Signage Remote Control System

Abstract

This system provides a remote signage control system that allows for the remote display of legally valid road signs. [Solution] The sign remote control system comprises an observation data acquisition device that acquires observation data of the outdoor environment, a regulation signal transmission device that transmits a traffic regulation signal according to whether or not traffic regulation is necessary based on the observation data, and a variable sign device 4 that can receive the traffic regulation signal and switch between displaying or not displaying a road sign 10 having rigidity related to traffic regulation. The variable sign device may include a road sign, a shielding plate 12 that shields the road sign, and a movable part 13 that displaces the road sign from the shielding plate to display it. The movable part may include a motor that can switch between displaying and not displaying the road sign, a biasing part that biases the road sign to be in the displayed state, and a locking part that locks the road sign in the not-displayed state and releases the lock when a traffic regulation signal is received.

Description

[Technical Field] , ,

[0006] , , , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a sign remote operation system. [Background Art]

[0002] When disasters such as landslides and flooding occur, or when the road becomes impassable due to road construction, it is necessary to quickly issue traffic control information such as detour instructions and traffic stops to vehicles. In such cases, generally, workers are sent to the site, and measures such as installing traffic control signs and barriers are required. On the other hand, for example, in the prior arts of Patent Documents 1 and 2, a sign system that can remotely operate road signs and traffic guidance displays by variable signs installed on the road is disclosed. <00000第十一条<00000第十二条More specifically, in the road sign system of Patent Document 1, a pair of guiding sign devices are installed on each one-way lane sandwiching the construction site on the road, and the display of traffic information for traffic control can be changed according to time, location, etc. for each guiding sign device.

[0004] Also, in the variable road sign of Patent Document 2, the display can be switched by remote operation for a road sign that can switch between parking prohibition and stopping prohibition, or the regulated time zone can be remotely changed in advance. [Prior Art Documents][[ID=2三]] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-33394 [Patent Document 2] JP H07-3730 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0006] Incidentally, when a natural disaster occurs or is expected to occur on mountain roads or in remote areas, it is necessary to promptly restrict road traffic. However, in conventional technologies such as Patent Document 1, although remote control of the road sign system is possible, the installation of the road sign system itself requires workers to rush to the site, making it impossible to promptly display traffic restriction signs. Furthermore, in each of the conventional technologies, there is a risk that the material and display method of the restriction sign may not meet the requirements of relevant laws and regulations such as the Road Sign Installation Standards which stipulate standards for strength and installation height, so if the display of the road sign is deemed not to be legally valid, there is a possibility that the road administrator's responsibility for management will not be exempted in the event of an accident that occurs after the display of the road sign.

[0007] This invention was made in view of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a remote signage control system that can remotely display legally valid road signs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the sign remote control system according to the present invention comprises: an observation data acquisition device for acquiring observation data of the outdoor environment; a regulation signal transmission device for transmitting traffic regulation signals according to whether or not traffic regulation is necessary based on the observation data; and a variable sign device that receives the traffic regulation signals and can switch between displaying or not displaying a rigid road sign related to traffic regulation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this invention, it is possible to provide a remote signage control system that can remotely display legally valid road signs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the remote control system for signs according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a variable signage device. [Figure 3]This is an example of a screen display from a management terminal that shows the traffic restriction status of a road equipped with a variable signage device. [Figure 4] This is an example of a screen display on a management terminal that shows road closure information for a selected section. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the display configuration of a road sign according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the display configuration of a road sign according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a diagram illustrating the display configuration of a road sign according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the content described below, and can be modified and implemented as such without altering its essence. Furthermore, the drawings used in describing the embodiments are schematic representations of the components, and may have been partially emphasized, enlarged, reduced, or omitted to enhance understanding, and may not accurately represent the scale or shape of the components.

[0012] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the sign remote control system 1 according to the first embodiment. The sign remote control system 1 is a system for remotely displaying road signs indicating "no entry" as needed, for example, on a mountain road R where landslides are expected due to heavy rain. In this embodiment, it comprises an observation data acquisition device 2, a cloud server 3, a variable sign device 4, and a management terminal 5. Each component of the sign remote control system 1 is connected to each other via a network N such as the Internet.

[0013] The observation data acquisition device 2 consists of sensors for acquiring observation data of the outdoor environment that affects whether or not traffic restrictions are implemented. In this embodiment, the observation data acquisition device 2 includes a rain gauge and monitors whether the amount of rainfall exceeds a predetermined standard due to heavy rain, etc., and transmits the observation data to the cloud server 3. Here, the observation data acquisition device 2 is not limited to a rain gauge, but may also include an inclinometer for monitoring landslides on slopes, a water level gauge for monitoring river flooding, an anemometer for monitoring the risk to elevated bridges due to strong winds, an image sensor (surveillance camera) for monitoring the occurrence of various disasters, a weather satellite for predicting weather changes, or an inclinometer or extensometer for monitoring landslides on slopes.

[0014] The cloud server 3 is a terminal that collects, analyzes, and stores observation data gathered from multiple observation data acquisition devices 2, and also manages traffic regulation information from the variable signage device 4, which will be described later.

[0015] The variable signage device 4 is a device for displaying road signs indicating traffic restrictions when, for example, a road closure is necessary on mountain road R, and is installed at the beginning and end of the section that may be subject to the road closure. As will be described in detail later, the variable signage device 4 is configured to keep the road sign in a non-display state during normal times when no traffic restrictions are necessary, and to switch to a display state when it receives a traffic restriction signal via the network N. In addition to the mountain road R shown in the figure, the variable signage device 4 is installed on multiple roads in the area under the jurisdiction of the road administrator.

[0016] The management terminal 5 is an information processing terminal installed, for example, in the road management department of a local government or its branch office, a civil engineering office. It is equipped with a display device that allows road administrators to check observation data recorded on the cloud server 3, the presence or absence of traffic control signals transmitted to the variable signage device 4, and status signals fed back from the variable signage device 4. Furthermore, the management terminal 5 is configured to allow manual operation of traffic control and its cancellation by transmitting traffic control signals to specific variable signage devices 4 as needed.

[0017] Here, when the rainfall observed by the observation data acquisition device 2 exceeds a predetermined standard, the sign remote control system 1 may automatically execute traffic control by transmitting a traffic control signal from the cloud server 3 to the variable sign device 4. In this case, the cloud server 3 functions as a "regulation signal transmission device". Also, when the rainfall observed by the observation data acquisition device 2 exceeds a predetermined standard, the sign remote control system 1 may automatically execute traffic control by directly transmitting a traffic control signal from the observation data acquisition device 2 to the variable sign device 4. In this case, the observation data acquisition device 2 itself functions as a "regulation signal transmission device".

[0018] Next, the configuration of the variable sign device 4 will be described. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the variable sign device 4. More specifically, FIG. 2(A) shows the configuration when the variable sign device 4 is viewed from the front, and FIG. 2(B) shows the configuration when the variable sign device 4 is viewed from the back. The variable sign device 4 includes a road sign 10, a support column 11, a shielding plate 12, a movable part 13, a solar panel 14, a communication part 15, and a control part 16.

[0019] The road sign 10 is a regulation sign (sign board) representing a stop (301) in this embodiment. The road sign 10 is provided, for example, behind a shielding plate 12 fixed to a support column 11 installed beside the road, and is presented on the road when traffic control is executed.

[0020] The shielding plate 12 is provided in the same manner as a general guide plate posted on the road, and for example, information such as the posting conditions of the road sign 10 is described. During normal times when traffic control is not implemented, the shielding plate 12 shields the road so that the road sign 10 is not presented to the road by storing the road sign 10 behind it as shown by the dashed line.

[0021] The movable part 13 is configured to be able to mutually switch between a presentation state in which the road sign 10 is displaced from the shielding plate 12 and presented, or a non-presentation state in which the road sign 10 is stored behind the shielding plate 12, for example, by including an arm that supports the road sign 10 and a motor that controls the angle of the arm.

[0022] The solar panel 14 is a power supply device that provides the operating power for the variable indicator device 4 by supplying electricity generated by sunlight to a battery (not shown). The variable indicator device 4 may also obtain power via a wired connection if it is possible to draw in commercial power via a power cable.

[0023] The communication unit 15 is a wireless communication device including a communication antenna for communicating with the network N described above. Alternatively, the communication unit 15 may be a communication cable for wired communication with the network N instead of a wireless communication device.

[0024] The control unit 16 consists of, for example, a known microcontroller control circuit and provides overall control over the operation of the variable sign device 4. More specifically, when the control unit 16 receives a traffic regulation signal via the communication unit 15, it operates the movable unit 13 to switch the road sign 10 from a non-display state to a display state, and also performs control to transmit a confirmation signal for the display state via the communication unit 15.

[0025] The road sign 10 presented at this time is made of a rigid material such as metal, and is configured so that its manufacturing requirements, such as strength, durability, dimensions, thickness, and surface reflective material, as well as presentation requirements such as presentation height, meet relevant laws and regulations such as road sign installation standards. For this reason, the variable sign device 4 can remotely control the presentation or non-presentation of the road sign 10 in a legally valid manner, without having to form the road sign 10 from a flexible synthetic resin as in the conventional technology.

[0026] Furthermore, the means for displaying the road sign 10 in the variable signage device 4 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figure 2. For example, the movable part 13 of the variable signage device 4 may include, instead of the motor described above, a biasing part consisting of a weight or spring that biases the road sign 10 to be in a display state, and a locking part consisting of a solenoid that locks the road sign 10 in a non-display state. In this case, when the variable signage device 4 receives a traffic regulation signal, the locking at the locking part is released, and the biasing part switches the road sign 10 to the display state. Therefore, the variable signage device 4 can minimize the power required to display the road sign 10.

[0027] Next, the management method of the remote sign control system 1 using the management terminal 5 will be explained. Figure 3 is an example of the screen display of the management terminal 5 showing the traffic restriction status of a road where a variable sign device 4 is installed. When an alert is issued based on the observation data observed by the observation data acquisition device 2, the management terminal 5 can display the section of the road where a road closure has been implemented by the variable sign device 4, and can also display a map of that section as location information. In other words, the management terminal 5 is configured to receive and display traffic restriction signals and the status of the displayed road signs 10 via the network N, so that the road manager can check the status even when the road signs 10 are automatically displayed.

[0028] Figure 4 shows an example of the screen display of the management terminal 5, which displays road closure information for the selected section. The screen shown in Figure 4 displays whether or not a road closure is in effect for the selected section, and also displays buttons for manually implementing and lifting the road closure, allowing road administrators to remotely operate each variable sign device 4. This allows road administrators to determine the necessity of traffic restrictions by combining information other than the observation data observed by the observation data acquisition device 2, and to quickly implement and lift traffic restrictions without having to go to the site.

[0029] As described above, in the first embodiment of the remote signage system 1, the variable signage device 4 receives a traffic regulation signal transmitted based on observation data of the outdoor environment and displaces and presents a rigid road sign 10. As a result, the remote signage system 1 can quickly present the road sign 10 itself, which has a configuration that satisfies relevant laws and regulations such as road sign installation standards, via remote control. Therefore, the remote signage system 1 makes it possible to remotely present legally valid road signs.

[0030] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The remote sign control system 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the variable sign device 4 of the remote sign control system 1 described above switches between displaying and not displaying the road sign 10. The following will describe the parts that differ from the first embodiment, and components common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0031] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the display configuration of the road sign 10 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the variable sign device 4 according to the second embodiment employs a configuration in which the road sign 10 is displayed above or below the shielding plate 12 by extending and retracting the arm with the movable part 13. As a result, the variable sign device 4 does not need to make the road sign 10 protrude horizontally from the shielding plate 12, thus preventing the road sign 10 from overhanging onto the road.

[0032] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The remote sign control system 1 according to the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the variable sign device 4 of the remote sign control system 1 described above is provided with a case 17 for housing the road sign 10. The following will describe the parts that differ from the first embodiment, and components common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0033] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the display configuration of the road sign 10 according to the third embodiment. The variable sign device 4 according to the third embodiment is provided with a case 17 for housing the road sign 10, and the front of the case 17 is configured to be a shielding plate 12. As a result, the variable sign device 4 can protect the road sign 10 when it is installed outdoors.

[0034] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The remote signage system 1 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the variable signage device 4 of the remote signage system 1 described above does not include a shielding plate 12. The following will describe the parts that differ from the first embodiment, and components common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0035] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the display configuration of the road sign 10 according to the fourth embodiment. The variable sign device 4 according to the fourth embodiment has a movable part 13 fixed to the top of the support column 11, and a vertically extending rotating shaft 18 connected to the road sign 10 is rotatably connected to the movable part 13. That is, the movable part 13 is configured to change the orientation of the road sign 10 by controlling the angle of the rotating shaft 18, for example by incorporating a motor.

[0036] Furthermore, in the variable signage device 4 according to the fourth embodiment, when the road sign 10 is not to be displayed, the movable part 13 is controlled to orient the road sign 10 toward the outside of the road, as shown in Figure 7(A). Also, when the road sign 10 is to be displayed, the variable signage device 4 is controlled to orient the road sign 10 by 90° toward the road lane, as shown in Figure 7(B). Thus, according to the remote signage control system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the variable signage device 4 can be made inexpensively by having a relatively simple structure.

[0037] As described above, the remote sign control system 1 according to the present invention has a variable sign device 4 that receives a traffic regulation signal transmitted based on observation data of the outdoor environment, and then displaces and presents a rigid road sign 10. As a result, the remote sign control system 1 can quickly present the road sign 10 itself, which has a configuration that satisfies relevant laws and regulations such as road sign installation standards, via remote control. Therefore, the remote sign control system 1 makes it possible to remotely present legally valid road signs.

[0038] Furthermore, according to the sign remote control system 1 of the present invention, by displacing the road sign 10 relative to the shielding plate 12, it is possible to clearly switch between displaying and not displaying even a rigid road sign 10.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the remote sign control system 1 of the present invention, the variable sign device 4 can be constructed inexpensively by changing the angle of the rotation axis 18 that extends in the vertical direction to switch between displaying or not displaying the road sign 10.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the sign remote control system 1 of this invention, when the observed data exceeds a predetermined standard, a traffic regulation signal is automatically transmitted to the variable sign device 4, thereby reducing the workload of road administrators and suppressing the occurrence of human error by road administrators.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the sign remote control system 1 of the present invention, the movable part 13 includes a motor that can switch between displaying and not displaying the road sign 10, so that the display state and the non-display state of the road sign 10 can be freely switched remotely.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the remote sign control system 1 of the present invention, the variable sign device 4 employs a movable part 13 that includes a biasing part that biases the road sign to be in a display state, and a locking part that locks the road sign in a non-display state and releases the lock when a traffic control signal is received, thereby minimizing the power required to display the road sign 10.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the sign remote control system 1 of the present invention, by providing a management terminal 5 that receives and displays the status of traffic control signals and road signs 10 via a network N, road administrators can remotely check the status of road signs 10 even when they are automatically displayed.

[0044] This concludes the description of the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the above embodiments illustrate traffic restrictions on a mountain road R based on rainfall, but the system may also be used to restrict traffic on nearby roads based on observation data from rain gauges and inclinometers installed at a construction site where workers are not present. Furthermore, the remote sign control system 1 may acquire various weather data from the Japan Meteorological Agency, etc., on the cloud server 3, and for example, issue a notice that roads will be closed in advance when heavy snow is expected, and automatically operate the variable sign device 4 at the announced time. In addition, the remote sign control system 1 may be used to restrict traffic before road underpasses are flooded due to torrential rain. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1. Remote control system for signs 2. Observation data acquisition device 3. Cloud Server 4. Variable Labeling Device 5 Management terminal 10 road signs 11 Posts 12 Shielding plate 13 Moving parts 14 Solar Panels 15 Communications Department 16 Control Unit 17 cases 18 rotation axes N Network R mountain road

Claims

1. An observation data acquisition device that acquires observation data of the outdoor environment, A traffic control signal transmitting device that transmits a traffic control signal according to whether or not traffic control is necessary based on the aforementioned observation data, A remote sign control system comprising: a variable sign device that receives the aforementioned traffic control signal and can switch between displaying or not displaying a rigid road sign related to traffic control.

2. The sign remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the variable sign device includes the road sign, a shielding plate for shielding the road sign, and a movable part for displacing and presenting the road sign from the shielding plate.

3. The sign remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the variable sign device includes the road sign, a vertically extending rotating shaft connected to the road sign, and a movable part that changes the angle of the rotating shaft.

4. The traffic control signal transmitting device automatically transmits the traffic control signal when the observed data exceeds a predetermined standard, as described in claim 1, for the remote sign operation system.

5. The sign remote control system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the movable part includes a motor capable of switching between displaying and not displaying the road sign.

6. The sign remote control system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the movable part includes a biasing part that biases the road sign to be in a display state, and a locking part that locks the road sign in a non-display state and releases the lock when the traffic control signal is received.

7. The sign remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising a management terminal that receives and displays the status of the traffic control signals and the road signs via a network.

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