Traffic light information output device, traffic light information output method, and traffic light information output program

Abstract

To accurately estimate signal information indicating a timing of switching of a lamp color signal of a traffic light installed at a cross section where a recall request is made to a signal control device.SOLUTION: A storage unit stores a switching control pattern for switching a lamp color signal of a traffic light by a signal control device. A first detection unit detects a timing at which lighting of a specific lamp color signal of the traffic light was started as a first timing. A second detection unit detects a timing at which a recall display was started as a second timing with a display unit that performs recall display indicating that a recall request has been input into the signal control device. An estimation unit estimates signal information on the basis of the switching control pattern stored in the storage unit, the first timing detected by the first detection unit, and the second timing detected by the second detection unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for outputting signal information indicating the timing at which a light color of a traffic light installed at an intersection is changed. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the light colors of traffic signals (green, yellow, red, etc.) installed at intersections are switched by a traffic light control device. The traffic light control device switches the light colors of traffic signals based on set signal control parameters.

[0003] When a vehicle driver is traveling on an approach road to an intersection and the traffic light changes from green to yellow shortly (for example, within a few seconds (about 3 seconds)) before the vehicle reaches the intersection, the driver may suddenly brake in order to stop the vehicle before the intersection or suddenly accelerate to pass through the intersection. Since such sudden braking or sudden acceleration increases the possibility of causing a traffic accident, there is a traffic light information transmitting device that transmits (outputs) the remaining time until the traffic light changes as traffic light information to a vehicle approaching the intersection (for example, see Patent Document 1). By checking the traffic light information transmitted from the traffic light information transmitting device, the driver can drive the vehicle without suddenly braking or suddenly accelerating before the intersection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-233854 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, at an intersection where a push button box is installed where pedestrians can make a recall request, the traffic light control device switches the traffic light's light color in response to the recall request. Specifically, the traffic light control device determines the start timing of the green light at the traffic light in the direction in which the pedestrian crosses (the pedestrian's crossing direction) depending on the timing at which the pedestrian presses the button related to the recall request at the push button box. Therefore, at an intersection where a recall request can be made, traffic light information must be estimated depending on the timing at which the recall request is made.

[0006] When determining the timing to start the green light at a traffic light in the direction in which pedestrians cross, the signal control device also determines the timing to switch the green light at traffic lights in directions other than those in which pedestrians cross.

[0007] The device described in Patent Document 1 was not configured to estimate and output signal information of traffic lights installed at intersections where a recall request can be made.

[0008] Note that even at intersections where push button boxes operated by pedestrians are not installed, there are intersections where a recall request is made when a vehicle is detected. In other words, intersections where a recall request is made to the signal control device are not limited to intersections where push button boxes are installed.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can accurately estimate signal information indicating the timing at which the light color of a traffic light installed at an intersection where a recall request is made to a signal control device will be changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the signal information output device of the present invention is configured as follows.

[0011] This signal information output device outputs signal information indicating the timing for switching the light color signal of a traffic signal in response to a signal control parameter set in the signal control device and an inputted recall request.

[0012] The storage unit stores a switching control pattern for the signal control device to switch the light color of the traffic light in response to a signal control parameter set by the signal control device and an input recall request.

[0013] The first detection unit detects a timing when a specific light color of a traffic signal starts to be lit as a first timing. This specific light color is, for example, the start of a green light on a main road.

[0014] The second detection unit is a display unit that displays a recall display indicating that a recall request has been input to the signal control device when the recall request has been input, and detects the timing at which the recall display starts as the second timing. The second timing corresponds to the timing at which the recall request was made to the signal control device. The display unit may be a push button box that allows a pedestrian to perform a predetermined operation related to the recall request, such as pressing a push button, or may be a display device that notifies the driver of a vehicle stopped at a red light that a recall request has been made.

[0015] The estimation unit estimates signal information based on the switching control pattern stored in the storage unit, the first timing detected by the first detection unit, and the second timing detected by the second detection unit.

[0016] In this configuration, the signal control device can accurately estimate the signal information indicating the timing of switching the light color of the traffic light at the intersection where the recall request is made, and therefore the signal information can be appropriately provided to the driver of the vehicle traveling on the approach road to the intersection where the recall request is made.

[0017] The second detection section may be configured to detect the second timing by detecting the start of power supply to the display unit for displaying the recall display, for example.

[0018] The first detection unit may be configured to detect the first timing by detecting the start of power supply for a specific light color signal of the traffic light.

[0019] In addition, if the display unit is configured to display a waiting-for-operation display to indicate that a specified operation related to a recall request is enabled during the period in which that operation is enabled, the first detection unit may be configured to perform this by detecting the start of power supply to the display unit for the waiting-for-operation display. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately estimate signal information indicating the timing at which the light color of a traffic light installed at an intersection where a recall request is made to a signal control device will be changed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an intersection to which a traffic light information output device according to this example is applied. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between a signal information output device, a signal control device, and a traffic light. FIG. [Diagram 3] This is a diagram of the signal levels of traffic lights installed at an intersection. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a signal information output device. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of a push button box; [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of a signal connection box; [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the signal information output device. [Figure 8] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a signal connection box according to a first modified example. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0023] <1. Application Examples> Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an intersection to which a traffic light information output device according to this example is applied. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between the traffic light information output device, traffic light control device, push button box, traffic light connection box, and traffic light at the intersection shown in Fig. 1. In the following description, time and timing indicate a certain point in time, and duration indicates the length between two different points in time.

[0024] The intersection shown in FIG. 1 is a crossroad where a main road and a secondary road intersect. In FIG. 1, the road on which vehicles 100 (100a, 100b) travel in the left-right direction is the main road, and the road on which vehicles 100 (100c, 100d) travel in the up-down direction is the secondary road. Traffic lights 6 and 7 are installed at each approach road of the intersection. In this example, traffic lights 6 (6a, 6b) display the current aspect for vehicles 100a and 100b entering the intersection from the left and right in FIG. 1. Traffic lights 7 (7a, 7b) display the current aspect for vehicles 100c and 100d entering the intersection from the up-down direction in FIG. 1.

[0025] In this example, the traffic lights 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b installed at the intersection have three colors: green, yellow, and red. A green light is when the blue light source is turned on, a yellow light is when the yellow light source is turned on, and a red light is when the red light source is turned on.

[0026] 2, a signal information output device 1, a signal control device 2, a push button box 3, and traffic lights 6 and 7 are connected to a signal connection box 4. In other words, the signal information output device 1, the signal control device 2, the push button box 3, and the traffic lights 6 and 7 are electrically connected via the signal connection box 4.

[0027] The signal control device 2 controls the switching of the light color signals of traffic lights 6 and 7 installed at the intersection. The signal control device 2 and traffic lights 6 and 7 are existing devices. In this example, the signal control device 2 synchronizes the light color signals of traffic lights 6a and 6b. The signal control device 2 also synchronizes the light color signals of traffic lights 7a and 7b. That is, the traffic lights 6a and 6b are switched to the same light color signal at the same timing by the signal control device 2. The traffic lights 7a and 7b are also switched to the same light color signal at the same timing by the signal control device 2.

[0028] The push button box 3 issues a recall request to the signal control device 2. In this example, a recall request can be made to switch the traffic light 7 on the minor road side to a green light. The push button box 3 is provided with a push button that is operated when making a recall request. The push button box 3 is also provided with a display unit. This display unit displays a message (e.g., "Please wait for a moment") notifying that a recall request has already been made to the signal control device 2 (corresponding to the recall display in this invention). This display unit also displays a message (e.g., "Please press the button") notifying that the signal control device 2 is waiting for an operation of the recall request (the operation related to the recall request is enabled) (corresponding to the operation waiting display in this invention). In the following description, a message notifying that a recall request has already been made to the signal control device 2 is referred to as a requested notification. Also, a message notifying that the signal control device 2 is waiting for an operation of the recall request is referred to as an unrequested notification. This push button box 3 corresponds to a display unit in this invention.

[0029] In this example, when the traffic light 6 on the main road has a green light, the traffic light information output device 1 estimates the remaining green time until the green light ends. The traffic light information output device 1 outputs the estimated remaining green time as traffic light information.

[0030] 3 is a diagram showing the signal indication steps of the signal control device of this example. The signal control device 2 switches the light color signals of the traffic lights 6 and 7 in the order of steps φ1 to φ7. The signal control device 2 repeats steps φ1 to φ7 shown in FIG. 3.

[0031] Steps φ1 and φ2 are steps in which traffic light 6 has a green light and traffic light 7 has a red light. The signal control device 2 changes the time t1 of step φ1 in response to a recall request. Specifically, if a recall request occurs before the time elapsed from the start of step φ1 reaches a predetermined minimum time t1min, the signal control device 2 controls the time t1 of step φ1 to this minimum time t1min. Furthermore, if there is no recall request before the time elapsed from the start of step φ1 reaches the predetermined minimum time t1min, the signal control device 2 continues step φ1 until there is a recall request. Step φ2 has a preset fixed time t2.

[0032] Step φ3 is a step where traffic light 6 is a yellow light and traffic light 7 is a red light. Step φ3 is a preset fixed time t3. Step φ4 is a step where traffic light 6 is a red light and traffic light 7 is a red light. Step φ4 is a preset fixed time t4. Step φ5 is a step where traffic light 6 is a red light and traffic light 7 is a green light. Step φ5 is a preset fixed time t5. Step φ6 is a step where traffic light 6 is a red light and traffic light 7 is a yellow light. Step φ6 is a preset fixed time t6. Step φ7 is a step where traffic light 6 is a red light and traffic light 7 is a red light. Step φ7 is a preset fixed time t7.

[0033] As is well known, the signal control device 2 supplies power to the traffic lights 6, 7 to turn on a green signal via the signal connection box 4. The signal information output device 1 in this example detects the start of the supply of power from the signal control device 2 to the traffic light 6 to turn on a green signal, thereby detecting the timing when the traffic light 6 starts turning green (i.e., the start timing of the step φ1 shown in FIG. 3 ). For example, the signal information output device 1 receives an input of a value (green detection level) corresponding to the current value detected by a current sensor flowing through a power supply line through which the signal control device 2 supplies power to turn on the green signal for the traffic light 6.

[0034] Furthermore, the signal control device 2 supplies power to the push button box 3 via the signal connection box 4 for displaying the requested notice and the unrequested notice. When a recall request is made, the signal control device 2 supplies power to the push button box 3 for displaying the requested notice. When the signal control device 2 is supplying power to the push button box 3 for displaying the requested notice, it does not supply power to the push button box 3 for displaying the unrequested notice. Furthermore, when the signal control device 2 is supplying power to the push button box 3 for displaying the unrequested notice, it does not supply power to the push button box 3 for displaying the requested notice.

[0035] The signal control device 2 may have a time period during which it does not supply power to the push button box 3 for displaying a requested notification and does not supply power to the push button box 3 for displaying an unrequested notification.

[0036] In this example, the signal information output device 1 detects the timing when the operation related to the recall request was performed at the push button box 3 (i.e., the timing when the recall request was made to the signal control device 2) by detecting when the signal control device 2 starts supplying power to the push button box 3 to light up the requested notification.

[0037] A recall request indicating that a push button has been operated in the push button box 3 is input to the signal control device 2 via the signal connection box 4.

[0038] In this example, the traffic light information output device 1 stores a control pattern (in this example, the indication stage steps shown in FIG. 3) in which the traffic light control device 2 switches the light color signals of traffic lights 6 and 7. The traffic light information output device 1 in this example detects the start timing of the green light of traffic light 6 and the start timing of the display of the requested notification at the push button box 3, and when the traffic light 6 has a green light, estimates the remaining green time until the green light ends. The traffic light information output device 1 outputs the estimated remaining green time as traffic light information.

[0039] Therefore, the traffic light information output device 1 of this example can accurately estimate traffic light information indicating the timing at which the light color of the traffic light 6 installed at the intersection where the recall request is made to the signal control device 2 will be changed.

[0040] Moreover, the signal information output device 1 of this example can utilize the existing signal control device 2 and the signals 6 and 7 as they are. That is, when using the signal information output device 1, there is no need to replace the existing signal control device 2 and the signals 6 and 7.

[0041] <2. Configuration example> 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the traffic signal information output device according to this example. The traffic signal information output device 1 includes a control unit 11, an input section 12, a timer section 13, a storage section 14, and an output section 15.

[0042] The control unit 11 controls the operation of each part of the main body of the signal information output device 1. The control unit 11 also has a first detection unit 21, a second detection unit 22, and an estimation unit 23. The first detection unit 21, the second detection unit 22, and the estimation unit 23 will be described in detail later.

[0043] In this example, a value (green detection level) corresponding to the magnitude of the current flowing in the power supply line through which the signal control device 2 supplies power to the traffic light 6 to turn on a green light, detected by the current sensor, is input to the input unit 12. The current sensor is a current probe that is placed across the power supply line through which the signal control device 2 supplies power to the traffic light 6 to turn on a green light, and detects and outputs the magnitude of the current flowing in this power supply line. In addition, a value (display detection level) corresponding to the power supply voltage supplied by the signal control device 2 to the push button box 3 to display a requested notification is input to the input unit 12.

[0044] The clock unit 13 keeps track of the current time. It is preferable that the clock unit 13 has a function of periodically receiving a standard radio wave and synchronizing the time, but this function is not essential.

[0045] If the timer unit 13 has a function for adjusting the time, the time may be adjusted using time information output from a GPS satellite or the like, instead of using standard radio waves.

[0046] The memory unit 14 stores a control pattern in which the signal control device 2 switches the light color signals of the traffic lights 6 and 7. That is, the memory unit 14 stores the control patterns shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, when the signal control device 2 changes the control pattern in which the signal control device 2 switches the light color signals of the traffic lights 6 and 7 depending on the type of day or the time of day, the memory unit 14 stores the control pattern in which the signal control device 2 switches the light color signals of the traffic lights 6 and 7 by type of day and time of day.

[0047] A transmitting device (not shown), such as a beacon or a wireless transmitter, is connected to the output unit 15. When the traffic light 6 is green, the output unit 15 outputs the time until the traffic light 6 switches to a yellow light (remaining green time) as signal information to the connected transmitting device. The signal information is notified to the vehicles 100 (100a to 100d) using this transmitting device.

[0048] Next, the first detection section 21, the second detection section 22, and the estimation section 23 included in the control unit 11 will be described.

[0049] The first detection unit 21 detects a first timing at which the traffic light 6 changes from a red light to a green light, based on a value (green detection level) corresponding to the magnitude of a current flowing through a power supply line through which the signal control device 2 supplies power to turn on a green light for the traffic light 6, which is input to the input unit 12. The first timing is the timing at which the green light starts in the traffic light 6, and is the start timing of step φ1 in the control pattern shown in FIG.

[0050] The second detection unit 22 detects a second timing at which the requested notification is started in the push button box 3 based on a value (display detection level) input to the input unit 12 corresponding to the power supply voltage supplied by the signal control device 2 to the push button box 3 for displaying the requested notification.

[0051] The estimation unit 23 estimates the remaining green time of the traffic light 6 based on the control pattern in which the light color signals of the traffic lights 6 and 7 are switched by the signal control device 2 stored in the memory unit 14, the first timing detected by the first detection unit, and the second timing detected by the second detection unit.

[0052] The control unit 11 of the signal information output device 1 is composed of a hardware CPU, a memory, and other electronic circuits. When the hardware CPU executes the signal information output program according to the present invention, it operates as a first detection unit 21, a second detection unit 22, and an estimation unit 23. The memory has an area for expanding the signal information output program according to the present invention and an area for temporarily storing data generated during execution of the signal information output program. The control unit 11 may be an LSI that integrates the hardware CPU, memory, and the like. The hardware CPU is a computer that executes the signal information output method according to the present invention.

[0053] Here, a brief explanation will be given of the push button box 3 and the signal connection box 4. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the push button box.

[0054] The push button box 3 includes an input / output unit 31, a push button 32, a first light-emitting unit 33, and a second light-emitting unit 34. The input / output unit 31 is a terminal block connected to the signal connection box 4. The push button 32, the first light-emitting unit 33, and the second light-emitting unit 34 are electrically connected to this terminal block.

[0055] The push button 32 is a switch whose contacts are open when not pressed and close when pressed.

[0056] The first light-emitting unit 33 is a light source such as an LED, and emits light when power is supplied to the first light-emitting unit 33. When the first light-emitting unit 33 emits light, the message "Please wait a moment" is displayed on the push button box 3.

[0057] The second light-emitting unit 34 is a light source such as an LED, similar to the first light-emitting unit 33, and emits light when power is supplied. When the second light-emitting unit 34 emits light, the message "Press the button." is displayed on the push button box 3.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the signal connection box. As shown in FIG. 6, the signal connection box 4 is a relay that electrically connects the signal information output device 1, the signal control device 2, the push button box 3, and the traffic lights 6 and 7. The signal connection box 4 is also provided with a current sensor 41 and an A / D converter 42. The current sensor 41 is connected to the signal control device 2 and is arranged so as to sandwich the power supply line that supplies power to turn on the green light to the traffic light 6. In this example, the current sensor 41 is provided before the power supply line branches off to the traffic lights 6a and 6b, but it may be arranged so as to sandwich the power supply line for the green light to the branched traffic light 6a. The current sensor 41 is connected to the A / D converter 42.

[0059] Further, the power supply line for the first light-emitting part 33 is branched and connected to the A / D converter .

[0060] The A / D converter 42 converts the detection output of the current sensor 41 and the voltage of the power supply line to the first light-emitting unit 33 into digital values ​​and outputs them to the traffic light information output device 1. The digital value related to the detection output of the current sensor 41 is output to the traffic light information output device 1 as a green detection signal. In addition, the digital value related to the voltage of the power supply line to the first light-emitting unit 33 is output to the traffic light information output device 1 as a display detection level. The traffic light information output device 1 detects the start time of the green light of the traffic light 6 from this green detection level. In addition, the traffic light information output device 1 detects the time when a recall request was made to the signal control device 2 from this display detection signal.

[0061] <3. Example of operation> The operation of the traffic signal information output device 1 of this example will be described below. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the traffic signal information output device.

[0062] It is assumed that the traffic lights 6 (6a, 6b) are not currently showing a green light. The traffic light information output device 1 waits for the traffic light 6 to start showing a green light (s1). At s1, the first detection unit 21 waits for the green detection level input to the input unit 12 to exceed a first set level.

[0063] The first detection unit 21 acquires the green start time when the traffic light 6 starts to turn green (s2). The first detection unit 21 acquires, as the green start time of the traffic light 6, the time that was being clocked by the timing unit 13 when the green detection level input to the input unit 12 changes from a value less than the first set level to a value exceeding the first set level.

[0064] The traffic light information output device 1 estimates the remaining green time (minimum remaining green time) from the green start time acquired in s2, assuming that the time t1 of step φ1 in the control pattern of the traffic lights 6 and 7 stored in the memory unit 14 is the minimum time t1min, and outputs the estimated remaining green time (s3, s4). The estimation of the remaining green time in s3 is performed by the estimation unit 23. At this time, the traffic light information output device 1 may output the maximum remaining green time as unknown, or may not output it. If the control patterns of the traffic lights 6 and 7 are stored in the memory unit 14 by day type and time zone, the estimation unit 23 estimates the remaining green time using the control pattern corresponding to the relevant day type and time zone.

[0065] As described above, if the timing of the recall request occurs before the elapsed time from the start of step φ1 (the green start time acquired in s2) reaches the predetermined minimum time t1min, the signal control device 2 controls the time t1 of step φ1 to this minimum time t1min. Also, if there is no recall request before the elapsed time from the start of step φ1 reaches the predetermined minimum time t1min, the signal control device 2 continues step φ1 until there is a recall request. In other words, if there is no recall request before the elapsed time from the start of step φ1 reaches the predetermined minimum time t1min, the signal control device 2 controls the timing of the recall request to the end timing of step φ1.

[0066] In addition, the signal information output device 1 detects in the second detection unit 22 that the display detection level input to the input unit 12 changes from a value less than the second set level to a value exceeding the second set level as the timing when a recall request has been made to the signal control device 2.

[0067] The traffic signal information output device 1 determines whether the second detection unit 22 has already detected a recall request (s5), and if a recall request has already been detected, returns to s1. Also, if a recall request has not been detected by the second detection unit 22 at the time of s4, the traffic signal information output device 1 waits for the second detection unit 22 to detect a recall request (s6).

[0068] When the second detection unit 22 detects a recall request in s6, the traffic signal information output device 1 estimates the remaining green time in the estimation unit 23 (s7). The traffic signal information output device 1 outputs the remaining green time estimated in s7 (s8) and returns to s1.

[0069] In s7, if the timing at which the second detection unit 22 detects the recall request has not reached the minimum time t1min of t1 from the start of step φ1, the estimation unit 23 estimates the remaining green light time as follows: Remaining green time = (minimum time t1 min - time from the start of step φ1 to when the second detection unit 22 detects a recall request) + time t2 of step φ2 In addition, in s7, if the timing at which the second detection unit 22 detects the recall request reaches the minimum time t1min of t1 from the start of step φ1, the estimation unit 23 estimates the remaining green time as follows: Remaining green time = time t2 of step φ2 It is estimated that.

[0070] In this way, the traffic light information output device 1 of this example can accurately estimate traffic light information indicating the timing at which the light color of the traffic light 6 installed at the intersection where a recall request is made to the signal control device 2 will be changed.

[0071] The traffic light information output device 1 may be configured to repeatedly estimate the remaining green time at set times and output the estimated remaining green time. The traffic light information output device 1 may also be configured to estimate and output the end time when the green light of the traffic light 6 ends. The traffic light information output device 1 may also be configured to output the estimated remaining green time and the time when this remaining green time was estimated as a pair, or may be configured to output traffic light information in other forms.

[0072] In the above example, the remaining green time of traffic light 6 on the main road is output as traffic light information, but the remaining green time of traffic light 7 on the secondary road may also be estimated and output as traffic light information. In addition, the traffic light information is not limited to the remaining green time, and the remaining yellow time and remaining red time may also be output.

[0073] In addition, in the above example, the traffic light information output device 1 may, if necessary, be configured to detect the power supply for a yellow light or a red light for traffic light 6 on the main road side, or may be configured to detect the power supply for a green light, yellow light, or a red light for traffic light 7 on the secondary road side.

[0074] <4. Modifications> Next, a modified example of the signal information output device will be described.

[0075] Variation 1 In the above example, the timing at which the traffic light 6 starts to turn green is determined by detecting the supply of power for a green light to the traffic light 6 on the main road side using the current sensor 41. However, it is also possible to predict the timing at which the traffic light 6 starts to turn green by detecting the timing at which the push button box 3 starts to display an unsolicited notification.

[0076] For example, the signal connection box 4 of this modified example 1 has a configuration as shown in Fig. 8. In this example, the signal connection box 4 outputs, as the green detection level, a digital value that the signal control device 2 applies to the voltage of the power supply line to the second light-emitting unit 34 of the push-button box 3 to the signal information output device 1. The signal connection box 4 of this modified example 1 is not provided with the current sensor 41 described in the above example.

[0077] The display of the unsolicited notification in the push button box 3 starts at a predetermined timing. For example, the signal control device 2 starts displaying the unsolicited notification in the push button box 3 at the start timing of step φ1, the start timing of step φ6, or the start timing of step φ7 of the control pattern shown in Fig. 3.

[0078] The traffic light information output device 1 of this modified example 1 detects the timing at which the push-button box 3 starts displaying an unsolicited notification from the input digital value applied to the voltage of the power supply line to the second light-emitting unit 34 of the push-button box 3. The traffic light information output device 1 of this modified example 1 predicts the timing at which the traffic light 6 starts turning green, based on the detected timing at which the push-button box 3 starts displaying an unsolicited notification.

[0079] In this way, the traffic light information output device 1 of the first modification can predict the timing when the traffic light 6 on the main road will turn green without using the current sensor 41.

[0080] Variation 2 In the above example, the signal connection box 4 includes the A / D converter 42 , but this A / D converter 42 may be provided in the signal information output device 1 or in the push button box 3 .

[0081] In addition, the branches for connecting the power supply line for the first light-emitting unit 33 and the power supply line for the second light-emitting unit 34 to the A / D converter 42 may be wired within the signal connection box 4 or within the push button box 3.

[0082] In other words, any connection may be used as long as it allows signals that can estimate the timing when the traffic light 6 starts to turn green and the timing when a recall request is made to the signal control device 2 to be input to the traffic light information output device 1.

[0083] In addition, the traffic lights 6 and 7 installed at the intersection may display a right-turn arrow signal or the like as a light color signal. Furthermore, the traffic light information output device 1 can output the traffic light information of the traffic lights 6 and 7 regardless of whether a pedestrian signal device is installed at the intersection.

[0084] Furthermore, the signal information output device 1 is not limited to being applied to intersections where a main road and a secondary road intersect, but can also be applied to any location where a traffic light 6 is installed, for example, a location where there is no secondary road intersecting the main road on which the vehicle 100 is traveling and a crosswalk is provided across the main road.

[0085] The traffic light information output device 1 can also be applied to an intersection where, when a vehicle 100 stopped at a red light on the side of a secondary road is detected, a recall request is made to the traffic light control device 2. In this case, the traffic light information output device 1 may detect the timing at which a recall request is made to the traffic light control device 2 by supplying power to a display device that notifies the driver of the vehicle 100 stopped at a red light that a recall request has been made.

[0086] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and that the components can be modified and embodied in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

[0087] Furthermore, the correspondence between the configuration according to the present invention and the configuration according to the above-described embodiment can be described as follows. <Additional Notes> A traffic light information output device (1) that outputs traffic light information indicating a timing for switching a light color signal of a traffic light (6, 7) in response to a traffic light control parameter set in a traffic light control device (2) and an input recall request, a memory unit (14) that stores a switching control pattern for switching the light color signals of the traffic lights (6, 7) by the signal control device (2); a first detection unit (21) that detects a timing at which a specific light color signal of the traffic light (6, 7) starts to be lit as a first timing; a second detection unit (22) for detecting, when the recall request is input to the signal control device (2), a timing at which the recall display is started in a display unit (3) that displays a recall to that effect, as a second timing; and an estimation unit (23) that estimates the signal information based on the switching control pattern stored in the memory unit (14), the first timing detected by the first detection unit (21), and the second timing detected by the second detection unit (22). [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1...Signal information output device 2. Signal control device 3...Push button box 4. Signal junction box 6, 7(6a, 6b, 7a, 7b)...Traffic light 11…Control unit 12...Input section 13...Timekeeping section 14...Storage section 15...Output section 21…First detection section 22…Second detection section 23…Estimation part 31…Input / output section 32…Button 33…First light emitting part 34…Second light emitting part 41...Current sensor 42...A / D converter 100(100a~100d)…Vehicle

Claims

1. A traffic light information output device that outputs traffic light information indicating a timing for switching a traffic light color signal in response to a traffic light control parameter set by a traffic light control device and an input recall request, A storage unit that stores a switching control pattern for switching a light color signal of the traffic light by the signal control device; A first detection unit detects a timing at which a specific light color signal of the traffic signal starts to be lit as a first timing; a display unit that displays a waiting-for-operation display indicating that a specific operation related to the recall request is enabled during a period in which the specific operation is enabled, outputs a recall request to the signal control device when the specific operation is performed, and displays a recall display indicating that the recall request is input to the signal control device, and detects a timing when the recall display starts as a second timing; an estimation unit that estimates the signal information based on the switching control pattern stored in the storage unit, the first timing detected by the first detection unit, and the second timing detected by the second detection unit, The signal information output device, wherein the first detection unit detects the first timing by detecting the start of power supply to the display unit for the operation waiting display.

2. The signal information output device according to claim 1 , wherein the second detection unit detects the second timing by detecting a start of power supply to the display unit for the recall display.

3. 3. The signal information output device according to claim 1, wherein the specific light color signal is a green light.

4. 4. The traffic light information output device according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates, when the traffic light is green, a remaining green time until the green light ends, as the traffic light information.

5. A computer of a signal information output device that outputs signal information indicating a timing for switching a light color signal of a traffic light in response to a signal control parameter set in the signal control device and an input recall request, a first detection step of detecting a timing at which a specific light color signal of the traffic signal starts to be lit as a first timing; a second detection step of detecting a timing when the recall display is started as a second timing by a display unit which displays a wait-for-operation display indicating that a predetermined operation related to the recall request is enabled during a period in which the predetermined operation is enabled, outputs a recall request to the signal control device when the predetermined operation is performed, and displays a recall display indicating that the recall request is input to the signal control device; an estimation unit that estimates the signal information based on a switching control pattern that the signal control device switches the light color signal of the traffic light, which is stored in a storage unit, the first timing detected in the first detection step, and the second timing detected in the second detection step; The signal information output method, wherein the first detection step detects the first timing by detecting the start of power supply to the display unit for displaying the wait-for-operation display.

6. A computer of a signal information output device that outputs signal information indicating a timing for switching a light color signal of a traffic light in response to a signal control parameter set by the signal control device and an input recall request, a first detection step of detecting a timing at which a specific light color signal of the traffic signal starts to be lit as a first timing; a second detection step of detecting a timing when the recall display is started as a second timing by a display unit which displays a wait-for-operation display indicating that a predetermined operation related to the recall request is enabled during a period in which the predetermined operation is enabled, outputs a recall request to the signal control device when the predetermined operation is performed, and displays a recall display indicating that the recall request is input to the signal control device; an estimation unit that estimates the signal information based on a switching control pattern in which the signal control device switches the light color signal of the traffic light, the switching control pattern being stored in a storage unit, the first timing detected in the first detection step, and the second timing detected in the second detection step; The signal information output program, wherein the first detection step detects the first timing by detecting start of power supply to the display unit for displaying the wait-for-operation display.

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