Information processing unit

Abstract

To provide an information processing unit that can collectively control a plurality of terminals corresponding to two or more connection methods within the same block.SOLUTION: An information processing unit collectively controls a plurality of terminals that are installed at intervals along the road and display common information according to the situation so that the information is visible from the road. The information processing unit is equipped with a first control unit, a second control unit, and a distribution unit. The first control unit is configured to control a terminal corresponding to a first connection method among the plurality of terminals. The second control unit is configured to control a terminal corresponding to a second connection method, which is different from the first connection method, among the plurality of terminals. The distribution unit distributes control of each of the plurality of terminals to either the first control unit or the second control unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing unit for collectively controlling a plurality of terminals, such as variable speed limit signs. [Background technology]

[0002] Variable speed limit signs are terminals that are installed along roads and display the speed limit according to the situation at each point in time so that it can be seen from the road (for example, see Patent Document 1). Variable speed limit signs are mainly installed on roads where vehicles can travel at high speeds, such as expressways and high-standard trunk roads (motor vehicle-only roads), and display an appropriate speed limit based on congestion information, weather information, information from road patrols, etc., to ensure the safe driving of vehicles.

[0003] Terminals that make up variable speed limit signs are installed along roads at intervals not exceeding 2 km, and a certain range along the road (for example, the range between adjacent interchanges) is treated as one block, and each block is controlled and monitored collectively. The general method of connecting the control and monitoring equipment and each terminal in each block was the multi-drop method using metal lines, but methods using IP networks and wireless communications (such as LTE (Long Term Evolution)) are now widely used. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 61-036900 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, there have been an increasing number of cases where the connection method between control and monitoring equipment and each terminal in each block is changed from a metal method using metal lines to an IP method using IP networks. In order to change the connection method from a metal method to an IP method, it is necessary to change from the metal method control and monitoring equipment to IP method control and monitoring equipment in each block, and then to replace each metal method terminal with an IP method terminal one by one.

[0006] Since IP-based control and monitoring equipment cannot control and monitor metal-based terminals, there will be sections where speed restrictions cannot be implemented from the time when metal-based control and monitoring equipment is changed to IP-based control and monitoring equipment until all metal-based terminals are replaced with IP-based terminals. In reality, the task of replacing metal-based terminals with IP-based terminals can only be done one terminal at a time in order to keep the range of lane restrictions small. This creates the problem that the period during which proper speed restrictions cannot be implemented can easily be prolonged.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing unit capable of collectively controlling a plurality of terminals having two or more different connection methods within the same block. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing unit according to one aspect of the present invention collectively controls a plurality of terminals that are installed at intervals along a road and display common information according to a situation so that the information can be viewed from the road. The information processing unit includes a first control unit, a second control unit, and a distribution unit. The first control unit is configured to be able to control a terminal compatible with a first connection method among the plurality of terminals. The second control unit is configured to be able to control a terminal, among the plurality of terminals, that supports a second connection method different from the first connection method. The distributor distributes control of each of the plurality of terminals to either the first controller or the second controller.

[0009] This information processing unit includes a first control unit corresponding to the first connection method, a second control unit corresponding to the second connection method, and a distribution unit that distributes control of multiple terminals to the first control unit and the second control unit. This makes it possible to collectively control all terminals even if the multiple terminals include a mixture of terminals using the first connection method and terminals using the second connection method. With this information processing unit, for example, when terminals of the first connection method are sequentially replaced with terminals of the second connection method in one block, the only terminal that becomes inoperable during the process can be the one terminal that is actually being worked on. Therefore, by using this information processing unit, the section in which information cannot be displayed can be kept to a minimum.

[0010] The information processing unit may further include a memory section in which classification information in which each of the plurality of terminals is classified into either a first group or a second group is recorded. The distributor may distribute control of terminals belonging to the first group to the first controller, and distribute control of terminals belonging to the second group to the second controller, in accordance with the classification information. In this configuration, by preparing classification information that classifies terminals using a first connection method into a first group and terminals using a second connection method into a second group, the distribution unit can more accurately distribute control of multiple terminals in accordance with the classification information.

[0011] The information processing unit may further include an input operation section configured to enable an input operation for switching the classification of each of the plurality of terminals in the classification information between the first group and the second group. With this configuration, the classification of multiple terminals can be easily switched, so that even workers who do not have specialized knowledge of software, etc. (for example, workers in charge of removing old terminals and installing new terminals) can quickly and reliably update classification information.

[0012] The information processing unit may further include a first monitoring unit, a second monitoring unit, and a coupling unit. The first monitoring unit acquires first monitoring information related to the operation of the terminal distributed to the first control unit by the distribution unit. The second monitoring unit acquires second monitoring information related to the operation of the terminal distributed to the second control unit by the distribution unit. The combining unit combines the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information so that the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information can be handled collectively. In this information processing unit, even if the multiple terminals include a mixture of terminals using the first connection method and terminals using the second connection method, the first monitoring information, which is information regarding the operation of terminals using the first connection method, and the second monitoring information, which is information regarding the operation of terminals using the second connection method, are combined by a combining section, making it possible for the higher-level device to handle information regarding the operation of all terminals at once.

[0013] The combining unit may change the format of one of the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information to match the format of the other. In this configuration, for example, when terminals of the first connection method are sequentially replaced with terminals of the second connection method in one block, the combining unit changes the format of the second monitoring information to match the format of the first monitoring information, so that the same monitoring information is generated as when all terminals are in the first connection method. Therefore, by using this information processing unit, it is possible to continue operating multiple terminals as they are without changing the settings of the higher-level device. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing unit capable of collectively controlling a plurality of terminals having two or more different connection methods within the same block. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of terminals are installed along a road. [Diagram 2]1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a road display system using an information processing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an input operation section of the information processing unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a road display system in which all terminals are of the metal type. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing a process of changing the connection method from a metal method to an IP method in the road display system shown in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] [Overall configuration of road display system 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a state in which a plurality of terminals T are installed along a road. The plurality of terminals T are road display devices for displaying information according to the situation at each time so that it can be seen from the road, and are installed at a predetermined interval along the road. In the example shown in FIG. 1, each of the terminals T (T1, T2, T3, T4) is configured as a variable speed regulation sign, which is a road display device that displays a speed regulation as information according to the situation at each time. The display unit that displays the speed regulation on each variable speed regulation sign may be, for example, an LED type.

[0018] The multiple terminals T are divided into multiple blocks according to their installation locations, and the operation of displaying common information for each block is collectively controlled and monitored. In the example shown in Figure 1, the multiple terminals T are divided into four blocks (Block A, Block B, Block C, and Block D) according to whether their installation locations belong to the upbound or downbound lanes of the road, and to either of the two sections divided to the left and right along the road. Each block is composed of four terminals T1, T2, T3, and T4. There is no particular limit to the number of terminals T in each block.

[0019] Each block is configured with a road display system for displaying common information according to the situation to all terminals T. Each road display system is provided with an information processing unit that is connected to all terminals T and controls and monitors all terminals T collectively. In a typical road display system, the information processing unit and multiple terminals T are connected by a common connection method. Examples of connection methods between the information processing unit and multiple terminals T include a metal method using a metal line, an IP method via an IP network, and a wireless method using wireless communication.

[0020] In contrast, the information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment is configured to allow a plurality of terminals T to be connected using two types of connection methods. In other words, in a road display system 1 having the information processing unit 100, even in a block in which terminals T using two types of connection methods are mixed, it is possible to collectively control and monitor all of the terminals T. Below, an example is described in which the road display system 1 using the information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment is configured in block A in which terminals T using two types of connection methods are mixed.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a road display system 1 using an information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment. The road display system 1 includes the information processing unit 100, multiple terminals T, and a host device S. The host device S may include, for example, an operating device for performing operations such as switching information displayed on the multiple terminals T, and a monitoring device for monitoring the operation of the multiple terminals T. The host device S may be configured to include multiple devices including an operating device and a monitoring device, or may be configured to include a single device having the functions of both an operating device and a monitoring device. The host device S is connected to all the terminals T via the information processing unit 100.

[0022] In the road display system 1, the multiple terminals T are composed of a terminal T corresponding to the metal system, which is a first connection system, and a terminal T corresponding to the IP system, which is a second connection system. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the multiple terminals T are composed of terminals T3 and T4 corresponding to the metal system, and terminals T1 and T2 corresponding to the IP system. That is, in the road display system 1, the terminals T3 and T4 are connected to the information processing unit 100 by the metal system, and the terminals T1 and T2 are connected to the information processing unit 100 by the IP system.

[0023] In the road display system 1, multiple terminals T are classified into different groups based on the connection method, that is, the metal type terminals T are classified into a first group G1, and the IP type terminals T are classified into a second group G2. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the metal type terminals T3 and T4 are classified into the first group G1, and the IP type terminals T1 and T2 are classified into the second group G2.

[0024] [Detailed configuration of information processing unit 100] 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment. The information processing unit 100 has a first control and monitoring unit 10, a second control and monitoring unit 20, and a distribution and coupling unit 30. The first control and monitoring unit 10 and the second control and monitoring unit 20 are both connected to the distribution and coupling unit 30. The first control and monitoring unit 10 is connected to a terminal T of a first group G1. The second control and monitoring unit 20 is connected to a terminal T of a second group G2. The distribution and coupling unit 30 is connected to a higher-level device S.

[0025] The first control and monitoring unit 10 has a first control unit 11 and a first monitoring unit 12. The second control and monitoring unit 20 has a second control unit 21 and a second monitoring unit 22. The distribution and coupling unit 30 has a distribution unit 31 and a coupling unit 32. The distribution unit 31 and the coupling unit 32 are both connected to the first control unit 11 and the second control unit 21, respectively. The first control unit 11 and the first monitoring unit 12 are both connected to a terminal T of the first group G1 by a metal method. The second control unit 21 and the second monitoring unit 22 are both connected to a terminal T of the second group G2 by an IP method. The distribution unit 31 and the coupling unit 32 are both connected to a higher-level device S.

[0026] The distribution unit 31 distributes the control of the terminal T of the first group G1 to the first control unit 11, and distributes the control of the terminal T of the second group G2 to the second control unit 21. In other words, the distribution unit 31 receives a control signal from the higher-level device S, causes the first control unit 11 to control the terminal T of the first group G1 based on the control signal, and causes the second control unit 21 to control the terminal T of the second group G2 based on the control signal. The first control unit 11 controls the terminal T of the first group G1 based on the control signal received from the higher-level device S via the distribution unit 31. The second control unit 21 controls the terminal T of the second group G2 based on the control signal received from the higher-level device S via the distribution unit 31.

[0027] The information processing unit 100 further includes a memory section 40 and an input operation section 50. The memory section 40 is connected to the distribution section 31 and the input operation section 50. The memory section 40 uses a non-volatile memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and classification information in which a plurality of terminals T are classified into a first group G1 and a second group G2 is recorded. The distribution section 31 executes distribution of control of the plurality of terminals T to the first control section 11 and the second control section 21 according to the classification information read from the memory section 40. The input operation section 50 is configured to be capable of performing an input operation to switch the classification of the plurality of terminals T in the classification information recorded in the memory section 40 between the first group G1 and the second group G2.

[0028] The input operation section 50 has a display section 51 capable of displaying classification information, and is configured so that an operator can perform an input operation to switch the classification of a plurality of terminals T while watching the display section 51. FIG. 4 shows an example of classification information displayed on the display section 51. In the classification information shown in FIG. 4, a radio button for selecting a metal system and a radio button for selecting an IP system are provided for each of four terminals T1, T2, T3, and T4. In the information processing unit 100, a terminal T for which the metal system radio button is selected is classified into a first group G1, and a terminal T for which the IP system radio button is selected is classified into a second group G2. In the classification information shown in FIG. 4, the IP system is selected for terminals T1 and T2, and the metal system is selected for terminals T3 and T4.

[0029] In the input operation section 50, the classification of each terminal T in the classification information can be easily switched by selecting a radio button. For example, when a metal type terminal T3 is changed to an IP type terminal T3, the classification of the terminal T3 in the classification information can be changed from the metal type to the IP type only by an input operation of switching the selection of the radio button for the terminal T3 in the classification information from the IP type to the metal type. As a result, the distribution destination of the control of the terminal T3 by the distribution section 31 is changed from the first group G1 to the second group G2. In this way, in the information processing unit 100, the classification of a plurality of terminals T can be easily switched, so that even an operator who does not have specialized knowledge of software, etc. (for example, an operator in charge of removing an old terminal and installing a new terminal) can quickly and reliably update the classification information.

[0030] The first monitoring unit 12 of the first control and monitoring unit 10 acquires first monitoring information regarding the operation of terminals T in the first group G1 controlled by the first control unit 11. The second monitoring unit 22 of the second control and monitoring unit 20 acquires second monitoring information regarding the operation of terminals T in the second group G2 controlled by the second control unit 21. The first monitoring information and the second monitoring information each include information that allows one to grasp the operating state of each terminal T, and preferably includes information that allows one to grasp, for example, whether each terminal T is operating normally, has a malfunction, or is not operating.

[0031] Since the terminals T in the first group G1 and the terminals T in the second group G2 have different connection methods, the types of information required to grasp the operating state are different, and the criteria for judging the operating state using the information are also different. Therefore, the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information are data of different formats, and it is difficult for the host device S to handle them as they are collectively. In response to this, in the information processing unit 100, the combining unit 32 combines the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information so that they can be handled collectively in the host device S, thereby generating single combined monitoring information. This makes it possible for the host device S to collectively monitor the operations of all the terminals T in the first group G1 and the second group G2 using the combined monitoring information generated by the combining unit 32.

[0032] In the information processing unit 100 according to the present embodiment, the first connection method between the first control and monitoring unit 10 and the terminal T and the second connection method between the second control and monitoring unit 20 and the terminal T may be different from each other, and are not limited to a configuration in which the first connection method is a metal method and the second connection method is an IP method. In the information processing unit 100, for example, the first connection method may be an IP method and the second connection method may be a wireless method. In either case, in the information processing unit 100, the first control and monitoring unit 10 is configured to be capable of controlling and monitoring the terminal T corresponding to the first connection method, and the second control and monitoring unit 10 is configured to be capable of controlling and monitoring the terminal T corresponding to the second connection method.

[0033] Furthermore, the terminal T connected to the information processing unit 100 in the road display system 1 is not limited to a variable speed regulation sign, and can be various road display devices that display different information depending on the situation. Examples of such terminals T include a traffic information board that displays traffic information such as traffic congestion and accident occurrence, a parking lot information board that displays parking lot availability and parking fees, an information board that displays different information depending on the time of day and season, and a road condition warning board that displays road conditions during bad weather, etc.

[0034] Furthermore, the information processing unit 100 may be configured with one or more computers so that the functions of each component can be appropriately realized. For example, the information processing unit 100 may be configured with the first control and monitoring unit 10, the second control and monitoring unit 20, and the distribution and coupling unit 30 each being configured with one computer or with multiple computers. Also, among the first control and monitoring unit 10, the second control and monitoring unit 20, and the distribution and coupling unit 30, two may be configured with one computer, or all three may be configured with one computer. Furthermore, as the memory unit 40, a storage device built into the computer constituting the distribution and coupling unit 30 may be used. In addition, as the input operation unit 50, an input operation unit used for input operation to the computer constituting the distribution and coupling unit 30 may be used.

[0035] In addition, the information processing unit 100 may further include configurations other than those described above, as necessary. In addition, the information processing unit 100 may not include some of the configurations described above, depending on the circumstances. For example, in the information processing unit 100, if there is no need to monitor multiple terminals T, the first monitoring unit 12, the second monitoring unit 22, and the coupling unit 32 may not be provided. Furthermore, in the information processing unit 100, classification information may not be used for distributing the control of multiple terminals T by the distribution unit 31, and in this case, the memory unit 40 and the input operation unit 50 may not be provided.

[0036] Furthermore, the information processing unit 100 is not limited to a block in which multiple terminals T with two types of connection methods are mixed, but can also collectively control and monitor all of the terminals T in a block in which multiple terminals T with three or more types of connection methods are mixed. That is, the information processing unit 100 can be configured to have three or more control units and monitoring units corresponding to the three or more connection methods that may be included in the multiple terminals T, the distribution unit 31 distributes the control of the multiple terminals T to one of the three or more control units, and the combination unit 32 combines all the monitoring information acquired by the three or more monitoring units.

[0037] [Changes in connection method in Road Display System 1] In the road display system 1, the first advantage of using the information processing unit 100 is that it is possible to continue operation in a state where terminals T of two connection methods are mixed in one block. In addition, in a block where all terminals T are of the metal method, the road display system 1 has another great advantage in that it is possible to keep the number of terminals T that become inoperable in the process of replacing all terminals T of the metal method with terminals T of the IP method by using the information processing unit 100. This advantage will be described in detail below.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a general road display system 1a in which all terminals T are of the metal type. In the road display system 1a, a first control and monitoring unit 10 compatible with the metal type is provided separately as an information processing unit instead of the information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment. In order to change the connection method from the metal type to the IP type in the road display system 1a without using the information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment, it is first necessary to change the first control and monitoring unit 10 compatible with the metal type to the second control and monitoring unit 20 compatible with the IP type, and then to proceed with the removal of the terminals T of the metal type and the installation of the terminals T of the IP type one terminal at a time.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows the process of sequentially replacing metal type terminals T with IP type terminals T in the road display system 1a. In the state shown in FIG. 6, only terminal T1 is of the IP type, and terminals T2, T3, and T4 all remain of the metal type. In the road display system 1a in this state, the second control and monitoring unit 20 can control and monitor only the IP type terminal T1, but cannot control or monitor the metal type terminals T2, T3, and T4. Therefore, in the road display system 1a in this state, information can be displayed only in the section where terminal T1 is installed, and information cannot be displayed in the section where terminals T2, T3, and T4 are installed.

[0040] In response to this, the road display system 1 shown in Fig. 2 can be configured by replacing the first control and monitoring unit 20 in the road display system 1a shown in Fig. 5 with the information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment. In the information processing unit 100, by providing a distribution and combination unit 30 that distributes the control of multiple terminals T and combines monitoring information, it is possible for the first control and monitoring unit 10 and the second control and monitoring unit 20 to coexist. Also, in the information processing unit 100, as described above, it is possible to switch between the metal system and the IP system for control and monitoring of multiple terminals T by changing the classification information.

[0041] For this reason, the road display system 1 can continue operation of all metal type terminals T until immediately before removal work begins. Furthermore, in the road display system 1, while the removal work of a metal type terminal T or the installation work of an IP type terminal T is being performed, the classification of that terminal T in the classification information is changed from the first group G1 to the second group G2, so that operation can be resumed immediately after the installation work of the IP type terminal T is completed. In this way, by using the information processing unit 100, the road display system 1 can ensure that the only terminal T that becomes inoperable during the process of replacing a metal type terminal T with an IP type terminal is the one terminal T that is being worked on.

[0042] In addition, when replacing the metal type terminal T with the IP type terminal T in the road display system 1 as described above, it is preferable that the combining unit 32, when combining the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information, changes the format of the second monitoring information to match the format of the first monitoring information without substantially changing the first monitoring information. This allows the host device S in the road display system 1 to handle the combined monitoring information generated by the combining unit 32 in the same way as the driving information acquired by the first monitoring unit 12 of the first control / monitoring unit 20 of the road display system 1a shown in Fig. 5. Therefore, the road display system 1 can continue to operate as it is from the road display system 1a shown in Fig. 5 without changing the settings of the host device S. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1. Road display system 10…First control and monitoring unit 11...First control section 12…1st monitoring department 20…Second control and monitoring unit 21...Second control section 22…Second monitoring department 30...Distribution / coupling section 31...Distribution section 32...Joining part 40…Memory section 50... Input operation section 51...Display section 100...Information processing unit T…Terminal S...Upper device

Claims

1. An information processing unit that collectively controls a plurality of terminals that are installed at intervals along a road and display common information according to a situation so that the information can be viewed from the road, A first control unit configured to be able to control a terminal corresponding to a first connection method among the plurality of terminals; A second control unit configured to be able to control a terminal, among the plurality of terminals, that corresponds to a second connection method different from the first connection method; a distributor that distributes control of each of the plurality of terminals to either the first controller or the second controller; An information processing unit comprising:

2. 2. An information processing unit according to claim 1, A memory unit is further provided in which classification information is recorded that classifies each of the plurality of terminals into either a first group or a second group, The distributor distributes control of terminals belonging to the first group to the first controller and distributes control of terminals belonging to the second group to the second controller in accordance with the classification information. Information processing unit.

3. 3. An information processing unit according to claim 2, The classification information includes a first group and a second group, and an input operation unit configured to enable an input operation for switching the classification of each of the plurality of terminals in the classification information between the first group and the second group. Information processing unit.

4. 4. An information processing unit according to claim 1, a first monitoring unit that acquires first monitoring information related to an operation of the terminal distributed to the first control unit by the distribution unit; a second monitoring unit that acquires second monitoring information related to the operation of the terminal distributed to the second control unit by the distribution unit; a combining unit that combines the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information so as to be able to handle the information collectively; The information processing unit further comprises:

5. 5. An information processing unit according to claim 4, The combining unit changes a format of one of the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information to match a format of the other. Information processing unit.

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