Passenger conveyor system and control method

Abstract

The invention relates to a passenger conveyor system and a control method, which can reduce the burden of a manager. A passenger conveyor system according to one embodiment is provided with: a plurality of passenger conveyors provided in a facility; and a first portable terminal used by a first manager of the facility. Each of the plurality of passenger conveyors includes a near field communication substrate. The first portable terminal includes: a display processing unit that displays whether or not the first portable terminal is within a range in which short-range wireless communication with a first passenger conveyor of the plurality of passenger conveyors can be performed; an operation receiving part for receiving a first operation for instructing the start or stop of the operation of the first passenger conveyor; and a first transmission unit that transmits a control signal for starting or stopping the operation of the first passenger conveyor to the first passenger conveyor by means of short-range wireless communication on the basis of the first operation. Operation of the first passenger conveyor is controlled based on the control signal.

Description

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-100868 (filing date: June 20, 2023) and claims the benefit of priority from that application, and this application incorporates the entire contents of that application by reference. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to passenger conveyor systems and control methods. Background Art

[0003] Generally, a large commercial facility is equipped with a plurality of escalators (passenger conveyors). The manager of such a commercial facility (hereinafter referred to as a facility manager) needs to start the operation of each escalator (i.e., start the escalator) when the commercial facility opens for business, and stop the operation of each escalator when the commercial facility closes for business.

[0004] Such operation of starting and stopping the operation of the escalator is performed using an operation key, which is very labor-intensive. Therefore, a structure that reduces the burden on the facility manager who performs the operation of starting and stopping the operation of the escalator is desired. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a passenger conveyor system and a control method that can reduce the burden on a manager.

[0006] The passenger conveyor system of the embodiment includes a plurality of passenger conveyors installed in a facility, and a first portable terminal for use by a first manager of the facility. The plurality of passenger conveyors respectively include a short-range wireless communication substrate for performing short-range wireless communication. The first portable terminal includes: a display processing unit that displays a situation in which the first portable terminal is within a range in which the short-range wireless communication can be performed with the first passenger conveyor among the plurality of passenger conveyors; an operation receiving unit that receives a first operation indicating the start or stop of the operation of the first passenger conveyor; and a first sending unit that sends a control signal for starting or stopping the operation of the first passenger conveyor to the first passenger conveyor through the short-range wireless communication based on the received first operation. The operation of the first passenger conveyor is controlled based on the control signal sent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an escalator according to the first embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 This is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of an escalator entrance.

[0009] Figure 3This is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation panel.

[0010] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the escalator system according to the present embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a mobile terminal when starting the operation of a plurality of escalators.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation management screen.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation management screen.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation management screen.

[0015] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a mobile terminal when stopping the operation of a plurality of escalators.

[0016] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation management screen.

[0017] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation management screen.

[0018] Fig.12 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation management screen.

[0019] Fig.13 This is a diagram for explaining an overview of the operation of an escalator system in which the operating states of a plurality of escalators are shared among a plurality of facility managers.

[0020] Fig.14 This is a diagram for explaining an overview of the operation of the escalator system according to the second embodiment.

[0021] Fig.15 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation management screen.

[0022] Fig.16 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation management screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] (First embodiment)

[0025] First, the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1A schematic configuration example of a passenger conveyor according to the present embodiment is shown. In the present embodiment, a case where the passenger conveyor is an escalator is described, but the passenger conveyor may also be a moving walkway or the like.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the escalator 10 is, for example, arranged obliquely between the lower floor and the upper floor of the building. Figure 1 In the example shown, it is assumed that the lower floor side is the entrance of the escalator 10 and the upper floor side is the exit of the escalator 10 .

[0027] Figure 1 The escalator 10 shown is configured to transport passengers (users) riding on the steps 11 by circulating a plurality of steps (stairs) 11 connected without gaps between a lower machine room 12 (entrance) and an upper machine room 13 (descendant).

[0028] The plurality of steps 11 are connected by an endless connection chain 14 and are arranged in a truss 15 installed under the floor of a building. A lower sprocket 16 and an upper sprocket 17 are arranged inside the truss 15, and the connection chain 14 is wound between them.

[0029] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, a drive device 18 having a motor, a reducer, etc. is connected to the upper sprocket 17. The drive device 18 rotates the lower sprocket 16 and the upper sprocket 17 on which the connecting chain 14 is wound, and the plurality of steps 11 circulates between the lower machine room 12 and the upper machine room 13 while being guided by a guide rail (not shown) via the connecting chain 14. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the drive device 18 is connected to the upper sprocket 17 , but the drive device 18 may be connected to the lower sprocket 16 .

[0030] In addition, a pair of skirt guards (not shown) are provided on the upper part of the truss 15 in a manner facing both sides of each step 11 along the moving direction of the step 11. Handrails 19 are respectively provided upright on the upper part of the pair of skirt guards. In other words, the handrails 19 are respectively provided upright on both sides of each step 11. A belt-shaped handrail 20 is installed around the handrail 19. The handrail 20 is a handrail for passengers riding on the step 11 to hold, and is rewound synchronously with the movement of the step 11 by, for example, transmitting the driving force of the driving device 18.

[0031] The entrances and exits (entry and exit) of the escalator 10 are located above the lower machine room 12 and the upper machine room 13, and the entry and exits are provided with removable entry and exit boards 22 and 23, respectively. The entry and exit boards 22 and 23 are equivalent to the ceilings of the lower machine room 12 and the upper machine room 13. Passengers walk on the entry and exit boards 22 when boarding the escalator 10 (stairs 11), and walk on the entry and exit boards 23 when descending from the escalator 10 (stairs 11).

[0032] In the upper machinery room 13, a control device 21 is provided in addition to the drive device 18. The control device 21 controls the operation of various devices provided in the escalator 10 in order to control the operation of the escalator 10.

[0033] Figure 2 This is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the entrance of the escalator 10. Figure 1 Omitted, but if Figure 2 As shown, the handrail 19 is erected on the upper part of a pair of skirt guards 24. In addition, an operation panel 25 is provided on the skirt guard 24.

[0034] Here, refer to Figure 3 An example of the operation panel 25 will be described. Figure 3 As shown, the operating panel 25 is provided with an emergency stop button 25a and first to third key insertion openings 25b to 25d into which the operating key of the escalator 10 can be inserted.

[0035] The emergency stop button 25a is provided so that the operation of the escalator 10 can be stopped urgently when the operation key is not held. In addition, in order to prevent the emergency stop button 25a from being pressed by mistake, for example, an anti-abuse cover is installed for the emergency stop button 25a.

[0036] The first key insertion port 25b is provided to start the operation of the escalator 10 (i.e., to start the escalator 10). When the operation key is inserted into the first key insertion port 25b and the operation key is turned in the left direction (i.e., the "descending" direction), the operation of the escalator 10 in the descending direction starts. In addition, the operation of the escalator 10 in the descending direction refers to the operation of moving the multiple steps 11 of the escalator 10 in the descending direction in a manner such that the upper side is the entrance and the lower side is the exit. On the other hand, when the operation key is inserted into the first key insertion port 25b and the operation key is turned in the right direction (i.e., the "ascending" direction), the operation of the escalator 10 in the ascending direction starts. In addition, the operation of the escalator 10 in the ascending direction refers to the operation of moving the multiple steps 11 of the escalator 10 in the ascending direction in a manner such that the lower side is the entrance and the upper side is the exit.

[0037] The second key insertion port 25c is provided to stop the operation of the escalator 10. When the operation key is inserted into the second key insertion port 25c and turned in the left direction (i.e., the "stop" direction), the operation of the escalator 10 stops. On the other hand, when the operation key is inserted into the second key insertion port 25c and turned in the right direction (i.e., the "buzzer" direction), an alarm sound is output from a speaker provided in the escalator 10 (i.e., the buzzer sounds).

[0038] The third key insertion port 25d is provided for utilizing the lighting provided in the escalator 10. When the operation key is inserted into the third key insertion port 25d and the operation key is turned in the right direction (i.e., the "lighting" direction), the lighting is turned on. On the other hand, when the operation key is inserted into the third key insertion port 25d and the operation key is turned in the left direction (i.e., the "extinguishing" direction), the lighting is turned off.

[0039] In addition, the above-mentioned operating panel 25 is connected to the control device 21, and the escalator 10 (the action) is controlled by the control device 21 according to the operation of the operating panel 25 (the operation of pressing the emergency stop button 25a and the operation key is inserted into the 1st to 3rd key insertion ports 25b to 25d and turned to the left and right directions).

[0040] However, for example, the escalator 10 is installed in a commercial facility, but when the business of the commercial facility starts, the manager of the commercial facility (facility manager) needs to insert the operation key into the first key insertion port 25b arranged on the operating panel 25 to start the operation of the escalator 10 (start the escalator 10). Similarly, when the business of the commercial facility ends, the facility manager needs to insert the operation key into the second key insertion port 25c arranged on the operating panel 25 to stop the operation of the escalator 10.

[0041] Generally, a large commercial facility is equipped with a plurality of escalators 10. It is very laborious to start or stop the operation of the escalators 10 one by one using the operation key as described above. Figure 2 When the operation panel 25 is provided at the position shown, the operator needs to bend down every time to insert the operation key into the operation panel 25 (key insertion port), which puts a heavy physical burden on the facility manager.

[0042] Therefore, in this embodiment, an escalator system (passenger conveyor system) in which a facility manager can control the operation of the escalator 10 using a terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a portable terminal) that is carried (held) will be described.

[0043] Figure 4An example of the structure of the escalator system 100 according to this embodiment is shown. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the escalator system 100 includes an escalator 10 and a portable terminal 200. In addition, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of escalators 10 are provided in a facility. Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , only one escalator 10 among the plurality of escalators 10 is shown for convenience.

[0044] Here, in this embodiment, the escalator 10 is configured to be capable of short-distance wireless communication. Specifically, as short-distance wireless communication, wireless communication based on Bluetooth (registered trademark) is performed.

[0045] In this case, the escalator 10 includes a short-distance wireless communication board (Bluetooth board) 26 for performing short-distance wireless communication. The short-distance wireless communication board 26 is connected to the control device 21 via a relay circuit 27 .

[0046] The portable terminal 200 is an electronic device (information processing device) for use by a facility manager, and is implemented by, for example, a smartphone, etc. In the following description, the portable terminal 200 is described as a smartphone, but the portable terminal 200 may also be other electronic devices such as a tablet terminal as long as the facility manager can carry it.

[0047] The portable terminal 200 includes a display processing unit 201, an operation receiving unit 202, and a communication processing unit 203. In addition, each of these units 201 to 203 is implemented by executing a predetermined application program (hereinafter referred to as an operation management application) by a processor (not shown) such as a CPU provided in the portable terminal 200, that is, by software. In addition, part or all of each of the units 201 to 203 may be implemented by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or may be implemented by a combination of software and hardware.

[0048] The display processing unit 201 is displayed, for example, on a screen for managing the operation of the escalator 10 installed in a commercial facility (hereinafter referred to as an operation management screen). The operation management screen displays that the portable terminal 200 is within a range where short-range wireless communication (wireless communication based on Bluetooth) can be performed with the escalator 10.

[0049] The operation accepting unit 202 accepts an operation of the facility manager on the operation management screen displayed by the display processing unit 201. In addition, when the portable terminal 200 is a smart phone, the operation accepted by the operation accepting unit 202 includes an operation (click operation) of bringing the facility manager's finger into contact with the operation management screen displayed on the touch screen display.

[0050] Based on the operation of the facility manager received by the operation receiving unit 202, the communication processing unit 203 sends a control signal for starting or stopping the operation of the escalator 10 set within the range of short-range wireless communication with the portable terminal 200 to the escalator 10 through the short-range wireless communication.

[0051] The control signal transmitted by the communication processing unit 203 is received by the short-distance wireless communication board 26 included in the escalator 10 , and is output to the control device 21 via the relay circuit 27 .

[0052] In the present embodiment, as described above, the control device 21 controls the operation of the escalator 10 based on the control signal transmitted from the mobile terminal 200 .

[0053] Next, the operation of the escalator system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 5 The flowchart of FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the processing sequence of the portable terminal 200 when the operation of multiple escalators 10 is started at the start of business in a commercial facility. Figure 5 At the time of the illustrated processing, the operations of all the escalators 10 are stopped.

[0054] Here, when starting the operation of the plurality of escalators 10, the facility manager activates the operation management application in the portable terminal 200. As a result, the operation management application is run on the portable terminal 200, and the operation management screen is displayed on the portable terminal 200.

[0055] Figure 6 An example of an operation management screen is shown. Here, it is assumed that a plurality of escalators 10 including the first escalator 10 (machine No. 1) and the second escalator 10 (machine No. 2) are installed in a commercial facility. In addition, the first escalator 10 (machine No. 1) is an escalator that should be operated in the ascending direction from the first floor to the second floor, and the second escalator 10 (machine No. 2) is an escalator that should be operated in the ascending direction from the second floor to the third floor.

[0056] In this case, Figure 6 The operation management screen 210 shown includes a first management area 211 for managing the operation of the first escalator 10 and a second management area 212 for managing the operation of the second escalator 10. Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , a management area for managing the operation of escalators 10 other than the first and second escalators 10 is omitted.

[0057] In the first management area 211 , a short-distance wireless communication marker 211 a , a first operation start button 211 b , a second operation start button 211 c , an operation stop button 211 d , and a contact button 211 e are arranged.

[0058] The short-distance wireless communication mark 211a is a mark for notifying (displaying) whether the portable terminal 200 is within the range in which the short-distance wireless communication can be performed with the first escalator 10. The short-distance wireless communication mark 211a is lit when the portable terminal 200 is within the range in which the short-distance wireless communication can be performed with the first escalator 10, and is extinguished when it is not within the range in which the short-distance wireless communication can be performed.

[0059] The first operation start button 211 b is a button for instructing the start of the operation of the first escalator 10 in the ascending direction.

[0060] The second operation start button 211 c is a button for instructing the start of the operation of the first escalator 10 in the descending direction.

[0061] The operation stop button 211d is a button for instructing to stop the operation of the first escalator 10.

[0062] The contact button 211 e is a button for instructing to have a conversation with an operator arranged in a service information center (operation center), for example.

[0063] Here, the first management area 211 is described, but the same is true for the second management area 212. Specifically, the second management area 212 is provided with a short-distance wireless communication tag 212a, a first operation start button 212b, a second operation start button 211c, an operation stop button 211d, and a contact button 212e, which are the same as the short-distance wireless communication tag 211a, the first operation start button 211b, the second operation start button 211c, the operation stop button 211d, and the contact button 211e described above.

[0064] When the mobile terminal 200 displays the operation management screen 210 , the facility manager moves to a place where the first escalator 10 is installed, for example, while holding the mobile terminal 200 .

[0065] Here, when the portable terminal 200 enters, for example, a range in which short-range wireless communication can be performed with the short-range wireless communication substrate 26 provided in the first escalator 10, the portable terminal 200 can receive identification information (ID) assigned to the short-range wireless communication substrate 26 and transmitted from the short-range wireless communication substrate 26. The portable terminal 200 can detect, based on the identification information thus received, a situation in which short-range wireless communication can be performed with the first escalator 10 (i.e., the first escalator 10 capable of communication) (step S1).

[0066] When it is detected in step S1 that short-distance wireless communication with the first escalator 10 is possible, the display processing unit 201 updates the operation management screen (step S2).

[0067] In this case, the above Figure 6 The operation management screen 210 shown is updated to Figure 7 The operation management screen 210 shown in the figure lights up the NFC mark 211a arranged in the first management area 211. This allows the facility manager to easily understand that the mobile terminal 200 is within the range in which the NFC can be performed with the first escalator 10.

[0068] When the process of step S2 is executed, the facility manager can perform an operation (hereinafter referred to as an operation start operation) of instructing the start of operation of the first escalator 10 via the operation management screen 210. Such an operation start operation is accepted by the operation accepting unit 202 (step S3).

[0069] Here, when it is assumed that the operation start operation received in step S3 is a click operation on the first operation start button 211b in the first management area 211 included in the operation management screen 210, the communication processing unit 203, based on the operation start operation, sends a control signal (hereinafter referred to as an operation start signal) for starting the operation in the upward direction of the first escalator 10 to the first escalator 10 through short-range wireless communication (step S4).

[0070] The operation start signal sent in step S4 is received in the short-distance wireless communication substrate 26 of the first escalator 10. The control device 21 of the first escalator 10 obtains the operation start signal received in the short-distance wireless communication substrate 26 via the relay circuit 27, and starts the operation of the first escalator 10 in the ascending direction based on the operation start signal.

[0071] In addition, as described above, when the operation start operation is performed in the operation management screen 210, the operation start operation information indicating that the operation start operation has been performed is maintained as an operation history in the portable terminal 200. In addition, as described above, since the operation of the first escalator 10 is started by performing the operation start operation, the operation start operation information can be said to be operation status information indicating that the first escalator 10 is in operation.

[0072] According to such operation start operation information, such as Figure 8 As shown, the display processing unit 201 can light up the first operation start button 211b arranged in the first management area 211 in the operation management screen 210, and continuously display that the first escalator 10 is in operation.

[0073] In addition, here, the case where the first operation start button 211b is turned on to display that the first escalator 10 is in operation is described, but for example, an operation mark (not shown) may be separately provided in the first management area 211 included in the operation management screen 210, and the operation mark may be turned on to display that the first escalator 10 is in operation. In either case, any method may be used as long as it can display whether the escalator is in operation at the time of starting the operation.

[0074] Although detailed description is omitted, as described above, when the operation of the first escalator 10 starts, the facility manager, for example, moves to a range in which short-range wireless communication can be performed with the second escalator 10 (equipped with a short-range wireless communication substrate 26) and performs an operation start operation on the operation management screen 210 (a click operation on the first operation start button 212b configured in the second management area 212), thereby starting the operation of the second escalator 10.

[0075] Here, the case where the operation of the first and second escalators 10 is started is described, but the operation of escalators 10 other than the first and second escalators 10 can also be started from the mobile terminal 200 in the same manner.

[0076] Next, refer to Fig. 9 The flowchart of FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the processing sequence of the portable terminal 200 when the operation of the plurality of escalators 10 is stopped at the end of business at a commercial facility. Fig. 9 At the time of the process shown, a plurality of escalators 10 are in operation.

[0077] Here, when stopping the operation of the plurality of escalators 10, the facility manager starts the operation management application in the portable terminal 200. As a result, the operation management application is operated on the portable terminal 200, and the portable terminal 200 displays Fig.10 The operation management screen shown. Fig.10 In Figure 6 The same parts are denoted by the same reference symbols, and their detailed description is omitted.

[0078] As described above, since the operation start operation information is stored in the portable terminal 200, Fig.10 In the operation management screen 210 shown, the first operation start button 211b arranged in the first management area 211 is lit, indicating that the first escalator 10 is in operation in the ascending direction. Similarly, in the operation management screen 210, the first operation start button 212b arranged in the second management area 212 is lit, indicating that the second escalator 10 is in operation in the ascending direction.

[0079] Here, when the facility manager moves to the place where the first escalator 10 is installed with the portable terminal 200, the above-mentioned Figure 5 The processing of steps S1 and S2 shown in the figure corresponds to the processing of steps S11 and S12. In this case, Fig.10 The operation management screen 210 shown is updated to Fig.11 In the operation management screen 210 shown, the short-range wireless communication mark 211 a arranged in the first management area 211 is lit.

[0080] When the process of step S12 is executed, the facility manager can perform an operation (hereinafter referred to as an operation stop operation) of instructing the operation stop of the first escalator 10 via the operation management screen 210. In addition, the operation stop operation in this case includes a click operation on the operation stop button 211d arranged in the first management area 211 included in the operation management screen 210. Such an operation stop operation is accepted by the operation acceptance unit 202 (step S13).

[0081] Based on the operation stop operation received in step S13, the communication processing unit 203 transmits a control signal for stopping the operation of the first escalator 10 (hereinafter referred to as an operation stop signal) to the first escalator 10 through short-distance wireless communication (step S14).

[0082] The operation stop signal sent in step 14 is received in the short-distance wireless communication substrate 26 of the first escalator 10. The control device 21 of the first escalator 10 obtains the operation stop signal received in the short-distance wireless communication substrate 26 via the relay circuit 27, and stops the operation of the first escalator 10 based on the operation stop signal.

[0083] In addition, as described above, when the operation stop operation is performed in the operation management screen 210, the operation stop operation information indicating that the operation stop operation has been performed is maintained as an operation history in the portable terminal 200. In addition, as described above, since the operation of the first escalator 10 is stopped by performing the operation stop operation, the operation stop operation information can be said to be operation status information indicating that the first escalator 10 is not in operation.

[0084] According to such operation stop operation information, Fig.12 As shown, the display processing unit 201 can turn off the first operation start button 211b arranged in the first management area 211 in the operation management screen 210 to display that the first escalator 10 is not in operation.

[0085] In addition, the fact that the first escalator 10 is not in operation may be displayed by turning off the operating mark separately provided in the first management area 211 as described above.

[0086] Although detailed description is omitted, as described above, when the operation of the first escalator 10 is stopped, the facility manager, for example, moves to a range where short-range wireless communication with the second escalator 10 (equipped with a short-range wireless communication substrate 26) can be performed, and the operation of the second escalator 10 can be stopped by performing an operation stop operation on the operation management screen 210 (clicking an operation stop button 212d arranged in the second management area 212).

[0087] Here, the case where the operation of the first and second escalators 10 is stopped is described. However, the operation of escalators 10 other than the first and second escalators 10 can also be stopped from the mobile terminal 200 in the same manner.

[0088] As described above, in the present embodiment, the plurality of escalators 10 (passenger conveyors) installed in the facility each include a short-distance wireless communication substrate 26 for performing short-distance wireless communication, the portable terminal 200 displays that the portable terminal 200 is within the range in which short-distance wireless communication can be performed with, for example, the first escalator 10 among the plurality of escalators 10, and receives an operation instructing to start or stop the operation of the first escalator 10, and based on the received operation, a control signal for starting or stopping the operation of the first escalator 10 is transmitted to the first escalator 10 through short-distance wireless communication. The operation of the first escalator is controlled based on the control signal transmitted from the portable terminal 200 in this way.

[0089] In addition, the short-distance wireless communication board 26 of the present embodiment includes a Bluetooth board, and in the present embodiment, it is assumed that wireless communication based on Bluetooth is performed between each of the plurality of escalators 10 and the portable terminal 200 .

[0090] In this embodiment, the above configuration allows the facility manager to start or stop the operation of each of the plurality of escalators 10 by operating the portable terminal 200, thereby reducing the burden on the facility manager compared to the case where the operation is performed one by one using an operation key as described above.

[0091] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, for example, there is no need to perform operations such as connecting the main body of the existing escalator 10 to the network, and this can be easily achieved by adding the short-range wireless communication board 26 (and the relay circuit 27 ) to the existing escalator 10 .

[0092] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, by maintaining the operation start operation information and the operation stop operation information and displaying whether the first escalator 10 is in operation (i.e., the operation status based on the operation history), for example, even in a place far away from the first escalator 10, it is possible to easily confirm the situation of starting or stopping the operation of the first escalator 10. Accordingly, it is possible to easily grasp (unified management) the operation status of multiple escalators 10 installed in the facility, and it is possible to avoid the situation of forgetting to start or stop the operation, so that the efficiency and accuracy of the management of multiple escalators 10 can be improved.

[0093] In addition, it is necessary to start or stop the operation of the escalator 10 after confirming the safety of the surrounding area of ​​the escalator 10. For example, the confirmation of the safety of the surrounding area of ​​the escalator 10 when starting or stopping the operation of the escalator 10 from a remote location can be achieved by installing a surveillance camera, etc., but the installation of such a surveillance camera becomes a cause of the increase in the introduction cost of the escalator system 100. In contrast, in the present embodiment, by configuring to perform short-range wireless communication between each of the plurality of escalators 10 and the portable terminal 200, it is possible to prompt the facility manager to perform an operation start operation or an operation stop operation after moving to the vicinity of each of the plurality of escalators 10 and confirming the safety. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid the situation where the operation of the escalator 10 is started or stopped in a dangerous state while suppressing the introduction cost as described above.

[0094] In addition, in the operation management screen of the present embodiment, a contact button is arranged for each management area for managing the operation of each of the plurality of escalators 10, and the facility manager can click the contact button 211e arranged in the first management area 211 for managing the operation of the first escalator 10 (hereinafter referred to as a contact operation) when, for example, the facility manager cannot properly start or stop the operation of the first escalator 10. When such a contact operation is received by the operation receiving unit 202 included in the portable terminal 200, the facility manager can use the portable terminal 200 to communicate with the operator.

[0095] In addition, it is also possible to configure that, when a click operation (contact operation) is performed on the contact button 211e arranged in the first management area 211 for managing the first escalator 10 as described above, identification information for identifying the first escalator 10 (for example, information such as the No. 1 machine) is sent to the operator terminal used by the operator (that is, the identification information is displayed on the operator terminal). According to this, the escalator 10 to be the object of contact (inquiry, etc.) can be notified to the operator in advance, so that the communication between the facility manager and the operator can be smoothly performed.

[0096] Furthermore, in order to prevent danger, each of the plurality of escalators 10 is provided with a safety device, which detects an abnormality of the escalator 10 and operates in a manner to automatically stop the operation of the escalator (emergency stop), and there is known a device called a portable console configured to obtain information such as the operation history of the safety device from the escalator 10 via a USB connector, etc. In this way, since the information obtained by the portable console can be transmitted via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth, the function of the portable console can also be added to the portable terminal 200 of the present embodiment.

[0097] However, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the operation of multiple escalators 10 installed in a facility is started or stopped from a portable terminal 200. However, in the case of a large commercial facility, the number of escalators 10 installed is large. For example, it can be considered to start or stop the operation of the multiple escalators 10 by multiple facility managers.

[0098] In this case, in order to efficiently start or stop the operation of the plurality of escalators 10, for example, the operation status of each of the plurality of escalators 10 needs to be shared among the plurality of facility managers.

[0099] Here, refer to Fig.13 The operation of the escalator system 100 in which the operating status of each of the plurality of escalators 10 is shared among a plurality of facility managers will be described in general. Fig.13 In FIG. 1 , a first escalator 10 a and a second escalator 10 b are shown as the plurality of escalators 10 .

[0100] First, for example, assume that the first facility manager M1 operates the first portable terminal 200a to start the operation of the first escalator 10a installed in the facility. In this case, the first facility manager M1 moves to a range in which short-range wireless communication with the first escalator 10a can be performed, and performs an operation start operation to indicate the start of the operation of the first escalator 10a on the operation management screen 210 displayed on the first portable terminal 200a, thereby starting the operation of the first escalator 10a. In addition, the operation management screen 210 displayed on the first portable terminal 200a and the operation start operation performed on the operation management screen 210 are the same as those described above, so their details are omitted here.

[0101] In this case, operation start operation information indicating that an operation start operation indicating the start of operation of the first escalator 10a has been performed is maintained in the first portable terminal 200a, and in the operation management screen 210 displayed by the first portable terminal 200a, for example, the first operation start button 211b arranged in the first management area 211 for managing the operation of the first escalator 10a is lit.

[0102] Here, the first portable terminal 200a is, for example, a smart phone, which can be connected to a mobile network 300 based on a communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 5G. In addition, in the escalator system 100, for example, a server device (hereinafter referred to as an integrated management server) 400 is prepared for managing a plurality of escalators 10 installed in each facility. In addition, the integrated management server 400 manages, for example, information on the facility, information on the escalators 10 installed in the facility, and information on the facility manager.

[0103] In this case, the first portable terminal 200a transmits the operation start operation information stored in the first portable terminal 200a as described above to the integrated management server 400 via the mobile network 300 (step S21). The integrated management server 400 can grasp the situation that the first escalator 10 is in operation (i.e., the operating state of the first escalator 10) based on the operation start operation information transmitted from the first portable terminal 200a.

[0104] The integrated management server 400 transmits the operation start operation information transmitted from the first mobile terminal 200 a to the second mobile terminal 200 b owned by the second facility manager M2 who is different from the first facility manager M1 via the mobile network 300 (step S22 ).

[0105] In this case, the second portable terminal 200b receives the operation start operation information sent from the integrated management server 400, and reflects (displays) the operation start operation information on the operation management screen 210 of the second portable terminal 200b. In this case, in the operation management screen 210 of the second portable terminal 200b, the first operation start button 211b configured in the first management area 211 for managing the operation of the first escalator 10a is lit.

[0106] Thus, the second facility manager M2 can understand that the operation start operation for instructing the start of operation of the first escalator 10 has been performed (i.e., the first escalator 10 is in operation), even when the second facility manager M2 is in a different place from the first escalator 10. That is, according to this configuration, for example, it is possible to avoid a situation where the second facility manager moves to the location of the first escalator 10a in order to start the operation of the first escalator 10a even though the first escalator 10a is already in operation.

[0107] Here, the case of starting the operation of the first escalator 10a is described, but the same is true for the case of starting the operation of the second escalator 10b. Specifically, when the second facility manager M2 performs an operation start operation to indicate the start of the operation of the second escalator 10b, the operation start operation information indicating the operation start operation is sent from the second portable terminal 200b to the integrated management server 400 via the mobile network 300, and is sent from the integrated management server 400 to the first portable terminal 200a, and is reflected (displayed) on the operation management screen 210 of the first portable terminal 200a. Accordingly, the first facility manager M1 can grasp the case that the operation start operation to indicate the start of the operation of the second escalator 10b has been performed (that is, the case that the second escalator 10b is in operation) even if the first facility manager M1 is in a different place from the second escalator 10b. That is, according to such a configuration, for example, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the first facility manager moves to the location of the second escalator 10b in order to start the operation of the second escalator 10b even though the second escalator 10b is already in operation.

[0108] In addition, the case where the operation start operation is performed is described here, but when the operation stop operation is performed, the operation start operation information may be replaced with the operation stop operation information to perform the same operation.

[0109] In the present embodiment, as described above, by reflecting the operation information (operation status) of the plurality of escalators 10 installed in the facility in real time to the plurality of portable terminals 200 (displayed operation management screen 210), it is possible to visualize the operation status of the plurality of escalators 10 without connecting the plurality of escalators 10 to the mobile network 300, etc., respectively. Accordingly, the efficiency of the facility manager in starting or stopping the operation of the plurality of escalators 10 can be improved.

[0110] Furthermore, when the operation management application of the present embodiment is installed in a manner corresponding to escalators 10 manufactured by multiple manufacturers, for example, in an environment where escalators 10 manufactured by multiple manufacturers are installed in a facility, the trouble of managing multiple operation keys can be reduced.

[0111] In addition, in the present embodiment, as described above, the case where the operation start operation information and the operation stop operation information performed in the portable terminal 200 (the first portable terminal 200a and the second portable terminal 200b) are maintained in the portable terminal 200 is described, but the operation start operation information and the operation stop operation information (operation history) can also be used to construct a database, and the database can be used for the maintenance of the escalator 10 and other processing.

[0112] (Second embodiment)

[0113] Next, the second embodiment will be described. In addition, since the configuration of the escalator system of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the above-mentioned escalator system is appropriately used in the description of the escalator system of this embodiment. Figure 1 to Figure 4 wait.

[0114] As described in the first embodiment, each of the plurality of escalators 10 is provided with a safety device, but the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a remote monitoring device for monitoring the operation of the safety device is also provided on the plurality of escalators 10. In addition, the remote monitoring device is configured to monitor various states of the escalator 10, including the operation of the safety device.

[0115] Below, refer to Fig.14 The outline of the operation of the escalator system 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig.14 For the above Fig.13 The same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0116] In the present embodiment, a first remote monitoring device 28a is provided at the first escalator 10a. Similarly, a second remote monitoring device 28b is provided at the second escalator 10b. The first remote monitoring device 28a and the second remote monitoring device 28b are connected to a remote monitoring server 500 via a mobile network 300 so as to be communicable. The remote monitoring server 500 is a server device for monitoring the status of a plurality of escalators 10 provided in a facility, and is connected to a comprehensive management server 400.

[0117] Here, it is assumed that the first escalator 10a and the second escalator 10b are in operation. In this case, when the safety device (hereinafter referred to as the first safety device) installed in the first escalator 10a is activated, the first remote monitoring device 28a installed in the first escalator 10a detects that the first safety device has been activated.

[0118] As described above, when the first remote monitoring device 28a detects that the first safety device has operated, the first remote monitoring device 28a transmits safety device operation information indicating that the first safety device has operated to the remote monitoring server 500 via the mobile network 300 (step S31).

[0119] Furthermore, the remote monitoring server 500 transmits the safety device operation information transmitted from the first remote monitoring device 28a to the integrated management server 400 (step S32).

[0120] According to such safety device action information, the integrated management server 400 and the remote monitoring server 500 can grasp the situation that the operation of the first escalator 10a is urgently stopped due to the action of the first safety device. In this case, the remote monitoring server 500 can notify, for example, maintenance personnel, etc., that the operation of the first escalator 10a is stopped due to the action of the first safety device.

[0121] Next, the integrated management server 400 transmits the security device operation information to the first mobile terminal 200 a via the mobile network 300 (step S33 ).

[0122] In this case, the first portable terminal 200 a receives the safety device operation information transmitted from the integrated management server 400 , and reflects (displays) the safety device operation information on the operation management screen of the first portable terminal 200 a .

[0123] Here, Fig.15 An example of the operation management screen of this embodiment is shown. Fig.15 For the above Figure 6 The same parts are denoted by the same reference symbols and their detailed description is omitted.

[0124] like Fig.15 As shown in FIG. 2 , a safety device mark 211f is further configured in the first management area 211 included in the operation management screen 210 of the present embodiment. Similarly, a safety device mark 212f is further configured in the second management area 212 included in the operation management screen 210. In addition, although detailed description is omitted, Fig.15 The operation management screen 210 (the first management area 211 and the second management area 212) shown shows that the first escalator 10a and the second escalator 10b are in operation.

[0125] Here, as described above, when the safety device operation information indicating that the first safety device has operated is reflected on the operation management screen 210, the above Fig.15 The operation management screen 210 shown is updated to Fig.16 In this case, the safety device mark 211f arranged in the first management area 211 in the operation management screen 210 is lit. Thus, the first facility manager M1 can easily understand that the operation of the first escalator 10a is urgently stopped due to the operation of the first safety device.

[0126] Likewise, the integrated management server 400 transmits the security device operation information to the second mobile terminal 200 b via the mobile network 300 (step S34 ).

[0127] In this case, the second portable terminal 200b receives the safety device operation information transmitted from the integrated management server 400, and reflects (displays) the safety device operation information on the operation management screen of the second portable terminal 200b. In this case, since the second portable terminal 200b displays the same information as above, Fig.16 Since the operation management screen 210 shown is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 , the second facility manager M2 can easily understand that the operation of the first escalator 10a has been urgently stopped due to the operation of the first safety device.

[0128] Here, the case where the first safety device installed in the first escalator 10a operates is described, but the same is true for the case where the safety device installed in the second escalator 10 (hereinafter referred to as the second safety device) operates. Although detailed description is omitted, when the second safety device operates, the safety device mark 212f configured in the second management area 212 in the operation management screen 210 of the first portable terminal 200a and the second portable terminal 200b lights up.

[0129] Note that the operation when the operation start operation or the operation stop operation is performed on the first portable terminal 200a and the second portable terminal 200b is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and therefore the detailed description thereof is omitted here.

[0130] As described above, in this embodiment, each of the plurality of escalators 10 includes a remote monitoring device that monitors the operation of the safety device, and the portable terminal 200 can display the operation of the safety device (safety device operation information indicating that the safety device has operated).

[0131] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the operation stop of the escalator 10 caused by the operation of the safety device installed in each of the multiple escalators 10 cannot be grasped in the operation management screen, but in the present embodiment, according to the above-mentioned structure, the operation stop of the escalator 10 caused by the operation of the safety device can be easily grasped.

[0132] In addition, as described above, when the safety device is actuated, the safety device mark in the operation management screen is lit, but the safety device mark, for example, continues to be lit until it is confirmed by the facility manager. In this case, the safety device mark can be extinguished at the timing when the operation of the corresponding escalator 10 is restarted by the facility manager, or it can be extinguished according to the operation of the facility manager. However, as a safety device, for example, there are safety devices that are actuated by foreign objects being clamped between the step 11 and the skirt guard 24, safety devices that are actuated by hands or foreign objects being clamped in the entrance (entrance of the handrail 20), and safety devices that are actuated by the cutting of the connecting chain 14, etc., but the timing of lighting and extinguishing the safety device mark, the color of the safety device mark when it is lit, etc. can also be different depending on the type of safety device that is actuated.

[0133] In addition, the remote monitoring device can also detect the start or stop of the operation of the escalator 10 using the operation key, so in this embodiment, the start or stop of the operation of the escalator 10 performed by the third party using the operation key (information indicating it) can also be displayed on the operation management screen. Furthermore, other information detected by the remote monitoring device can also be displayed on the operation management screen of this embodiment.

[0134] In addition, in the present embodiment, it can be said that the first portable terminal 200a and the second portable terminal 200b are connected to the first remote monitoring device 28a provided at the first escalator 10a and the second remote monitoring device 28b provided at the second escalator 10b via the mobile network 300 (the integrated management server 400 and the remote monitoring server 500) so as to be communicable. Therefore, it can be considered that even when an operation start signal or an operation stop signal is sent from, for example, the first portable terminal 200a to the first remote monitoring device 28a via the mobile network 300, the operation of the first escalator 10a provided with the first remote monitoring device 28a can be started or stopped.

[0135] However, in this case, the operation of the escalator 10 may be started or stopped without confirming the safety of the surrounding area of ​​the escalator 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, as a restriction for ensuring the safety when starting or stopping the operation of the escalator 10, the same as the above-mentioned first embodiment, a structure is adopted in which an operation start signal or an operation stop signal is sent to the escalator 10 through short-range wireless communication.

[0136] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a passenger conveyor system and a control method that can reduce the burden on a facility manager.

[0137] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and purpose of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the scope of the patent claim and the scope equivalent thereto.

Claims

1. A passenger conveyor system, characterized in that: have: A number of passenger conveyors located at the facility; and a first portable terminal used by a first manager of the facility, The plurality of passenger conveyors respectively include a short-range wireless communication substrate for performing short-range wireless communication, The first portable terminal comprises: A display processing unit for displaying that the first portable terminal is within a range where the short-range wireless communication with the first passenger conveyor among the plurality of passenger conveyors can be performed; an operation receiving unit that receives a first operation for instructing to start or stop the operation of the first passenger conveyor; and The first transmitting unit transmits a control signal for starting or stopping the operation of the first passenger conveyor to the first passenger conveyor through the short-distance wireless communication based on the received first operation. The operation of the first passenger conveyor is controlled based on the transmitted control signal.

2. The passenger conveyor system according to claim 1, characterized in that The above-mentioned short-range wireless communication includes wireless communication based on Bluetooth.

3. The passenger conveyor system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The display processing unit further displays whether the first passenger conveyor is in operation at least at the operation start time.

4. The passenger conveyor system according to claim 3, characterized in that The passenger conveyor system further comprises a second portable terminal used by a second manager different from the first manager. The second mobile terminal includes a display processing unit that displays whether the first passenger conveyor is in operation.

5. The passenger conveyor system according to claim 4, characterized in that The plurality of passenger conveyors further include a remote monitoring device for monitoring the operation of a safety device. The safety device detects an abnormality in the passenger conveyor and automatically stops the operation of the passenger conveyor. The display processing unit included in the first portable terminal and the second portable terminal further displays that the security device has operated.

6. The passenger conveyor system according to claim 1, characterized in that The operation receiving unit receives a second operation for instructing a conversation with an operator. The first portable terminal further includes a second transmitting unit configured to transmit identification information for identifying the first passenger conveyor to an operator terminal used by the operator based on the received second operation.

7. A control method for a plurality of passenger conveyors installed in a facility and including a short-range wireless communication substrate for performing short-range wireless communication, characterized in that: include: a display on a first portable terminal indicating that the first portable terminal used by a first manager of the facility is within a range capable of performing the short-range wireless communication with a first passenger conveyor among the plurality of passenger conveyors; The first portable terminal receives a first operation for instructing to start or stop the operation of the passenger conveyor; and The first portable terminal transmits a control signal for starting or stopping the operation of the first passenger conveyor to the first passenger conveyor through the short-range wireless communication based on the received first operation. The operation of the first passenger conveyor is controlled based on the transmitted control signal.

Images