Information Processing Unit

Abstract

To provide an information processing unit that can collectively control a plurality of terminals corresponding to two or more connection methods within the same block.SOLUTION: An information processing unit collectively controls a plurality of terminals that are installed at intervals along the road and display common information according to the situation so that the information is visible from the road. The information processing unit is equipped with a first control unit, a second control unit, and a distribution unit. The first control unit is configured to control a terminal corresponding to a first connection method among the plurality of terminals. The second control unit is configured to control a terminal corresponding to a second connection method, which is different from the first connection method, among the plurality of terminals. The distribution unit distributes control of each of the plurality of terminals to either the first control unit or the second control unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing unit for collectively controlling a plurality of terminals such as variable speed limit signs. [Background technology]

[0002] Variable speed limit signs are terminals that are installed along roads and display the speed limit according to the situation at each point in time so that it can be seen from the road (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Variable speed limit signs are mainly installed on roads where high-speed travel is possible, such as expressways and high-standard trunk roads (motorway only), and display an appropriate speed limit based on information such as congestion information, weather information, and information from road patrols to ensure the safe driving of traveling vehicles.

[0003] The terminals that make up variable speed limit signs are installed along the road at intervals of approximately no more than 2 km, and each block is controlled and monitored collectively, covering a certain area along the road (for example, the area between adjacent interchanges). While the multi-drop method using metal lines was the most common method for connecting the control and monitoring equipment to the terminals in each block, methods using IP networks and wireless communications (such as LTE (Long Term Evolution)) are now increasingly being used. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-036900 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, there have been an increasing number of cases where the connection method between control and monitoring equipment and each terminal in each block has been changed from a metal method using metal lines to an IP method using an IP network.In order to change the connection method from a metal method to an IP method, it is necessary to change from the metal method control and monitoring equipment to IP method control and monitoring equipment in each block, and then gradually replace each metal method terminal with an IP method terminal.

[0006] Because IP control and monitoring equipment cannot control and monitor metal terminals, there are sections where speed restrictions cannot be implemented from the time of switching from metal control and monitoring equipment to IP control and monitoring equipment until all metal terminals have been replaced with IP terminals. In reality, the process of replacing metal terminals with IP terminals can only be done one terminal at a time, in order to keep the scope of lane restrictions small. This creates the problem of prolonged periods where appropriate speed restrictions cannot be implemented.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing unit capable of collectively controlling a plurality of terminals in the same block that have two or more different connection methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing unit according to one aspect of the present invention collectively controls a plurality of terminals that are installed at intervals along a road and display common information according to the situation so that it can be seen from the road. The information processing unit includes a first control unit, a second control unit, and a distribution unit. The first control unit is configured to be able to control a terminal compatible with a first connection method among the plurality of terminals. The second control unit is configured to be able to control a terminal, among the plurality of terminals, that supports a second connection method different from the first connection method. The distribution unit distributes control of each of the plurality of terminals to either the first control unit or the second control unit.

[0009] This information processing unit includes a first control unit corresponding to the first connection method, a second control unit corresponding to the second connection method, and a distribution unit that distributes control of multiple terminals to the first control unit and the second control unit. This makes it possible to control all terminals collectively even if the multiple terminals include a mixture of terminals using the first connection method and terminals using the second connection method. With this information processing unit, for example, when sequentially replacing terminals using the first connection method with terminals using the second connection method in one block, the only terminal that becomes inoperable during the process can be the one currently being worked on. Therefore, by using this information processing unit, it is possible to minimize the section in which information cannot be displayed.

[0010] The information processing unit may further include a memory section in which classification information that classifies each of the plurality of terminals into either a first group or a second group is recorded. The distributor may distribute control of terminals belonging to the first group to the first controller and distribute control of terminals belonging to the second group to the second controller in accordance with the classification information. In this configuration, by preparing classification information that classifies terminals using the first connection method into a first group and terminals using the second connection method into a second group, the distribution unit can more accurately distribute control of multiple terminals in accordance with the classification information.

[0011] The information processing unit may further include an input operation section configured to enable an input operation for switching the classification of each of the plurality of terminals in the classification information between the first group and the second group. This configuration makes it easy to switch between the classifications of multiple terminals, so that even workers who do not have specialized knowledge of software, etc. (for example, workers in charge of removing old terminals and installing new terminals) can quickly and reliably update classification information.

[0012] The information processing unit may further include a first monitoring unit, a second monitoring unit, and a coupling unit. The first monitoring unit acquires first monitoring information related to the operation of the terminal distributed to the first control unit by the distribution unit. The second monitoring unit acquires second monitoring information related to the operation of the terminal distributed to the second control unit by the distribution unit. The combining unit combines the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information so that the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information can be handled collectively. In this information processing unit, even if the multiple terminals include a mixture of terminals using the first connection method and terminals using the second connection method, the first monitoring information, which is information about the operation of terminals using the first connection method, and the second monitoring information, which is information about the operation of terminals using the second connection method, are combined by the combining unit, making it possible to handle information about the operation of all terminals in a single unit in the upper device.

[0013] The combining unit may change the format of one of the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information to match the format of the other. In this configuration, for example, when terminals using the first connection method are sequentially replaced with terminals using the second connection method in one block, the combining unit changes the format of the second monitoring information to match the format of the first monitoring information, so that monitoring information similar to that generated when all terminals use the first connection method is generated. Therefore, by using this information processing unit, it is possible to continue operating multiple terminals as is without changing the settings of the higher-level device, etc. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing unit capable of collectively controlling a plurality of terminals having two or more types of connection methods within the same block. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a plurality of terminals are installed along a road. [Figure 2]1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a road display system using an information processing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on an input operation section of the information processing unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a road display system in which all terminals are of the metal type. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram showing a process of changing the connection method from a metal method to an IP method in the road display system shown in FIG. 5. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] [Overall configuration of Road Display System 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a state in which multiple terminals T are installed along a road. The multiple terminals T are road display devices that display information according to the situation at each time so that it can be seen from the road, and are installed at predetermined intervals along the road. In the example shown in FIG. 1, each of the terminals T (T1, T2, T3, T4) is configured as a variable speed limit sign, which is a road display device that displays the speed limit as information according to the situation at each time. The display unit that displays the speed limit on each variable speed limit sign can be, for example, an LED type.

[0018] The multiple terminals T are divided into multiple blocks according to their installation locations, and the operation of displaying common information is collectively controlled and monitored for each block. In the example shown in Figure 1, the multiple terminals T are divided into four blocks (Block A, Block B, Block C, and Block D) according to whether their installation locations belong to the inbound or outbound lane of the road and to either of the two sections divided left and right along the road. Each block consists of four terminals T1, T2, T3, and T4. There is no particular limit to the number of terminals T in each block.

[0019] Each block is configured with a road display system for displaying common information according to the situation to all terminals T. Each road display system is provided with an information processing unit that is connected to all terminals T and controls and monitors all terminals T collectively. In a typical road display system, the information processing unit and multiple terminals T are connected using a common connection method. Examples of connection methods between the information processing unit and multiple terminals T include a metal method using a metal line, an IP method via an IP network, and a wireless method using wireless communication.

[0020] In contrast, the information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment is configured so that multiple terminals T can be connected using two types of connection methods. In other words, in a road display system 1 having the information processing unit 100, it is possible to collectively control and monitor all of the terminals T even in a block where terminals T with two types of connection methods are mixed. Below, we will explain an example of configuring a road display system 1 using the information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment in block A, which is configured so that terminals T with two types of connection methods are mixed.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a road display system 1 using an information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment. The road display system 1 includes the information processing unit 100, multiple terminals T, and a host device S. The host device S can include, for example, an operating device for performing operations such as switching information displayed on the multiple terminals T, and a monitoring device for monitoring the operation of the multiple terminals T. The host device S may be configured to include multiple devices including an operating device and a monitoring device, or may be configured to include a single device that combines the functions of an operating device and a monitoring device. The host device S is connected to all the terminals T via the information processing unit 100.

[0022] In the road display system 1, the multiple terminals T are configured with a terminal T that supports the metal method, which is a first connection method, and a terminal T that supports the IP method, which is a second connection method. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the multiple terminals T are configured with terminals T3 and T4 that support the metal method and terminals T1 and T2 that support the IP method. In other words, in the road display system 1, terminals T3 and T4 are connected to the information processing unit 100 by the metal method, and terminals T1 and T2 are connected to the information processing unit 100 by the IP method.

[0023] In the road display system 1, multiple terminals T are classified into different groups based on the connection method, namely, metal type terminals T are classified into a first group G1, and IP type terminals T are classified into a second group G2. In the example shown in Fig. 2, metal type terminals T3 and T4 are classified into the first group G1, and IP type terminals T1 and T2 are classified into the second group G2.

[0024] [Detailed configuration of information processing unit 100] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment. The information processing unit 100 has a first control and monitoring unit 10, a second control and monitoring unit 20, and a distribution and coupling unit 30. The first control and monitoring unit 10 and the second control and monitoring unit 20 are both connected to the distribution and coupling unit 30. The first control and monitoring unit 10 is connected to a terminal T in a first group G1. The second control and monitoring unit 20 is connected to a terminal T in a second group G2. The distribution and coupling unit 30 is connected to a higher-level device S.

[0025] The first control and monitoring unit 10 has a first control unit 11 and a first monitoring unit 12. The second control and monitoring unit 20 has a second control unit 21 and a second monitoring unit 22. The distribution and coupling unit 30 has a distribution unit 31 and a coupling unit 32. The distribution unit 31 and the coupling unit 32 are both connected to the first control unit 11 and the second control unit 21, respectively. The first control unit 11 and the first monitoring unit 12 are both connected to a terminal T of the first group G1 by a metal method. The second control unit 21 and the second monitoring unit 22 are both connected to a terminal T of the second group G2 by an IP method. The distribution unit 31 and the coupling unit 32 are both connected to a higher-level device S.

[0026] The distribution unit 31 distributes control of terminal T in the first group G1 to the first control unit 11, and distributes control of terminal T in the second group G2 to the second control unit 21. In other words, the distribution unit 31 receives a control signal from the higher-level device S, causes the first control unit 11 to control terminal T in the first group G1 based on the control signal, and causes the second control unit 21 to control terminal T in the second group G2 based on the control signal. The first control unit 11 controls terminal T in the first group G1 based on the control signal received from the higher-level device S via the distribution unit 31. The second control unit 21 controls terminal T in the second group G2 based on the control signal received from the higher-level device S via the distribution unit 31.

[0027] The information processing unit 100 further includes a memory unit 40 and an input operation unit 50. The memory unit 40 is connected to the distribution unit 31 and the input operation unit 50. The memory unit 40 uses a non-volatile memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores classification information that classifies a plurality of terminals T into a first group G1 and a second group G2. The distribution unit 31 distributes control of the plurality of terminals T to the first control unit 11 and the second control unit 21 in accordance with the classification information read from the memory unit 40. The input operation unit 50 is configured to enable an input operation to switch the classification of the plurality of terminals T in the classification information stored in the memory unit 40 between the first group G1 and the second group G2.

[0028] The input operation unit 50 has a display unit 51 capable of displaying classification information, and is configured so that an operator can perform an input operation to switch the classification of multiple terminals T while looking at the display unit 51. FIG. 4 shows an example of classification information displayed on the display unit 51. The classification information shown in FIG. 4 includes a radio button for selecting a metal system and a radio button for selecting an IP system for each of four terminals T1, T2, T3, and T4. In the information processing unit 100, a terminal T for which the metal system radio button is selected is classified into a first group G1, and a terminal T for which the IP system radio button is selected is classified into a second group G2. In the classification information shown in FIG. 4, the IP system is selected for terminals T1 and T2, and the metal system is selected for terminals T3 and T4.

[0029] The input operation unit 50 can easily switch the classification of each terminal T in the classification information by selecting a radio button. For example, when a metal-type terminal T3 is changed to an IP-type terminal T3, the classification of terminal T3 in the classification information can be changed from metal-type to IP-type simply by inputting an input operation to switch the selection of the radio button for terminal T3 in the classification information from IP to metal. As a result, the distribution destination of control of terminal T3 by the distribution unit 31 is changed from the first group G1 to the second group G2. In this way, the information processing unit 100 can easily switch the classification of multiple terminals T, so that even a worker who does not have specialized knowledge of software, etc. (for example, a worker in charge of removing old terminals and installing new terminals) can quickly and reliably update the classification information.

[0030] The first monitoring unit 12 of the first control and monitoring unit 10 acquires first monitoring information related to the operation of terminals T in the first group G1 controlled by the first control unit 11. The second monitoring unit 22 of the second control and monitoring unit 20 acquires second monitoring information related to the operation of terminals T in the second group G2 controlled by the second control unit 21. The first monitoring information and the second monitoring information each include information that allows the status of operation of each terminal T to be ascertained, and preferably includes information that allows the status of each terminal T to be ascertained, for example, whether it is operating normally, has a malfunction, or is not operating.

[0031] Because the terminals T in the first group G1 and the terminals T in the second group G2 use different connection methods, the types of information required to grasp their operational status are different, and the criteria for using this information to determine their operational status are also different. Therefore, the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information are data in different formats, making it difficult for the host device S to handle them together as is. In response to this, in the information processing unit 100, the combining unit 32 combines the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information so that they can be handled together in the host device S, thereby generating single combined monitoring information. This allows the host device S to use the combined monitoring information generated by the combining unit 32 to monitor the operations of all terminals T in the first group G1 and the second group G2 together.

[0032] In the information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment, the first connection method between the first control and monitoring unit 10 and terminal T and the second connection method between the second control and monitoring unit 20 and terminal T need only be different from each other, and are not limited to a configuration in which the first connection method is a metal method and the second connection method is an IP method. In the information processing unit 100, for example, the first connection method may be an IP method and the second connection method may be a wireless method. In either case, in the information processing unit 100, the first control and monitoring unit 10 is configured to be able to control and monitor terminal T corresponding to the first connection method, and the second control and monitoring unit 10 is configured to be able to control and monitor terminal T corresponding to the second connection method.

[0033] Furthermore, the terminal T connected to the information processing unit 100 in the road display system 1 is not limited to variable speed limit signs, but can be various road display devices that display different information depending on the situation. Examples of such terminals T include a traffic information board that displays traffic information such as traffic congestion and accident occurrences, a parking lot information board that displays parking lot availability and parking fees, an information board that displays different information depending on the time of day or season, and a road condition warning board that displays road conditions during bad weather, etc.

[0034] Furthermore, the information processing unit 100 may be configured with one or more computers so that the functions of each component can be appropriately realized. For example, in the information processing unit 100, the first control and monitoring unit 10, the second control and monitoring unit 20, and the distribution and coupling unit 30 may each be configured with one computer or with multiple computers. Also, two of the first control and monitoring unit 10, the second control and monitoring unit 20, and the distribution and coupling unit 30 may be configured with one computer, or all three may be configured with one computer. Furthermore, the memory unit 40 may be a storage device built into the computer that constitutes the distribution and coupling unit 30. In addition, the input operation unit 50 may be an input operation unit used for input operations to the computer that constitutes the distribution and coupling unit 30.

[0035] In addition, the information processing unit 100 may further include components other than those described above, as necessary. Furthermore, the information processing unit 100 may not include some of the components described above, depending on the circumstances. For example, if the information processing unit 100 does not need to monitor multiple terminals T, the first monitoring unit 12, the second monitoring unit 22, and the combining unit 32 may not be provided. Furthermore, the information processing unit 100 does not need to use classification information for the distribution of control of multiple terminals T by the distribution unit 31, and in this case, the memory unit 40 and the input operation unit 50 may not be provided.

[0036] Furthermore, the information processing unit 100 is not limited to a block in which multiple terminals T with two types of connection methods are mixed, but can also collectively control and monitor all of the terminals T in a block in which multiple terminals T with three or more types of connection methods are mixed. That is, the information processing unit 100 can be configured to have three or more control units and monitoring units corresponding to the three or more connection methods that may be included in the multiple terminals T, with the distribution unit 31 distributing the control of the multiple terminals T to one of the three or more control units and the combination unit 32 combining all of the monitoring information acquired by the three or more monitoring units.

[0037] [Change in connection method in Road Display System 1] The road display system 1 has the advantage of using the information processing unit 100, firstly, that it can continue to operate in a state where terminals T of two connection methods are mixed in one block. In addition, the road display system 1 has the great advantage of using the information processing unit 100 that it can keep the number of terminals T that become inoperable to a minimum in the process of replacing all metal type terminals T with IP type terminals T in a block where all terminals T are metal type. This advantage will be explained in detail below.

[0038] 5 is a schematic diagram of a general road display system 1a in which all terminals T are of the metal type. In the road display system 1a, a first control and monitoring unit 10 that supports the metal type is provided independently as an information processing unit instead of the information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment. In order to change the connection method from the metal type to the IP type in the road display system 1a without using the information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment, it is first necessary to change the first control and monitoring unit 10 that supports the metal type to the second control and monitoring unit 20 that supports the IP type, and then to remove the metal type terminals T and install the IP type terminals T one by one.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows the process of sequentially replacing metal type terminals T with IP type terminals T in the road display system 1a. In the state shown in FIG. 6, only terminal T1 is IP type, and terminals T2, T3, and T4 all remain metal type. In the road display system 1a in this state, the second control and monitoring unit 20 can control and monitor only the IP type terminal T1, but cannot control or monitor the metal type terminals T2, T3, and T4. Therefore, in the road display system 1a in this state, information can be displayed only in the section where terminal T1 is installed, and information cannot be displayed in the section where terminals T2, T3, and T4 are installed.

[0040] In contrast to this, the road display system 1 shown in Fig. 2 can be configured by replacing the first control and monitoring unit 20 in the road display system 1a shown in Fig. 5 with the information processing unit 100 according to this embodiment. In the information processing unit 100, by providing a distribution and combination unit 30 that distributes control of multiple terminals T and combines monitoring information, it is possible to have the first control and monitoring unit 10 and the second control and monitoring unit 20 coexist. Furthermore, as described above, the information processing unit 100 can switch between the metal system and the IP system for control and monitoring of multiple terminals T by changing the classification information.

[0041] For this reason, the road display system 1 can continue operation of all metal terminals T until immediately before the start of removal work. Furthermore, in the road display system 1, while the removal work of a metal terminal T or the installation work of an IP terminal T is being carried out, the classification of the terminal T in question in the classification information can be changed from the first group G1 to the second group G2, so that operation can be resumed immediately after the installation work of the IP terminal T is completed. In this way, by using the information processing unit 100, the road display system 1 can ensure that the only terminal T that becomes inoperable during the process of replacing a metal terminal T with an IP terminal is the one terminal T that is being worked on.

[0042] In addition, when replacing the metal-type terminal T with an IP-type terminal T in the road display system 1 as described above, it is preferable that the combining unit 32, when combining the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information, changes the format of the second monitoring information to match the format of the first monitoring information without substantially changing the first monitoring information. This allows the higher-level device S in the road display system 1 to handle the combined monitoring information generated by the combining unit 32 in the same way as the driving information acquired by the first monitoring unit 12 of the first control / monitoring unit 20 of the road display system 1a shown in Fig. 5. Therefore, the road display system 1 can continue to operate as is without changing the settings of the higher-level device S from the road display system 1a shown in Fig. 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1. Road display system 10...First control and monitoring unit 11...First control section 12…1st monitoring department 20...Second control and monitoring unit 21...Second control section 22…Second monitoring department 30...Distribution / coupling section 31...Distribution section 32...Joining part 40...Memory section 50...Input operation section 51...Display section 100...Information processing unit T...Terminal S...Upper device

Claims

1. An information processing unit that collectively controls a plurality of terminals that are installed at intervals along a road and display common information according to a situation so that the information can be seen from the road, a first control unit configured to be able to control a terminal corresponding to a first connection method among the plurality of terminals; a second control unit configured to be able to control a terminal, among the plurality of terminals, that corresponds to a second connection method different from the first connection method; a distribution unit that distributes control of each of the plurality of terminals to either the first control unit or the second control unit; An information processing unit comprising:

2. 2. The information processing unit according to claim 1, further comprising a memory unit in which classification information is recorded that classifies each of the plurality of terminals into either a first group or a second group; The distribution unit distributes control of terminals belonging to the first group to the first control unit and distributes control of terminals belonging to the second group to the second control unit according to the classification information. Information processing unit.

3. 3. The information processing unit according to claim 2, The terminal device further includes an input operation unit configured to enable an input operation for switching the classification of each of the plurality of terminals in the classification information between the first group and the second group. Information processing unit.

4. 4. The information processing unit according to claim 1, a first monitoring unit that acquires first monitoring information related to the operation of the terminal distributed to the first control unit by the distribution unit; a second monitoring unit that acquires second monitoring information related to the operation of the terminal distributed to the second control unit by the distribution unit; a combining unit that combines the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information so that the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information can be handled collectively; The information processing unit further comprises:

5. 5. The information processing unit according to claim 4, The combining unit converts the format of one of the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information to match the format of the other. Information processing unit.

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