System for alarm sound notification into working box and method for alarm sound notification in working box

Abstract

To enable a person present in a working box to easily become aware of emission of an alarm sound around the outside the working box.SOLUTION: Provided is a notification system that enables notification of an alarm sound into a working box 1, including: an enclosure 11 having a space in which a person can work; a sound collection unit 21 that can collect a sound outside the enclosure; a determination unit 22 that can determine whether the alarm sound is included in the sound collected by the sound collection unit; and a notification unit 23 that when it is determined by the determination unit that the alarm sound is included in the sound collected by the sound collection unit, can notify the person in the enclosure of the fact that the alarm sound has been issued.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for issuing an alarm sound in a work box and a method for issuing an alarm sound in a work box. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a work box is known in which people enter and work in an enclosed work space. The work box has a structure that improves soundproofing performance to prevent outside noise from entering the work box, allowing people inside to concentrate on their work. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-051163

[0004] However, if the soundproofing performance is too high, it will also prevent alarm sounds that are issued outside the work box in the event of a disaster such as a fire, earthquake, or tsunami from entering the work box. However, it goes without saying that it is undesirable for people inside the work box to be unable to receive information about the disaster. For these reasons, it was difficult to determine the level of soundproofing performance. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventor of the present invention has diligently studied this point and attempted to solve it. The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to make it easy for people inside the work box to notice that an alarm sound has been emitted around the outside of the work box. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an alarm system that can issue an alarm sound inside a work box, comprising: a housing having a space inside which a person can work; a sound collection unit that can collect sounds outside the housing; a determination unit that can determine whether or not the sound collected by the sound collection unit includes an alarm sound; and an alarm unit that can notify the inside of the housing that an alarm sound has been issued when the determination unit determines that the sound collected by the sound collection unit includes an alarm sound.

[0007] Furthermore, it is preferable that the determination unit is equipped with a waveform processing unit capable of performing waveform processing on the sound collected by the sound collection unit, and is configured to be able to determine that the sound collected by the sound collection unit includes an alarm sound when the waveform processing performed by the waveform processing unit reveals that a first period in which a voltage equal to or greater than a predetermined value continues and a second period in which a voltage less than the predetermined value continues have been repeated a predetermined number of times.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferable that the determination unit is provided with a waveform processing unit capable of performing waveform processing on the sound collected by the sound collection unit, and is configured to be able to determine that the sound collected by the sound collection unit includes an alarm sound when the waveform processing performed by the waveform processing unit reveals that a first period in which a voltage equal to or greater than a predetermined value continues and a second period in which a voltage less than the predetermined value continues are repeated a predetermined number of times, and then, after a third period has elapsed, the first period and the second period are repeated a predetermined number of times again.

[0009] In addition, it is preferable that the alarm unit be configured to play the sound collected by the sound collection unit when the determination unit determines that the sound collected by the sound collection unit includes an alarm sound.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the method for notifying an alarm sound in a work box that has an internal space formed within the housing where a person can work comprises the steps of collecting sound outside the housing, determining whether or not the sound collected outside the housing includes an alarm sound, and, when it is determined that the sound collected outside the housing includes an alarm sound, notifying the inside of the housing that an alarm sound has been issued. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present invention makes it possible for people inside the work box to easily notice that an alarm sound has been emitted around the outside of the work box. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a work box according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a notification system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a change over time in voltage of data obtained by waveform processing. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of region IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which results obtained from a sound collection unit provided in one work box are used for multiple work boxes. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing an example in which results obtained from a sound collection unit provided away from a work box are used for a plurality of work boxes. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment of the invention is described below. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the alarm system of this embodiment is capable of issuing an alarm sound inside a work box 1. This alarm system includes a housing 11 having a space inside which a person can work, a sound collection unit 21 capable of collecting sounds outside the housing 11, a determination unit 22 capable of determining whether the sounds collected by the sound collection unit 21 include an alarm sound, and an alarm unit 23 capable of issuing an alarm inside the housing 11 when the determination unit 22 determines that the sounds collected by the sound collection unit 21 include an alarm sound. This makes it possible for people inside the work box 1 to easily notice that an alarm sound has been emitted in the vicinity of the outside of the work box 1.

[0014] The work box 1 is designed so that a person can enter and work inside, but in order to improve soundproofing performance, it is equipped with a soundproofing structure (such as sound-absorbing material) that prevents external sounds from entering the inside of the housing 11. This allows work to be done in a concentrated manner inside the housing 11. In the example shown in Fig. 2, a desk 12 and chair 13 are provided inside. Casters 14 are also provided to make it easier to move.

[0015] The work box 1 may be used as a working room where, for example, work can be done using a personal computer, telephone calls can be made using a mobile device such as a smartphone, or meetings can be held with remote parties using a video conferencing system or web conferencing system, etc. The work box 1 may also be used as a private room for reading, meditating, sleeping, eating, or other such work.

[0016] It is preferable that electrical and electronic equipment and fixtures suitable for the purpose of assisting the work performed inside the work box 1 and for the purpose of protecting the workers are installed inside the housing 11. In other words, it is preferable that electrical and electronic equipment and fixtures suitable for the work performed inside the work box 1 are installed inside the housing 11.

[0017] For example, in terms of electrical and electronic equipment, examples include equipment that assists work within the housing 11, such as power supply equipment for supplying power to computers and mobile terminals, video equipment such as displays, audio equipment such as speakers, and communication equipment used to communicate with the outside of the work box 1, equipment that adjusts the environment inside the housing 11, such as ventilation equipment such as ventilation fans, heating and cooling equipment such as fans and air conditioners, and lighting equipment, fire extinguishing equipment that detects and extinguishes fires inside the housing 11, seismic sensors that detect earthquakes, human presence sensors that detect the presence or absence of workers, motion sensors that detect whether a worker has fallen, and equipment that detects and notifies of disasters inside or outside the housing 11.

[0018] Examples of fixtures include items used during work such as desk 12 and chair 13, soundproofing materials such as sound absorbing materials placed on the sides of housing 11, and locking devices that improve security by locking the door of housing 11. Note that the distinction between electrical and electronic devices and fixtures is made here based on whether they are devices that require electricity or do not.

[0019] The housing 11 of the embodiment has a framework formed by joining together a total of 12 frames, consisting of four vertical frames, four horizontal frames, and four depth frames, to form a frame structure that forms a total of six surfaces: the front, back, left and right sides, top surface, and floor surface. At least one of these surfaces has a door for people to enter and exit the interior, and panels or the like are attached to the surfaces that do not have doors.

[0020] The work box 1 of the embodiment is equipped with a sound collection unit 21 that can collect sounds outside the housing 11. The sound collection unit 21 may be, for example, a microphone. The sound collection unit 21 may be housed in a recess in the housing 11, but is preferably disposed outside the outer surface of the housing 11. The sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 is waveform processed using a waveform processing unit. Specifically, waveform processing is performed on the output voltage of the sound collection unit 21, and by clarifying the voltage characteristics, the determination unit 22 determines whether the collected sound includes an alarm sound. To enable use during a power outage, the work box 1 is preferably configured to include a battery 15.

[0021] In addition, various environmental sounds are generated outside the housing 11, and the sounds collected by the sound collection unit 21 include not only alarm sounds but also environmental sounds, so the occurrence of an alarm sound is determined based on whether or not the collected sounds include alarm sounds.

[0022] Incidentally, an alarm sound may be a combination of a signal sound and a voice. Furthermore, many signal sounds are repeatedly activated and stopped (see FIGS. 3 and 4). That is, signal sounds often have voltage characteristics in which a cycle in which a voltage equal to or greater than a predetermined value continues for a first period of time and a voltage less than the predetermined value continues for a second period of time is repeated a predetermined number of times. Therefore, the determination unit 22 can be configured to determine that an alarm sound is included when data obtained by performing waveform processing on the output voltage of the sound collection unit 21 contains voltage characteristics similar to those of such a signal sound.

[0023] There are various possible relationships between the number of repetitions of the cycle of the first time and the second time contained in the data and the determination of whether an alarm sound is included. For example, if the alarm sound is a signal sound that repeats five times, a typical example is to determine whether or not the cycle is confirmed to repeat five times, but this is not a limited example. Note that the number of cycles contained in the alarm sound emitted from the emergency alarm system 9 varies depending on the type of alarm sound.

[0024] As can be seen from these examples, the judgment unit 22 is preferably configured to have a waveform processing unit capable of performing waveform processing on the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21, and to be able to determine that the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 includes an alarm sound when the waveform processing performed by the waveform processing unit reveals that a first period in which a voltage equal to or greater than a predetermined value continues and a second period in which a voltage less than a predetermined value continues have been repeated a predetermined number of times.

[0025] Furthermore, many alarm sounds are issued in a repeated cycle of a signal sound and a voice (see Figure 3). That is, the alarm sound may have voltage characteristics in which a cycle in which a voltage above a predetermined value continues for a first period of time, which is the voltage characteristic of the signal sound, and a voltage below the predetermined value continues for a second period of time is repeated a predetermined number of times, and then, after an interval of a third period during which the voice is issued, a cycle in which a voltage above a predetermined value continues for a first period of time, which is the voltage characteristic of the signal sound, and a voltage below the predetermined value continues for a second period of time is repeated a predetermined number of times.

[0026] Therefore, if the voltage characteristics obtained by performing waveform processing on the output voltage of the sound collection unit 21 show voltage characteristics similar to those of a signal sound, and if voltage characteristics similar to those of a signal sound are again seen after a third time has elapsed, the determination unit 22 may determine that the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 includes an alarm sound. This can improve the accuracy of the determination.

[0027] Regarding the number of times the cycle of this signal sound and the third time is repeated, for example, in the case of an alarm sound that repeats the cycle three times, the determination may be made after confirming that the cycle has been repeated two times in order to quickly notify the inside of the housing 11. However, in order to notify with high accuracy, it is preferable to make the determination after confirming that the cycle has been repeated three times.

[0028] As can be seen from these examples, the judgment unit 22 is preferably configured to be equipped with a waveform processing unit capable of performing waveform processing on the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21, and to be able to determine that the sound collected by the sound collection unit 21 includes an alarm sound when the waveform processing performed by the waveform processing unit reveals that a first period in which a voltage equal to or greater than a predetermined value continues and a second period in which a voltage less than a predetermined value continues are repeated a predetermined number of times, and then, after a third period has elapsed, the first period and the second period are repeated a predetermined number of times again.

[0029] Note that the set values for the "predetermined voltage value," "first time," "second time," "predetermined number of times," and "third time" may differ depending on the type of alarm sound to be generated and the environment in which the work box 1 is installed (surrounding environment, distance from the emergency alarm equipment 9, etc.). Therefore, it is preferable to intentionally sound an alarm sound after the work box 1 is installed, and determine the set value corresponding to that alarm sound. Of course, it is also possible to accumulate data for a specific alarm sound in various situations, and set the data appropriate for the installation environment as the set value.

[0030] Regarding the set values, each value may be set manually, but data on voltage characteristics related to various alarm sounds in various situations may be accumulated as big data, and the set values may be determined using the results of analyzing the big data using artificial intelligence.

[0031] When the determination unit 22 determines that the collected sound includes an alarm sound, a notification to that effect is made inside the housing 11, and various options for the notification method are possible. For example, the notification may be by sound. In this case, sound generation means such as a speaker or buzzer may be provided inside the housing 11 as the notification unit 23, and the sound generation means may output a message that an alarm sound has been issued externally. In this case, it is preferable that the sound output from the sound generation means be different depending on the type of disaster. Furthermore, if the scale of the disaster can be determined from the alarm sound, the sound output from the sound generation means may be different depending on the scale of the disaster.

[0032] Alternatively, the sound collected by sound collection unit 21 may be output directly from the sound generation means. In this way, it is possible to grasp not only the alarm sound but also environmental sounds around housing 11, and to know the surrounding situation. For this reason, it is preferable that alarm unit 23 is configured to play the sound collected by sound collection unit 21 when determination unit 22 determines that the sound collected by sound collection unit 21 includes an alarm sound.

[0033] The alarm can also be made by light. In this case, a light-emitting means such as a light is provided inside the housing 11 as the alarm unit 23, and the light-emitting means outputs a signal that an alarm sound is being issued externally. In this case, it is preferable that the light output from the light-emitting means be different (by changing the color, the intensity of the light, the blinking speed, etc.) depending on the type and scale of the disaster. In the example shown in FIG. 2, etc., the alarm is configured so that both the sound and the light are emitted from different locations on the housing 11.

[0034] Alternatively, the alarm may be generated by vibration. In this case, a vibration means for vibrating furniture such as chairs 13 arranged inside the housing 11 may be provided as the alarm unit 23, and the vibration means may output an alarm sound outside. In this case, it is preferable that the light output from the vibration means be different depending on the type and scale of the disaster.

[0035] Furthermore, the notification unit 23 may be a unit that forcibly unlocks the lock on the door of the housing 11 and notifies the user of this, or a unit that forcibly opens the door of the housing 11. Of course, the notification method is not limited to these.

[0036] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the work box 1 is equipped with a sound collection unit 21 and a determination unit 22, but the sound collection unit 21 and other units may be shared by multiple work boxes 1. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, multiple work boxes 1 may be lined up. In such cases, providing a sound collection unit 21 and a determination unit 22 in every work box 1 is costly and undesirable. Therefore, it is conceivable to provide a sound collection unit 21 and a determination unit 22 in some of the multiple work boxes 1, collect sounds from the emergency alarm equipment 9, and determine whether or not an alarm sound is included. Meanwhile, the remaining work boxes 1 that do not have a sound collection unit 21 and a determination unit 22 may be provided with a processing unit 24, and the alarm unit 23 may be activated when a signal from the processing unit 24 is received.

[0037] In this case, when the determination unit 22 provided in a certain work box 1 determines that the collected sound includes an alarm sound, it not only outputs a signal to that effect to the alarm unit 23 of that work box 1, but also outputs a signal to that effect to the processing unit 24 of the other work box 1. The processing unit 24 of the other work box 1 that receives the signal outputs a signal to its own alarm unit 23.

[0038] The remaining work boxes 1 that do not have the sound collection unit 21 and the determination unit 22 may not be provided with the processing unit 24. In other words, the determination unit 22 provided in a certain work box 1 may be configured to output a signal directly to the notification units 23 of all work boxes 1.

[0039] When the processing unit 24 is provided, the processing unit 24 receives a signal from the determination unit 22 and performs processing therein, thereby enabling the notification unit 23 to issue a complex notification (such as an alert of the type and scale of a disaster combining sound and light) in response to a complex instruction. On the other hand, when the processing unit 24 is not provided, the notification unit 23 will issue a notification (such as only sounding or only emitting light) in response to a monotonous instruction.

[0040] Furthermore, if a sound collection unit 21 and a judgment unit 22 are provided in a work box 1 close to the emergency alarm equipment 9, it is possible to prevent the alarm sound from attenuating over distance and being unable to be collected by the sound collection unit 21.

[0041] 5, wiring is provided between the determination unit 22 and the processing unit 24, or between the processing units 24, but a plurality of processing units 24 may be wired to one determination unit 22. Of course, signal exchange between the determination unit 22 and the processing unit 24, or between the determination unit 22 and the notification unit 23, and signal exchange between processing units 24, are not limited to being performed by wire, and may be performed wirelessly.

[0042] It is also conceivable to install the sound collection unit 21 and the determination unit 22 away from the housing 11 of the work box 1. For example, the sound collection unit 21 and the determination unit 22 are fixed to the ceiling or the like to be installed near the emergency alarm equipment 9. In this case, in order to standardize the specifications of the work box 1, it is conceivable to standardize the work box 1 by providing the processing unit 24 and the alarm unit 23 (see FIG. 6). Also, the sound collection unit 21 may be installed away from the work box 1 and near the emergency alarm equipment 9, while the determination unit may be located away from the emergency alarm equipment 9 and the work box 1. In this case, signals may be exchanged between the determination unit 22 and the processing unit 24 or the alarm unit 23 via wire or wireless, as described above, and the alarm unit 23 may issue an alarm inside the work box 1.

[0043] As can be seen from these examples, various structures of the alarm system are conceivable. Regardless of which configuration is used, the method for issuing an alarm sound in a work box 1 that forms an internal space within the housing 11 where a person can work may be configured to include the steps of collecting sound outside the housing 11, determining whether the sound collected outside the housing 11 includes an alarm sound, and, when it is determined that the sound collected outside the housing 11 includes an alarm sound, issuing an alarm inside the housing 11 that an alarm sound has been issued.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described above by taking the embodiments as examples, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be embodied in various forms. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 work box 11. Housing 21 Sound collection section 22 Judgment section 23 Information Department

Claims

1. An alarm system that can issue an alarm sound inside a work box, a housing having a space inside which a person can work; a sound collection unit capable of collecting sounds outside the housing; a determination unit capable of determining whether or not a warning sound is included in the sound collected by the sound collection unit; a notification unit that notifies the inside of the housing that an alarm sound has been issued when the determination unit determines that the sound collected by the sound collection unit includes an alarm sound; A system for issuing an alarm sound to the inside of a work box, comprising:

2. The determination unit includes a waveform processing unit capable of performing waveform processing on the sound collected by the sound collection unit, When it is found by the waveform processing performed by the waveform processing unit that a first period in which a voltage equal to or greater than a predetermined value continues and a second period in which a voltage less than a predetermined value continues are repeated a predetermined number of times, 2. The system for issuing an alarm sound to the inside of a work box according to claim 1, wherein it is possible to determine that the sound collected by the sound collecting unit includes an alarm sound.

3. The determination unit includes a waveform processing unit capable of performing waveform processing on the sound collected by the sound collection unit, When it is found by the waveform processing performed by the waveform processing unit that a first period during which a voltage equal to or greater than a predetermined value continues and a second period during which a voltage less than a predetermined value continues are repeated a predetermined number of times, and then after a third period has elapsed, the first period and the second period are repeated a predetermined number of times again, 2. The system for issuing an alarm sound to the inside of a work box according to claim 1, wherein it is possible to determine that the sound collected by the sound collecting unit includes an alarm sound.

4. A system for notifying the inside of a work box of an alarm sound as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the alarm unit plays the sound collected by the sound collection unit when the judgment unit determines that the sound collected by the sound collection unit includes an alarm sound.

5. A method for issuing an alarm sound in a work box having an internal space in a housing where a person can work, comprising: collecting sound outside the housing; a step of determining whether or not the sound collected outside the housing includes an alarm sound; a step of notifying the inside of the housing that an alarm sound has been issued when it is determined that the sound collected outside the housing includes an alarm sound; A method for issuing an alarm sound in a work box equipped with the above.

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