Road information boards and road information board control systems

Abstract

To provide road information signs and road information sign control systems that enable safe operation on site. [Solution] To achieve the above objective, a road information board according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a display unit, a first communication unit, a second communication unit, and a control unit. The first communication unit communicates with an office terminal located in the office. The second communication unit communicates with a portable mobile terminal usable by field workers. The control unit controls the display unit to display information, which is information related to road traffic, based on input instructions from the mobile terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a road information board and a road information board control system applicable to the control of display contents and the like displayed on the road information board.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, information boards installed on highways and the like that display information such as detour instructions and road closures are managed for failures and the like by a PC installed in a management office. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a remote control system that controls the display state of a display device that displays traffic control information installed in a mountainous area based on an image captured by an imaging device. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an information display system that remotely displays a desired image in real time on a display device installed at the roadside and remotely monitors in real time the content displayed on the display device and the state of the device.

[0003] In addition, such information boards can also display various news such as disaster information in addition to traffic information. For example, Patent Document 3 discloses a bus stop sign having a function of displaying various latest information for citizens by voice, characters, and images.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When an information board malfunctions, it is necessary to go to the site to repair it. Depending on the location where the information board is installed, it may be difficult to operate the machine-side control panel for the information board, such as when it is not possible to install the machine-side control panel nearby (e.g., on bridge sections), when traffic restrictions need to be implemented during repair work, or when it is necessary to ensure the safety of maintenance workers during severe weather or on roads with heavy traffic.

[0006] In situations where on-site work is difficult, it is desirable to be able to perform operations remotely from a safe location, similar to those performed on a conventional machine control panel.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, the object of the present invention is to provide a road information board and a road information board control system that enable safe operation on site. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, a road information board according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a display unit, a first communication unit, a second communication unit, and a control unit. The first communication unit mentioned above communicates with the office terminal located in the office. The second communication unit described above communicates with portable mobile terminals that can be used by field workers. The control unit controls the display unit to display information, which is related to road traffic, based on input instructions from the mobile terminal.

[0009] The above-mentioned road information board comprises a display unit, a first communication unit, a second communication unit, and a control unit. The first communication unit communicates with an office terminal located in the office. The second communication unit communicates with a portable mobile terminal usable by field workers. The control unit controls the display unit to display information, which is related to road traffic, based on input instructions from the mobile terminal. This enables safe operation on site.

[0010] The control unit may, when an input instruction is received from the mobile terminal while the control unit is displaying first display information based on an input instruction from the office terminal, control the display unit to change the first display information displayed on the display unit to second display information that is different from the first display information based on the input instruction from the mobile terminal.

[0011] The above input instruction may include at least the speed limit for road traffic. In this case, the control unit may prohibit the input of the above input instruction that includes a numerical value other than the speed thresholds between the first threshold and the second threshold in the speed limit.

[0012] The above input instruction may include at least one of the following: the characters displayed on the display unit, the color of the characters, the brightness of the characters, the size of the characters, the image displayed on the display unit, the color of the image, the brightness of the image, or the size of the image. In this case, the control unit may control the display unit so that at least part or all of the characters or the image is highlighted.

[0013] The above input instructions may include information on speed limits for road traffic, traffic congestion, or disaster information related to road traffic.

[0014] The second communication unit described above may perform short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal described above.

[0015] The above-mentioned road information board may further include a sensor unit that detects maintenance information, which is information relating to at least one of a malfunction of the road information board or the driving conditions. In this case, the control unit may output the maintenance information to the mobile terminal based on a request for the maintenance information from the mobile terminal.

[0016] A road information board control system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an office terminal, a mobile terminal, and a road information board. The above-mentioned office terminal will be placed in the office. The above-mentioned mobile device is portable and usable by field workers. The above road information board includes a display unit, a first communication unit, a second communication unit, and a control unit. The first communication unit communicates with the office terminal. The second communication unit communicates with the mobile terminal. The control unit controls the display unit to display display information, which is information related to road traffic, based on an input instruction from the mobile terminal.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, safe operation at the site where the road information board is installed is enabled.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a road information board control system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a road information board control system. [Figure 3] It is a sequence diagram showing the control of a road information board. [Figure 4] It is a sequence diagram showing the control of a road information board, an office terminal, and a mobile terminal. [Figure 5] It is a sequence diagram showing the control of maintenance information of a road information board.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a road information board control system 100 according to the present invention.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the road information board control system 100 includes a road information board 10 arranged on a road, an office terminal 20, and a mobile terminal 30.

[0022] The road information board 10 has a display unit 14. The display unit 14 displays information related to road traffic. For example, in Figure 1, information regarding a speed limit, "speed limit 80 km / h," is displayed. In addition to this, traffic regulations, congestion information, disaster information, warnings to drivers such as icy roads or caution regarding curves ahead may also be displayed.

[0023] The road information board 10 also has a control panel 17. The control panel 17 is configured to control the display content, such as characters and images, displayed on the display unit 14. For example, a field worker 1 can change the currently displayed content to a new display content by directly operating the control panel 17. The control panel 17 is also configured to allow checking of information regarding malfunctions and operating status of the road information board 10. For example, a field worker 1 can visually check the cause of the malfunction, the location of the malfunction, or the operating status of the road information board 10 by directly operating the control panel 17.

[0024] In Figure 1, the control panel 17 is located near the road information sign 10, but depending on the location of the road information sign 10, such as on a bridge, the control panel 17 may be located at a distance where the road information sign 10 cannot be seen.

[0025] The road information board 10 also has a first communication unit 11 for long-distance communication with the office terminal 20 and a second communication unit 12 for short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 30 (see Figure 2).

[0026] The office terminal 20 is a terminal (e.g., a PC) installed in the management department of the organization that manages the roads and road information signs 10. The office terminal 20 is installed at a location away from the road information signs 10 and is operated by the administrator 2. For example, the administrator 2 can check whether or not the road information signs 10 are malfunctioning via the office terminal 20.

[0027] The mobile terminal 30 is a portable terminal usable by the field worker 1. For example, the mobile terminal 30 may be a tablet or a smartphone. By operating the mobile terminal 30, the field worker 1 can create input instructions regarding the display information to be shown on the road information board 10. For example, the field worker 1 creates an input instruction to display "Traffic jam ahead for 3km" on the road information board 10 and sends it to the road information board 10. The road information board 10 changes the display information already displayed on the road information board 10 (in Figure 1, "Speed ​​limit 80km / h") to the display information based on the received input instruction.

[0028] In other words, the field worker 1 can use the mobile terminal 30 to communicate with the second communication unit 12 of the road information board 10 via short-range wireless communication without operating the control panel 17, and send input instructions to the road information board 10.

[0029] Here, short-range wireless communication refers to communication that does not involve a network. For example, short-range wireless communication includes BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) communication using a BLE module. However, short-range wireless communication is not limited to this, and various communication standards may be used. Long-range communication, on the other hand, refers to communication that takes place via a network.

[0030] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the road information board control system 100.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the road information board control system 100 includes a road information board 10, an office terminal 20, and a mobile terminal 30.

[0032] The road information board 10 can display traffic-related information such as speed limits and congestion information. In this embodiment, the road information board 10 includes a first communication unit 11, a second communication unit 12, a control unit 13, a display unit 14, a sensor unit 15, a storage unit 16, and an operation panel 17.

[0033] The first communication unit 11 communicates with the office terminal 20. For example, the first communication unit 11 receives input instructions from the office terminal 20.

[0034] The second communication unit 12 communicates with the mobile terminal 30. In this embodiment, the second communication unit 12 receives input instructions from the mobile terminal 30 and transmits these instructions to the control unit 13. The second communication unit 12 also receives a request from the mobile terminal 30 for maintenance information, which is information regarding malfunctions and driving conditions of the road information board 10, and transmits this request to the control unit 13.

[0035] The control unit 13 performs various controls on the road information board 10. For example, based on input instructions from the mobile terminal 30 acquired by the second communication unit 12, the control unit 13 controls the display unit 14 so that display information, which is information related to road traffic, can be displayed. Also, for example, based on a request for maintenance information from the mobile terminal 30, the control unit 13 outputs maintenance information to the mobile terminal 30.

[0036] The display unit 14 displays various information related to road traffic. For example, the display unit 14 is composed of multiple LED groups arranged in a vertical and horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the display unit 14 lights up LEDs at predetermined positions according to the display information from the mobile terminal 30 acquired by the second communication unit 12.

[0037] The sensor unit 15 detects malfunctions of the road information board 10, as well as maintenance information, which is information regarding the operating status of the road information board 10, such as its operating time and the dimming rate of its LEDs. The maintenance information detected by the sensor unit 15 is stored in the storage unit 16.

[0038] The memory unit 16 stores various information related to the road information board 10. For example, the memory unit 16 stores maintenance information detected by the sensor unit 15. For example, the maintenance information includes the time a malfunction occurred, the type of abnormal status such as the circumstances and type of malfunction, the operating time, the power supply voltage, the internal temperature, the dimming stage, the LED illumination rate, the location of the malfunction, the history of power outages, the history of when the power was turned on, etc. In addition to the history, the maintenance information may also include the current status of the road information board 10 (real-time information). For example, it may include the type of malfunction or abnormal status currently occurring, the current power supply voltage, the location where the current malfunction is occurring (for example, the location of the LED malfunction), etc.

[0039] The information stored in the memory unit 16 is not limited; for example, information input from the first communication unit 11 may be associated with a flag indicating that it was input from the first communication unit 11 and stored accordingly. Alternatively, the memory unit 16 may store information input from the second communication unit 12 (e.g., display information) with a flag indicating that it was input from the second communication unit 12. Furthermore, for example, the history of outputting predetermined information to the office terminal 20 or mobile terminal 30 may be stored.

[0040] The control panel 17 is configured to receive operations from the field worker 1. For example, the control panel 17 has an operating section such as a switch or a panel for changing the display content shown on the road information board 10. For example, the control panel 17 transmits the operation instructions performed by the field worker 1 to the control unit 13. For example, the control panel 17 has a detection unit that indicates the current malfunction or operating status of the road information board by lighting up an LED. The configuration of the control panel 17 is not limited.

[0041] The mobile terminal 30 includes a communication unit 31 that can communicate with the second communication unit 12, a storage unit 32 that stores applications related to the road information board control system 100, an operation unit 33 that accepts operations from the field worker 1, a display unit 34, and the like.

[0042] For example, worker 1 is near a road information sign 10 (for example, within 100m) and selects the road information sign 10 to be operated from a mobile terminal 30. Worker 1 then sends display information, including text and images of their choice, to the selected road information sign 10. As a result, the display unit 14 of the road information sign 10 displays the information based on the input instructions from the mobile terminal 30.

[0043] The displayed information may include text, text color, text brightness, text size, images, image color, image brightness, or image size, and these may be created in any combination.

[0044] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing the control of the road information board 10.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the field worker 1 operates the mobile terminal 30 to select the road information sign 10 to be operated on (step 101). For example, different IDs are assigned to the BLE modules installed on the road information sign 10, and the field worker 1 can select the road information sign 10 by checking the ID on the mobile terminal 30.

[0046] Furthermore, the field worker 1 creates input instructions to be transmitted to the road information board 10 by operating the mobile terminal 30 (step 102). For example, the field worker 1 can create input instructions that include text such as "speed limit 80 km / h or less," the color and brightness of the text, and display information such as images to be displayed on the display unit 14. The created input instructions are output to the second communication unit 12 of the road information board 10.

[0047] The second communication unit 12 transmits the input instruction output from the mobile terminal 30 to the control unit 13 (step 103). The control unit 13 then creates display information based on the input instruction to be transmitted to the display unit 14 (step 104). The display unit 14 displays the display information output from the control unit 13 (step 105).

[0048] The control unit 13 also transmits completion information to the second communication unit 12 indicating that the display unit 14 has displayed the display information (step 106). The second communication unit 12 transmits the completion information to the mobile terminal 30 (step 107).

[0049] The mobile terminal 30 receives a response from the second communication unit 12, analyzes the response, and displays completion information (step 108). For example, a notification indicating that the content has been displayed may be shown on the screen of the mobile terminal 30 as completion information. Of course, the field worker 1 can also confirm the displayed content by looking directly at the road information board 10.

[0050] As described above, by implementing a BLE communication module on the road information board, it becomes possible to remotely perform operations that were previously only possible from the machine's control panel, such as changing the display content of the road information board, testing LED lamps, and controlling LED dimming, from a safe location such as on a vehicle using BLE communication-enabled devices such as smartphones and tablets. This enables maintenance of road information boards when the machine's control panel cannot be installed near the road information board, such as on bridge sections, maintenance of road information boards where traffic restrictions are necessary during work, or safe on-site operation even when it is difficult to ensure the safety of on-site workers, such as during severe weather or on roads with heavy traffic. Furthermore, even if the communication line to the office terminal fails, the road information board can be controlled from a mobile terminal operated by a field worker.

[0051] <Other Embodiments> This technology is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various other embodiments can be realized. In the following description, parts that are similar to the configuration and operation of the road information board control system 100 described in the above embodiments will be omitted or simplified.

[0052] In the above embodiment, display information was displayed on the display unit 14 based on input instructions created by the mobile terminal 30. In addition, the control unit 13 may perform control of input instructions, such as highlighting characters and numbers displayed on the display unit 14, correcting inappropriate display content, or issuing warnings regarding input instructions such as exceeding the specified number of characters.

[0053] For example, if worker 1 creates a display with the information "Speed ​​800 km / h or less," worker 1 may be notified that "Speed ​​800 km / h" is a typographical error. Alternatively, the system may be configured to prohibit the input of values ​​outside the designated speed limit zone (e.g., 120 km / h or above, or 20 km / h or below). In addition to speed limits, the system may also correct inappropriate display information, such as colors that are difficult for drivers to see, based on the surrounding environment where the road information board 10 is installed (visibility, weather, road conditions during disasters, etc.), or notify worker 1 that the information is inappropriate.

[0054] As another example of highlighting, it might be suggested to field worker 1 to adjust the brightness or color to emphasize a part of the displayed information, such as "speed 80 km / h or less" (for example, the numerical value "80 km / h").

[0055] In addition to notifications and input restrictions, the control unit 13 may also edit inappropriate display information to appropriate content. For example, completion information indicating that inappropriate parts have been edited or a portion has been highlighted may be displayed as a preview on the mobile terminal 30.

[0056] This prevents the display of misinformation and helps prevent oversights by adjusting the brightness and color of some of the displayed content.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the content displayed on the road information board 10 was changed by a mobile terminal 30 on which the application was installed. In addition, the road information board control system 100 may also include a management terminal operated by a verifier who checks and approves the display information created by the field worker 1. For example, the verifier may check whether the display information is correct, whether the brightness or color is set to be visible from an appropriate distance, etc., via a management terminal different from the office terminal 20, and approve the display information. This allows the field worker 1, who is near the road information board 10, and the verifier, who is far away, to check the display content and visibility from different perspectives.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the control of the mobile terminal 30 and the road information board 10 was exemplified. In addition, control of the first communication unit 11 and the office terminal 20 that performs long-distance communication may also be performed.

[0059] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing the control of the road information board 10, the office terminal 20, and the mobile terminal 30. Note that in Figure 4, step 101 and the step of selecting the road information board 10 to be operated by the office terminal 20 are omitted from the illustration.

[0060] In Figure 4, it is assumed that during the processing from steps 101 to 108 of the sequence diagram shown in Figure 3, an input instruction is created by the administrator 2 from the office terminal 20 and output to the first communication unit 11 of the road information board 10 (step 201). In other words, Figure 4 is a sequence diagram of what happens when a control command is received from another terminal while the road information board 10 is processing to display information from the mobile terminal 30 (steps 103 to 107).

[0061] In this case, the road information board 10 controls the input instructions from the office terminal 20 after completing control of the mobile terminal 30 that previously sent the input instructions. Specifically, after the completion information is sent to the mobile terminal 30 in step 107, the first communication unit 11 sends the input instructions output from the office terminal 20 to the control unit 13 (step 202).

[0062] The control unit 13 also creates display information based on the input instructions to be sent to the display unit 14 (step 203). The display unit 14 displays the display information output from the control unit 13 (step 204).

[0063] Furthermore, completion information indicating that the display unit 14 has displayed the content is output to the control unit 13, and the response from the display unit 14 is transmitted to the first communication unit 11 (step 205). The first communication unit 11 transmits the completion information to the office terminal 20 (step 206). The office terminal 20 receives the response from the first communication unit 11, analyzes the response, and displays the completion information (step 207).

[0064] In Figure 4, the second communication unit 12 transmits change information to the mobile terminal 30, indicating that the display content has been changed by the display information output from the office terminal 20 (step 208). The mobile terminal 30 receives a response from the second communication unit 12, analyzes the response, and displays the change information (step 209). For example, the mobile terminal 30 is notified that the display information displayed on the display unit 14 has been updated by the display information sent from the office terminal 20. Alternatively, the display information (the changed content) may be displayed on the mobile terminal 30.

[0065] Although Figure 4 illustrates a case where the display content is transmitted from the office terminal 20, the case is not limited to this. Even if various control commands are sent from the mobile terminal 30 or the office terminal 20, the control of the device that first outputs the control command may take precedence.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the display content shown on the display unit 14 of the road information board 10 was changed based on the display information created by the mobile terminal 30. However, it is not limited to this, and various control commands may be sent from the mobile terminal 30. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the mobile terminal 30 may output a control command to acquire maintenance information for the road information board 10.

[0067] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the control of maintenance information on the road information board 10.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5, field worker 1 operates the mobile terminal 30 to select the road information board 10 to be operated on (step 301). Field worker 1 also operates the mobile terminal 30 to request that maintenance information be sent to the road information board 10 (step 302).

[0069] The second communication unit 12 transmits a request from the mobile terminal 30 to the control unit 13 (step 303). The control unit 13 reads the requested maintenance information from the storage unit 16 (step 304). For example, the maintenance information read may include the current fault location of the road information board 10, the cause of the fault, the time the fault occurred, or past fault history.

[0070] The second communication unit 12 transmits the maintenance information read by the control unit 13 to the mobile terminal 30 (step 305). The mobile terminal 30 receives a response from the second communication unit 12, analyzes the response, and displays and saves the maintenance information (step 306). For example, the read maintenance information may be displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 30, and a button to select whether or not to save it may be displayed.

[0071] This makes it possible to obtain maintenance information from a safe location, which was previously only obtainable by checking the control panel on the machine itself, which is difficult to access, or the control panel mounted on road information signs.

[0072] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made. Furthermore, the configurations of each embodiment and its modified form may be combined. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 10…Road information sign 11...First Communications Department 12...Second Communications Department 13…Control Unit 14...Display section 15...Sensor section 16...Storage section 17...Operation panel 20…Office terminal 30…Mobile devices 31... Communications Department 32...Storage section 33...Operation unit 34…Display section 100...Road information sign control system

Claims

1. Display unit and The first communication unit communicates with the office terminals located in the office, A second communication unit that communicates with portable mobile terminals usable by field workers, A control unit controls the display unit to display information, which is related to road traffic, based on input instructions from the mobile terminal. A road information sign equipped with the following features.

2. A road information sign according to claim 1, When the control unit is displaying first display information based on an input instruction from the office terminal and an input instruction is received from the mobile terminal, the control unit controls the display unit to change the first display information displayed on the display unit to second display information that is different from the first display information based on the input instruction from the mobile terminal. Road information sign.

3. A road information sign according to claim 1, The aforementioned input instruction includes at least the speed limit for road traffic, The control unit prohibits the input of the input instruction that includes a numerical value other than the speed thresholds between the first threshold and the second threshold in the speed limit. Road information sign.

4. A road information sign according to claim 1, The input instruction includes at least one of the following: characters displayed on the display unit, the color of the characters, the brightness of the characters, the size of the characters, an image displayed on the display unit, the color of the image, the brightness of the image, or the size of the image. The control unit controls the display unit so that at least part or all of the characters or the image is highlighted. Road information sign.

5. A road information sign according to claim 1, The input instructions include speed limits for road traffic, traffic congestion, or disaster information related to road traffic. Road information sign.

6. A road information sign according to claim 1, The second communication unit performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal. Road information sign.

7. A road information sign according to claim 1, further, It has a sensor unit that detects maintenance information, which is information relating to at least one of a malfunction of the road information sign or the driving status, The control unit outputs the maintenance information to the mobile terminal based on the request for the maintenance information from the mobile terminal. Road information sign.

8. Office terminals placed in the office, Portable mobile devices available for use by field workers, Display unit and A first communication unit that communicates with the aforementioned office terminal, A second communication unit that communicates with the aforementioned mobile terminal, A control unit controls the display unit to display information, which is related to road traffic, based on input instructions from the mobile terminal. A road information sign having, A road information sign control system equipped with the following features.

Images