circle. Of the three screw fastening parts SC1, SC2, and SC3, the screw fastening parts SC2 and SC3 are provided in positions aligned in the horizontal direction of the signal light device 220, i.e., they are arranged so that the base of the equilateral triangle is horizontal, and the screw fastening part SC1 is arranged at the vertex position of the apex angle.

[0050] In response to the above, the light-emitting unit EP has three screw holes SH1, SH2, and SH3 at the vertices of an equilateral triangle corresponding to the three screw holes SC1, SC2, and SC3, as shown in Fig. 6(B), and displays an image by dividing the half on the screw hole SH2 side and the half on the screw hole SH3 side based on the screw hole SH1. That is, as shown in pattern PT1, a first display mode (corresponding to a positive image) is used in which the half on the screw hole SH2 side is turned off and the half on the screw hole SH3 side is turned on, and as shown in pattern PT2, a second display mode (corresponding to a negative image) is used in which the half on the screw hole SH2 side is turned on and the half on the screw hole SH3 side is turned off, thereby making it possible to transmit the message. In other words, on the receiving device 10 (see Figure 1, etc.) side, the boundary BD is set at a position passing through the center extending in the vertical direction, and an image (positive image) in which the left half of the light-emitting element EP is lit and an image (negative image) in which the right half is lit are captured as pattern information, and the meaning of this pattern information is preset by agreement between the ground side and the on-board side, making it possible to read the transmitted content on the on-board side.

[0051] Furthermore, in this case, by utilizing the symmetry of an equilateral triangle, for example, when the light-emitting unit EP is rotated counterclockwise by 120° from the state shown in FIG. 6(B) (which is set to 0°) as shown in FIG. 6(C), the screw hole SH2 is aligned with the position of the screw part SC1 (see FIG. 6(A)), and the screw holes SH3 and SH1 are aligned with the positions of the screw parts SC2 and SC3 (see FIG. 6(A)), respectively, so that the light-emitting unit EP can be attached and fixed. In this case, when the display mode of the light-emitting unit EP is switched to the same as that shown in FIG. 6(B), the boundary BD can be changed to a direction extending diagonally upward to the right. Furthermore, when the light-emitting unit EP is rotated clockwise by 120° from the state shown in FIG. 6(B) as shown in FIG. 6(D), the screw hole SH3 is aligned with the position of the screw part SC1 (see FIG. 6(A)), and the screw holes SH1 and SH2 are aligned with the positions of the screw parts SC2 and SC3 (see FIG. 6(A)), so that the light-emitting unit EP can be attached and fixed. In this case, when the light-emitting unit EP is switched to the same display mode as shown in Fig. 6(B), the boundary BD can be changed to a direction extending diagonally downward to the right. In the above case, the signal reading unit 12s (see Fig. 2, etc.) can be configured to read the communication content in accordance with the change in the display mode accompanying the change in the mounting posture of the light-emitting unit EP. That is, in the above configuration, by setting the mounting posture of one light-emitting unit EP to the three modes shown in Figs. 6(B) to 6(D), it becomes possible to transmit and read three different types of communication content in accordance with the change in the mounting (installation) situation of the light-emitting unit EP.

[0052] In this embodiment as well, the light emission on the traffic light side is switched between a first display mode pattern PT1 corresponding to a positive image and a second display mode pattern PT2 corresponding to a negative image, thereby maintaining an averaged lighting state, while the image on the vehicle top side is continuously captured at a frame rate faster than the switching of the display mode on the traffic light side, thereby making it possible to reliably read the transmitted content. In particular, in this embodiment, even the same light-emitting unit EP can transmit different transmitted content by changing the mounting position.

[0053] 〔others〕 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0054] First, in the above, the light-emitting unit EP is composed of multiple LED light sources arranged in a matrix, but this is not limited to this and various configurations are possible as long as it is possible to switch (reverse) the negative and positive images as quickly as necessary.

[0055] In addition, various modes of the transmitted contents are assumed, and in addition to the above, it may include, for example, matters written in paint on a fixed signboard. In this way, even for matters written on a fixed signboard that are too dark to read in normal imaging by the camera 11 at night, etc., the information can be acquired by switching the display mode between positive and negative images.

[0056] In addition, in the above, the signaling system 100 is applied to the operation of railway trains. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the signaling system 100 can also be adopted for trams that run on tracks (new tracks, dual-use tracks) and buses that run on dedicated roads.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above, an example has been described in which the present invention is used in railways, more specifically, in a case in which the signal reading unit 12s reads the transmitted content as a signal for automatic driving. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also conceivable that the signal system or signal lamp of the present invention may be adopted, for example, as a traffic signal (in a signal lamp for automobiles).

[0058] Various types of signal information are also assumed to be handled, and in the case of a railway, in addition to the above-mentioned examples, for example, the signal system 100 may be applied to transmit and receive signals for instructions to change direction at a switch. Moreover, these various signals related to railway operation may be integrated into a single signal lamp 20. This allows the entire railway signal system to be configured compactly and simply. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 10...receiving device, 11...camera, 11s...image sensor, 12...image processing unit, 12s...signal reading unit, 20...signal lamp, 20g...blue signal lamp, 20r...red signal lamp, 20y...yellow signal lamp, 30...signal generating device, 100...signal system, 220...signal lamp, 220r, 220y, 220g...color signal lamp, BD...boundary, BL...balloon portion, CC1-CC3...dashed line, CH1, CH2...chart, DD...drive Control unit, EL... Emitted light, ELp... First image light, ELn... Second image light, EP... Light emitting unit, ES... LED light source, G1... First image, G2... Second image, LC... Lighting control unit, MP... Mounting unit, NN... Negative image, PB... Power supply board, PL... Emitted light, PP... Positive image, PT1, PT2... Pattern, RL... Railroad track, SC1, SC2, SC3... Screw fastening unit, SH1, SH2, SH3... Screw fastening hole, TR... Train, α1, α2... State

Claims

1. a light-emitting unit that lights up a display mode indicating the content of the transmission on the traffic signal side; a lighting control unit that switches the display mode between a positive image and a negative image; an imaging unit disposed on the vehicle top side, which continuously captures images at a frame rate faster than the switching of the display mode; a signal reading unit that reads the communication content from image data captured by the imaging unit; A signaling system comprising:

2. 2. The signal system according to claim 1, wherein the signal reader extracts at least one of a positive image and a negative image from the image data of the display mode to read the communication content.

3. the light-emitting unit performs illumination of the display mode using a plurality of LED light sources arranged in a matrix; The signal system according to claim 1 , wherein the lighting control unit controls the lighting of the plurality of LED light sources constituting the light-emitting unit to switch the display mode.

4. The light emitting unit has an attachment part that allows the attachment position to be changed, The signal system according to claim 1 , wherein the signal reading unit reads the transmitted content in response to a change in the display mode accompanying a change in an installation attitude of the light-emitting unit.

5. The signal system according to claim 1 , wherein the light emitting unit emits light in a visible light wavelength band.

6. The signal system according to claim 1 , wherein the signal reading unit reads the transmitted content as a signal for automatic driving.

7. A light emitting unit that lights up a display mode indicating the content of the transmission; a lighting control unit that switches the display mode between a positive image and a negative image; A signal lamp equipped with:

Images