Control system, roadside device, and control method

Abstract

To improve a technique for notifying pedestrians and vehicles of information.SOLUTION: A control system 1 comprises: a roadside device 20; and a server 30 that can communicate with the roadside device 20. The roadside device 20 transitions from an operation mode to a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to the operation mode when a predetermined time has passed after the start of operation. The server 30 transmits a cancellation instruction for the sleep mode to the roadside device 20 when a first condition is satisfied. The roadside device 20 cancels the sleep mode and returns to the operation mode in response to the reception of the cancellation instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control system, a roadside device, and a control method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, technologies for notifying pedestrians and vehicles of information are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a notification system that notifies vehicles and pedestrians other than the automated driving vehicle of passage permission or caution information, etc., according to the behavior of an automated driving vehicle scheduled to pass through a predetermined traffic area.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to enable a roadside device that notifies vehicles and pedestrians of information to be installed at an arbitrary location, when the device is portable and internally battery-driven, it is necessary to reduce power consumption. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a technology for reducing the power consumption of the roadside device. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the technology for notifying pedestrians and vehicles of information.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for notifying pedestrians and vehicles of information.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a control system including a roadside device and a server communicable with the roadside device. After the roadside device starts operating, when a predetermined time has elapsed, it shifts from an operating mode to a sleep mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the operating mode. When a first condition is satisfied, the server transmits a sleep mode release instruction to the roadside device. In response to receiving the release instruction, the roadside device releases the sleep mode and returns to the operating mode.

[0007] A roadside device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a roadside device including a control unit and a notification unit communicable with a server. After the roadside device starts operating, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit shifts the roadside device from an operating mode to a sleep mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the operating mode. When receiving a sleep mode release instruction from the server via the notification unit, in response to receiving the release instruction, the roadside device releases the sleep mode and returns the roadside device to the operating mode. In the operating mode, when the remaining battery level of the roadside device becomes less than a first reference value, a part of the functions of the roadside device is released. When the remaining battery level becomes less than a second reference value, the operation of the roadside device is stopped.

[0008] A control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a control method executed by a roadside device. After the roadside device starts operating, when a predetermined time has elapsed, shifting the roadside device from an operating mode to a sleep mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the operating mode; when receiving a sleep mode release instruction from the server, in response to receiving the release instruction, releasing the sleep mode and returning the roadside device to the operating mode; in the operating mode, when the remaining battery level of the roadside device becomes less than a first reference value, releasing a part of the functions of the roadside device; and when the remaining battery level becomes less than a second reference value, stopping the operation of the roadside device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the technology for notifying information to pedestrians and vehicles is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0012] (Overview of the Embodiment) With reference to FIG. 1, the outline of a control system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The control system 1 includes a vehicle 10, a roadside device 20, and a server 30. The vehicle 10, the roadside device 20, and the server 30 are communicably connected to a network 2 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0013] Vehicle 10 is, for example, an automobile, but is not limited thereto and may be any vehicle. The automobile may be a gasoline vehicle, a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), an FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), or the like, but is not limited thereto. In the present disclosure, vehicle 10 will be described as an automated driving vehicle 10 having an automated driving function. However, vehicle 10 is not limited to an automated driving vehicle 10. The number of automated driving vehicles 10 included in control system 1 may be arbitrarily determined. Automated driving vehicle 10 is communicably connected to roadside device 20 and server 30 via network 2.

[0014] When roadside device 20 detects a pedestrian heading towards the road lane from a camera image, it is an information communication device that notifies the pedestrian and also notifies automated driving vehicle 10 approaching the pedestrian. Further, roadside device 20 has a portable internal battery-driven specification and can switch between an operating mode and a sleep mode in which power consumption is reduced compared to when operating, in order to reduce power consumption. Furthermore, roadside device 20 can disable some of its functions during operation. Roadside device 20 is communicably connected to automated driving vehicle 10 and server 30 via network 2.

[0015] Server 30 is a computer owned by the administrator (management center) of roadside device 20. Server 30 is communicably connected to automated driving vehicle 10 and roadside device 20 via network 2.

[0016] First, the outline of the present embodiment will be described, and the details will be described later. The control system 1 includes a roadside device 20 and a server 30 that can communicate with the roadside device 20. After the operation starts, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the roadside device 20 shifts from the operation mode to a sleep mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the operation mode. When the first condition is satisfied, the server 30 transmits a sleep mode release instruction to the roadside device 20. In response to the reception of the release instruction, the roadside device 20 releases the sleep mode and returns to the operation mode.

[0017] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the first condition is satisfied, the sleep mode of the roadside device 20 is released. Therefore, for example, the sleep mode can be released only in a specific situation, such as when the automated vehicle 10 approaches the roadside device 20 to a certain extent, and the sleep mode is entered in other situations, thereby reducing the power consumption of the roadside device 20. Therefore, the technology for notifying pedestrians and vehicles of information is improved in terms of increasing the probability of reducing the power consumption of the roadside device 20.

[0018] Next, each component of the control system 1 will be described in detail.

[0019] (Configuration of Vehicle) As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 (automated vehicle 10) includes a communication unit 11, a positioning unit 12, an output unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0020] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 2. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation), or an in-vehicle network (e.g., CAN (Controller Area Network)), but is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, the automated vehicle 10 communicates with the roadside device 20 and the server 30 via the communication unit 11 and the network 2.

[0021] The positioning unit 12 includes one or more devices that acquire the position information of the autonomous vehicle 10. Specifically, the positioning unit 12 includes, for example, a receiver corresponding to GPS, but is not limited thereto, and may include a receiver corresponding to any satellite positioning system. The position information is information on the latitude and longitude of the target point.

[0022] The output unit 13 is configured to include at least one audio output interface capable of outputting audio, and at least one display interface capable of displaying characters or video. The audio output interface is, for example, a speaker that outputs, by voice, the information indicating the presence of a pedestrian received from the roadside device 20. The display interface is, for example, a display such as an LCD or an organic EL display that outputs, by characters or video, the information indicating the presence of a pedestrian received from the roadside device 20. However, the audio output interface and the display interface are not limited thereto.

[0023] The storage unit 14 includes one or more memories. The memory is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optical memory, etc., but is not limited thereto. Each memory included in the storage unit 14 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 14 stores any information used for the operation of the autonomous vehicle 10. For example, the storage unit 14 may store a system program, an application program, embedded software, and map information, etc. The information stored in the storage unit 14 may be updated by the information acquired from the network 2 via the communication unit 11, for example.

[0024] The control unit 15 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing, but is not limited thereto. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited thereto. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited thereto. The control unit 15 controls the operation of the entire autonomous vehicle 10.

[0025] (Configuration of Roadside Device) As shown in FIG. 1, the roadside device 20 includes a notification unit 21, a photographing unit 22, a storage unit 23, a control unit 24, and a battery 25.

[0026] The notification unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 2. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited thereto and may correspond to any communication standard. In the present embodiment, the roadside device 20 communicates with the autonomous vehicle 10 and the server 30 via the notification unit 21 and the network 2.

[0027] Furthermore, the notification unit 21 includes at least one of (i) a speaker that notifies pedestrians of the approach of the autonomous vehicle 10 by voice, (ii) a display that notifies by text or video, and (iii) a signal lamp that notifies by blinking of light, but the information notification method is not limited thereto.

[0028] The photographing unit 22 includes a video camera 22A and photographs a moving image or a still image of a pedestrian heading towards the road.

[0029] The storage unit 23 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 23 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 23 stores any information used for the operation of the roadside device 20. For example, the storage unit 23 may store a system program, an application program, a database, and images captured by the imaging unit 22. The information stored in the storage unit 23 may be updated with information acquired from the network 2 via the notification unit 21, for example.

[0030] The control unit 24 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 24 controls the operation of the entire roadside device 20.

[0031] The battery 25 supplies power to the notification unit 21, the imaging unit 22, the storage unit 23, and the control unit 24. The battery 25 is, for example, a rechargeable battery powered by an external power source or a rechargeable battery that can be detached from the roadside device 20, but is not limited thereto.

[0032] (Configuration of the server) As shown in FIG. 1, the server 30 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33.

[0033] The communication unit 31 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 2. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited thereto and may correspond to any communication standard. In the present embodiment, the server 30 communicates with the autonomous vehicle 10 and the roadside device 20 via the communication unit 31 and the network 2.

[0034] The storage unit 32 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 32 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 32 stores any information used for the operation of the server 30. For example, the storage unit 32 may store a system program, an application program, a database, and information about the roadside device 20 to be managed. The information stored in the storage unit 32 may be updated with information acquired from the network 2 via the communication unit 31, for example.

[0035] The control unit 33 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The control unit 33 controls the operation of the entire server 30.

[0036] (Operation flow of control system 1) With reference to FIG. 2, the operation of the control system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. This operation relates to reducing the power consumption of the roadside device 20.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the roadside device 20. Since the flowchart of FIG. 3 is common to a part of the flowchart of FIG. 2, the operation example of the control system 1 shown in FIG. 2 will be described below, and the description of the operation example of the roadside device 20 shown in FIG. 3 will be omitted. In addition, the correspondence of the step numbers in FIG. 2 is shown in parentheses to the right of the step numbers in FIG. 3. That is, S201 in FIG. 3 corresponds to S102 in FIG. 2, and similarly, S202 corresponds to S103, S203 corresponds to S106, S204 corresponds to S107, S205 corresponds to S108, S206 corresponds to S109, S207 corresponds to S110, S208 corresponds to S111, and S209 corresponds to S112.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a traffic area. As shown in FIG. 4, the autonomous vehicle 10 travels on the lane 3, and the pedestrian 4 crosses the lane 3 at a crosswalk 5 or the like. The roadside device 20 is of a portable internal battery-driven specification and can be installed at any location. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the roadside device 20 is installed in the roadside strip 6 of the lane 3 near the crosswalk 5, for example.

[0039] S101: The control unit 33 of the server 30 acquires predetermined information from the autonomous vehicle 10 via the communication unit 31 and the network 2.

[0040] The predetermined information includes, but is not limited to, the position L1(x1, y1) of the autonomous vehicle 10, the vehicle speed S of the autonomous vehicle 10, the scheduled time to pass through the point where the roadside device 20 is installed, and the operation date of the autonomous vehicle 10. The server 30 stores in advance the position L2(x2, y2) of the point where the roadside device 20 is installed and the position L3(x3, y3) that the autonomous vehicle 10 should reach so that the pedestrian 4 can safely cross the road 3 after the autonomous vehicle 10 passes the position L2.

[0041] S102: After the operation of the roadside device 20 starts, the control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 determines whether or not a predetermined time T1 has elapsed. If the predetermined time T1 has elapsed, the process proceeds to S103; if not, the process returns to S102.

[0042] The predetermined time T1 is desirably set to a short time such as 5 seconds, 10 seconds, or 30 seconds, etc., but not limited thereto, in order to reduce the power consumption of the roadside device 20 as much as possible. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the transition of the power consumption mode. As shown in Fig. 5, after the operation of the roadside device 20 starts, it operates in the operation mode until the predetermined time T1 elapses. The power consumption P of the roadside device 20 during this period is P1.

[0043] S103: The control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 shifts the roadside device 20 from the operation mode to the sleep mode with lower power consumption than the operation mode.

[0044] In the present disclosure, the sleep mode refers to a state in which the operation of the roadside device 20 is temporarily stopped in order to reduce the power consumption P of the roadside device 20. In the sleep mode, the control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 can receive notifications from the server 30 via the notification unit 21 and the network 2. The roadside device 20 enters a power-saving state while maintaining a state where it can return to the communication and operation modes in the sleep mode.

[0045] After the operation of the roadside device 20 starts, when a predetermined time T1 has elapsed, the control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 reduces the power consumption of the roadside device 20 by shifting the roadside device 20 from the operation mode to a sleep mode in which the power consumption is lower than that in the operation mode. As shown in FIG. 5, at the time t1 when the roadside device 20 shifts from the operation mode to the sleep mode, the power consumption P of the roadside device 20 is reduced from P1 to P3.

[0046] S104: The control unit 33 of the server 30 determines whether the first condition is satisfied. If the first condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S105; if not, the process returns to S101.

[0047] The first condition is at least one of (i) the first time distance Td1 from the autonomous vehicle 10 approaching the roadside device 20 to the roadside device 20 being less than the threshold value α, (ii) the time being a predetermined time T2 before the scheduled time when the autonomous vehicle 10 passes by the roadside device 20, and (iii) the day of operation of the autonomous vehicle 10.

[0048] Time distance refers to expressing the distance from one point to another point not in terms of spatial distance such as several kilometers, but in terms of the required time for movement. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the first time distance Td1 is the required time for the autonomous vehicle 10 to move from the position of its own vehicle to the position of the installation location of the roadside device 20. Regarding (i) of the first condition, if the position of the autonomous vehicle 10 at the determination time is L1(x1, y1) and the position of the installation location of the roadside device 20 is L2(x2, y2), the distance D1 between the position of the autonomous vehicle 10 and the position of the installation location of the roadside device 20 is calculated by the following formula (1), and the first time distance Td1 is calculated based on formula (2). S is the vehicle speed of the autonomous vehicle 10. D1 2 =(x1 - x2) 2 +(y1 - y2) 2 (1) Td1 = D1 / S (2)

[0049] The control unit 33 of the server 30 determines whether (i) of the first condition is satisfied according to the following formula (3). Td1 < α (3)

[0050] S105: When the control unit 33 of the server 30 determines that the first condition is satisfied, it sends an instruction to release the sleep mode to the roadside device 20 via the communication unit 31 and the network 2.

[0051] When the control unit 33 of the server 30 determines that the first time distance Td1 is less than the threshold α, it sends an instruction to release the sleep mode to the roadside device 20. Also, when the control unit 33 of the server 30 determines that the determination time is a predetermined time T2 before the scheduled time when the autonomous vehicle 10 passes the roadside device 20, it sends an instruction to release the sleep mode to the roadside device 20.

[0052] When the server 30 sends an instruction to release the sleep mode to the roadside device 20, it may simultaneously send the second time distance Td2. The second time distance Td2 is the time required for the autonomous vehicle 10 to reach the position L3(x3, y3) where the pedestrian 4 can safely cross the road lane 3 after passing the position L2 of the point where the roadside device 20 is installed from the position L1(x1, y1) of its own vehicle. The distance D2 from the position L1 of the own vehicle to the position L3 is calculated by the following formula (4), and the second time distance Td2 is calculated by formula (5). S is the vehicle speed of the autonomous vehicle 10. D2 2 =(x1 - x3) 2 +(y1 - y3) 2 (4) Td2 = D2 / S (5)

[0053] S106 - S107: In response to receiving the instruction to release the sleep mode, the control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 releases the sleep mode of the roadside device 20 and returns it to the operating mode.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, at the time t2 when the roadside device 20 returns from the sleep mode to the operating mode, the power consumption P rises from P3 to P1.

[0055] S108: The control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 determines whether the battery remaining amount of the roadside device 20 is less than the first reference value. If the battery remaining amount is less than the first reference value, it proceeds to S109, and if it is greater than or equal to the first reference value, it proceeds to S110.

[0056] S109: The control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 releases a part of the functions of the roadside device 20.

[0057] The first reference value is set such that the remaining battery level (%) is, for example, 30% of the fully charged capacity, but the first reference value is not limited to 30%. When the remaining battery level becomes less than the first reference value, the control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 may, for example, limit part of the function of the notification unit 21. Specifically, the control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 may impose restrictions such as turning off any one of (i) a speaker that notifies the pedestrian 4 of the approach of the automated vehicle 10 by voice, (ii) a display that notifies by characters or video, and (iii) a signal lamp that notifies by flashing light by the notification unit 21. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, at the time t3 when part of the function of the roadside device 20 is released, the power consumption of the roadside device 20 is reduced from P1 to P2. When a pedestrian 4 with a visual impairment is detected from the camera image, the control unit 24 may take measures according to the ability of the pedestrian 4, such as turning on the speaker while turning off the display and the signal lamp.

[0058] S110: The control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 determines whether the second condition is satisfied. If the condition is satisfied, the process returns to S103, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process returns to S108.

[0059] The second condition is that, after the roadside device 20 returns to the operating mode in response to receiving an instruction to cancel the sweep mode, a time period equal to or longer than the required time T3 corresponding to the second time distance Td2 has elapsed since the time of return. As described above, the control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 receives the second time distance Td2 when receiving an instruction to cancel the sleep mode. As shown in FIG. 4, the automated driving vehicle 10 approaching the roadside device 20 passes through the location where the roadside device 20 is installed and heads towards the position L3 where the pedestrian 4 can safely cross the roadway 3. Referring to FIG. 5 for explanation, when a time period equal to or longer than the required time T3 corresponding to the second time distance Td2 has elapsed since the time t2 when the roadside device 20 was returned to the operating mode in response to receiving an instruction to cancel the sweep mode from the server 30 and the time has reached t4, it is determined that the automated driving vehicle 10 has reached the position L3 or has passed through the position L3. Therefore, the control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 determines at time t4 that the safety of the pedestrian 4 crossing the roadway 3 is ensured, and shifts the operating mode back to the sleep mode again. As shown in FIG. 5, at the time t4 when the roadside device 20 shifts to the sleep mode again, the power consumption P decreases from P2 to P3. However, thereafter, if the roadside device 20 receives an instruction to cancel the sleep mode from the server 30 again in S107 and cancels the sleep mode and returns to the operating mode in response to receiving the cancellation instruction, the power consumption P of the roadside device 20 increases from P3 to P2 at the time t5 of return.

[0060] S111: The control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 determines whether the remaining battery level of the roadside device 20 is less than the second reference value. If the remaining battery level is equal to or higher than the second reference value, the process returns to S110. If the remaining battery level becomes less than the second reference value, the process proceeds to S112.

[0061] S112: The control unit 24 of the roadside device 20 notifies the server 30 of the remaining battery level via the notification unit 21 and the network 2, stops the operation of the roadside device 20, and ends the information processing by the roadside device 20.

[0062] The second reference value is set such that the remaining battery level (%) of the roadside device 20 is, for example, 10% of the fully charged capacity, but the second reference value is not limited to this. When the remaining battery level of the roadside device 20 becomes less than the second reference value, since the battery 25 of the roadside device 20 needs to be replaced or charged, the operation of the roadside device 20 is stopped. As shown in FIG. 5, at the time t6 when the roadside device 20 stops operating, the power consumption P decreases from P2 to 0 (zero).

[0063] S113 - S114: The control unit 33 of the server 30 receives the remaining battery level of the roadside device 20 transmitted from the roadside device 20 via the communication unit 31 and the network 2, and determines whether the remaining battery level of the roadside device 20 is less than the second threshold value. If the remaining battery level is greater than or equal to the second reference value, the process returns to S101. If it is less than the second reference value, the information processing by the server 30 ends.

[0064] The control unit 33 of the server 30 returns to S101 and continues the information processing as long as the remaining battery level of the roadside device 20 is greater than or equal to the second threshold value. On the other hand, when the remaining battery level of the roadside device 20 becomes less than the second threshold value, it is necessary to replace or charge the battery 25 of the roadside device 20. Therefore, the server 30 ends the information processing until the replacement or charging operation of the battery 25 of the roadside device 20 is completed and the roadside device 20 is restarted.

[0065] As shown in the transition diagram of the power consumption mode in FIG. 5, according to this embodiment, by introducing the sleep mode and releasing a part of the functions of the roadside device 20 compared to the case where the roadside device 20 is operated in the always - on operation mode, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the roadside device 20.

[0066] As described above, the control system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a roadside device 20 and a server 30 that can communicate with the roadside device 20. After the roadside device 20 starts operating, when a predetermined time elapses, it shifts from the operating mode to a sleep mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the operating mode. When the first condition is satisfied, the server 30 transmits an instruction to release the sleep mode to the roadside device 20. In response to receiving the release instruction, the roadside device 20 releases the sleep mode and returns to the operating mode.

[0067] According to such a configuration, when the first condition is satisfied, the sleep mode of the roadside device 20 is released. Therefore, for example, when the automated vehicle 10 approaches the roadside device 20 to a certain extent, the sleep mode of the roadside device 20 is released, and the power consumption of the roadside device 20 can be reduced by shifting to the sleep mode in other situations. Therefore, the probability of reducing the power consumption of the roadside device 20 is improved, and the technology for notifying pedestrians and vehicles of information is improved.

[0068] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and a plurality of components or steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided.

[0069] Also, for example, an embodiment in which a general-purpose computer functions as the roadside device 20 according to the above-described embodiment is also possible. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing each function of the roadside device 20 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of a general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure according to the present embodiment can also be realized as a program executable by a processor or a non-temporary computer-readable medium storing the program.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0070] 1 Control System 2 Network 10 Vehicle (Autonomous Vehicle) 11 Communication Unit 12 Positioning Unit 13 Output Unit 14 Memory Unit 15 Control Unit 20 Road-Side Unit 21 Notification Unit 22 Imaging Unit 22A Video Camera 23 Memory Unit 24 Control Unit 25 Battery 30 Server (Administrator's Server) 31 Communication Unit 32 Memory Unit 33 Control Unit

Claims

1. A control system comprising a roadside device and a server capable of communicating with the roadside device, wherein after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of operation, the roadside device shifts from an operation mode to a sleep mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the operation mode; when a first condition is satisfied, the server transmits a sleep mode release instruction to the roadside device; the roadside device releases the sleep mode and returns to the operation mode in response to the reception of the release instruction.

2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the first condition is at least one of: a first time distance from an autonomous vehicle approaching the roadside device to the roadside device being less than a threshold value; the time being a predetermined time before the scheduled time when the autonomous vehicle passes the roadside device; and the day of operation of the autonomous vehicle.

3. A roadside device comprising a control unit and a notification unit capable of communicating with a server, wherein after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of operation of the roadside device, the control unit shifts the roadside device from an operation mode to a sleep mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the operation mode; when receiving a sleep mode release instruction from the server via the notification unit, in response to the reception of the release instruction, the roadside device releases the sleep mode and returns the roadside device to the operation mode, and in the operation mode, when the remaining battery level of the roadside device becomes less than a first reference value, a part of the functions of the roadside device is released, and when the remaining battery level becomes less than a second reference value, the operation of the roadside device is stopped.

4. The roadside device according to claim 3, wherein in response to the reception of the sleep mode release instruction, the control unit returns the roadside device to the operation mode, and when a second condition is satisfied, the control unit shifts the roadside device from the operation mode to the sleep mode again.

5. A control method executed by a roadside device, the method comprising: shifting the roadside device from an operation mode to a sleep mode in which power consumption is lower than that in the operation mode after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of operation of the roadside device; releasing the sleep mode and returning the roadside device to the operation mode in response to the reception of a sleep mode release instruction from a server. In the operation mode, when the remaining battery level of the roadside device becomes less than a first reference value, a part of the functions of the roadside device is released; when the remaining battery level becomes less than a second reference value, the operation of the roadside device is stopped; A control method including the above.

Images