Station announcement system

Abstract

To provide a technique for enabling a party to easily listen to an announcement.SOLUTION: A station announcement system comprises: a detection device that detects the presence of a person in a boarding area of a train station, the boarding area being divided into a plurality of sections arranged along the track of a train; and a control device that causes an output device to output a first announcement indicating a first section when the detection device detects the presence of a person in the first section among the sections, and a second announcement indicating a second section when the detection device detects the presence of a person in the second section different from the first section among the sections.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a station announcement system that controls announcements to people who use stations. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a human detection sensor installed on a station platform. A detection range of the platform near the train tracks is set for the human detection sensor. When the human detection sensor detects a person within the detection range, it outputs an announcement. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-94027 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The announcements in Patent Document 1 are standardized, such as "Please move to the inner side of the platform." There are multiple people on the station platform, and the technology in Patent Document 1 does not specify the person to whom the announcement should be delivered. There is a possibility that the person may not notice the announcement.

[0005] This specification provides techniques for making announcements more easily noticeable to the parties involved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The station announcement system disclosed in this specification comprises a detection device that detects the presence of a person in a boarding and disembarking area of ​​a train station, the boarding and disembarking area being divided into a plurality of sections aligned along the train tracks, and a control device that, when the detection device detects the presence of a person in a first section of the plurality of sections, causes an output device to output a first announcement indicating the first section, and, when the detection device detects the presence of a person in a second section of the plurality of sections that is different from the first section, causes the output device to output a second announcement indicating the second section.

[0007] Each platform (i.e., platform) at a station is assigned a number (e.g., 1, 2, etc.) along the train track, and people in the station can determine their own location from the number. In other words, the direction along the train track can be used as a reference for people in the station to determine their own location within the station. According to the above configuration, the boarding and alighting area detected by the detection device is divided along the direction of the train track, which can be used as a reference for people in the station to determine their own location. When the presence of a person is detected in a first section, a first announcement indicating the first section is output, and when the presence of a person is detected in a second section, a second announcement indicating the second section is output. By outputting an announcement indicating the section in which the presence of a person is detected, the announcement can be conveyed to people (i.e., the person in question) in the section in which the presence of a person is detected among multiple people in the platform. This makes it easier for the person in question to notice the announcement.

[0008] When the control device detects that the train is approaching the station, the control device may change its mode from a non-output mode to an output mode, and the non-output mode may be a mode in which no announcement is output from the output device, and the output mode may be a mode in which an announcement is output from the output device in response to detection by the detection device.

[0009] When a train is approaching a station, people should leave the boarding and disembarking area. With the above configuration, an announcement can be transmitted to people in the boarding and disembarking area when they should leave the boarding and disembarking area.

[0010] The control device may change the mode of the control device from the output mode to the non-output mode when it detects that the train has stopped at the station while the mode of the control device is the output mode.

[0011] When a train is stopped at a station, people should use the boarding and disembarking area. With the above configuration, unnecessary announcements to people in the boarding and disembarking area can be suppressed in a situation where people should use the boarding and disembarking area.

[0012] The control device may detect that the train has stopped at the station by detecting that a door of the train has opened.

[0013] According to the above configuration, it is possible to detect when the train doors are opening and know that the train has come to a complete stop.

[0014] The control device may change the mode of the control device from a non-output mode to an output mode when it detects that the train is ready to depart while the train is stopped at the station, and the non-output mode may be a mode in which no announcement is output from the output device, and the output mode may be a mode in which an announcement is output from the output device in response to detection by the detection device.

[0015] When preparations for train departure are complete, people should leave the boarding and disembarking area. With the above configuration, an announcement can be transmitted to people in the boarding and disembarking area when they should leave the boarding and disembarking area.

[0016] The control device may change the mode of the control device from the output mode to the non-output mode when it detects that the train has departed from the station while the mode of the control device is the output mode.

[0017] After a train departs from a station, the train does not move within the station. With the above configuration, unnecessary announcements to people in the platform can be suppressed when the train is not moving within the station.

[0018] When a first train consisting of multiple cars stops at the station, cars of the first train are present in the first section and the second section, and when a second train having fewer cars than the first train stops at the station, cars of the second train are present in the first section and no cars of the second train are present in the second section. When the first train is stopped at the station, the control device causes the output device to output either the first announcement or the second announcement when the detection device detects the presence of a person in a specific section of the first section and the second section. When the second train is stopped at the station, the control device causes the output device to output the first announcement when the detection device detects the presence of a person in the first section. When the second train is stopped at the station, the control device may not cause the output device to output the second announcement even if a person is present in the second section.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the section to which the announcement should be transmitted can be selected depending on the number of cars that make up the train stopped at the station.

[0020] When the second train is stopped at the station, the second section is located behind the last car of the second train, and when the detection device detects the presence of a person in a third section among the multiple sections that is ahead of the first car of the second train, the control device may cause the output device to output a third announcement indicating the third section.

[0021] The second train approaches the third section ahead of the lead car, but does not approach the second section behind the last car any further. With the above configuration, it is possible to transmit announcements to people in the section where the second train is approaching, while suppressing unnecessary announcements to people in the section where the second train is not approaching any further.

[0022] The control device may use information recorded in an information code attached to the door of the train stopped at the station to determine whether the train stopped at the station is the second train.

[0023] According to the above configuration, the type of train stopped at a station can be determined from the information code attached to the train door.

[0024] The control device may perform a transmission process to transmit an image of the target section to at least one of a station staff member and the train driver when the detection device detects the presence of a person within a target section among the plurality of sections.

[0025] According to the above configuration, at least one of the station staff and the driver can know the actual situation of the section where the presence of a person is detected. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a station announcement system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a station announcement system. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the control device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an announcement process. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating each case. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] (Configuration of Station Announcement System 2; Figure 1, Figure 2) The station announcement system 2 is a system that controls announcements to people using stations of a train 50. The station announcement system 2 includes a control device 10, a plurality of platform LiDARs 100a to 100b, a plurality of on-board LiDARs 200a to 200c, a plurality of code cameras 300a to 300d, a speaker 400, a monitoring camera 500, and a train detection device 600. The devices 10, 100a to 100b, 200a to 200c, 300a to 300d, 400, 500, and 600 are connected to a network 3. The network 3 is, for example, a local area network (LAN). The control device 10 communicates with the devices 100a to 100b, 200a to 200c, 300a to 300d, 400, 500, and 600 via the network 3.

[0028] The multiple platform LiDARs 100a-100b are LiDARs for detecting people in the boarding and disembarking area 4 of the station platform 5. The multiple vehicle LiDARs 200a-200c are LiDARs for detecting trains 50 arriving at or departing from the platform 5. Here, LiDAR is called light detection and ranging and is a device that measures the distance to surrounding objects. The LiDAR is configured to repeatedly scan a laser around the LiDAR and output distance data indicating the distance calculated from the time between the laser irradiation and the reception of the reflected laser light. The LiDAR may be a two-dimensional LiDAR or a three-dimensional LiDAR. The distance data is data indicating a three-dimensional position including distance and direction. The presence of an object moving around the LiDAR can be detected by analyzing the distance data acquired in time series.

[0029] The boarding and alighting area 4 is an area where people 8 board and alight the train 50. The boarding and alighting area 4 is, for example, an area extending from the yellow tactile paving blocks toward the track. The boarding and alighting area 4 is divided into multiple sections 4a to 4d lined up along the track of the train 50. The train 50 is made up of multiple cars 52. The boarding and alighting areas 5 are assigned numbers (e.g., 1, 2, etc.) along the train track. For example, section 4a indicates area 1 where the first car 52 of the train 50 stops, and section 4b indicates area 2 where the second car 52 of the train 50 stops. In other words, each of the sections 4a to 4d corresponds to one car 52 of the train 50.

[0030] Each of the home LiDARs 100a and 100b scans a laser toward the boarding and disembarking area 4. In this embodiment, two adjacent sections 4a and 4b are set as the detection range of the home LiDAR 100a, and two adjacent sections 4c and 4d are set as the detection range of the home LiDAR 100b.

[0031] Furthermore, each of the vehicle LiDARs 200a to 200c scans a laser toward the track of the train 50, which is outside the boarding and alighting area 5. In this embodiment, the left edge of section 4a on the paper surface is set as the detection range of the vehicle LiDAR 200a, the area between sections 4b and 4c is set as the detection range of the vehicle LiDAR 200b, and the right edge of section 4d on the paper surface is set as the detection range of the vehicle LiDAR 200c.

[0032] The multiple code cameras 300a to 300d are cameras that capture images of door codes 56 affixed to each door 54 of the cars 52. The control device 10 can detect whether the doors 54 are open or closed by analyzing the movement of the door codes 56 captured by each code camera. The detection result of whether the doors 54 are open or closed is used, for example, to control the opening and closing of platform doors (not shown) installed at the platform 5. The door codes 56 are information codes such as two-dimensional codes. The door codes 56 record the number of doors 54 in the train 50, the number of cars which is the number of cars 52, etc. It is sufficient that the door codes 56 are affixed to the door 54 of at least one car 52, and they do not need to be affixed to the doors 54 of the remaining cars 52.

[0033] The speaker 400 outputs announcements to people 8 using the platform 5. The surveillance camera 500 is a camera that captures images of people 8 using the platform 5. The train detection device 600 is a communication device installed on the track inside the station, and is a device that communicates with the communication device inside the train 50 to detect trains 50 that have arrived at the station.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 1, platform LiDARs 100a and 100b, vehicle LiDARs 200a to 200c, code cameras 300a to 300d, a speaker 400, and a surveillance camera 500 are installed on the ceiling 6 of the station. Note that the numbers of platform LiDARs, vehicle LiDARs, code cameras, speakers, and surveillance cameras in Fig. 1 are merely examples. Furthermore, the number of sections into which the boarding and disembarking area 4 is divided is also merely an example. For example, the greater the number of cars 52 in a train 50, the greater the number of each device and the number of sections.

[0035] (Configuration of the control device 10; Figure 2) The control device 10 is a server, a terminal device, or the like. The terminal device is a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like. The control device 10 includes a communication interface 12 and a control unit 30. Note that, hereinafter, "interface" will be referred to as "I / F."

[0036] The communication I / F 12 is an I / F for executing communication via the network 3, and is connected to the network 3. The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 is a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory, or the like. The CPU 32 executes the processing of FIG. 3 in accordance with a program 36 stored in the memory 34. The program 36 is, for example, an application program provided by a vendor selling the home LiDAR 100a or the like.

[0037] (Processing by the control device 10; Figure 3) The processing executed by the control device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The processing of Fig. 3 is initiated by the activation of a program 36 in the control device 10 as a trigger. The control device 10 has an alert mode that indicates either "ON" or "OFF." The alert mode "ON" is a mode in which alert is given to people in the boarding / disembarking area 4, and the alert mode "OFF" is a mode in which alert to people in the boarding / disembarking area 4 is canceled. In the initial state of Fig. 3, the alert mode of the control device 10 is "OFF."

[0038] The CPU 32 executes monitoring in S10, S20, S30, and S40. In S10, the CPU 32 monitors whether the train 50 is approaching a station. There are various methods for determining whether the train 50 is approaching. For example, a sensor that detects the movement of the train 50 is installed on a track near a station. The CPU 32 determines that the train 50 is approaching when it receives a predetermined signal from the sensor. The sensor is, for example, an alarm device, a warning light, or a camera. In another example, the CPU 32 determines that the train 50 is approaching when a driver, station staff, or the like inputs information indicating the approach into a predetermined terminal.

[0039] When the CPU 32 determines that the train 50 is approaching the station (YES in S10), the CPU 32 proceeds to S12. In S12, the CPU 32 starts operating in the alert mode "ON". In S14, the CPU 32 executes the announcement process, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 4. The announcement process is a process for making an announcement to people in the boarding and alighting area 4. A situation in which the train 50 is approaching is a situation in which an announcement should be made to people in the boarding and alighting area 4 to move away from the boarding and alighting area 4. By performing the processes of S10 to S14, an announcement can be made to people in the boarding and alighting area 4 when the train 50 is approaching.

[0040] In S20, the CPU 32 monitors whether the train 50 is stopped at a station. There are various methods for determining whether the train 50 is stopped at a station. For example, the CPU 32 determines that the train 50 is stopped when a predetermined signal is received from the train detection device 600. In another example, the CPU 32 determines that the train is stopped when a driver, station staff, or the like inputs information indicating a stop into a predetermined terminal. In another example, the CPU 32 determines that the train is stopped when a signal indicating that the door 54 is open is received from any of the code cameras 300a to 300d. The opening of the door 54 means that the train 50 has come to a complete stop and passengers can safely board and disembark. In an example using the signal indicating that the door 54 is open, it is possible to accurately determine that passengers can safely board and disembark.

[0041] When the CPU 32 determines that the train 50 is stopped at a station (YES in S20), it proceeds to S22. In S22, the CPU 32 starts operating in the alert mode "OFF." In the alert mode "OFF," announcement processing is not executed, and no announcements are made to people in the boarding and alighting area 4. A situation in which the train 50 is stopped is a situation in which people should use the boarding and alighting area 4. In a situation in which people should use the boarding and alighting area 4, unnecessary announcements to people in the boarding and alighting area 5 can be suppressed. When S22 ends, the CPU 32 returns to monitoring S10 to S40.

[0042] In S30, the CPU 32 monitors whether the train 50 stopped at the station is ready to depart. There are various methods for determining whether the train is ready to depart. For example, the CPU 32 determines that the train is ready to depart when a driver, station staff member, or the like inputs information indicating that the train is ready to depart into a predetermined terminal. In another example, the CPU 32 determines that the train is ready to depart when a signal indicating that the door 54 is closed is received from any of the code cameras 300a to 300d.

[0043] When the CPU 32 determines that preparation for departure is complete (YES in S30), the CPU 32 proceeds to S32. S32 and S34 are the same as S12 and S14. When preparation for departure is complete, an announcement should be made to people in the boarding / alighting area 4 that they are leaving the boarding / alighting area 4. By processing S30 to S34, an announcement can be made to people in the boarding / alighting area 4 when preparation for departure is complete. When S34 ends, the CPU 32 returns to monitoring S10 to S40.

[0044] In S40, the CPU 32 monitors whether the train 50 has departed from the station. There are various methods for determining whether the train has departed. For example, the CPU 32 determines that the train has departed when a driver, station attendant, or the like inputs information indicating the train's departure into a predetermined terminal. In another example, the CPU 32 determines that the train has departed when a predetermined signal is received from a sensor on the track near the station. Here, the state in which the train 50 has departed from the station is, for example, when the train 50 has completely left the platform 5, and when part of the train 50 is present at the platform 5, the announcement process continues.

[0045] When the CPU 32 determines that the train has departed (YES in S40), the CPU 32 proceeds to S42. S42 is the same as S22. When the train 50 has departed from the station, the train 50 does not move within the station. By processing S40 and S42, unnecessary announcements to people in the boarding / alighting area 5 can be suppressed. When S22 ends, the CPU 32 returns to monitoring S10 to S40.

[0046] (Announcement process; Figure 4) In this embodiment, the same announcement process is executed in both S14 and S34 of Fig. 3. In S50, the CPU 32 transmits a detection start instruction to each of the home LiDARs 100a and 100b. This starts detection for all sections 4a to 4d, and distance data is repeatedly transmitted from each of the home LiDARs 100a and 100b.

[0047] In S60, the CPU 32 analyzes the distance data received from the home LiDARs 100a and 100b and determines whether or not a person is present in any of the sections 4a to 4d. If the CPU 32 determines that a person is present in any of the sections 4a to 4d (YES in S60), the CPU 32 proceeds to S62.

[0048] In S62, the CPU 32 determines, from among all sections 4a to 4d, a section in which the presence of a person has been detected as the target section. In S64, the CPU 32 generates announcement information indicating an announcement to be made to people present in the target section. For example, if the presence of a person is detected in section 4b in S60, the CPU 32 generates announcement information including wording indicating section 4b. The wording indicating section 4b includes, for example, the number of a vehicle (e.g., car 2) that will be parked in the area indicated by section 4b. In S66, the CPU 32 transmits the announcement information generated in S64 to the speaker 400. As a result, the speaker 400 outputs the announcement indicated by the announcement information generated in S64.

[0049] In the next step S68, the CPU 32 transmits a storage instruction to the surveillance camera 500 to instruct it to store the video. The storage instruction includes the detection time at which the presence of a person was detected in S60. The surveillance camera 500 constantly captures the platform 5. In accordance with the storage instruction, the surveillance camera 500 stores the captured video, including the video before and after the detection time, in a specified storage area. For example, a station staff member or a driver can learn the actual situation at the platform 5 at the time of detection by viewing the video in the specified storage area. Since the video includes video of the target section, the station staff member or the like can learn the actual situation of the target section. Optionally, the CPU 32 may notify a terminal of the station staff member or the like that the video has been stored in the specified storage area.

[0050] In a modified example, one monitoring camera 500 may be set in sections 4a and 4b, and another monitoring camera 500 may be set in sections 4c and 4d. Then, the CPU 32 may send a storage instruction to the monitoring camera 500 set in the target section. In this modified example, detailed images of the target section can be stored, allowing station staff and the like to know the actual situation in the target section.

[0051] In another modification, one monitoring camera 500 is set in each of the sections 4a to 4d, and the CPU 32 may send a change instruction to the monitoring camera 500 to change the section being photographed to the target section. This causes the monitoring camera 500 to start storing video of the target section among the sections 4a to 4d. Even in this modification, station staff and the like can know the actual situation in the target section.

[0052] Furthermore, if the CPU 32 determines that no person is present in any of the sections 4a to 4d (NO in S60), the process proceeds to S70. In S70, the CPU 32 determines whether the state of the station has changed. Specifically, this determination is the same as in S10, S20, S30, and S40 in FIG. 3. If the CPU 32 determines that the state of the station has not changed (NO in S70), the process returns to S60.

[0053] Furthermore, when the CPU 32 determines that the state of the station has changed (YES in S70) or when S68 ends, the CPU 32 ends the processing of FIG.

[0054] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, the boarding and alighting areas 5 are assigned numbers along the track of the train 50. People in the station can determine their own location from the number within the boarding and alighting area 5. In other words, the direction along the track of the train 50 can be used as a reference for people in the station to determine their own location within the boarding and alighting area 5. In this embodiment, the boarding and alighting area 4 is divided along the direction of the track of the train 50, which can be used as a reference for people in the station to determine their own location. For example, if the presence of a person is detected in section 4a, a first announcement including a phrase indicating section 4a (e.g., car 1) is output, and if the presence of a person is detected in section 4b, a second announcement including a phrase indicating section 4b (e.g., car 2) is output. By outputting an announcement indicating the section in which the presence of a person is detected, the announcement can be conveyed to a person in the section in which the presence of a person is detected (i.e., the person in question) among multiple people in the boarding and alighting area 5. This makes it easier for the person in question to notice the announcement.

[0055] (Correspondence) The station announcement system 2 is an example of a "station announcement system." The train 50 and the door 54 are examples of a "train" and a "door," respectively. The platform LiDAR 100a, the control device 10, and the speaker 400 are examples of a "detection device," a "control device," and an "output device," respectively. The boarding and alighting area 4 and sections 4a to 4d are examples of a "boarding and alighting area" and a "multiple sections," respectively. Section 4a and the announcement including the wording for car No. 1 are examples of a "first section" and a "first announcement," respectively. Section 4b and the announcement including the wording for car No. 2 are examples of a "second section" and a "second announcement," respectively. The alert mode "OFF" and the alert mode "ON" are examples of a "non-output mode" and a "output mode," respectively. The processing of S68 in FIG. 4 is an example of a "transmission process."

[0056] (Second Example) (Processing of the control device 10; Figures 3, 4, and 5) This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except for the difference in the content of the processing by the control device 10. In this embodiment, the CPU 32 executes the processing of S24 when the determination in S20 of Fig. 3 is YES. In S24, the CPU 32 acquires the number of cars of the stopped train 50 from the information read from the door code 56 by any of the code cameras 300a to 300d.

[0057] 3, the same announcement process as in the first embodiment is executed in S14, while an announcement process different from that in the first embodiment is executed in S34. In the announcement process executed in S34 in this embodiment, the processes of S80 and S82 are executed instead of the process of S50.

[0058] In S80, the CPU 32 designates detection sections among all sections 4a to 4d in which the presence of a person should be detected, based on the number of vehicles acquired in S24 of FIG. 3. For example, as shown in case C1 of FIG. 5, when a four-car train 50 stops at a station, vehicles 52 stop in all of all sections 4a to 4d. Therefore, the CPU 32 designates all sections 4a to 4d as detection sections based on the number of vehicles "4." Also, for example, as shown in case C2 of FIG. 5, when a two-car train 50 stops at a station, vehicles 52 stop in two sections 4a and 4b, and no vehicles 52 stop in the remaining sections 4c and 4d. This is because the position where the leading vehicle 52 of the train 50 stops is predetermined based on the number of vehicles. Therefore, the CPU 32 designates sections 4a and 4b as detection sections based on the number of vehicles "2." Here, "leading edge" means the position at the very end in the direction of travel of the train 50, and "rear end" means the position at the very end in the direction of retreat of the train 50.

[0059] In S82, the CPU 32 transmits a detection start instruction to the home LiDAR corresponding to the detection section specified in S80. For example, if the number of vehicles is "4", the detection start instruction is transmitted to both the home LiDARs 100a and 100b. For example, if the number of vehicles is "2", the detection start instruction is transmitted to the home LiDAR 100a but not to the home LiDAR 100b. In this embodiment, the processes of S60 to S68 are executed for the detection section specified in S80.

[0060] For example, in case C1 of FIG. 5, an announcement is output when a person is present in any of sections 4a to 4d. This is because, in a train 50 with four cars, cars 52 move in any of sections 4a to 4d. On the other hand, in case C2, an announcement is output when a person is present in either section 4a or 4b, and no announcement is output when a person is present in either section 4c or 4d. This is because detection has not started in the platform LiDAR 100b, and in a train 50 with two cars, cars 52 do not move in sections 4c and 4d in the backward direction of the train 50. According to the configuration of this embodiment, the section to which the announcement should be transmitted can be selected depending on the number of cars of the train 50 stopped at the station.

[0061] In this embodiment, the number of vehicles is acquired from the door codes 56 (S24 in FIG. 3). The number of vehicles for specifying the detection category can be acquired from the door codes 56 for detecting the opening and closing of the doors 54. In a modified example, the number of vehicles may be acquired by a method other than the door codes 56. For example, the CPU 32 may identify the number of vehicles based on the detection results of the vehicle LiDARs 200a to 200c. For example, in case C1, all of the vehicle LiDARs 200a to 200c detect the vehicle 52. The CPU 32 may identify the number of vehicles as "4" when all of the vehicle LiDARs 200a to 200c detect the vehicle 52. In case C2, for example, of the vehicle LiDARs 200a to 200c, the vehicle LiDARs 200a and 200b detect the vehicle 52, but the vehicle LiDAR 200c does not detect the vehicle 52. The CPU 32 may specify the number of vehicles as "2" when the vehicle LiDARs 200a and 200b detect the vehicle 52. In another modified example, the CPU 32 may specify the actual number of vehicles from the number of vehicles input into a predetermined terminal by a driver, a station staff member, or the like.

[0062] (Correspondence) The four-car train 50 and the two-car train 50 are examples of the "first train" and the "second train", respectively. Sections 4b and 4c are examples of the "first section" and the "second section", respectively.

[0063] (Modification of the second embodiment) In this modification, as shown in case C3 in FIG. 5 , when a two-car train 50 stops at a station, cars 52 may stop in sections 4b and 4c. In S80, the CPU 32 designates section 4a as a detection section in addition to sections 4b and 4c based on the number of cars “2.” This is because section 4a is a section ahead of the first car 52 of the train 50, and car 52 moves through it. On the other hand, section 4d is not designated as a detection section. This is because section 4d is a section behind the last car 52 of the train 50, and car 52 does not move through it. In this modification, an announcement is output when a person is present in any of sections 4a to 4c. According to the configuration of this modification, an announcement is transmitted to people in sections 4a to 4c where the train 50 is approaching, while unnecessary announcements for people in section 4d where the train 50 is not approaching can be suppressed.

[0064] Furthermore, the section ahead of the leading vehicle 52 is identified based on the traveling direction of the train 50. For example, the traveling direction is identified using the detection results of the vehicle LiDARs 200a to 200c. For example, when the vehicle 52 is detected in the order of the vehicle LiDARs 200c, 200b, and 200a, the direction toward the left on the paper surface is identified as the traveling direction. Note that the traveling direction may be constant. For example, when a station has a double track configuration, the traveling direction of the train 50 is constant, and the traveling direction does not need to be identified based on the vehicle LiDARs 200a to 200c, etc.

[0065] (Correspondence) The divisions 4c and 4d are examples of the "first division" and "second division", respectively. The division 4a is an example of the "third division".

[0066] (Third Example) This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except for the difference in the content of the processing by the control device 10. In this embodiment, the same announcement processing as in the first embodiment is executed in S14 of Fig. 3, while an announcement processing different from that in the first embodiment is executed in S34. In the announcement processing executed in S34 in this embodiment, the processing of S90 and S92 in Fig. 4 is executed instead of the processing of S50.

[0067] In the first embodiment, each of the sections 4a to 4d corresponds to a car of the train 50, and the correspondence between each of the sections 4a to 4d and each car is fixed. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the correspondence between each of the sections 4a to 4d and each car changes. In this embodiment, as shown in case C4 in Figure 5, each of the sections 4a to 4d is further divided into a plurality of sections along the track of the train 50.

[0068] In S90 of FIG. 4, the CPU 32 identifies the actual stopping position of the train 50 based on information from a position sensor that detects the actual stopping position of the train 50. For example, the vehicle LiDARs 200a to 200c and the code camera 300a can be used as the position sensor. The CPU 32 assigns each car to each of the finely divided sections based on the identified stopping position and the length of the car 52. For example, in case C4 of FIG. 5, the leading car 52 is stopped at some of the rear sections of multiple sections in section 4a and some of the front sections of multiple sections in section 4b. In this case, the CPU 32 assigns the leading car 52 (e.g., car 1) to some of the rear sections of multiple sections in section 4a and some of the front sections of multiple sections in section 4b.

[0069] S92 is the same as S50. In S64 of this embodiment, announcement information is generated based on the number of the car 52 assigned in S90. For example, in case C4 of FIG. 5, if the presence of a person is detected at part of the front of multiple sections in section 4b, announcement information including a phrase indicating the front car 52 (for example, car No. 1) is generated. Even if the stopping position of the train 50 is slightly deviated from the specified position, the announcement can be transmitted to the parties in the boarding and disembarking area located near the front car 52.

[0070] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. For example, the following modifications may be adopted.

[0071] (Modification 1) The "detection device" is not limited to the home LiDAR 100a or the like, and may be, for example, a device that detects the presence of a person in the boarding / disembarking area 4 by analyzing an image from a camera.

[0072] (Variation 2) Monitoring of S10, S20, S30, and S40 in FIG. 3 does not have to be performed. In this variation, the control device 10 may constantly perform the announcement processing in FIG. 4. In another variation, the control device 10 may store a setting value indicating either the alert mode "ON" or the alert mode "OFF." The setting value is input, for example, by a user. Instead of monitoring S10, S20, S30, and S40 in FIG. 3, the control device 10 may perform a determination based on the setting value. When the setting value indicates the alert mode "ON," the control device 10 may perform the announcement processing in FIG. 4, and when the setting value indicates the alert mode "OFF," the control device 10 may not perform the announcement processing in FIG. 4.

[0073] (Variation 3) Instead of the monitoring in S20 in Fig. 3, for example, the processing in S22 may be executed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination in S10 was YES. In this variation, it is possible to omit "changing the mode of the control device from the output mode to the non-output mode when it is detected that the train has stopped at the station."

[0074] (Variation 4) Instead of the monitoring in S40 in Fig. 3, for example, the processing in S42 may be executed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the determination in S30 was YES. In this variation, it is possible to omit "changing the mode of the control device from the output mode to the non-output mode when it is detected that the train has departed from the station."

[0075] (Modification 5) The process for realizing case C3 in Fig. 5 does not have to be executed. In this modification, the "third announcement" can be omitted.

[0076] (Variation 6) The process of S68 in Fig. 4 does not have to be executed. In this variation, the "transmission process" can be omitted.

[0077] (Variation 7) The station announcement system 2 does not have to include the door code 56. In this variation, the "information code" can be omitted.

[0078] (Variation 8) In the second example, an instruction to start detection is not transmitted to the home LiDARs 100b corresponding to the detection sections other than the detection section specified in S80 of Fig. 4 (S82). Alternatively, an instruction to start detection may be transmitted to all of the home LiDARs 100a and 100b. The CPU 32 may transmit announcement information to the speaker 400 when the presence of a person is detected in the detection section specified in S80 of Fig. 4, but may not transmit announcement information to the speaker 400 when the presence of a person is detected in a section other than the detection section specified in S80 of Fig. 4.

[0079] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 2: Station announcement system 3: Network 4: Boarding and disembarking area 4a~4d: Division 5:Passengers 6: Ceiling 8: person 10: Control device 12: Communication I / F 30: Control section 32 :CPU 34: Memory 36: Program 50: Train 52: Vehicle 54: Door 56: Door Code 10: Control device 100a, 100b: Home LiDAR 200a~200c: Vehicle LiDAR 300a~300d: Code camera 400: Speaker 500: Surveillance camera 600: Train detection device

Claims

1. a detection device for detecting the presence of a person in a boarding / alighting area of ​​a train station, the boarding / alighting area being divided into a plurality of sections aligned along a track of the train; a control device that, when the detection device detects the presence of a person in a first section of the plurality of sections, causes an output device to output a first announcement indicating the first section, and, when the detection device detects the presence of a person in a second section of the plurality of sections that is different from the first section, causes the output device to output a second announcement indicating the second section; A station announcement system equipped with:

2. When the control device detects that the train is approaching the station, the control device changes a mode from a non-output mode to an output mode; the non-output mode is a mode in which the output device does not output an announcement; The station announcement system according to claim 1 , wherein the output mode is a mode in which an announcement is output from the output device in response to detection by the detection device.

3. 3. The station announcement system according to claim 2, wherein the control device changes the mode of the control device from the output mode to the non-output mode when the control device detects that the train has stopped at the station while the control device is in the output mode.

4. 4. The station announcement system according to claim 3, wherein the control device detects that the train has stopped at the station by detecting that a door of the train has opened.

5. When the control device detects that the train is ready to depart while the train is stopped at the station, the control device changes a mode of the control device from a non-output mode to an output mode; the non-output mode is a mode in which the output device does not output an announcement; The station announcement system according to claim 1 , wherein the output mode is a mode in which an announcement is output from the output device in response to detection by the detection device.

6. The station announcement system of claim 5, wherein the control device changes the mode of the control device from the output mode to the non-output mode when it detects that the train has departed from the station while the mode of the control device is the output mode.

7. When a first train consisting of a plurality of cars stops at the station, cars of the first train are present in the first section and the second section, When a second train having fewer cars than the first train stops at the station, cars of the second train are present in the first section and no cars of the second train are present in the second section; the control device causes the output device to output either the first announcement or the second announcement when the detection device detects the presence of a person in a specific section of the first section and the second section while the first train is stopped at the station; the control device causes the output device to output the first announcement when the detection device detects the presence of a person in the first section while the second train is stopped at the station; 2. The station announcement system according to claim 1, wherein the control device does not cause the output device to output the second announcement when the second train is stopped at the station, even if a person is present in the second section.

8. When the second train is stopped at the station, the second section is located behind the rearmost car of the second train, The station announcement system described in claim 7, wherein when the second train is stopped at the station and the detection device detects the presence of a person in a third section of the multiple sections that is ahead of the front car of the second train, the control device causes the output device to output a third announcement indicating the third section.

9. 9. The station announcement system according to claim 7, wherein the control device determines whether the train stopped at the station is the second train by using information recorded in an information code attached to the door of the train stopped at the station.

10. A station announcement system as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control device, when the detection device detects the presence of a person within a target section among the plurality of sections, executes a transmission process to transmit an image of the target section to at least one of a station staff member and the train driver.

Images