Attention calling method and walking suppression control device for escalator

Abstract

To prevent a user from coming into contact with another user walking from behind when the user suddenly starts to walk while riding on a vehicle or when the body of the user swings to the right and left.SOLUTION: A state of a non-pedestrian riding on a footstep of an escalator is observed by a camera, and it is determined whether or not there is a pedestrian behind the non-pedestrian based on a camera image. As a result of the determination, when there is a pedestrian, it is determined whether or not a warning to pay attention to the rear should be displayed to a non-pedestrian based on a camera image obtained by observing the non-pedestrian. When it is determined that the warning should be displayed, the warning of attention to the rear is displayed at the current position of the non-pedestrian and on a display panel installed on a handrail panel or an inner deck in front of and behind the current position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an escalator warning method and a walking prevention control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Although walking on escalators is prohibited, there are a certain number of users who do not fully understand the dangers of walking on escalators and are not aware that they could become perpetrators.

[0003] Conventional technologies to prevent escalator users from walking include a system that uses image analysis from a camera installed on the ceiling to detect pedestrians based on the user's walking speed and causes LED signage lights on the handrail to flash. There is also a system that sets boarding position marks made up of flashing lights on each step to encourage users to board at the correct position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Application No. 2022-125683 [Patent Document 2] Patent Application No. 2021-127211 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, these technologies are primarily intended to stop passengers who are already walking, and are not very effective in preventing collisions with other passengers walking from behind if a passenger suddenly starts walking while riding or if their body is swaying from side to side.

[0006] Escalator pedestrians can walk up and down two steps in less than one second. It is difficult for non-walking users to notice a pedestrian approaching from behind until they are directly beside them. Therefore, there is a risk that non-walking users may come into contact with another user walking up from behind after boarding the escalator.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an escalator warning method and a walking prevention control device that can prevent users from falling or tripping due to contact with each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to an embodiment that achieves the above object, a camera is used to observe the status of non-pedestrians on the steps of an escalator, and it is determined based on the camera image whether there are pedestrians behind the non-pedestrians. If the determination shows that there are pedestrians, it is determined based on the camera image observing the non-pedestrians whether a warning to watch your back should be displayed to the non-pedestrians. If it is determined that a warning should be displayed, the warning is displayed on the current position of the non-pedestrian and on display panels installed on the railing panels or inner deck before and after the current position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an escalator to which an embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] 1 is a configuration diagram of an escalator to which an embodiment is applied, viewed from above. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an escalator walking prevention control device to which an embodiment is applied. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the escalator warning method and the walking prevention control device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <Configuration of the embodiment> Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an escalator system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of the escalator system shown in Fig. 1 as seen from above.

[0011] As shown in the figure, in the escalator 1 of this embodiment, steps 3 move endlessly between a board 2 on the lower floor side and a board 2 on the upper floor side. Glass panels (balustrade panels) 4 are erected on the left and right sides of the steps 3, and a moving handrail 5 moves on these glass panels 4 in synchronization with the steps 3.

[0012] A display panel 6 is installed on the glass panel 4. This display panel 6 is installed on a straight section of the glass panel 4 and is composed of LED signage light emitters that display warnings to be careful behind the vehicle. In addition, multiple speakers 9 are installed near the inner deck.

[0013] Furthermore, one or more cameras are installed along the entire length of the escalator 1 between the boarding and alighting plate 2 on the lower floor side and the boarding and alighting plate 2 on the upper floor side so that the movements and facial expressions of users can be identified. In this embodiment, a first camera 11 and a second camera 12 are installed on the ceiling 7, and a third camera 13 is installed on the guard panel 8. The cameras may also be installed on the wall surface of the building. The camera images captured by the first camera 11, the second camera 12, and the third camera 13 are output to the walking prevention control device 20.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the walking prevention control device 20 includes a camera image input unit 21, a camera image analysis unit 22, and a warning information output unit .

[0015] The camera image input unit 21 inputs the camera images captured by the first camera 11, the second camera 12, and the third camera 13.

[0016] The camera image analysis unit 22 performs AI analysis on the camera image input from the camera image input unit 21. During the analysis, the camera image analysis unit 22 analyzes whether the boarding position of the non-pedestrian is within three steps from the boarding / alighting entrance. This is based on the rule of thumb that, in general, user A, who is a non-pedestrian, will continue walking without standing still until he or she gets on from the boarding / alighting entrance until he or she reaches the third step, and will then get on from the fourth step without walking.

[0017] The camera image analysis unit 22 stores in advance, in an updatable manner, the states of non-pedestrians used when determining whether to display a warning to non-pedestrians as the following states (1) to (4).

[0018] Examples of the facial expressions and gestures (setting states) of the user that are set and saved in advance in the camera image analysis unit 22 are shown in the following states (1) to (4).

[0019] Condition (1) Is the passenger turning around to face the opposite side of the vehicle? Condition (2) Is the user or their luggage moving left or right? Condition (3) Is the user or their luggage protruding from the center of the step? Condition (4) Does the non-pedestrian seem irritated or anxious? Through AI analysis based on the information on the above states (1) to (4), the state of User A, who is a non-pedestrian, such as whether he is swaying from side to side or looking back, as well as his facial expression and posture, is analyzed. Furthermore, with regard to User B, it is analyzed whether he is riding in a stopped state or walking on the opposite step 3 from where User A is standing. Furthermore, with regard to non-pedestrians, the emotions of User A, such as whether he is irritated or impatient, are also analyzed. Furthermore, the camera image analysis unit 22 determines whether to issue a warning to the non-pedestrian based on the analyzed information.

[0020] When user B is a pedestrian, the warning information output unit 23 determines the display position of the display panel 6 according to the standing position of user A, who is a non-pedestrian, and outputs a warning image (warning image), and also outputs a warning sound (warning sound) to the speaker 9 at a position according to the standing position.

[0021] <Operation of the embodiment> The operation of the escalator system according to this embodiment when user A uses it will be described below. In this embodiment, the state of user A is acquired using cameras 11-13 installed at multiple locations such as the triangular guard, ceiling, and wall (S1). If the acquired information indicates that the step 3 on which user A is standing is within three steps (S2), information is acquired by cameras 11-13 until the step position becomes four or more steps.

[0022] If the step 3 on which user A is standing is the fourth step or higher, the state of user A is analyzed (S3). If user A is not standing still on the same step 3 but is walking (S4 NO), information collection continues with cameras 11 to 13 until user A stops (S1).

[0023] If user A is stationary at the step where he / she stepped on (YES in S4), it is analyzed whether user A is in any of the above-mentioned states (1) to (4) (S5). If user A is not in any of these states, information collection by cameras 11 to 13 continues until user A is in any of states (1) to (4) (S1).

[0024] If user A is in any of states (1) to (4), the camera image analysis unit 22 analyzes whether user B is walking on the side of the step 3 where user A is not standing (S6). If there is no such user B (S6 NO), the flow is restarted from reacquiring user A's state (S1).

[0025] If there is user B walking on the step side where user A is not riding (S6 YES), a warning to be careful behind is displayed by the light emitter of the LED signage on the display panel 6 at the current position on the side where user A is not riding and on the display panels 6 in front and behind (S7).

[0026] The position of the warning displayed on the display panel 6 changes in conjunction with the boarding position of user A, who is not walking. The warning on the display panel 6 continues to be displayed regardless of the state of user A until user B stops walking, user B overtakes user A, or user A gets off the escalator (S8).

[0027] When user B stops walking, or when user B overtakes user A, or when user A gets off the escalator (S8 YES), the display (flashing of the light emitter) is stopped (S9).

[0028] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to display a warning in advance to user A who is at risk of coming into contact with escalator pedestrian B, thereby reducing the occurrence of tripping or falling due to contact between users.

[0029] In the above-described embodiment, the warning display for user A is displayed on the display panel 6 at the position where user A is riding and on the display panels 6 in front and behind, but it may also be displayed on the inner decks in front and behind where user A is riding.

[0030] In the above-described embodiment, the warning display for user A is displayed on the handrail where user A is riding and on the display panels 6 in front and behind the vehicle, but it is also possible to install a directional speaker as the speaker 9 and issue a warning via voice announcement only to user A.

[0031] Furthermore, if the analysis by the camera image analysis unit 22 determines that user A is a small child, instead of displaying a warning to user A to be careful behind, a warning message to user B that a small child is ahead may be displayed on the display panel 6 in front of user B's current location.

[0032] Furthermore, when the device is installed in a location where public transportation operates on a regular basis, such as a train station or bus stop, in addition to the above-mentioned states (1) to (4), the condition for displaying the display panel 6 may be added as whether the time until the departure of the public transportation is within a pre-specified time.

[0033] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1...escalator, 2...boarding and alighting board, 3...step, 4...glass panel, 5...moving handrail, 6...display panel, 7...ceiling, 8...guard panel, 9...speaker, 11...first camera, 12...second camera, 13...third camera, 20...walking prevention control device, 21...camera image input unit, 22...camera image analysis unit, 23...warning information output unit

Claims

1. The camera observes the status of non-pedestrians on the steps of the escalator, determining whether a pedestrian is present behind the non-pedestrian based on a camera image from the camera; If it is determined that a pedestrian is present, it is determined whether or not a rearward warning should be displayed to the non-pedestrian based on a camera image of the non-pedestrian; When it is determined that a warning should be displayed, the escalator warning method displays a warning to be careful behind on the current position of the non-pedestrian and on display panels installed on the parapet panels or inner deck before and after the current position.

2. 2. The escalator warning method according to claim 1, wherein when the information of the non-pedestrian is acquired by the camera, if the non-pedestrian's boarding position is within three steps from the entrance / exit, no warning display is given regardless of the status of the non-pedestrian.

3. 2. The escalator warning method according to claim 1, wherein, when the warning to watch your back is displayed on the display panel, the warning to watch your back is stopped if a pedestrian approaching from behind stops walking, if a pedestrian approaching from behind overtakes a non-pedestrian, or if a non-pedestrian in front gets off the escalator.

4. a camera image input unit that takes images of users across the entire escalator between the boarding and alighting boards on the lower floors and the boarding and alighting boards on the upper floors and inputs camera images acquired by a camera that can distinguish the movements and facial expressions of the users; a camera image analysis unit that analyzes the collected camera images, observes the state of non-pedestrians on the steps of the escalator, and determines whether there are pedestrians behind the non-pedestrians, and if there are pedestrians, determines whether a warning to watch your back should be displayed to the non-pedestrians based on the camera images observing the non-pedestrians; A walking prevention control device that is equipped with a warning information output unit that, if it is determined that a warning should be displayed based on the analysis results of the camera image analysis unit, displays a warning to be careful behind on the current position of the non-pedestrian and on display panels installed on the railing panels or inner deck in front and behind the current position.

5. The camera image analysis unit A user boarding position analysis function that analyzes whether non-pedestrians are boarding within three steps of the boarding gate; Pedestrian information analysis function that analyzes whether there are users walking behind non-pedestrians, A non-pedestrian state analysis function that analyzes the behavior of non-pedestrians, such as looking back or swaying from side to side; A non-pedestrian emotion analysis function that analyzes the emotions of non-pedestrians, such as irritation or impatience, a display decision function that decides whether to display a warning to non-pedestrians based on each analysis result; The walking prevention control device according to claim 4 , further comprising: a display position determination function that determines a display position based on an analysis result of the user boarding position analysis function.

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