Signal control method and signal control system

Abstract

This technology provides a traffic signal control system that can safely and efficiently control traffic signals in accordance with the individual circumstances of pedestrians attempting to cross a crosswalk. [Solution] A typical example of the present invention is a signal control method for controlling the flashing of a pedestrian signal for crossing a roadway and using a crosswalk, which includes the steps of: reading pedestrian information from a mobile terminal held by a pedestrian using near-field communication (NFC); ​​setting a change time to extend the illumination of the green light of the pedestrian signal according to the pedestrian based on the read pedestrian information; commanding the illumination of the green light based on the set change time; and commanding the flashing of the green light for a predetermined flashing time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control technology for traffic signals, and particularly to a signal control method and a signal control system for controlling the blinking of pedestrian lights provided on roads.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, when a pedestrian attempts to cross a lane where passenger cars and the like pass, a crosswalk is provided in a manner intersecting the lane, and pedestrian lights are provided on both sides of the sidewalks facing each other across the crosswalk. Such pedestrian lights usually turn on a blue light after the traffic signal (light) on the lane side turns red, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the blue light is made to blink, and further control is performed to shift to the lighting of the red light.

[0003] In such general pedestrian lights, the predetermined time for turning on the above-mentioned blue light is often set to be generally the same (identical) time. For this reason, for example, specific pedestrians such as disabled persons, injured persons who have problems walking, elderly people and small children who are considered to walk relatively slowly, etc., have a relatively slower moving speed than normal healthy people. Therefore, there has been a situation where they cannot cross the crosswalk even after shifting to the red light.

[0004] As an example of a technology for solving such a situation, for example, in Citation Document 1, there is a pedestrian traffic signal having a pair of foot switches embedded in the sidewalk and control means for driving and controlling the pedestrian traffic signal lamp based on a switch signal from the foot switches. As the pair of foot switches, a configuration is disclosed in which a switch signal is generated when the feet of a pedestrian attempting to cross the road or the wheels of a wheelchair user are placed. According to such a pedestrian traffic signal, when a switch signal from the foot switch is input, by setting the blue display time longer than when a switch signal from a normal push button switch is input, it is said that control more friendly to the weak can be performed.

Prior Art Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-67372 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The pedestrian traffic signals described above are equipped with a pair of foot switches positioned to correspond to the feet of pedestrians or the wheels of wheelchairs. When these foot switches are activated, the system can control the signal to stay on for a longer period than usual. However, because the switches are not positioned specifically for use by vulnerable individuals, a switch signal is generated even when a healthy person places both feet on the foot switches. This means that the signal cannot be controlled to truly target the intended pedestrians.

[0007] Furthermore, conventional pedestrian traffic signals do not take into account the degree of disability or differences in walking speed due to age for people with disabilities. Instead, they uniformly control the duration of the green light based on the switch signal from the foot switch. As a result, it was not possible to control the traffic signals in a way that was appropriate for individual pedestrians.

[0008] This invention was made based on these circumstances and aims to provide a signal control technology that can safely and efficiently control signals in accordance with the individual circumstances of pedestrians attempting to cross a crosswalk. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, one example of a typical embodiment of the present invention is a signal control method for controlling the flashing of a pedestrian signal for crossing a roadway and crossing a pedestrian crossing, which includes the steps of: reading pedestrian information of a pedestrian from a mobile terminal held by the pedestrian using near-field communication (NFC); ​​setting a change time to extend the illumination of the green light of the pedestrian signal according to the pedestrian based on the read pedestrian information; commanding the illumination of the green light based on the set change time; and commanding the flashing of the green light for a predetermined flashing time.

[0010] To solve the above problems, another example of the present invention is a signal control system for controlling the flashing of pedestrian lights for crossing a roadway and crossing a pedestrian crossing, comprising: push-button boxes provided on both the sidewalk adjacent to the pedestrian crossing and the other sidewalk; and a signal controller that issues flashing commands to the pedestrian lights based on input signals from the pedestrian push-button boxes, wherein the push-button boxes further include a push-button switch pressed by a pedestrian attempting to cross the pedestrian crossing and a reading sensor that reads pedestrian information from a mobile terminal held by the pedestrian using near-field communication (NFC method), and the signal controller is configured to set a change time to extend the illumination of the green light of the pedestrian lights according to the pedestrian based on the read pedestrian information, and to issue a command to illuminate the green light based on the set change time.

[0011] According to the present invention, which has such a configuration, pedestrian information is read from the pedestrian's mobile terminal using near-field communication (NFC method), and based on the read pedestrian information, an operation is performed to set a change time that extends the illumination of the green light of the pedestrian signal according to the pedestrian. This makes it possible to safely and efficiently control the signal in accordance with the individual circumstances of pedestrians attempting to cross the crosswalk. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] A partial side view illustrating the outline of a pedestrian crossing to which a signal control system according to a typical example of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2]Figure 1 is a partial front view showing an overview of the pedestrian push-button box. [Figure 3] This is a front view showing an example of a portable device held by a passerby. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the overview of the signal controller. [Figure 5] This is a partial side view showing an overview of the movement state of pedestrians when a signal control method according to a typical example of the present invention is implemented. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an overview of the signal control performed by a typical signal control method according to the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the overview of a typical signal processing subroutine. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart illustrating the outline of the extended signal processing subroutine according to Example 1. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart illustrating the outline of the extended signal processing subroutine according to Example 2. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart outlining the extended signal processing subroutine according to Example 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, typical examples of the signal control system and control method according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10.

[0014] <Overview of the signal control system> Figure 1 is a partial side view showing an overview of a pedestrian crossing to which a typical example of the signal control system of the present invention is applied. Figure 2 is a partial front view showing an overview of the pedestrian push-button box shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a front view showing an example of a portable terminal held by a passerby. Furthermore, Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an overview of the signal control device shown in Figure 2.

[0015] The signal control system 100 according to the present invention is applied to the control of a traffic signal (lighting device) installed on a general road 10 as shown in FIG. 1 as an example. The general road 10 includes a crosswalk 20 where pedestrians cross, one sidewalk 22a adjacent to the crosswalk 20, the other sidewalk 22b facing and adjacent to it, one signal pole 24a installed on one sidewalk 22a, the other signal pole 24b installed on the other sidewalk 22b, a vehicle lighting device 30 and one pedestrian lighting device 32a attached to one signal pole 24a, and the other pedestrian lighting device 32b attached to the other signal pole 24b. Also, one push button box 40a and the other push button box 40b, which form part of the signal control system 100, are respectively attached to one signal pole 24a and the other signal pole 24b.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the one pedestrian lighting device 32a and the other pedestrian lighting device 32b are arranged at a height that is easy for pedestrians to see with respect to the one signal pole 24a and the other signal pole 24b such that the flashing portions (not shown) of the green signal and the red signal face each other. On the other hand, the pair of push button boxes 40a and 40b are input-operated when a pedestrian crossing the crosswalk 20, such as a user WC of a wheelchair, an injured person using a cane (not shown), or an elderly person using a cane (not shown), passes by.

[0017] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2(a) as an example, the one push button box 40a includes a push button switch 42 that a pedestrian trying to cross the crosswalk 20 presses, a reading sensor 44 that reads the pedestrian information of the pedestrian from the portable terminal 50 held by the pedestrian, and a display unit 46 that displays various types of information, etc., and is attached to the one signal pole 24a via an attachment member 26a. Since the other push button box 40b also has a similar configuration, redundant explanations are omitted.

[0018] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 2(b), one push button box 40a constitutes a signal control system 100 together with a signal controller 60 described later. The one push button box 40a and the other push button box 40b are wirelessly or wired-connected to the signal controller 60 to exchange various signals and data.

[0019] The push button switch 42 is configured to be energized when pressed to generate an input signal, and the generated input signal is sent to an information input unit 64 of a signal controller 60 described later. Note that the push button switch 42 can be pressed not only by specific passers-by such as disabled persons, injured persons, and elderly persons who are the direct targets of the signal control method according to the present invention, but also by general healthy persons. By pressing this, normal signal control of a pedestrian lamp described later is performed.

[0020] As an example, the reading sensor 44 is configured as an NFC tag (not shown) including an antenna and an IC chip (memory). As shown in Fig. 2(c), when a passer-by holds a mobile terminal 50 described later close to the reading sensor 44, the reading sensor 44 constitutes a short-range wireless communication NC of the NFC method using electromagnetic coupling of a high-frequency radio wave (for example, 13.56 MHz).

[0021] Such short-range wireless communication of the NFC method has a function of identifying and authenticating a user's individual and safely exchanging personal information, different from wireless communication by, for example, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) method. One of the characteristic points of the present invention is the application of this short-range wireless communication by the NFC method as a communication technology between the mobile terminal 50 held by a passer-by and the push button boxes 40a and 40b.

[0022] In addition, the NFC tag constituting the reading sensor 44 is connected to a transfer circuit (not shown) that transfers the read information, and transfers the passer-by information of the passer-by read by the NFC tag to the signal controller 60. This series of reading and transfer operations is executed every time the mobile terminal 50 approaches (is held close).

[0023] The display unit 46 has the function of displaying and informing pedestrians of various information. The information displayed on the display unit 46 may include, for example, a string of characters such as "Please wait" to inform pedestrians to wait for the pedestrian traffic lights 32a and 32b to switch to green. Alternatively, it may also display, for example, the remaining time until the green light of the pedestrian traffic lights 32a and 32b is illuminated.

[0024] As described above, in the signal control method according to the present invention, the mobile terminals 50 held by each pedestrian attempting to cross the crosswalk 20 function as part of the components that perform short-range wireless communication using the NFC method with the reading sensors 44 provided on the push-button boxes 40a and 40b. As an example, the mobile terminal 50 can be a smartphone with a built-in NFC communication function.

[0025] The mobile terminal 50 is equipped with a touch panel display screen 52, as shown in Figure 3(a), for example, and icons 54 for each application are displayed on the display screen 52. In the signal control method according to the present invention, pedestrians to whom the method is applied register their personal information in advance in a predetermined application.

[0026] As an example of the above-described application, as shown in Figure 3(b), when a smartphone user taps a specific icon 54, various input buttons 54a to 54e are displayed on the display screen 52. The user of this application can input or change personal data for each item set in the various input buttons 54a to 54e, along with personal information such as the name of the user who owns the mobile terminal 50. In the signal control method according to the present invention, this personal information and personal data are integrated and treated as "pedestrian information".

[0027] The first input button 54a is assigned, for example, the field "Age." After tapping the first input button 54a, the user can enter or change their age according to the subsequent input screens. The system may also be configured to allow input of gender in addition to age.

[0028] The second input button 54b is assigned, for example, the item "Disability Details." After tapping the second input button 54b, the user can input or change the type and condition of their disability (for example, functional impairment or loss of limbs) according to the further input screens.

[0029] The third input button 54c is assigned, for example, the item "assistive device." After tapping the third input button 54c, the user can enter or change information about the assistive device they are using (e.g., wheelchair, cane, etc.) according to the further input screens. In addition to information about the assistive device, the system may also be configured to allow registration of other information, such as "presence or absence of caregiver."

[0030] The fourth input button 54d is assigned the "Display" item. This item is used to display images and information of the user's disability certificate, as well as information such as electronic tickets and electronic coupons that the user has obtained separately, on the display screen 52.

[0031] The fifth input button, 54e, is assigned the "Settings" option. This option is used, for example, to register or modify the user's name or disability certificate information.

[0032] As an example, the signal controller 60 applied to the signal control system 100 according to the present invention includes, as shown in Figure 4, a main control unit 62 that commands the overall operation of the signal controller 60; an information input unit 64 that receives input signals from the push-button switches 42 of the push-button boxes 40a and 40b shown in Figure 1 and pedestrian information from the reading sensor 44, and reads various data corresponding to the pedestrian information from an external database 70; a calculation unit 66 that sets the change time, which will be described later, based on the various data corresponding to the pedestrian information acquired by the information input unit 64; and an information output unit 68 that transmits the pedestrian information from the information input unit 64 to the database 70 and transmits various commands to the pedestrian lights 32a and 32b shown in Figure 1. As an example, the information output unit 68 may be configured to transmit data on the remaining time for the green light of the pedestrian lights 32a and 32b.

[0033] For example, the database 70 stores data on the time it takes for pedestrians to cross the crosswalk, based on their attributes and age, and outputs corresponding data to the information input unit 64 based on the pedestrian information input from the information output unit 68. Also, although Figure 4 illustrates a case where the database 70 is separate from the signal controller 60, the database 70 may also be configured to be integrated inside the signal controller 60.

[0034] Next, an example of a typical operation of the signal control method according to the present invention will be described using Figures 5 to 10.

[0035] Figure 5 is a partial side view showing an overview of the movement of pedestrians when a typical signal control method according to the present invention is implemented. In Figure 5, as an example of an applicant for the signal control method according to the present invention, a wheelchair user (WC) is shown as a pedestrian.

[0036] As an example, as shown in Figure 5, a wheelchair user WC attempting to cross the pedestrian crossing 20 from position Pa on one sidewalk 22a presses the push-button switch 42 on one of the push-button boxes 40a attached to one of the signal poles 24a, and simultaneously holds a mobile terminal 50 over the reading sensor 44 to input their own pedestrian information. As a result, the pedestrian information of the wheelchair user WC, who is the target of the signal control method according to the present invention, is transmitted to the signal controller 60.

[0037] When pedestrian information is transmitted to the signal controller 60, the signal controller 60 outputs a command to the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b to perform the extended signal processing described later, causing the red light on the vehicle signal 30 to illuminate and the green lights on the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b to illuminate. Then, the green lights on the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b are extended beyond the normal duration for the time it takes for the pedestrian (wheelchair user WC) to cross from position Pm on the crosswalk 20 to position Pb on the other sidewalk 22b.

[0038] <Example 1> Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the signal control performed by a typical signal control method according to the present invention. Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the overview of the normal signal processing subroutine shown in Figure 6. Furthermore, Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the overview of the extended signal processing subroutine shown in Figure 6.

[0039] The flowchart shown in Figure 6 is constantly executed as a signal control process when a normal healthy person attempts to cross the pedestrian crossing 20, not only for wheelchair users, injured persons using canes (not shown), or elderly people using canes (not shown), who are targets of the signal control method according to the present invention. When this flowchart starts, it is assumed that the green light of the vehicle signal 30 and the red lights of the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b are illuminated.

[0040] In the normal signal control shown in Figure 6, the signal controller 60 first determines whether the push-button switches 42 of the push-button boxes 40a and 40b have been operated (step S1). This determination can be made, for example, by checking whether input signals from the push-button boxes 40a and 40b have been input to the information input unit 64 of the signal controller 60.

[0041] In step S1, if the signal controller 60 determines that the push-button switch 42 has not been operated, it assumes there are no pedestrians and sends a command to the vehicle signal 30 to continue displaying the green light, thereby ending the flow. The process of starting the flow again is then repeated.

[0042] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the push button switch 42 has been operated (pressed), the signal controller 60 determines whether or not there has been input of pedestrian information from the reading sensor 44 following the input signal from the push button switch 42 in the push button boxes 40a and 40b (step S2).

[0043] In step S2, if it is determined that no pedestrian information was entered, the signal controller 60 determines, for example, that a normal healthy person pressed the push button switch 42, and proceeds to the normal signal processing subroutine SS1 which performs "normal signal processing". After executing the subroutine, the flow is terminated.

[0044] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that pedestrian information has been entered, the signal controller 60 determines that a pedestrian targeted by the signal control method according to the present invention has pressed the push button switch 42, and proceeds to the extended signal processing subroutine SS2 which performs "extended signal processing". After executing the subroutine, the flow is terminated.

[0045] In the flow shown in Figure 6, when the system transitions to the normal signal processing subroutine SS1, the signal controller 60 first sends a command to the vehicle traffic light 30 to switch from a green light to a red light, as shown in Figure 7 as an example (step SS11). Subsequently, the signal controller 60 determines whether the vehicle traffic light 30 is in a red light state (step SS12). To perform this determination in step SS12, for example, the information input unit 64 of the signal controller 60 is configured to receive a color signal from the vehicle traffic light 30 indicating the color of the currently illuminated signal.

[0046] In step SS12, if it is not determined that the vehicle traffic light 30 is illuminated in red, the system returns to step SS11 and sends a command to illuminate the red light again, repeating the determination process in step SS12. This ensures that the vehicle traffic light 30 turns red, reliably stopping vehicles on the roadway.

[0047] On the other hand, in step SS12, if it is determined that the vehicle signal 30 is in a red light state, the signal controller 60 sends a command to the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b to switch from red to green (step SS13). Subsequently, the elapsed time since the green light command was sent is measured to determine whether a predetermined time set for the normal green light state has elapsed (step SS14).

[0048] In step SS14, if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the signal controller 60 returns to step SS13 and sends a command to turn on the green light again, and repeats the determination operation in step SS14. This allows the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b to remain in a state where the green light is on for the predetermined time.

[0049] On the other hand, in step SS14, if it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed, the signal controller 60 sends a command to the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b to switch to a flashing green state (step SS15). Subsequently, the elapsed time since the command to flash the green signal was sent is measured to determine whether the flashing time set for the normal flashing green state has elapsed (step SS16).

[0050] In step SS16, if it is determined that the flashing time has not elapsed, the signal controller 60 returns to step SS15 and sends another command to flash the green light, repeating the determination operation in step SS16. This allows the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b to maintain the flashing state of the green light for a predetermined flashing time.

[0051] On the other hand, in step SS16, if it is determined that the flashing time has elapsed, the signal controller 60 sends a command to the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b to switch to a red light state (step SS17). Next, it is determined whether the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b are in a red light state (step SS18). In order to perform this determination in step SS18, for example, the information input unit 64 of the signal controller 60 is configured to receive a color signal from the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b indicating the color of the signal that is currently lit.

[0052] If, in step SS18, it is not determined that the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b are illuminated in red, the signal controller 60 returns to step SS17 and sends a command to switch back to the red signal state, repeating the determination operation in step SS18. This ensures that the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b are illuminated in red, preventing pedestrians from entering the crosswalk 20.

[0053] On the other hand, if in step SS18 the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b are determined to be in a red light state, the signal controller 60 sends a command to the vehicle signal 30 to switch from red to green (step SS19), and the subroutine operation ends, returning to the flowchart shown in Figure 6.

[0054] In contrast, in the flow shown in Figure 6, when the system transitions to the extended signal processing subroutine SS2, the signal controller 60 first sends a command to the vehicle traffic light 30 to switch from a green light to a red light (step SS21), as shown in Figure 8 as an example, and then determines whether the vehicle traffic light 30 is in a red light state (step SS22). The operation of steps SS21 and SS22 is the same as the operation of steps SS11 and SS12 shown in Figure 7.

[0055] In step SS22, if it is determined that the vehicle traffic light 30 is in a red light state, the signal controller 60 acquires pedestrian information input from the reading sensors 44 of the push-button boxes 40a and 40b (step SS23), and based on the acquired pedestrian information, sets a change time to extend the lighting time of the green light for the pedestrian traffic lights 32a and 32b according to that pedestrian (step SS24). The operation of steps SS23 and SS24 is performed, for example, by the information input unit 64 and information output unit 68 of the signal controller 60 accessing an external database 70 to extract various data for pedestrian information, and the calculation unit 66 calculating and setting the above change time from the extracted data.

[0056] Next, the signal controller 60 sends a command to the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b to switch from red to green (step SS25), and then measures the elapsed time since the green light activation command was sent to determine whether the change time set in step SS24 has elapsed (step SS26).

[0057] In step SS26, if it is determined that the change time has not elapsed, the signal controller 60 returns to step SS25 and sends another command to turn on the green light, repeating the determination operation in step SS26. This allows the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b to remain green for the extended change time based on the pedestrian information.

[0058] On the other hand, in step SS26, if it is determined that the change time has elapsed, the signal controller 60 performs the following operations: sending a command to the pedestrian lights 32a and 32b to switch to a flashing green state (step SS27); measuring the elapsed time since the command to flash the green state was sent and determining whether the flashing time normally set for the flashing green state has elapsed (step SS28); sending a command to the pedestrian lights 32a and 32b to switch to a solid red state (step SS29); determining whether the pedestrian lights 32a and 32b are in a solid red state (step SS30); and sending a command to the vehicle light 30 to switch from a solid red to a solid green state (step SS31). These operations from step SS27 to step SS31 are the same as the operations from step SS15 to step SS19 shown in Figure 7. After performing these operations, the signal controller 60 terminates the subroutine and returns to the flowchart shown in Figure 6.

[0059] By having the above configuration, the signal control method and signal control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention read pedestrian information from a pedestrian's mobile terminal using near-field communication (NFC method), and based on the read pedestrian information, executes an operation to set a change time that extends the illumination of the green light of the pedestrian signal according to the pedestrian. This makes it possible to safely and efficiently control signals in accordance with the individual circumstances of pedestrians attempting to cross a crosswalk.

[0060] <Example 2> Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the outline of the extended signal processing subroutine according to Example 2. In Example 2, the main signal control flow and the normal signal processing subroutine executed by the signal controller 60 are the same as those shown in Figures 6 and 7, respectively, and therefore a further explanation is omitted. In the explanation of Figure 9, the same reference numerals are used for parts that perform the same operations as in the flowchart of Figure 8, and the explanation of those operations is also omitted.

[0061] In the extended signal processing subroutine of the signal control method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, as an example, as shown in Figure 9, in step SS25, after sending a command to the pedestrian lights 32a and 32b to switch from a red light to a green light, the signal controller 60 determines whether or not additional pedestrian information (from another pedestrian) has been input from the reading sensors 44 of the push-button boxes 40a and 40b (step SS25a). At this time, if it is determined in step SS25a that no additional pedestrian information has been input, the signal controller 60 proceeds to step SS26 and executes the operations from step SS26 to step SS31 in the same manner as in Embodiment 1 described above, thereby terminating the operation of the subroutine.

[0062] On the other hand, if it is determined in step SS25a that additional pedestrian information has been entered, the signal controller 60 obtains the pedestrian information of the additionally entered pedestrian (step SS25b), and based on the newly obtained pedestrian information, compares the change time set for the previously entered pedestrian (first change time) with the expected change time for the other pedestrian (second change time), and resets the change time to the one that requires the green light to be kept on longer (i.e., the one with the longest green light extension time) (step SS25c).

[0063] Subsequently, the signal controller 60 proceeds to step SS26, applies the change time reset in step SS25c, and executes the operations from step SS26 to step SS31 in the same manner as in Example 1, thereby terminating the subroutine's operation.

[0064] Note that while the flowchart in Figure 9 illustrates the case where additional pedestrian information is entered by one pedestrian, the process can also be applied to cases where additional information is entered by two or more people by appropriately repeating steps SS25a to SS25c while considering the overall control time. Furthermore, when resetting the change time in step SS25c, the change time based on the pedestrian information entered later may be used as the reset change time.

[0065] By having the above configuration, the signal control method and signal control system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, in addition to the effects obtained in Embodiment 1, can further ensure the safety of pedestrians by comparing the attributes and circumstances of individual pedestrians and setting a longer green light duration, even when information on multiple pedestrians is input.

[0066] <Example 3> Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the outline of the extended signal processing subroutine according to Embodiment 3. Note that, in Embodiment 3, the main signal control flow and the normal signal processing subroutine executed by the signal controller 60 are the same as those shown in Figures 6 and 7, respectively, and therefore, further explanation is omitted. Furthermore, in the explanation of Figure 10, the same reference numerals are used for parts that perform the same operations as in the flowchart of Figure 8, and the explanation of those operations is also omitted.

[0067] In the extended signal processing subroutine of the signal control method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, as an example, as shown in Figure 10, in step SS25, after sending a command to the pedestrian lights 32a and 32b to switch from a red light to a green light, the signal controller 60 determines whether or not there has been input of pedestrian information (referred to as "completion input") from the reading sensor 44 of the push button box 40b that is the same as the pedestrian information read by the reading sensor 44 of the push button box 40a (step SS25d).

[0068] The determination operation in step SS25d can be applied, for example, when a wheelchair user WC, as shown in Figure 5, attempts to cross the pedestrian crossing 20, and either operates the wheelchair earlier than usual or is assisted by an assistant, allowing them to cross earlier than usual, thus eliminating the need to extend the green light of the pedestrian signals 32a and 32b. In other words, if it is determined in step SS25d that a completion input has been received from the other push-button box 40b, the signal controller 60 proceeds to step SS27 without waiting for the change time in step SS26 to elapse, and executes the operations from step SS27 to step SS31 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment 1, thereby ending the subroutine's operation.

[0069] On the other hand, if it is determined in step SS25d that there is no completion input from the other push-button box 40b, the signal controller 60 repeats the operations from step SS25 to step SS26 until the set change time has elapsed, as in the case of Embodiment 1.

[0070] By having the above configuration, the signal control method and signal control system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, in addition to the effects obtained in Embodiment 1, can cancel the extended green light time if a pedestrian crosses the crosswalk faster than expected by inputting completion from the push button box after crossing, thus enabling more efficient signal control.

[0071] The above-described embodiments are merely examples of the signal control method and signal control system according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can make various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and these modifications do not exclude the scope of the present invention.

[0072] For example, in the embodiment described above, the operation of inputting pedestrian information from a mobile terminal after a pedestrian presses the push button switch on the push button box was illustrated. However, the system may be configured to omit the input operation of the push button switch, requiring only the mobile terminal to be held over the reading sensor. Also, while the change time for the extended time of the pedestrian signal was set to the time the green light is on, it is possible to change this to set the change time to the time the green light is flashing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 General roads 20 Pedestrian crossing 22a, 22b Sidewalk 24a, 24b signal pole 26a Mounting member 30 Vehicle traffic lights 32a, 32b Pedestrian traffic lights 40a, 40b Push button box 42 Push-button switches 44 Reading Sensors 46 Display section 50 Mobile devices 52 Display screen 54 icons 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d, 54e Input buttons 60 Signal controller 62 Main Control Unit 64 Information Input Section 66 Arithmetic section 68 Information Output Unit 70 Databases 100 Signal Control Systems

Claims

1. A signal control method for controlling the flashing of pedestrian signals for crossing a roadway and using a crosswalk, The steps include reading passerby information, including personal information and personal data of the passerby, from the passerby's mobile device using near-field communication (NFC method), The steps include setting a change time to extend the duration of the green light of the pedestrian signal, based on the pedestrian information, and The steps include: commanding the illumination of the green light based on the aforementioned change time; A step of commanding the flashing of the green light for a predetermined flashing time, A signal control method including the following.

2. If individual passerby information is read from multiple passersby, the process further includes the step of resetting the change time based on the individual passerby information. The signal control method according to claim 1.

3. In the step of resetting the change time, the longest of the extension times set for each individual passerby information is reset as the change time. The signal control method according to claim 2.

4. In the step of resetting the change time, the last acquired extension time among the extension times set for each individual passerby information is reset as the change time. The signal control method according to claim 2.

5. In the step of issuing a command to turn on the green light, if the pedestrian has finished crossing the pedestrian crossing and the pedestrian information is read again by the pedestrian, the process proceeds to the step of flashing the green light. The signal control method according to claim 1.

6. A signal control system that controls the flashing of pedestrian signals for crossing a roadway and using a crosswalk, Push button boxes are provided on both the sidewalk adjacent to the aforementioned pedestrian crossing and the other sidewalk, A signal controller that issues a flashing command to the pedestrian signal based on an input signal from the push-button box, Includes, The aforementioned push-button box is A push button switch pressed by a pedestrian attempting to cross the aforementioned crosswalk, A reading sensor that reads pedestrian information, including personal information and personal data of the pedestrian, from the pedestrian's mobile device using near-field communication (NFC method), It further includes, The aforementioned signal controller is Based on the pedestrian information, a change time is set to extend the duration of the green light on the pedestrian signal, corresponding to the pedestrian, and based on the change time, a command is issued to turn on the green light. Signal control system.

Images