Signal information generating device, signal information generating method, and signal information generating program

Abstract

To acquire a control pattern according to which a signal controller controls a lamp color signal of a traffic light in a follow-up control period of time for switching a signal control parameter set according to a time zone.SOLUTION: A calculation unit calculates a follow-up amount related to a displacement between the state of a lamp color signal of a traffic light detected by a detection unit and a proper state of a lamp color signal of a traffic light based on a control pattern to switch when a signal controller switches a control pattern of a lamp color signal of a traffic light. A follow-up control pattern generation unit generates a follow-up control pattern corresponding to the follow-up amount calculated this time on the basis of the result of detection of the follow-up control pattern according to which the signal controller controlled a lamp color signal of a traffic light in a follow-up control period of time required from when the signal controller switches a control pattern to when a lamp color signal of the traffic light is moved to a proper state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for estimating the remaining green time of a traffic signal installed at an intersection by an external device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, at a typical intersection, a traffic light is installed at each entrance where a vehicle can enter. A traffic light control device switches the light color (green, yellow, red, etc.) of each traffic light based on set signal control parameters. As is well known, the traffic light control parameters stipulate the cycle (the time for one period), split (the proportion of green lights), offset (the time to shift the start timing of the green light with respect to an adjacent intersection), etc. of the light color of the traffic light.

[0003] Since the traffic volume at an intersection varies depending on the time of day, the signal control device is set with signal control parameters according to the traffic volume for each time period. The signal control device switches the signal control parameters used to control the light color of a traffic signal depending on the time of day.

[0004] Furthermore, when a vehicle driver is traveling on an approach road to an intersection and the traffic light at the intersection changes from green to yellow, 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 an accident, there is a traffic light information transmitting device that transmits (outputs) to a vehicle approaching an intersection the time until the traffic light changes to yellow (remaining green time) when the traffic light is green (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-233854 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when a signal control device that performs offset control switches signal control parameters that are set for each time period, it sets a tracking control period between the end point of control based on the signal control parameters before the switching and the start point of control based on the signal control parameters after the switching. This tracking control period is a period during which the offset defined by the signal control parameters to be switched this time is made appropriate. In other words, the tracking control period is a period during which the state of the light color signal of the traffic light at the end point of control based on the signal control parameters before the switching is transitioned to an appropriate state in which control based on the signal control parameters after the switching can be performed appropriately. The tracking control period is a period of n cycles during which the light color signal of the traffic light is controlled. n is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The signal control device determines the control pattern of the light color signal of the traffic light for each control cycle of the tracking control period.

[0007] Conventional devices that provide signal information from an external device are unable to estimate or provide the remaining green time because they do not know the control pattern in which the signal control device controls the light color of the traffic light during the tracking control period.

[0008] In addition, it was not possible to evaluate whether the logic by which the signal control device determines the control pattern of the traffic light color during the following control period is appropriate for preventing a decrease in traffic flow.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology for a signal control device to obtain a control pattern for controlling the light color signal of a traffic light during a tracking control period when switching signal control parameters set for each time period. [Means for solving the problem]

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

[0011] The first storage unit stores, by time period, a control pattern by which the signal control device controls the light signal of the traffic light. The detection unit detects the state of the light signal of the traffic light. The state of the light signal of the traffic light referred to here includes not only information indicating the type of light signal (green, yellow, red, etc.) that is on at that time, but also the duration of the light signal, which is the control pattern of the light signal of the traffic light, etc.

[0012] The calculation unit calculates a tracking amount relating to a deviation in the cycle start time between the state of the light signal of the traffic light detected by the detection unit and an appropriate state of the light signal of the traffic light based on the control pattern to be switched this time when the signal control device switches the control pattern of the light signal of the traffic light. The time when the signal control device switches the control pattern of the light signal of the traffic light is the time when the control of the light signal of the traffic light based on the signal control parameters before the switching ends.

[0013] The following control pattern generation unit detects, using a detection unit, the following control pattern by which the signal control device controls the traffic light signal during the following control period required from when the signal control device switches the control pattern to when the traffic light signal is transitioned to an appropriate state, and generates a following control pattern corresponding to the currently calculated amount of following based on the detection result.

[0014] The follow-up control pattern generated by the follow-up control pattern generating unit is stored in the second storage unit.

[0015] According to this configuration, the signal control device can obtain a control pattern for controlling the light color signal of the traffic light during the tracking control period when switching the signal control parameters set for each time period. This allows, for example, estimation and provision of remaining green time even during the tracking control period. In addition, the signal control device can evaluate whether the logic for determining the control pattern of the light color signal of the traffic light during the tracking control period is appropriate for suppressing a decrease in traffic flow.

[0016] In addition, the following control pattern generation unit may be configured to, for example, when a following control pattern corresponding to the following amount calculated by the calculation unit is not stored in the second memory unit, detect a following control pattern by which the signal control device controlled the light color signal of the traffic light during the current following control period using the detection unit, and generate a following control pattern corresponding to the following amount calculated this time based on the detection result.

[0017] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent unnecessary processing for generating a tracking control pattern.

[0018] In addition, the tracking control pattern generation unit may be configured to determine the end timing of the tracking control period by determining, for example, based on the detection result of the detection unit, whether the traffic light color signal has been controlled using the control pattern to be switched this time.

[0019] With this configuration, it is possible to properly determine whether the follow-up control period has ended, and therefore to properly generate the follow-up control pattern.

[0020] The second storage unit may be configured to store the follow-up control pattern in association with the control pattern to be switched to this time and the follow-up amount.

[0021] The signal control device further includes a time difference estimation unit for estimating a time difference between an internal time measured by the built-in timer and an external time measured by the signal control device, The calculation unit may be configured to determine the timing at which the signal control device switches the control pattern of the light color signal of the traffic light, based on the internal time and the estimated time difference.

[0022] With this configuration, the signal control device can accurately determine the timing for switching the signal control parameters that are set for each time period.

[0023] In this case, the time difference estimation unit can estimate the time difference between the internal time and the external time, for example, by using the start timing of a light signal of a predetermined color of a traffic light detected by the detection unit when the traffic light is not in a tracking control period.

[0024] In addition, the calculation unit may be configured to calculate the amount of tracking using, for example, the time when the signal control device switches the control pattern of the traffic light's light color signal, the start time of the time period set for the control pattern to be switched this time, and the offset of the control pattern to be switched this time.

[0025] With this configuration, the amount of tracking can be calculated with high accuracy, and as a result, the accuracy of determining the tracking control pattern during the tracking control period can be improved. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the present invention, the signal control device can obtain a control pattern for controlling the light color signal of a traffic signal during a tracking control period when switching signal control parameters set for each time period. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an intersection to which a traffic light information generating device according to this example is applied. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between a signal information generating device, a signal control device, and traffic lights at an intersection. [Diagram 3] This is a diagram of the signal levels of traffic lights installed at an intersection. [Figure 4] 4(A), (B), and (C) are diagrams for explaining switching of signal control parameters. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a signal information generating device. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(A) is a diagram showing a table by day type and time period, and FIG. 6(B) is a diagram showing a control pattern table. [Figure 7] FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a follow-up control table, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a follow-up control pattern table. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing a remaining green time estimation process. [Figure 9]13 is a flowchart showing a follow-up control period process. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing a follow-up control pattern generating process. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a signal information generating device according to a modified example. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing a time difference estimation process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, time and timing indicate a certain point in time, and duration indicates the length between two different points in time. Here, a traffic light information generating device that estimates and outputs the remaining green light duration will be described as an example.

[0029] <1. Application Examples> Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an intersection to which a traffic light information generating device according to this embodiment is applied, and Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between the traffic light information generating device, the traffic light control device, and traffic lights at the intersection shown in Fig. 1.

[0030] 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 the vehicles 100 (100a, 100b) travel in the left-right direction is the main road, and the road on which the vehicles 100 (100c, 100d) travel in the up-down direction is the secondary road. Traffic lights 6 (6a-6d) are installed at each entrance road of the intersection. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the traffic light 6a is for the vehicle 100a traveling on the entrance road (main road) entering the intersection from the right, and the traffic light 6b is for the vehicle 100b traveling on the entrance road (main road) entering the intersection from the left. In addition, the traffic light 6c is for the vehicle 100c traveling on the entrance road (secondary road) entering the intersection from above, and the traffic light 6d is for the vehicle 100d traveling on the entrance road (secondary road) entering the intersection from below.

[0031] In this example, the traffic light 6 has three light color signals: a green light, a yellow light, and a red light. A green light is a state in which the blue light color light source is on, a yellow light is a state in which the yellow light color light source is on, and a red light is a state in which the red light color light source is on.

[0032] In this example, the traffic lights 6a and 6b are switched to the same light color signal at the same timing by the signal control device 4. Also, the traffic lights 6c and 6d are switched to the same light color signal at the same timing by the signal control device 4.

[0033] Specifically, the traffic lights 6a and 6b are connected to a power supply line 5Ba for the blue light source, a power supply line 5Ya for the yellow light source, and a power supply line 5Ra for the red light source. The traffic lights 6a and 6b are connected in parallel to the power supply lines 5Ba, 5Ya, and 5Ra. The traffic lights 6c and 6d are connected to a power supply line 5Bc for the blue light source, a power supply line 5Yc for the yellow light source, and a power supply line 5Rc for the red light source. The traffic lights 6c and 6d are connected in parallel to the power supply lines 5Bc, 5Yc, and 5Rc. The light source of the traffic light 6 is turned on when power is supplied from the traffic light control device 4 via the power supply lines 5B, 5Y, and 5R, and is turned off when power is not supplied via the power supply lines 5B, 5Y, and 5R. The traffic light control device 4 switches the light source that supplies power to the traffic light 6 via the power supply lines 5B, 5Y, and 5R.

[0034] Signal control parameters are set for each day type and time period in the signal control device 4. As is well known, the signal control parameters stipulate the cycle (the duration of one cycle), split (the proportion of green lights), offset (the amount of time to shift the start timing of the green light relative to adjacent intersections), etc. The signal control device 4 switches the light color of each traffic light 6 based on the signal control parameters for the corresponding day type and time period.

[0035] Here, the switching of the light color of the traffic light 6 installed at the intersection by the traffic light control device 4 will be briefly described. FIG. 3 is a diagram of the signal indication levels of the traffic lights installed at the intersection according to this example. Level number 1 shown in FIG. 3 is a level where the traffic lights 6a and 6b are green and the traffic lights 6c and 6d are red. Level number 2 is a level where the traffic lights 6a and 6b are yellow and the traffic lights 6c and 6d are red. Level number 3 is a level where all the traffic lights 6a to 6d are red. Level number 4 is a level where the traffic lights 6a and 6b are red and the traffic lights 6c and 6d are green. Level number 5 is a level where the traffic lights 6a and 6b are red and the traffic lights 6c and 6d are yellow. Level number 6 is a level where all the traffic lights 6a to 6d are red.

[0036] When it is not a following control period described later, the signal control device 4 determines the time of each of the floor numbers 1 to 6 based on the signal control parameters. The signal control device 4 sets floor numbers 1 to 6 as one cycle and switches the light color signals of each of the traffic lights 6a to 6d. For each cycle, the signal control device 4 determines the control pattern of the light color signals of each of the traffic lights 6a to 6d (the time of each of the floor numbers 1 to 6) before starting control of the light color signals of the traffic lights 6 in that cycle. Furthermore, when it is a following control period described later, the signal control device 4 determines the time of each of the floor numbers 1 to 6 using a predetermined logic. In this example, the start timing of the control pattern is the start timing of the green signals at the traffic lights 6a and 6b on the main road side.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the current probe 3 is connected to the signal information generating device 1. The current probe 3Ba shown in FIG. 2 is arranged to sandwich the power supply line 5Ba for the blue light source of the traffic lights 6a and 6b. The current probe 3Ya is arranged to sandwich the power supply line 5Ya for the yellow light source of the traffic lights 6a and 6b. The current probe 3Ra is arranged to sandwich the power supply line 5Ra for the red light source of the traffic lights 6a and 6b. The current probe 3Bc is arranged to sandwich the power supply line 5Bc for the blue light source of the traffic lights 6c and 6d. The current probe 3Yc is arranged to sandwich the power supply line 5Yc for the yellow light source of the traffic lights 6c and 6d. The current probe 3Rc is arranged to sandwich the power supply line 5Rc for the red light source of the traffic lights 6c and 6d. Each current probe 3 detects the magnitude (current value) of the current flowing through the power supply line 5 arranged so as to sandwich it, and outputs it to the signal information generating device 1. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the position where each current probe 3 is arranged so as to sandwich the power supply line 5 is closer to the signal control device 4 than the branch point where the line branches into two traffic lights 6 connected in parallel.

[0038] The current probes 3 may be arranged so as to sandwich one of the power supply lines 5 branching off at the branch point.

[0039] The traffic light information generating device 1 can detect the start time of the green light, the start time of the yellow light, and the start time of the red light at the traffic lights 6a and 6b by the output of the connected current probes 3Ba, 3Ya, and 3Ra. In addition, the traffic light information generating device 1 can detect the end time of the green light, the end time of the yellow light, and the end time of the red light at the traffic lights 6a and 6b by the output of the connected current probes 3Ba, 3Ya, and 3Ra. Similarly, the traffic light information generating device 1 can detect the start time of the green light, the start time of the yellow light, and the start time of the red light at the traffic lights 6c and 6d by the output of the connected current probes 3Bc, 3Yc, and 3Rc. In addition, the traffic light information generating device 1 can detect the end time of the green light, the end time of the yellow light, and the end time of the red light at the traffic lights 6c and 6d by the output of the connected current probes 3Bc, 3Yc, and 3Rc. Therefore, the traffic light information generating device 1 can detect the state of each traffic light 6. In addition, the traffic light information generating device 1 can detect the time of each of the floor numbers 1 to 6 shown in FIG. 3.

[0040] The traffic signal information generating device 1 can detect the states of the traffic signals 6a and 6b even if any one of the current probes 3Ba, 3Ya, and 3Ra is not connected. Similarly, the traffic signal information generating device 1 can detect the states of the traffic signals 6c and 6d even if any one of the current probes 3Bc, 3Yc, and 3Rc is not connected.

[0041] In addition, in this example, the state of the light signal of traffic light 6 is detected using a current probe 3, but it is also possible to detect the state of the light signal of traffic light 6 by processing images of traffic lights 6a and 6c captured by a camera, or to detect the state of the light signal of traffic light 6 using other configurations.

[0042] In addition, the traffic signal information generating device 1 stores information on the traffic signal control parameters that the traffic signal control device 4 switches according to the type of day and the time period, which will be described in detail later.

[0043] Here, the operation of the signal control device 4 when switching the signal control parameters set for each day type and time period will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Here, an example will be described in which the signal control device 4 switches from signal control parameter A with an end time of 7:00:00 AM to signal control parameter B with a start time of 7:00:00 AM (see Fig. 4(A)).

[0044] Control pattern A is a one-cycle pattern for switching the light color signal of traffic light 6 based on signal control parameter A, and control pattern B is a one-cycle pattern for switching the light color signal of traffic light 6 based on signal control parameter B.

[0045] 4(B), when the signal control device 4 is switching the light color signal of the traffic light 6 according to control pattern A based on signal control parameter A, at the end time of this signal control parameter A, it waits for the end of the control period of control pattern A being executed at that time, and then ends the control of the light color signal of the traffic light 6 based on the signal control parameter A. In other words, the time at which the signal control device 4 ends the control of the light color signal of the traffic light 6 based on the signal control parameter A may or may not coincide with the end time of the time period set for signal control parameter A.

[0046] 4 is the offset of signal control parameter B, which starts at 7:00:00 a.m. Also, t2 is the time difference between the time when the signal control device 4 ends control of the light color signal of the traffic light 6 based on the signal control parameter A and the end time of the time period set for the signal control parameter A.

[0047] When the signal control device 4 finishes controlling the traffic signal color signal of the traffic signal 6 based on the signal control parameter A and immediately starts controlling the traffic signal color signal of the traffic signal 6 based on the signal control parameter B as shown in FIG. 4(B), the traffic signal 6 will be controlled in an improper state with an offset of (t1 - t2) from the proper state based on the signal control parameter B. The offset deviation reduces the traffic flow among a plurality of surrounding intersections under systematic control.

[0048] (t1 - t2) corresponds to the follow-up amount referred to in this invention. Also, in this example, in order to always make the follow-up amount a positive value, when t1 < t2, a value obtained by adding the period T defined by the signal control parameter B to be switched this time is calculated as the follow-up amount.

[0049] Also, as is clear from FIG. 4(B), when the time when the signal control device 4 finishes controlling the traffic signal color signal of the traffic signal 6 based on the signal control parameter A is the time after elapsing by the offset of this signal control parameter B from the time when it starts controlling the traffic signal color signal of the traffic signal 6 based on the signal control parameter B, the follow-up amount becomes 0.

[0050] The signal control device 4 sets a follow-up control period shown in FIG. 4(C) in order to eliminate this offset deviation and control the traffic signal color signal of the traffic signal 6 in a proper state. This follow-up control period is the period of n cycles for controlling the traffic signal color signal of the traffic signal 6. n is an integer of 1 or more. The signal control device 4 uses the follow-up amount and the period of the signal control parameter B to be switched this time, and determines the number of cycles (n) of the follow-up control period and the traffic signal color signals of the traffic signal 6 in each cycle (follow-up control patterns q1 to qn) with a preset logic.

[0051] That is, the signal control device 4 may determine the tracking control period to be one cycle, or two cycles or five cycles, depending on the amount of tracking and the cycle of the signal control parameter B to be switched this time. Also, the signal control device 4 determines the tracking control patterns q1 to qn for each cycle depending on the amount of tracking and the cycle of the signal control parameter B to be switched this time. The tracking control patterns q1 to qn are one cycle control patterns for the traffic light 6, in which the times for each of the stage numbers 1 to 6 shown in Fig. 3 are set.

[0052] In the example shown in Figure 4 (C), after the following control pattern qn ends, control using control pattern B based on signal control parameter B is started, thereby controlling traffic light 6 in an appropriate state based on signal control parameter B.

[0053] The traffic light information generating device 1 in this example estimates and outputs the remaining green time until the green light ends when traffic lights 6a and 6b are green, regardless of whether it is the follow-up control period shown in Fig. 4. Also, the traffic light information generating device estimates and outputs the remaining green time until the green light ends when traffic lights 6c and 6d are green, regardless of whether it is the follow-up control period shown in Fig. 4.

[0054] The traffic light information generating device 1 may be configured not to estimate the remaining green time for either the traffic lights 6a and 6b or the traffic lights 6c and 6d. The traffic light information generating device 1 may be configured to estimate the remaining yellow time and remaining red time for the traffic lights 6a and 6b. Furthermore, the traffic light information generating device 1 may be configured to estimate the remaining yellow time and remaining red time for the traffic lights 6c and 6d.

[0055] 2, the existing signal control device 4 and traffic light 6 can be used as is. That is, when using the signal information generating device 1 of this example, it is not necessary to replace the existing signal control device 4 and traffic light 6.

[0056] <2. Configuration example> 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the traffic signal information generating device according to this example. The traffic signal information generating device 1 includes a control unit 11, an input section 12, a timer section 13, a first storage section 14, a second storage section 15, and an output section 16.

[0057] The control unit 11 controls the operation of each part of the main body of the traffic signal information generating device 1. The control unit 11 also has a detection unit 21, a calculation unit 22, a traffic signal information estimation unit 23, a following control pattern generation unit 24, and a registration unit 25. The detection unit 21, the calculation unit 22, the traffic signal information estimation unit 23, the following control pattern generation unit 24, and the registration unit 25 will be described in detail later.

[0058] Six current probes 3Ba, 3Ya, 3Ra, 3Bc, 3Yc, and 3Rc are connected to the input unit 12 (in FIG. 5, to simplify the illustration, the six current probes 3Ba, 3Ya, 3Ra, 3Bc, 3Yc, and 3Rc are shown as one current probe 3). Each current probe 3 detects and outputs the magnitude (current value) of the current flowing through the power supply lines 5Ba, 5Ya, 5Ra, 5Bc, 5Yc, and 5Rc of the traffic signals 6a and 6c arranged so as to sandwich them. That is, a detection signal indicating the magnitude of the current flowing through the power supply lines 5Ba, 5Ya, 5Ra, 5Bc, 5Yc, and 5Rc is input to the input unit 12 for each of the power supply lines 5Ba, 5Ya, 5Ra, 5Bc, 5Yc, and 5Rc.

[0059] The clock unit 13 keeps track of the current time. The clock unit 13 also has a calendar function and can obtain the day type (day of the week and public holidays). When it is necessary for the clock unit 13 to keep accurate time, the traffic signal information generating device 1 performs time synchronization with a device that keeps accurate time (e.g., a clock server). For example, when the traffic signal information generating device 1 is configured to output the estimated remaining green time together with the time at which this remaining green time is estimated, it is necessary for the clock unit 13 to keep accurate time.

[0060] The first storage unit 14 stores a table by day type and time period shown in Fig. 6(A) and a control pattern table shown in Fig. 6(B). In this example, the signal control device 4 is divided into a group where the day type is weekdays and Saturdays, and a group where the day type is Sundays and holidays, and the signal control parameters are set by time period.

[0061] The day type and time period table, as shown in Fig. 6(A), is a table in which the control pattern numbers of the light color signals of the traffic light 6 are registered in correspondence with each day type and each time period of that day type. The classification of day types is the same as the classification of day types for which signal control parameters are set in the signal control device 4. In addition, the classification of time periods for each day type is the same as the classification of time periods for which signal control parameters are set in the signal control device 4.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 6(B), the control pattern table is a table in which the time for one period (cycle) for switching the light color signal of the traffic light 6, the offset, and the time for each level number 1 to 6 are registered in association with each control pattern number. The control pattern numbers in the day type and time period table correspond to the control pattern numbers in the control pattern table. The control pattern table corresponding to the control pattern number registered in the day type and time period table is a control pattern based on the signal control parameters corresponding to the corresponding day type and time period.

[0063] That is, the traffic light information generating device 1 in this example stores in the first memory unit 14 a table by day type and time period shown in Figure 6(A) and a control pattern table shown in Figure 6(B) as information for the traffic light control device 4 to obtain a control pattern for switching the light color signal of the traffic light 6 based on the signal control parameters, by day type and time period.

[0064] In addition, the traffic light information generating device 1 may be configured to store other types of tables, etc. in the first memory unit 14, not limited to the day type and time period table shown in Figure 6 (A) and the control pattern table shown in Figure 6 (B), as long as the information provides a control pattern for the traffic light control device 4 to switch the light color signal of the traffic light 6 based on signal control parameters by day type and time period.

[0065] The second storage unit 15 stores a follow-up control table shown in FIG. 7(A) and a follow-up control pattern table shown in FIG. 7(B).

[0066] The tracking control table is a table in which post-switching control patterns, tracking amounts (offset deviation amounts), and tracking control pattern permutations are registered in association with each other, as shown in Fig. 7(A). The post-switching control pattern is a number indicating a control pattern corresponding to a signal control parameter to be switched when the signal control device 4 switches the signal control parameters set for each time period. The post-switching control pattern numbers correspond to the control pattern numbers in the day type and time period table shown in Fig. 6(A) and the control pattern table shown in Fig. 6(B).

[0067] The following control pattern sequence is a chronological arrangement of record numbers indicating the following control patterns of one cycle for switching the light color signal of the traffic light 6 executed by the signal control device 4 during the following control period. The following control period is the period from the time when the signal control device 4 ends the control of the light color signal of the traffic light 6 based on the signal control parameters before switching to the time when the signal control device 4 starts the control of the light color signal of the traffic light 6 based on the signal control parameters to be switched this time. For example, when the number of the post-switching control pattern shown in FIG. 7(A) is 1 and the following amount at the time when the control of the light color signal of the traffic light 6 based on the signal control parameters before switching ends is 59 seconds, it indicates that the signal control device 4 controls the light color signal of the traffic light 6 with the following control patterns according to records 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 in this order, and then starts the control of the light color signal of the traffic light 6 based on the signal control parameters to be switched this time. In addition, if the number of the post-switching control pattern is 2 and the tracking amount at the end of control of the light color signal of traffic light 6 based on the signal control parameters before the switching is 1 second, this indicates that the signal control device 4 will execute the tracking control pattern related to record 1 and then start control of the light color signal of traffic light 6 based on the signal control parameters to be switched this time.

[0068] The tracking control pattern table is a table in which record numbers and times for each of the stage numbers 1 to 6 are registered in association with each other, as shown in FIG. 7(B).

[0069] The signal information generating device 1 in this example stores in the second memory unit 15 a tracking control table shown in FIG. 7(A) and a tracking control pattern table shown in FIG. 7(B) as information for the signal control device 4 to obtain a control pattern (tracking control pattern) for switching the light color signal of the traffic light 6 during the tracking control period.

[0070] In addition, the traffic light information generating device 1 may be configured to store tables of other formats in the second memory unit 15, not limited to the following control table shown in Figure 7(A) and the following control pattern table shown in Figure 7(B), as long as the information provides a control pattern (following control pattern) for the signal control device 4 to switch the light color signal of the traffic light 6 during the following control period.

[0071] Moreover, the first storage unit 14 and the second storage unit 15 may be configured as a single storage medium (such as a memory), or may be configured as different storage media.

[0072] A transmitting device (not shown) such as a wireless transmitter is connected to the output unit 16. When the traffic lights 6a and 6b are green, the output unit 16 outputs the time (remaining green time) until the traffic lights 6a and 6b change to yellow to a connected transmitting device. This transmitting device notifies the vehicles 100a and 100b traveling on the main road and a center (not shown) of the remaining green time of the traffic lights 6a and 6b. When the traffic lights 6c and 6d are green, the output unit 16 outputs the time (remaining green time) until the traffic lights 6c and 6d change to yellow to a connected transmitting device. This transmitting device notifies the vehicles 100c and 100d traveling on the main road and a center (not shown) of the remaining green time of the traffic lights 6c and 6d.

[0073] The output unit 16 may be configured to output not only the remaining green time, but also the remaining yellow time and remaining red time of each traffic light 6.

[0074] Next, the detection section 21, the calculation section 22, the signal information estimation section 23, the tracking control pattern generation section 24, and the registration section 25 included in the control unit 11 will be described.

[0075] The detection unit 21 detects the start time of the green light, the start time of the yellow light, and the start time of the red light at traffic lights 6a and 6b based on the outputs of the current probes 3Ba, 3Ya, and 3Ra input to the input unit 12. The detection unit 21 also detects the start time of the green light, the start time of the yellow light, and the start time of the red light at traffic lights 6c and 6d based on the outputs of the current probes 3Bc, 3Yc, and 3Rc input to the input unit 12.

[0076] The detection unit 21 also detects the end time of the green light, the end time of the yellow light, and the end time of the red light at traffic lights 6a and 6b from the outputs of the current probes 3Ba, 3Ya, and 3Ra input to the input unit 12. The detection unit 21 also detects the end time of the green light, the end time of the yellow light, and the end time of the red light at traffic lights 6c and 6d from the outputs of the current probes 3Bc, 3Yc, and 3Rc input to the input unit 12.

[0077] The detection unit 21 obtains the state of each traffic light 6 by detecting the start times of the green, yellow, and red signals for each traffic light 6. The state of the traffic light 6 here includes the color of the light signal that is on at that time, the elapsed time since the light signal that is on at that time started to be turned on, the elapsed time since the start of this cycle, etc.

[0078] When the signal control device 4 switches the signal control parameters, the calculation unit 22 calculates the amount of tracking at the time when the signal control device 4 ends control of the light color signal of the traffic light 6 based on the signal control parameters before the switching.

[0079] When the calculated amount of tracking is a negative value, the calculation unit 22 adds the period of the signal control parameter to be switched this time to calculate the amount of tracking as a positive value.

[0080] When the traffic lights 6a and 6b are green, the traffic light information estimation unit 23 estimates the remaining green time until the green light ends. Also, when the traffic lights 6c and 6d are green, the traffic light information estimation unit 23 estimates the remaining green time until the green light ends.

[0081] In this example, the traffic light information estimation unit 23 is configured not to estimate the remaining yellow time until the yellow light ends when the traffic lights 6a, 6b are yellow, and the remaining red time until the red light ends when the traffic lights 6a, 6b are red, but may be configured to estimate these remaining yellow time and remaining red time. Similarly, the traffic light information estimation unit 23 is configured not to estimate the remaining yellow time until the yellow light ends when the traffic lights 6c, 6d are yellow, and the remaining red time until the red light ends when the traffic lights 6c, 6d are red, but may be configured to estimate these remaining yellow time and remaining red time.

[0082] The tracking control pattern generating unit 24 generates a record in which a post-switching control pattern, a tracking amount, and a tracking control pattern sequence are associated with each other as necessary. The tracking control pattern generating unit 24 also generates a record of a tracking control pattern that is not registered in the tracking control pattern table.

[0083] The registration unit 25 registers a record that associates the post-switching control pattern, the tracking amount, and the tracking control pattern permutation generated by the tracking control pattern generation unit 24 in the tracking control table shown in Figure 7(A), and also registers records of the tracking control pattern in the tracking control pattern table shown in Figure 7(B) as necessary.

[0084] The control unit 11 of the traffic signal information generating device 1 is composed of a hardware CPU, a memory, and other electronic circuits. When the hardware CPU executes the traffic signal information generating program according to the present invention, it operates as a detection unit 21, a calculation unit 22, a traffic signal information estimation unit 23, a tracking control pattern generating unit 24, and a registration unit 25. The memory has an area for expanding the traffic signal information generating program according to the present invention and an area for temporarily storing data generated during execution of the traffic signal information generating 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 traffic signal information generating method according to the present invention.

[0085] <3. Example of operation> A description will be given of the remaining green time estimation process in the traffic light information generating device 1. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the remaining green time estimation process.

[0086] Traffic lights 6a and 6b are not currently showing green lights (traffic lights 6c and 6d are not necessarily showing green lights). The traffic light information generating device 1 waits for traffic light 6a to start showing its green light (s1). In s1, the detection unit 21 detects the time when the magnitude of the current flowing through the power supply line 5Ba input to the input unit 12 exceeds a set level as the start of the green light of traffic light 6a. In s1, the start of stage number 1 shown in Figure 3, i.e., the start timing of the control cycle of traffic light 6 in this example, is detected.

[0087] When the detection unit 21 detects the start of the green light at the traffic light 6a, it acquires the green start time (s2). The detection unit 21 acquires, as the green start time, the time measured by the timing unit 13 at the point when the magnitude of the current flowing through the power supply line 5Ba input to the input unit 12 exceeds a set level.

[0088] The calculation unit 22 judges whether or not it is a follow-up control period based on the time acquired in s2 (s3). In s3, the calculation unit 22 refers to the day type and time period table shown in Fig. 6 (A), and if the end time (or start time) associated with any control pattern is between the previously detected green start time and the currently detected green start time, it judges it to be a follow-up control period, and in other cases, it judges it to be a normal control period (not a follow-up control period). When the calculation unit 22 judges it to be a follow-up control period in s3, the traffic signal information generating device 1 performs a follow-up control period process (s9) described later.

[0089] When the calculation unit 22 determines in s3 that it is a normal control period, the traffic signal information estimation unit 23 refers to the control pattern table shown in Fig. 6(B) and reads out the control pattern for the corresponding time period (s4). The corresponding control pattern table is a control pattern associated with the day type and time period corresponding to that time point, and is obtained by referring to the day type and time period table shown in Fig. 6(A) and the control pattern table shown in Fig. 6(B).

[0090] The traffic light information estimation unit 23 waits for the estimation timing for estimating the remaining green time to arrive or for the green light to end at the traffic light 6c (s5, s6). For example, the traffic light information estimation unit 23 determines that it is the first estimation timing when a certain time (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed from the green start time acquired in s2, and thereafter determines that it is the estimation timing when a certain time (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed from the previous estimation timing. In addition, in s6, it is determined whether the green light at the traffic light 6c has ended after it has turned green. In other words, the end of the stage number 4 shown in FIG. 3 is detected.

[0091] When the traffic light information estimation unit 23 determines in s5 that it is the estimation timing, it estimates the remaining green time (s7). In s7, the remaining green time is estimated based on the elapsed time from the green start time acquired in s2 and the control pattern read out in s4. The traffic light information estimation unit 23 estimates the remaining green time for traffic lights 6a and 6b when traffic light 6a has a green signal, and estimates the remaining green time for traffic lights 6c and 6d when traffic light 6c has a green signal. That is, in this example, the traffic light information estimation unit 23 estimates the remaining green time for traffic lights 6a and 6b during the period of floor number 1 shown in FIG. 3, and estimates the remaining green time for traffic lights 6c and 6d during the period of floor number 4.

[0092] The traffic light information estimation unit 23 may estimate the remaining yellow time of the traffic lights 6a and 6b during the period of floor number 2 shown in Fig. 3. The traffic light information estimation unit 23 may also estimate the remaining red time of the traffic lights 6a and 6b during the period of floor numbers 3 to 6. The traffic light information estimation unit 23 may also estimate the remaining yellow time of the traffic lights 6c and 6d during the period of floor number 5 shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the traffic light information estimation unit 23 may estimate the remaining red time of the traffic lights 6c and 6d during the period of floor numbers 6 to 3 (floor number 3 of the next cycle).

[0093] The traffic light information generating device 1 outputs the remaining green time estimated in s7 from the output unit 16 (s8), and returns to s5. If it takes a certain amount of time from the time when the remaining green time was estimated in s7 until the remaining green time output in s8 is received by the on-board device mounted on the vehicle 100, the traffic light information generating device 1 may output in s8 the time when this remaining green time was estimated (the time measured by the timing unit 13) together with the remaining green time estimated in s7.

[0094] In the above example, the traffic light information generating device 1 estimates and outputs the remaining green time of the traffic light 6 at regular intervals. However, the traffic light information generating device 1 may estimate the remaining green time of the traffic lights 6a and 6b at the start time of the floor number 1, and output the estimated time (start time of the floor number 1) of the remaining green time of the traffic lights 6a and 6b together with the estimated remaining green time of the traffic lights 6a and 6b in s8. In this case, the on-board device may update the remaining green time of the traffic lights 6a and 6b over time. Similarly, the traffic light information generating device 1 may estimate the remaining green time of the traffic lights 6c and 6d at the start time of the floor number 4, and output the estimated time (start time of the floor number 1) of the remaining green time of the traffic lights 6c and 6d together with the estimated remaining green time of the traffic lights 6c and 6d in s8. In this case, the on-board device may update the remaining green time of the traffic lights 6c and 6d over time.

[0095] In addition, when the traffic light information generating device 1 outputs the estimated time of remaining green time of the traffic light 6, it is preferable to configure the traffic light information generating device 1 to perform time synchronization with a device that keeps accurate time (e.g., a clock server) so that the timing unit 13 keeps accurate time.

[0096] Furthermore, when the traffic light information generating device 1 detects the end of the green light of the traffic light 6c in s6, the process returns to s1.

[0097] By performing the above-mentioned processing, the traffic light information generating device 1 can estimate and output the remaining green time of the traffic light 6 during the normal period.

[0098] Next, the follow-up control period process in s9 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0099] The calculation unit 22 calculates the amount of tracking (s21). The calculation unit 22 calculates the amount of tracking using the green light start time detected in s2, the start time of the signal control parameter to be switched this time, the period of the signal control parameter to be switched this time, and the offset of the signal control parameter to be switched this time. Specifically, Following amount = (the elapsed time from the start time of the signal control parameter to be switched this time to the green light start time detected in s2) - (the offset of the signal control parameter to be switched this time) It is calculated as follows. However, when the amount of tracking calculated by the above formula is a negative value, a value obtained by adding the period of the signal control parameter to be switched this time is calculated as the amount of tracking.

[0100] The traffic light information estimation unit 23 refers to the tracking control table shown in Fig. 7(A) using the two keys, the tracking amount calculated in s21 and the control pattern based on the signal control parameters to be switched this time, and judges whether or not a corresponding tracking control pattern permutation is registered (s22). In s22, it is judged whether or not the control pattern based on the signal control parameters to be switched this time by the signal control device 4 (post-switching control pattern) and the tracking control pattern permutation associated with the tracking amount calculated in s21 are registered in the tracking control table.

[0101] When the signal information generating device 1 determines that a corresponding follow-up control pattern sequence is not registered in the follow-up control table, it executes a follow-up control pattern generating process, which will be described later (s32).

[0102] Furthermore, when the traffic light information generating device 1 determines that a corresponding follow-up control pattern permutation is registered in the follow-up control table, it reads out the follow-up control pattern permutation (s23). By reading out the follow-up control pattern permutation in s23, the traffic light information estimating unit 23 obtains the number of control cycles of the traffic light 6 executed in the current follow-up control period and the record number of each cycle. The traffic light information estimating unit 23 sets a count value n, which counts the number of cycles in the follow-up control period, to an initial value of 1 (s24). The traffic light information estimating unit 23 refers to the follow-up control pattern table shown in Fig. 7(B) and reads out the times of each of the floor numbers 1 to 6 of the traffic light 6 corresponding to the record of the nth cycle obtained in s24 (s25).

[0103] The traffic light information estimation unit 23 waits until it is time to estimate the remaining green time or until the green light ends at traffic light 6c (s26, s27). The processes in s26 and s27 are the same as those in s5 and s6 described above. When the traffic light information estimation unit 23 determines that it is time to estimate the remaining green time in s26, it estimates the remaining green time (s28). In s28, it estimates the remaining green time based on the elapsed time from the green start time acquired in s2 and the times for each of the floor numbers 1 to 6 read out in s25. When traffic light 6a has a green signal, the traffic light information estimation unit 23 estimates the remaining green time for traffic lights 6a and 6b, and when traffic light 6c has a green signal, it estimates the remaining green time for traffic lights 6c and 6d.

[0104] The traffic light information estimation unit 23 does not estimate the remaining green time in s27 for the periods of floor numbers 2 and 3 shown in Fig. 3. Alternatively, the traffic light information estimation unit 23 may estimate the remaining yellow time of the traffic lights 6a and 6b for the period of floor number 2, and estimate the remaining red time of the traffic lights 6a and 6b for the periods of floor numbers 2 to 6.

[0105] The traffic light information generating device 1 outputs the remaining green time estimated in s28 from the output unit 16 (s29), and returns to s26.

[0106] Furthermore, when the detection unit 21 detects the end of the green light of the traffic light 6c, the traffic light information estimation unit 23 determines whether or not the current follow-up control period has ended (s30). The traffic light information estimation unit 23 determines whether or not the current follow-up control period has ended based on the follow-up control pattern read in s23. Specifically, the traffic light information estimation unit 23 determines that the current follow-up control period has ended when the count value n reaches the number of records belonging to the follow-up control pattern sequence read in s23.

[0107] If the signal information estimation unit 23 determines that the current tracking control period has not ended, it increments the count value n (s31) and returns to s25.

[0108] Moreover, when the signal information generating device 1 determines in s30 that the current follow-up control period has ended, it ends this process (returns to s1 in FIG. 7).

[0109] In addition, for the period of floor number 5, the remaining yellow time of traffic lights 6c and 6d may be estimated, and for the period of floor numbers 6 to 3 (floor number 3 in the next cycle), the remaining red time of traffic lights 6c and 6d may be estimated.

[0110] Therefore, the traffic light information generating device 1 of this example can estimate and provide the remaining green time even during the tracking control period when the traffic light control parameters set for each time period are switched.

[0111] Next, the process of generating a follow-up control pattern in s32 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG 10.

[0112] The follow-up control pattern generation unit 24 sets a count value n, which counts the number of cycles of the follow-up control period, to an initial value of 1 (s41). The follow-up control pattern generation unit 24 also detects the time of each of the stage numbers 1 to 6 in this cycle (s42). The follow-up control pattern generation unit 24 stores the time of each of the stage numbers 1 to 6 detected in s42 in a memory (not shown) as a record indicating the control pattern of the nth cycle in the follow-up control period (s43).

[0113] The following control pattern generation unit 24 judges whether the following control period ended in the (n-1) cycle (s44). In s44, the determination is made based on whether the sum of the times of the respective level numbers 1 to 6 detected in the nth cycle matches the cycle defined by the signal control parameters to be switched this time. In other words, it is determined whether the control of the traffic light 6 in the nth cycle was the control pattern defined by the signal control parameters to be switched this time.

[0114] If the follow-up control pattern generating unit 24 determines in s64 that the follow-up control period has not ended in the (n-1) cycle, it increments the count value n (s45) and returns to s42.

[0115] Furthermore, when the following control pattern generation unit 24 determines in s44 that the following control period has ended in the (n-1)th cycle, it generates a following control pattern sequence (s46). For each cycle in which the traffic light 6 was controlled during the current following control period, the following control pattern generation unit 24 determines whether the following control pattern for that cycle is registered in the following control pattern table shown in FIG. 7(B). If the following control pattern is registered in the following control pattern table shown in FIG. 7(B), the following control pattern generation unit 24 stores the registered record number and the number of cycles in a corresponding manner in the memory. If the following control pattern is not registered in the following control pattern table shown in FIG. 7(B), the following control pattern generation unit 24 causes the registration unit 25 to additionally register the following control pattern in the following control pattern table, and stores the record number and the number of cycles associated with each other at the time of additional registration in a corresponding manner in the memory.

[0116] The registration unit 25 registers a record associating the post-switching control pattern, the tracking amount calculated in s21, and the tracking control pattern permutation generated in s46 in the tracking control table shown in FIG. 7(A) (s47), and terminates this process.

[0117] In this way, when the signal control device 4 is unable to obtain a control pattern (following control pattern) for controlling the light color signal of the traffic light 6 during a follow-up control period, the traffic light information generating device 1 detects a follow-up control pattern for the follow-up control period during which the signal control device 4 controls the light color signal of the traffic light 6 and registers the pattern in the follow-up control table and the follow-up control pattern table. Therefore, the traffic light information generating device 1 can reduce the frequency of occurrence of a situation in which the remaining green light time cannot be estimated. In addition, since the process of generating a follow-up control pattern is not executed for a follow-up control period in which a follow-up control pattern is already registered, the processing load of the traffic light information generating device 1 can be efficiently reduced.

[0118] In the above explanation, the signal information generating device 1 that estimates and outputs the remaining green time has been used as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to a device that evaluates whether the logic that determines the control pattern of a traffic light's light color during the following control period is appropriate for suppressing a decrease in traffic flow.

[0119] <4. Modifications> Modifications 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main part of a traffic light information generating device according to a modified example. A traffic light information generating device 1A according to this modified example differs from the traffic light information generating device 1 of the above example in that a time difference estimating unit 26 is provided in a control unit 11.

[0120] The time difference estimation unit 26 estimates the time difference between the time kept by the clock unit 13 and the time kept by the signal control device 4 itself.

[0121] Like the traffic light information generating device 1 of the above-mentioned example, the traffic light information generating device 1A of this modified example executes the remaining green time estimation process shown in Fig. 8. Therefore, the traffic light information generating device 1A of this modified example can also estimate and provide the remaining green time even during the tracking control period when the signal control parameters set for each time period are switched.

[0122] As is well known, the signal control device 4 switches the signal control parameters set for each day type and time period based on the time kept within the device itself, to control the light color signal of the traffic light 6. Therefore, if the time kept by the timing unit 13 is out of sync with the time kept within the signal control device 4, the accuracy of the signal control device 4 in determining whether it is time to switch the signal control parameters (the accuracy of the determination in s3 above) decreases.

[0123] In order to improve the accuracy of determining whether it is time for the signal control device 4 to switch signal control parameters, the signal information generating device 1A of this variant example 1 performs a time difference estimation process to estimate the time difference between the time kept by the timing unit 13 and the time kept by the signal control device 4 within its own device.

[0124] Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the time difference estimation process. The traffic signal information generating device 1A executes the time difference estimation process shown in Fig. 12 at a predetermined timing. The traffic signal information generating device 1A may be set to execute this time difference estimation process, for example, every hour, once a day, or when an appropriate period (10 days, one month, etc.) has passed since the previous execution. Furthermore, the traffic signal information generating device 1A may be configured to determine the timing of executing the next time difference estimation process according to the time difference estimated in the time difference estimation process (the time difference between the time measured by the timer 13 and the time measured internally by the signal control device 4).

[0125] When the traffic signal information generating device 1A starts the time difference estimation process, it determines whether the current time is a tracking control period or a normal control period (s51). When the traffic signal information generating device 1A is executing the process related to s9 described above, it determines that it is a tracking control period. When it determines that the current time is a tracking control period, the traffic signal information generating device 1A waits for the tracking control period to end and for the transition to the normal control period.

[0126] When the traffic signal information generating device 1A determines in s51 that the current time is a normal control period (not a follow-up control period), it detects the green light illumination start time of the traffic signal 6a with the detection unit 21 (s52). The green light illumination start time of the traffic signal 6a detected in s52 is the time measured by the timing unit 13, not the time measured internally by the signal control device 4.

[0127] The traffic signal information generating device 1A estimates the time that the signal control device 4 is measuring internally using the green light illumination start time of the traffic signal 6a detected in s52 in the time difference estimation unit 26 (s53).

[0128] The time estimated in s53 is the timing detected in s52 as the time measured by the clock unit 13. The time that the signal control device 4 was measuring within its own device = (Start time of the signal control parameters set for the time period to which the time belongs) + (the period of the signal control parameters set for the time period to which the current time belongs) × α + (offset of signal control parameters set for the time period to which the current time belongs) Here, α is an integer of 1 or more.

[0129] The time difference estimation unit 26 calculates α that minimizes the time difference between the time that the signal control device 4 has been measuring internally and the time when the green light of the traffic light 6a started to turn on, detected in s52. The time difference estimation unit 26 estimates the time obtained by substituting the calculated α into the above formula as the time that the signal control device 4 has been measuring internally.

[0130] Furthermore, the time difference estimation unit 26 calculates the time difference between the time clocked within the signal control device 4 estimated in s53 and the time clocked by the clock unit 13 (s54), and ends this process.

[0131] The signal information generating device 1A may be configured to synchronize the time kept by the timing unit 13 with the time kept by the signal control device 4 within the device based on the time difference estimated in s54, or may be configured to store the time difference estimated in s54 in memory and use the time difference stored in the memory in processing such as s3 and s21.

[0132] If the traffic signal information generating device 1A is configured to synchronize the time kept by the clock unit 13 with the time kept by the signal control device 4 within the device itself, the traffic signal information generating device 1A does not need to perform the process in s44.

[0133] Furthermore, when the traffic signal information generating device 1A is configured to perform time synchronization with a device that keeps accurate time in order to have the clock unit 13 keep accurate time, the time difference estimated in s44 is stored in memory without adjusting the time kept by the clock unit 13 to the time kept within the signal control device 4. When the traffic signal information generating device 1A stores the time difference estimated in s44 in memory, the calculation to calculate this time difference may include a calculation to estimate the time kept within the signal control device 4. In other words, the traffic signal information generating device 1A may be configured not to acquire the time kept within the signal control device 4 as a calculation result.

[0134] It is also preferable to execute this time difference estimation process close to the end of the tracking control period.

[0135] In this way, the traffic light information generating device 1A according to the first modification can estimate the time difference between the time kept by the timer 13 and the time kept by the signal control device 4 itself, improving the accuracy of determining whether or not it is the tracking control period for s3. It can also improve the accuracy of calculating the tracking amount in the tracking control period process shown in Fig. 9. Therefore, the traffic light information generating device 1A can improve the accuracy of estimating the remaining green light time.

[0136] 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.

[0137] Furthermore, the correspondence between the configuration according to the present invention and the configuration according to the above-mentioned embodiment can be described as follows. <Additional Notes> a first storage unit (14) that stores control patterns for controlling the light color signals of the traffic lights (6) by the signal control device (4) for each time period; A detection unit (21) for detecting a state of a light color signal of the traffic light (6); a calculation unit (22) that calculates, when the signal control device (4) switches the control pattern of the light color signal of the traffic light (6), a tracking amount related to a deviation between the state of the light color signal of the traffic light (6) detected by the detection unit (21) and an appropriate state of the light color signal of the traffic light (6) based on the control pattern to be switched this time; a tracking control pattern generation unit (24) that detects, by the detection unit (21), a tracking control pattern with which the signal control device (4) has controlled the light color signal of the traffic light (6) during a tracking control period required from when the signal control device (4) switches the control pattern to when the light color signal of the traffic light (6) is shifted to an appropriate state, and generates a tracking control pattern corresponding to the currently calculated tracking amount based on the detection result; A signal information generating device (1) comprising: a second storage unit (15) that stores the following control pattern generated by the following control pattern generating unit (24). [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 1, 1A, 1B…Signal information generation device 3 (3Ba, 3Bc, 3Ra, 3Rc, 3Ya, 3Yc)...Current probes 4. Signal control device 5 (5B, 5Y, 5R)…Power supply line 6(6a~6d)…Traffic light 11…Control unit 12...Input section 13...Timekeeping section 14...1st memory section 15...Second memory section 16...Output section 21…Detection section 22...Calculation section 23…Estimation part 24…Follow-up control pattern generation unit 25. Registration Department 26...Time difference estimation unit

Claims

1. a first storage unit that stores control patterns for controlling the light color signals of a traffic light by a traffic light control device for each time period; A detection unit that detects a state of a light color signal of the traffic light; a calculation unit that calculates, when the signal control device switches a control pattern for a light color signal of the traffic light, a tracking amount for a deviation between a state of the light color signal of the traffic light detected by the detection unit and an appropriate state of the light color signal of the traffic light based on a control pattern to be switched this time; a tracking control pattern generation unit that detects, by the detection unit, a tracking control pattern with which the signal control device has controlled the light color signal of the traffic light during a tracking control period required from when the signal control device switches the control pattern to when the light color signal of the traffic light is transitioned to an appropriate state, and generates a tracking control pattern corresponding to the currently calculated tracking amount based on the detection result; A signal information generating device comprising: a second storage unit that stores the tracking control pattern generated by the tracking control pattern generating unit.

2. 2. The signal information generating device according to claim 1, wherein when a following control pattern corresponding to the following amount calculated by the calculation unit is not stored in the second memory unit, the following control pattern generation unit detects, by the detection unit, a following control pattern in which the signal control device controlled the light color signal of the traffic light during the current following control period, and generates a following control pattern corresponding to the following amount calculated this time based on the detection result.

3. 3. The signal information generating device according to claim 1, wherein the tracking control pattern generating unit determines the end timing of the tracking control period by determining whether the light color signal of the traffic light is in the cycle of the control pattern to be switched this time based on the detection result of the detection unit.

4. 4. The signal information generating device according to claim 1, wherein the second storage unit stores the following control pattern in association with a currently switched control pattern and the following amount.

5. A timing unit that measures time; a time difference estimation unit that estimates a time difference between a time kept by the timing unit and a time kept by the signal control device itself; The signal information generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the calculation unit determines the timing for the signal control device to switch the control pattern of the light color signal of the traffic light based on the time measured by the timing unit and the time difference estimated by the time difference estimation unit.

6. The signal information generating device according to claim 5, wherein the time difference estimation unit, when not in the following control period, uses the time kept by the timing unit at a start timing of a predetermined light color signal for the traffic light detected by the detection unit to estimate the time kept by the signal control device within the device at this start timing, thereby estimating the time difference between the time kept by the timing unit and the time kept by the signal control device within the device.

7. 7. The traffic light information generating device according to claim 5, wherein the calculation unit calculates the amount of tracking using the time measured by the timing unit at a predetermined start timing of a light color signal for the traffic light detected by the detection unit, the start time at which the control pattern of the light color signal of the traffic light is switched by the signal control device, the period of the control pattern to be switched this time, and the offset of the control pattern to be switched this time.

8. A computer of an information processing device having a first storage unit that stores control patterns for controlling the light color signals of a traffic light by a traffic light control device for each time period, a detection step of detecting a state of a light color signal of the traffic light; a calculation step of calculating, when the signal control device switches the control pattern of the light color signal of the traffic light, a tracking amount for a deviation between the state of the light color signal of the traffic light detected in the detection step and an appropriate state of the light color signal of the traffic light based on the control pattern to be switched this time; a follow-up control pattern generating step of generating a follow-up control pattern corresponding to the currently calculated follow-up amount based on a detection result of a follow-up control pattern in which the signal control device controlled the light color signal of the traffic light during a follow-up control period required from when the signal control device switches the control pattern to when the light color signal of the traffic light is transitioned to an appropriate state, the follow-up control pattern being detected in the detection step; a registration step of storing the following control pattern generated by the following control pattern generating step in a second storage unit.

9. A computer of an information processing device having a first storage unit that stores control patterns for controlling the light color signals of a traffic light by a traffic light control device for each time period, a detection step of detecting a state of a light color signal of the traffic light; a calculation step of calculating, when the signal control device switches the control pattern of the light color signal of the traffic light, a tracking amount for a deviation between the state of the light color signal of the traffic light detected in the detection step and an appropriate state of the light color signal of the traffic light based on the control pattern to be switched this time; a follow-up control pattern generating step of generating a follow-up control pattern corresponding to the currently calculated follow-up amount based on a detection result of a follow-up control pattern in which the signal control device controlled the light color signal of the traffic light during a follow-up control period required from when the signal control device switches the control pattern to when the light color signal of the traffic light is transitioned to an appropriate state, the follow-up control pattern being detected in the detection step; a registration step of storing the following control pattern generated by the following control pattern generating step in a second storage unit.

Images