Data provision system

Abstract

To acquire data indicating a display state of a signal light device at an arbitrary position.SOLUTION: A data acquisition device 3 has: a data acquisition section 363 that acquires distribution data distributed by a data providing device 1; and a device control section 361 that controls an electronic device in a vehicle equipped with the data acquisition device 3 on the basis of the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition section 363. The device control section 361 searches for a bypass route that does not pass through the positions of one or more signal light devices on the basis of a display state of one or more signal light devices in a traveling destination of the vehicle, which is indicated by the distribution data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a data acquisition device and a data acquisition method for acquiring data indicating the display state of a signal lamp (so-called traffic light), and a data providing system for providing the data. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, systems for providing the display status of a signal lamp to a vehicle have been known. Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which a transmitter provided in a signal lamp transmits data indicating the display status of the signal lamp to a vehicle approaching the signal lamp. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-77093 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional systems, a transmitter acquires the display control pattern of a signal lamp in which the transmitter is installed from a signal controller, and identifies the display state of the signal lamp in which the transmitter is installed based on the acquired display control pattern. Therefore, the transmitter cannot identify the display state of other signal lamps. As a result, there is a problem that a vehicle that needs to know the display state of a signal lamp can only obtain the display state of an approaching signal lamp.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to make it possible to obtain data indicating the display state of any signal lamp. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A data acquisition device of a first aspect of the present invention is a data acquisition device that acquires distribution data indicating the display state of a signal lamp, and includes: a data acquisition unit that acquires the distribution data distributed by a data providing device; and a control unit that controls electronic devices in a vehicle equipped with the data acquisition device based on the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition unit, and the data providing device includes a storage unit that stores a signal lamp database in which signal controller identification information that identifies a signal controller, signal lamp identification information that specifies a plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller, and a signal lamp group to which each signal lamp belongs, and The system includes a status data acquisition unit that acquires display status data indicating the display status of a group of multiple signal lamps to be controlled, a display status identification unit that identifies the display status of each of the multiple signal lamps controlled by the signal controller that transmitted the display status data acquired by the status data acquisition unit by referring to the signal lamp database, and a data distribution unit that distributes distribution data indicating the display status identified by the display status identification unit to a data acquisition device that requested the display status, and the control unit searches for a detour route that does not pass through the positions of the one or more signal lamps based on the display status of the one or more signal lamps at the vehicle's destination, as indicated by the distribution data.

[0007] A data acquisition device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a data acquisition device that acquires distribution data indicating the display state of a signal lamp, and includes: a data acquisition unit that acquires the distribution data distributed by a data providing device; and a control unit that controls electronic devices in a vehicle equipped with the data acquisition device based on the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition unit, wherein the data providing device includes a storage unit that stores a signal lamp database in which signal controller identification information that identifies a signal controller, signal lamp identification information that specifies a plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller, and a signal lamp group to which each signal lamp belongs, and The system includes a status data acquisition unit that acquires display status data indicating the display status of a group of multiple signal lamps controlled by a signal controller, a display status identification unit that identifies the display status of each of the multiple signal lamps controlled by the signal controller that transmitted the display status data acquired by the status data acquisition unit by referring to the signal lamp database, and a data distribution unit that distributes distribution data indicating the display status identified by the display status identification unit to a data acquisition device that requested the display status, and the control unit changes the vehicle's driving route based on the display status of one or more signal lamps at the vehicle's destination that are indicated by the distribution data.

[0008] A data acquisition device of a third aspect of the present invention is a data acquisition device that acquires distribution data indicating the display state of a signal lamp, and includes: a data acquisition unit that acquires the distribution data distributed by a data providing device; and a control unit that controls electronic devices in a vehicle equipped with the data acquisition device based on the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition unit, wherein the data providing device includes a storage unit that stores a signal lamp database in which signal controller identification information that identifies a signal controller, signal lamp identification information that specifies a plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller, and a signal lamp group to which each signal lamp belongs are associated; and The system includes a status data acquisition unit that acquires display status data indicating the display status of a group of multiple signal lamps controlled by the signal controller, a display status identification unit that identifies the display status of each of the multiple signal lamps controlled by the signal controller that transmitted the display status data acquired by the status data acquisition unit by referring to the signal lamp database, and a data distribution unit that distributes distribution data indicating the display status identified by the display status identification unit to a data acquisition device that requested the display status, and the control unit controls the speed of the vehicle based on the display status of one or more signal lamps at the vehicle's destination, as indicated by the distribution data.

[0009] A data acquisition method of a fourth aspect of the present invention is a data acquisition method executed by a computer to acquire distribution data indicating the display state of a signal lamp, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring the distribution data distributed by a data providing device; and controlling electronic equipment in a vehicle equipped with the computer based on the acquired distribution data, wherein the data providing device includes a storage unit that stores a signal lamp database in which signal controller identification information that identifies a signal controller, signal lamp identification information that specifies a plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller, and a signal lamp group to which each signal lamp belongs are associated; and a display state determination unit that determines, by referring to the signal light database, the display state of each of the plurality of signal lights controlled by the signal controller that transmitted the display state data obtained by the status data acquisition unit; and a data distribution unit that distributes distribution data that indicates the display state determined by the display state determination unit to the data acquisition device that requested the display state, and in the step of controlling the electronic device, a detour route that does not pass through the positions of the one or more signal lights at the vehicle's destination, as indicated by the distribution data.

[0010] A data acquisition method of a fifth aspect of the present invention is a data acquisition method executed by a computer for acquiring distribution data indicating the display state of a signal lamp, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring the distribution data distributed by a data providing device; and controlling electronic equipment in a vehicle equipped with the computer based on the acquired distribution data, wherein the data providing device includes a storage unit that stores a signal lamp database in which signal controller identification information that identifies a signal controller, signal lamp identification information that specifies a plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller, and a signal lamp group to which each signal lamp belongs are associated; and The system includes a status data acquisition unit that acquires display status data indicating the display status of multiple signal lamp groups to be controlled, a display status identification unit that identifies the display status of each of the multiple signal lamps controlled by the signal controller that transmitted the display status data acquired by the status data acquisition unit by referring to the signal lamp database, and a data distribution unit that distributes distribution data indicating the display status identified by the display status identification unit to the data acquisition device that requested the display status, and in the step of controlling the electronic device, the vehicle's driving route is changed based on the display status of one or more signal lamps at the vehicle's destination, as indicated by the distribution data.

[0011] A data acquisition method of a sixth aspect of the present invention is a data acquisition method executed by a computer to acquire distribution data indicating the display state of a signal lamp, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring the distribution data distributed by a data providing device; and controlling electronic equipment in a vehicle equipped with the computer based on the acquired distribution data, wherein the data providing device includes a storage unit that stores a signal lamp database in which signal controller identification information that identifies a signal controller, signal lamp identification information that specifies a plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller, and a signal lamp group to which each signal lamp belongs, and a display state determination unit that determines the display state of each of the plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller that transmitted the display state data obtained by the state data acquisition unit by referring to the signal lamp database; and a data distribution unit that distributes distribution data that indicates the display state determined by the display state determination unit to the data acquisition device that requested the display state, and in the step of controlling the electronic device, the speed of the vehicle is controlled based on the display state of one or more signal lamps at the vehicle's destination, as indicated by the distribution data.

[0012] A data providing system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention comprises a data providing device that provides distribution data indicating the display states of signal lamps, and a data acquiring device that acquires the distribution data, wherein the data providing device comprises a storage unit that stores a signal lamp database in which signal controller identification information that identifies a signal controller, signal lamp identification information that specifies a plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller, and signal lamp groups to which each signal lamp belongs, and a status data acquiring unit that acquires, from the signal controller, display status data indicating the display states of the plurality of signal lamp groups controlled by the signal controller, and a data acquiring unit that acquires the display status data acquired by the status data acquiring unit by referring to the signal lamp database. The data acquisition device has a data acquisition unit that acquires the distribution data distributed by a data providing device, and a control unit that controls electronic devices in a vehicle in which the data acquisition device is installed based on the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition unit, and the control unit searches for a detour route that does not pass through the positions of one or more signal lights at the vehicle's destination, based on the display states of the one or more signal lights indicated by the distribution data.

[0013] A data providing system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention comprises a data providing device that provides distribution data indicating the display states of signal lamps, and a data acquiring device that acquires the distribution data, wherein the data providing device comprises a storage unit that stores a signal lamp database in which signal controller identification information that identifies a signal controller, signal lamp identification information that specifies a plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller, and a signal lamp group to which each signal lamp belongs, and a status data acquiring unit that acquires, from the signal controller, display status data indicating the display states of a plurality of signal lamp groups controlled by the signal controller, and a data acquiring unit that acquires the display status data acquired by the status data acquiring unit by referring to the signal lamp database. and a data distribution unit that distributes distribution data indicating the display state identified by the display state identification unit to a data acquisition device that requested the display state, wherein the data acquisition device has a data acquisition unit that acquires the distribution data distributed by a data providing device, and a control unit that controls electronic devices in a vehicle in which the data acquisition device is installed based on the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition unit, and the control unit changes the driving route of the vehicle based on the display state of one or more signal lamps at the vehicle's destination, as indicated by the distribution data.

[0014] A data providing system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention comprises a data providing device that provides distribution data indicating the display status of a signal lamp, and a data acquiring device that acquires the distribution data, wherein the data providing device comprises: a storage unit that stores a signal lamp database in which signal controller identification information that identifies a signal controller, signal lamp identification information that specifies a plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller, and a signal lamp group to which each signal lamp belongs, and a status data acquiring unit that acquires, from the signal controller, display status data indicating the display status of a plurality of signal lamp groups controlled by the signal controller; and and a data distribution unit that distributes distribution data indicating the display state identified by the display state identification unit to a data acquisition device that requested the display state, wherein the data acquisition device has a data acquisition unit that acquires the distribution data distributed by a data providing device, and a control unit that controls electronic devices in a vehicle in which the data acquisition device is installed based on the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition unit, and the control unit controls the speed of the vehicle based on the display state of one or more signal lamps at the vehicle's destination, as indicated by the distribution data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, an effect is achieved in that the data providing device can acquire data indicating the display state of any signal lamp. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a data providing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of operations in the data providing system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a data providing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a signal lamp database. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a distribution destination database. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating various examples of designation data. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information included in distribution data. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a data acquisition device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a map image displayed on a display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] [Outline of Data Provision System S] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a data providing system S. The data providing system S is a system in which a data providing device 1 provides distribution data indicating the display states of a plurality of signal lamps T to a data acquiring device 3. The data acquiring device 3 is an electronic device, such as an automatic driving control device or a car navigation device mounted on a vehicle V, that acquires distribution data indicating the display states of the signal lamps T and performs various controls based on the display states of the signal lamps T indicated by the acquired distribution data. The data acquiring device 3 is not limited to a device mounted on the vehicle V, but may be another device that operates in accordance with the display states of the signal lamps T.

[0018] The distribution data is data that indicates which of the multiple states that the signal lamp T is displaying is in. The distribution data is data that indicates, for example, the display color such as blue, yellow, or red, the type of arrow being displayed, or the flashing state.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the data providing system S includes a data providing device 1, a plurality of signal controllers 2 (signal controllers 2-1 to 2-4 in FIG. 1), and a plurality of data acquiring devices 3 mounted on a plurality of vehicles V. The data providing device 1 is a device, such as a server, for providing distribution data indicating the display states of signal lamps T installed at a plurality of intersections to the multiple data acquiring devices 3. The data providing device 1 may be configured as a single computer, or may be configured as a plurality of computers connected via a network.

[0020] As an example, the data providing device 1 uses the MQTT (Message Queue Telemetry Transport) protocol to provide distribution data to the data acquiring device 3. The data providing device 1 acquires designation data including information for designating a signal lamp T whose display state is to be specified by the data acquiring device 3, and provides distribution data indicating the display state of the signal lamp T designated in the designation data to the data acquiring device 3. The designation data is, for example, a message including multiple topics used in the MQTT protocol.

[0021] The details of the designation data will be described later, but the designation data is a character string including at least one of area information indicating the area where the signal light T is installed, signal controller identification information (hereinafter referred to as "signal controller ID") for identifying the signal controller 2, or signal light identification information (hereinafter referred to as "signal light ID") for identifying the signal light T. Note that the signal controller ID may include information associated with the area or location where the signal controller 2 is installed, and the signal controller ID may function as area information.

[0022] The signal controller 2 is installed, for example, at each intersection where a signal lamp T is installed, and controls the display state of one or more signal lamps T that it controls. When controlling multiple signal lamps T, the signal controller 2 controls the display state of one or more signal lamps T that belong to each signal lamp group (hereinafter referred to as a "signal lamp group") so that each group changes its display state in the same pattern and has a different display state. One signal lamp group includes one or more signal lamps T that change to the same display state at the same timing.

[0023] When the intersection is a crossroads where a road in a first direction and a road in a second direction intersect, the signal controller 2 controls a plurality of signal lights T belonging to, for example, four signal light groups. The signal lights T belonging to the first group are signal lights installed on the road in the first direction, and the signal lights T belonging to the second group are signal lights installed on the road in the second direction. The signal lights T belonging to the third group are signal lights for pedestrians crossing the road in the second direction, and the signal lights T belonging to the fourth group are signal lights for pedestrians crossing the road in the first direction.

[0024] The signal controller 2 stores display state change patterns for each signal lamp group in advance in an internal non-volatile storage medium (for example, a memory), and controls the display state of the signal lamps T belonging to each signal lamp group based on the stored change patterns. The signal controller 2 transmits display state data to the data providing device 1 in association with signal lamp identification information (hereinafter referred to as "signal lamp ID") that identifies each of the multiple signal lamps T to be controlled. The data providing device 1 creates distribution data to be distributed to the data acquiring device 3 based on the received display state data, and distributes the created distribution data to the data acquiring device 3.

[0025] Based on the distribution data acquired from the data providing device 1, the data acquiring device 3 displays the display state of the traffic lights T on the road on which the vehicle V is traveling on a display visible to the driver of the vehicle V, and controls the vehicle V based on the display state of the traffic lights T. For example, the data acquiring device 3 determines the speed of the vehicle V based on the display state of the traffic lights T, or changes the route of the vehicle V.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of operations in the data providing system S. The sequence diagram shown in Fig. 2 shows the flow of operations when the data providing device 1 provides distribution data indicating the display state of a signal lamp T to the data acquiring device 3 mounted on the vehicle V.

[0027] The data acquisition device 3, which uses the display state data of the signal lamp T, registers the signal lamp T from which display state data is to be acquired in advance in the data providing device 1 by transmitting designation data. Specifically, the data acquisition device 3 determines the distribution target signal lamp from which display state data is to be acquired, and transmits designation data to the data providing device 1 to request the distribution of distribution data indicating the display state of the determined signal lamp T.

[0028] The method by which the data acquisition device 3 determines the signal lamp to be distributed is arbitrary. For example, the data acquisition device 3 determines at least one signal lamp T in the traveling direction as the signal lamp to be distributed, based on the current position of the vehicle V.

[0029] Although details will be described later, the data acquisition device 3 determines, for example, a signal light T that has been set in advance by a user riding in the vehicle V as the signal light to be distributed. When the data providing device 1 receives the specified data, it registers the signal light to be distributed by storing the signal light T corresponding to the specified data in a storage medium in association with an acquisition device ID for identifying the data acquisition device 3 that sent the specified data (S1).

[0030] After or in parallel with the above-mentioned registration process of the signal lamps to be distributed, the signal controller 2 identifies the display state of each of the multiple signal lamp groups that it controls (S2). The signal controller 2 transmits display state data in which the signal lamp group ID and the display state are associated to the data providing device 1. For example, the signal controller 2 transmits the display state data to the data providing device 1 every time the display state of the signal lamp T that it controls changes.

[0031] When the data providing device 1 receives the display state data from the signal controller 2, it identifies the display state of each signal light T based on the received display state data (S3). Then, the data providing device 1 identifies the data acquiring device 3 that specified the signal light T whose display state has changed (S4). The data providing device 1 transmits distribution data to the identified data acquiring device 3.

[0032] When the data acquisition device 3 receives the distribution data, it acquires the display state data included in the distribution data. Based on the acquired display state data, the data acquisition device 3, for example, displays the traffic light image on the road map to be displayed on the display in the color indicated by the display state data (S5), or controls the traveling speed based on the display state of the traffic light T at the destination (S6).

[0033] In this way, according to the data providing system S, even if the signal controller 2 cannot notify the data providing device 1 of the display state of each signal lamp T, the data providing device 1 can identify the display state of each signal lamp T and provide distribution data indicating the identified display state to the data acquiring device 3. As a result, the data acquiring device 3 can acquire in real time distribution data indicating the display states of pre-registered signal lamps that are target for distribution, and the data acquiring device 3 can perform various controls according to the display states of the target signal lamps. The configurations and operations of the data providing device 1 and the data acquiring device 3 will be described in detail below.

[0034] [Functional configuration of data providing device 1] 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the data providing device 1. The data providing device 1 has a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13. The control unit 13 has a specified data acquisition unit 131, a state data acquisition unit 132, a display state identification unit 133, and a data distribution unit 134.

[0035] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the signal controller 2 and the data acquisition device 3 via a network. The communication unit 11 has a communication controller for accessing the Internet via a router, for example. The communication unit 11 inputs designated data received from the data acquisition device 3 to the designated data acquisition unit 131. The communication unit 11 also inputs display status data received from the signal controller 2 to the status data acquisition unit 132, and transmits distribution data input from the data distribution unit 134 to the data acquisition device 3.

[0036] The storage unit 12 has storage media such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk. The storage unit 12 stores programs executed by the control unit 13. The storage unit 12 also stores a signal light database that stores information about the signal light T controlled by each of the multiple signal controllers 2.

[0037] Specifically, the storage unit 12 stores a signal lamp database in which a signal controller ID that identifies the signal controller 2, a signal lamp ID that specifies multiple signal lamps T controlled by the signal controller 2, and a signal lamp group to which each signal lamp T belongs are associated. In the signal lamp database, the signal lamp ID may be associated with lamp position information that indicates the location where the signal lamp T corresponding to the signal lamp ID is installed.

[0038] The storage unit 12 stores, in the signal lamp database, group identification information (hereinafter referred to as "group ID") that identifies a plurality of signal lamp groups for which the vehicle V travels in different directions on the road on which the signal lamp T is installed, in association with the signal lamp ID. The storage unit 12 may store, in the signal lamp database, the signal lamp ID in association with each of the signal lamp groups for vehicles and the signal lamp groups for pedestrians.

[0039] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a signal lamp database. In the signal lamp database, a signal controller ID, a signal lamp ID, a group ID, a lamp type, location information, and a display state are associated with each other. The group ID is information for identifying each signal lamp group controlled by the signal controller 2. The lamp type is information indicating whether the signal lamp T is for vehicles (V) or pedestrians (P). The location information is information indicating the latitude and longitude of the location where each signal lamp T is installed.

[0040] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the signal controller ID is composed of a 30-digit number. The first 15 digits of the signal controller ID correspond to one of multiple areas in the first hierarchical level (for example, an area of 1.2 km square). The next three digits of the signal controller ID correspond to one of multiple areas in the second hierarchical level (for example, an area of 150 m square) that is included in one area in the first hierarchical level. The last 12 digits of the signal controller ID correspond to one signal controller 2 out of multiple signal controllers 2 installed in an area in the second hierarchical level. The signal lamp ID corresponds to one signal lamp T out of multiple signal lamps T controlled by one signal controller 2.

[0041] The storage unit 12 also stores the data acquisition devices 3 that transmitted the specified data in association with the signal lamps T that each data acquisition device 3 designated as signal lamps T whose display states should be included in the distribution data. The storage unit 12 stores, for example, a distribution destination database in which an acquisition device ID for identifying the data acquisition device 3 is associated with the specified data.

[0042] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution destination database. The distribution destination database shown in Fig. 5 shows designated data transmitted from data acquisition devices 3 having acquisition device IDs of 900001 to 900004. In the distribution destination database, the acquisition device ID may be associated with the signal lamp IDs of one or more signal lamps T identified based on the designated data.

[0043] The control unit 13 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 13 executes a program stored in the storage unit 12, thereby functioning as a designated data acquisition unit 131, a status data acquisition unit 132, a display status identification unit 133, and a data distribution unit 134.

[0044] The designated data acquisition unit 131 acquires, from the data acquisition device 3 that acquires the distribution data, designation data for designating one or more signal lamps T whose display state is to be indicated by the distribution data. The designated data acquisition unit 131 stores the acquired designation data in the storage unit 12 in association with the acquisition device ID.

[0045] The specified data includes a location code, a controller ID (15 digits), a controller ID (3 digits), a controller ID (12 digits), and a signal lamp ID as topics of the MQTT protocol. In the specified data, a " / " is placed between multiple topics to indicate the hierarchical structure of the topics, and is expressed in the following format, for example: lights / location code / controller ID (15 digits) / controller ID (3 digits) / controller ID (12 digits) / signal light ID

[0046] Figure 6 shows various examples of designation data. Designation data in which the controller ID (3 digits) and subsequent characters are represented by "#" as in Figure 6(a) indicates that all signal lamps T in the first tier area identified by the controller ID (15 digits) are designated. Designation data in which the controller ID (12 digits) and subsequent characters are represented by "#" as in Figure 6(b) indicates that all signal lamps T in the second tier area identified by the controller ID (3 digits) are designated.

[0047] Designation data in which the signal lamp ID is represented by "#" as in Figure 6(c) indicates that all signal lamps T controlled by the signal controller 2 corresponding to the controller ID (15 digits) / controller ID (3 digits) / controller ID (12 digits) are designated. In the example of Figure 6(c), all signal lamps T controlled by the signal controller 2 whose signal controller ID is "133002112322323320012012020312" are designated. Designation data in which the signal lamp ID is represented by a number as in Figure 6(d) indicates that an individual signal lamp T is designated. In the example of Figure 6(d), the first signal lamp T controlled by the signal controller 2 whose signal controller ID is "133002112322323320012012020312" is designated.

[0048] The status data acquisition unit 132 acquires display status data indicating the display status of multiple signal lamp groups controlled by the signal controller 2 from the signal controller 2 via the communication unit 11. The status data acquisition unit 132 associates the display status data with the signal lamp groups and stores them in the storage unit 12. The status data acquisition unit 132 may input the acquired display status data to the display status identification unit 133.

[0049] The display state identification unit 133 refers to the signal lamp database to identify the display state of each of the multiple signal lamps T controlled by the signal controller 2 that transmitted the display state data acquired by the state data acquisition unit 132. The display state identification unit 133 identifies the display state of each of the multiple signal lamps T, for example, based on the display state data stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the signal lamp group to which each of the multiple signal lamps belongs.

[0050] Specifically, the display state identification unit 133 first identifies to which signal lamp group each of the multiple signal lamps T belongs by referring to the signal lamp database stored in the storage unit 12. Next, the display state identification unit 133 identifies the display state of the identified signal lamp group in the display state data, thereby identifying the display state of each of the multiple signal lamps T. The display state identification unit 133 associates the identified display state with a signal controller ID and a signal lamp ID and stores them in the storage unit 12.

[0051] In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the display state identification unit 133 identifies the display state indicated by the display state data indicating that the group ID is A as the display state of the signal lamp T having the signal lamp IDs of 1 and 2, and stores the identified display state in the storage unit 12 in association with the signal controller ID "133002112322323320012012020312" and the signal lamp ID "1," as well as the signal controller ID "133002112322323320012012020312" and the signal lamp ID "2." The display state identification unit 133 notifies the data distribution unit 134 that the display state has been identified. The display state identification unit 133 may notify the data distribution unit 134 of the identified display state in association with the signal controller ID and the signal lamp ID.

[0052] The data distribution unit 134 distributes distribution data indicating the display states of one or more signal lamps T indicated by the designation data acquired by the designation data acquisition unit 131, among the multiple signal lamps T for which the display state has been identified by the display state identification unit 133, to the data acquisition device 3 that transmitted the designation data. As an example, the data distribution unit 134 distributes distribution data indicating the display states stored in the storage unit 12 in association with one or more signal lamp IDs corresponding to the one or more signal lamps T designated in the designation data. The data distribution unit 134 distributes the distribution data after the display state identification unit 133 has stored the identified display states in the storage unit 12.

[0053] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of information included in the distribution data. Fig. 7(a) shows static information related to signal lamp T, and Fig. 7(b) shows dynamic information related to signal lamp T. The "shortest time" and "longest time" in Fig. 7(b) indicate the shortest and longest times from when a button is pressed in a push-button type signal lamp until the display state changes. When transmitting distribution data corresponding to multiple signal lamp IDs, the data distribution unit 134 transmits the distribution data shown in Fig. 7 corresponding to each of the multiple signal lamp IDs.

[0054] The data distribution unit 134 distributes distribution data indicating the display state of one or more signal lamps T controlled by the signal controller 2 corresponding to the signal controller ID included in the designation data acquired by the designation data acquisition unit 131, or one or more signal lamps T corresponding to the signal lamp ID. As in the example shown in FIG. 6(a), when a signal lamp ID is included in the designation data acquired by the designation data acquisition unit 131, the data distribution unit 134 distributes distribution data indicating the display state of the signal lamp T corresponding to the signal lamp ID. By the data distribution unit 134 operating in this manner, the data acquisition device 3 can acquire the display state of any signal lamp T.

[0055] As in the examples shown in Figures 6(b) to 6(d), when a signal lamp ID is not included in the designation data acquired by the designation data acquisition unit 131, the data distribution unit 134 distributes distribution data indicating the display states of all signal lamps T controlled by the signal controller 2. By operating the data distribution unit 134 in this manner, the data acquisition device 3 can acquire the display states of multiple signal lamps T without having to specify the signal lamps T individually.

[0056] 6(c) or 6(d), when the designation data acquired by the designation data acquisition unit 131 does not include part of the signal controller ID, the data distribution unit 134 distributes distribution data indicating the display states of all signal lamps T in the area corresponding to the other part of the signal controller ID included in the designation data. When the designation data acquired by the designation data acquisition unit 131 does not include part of the signal controller ID, the data distribution unit 134 may distribute distribution data indicating the display states of all signal lamps T controlled by multiple signal controllers 2 that share the other part of the signal controller ID included in the designation data. By operating the data distribution unit 134 in this manner, the data acquisition device 3 can easily acquire the display states of a large number of signal lamps T.

[0057] If the specified data acquired by the specified data acquisition unit 131 includes area information, the data distribution unit 134 may distribute distribution data indicating the display status of one or more signal lamps T included in the area indicated by the area information by referring to the lamp location information included in the signal lamp database (see Figure 4) stored in the memory unit 12.

[0058] When the identified signal lamp T matches the signal lamp T whose display state has been identified by the display state identification unit 133, the data distribution unit 134 distributes distribution data indicating the display state to the data acquisition device 3 that specified the signal lamp T. The data distribution unit 134 distributes distribution data, for example, in response to the state data acquisition unit 132 acquiring display state data from the signal controller 2. In other words, every time the designated data acquisition unit 131 receives new display state data, the data distribution unit 134 distributes the distribution data to the data acquisition device 3 that has registered the signal lamp T whose display state is included in the display state data as the signal lamp to be distributed. By operating in this manner, the data distribution unit 134 can enable the data acquisition device 3 to acquire the display state of the signal lamp T in real time.

[0059] The data distribution unit 134 may periodically (for example, at one-second intervals) distribute the distribution data to the data acquisition device 3. In this case, the data distribution unit 134 distributes the distribution data at a frequency at least equal to or less than the time interval at which the display state of the signal lamp T changes, so that even if distribution fails, retransmission is not necessary.

[0060] [Configuration of data acquisition device 3] 8 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the data acquisition device 3. The data acquisition device 3 has a communication unit 31, a GPS receiver 32, a display unit 33, an operation unit 34, a storage unit 35, and a control unit 36. The control unit 36 has a device control unit 361, a designated data transmission unit 362, and a data acquisition unit 363.

[0061] The communication unit 31 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the data providing device 1, and includes, for example, a wireless communication controller. The communication unit 31 transmits designated data input from the device control unit 361 to the data providing device 1. The communication unit 31 inputs distribution data received from the data providing device 1 to the data acquisition unit 363.

[0062] The GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 32 is a device for identifying the position of the vehicle V equipped with the data acquisition device 3. The GPS receiver 32 identifies the position (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the vehicle V based on radio waves received from GPS satellites, and notifies the data acquisition unit 363 of vehicle position information indicating the identified position.

[0063] The display unit 33 is a display that displays various types of information, such as a map image. The operation unit 34 is a device that accepts operations from a user such as a driver riding in the vehicle V, and is, for example, a touch panel provided on the display unit 33.

[0064] The storage unit 35 includes storage media such as a ROM and a RAM. The storage unit 35 stores programs executed by the control unit 36. The storage unit 35 also stores various data such as map image data to be displayed by the display unit 33. The control unit 36 includes, for example, a CPU, and functions as a device control unit 361, a designated data transmission unit 362, and a data acquisition unit 363 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 35.

[0065] The device control unit 361 controls various operations of the control unit 36. The device control unit 361 determines the range of signal lamps T that are to receive the distribution of their display states, based on, for example, vehicle position information input from the GPS receiver 32 and signal lamp position information indicating the positions of the signal lamps T included in the map image data stored in the storage unit 35. The device control unit 361 determines, for example, signal lamps T that correspond to signal lamp position information indicating latitude and longitude within a predetermined range from the latitude and longitude indicated by the vehicle position information as distribution-target signal lamps. The device control unit 361 may determine the range of signal lamps T that are to receive the distribution of their display states, based on a user operation input from the operation unit 34.

[0066] The device control unit 361 notifies the designated data transmission unit 362 of the determined range, thereby causing the designated data transmission unit 362 to transmit instruction data. The device control unit 361 may instruct the designated data transmission unit 362 to transmit designated data every time the user performs an operation, for example, or may instruct the designated data transmission unit 362 to transmit designated data every time the position of the vehicle V changes by a certain distance or more.

[0067] The designated data transmission unit 362 creates designation data that designates one or more signal lamps T from which data indicating the display state is to be obtained, based on the range of signal lamps T input from the device control unit 361, and transmits the created designation data to the data providing device 1. Specifically, the designated data transmission unit 362 transmits a topic such as that shown in FIG.

[0068] The data acquisition unit 363 acquires the distribution data transmitted by the data providing device 1 via the communication unit 31. The data acquisition unit 363 inputs the acquired distribution data to the device control unit 361.

[0069] The equipment control unit 361 controls the electronic devices in the vehicle V equipped with the data acquisition device 3 based on the distribution data input from the data acquisition unit 363. The electronic devices are, for example, devices included in the data acquisition device 3 or electronic control units for operating the vehicle V.

[0070] The device control unit 361 controls the traveling state of the vehicle V based on the display state of one or more signal lights T installed ahead of the vehicle V, for example. Specifically, the device control unit 361 instructs the electronic control unit to reduce the speed of the vehicle V when the signal light T ahead of the vehicle V is red.

[0071] The device control unit 361 may estimate the time required for the signal light T to change to green based on the time of receiving the distribution data, and control the speed of the vehicle V based on the estimated result and the distance to the signal light T. For example, the device control unit 361 controls the speed of the vehicle V so that the vehicle V arrives at the intersection where the signal light T is installed at the timing when the display state of the signal light T changes to green. By operating in this manner, the device control unit 361 can reduce the frequency with which the vehicle V stops, leading to improved fuel efficiency.

[0072] The equipment control unit 361 may instruct the electronic control unit responsible for automatic driving control to change the driving route of the vehicle V based on the display state of one or more signal lamps T installed at the vehicle V's destination. For example, when the display state of one or more signal lamps T installed at the vehicle V's destination is red, the equipment control unit 361 searches for a detour route that does not pass through the signal lamps T. The equipment control unit 361 instructs the specified data transmission unit 362 to acquire distribution data indicating the display state of the signal lamps T on the searched detour route. Based on the display state of the signal lamps T on the detour route acquired by the data acquisition unit 363, the equipment control unit 361 may instruct the electronic control unit to change to a detour route when it is predicted that the signal lamps T will be green when the vehicle V reaches the signal lamps T.

[0073] The device control unit 361 may cause the display unit 33 to display lamp images corresponding to one or more signal lamps T in the map image in a manner that corresponds to the display state of one or more signal lamps T indicated in the distribution data. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a map image displayed on the display unit 33. The map image shown in Fig. 9 shows signal lamps T1 to T4. Of these, signal lamps T1 and T2 are installed at an intersection on the route of vehicle V, indicated by a thick line.

[0074] In such a case, the equipment control unit 361 acquires distribution data indicating the display state of the signal lamp T installed at the intersection on the route of the vehicle V, and displays the display states of the signal lamp T1 and the signal lamp T2 on the map image based on the acquired distribution data. By operating the equipment control unit 361 in this manner, the user in the vehicle V can grasp the state of the signal lamp T at the destination, making it easier to drive the vehicle V at an appropriate speed.

[0075] [Effects of Data Provision System S] As described above, in the data providing system S, the data providing device 1 identifies the display state of the signal lamp T based on the display control data for each signal lamp group acquired from the signal controller 2, and distributes distribution data indicating the display state of the signal lamp T specified in the designation data to the data acquiring device 3. By the data providing device 1, signal controller 2, and data acquiring device 3 operating in this manner, the data providing device 1 provides the data acquiring device 3 with data indicating the display state of the signal lamp T other than the signal lamp T immediately preceding the vehicle V, and the data acquiring device 3 can appropriately control the electronic devices installed in the vehicle V based on the provided data.

[0076] The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically distributing or integrating any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination also have the effects of the original embodiments.

[0077] For example, the above explanation illustrates a case where the data providing device 1 and the data acquiring device 3 send and receive specified data and distribution data using the MQTT protocol, but the communication protocol used by the data providing device 1 and the data acquiring device 3 is not limited to MQTT and may be another communication protocol. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Data providing device 2 Signal Controller 3 Data acquisition equipment 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 31 Communications Department 32 GPS receiver 33 Display section 34 Control section 35 Storage section 36 Control Unit 131 Designated data acquisition unit 132 Status data acquisition unit 133 Display state specification unit 134 Data Distribution Department 361 Equipment Control Unit 362 Designated Data Transmission Unit 363 Data Acquisition Department

Claims

1. A system for providing a traffic light system, which is provided at an intersection where a plurality of traffic lights are provided, comprising: a traffic light controller for controlling the display states of the plurality of traffic lights; a data providing device for providing distribution data indicating the display states of the plurality of traffic lights; and a data acquiring device for acquiring the distribution data; the signal controller stores a change pattern of the display state of a signal lamp group to which each of the plurality of signal lamps belongs, controls the display state of the plurality of signal lamps corresponding to the signal controller based on the change pattern, and transmits to the data providing device display state data in which group identification information for identifying the signal lamp group is associated with the display state of the signal lamps belonging to the signal lamp group; The data providing device is signal controller identification information for identifying the signal controller; a storage unit that stores a signal lamp database in which signal lamp identification information that identifies each of the plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller and the signal lamp group to which each signal lamp belongs are associated; a status data acquisition unit that acquires, from the signal controller, the display status data indicating the display status of the plurality of signal lamp groups controlled by the signal controller; a display state determination unit that determines the display state of each of the plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller that transmitted the display state data acquired by the state data acquisition unit by referring to the signal lamp database; a data distribution unit that distributes distribution data indicating the display state identified by the display state identification unit to a data acquisition device that has requested the display state; and The data acquisition device a data acquisition unit that acquires the distribution data distributed by a data providing device; a control unit that controls electronic devices in a vehicle equipped with the data acquisition device based on the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition unit; and the control unit searches for a detour route that does not pass through the positions of the one or more signal lamps, based on the display states of the one or more signal lamps at the destination of the vehicle, which are indicated by the distribution data. Data provision system.

2. The control unit predicts the display state of the signal lamps on the detour route based on the distribution data indicating the display state of the signal lamps on the detour route acquired by the data acquisition unit. The data providing system according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit controls the electronic device to change the route of the vehicle to the detour route when, based on the display state of the signal lamp on the detour route, it is predicted that the signal lamp will be green when the vehicle reaches the signal lamp. The data providing system according to claim 2 .

4. A system for providing a traffic light system, which is provided at an intersection where a plurality of traffic lights are provided, comprising: a traffic light controller for controlling the display states of the plurality of traffic lights; a data providing device for providing distribution data indicating the display states of the plurality of traffic lights; and a data acquiring device for acquiring the distribution data; the signal controller stores a change pattern of the display state of a signal lamp group to which each of the plurality of signal lamps belongs, controls the display state of the plurality of signal lamps corresponding to the signal controller based on the change pattern, and transmits to the data providing device display state data in which group identification information for identifying the signal lamp group is associated with the display state of the signal lamps belonging to the signal lamp group; The data providing device is signal controller identification information for identifying the signal controller; a storage unit that stores a signal lamp database in which signal lamp identification information that identifies each of the plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller and the signal lamp group to which each signal lamp belongs are associated; a status data acquisition unit that acquires, from the signal controller, display status data indicating the display status of the plurality of signal lamp groups controlled by the signal controller; a display state determination unit that determines the display state of each of the plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller that transmitted the display state data acquired by the state data acquisition unit by referring to the signal lamp database; a data distribution unit that distributes distribution data indicating the display state identified by the display state identification unit to a data acquisition device that has requested the display state; and The data acquisition device a data acquisition unit that acquires the distribution data distributed by a data providing device; a control unit that controls electronic devices in a vehicle equipped with the data acquisition device based on the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition unit; and the control unit changes the travel route of the vehicle based on the display state of one or more signal lamps at the destination of the vehicle, which is indicated by the distribution data. Data provision system.

5. A system for providing a traffic light system, which is provided at an intersection where a plurality of traffic lights are provided, comprising: a traffic light controller for controlling the display states of the plurality of traffic lights; a data providing device for providing distribution data indicating the display states of the plurality of traffic lights; and a data acquiring device for acquiring the distribution data; the signal controller stores a change pattern of the display state of a signal lamp group to which each of the plurality of signal lamps belongs, controls the display state of the plurality of signal lamps corresponding to the signal controller based on the change pattern, and transmits to the data providing device display state data in which group identification information for identifying the signal lamp group is associated with the display state of the signal lamps belonging to the signal lamp group; The data providing device is signal controller identification information for identifying the signal controller; a storage unit that stores a signal lamp database in which signal lamp identification information that identifies each of the plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller and the signal lamp group to which each signal lamp belongs are associated; a status data acquisition unit that acquires, from the signal controller, display status data indicating the display status of the plurality of signal lamp groups controlled by the signal controller; a display state determination unit that determines the display state of each of the plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller that transmitted the display state data acquired by the state data acquisition unit by referring to the signal lamp database; a data distribution unit that distributes distribution data indicating the display state identified by the display state identification unit to a data acquisition device that has requested the display state; and The data acquisition device a data acquisition unit that acquires the distribution data distributed by a data providing device; a control unit that controls electronic devices in a vehicle equipped with the data acquisition device based on the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition unit; and the control unit controls the speed of the vehicle based on the display states of one or more signal lamps at the destination of the vehicle, which are indicated by the distribution data. Data provision system.

6. A system for providing a traffic light system, which is provided at an intersection where a plurality of traffic lights are provided, comprising: a traffic light controller for controlling the display states of the plurality of traffic lights; a data providing device for providing distribution data indicating the display states of the plurality of traffic lights; and a data acquiring device for acquiring the distribution data; the signal controller stores a change pattern of the display state of a signal lamp group to which each of the plurality of signal lamps belongs, controls the display state of the plurality of signal lamps corresponding to the signal controller based on the change pattern, and transmits to the data providing device display state data in which group identification information for identifying the signal lamp group is associated with the display state of the signal lamps belonging to the signal lamp group; The data providing device is signal controller identification information for identifying the signal controller; a storage unit that stores a signal lamp database in which signal lamp identification information that identifies each of the plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller and the signal lamp group to which each signal lamp belongs are associated; a status data acquisition unit that acquires, from the signal controller, the display status data indicating the display status of the plurality of signal lamp groups controlled by the signal controller; a display state determination unit that determines the display state of each of the plurality of signal lamps controlled by the signal controller that transmitted the display state data acquired by the state data acquisition unit by referring to the signal lamp database; a data distribution unit that distributes distribution data indicating the display state identified by the display state identification unit to a data acquisition device that has requested the display state; and The data acquisition device a data acquisition unit that acquires the distribution data distributed by a data providing device; a control unit that controls electronic devices in a vehicle equipped with the data acquisition device based on the distribution data acquired by the data acquisition unit; A data provision system that:

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