Elevator operation management system

Abstract

The invention discloses an elevator operation management system which comprises a receiving device, a camera, a control device and a processing device. The receiving device is used for receiving work item information; the camera is used for shooting the operation process and has first shooting precision as default shooting precision and second shooting precision higher than the first shooting precision; the control device controls starting and stopping of camera shooting of the camera and switching of camera shooting precision. The processing device processes the shooting result of the camera and generates a switching instruction for switching the shooting precision of the camera according to the processing result, and the switching instruction comprises a first switching instruction for switching the shooting precision from the first shooting precision to the second shooting precision; and a second switching instruction used for switching the shooting precision from the second shooting precision to the first shooting precision. According to the invention, different camera precision is adopted and the switching time of the camera precision is reasonably determined, so that the total amount of the dynamic image is reduced under the condition that the report generation requirement is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of elevator technology, and more specifically to an elevator operation management system. Background Technology

[0002] Document 1 (CN202311454690.3) proposes an elevator system and an elevator operation management method. The elevator system includes: a camera capable of capturing predetermined operations; a detection unit that detects the start of the predetermined operation based on a first operation performed on the elevator before the predetermined operation, and detects the end of the predetermined operation based on a second operation performed on the elevator after the predetermined operation; and a notification unit that notifies the camera to start capturing when the detection unit detects the start of the predetermined operation, and notifies the camera to end capturing when the detection unit detects the end of the predetermined operation. This invention starts capturing based on the first operation performed on the elevator before the predetermined operation and ends capturing based on the second operation performed on the elevator after the predetermined operation. Therefore, it can reliably define and obtain images of the predetermined operation, avoiding situations where the video recording is continuous for a long time, the file size of the video becomes large, or the video contains customer information.

[0003] However, as can be seen from paragraphs

[0041] and

[0042] of the specification, the camera begins to capture images when the operator switches the elevator's operating mode from normal operation mode to maintenance operation mode via an operating switch, and ends capturing images when the operator switches the elevator's operating mode back to normal operation mode via an operating switch. As can be seen from paragraph

[0043] of the specification, after capturing the images, the camera transmits the captured dynamic images to a portable terminal. The extraction unit of the report generation application reads the received dynamic images, extracts the finger-and-mouth confirmation images as static images from the dynamic images, and stores them in chronological order. Clearly, the camera begins capturing images when the operator switches the elevator from normal operation mode to maintenance operation mode and only ends capturing images when the operator switches the elevator back to normal operation mode. However, the report generation application only extracts the finger-and-mouth confirmation images from these images for report generation. In other words, the camera captures and stores a large number of dynamic images that are not used to generate reports. Therefore, the capacity of the dynamic images captured by the camera is still very large, and there is still room to further reduce the capacity of the dynamic images.

[0004] Therefore, how to further reduce the size of dynamic images while meeting the requirements for dynamic graphics in the generated report has become a technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is how to further reduce the size of dynamic images while meeting the requirements for dynamic graphics in the generation of reports during elevator operation.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides an elevator operation management system, including a receiving device, a camera, a control device, and a processing device; The receiving device is used to receive work project information; the work project information includes the name of the work project and necessary procedures; the necessary procedures include at least one key procedure containing work images that must be collected and uploaded, and there is a definite sequence among the necessary procedures. The camera is used to capture the operation process and transmit the capture results to the processing device. The camera has a first camera accuracy as the default camera accuracy and a second camera accuracy higher than the first camera accuracy. The control device controls the start and stop of the camera's recording, as well as the switching of the recording accuracy; The processing device processes the camera's shooting results and generates a switching instruction to switch the camera's image resolution based on the processing results. The switching instruction is then sent to the control device. The switching instruction includes a first switching instruction for switching the image resolution from a first image resolution to a second image resolution, and a second switching instruction for switching the image resolution from the second image resolution to the first image resolution.

[0007] Preferably, the processing device first determines the current process being executed by the operator based on the processing result, then determines the execution progress of the current work item based on the current process and the necessary processes included in the work item and their order, and finally determines whether to output a camera precision switching command based on the execution progress and the remaining necessary processes that have not yet been completed.

[0008] Preferably, when the camera and image processing are implemented by separate devices, the processing device determines the execution progress of the current work project by the operator based on the processing results, and decides whether to transmit a static image or a dynamic image from the camera to the processing device based on the execution progress.

[0009] Preferably, when the number of processes between the execution progress and the specific key process is less than a first threshold, the processing device outputs the first switching instruction, wherein the specific key process refers to the closest unfinished key process in the key process queue after being sorted in chronological order.

[0010] Preferably, when the time interval between the current time corresponding to the execution progress and the start time of the specific key process is less than a third threshold, or when the key process being executed has been completed and the time interval between it and the start time of the next key process is less than a fourth threshold, the processing device outputs the first switching instruction. The specific key process refers to the closest unfinished key process in the key process queue after being sorted in chronological order.

[0011] Preferably, the processing device determines the switching time based on the start or end time of the critical process, and outputs the second switching command when the current time reaches the switching time, and the processing device determines the switching time in any of the following ways: Method 1: Based on the image processing results, determine the start time of the critical process in advance, considering its duration; and obtain the switching time by adding the duration and time margin to the start time. Method 2: Determine the end time of the critical process or the start time of the next process adjacent to the critical process based on the image processing results, and obtain the switching time by adding a time margin to the end time or start time.

[0012] Preferably, when the critical process being executed has been completed, and the number of processes between the execution progress and the critical process is greater than the second threshold or there are no incomplete critical processes, or when the time interval between the current time corresponding to the execution progress and the end time of a specific critical process is less than the fifth threshold, the processing device outputs the second switching instruction.

[0013] Preferably, the processing device determines the interval between the current critical process and the next critical process. When the interval is less than a sixth threshold, it continues to use the second camera precision to capture images until the next critical process ends. The interval is the number of non-critical processes in between or the time interval in between.

[0014] Preferably, during its shooting period, the camera only sends static images based on dynamic image screenshots to the processing device at a preset sending cycle; and after the shooting ends, it sends the captured dynamic images to the processing device via wired or wireless communication between the camera and the processing device.

[0015] Preferably, the processing device determines and feeds back a first distance to the camera based on a static image, and the camera determines the transmission cycle based on the first distance; or the processing device determines and sends the transmission cycle to the camera based on the first distance; and the smaller the first distance, the smaller the transmission cycle, where the first distance refers to the distance between the current project execution progress and the key processes.

[0016] Preferably, during the process of the transmission period increasing from small to large, when the transmission period crosses a seventh threshold, the processing device outputs the first switching instruction; during the process of the transmission period decreasing from large to small, when the transmission period crosses an eighth threshold, the processing device outputs the second switching instruction.

[0017] This invention reduces the total amount of dynamic images while ensuring the requirements for report generation by employing different camera resolutions and reasonably determining the switching time of camera resolutions. Attached Figure Description

[0018] No attached image Detailed Implementation Example 1

[0019] This embodiment provides an elevator operation management system, including a receiving device, a camera, a control device, and a processing device.

[0020] The receiving device receives work project information for the tasks to be performed by the operator. The work project information includes the name of the work project and several necessary steps that the operator must complete in a specific order. Each necessary step is an indispensable operation for completing the work project and has a duration of varying length. Each necessary step includes at least one key step involving the collection and uploading of work images, and the necessary steps are arranged in a defined sequence.

[0021] Work process images can involve several consecutive necessary steps or several non-consecutive necessary steps. For a work project involving replacing a component located in a control cabinet, the necessary steps may include: 1) opening the control cabinet door; 2) checking and verifying the old component; 3) removing the old component; 4) checking the location of the original old component; 5) placing the old component in the designated position; 6) placing the new component in the installation position; 7) installing and securing the new component; 8) checking and confirming the new component after installation; and 9) closing the control cabinet door, etc. The key steps may include steps 2), 4), and 8).

[0022] The camera is used to capture the work process and transmit the captured results to the processing device. The camera has a first camera accuracy as the default camera accuracy and a second camera accuracy higher than the first camera accuracy. The control device controls the start and stop of the camera's recording and the switching of the camera accuracy. The processing device processes the camera's shooting results and generates a switching instruction to switch the camera's image resolution based on the processing results. The switching instruction is then sent to the control device. The switching instruction includes a first switching instruction for switching the image resolution from a first image resolution to a second image resolution, and a second switching instruction for switching the image resolution from the second image resolution to the first image resolution.

[0023] This embodiment does not specifically limit the control device's control over the camera's start and stop (i.e., start and stop recording). For example, as in Reference 1, the camera's start and stop can be controlled based on the detection results of the first operation on the elevator before the scheduled work (such as the operation of the maintenance switch) and the second operation on the elevator after the scheduled work; alternatively, the start and stop of the camera's recording can be determined based on the manual operation received from the operator (such as manually operating the camera's start / stop button) or the input operation to the processing device.

[0024] The working principle of the elevator operation management system of the present invention will be explained below using component replacement as an example. The arrangement of the component replacement steps can be set as needed, and this embodiment does not limit it. Reference 1 provides an example, which will not be repeated here. This embodiment only provides a detailed description of the switching process of camera image accuracy.

[0025] After the operator switches the elevator from normal operation mode to maintenance operation mode by operating the maintenance switch (i.e., the switching switch described in document 1), the camera is started (of course, the operator can also start the camera before starting the replacement of parts, such as before the first finger call). The control device controls the camera to start recording with (default) first imaging precision and output a low-precision first dynamic image.

[0026] The processing device receives a first dynamic image and performs image processing on the first dynamic image (such as extracting a static image from the dynamic image and performing image recognition on it). The processing device first determines the current process that the operator is performing based on the processing result, then determines the execution progress of the current work item based on the current process and the necessary processes included in the work item and their order, and estimates the remaining necessary processes. Finally, it decides whether to output a camera precision switching command based on the execution progress and the remaining necessary processes that have not yet been completed.

[0027] Specifically, when the execution progress indicates that the current process is very close to the critical process: for example, when the number of processes between the execution progress and the specific critical process is less than a first threshold, the processing device outputs the first switching instruction; For example, when the time interval between the current time corresponding to the execution progress and the start time of a specific key process is less than a third threshold, or when the key process being executed has been completed and the time interval between it and the start time of the next key process is less than a fourth threshold, the processing device outputs the first switching instruction.

[0028] The aforementioned specific critical process refers to the closest incomplete critical process in the critical process queue, ordered by sequence.

[0029] The method for determining when to switch the camera from the second camera resolution to the first camera resolution is as follows: The processing device determines the switching time based on the start or end time of the critical process, and outputs the second switching command when the current time reaches the switching time. The processing device determines the switching time in any of the following ways: Method 1: Based on the image processing results, determine the start time of the critical process in advance, considering its duration; and obtain the switching time by adding the duration and time margin to the start time. Method 2: Determine the end time of the critical process or the start time of the next process adjacent to the critical process based on the image processing results, and obtain the switching time by adding a time margin to the end time or start time.

[0030] Alternatively, when the critical process being executed has been completed, and the number of processes between the execution progress and the critical process is greater than the second threshold or there are no incomplete critical processes, or when the time interval between the current time corresponding to the execution progress and the end time of a specific critical process is less than the fifth threshold, the processing device outputs the second switching instruction.

[0031] The processing device determines the interval between the current critical process and the next critical process. When the interval is less than a sixth threshold, it continues to use the second camera precision for filming until the next critical process ends. The interval is the number of non-critical processes in between or the time interval in between. At this time, the previous method is no longer used to determine the end time of filming the current critical process with the second camera precision.

[0032] This process is repeated until all key processes are completed and the high-precision video recording is finished. Then, the control device switches the camera from the second precision to the first precision until all processes are completed and the recording ends.

[0033] As explained above, in this embodiment, the elevator operation management system estimates the progress of the operation based on the image processing results and implements switching control of the camera's shooting accuracy based on the estimation results. Under such control, the camera uses a first shooting accuracy to shoot non-critical processes and a second shooting accuracy, which is higher than the first, to shoot critical processes. While ensuring the accuracy requirements of the dynamic images of critical processes in the subsequent report, the total size of the dynamic images can be significantly reduced. The technical solution in Reference 1 does not distinguish whether a process is critical or not, so it must use high shooting accuracy to shoot all processes (otherwise, it cannot meet the accuracy requirements of the dynamic images of critical processes in the subsequent report), resulting in a very large total size of dynamic images. In this embodiment, by estimating the progress of the operator's work (mainly which process has been performed) based on the image processing results and reasonably determining the optimal camera accuracy switching time based on the progress, the total size of the captured dynamic images is minimized.

[0034] In this embodiment, after the operator completes all the work processes according to the work project, the work report can be generated by a relevant app on the operator's smartphone. The app generates the report according to the necessary processes and work images of the work project, based on a time sequence. The operator can edit the report and add annotations and explanations. Example 2

[0035] This embodiment is based on Embodiment 1, with further limitations and explanations.

[0036] In Example 1, the camera and processing device are functionally divided. In practice, they can be integrated into a single device that combines image processing and video recording, or they can be implemented by separate devices. For the former, a smartphone with a camera function carried by the worker can be used, with the processing device's function implemented via an app installed on the phone. Before starting work, the worker pre-fixes the smartphone to their safety helmet, ensuring the shooting range is roughly the same as their field of vision. In this case, since video recording and image processing are within the same device, there is no need to consider the transmission of dynamic images between them. However, when image processing and video recording are implemented by separate devices, the transmission of images (and control commands sent from the processing device to the camera via the control device) between them needs to be considered.

[0037] This embodiment addresses the image transmission problem between image processing and video recording when they are performed by separate devices. When video recording and image processing are performed by separate devices, the processing unit determines the progress of the operator's current task based on the processing results, and decides whether to transmit a still image or a moving image from the camera to the processing unit based on the progress.

[0038] It should be noted that, because Example 1 uses a lower camera resolution to capture non-critical processes, the total capacity of the dynamic images is much smaller than that of the dynamic images obtained in Reference 1. This effectively reduces the transmission load of dynamic images between the camera and the processing device.

[0039] In this embodiment, during its recording period, the camera only sends static images based on dynamic image screenshots to the processing device at a preset transmission cycle; and after the recording ends, it sends the captured dynamic images to the processing device via wired or wireless communication between the camera and the processing device. The processing device then uses the dynamic images to perform pre-defined functions (such as report generation).

[0040] The processing device determines and feeds back a first distance to the camera based on the static image, and the camera determines the transmission period based on the first distance; or the processing device determines and sends the transmission period to the camera based on the first distance; and the smaller the first distance, the smaller the transmission period. The first distance refers to the distance between the current project execution progress and the key process. The measurement of the first distance can be carried out in the same way as in Embodiment 1, such as the number of processes between the execution progress and the specific key process, or the time interval between the current time corresponding to the execution progress and the start time of the specific key process, or the time interval between the completion of the executed key process and the start time of the next key process.

[0041] This embodiment employs a variable screenshot interval and an image transmission cycle between the camera and the processing device. While meeting the needs of the processing device for static images required to estimate the progress of the operation, it minimizes the amount of static images that need to be transmitted, thereby reducing the communication requirements between the camera and the processing device.

[0042] The present invention has been described in detail above through specific embodiments and examples, but these are not intended to limit the invention. Many modifications and improvements can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles of the invention, and these should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An elevator work management system characterized by comprising: The application relates to a system for processing work items, comprising a receiving device, a camera, a control device and a processing device. The receiving device is used for receiving work item information, the work item information comprising the name of a work item and necessary procedures, the necessary procedures comprising at least one key procedure which requires collecting and uploading work images, and the necessary procedures having a determined sequence. The camera is used for shooting the work process and transmitting the shooting result to the processing device, the camera having a first shooting precision as a default shooting precision and a second shooting precision higher than the first shooting precision. The control device controls the start and stop of the shooting of the camera and the switching of the shooting precision. The processing device processes the shooting result of the camera, generates a switching instruction for switching the shooting precision of the camera according to the processing result, and sends the switching instruction to the control device, the switching instruction comprising a first switching instruction for switching the shooting precision from the first shooting precision to the second shooting precision and a second switching instruction for switching the shooting precision from the second shooting precision to the first shooting precision.

2. The elevator work management system according to claim 1, characterized by The processing device first determines the current procedure being performed by a work personnel according to the processing result, then determines the execution progress of the current work item according to the current procedure and the necessary procedures contained in the work item and the sequence of the necessary procedures, and finally determines whether to output the switching instruction for the shooting precision according to the execution progress and the remaining necessary procedures which have not been completed.

3. The elevator work management system according to claim 1, characterized by When the shooting and image processing are realized by separate devices, the processing device determines the execution progress of the current work item performed by the work personnel according to the processing result, and determines whether to transmit a static image or a dynamic image from the camera to the processing device according to the execution progress.

4. The elevator work management system according to claim 2, characterized by When the number of procedures between the execution progress and a specific key procedure is less than a first threshold value, the processing device outputs the first switching instruction, the specific key procedure being the nearest uncompleted key procedure in a key procedure queue arranged according to the sequence.

5. The elevator work management system according to claim 2, characterized by When the time interval between the current time corresponding to the execution progress and the starting time of a specific key procedure is less than a third threshold value, or when the key procedure being performed has been completed and the time interval between the starting time of the next key procedure is less than a fourth threshold value, the processing device outputs the first switching instruction, the specific key procedure being the nearest uncompleted key procedure in a key procedure queue arranged according to the sequence.

6. The elevator work management system according to claim 2, characterized by The processing device determines the switching time according to the starting time or the ending time of a key procedure, and outputs the second switching instruction when the current time reaches the switching time, and the processing device determines the switching time in any of the following ways: Way 1, determining the starting time of a key procedure according to the image processing result in advance for the duration of the key procedure, and obtaining the switching time by adding the duration and a time allowance to the starting time; Way 2, determining the ending time of a key procedure or the starting time of the next procedure adjacent to the key procedure according to the image processing result, and obtaining the switching time by adding a time allowance to the ending time or the starting time.

7. The elevator work management system according to claim 2, characterized by When the executing key process is completed, and the number of processes between the executing progress and the key process is greater than a second threshold value or there is no uncompleted key process, or when the time interval between the current time corresponding to the executing progress and the end time of a specific key process is less than a fifth threshold value, the processing device outputs the second switching instruction.

8. The elevator work management system according to claim 2, characterized by The processing device determines the interval between the current key process and the next key process, and when the interval is less than a sixth threshold value, the second camera precision is maintained until the next key process is completed; the interval is the number of intermediate non-key processes or the intermediate time interval.

9. The elevator work management system according to claim 3, characterized by The camera only sends the still image based on the dynamic image screenshot to the processing device at a preset sending period during the shooting; and after the shooting is completed, the dynamic image is sent to the processing device by using the wired or wireless communication between the camera and the processing device.

10. The elevator work management system according to claim 9, characterized by The processing device determines and feeds back the first distance to the camera according to the still image, and the camera determines the sending period according to the first distance; or the processing device determines and sends the sending period to the camera according to the first distance; and the smaller the first distance, the smaller the sending period; the first distance refers to the distance between the current project executing progress and the key process.

11. The elevator work management system according to claim 10, characterized by In the process of changing the sending period from small to large, when the sending period crosses a seventh threshold value, the processing device outputs the first switching instruction; in the process of changing the sending period from large to small, when the sending period crosses an eighth threshold value, the processing device outputs the second switching instruction.