Inspection system and inspection method for security device

Abstract

To provide a system capable of efficiently inspecting a crime prevention device for imaging the inside of a car while considering privacy of a user of an elevator.SOLUTION: An inspection system for a security device including a monitoring camera installed in a car of an elevator and a recording device for recording image data captured by the monitoring camera includes a processing device and a communication device. The processing device is configured to be accessible via a public line from a portable terminal operated by a maintenance person working at the site of the elevator. The communication device is configured to collect, from the recording device, data imaged in at least one period of a period in which a determination condition including that the elevator is set to an inspection mode and that it is within a work registration time registered in advance as a scheduled date and time for performing inspection work is satisfied, as inspection data, among the image data, and transmit the inspection data to the processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inspection system and an inspection method for a security device that captures images inside an elevator car. [Background technology]

[0002] When inspecting a surveillance camera installed inside an elevator car, it is sometimes necessary to check the imaging range, whether the lens is dirty, etc., by referring to the captured images. Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which a maintenance worker uses a mobile terminal carried by the worker to inspect the camera that captures images of the inside of the car. In this system, the maintenance worker starts an application on the mobile terminal and presses a start button displayed on the display, and the image from the camera inside the car is displayed on the display of the mobile terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-184498 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are concerns about the privacy of elevator users if maintenance personnel collect and view images of the inside of the car outside of inspection work hours. The technology in Patent Document 1 above also makes it possible to collect images of the inside of the car outside of inspection work hours, so there is room for further improvement.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide technology that enables efficient inspection of security devices that capture images inside elevator cars while respecting the privacy of elevator users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a security device inspection system that includes a surveillance camera installed inside an elevator car and a recording device that records image data captured by the surveillance camera, and that includes a processing device that can be accessed via a public line from a mobile terminal operated by a maintenance worker working on-site at the elevator, and a communication device that collects, from the recording device as inspection data, image data captured at least part of the time during a period when determination conditions are met, including the elevator being set to inspection mode and the current time being within a work registration time that has been pre-registered as the scheduled date and time for inspection work, and transmits the data to the processing device.

[0007] The present disclosure also provides a method for inspecting a security device that includes a surveillance camera installed inside an elevator car and a recording device that records image data captured by the surveillance camera, and includes the steps of: determining whether or not a determination condition is met, including that the elevator is set to inspection mode and that the current time is within a work registration time that has been pre-registered as the scheduled date and time for inspection work; collecting, if the determination condition is met, from the recording device as inspection data, data from the image data that was captured during at least a portion of the period in which the determination condition is met; and transmitting the inspection data via a public line to a mobile terminal operated by a maintenance worker working on-site at the elevator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the technology of the elevator security device inspection system disclosed herein, the collection of image data of the security device that captures images of the inside of the car can be limited to image data captured by maintenance personnel during inspection work. This makes it possible to efficiently inspect the security device by accessing the collected image data from a mobile terminal via a public line while respecting the privacy of elevator users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a security device inspection system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining the functions of the inspection system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions realized by a processor of an external server executing a program. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a determination made by a condition determination process. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of a routine executed by an external server of the inspection system. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 illustrates a modified example of hardware resources of an external server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that elements common to the various drawings are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] Embodiment 1. Overall configuration of the security device inspection system according to the embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an inspection system for a security device according to an embodiment. An elevator to which the inspection system 100 is applied comprises a car 1 and a counterweight 2. The car 1 moves up and down in a hoistway 3. The counterweight 2 moves up and down in the hoistway 3. The hoistway 3 is a space extending vertically in a building. The car 1 and the counterweight 2 are suspended from the hoistway 3 by a rope 4. FIG. 1 shows an elevator device using a 1:1 roping system as an example.

[0012] The rope 4 is wound around a hoisting machine 5. The car 1 is driven by the hoisting machine 5. A control panel 6 controls the hoisting machine 5. That is, the movement of the car 1 is controlled by the control panel 6. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the hoisting machine 5 and the control panel 6 are provided in a machine room 7 above the hoistway 3. The hoisting machine 5 and the control panel 6 may also be provided in the hoistway 3. The hoisting machine 5 may be provided at the top of the hoistway 3 or in a pit of the hoistway 3.

[0013] An inspection switch 12 is provided inside the car 1. The inspection switch 12 is a switch operated by an elevator maintenance person and is turned ON during elevator inspection. When the inspection switch 12 is turned ON, the elevator's operating state switches to an inspection mode in which the normal operation of the elevator is restricted and various inspections are performed. The ON signal of the inspection switch 12 is sent to the control panel 6.

[0014] The elevator is equipped with a security device 20. The security device 20 comprises a surveillance camera 22 and a recording device 24. The surveillance camera 22 is installed inside the elevator car. Image data captured by the surveillance camera 22 is transmitted to the recording device 24.

[0015] Recording device 24 is a device that records image data input from surveillance camera 22. Recording device 24 is, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or a magnetic disk. There are no limitations on the recording format used by recording device 24. For example, recording device 24 records image data at predetermined intervals as still image data. Recording device 24 may be configured as an integral part of surveillance camera 22, or may be configured as a separate entity from surveillance camera 22.

[0016] 2. Main configuration of the security device inspection system in the embodiment The inspection system 100 mainly comprises a communication device 8, an external server 10, and a mobile terminal 50. The communication path between the security device 20 and the communication device 8 is connected by, for example, a LAN line. The communication path between the communication device 8 and the external server 10 and the communication path between the external server 10 and the mobile terminal 50 are each connected by a public line 9 such as LTE. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining the functions of the inspection system according to the embodiment. Below, the main components of the inspection system 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0017] 2-1.Communication Device 8 The communication device 8 controls data communication between the security device 20 installed in the elevator and the external server 10. The communication device 8 is installed, for example, in the machine room 7. The communication device 8 has an interface unit 82, a control unit 84, and a communication unit 86 as its main functional blocks. The interface unit 82 transmits and receives data to and from the security device 20 via a LAN line. The communication unit 86 communicates with the external server 10 via a public line 9. The control unit 84 controls the reading of image data from the security device 20 via the interface unit 82. The control unit 84 also controls the writing of image data to the external server 10 via the communication unit 86. Typically, in response to a data collection request (described later), the control unit 84 receives requested data from the image data recorded in the security device 20 as inspection data from the security device 20 and transmits it to the external server 10. The communication device 8 also receives an ON signal from the inspection switch 12 via the control panel 6 and transmits it to the external server 10 via the public line 9.

[0018] 2-2. External Server 10 The external server 10 is a processing device that receives inspection data for inspecting the security device 20 from the communication device 8 and discloses the data to a maintenance person. The external server 10 communicates with the communication device 8 via a public line 9. The external server 10 is also configured to be accessible via the public line 9 from a mobile terminal 50 operated by a maintenance person.

[0019] The external server 10 is a single computer or a collection of multiple computers connected via a communication network. The external server 10 includes one or more processors 30 and one or more memories 40 coupled to the processors 30. The memory 40 stores one or more programs 42 executable by the processors 30 and various data 44 associated therewith. The data 44 includes inspection data received from the security devices 20 as well as work registration times previously registered by maintenance personnel as the scheduled dates and times for inspection work.

[0020] The processor 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 30 executes a program 42 to realize various processes of the external server 10. The program 42 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0021] 3 is a functional block diagram showing functions realized by executing a program by the processor 30 of the external server 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the external server 10 includes, as realized functional blocks, an information acquisition processing unit 302, a condition determination processing unit 304, a data collection request transmission processing unit 306, a data reception processing unit 308, and a data disclosure processing unit 310.

[0022] The information acquisition processing unit 302 is a functional block for executing a process to acquire information indicating whether the elevator is in inspection mode. This process will be referred to as "information acquisition processing" hereinafter. Examples of information acquired in the information acquisition processing include the ON signal of the inspection switch 12, the ON signal of the maintenance switch, and a block sign for setting the inspection mode using a button inside the car 1.

[0023] The condition determination processing unit 304 is a functional block for determining whether a determination condition for determining whether an elevator inspection work is being performed by an on-site maintenance worker is satisfied. This process is hereinafter referred to as "condition determination processing." In the condition determination processing, the condition determination processing unit 304 determines whether the elevator is set to inspection mode and the current time is within a pre-registered work registration time.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a determination made by the condition determination process. In the example shown in this figure, a time period from 10:00 to 11:00 is pre-registered as a work registration time. Then, within the work registration time, the condition determination is made in the condition determination process for the time period from 10:13 to 10:46 when the inspection switch 12 is turned ON, but the condition determination is made in the condition determination process for other time periods. Furthermore, after 11:00, which is outside the work registration time, even if the inspection switch 12 is turned ON at, for example, 11:25, the condition determination in the condition determination process is made in the condition determination process. In this way, the condition determination is made based not only on the state of the inspection switch 12 but also on the pre-registered work registration time.

[0025] The data collection request transmission processing unit 306 is a functional block for transmitting a data collection request, including a request to collect inspection data from the security device 20, to the communication device 8. This process will be referred to as the "data collection request transmission process" hereinafter. The data collection request here includes, for example, a designation of the date and time when the image data was captured. For example, the data collection request includes a request to collect, as inspection data, image data captured at the time when the condition determination process was satisfied.

[0026] The data reception processing unit 308 is a functional block for receiving inspection data from the communication device 8. This processing is hereinafter referred to as the "data reception processing." In the data reception processing, the data reception processing unit 308 receives the inspection data specified in the data collection request from the communication device 8. The received inspection data is temporarily stored in the data 44 area of ​​the memory 40.

[0027] The data disclosure processing unit 310 is a functional block for performing a process of disclosing inspection data received from the communication device 8 to a maintenance worker. This process is hereinafter referred to as the "data disclosure process." In the data disclosure process, the data disclosure processing unit 310 outputs inspection data specified by the maintenance worker from the mobile terminal 50, among the inspection data stored in the memory 40. Typically, the data disclosure processing unit 310 discloses information for viewing the inspection data to a website accessible from the mobile terminal 50 of the maintenance worker who has viewing authority. Then, when the data disclosure processing unit 310 receives a request to view the inspection data from the mobile terminal 50, it transmits the requested inspection data to the mobile terminal 50 via the public line 9.

[0028] Alternatively, the data disclosure processing unit 310 may automatically transmit the inspection data received from the communication device 8 to the mobile terminal 50 of the maintenance worker using a data transmission means such as an email.

[0029] 2-3. Mobile terminal 50 The mobile terminal 50 is a terminal operated by a maintenance worker who inspects elevators on-site. The mobile terminal 50 has an input function for inputting information, an output function for outputting information on a screen, and a communication function for accessing an external server 10 via a public line 9 to send and receive data.

[0030] 3. Operation of the inspection system in the embodiment In order to prevent the disclosure of image data captured outside of inspection work hours by maintenance personnel, the external server 10 of the inspection system 100 executes a data collection request transmission process only when the determination condition is found to be met in the condition determination process. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a routine executed by the external server of the inspection system. Specific processes executed by the processor 30 of the external server 10 will be described below using the flowchart. Note that this flowchart also represents a part of an inspection method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] In step S100, the information acquisition processing unit 302 executes information acquisition processing. Here, the information acquisition processing unit 302 acquires a signal from the inspection switch 12 as information indicating whether the elevator state is set to the inspection mode. After the processing of step S100 is executed, the processing proceeds to step S102.

[0032] In steps S102 and S104, the condition determination processing unit 304 executes the condition determination processing. In step S102, the condition determination processing unit 304 determines whether the inspection switch 12 is turned on based on the signal acquired in the information acquisition processing. If the determination is not established, the processing of this routine is terminated, and if the determination is established, the processing proceeds to step S104.

[0033] In step S104, the condition determination processing unit 304 determines whether the current time is within the work registration time. If the determination is negative, the processing of this routine is terminated. If the determination is positive, the processing proceeds to step S106.

[0034] In step S106, the data collection request transmission processing unit 306 executes a data collection request transmission process and transmits a data collection request to the communication device 8. The data collection request here includes, for example, a request to collect image data captured at the time when the condition determination in the condition determination process was satisfied. When the process of step S106 is completed, the process proceeds to step S108.

[0035] Upon receiving the data collection request, communication device 8 collects the image data specified by the data collection request from recording device 24 of security device 20 as inspection data and transmits it to external server 10 via public line 9. In step S108, data reception processing unit 308 executes data reception processing to receive the inspection data from communication device 8 and stores it in the data 44 area of ​​memory 40. When the processing of step S108 is completed, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0036] In step S110, the data disclosure processing unit 310 executes image disclosure processing and transmits the inspection data to the mobile terminal 50 of the maintenance person who has viewing authority. This allows the maintenance person to check the inspection data output to the mobile terminal 50 and inspect the security device 20.

[0037] 4. Modifications of the embodiment The inspection system 100 according to the embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0038] 4-1. External Server 10 Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a modified example of the hardware resources of the external server 10. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the external server 10 includes, for example, a processor 30, a memory 40, and a processing circuit 62 including dedicated hardware 60. Fig. 6 shows an example in which some of the functions of the external server 10 are realized by the dedicated hardware 60. All of the functions of the external server 10 may also be realized by the dedicated hardware 60. The dedicated hardware 60 may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0039] 4-2. Data collection request transmission processing unit 306 In the data collection request transmission process executed by the data collection request transmission processor 306, the data collection request includes a designation of the image capture date and time of the image data. For example, the data collection request may be a request to collect data captured during at least one period during which the condition determination is satisfied in the condition determination process.

[0040] 5.Other Although the preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0041] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0042] (Appendix 1) A security device inspection system comprising a surveillance camera installed in an elevator car and a recording device that records image data captured by the surveillance camera, a processing device that can be accessed via a public line from a mobile terminal operated by a maintenance worker working on-site at the elevator; a communication device that collects, from the recording device as inspection data, data captured at least during a period when a determination condition is met, including that the elevator is set to an inspection mode and the current time is within a work registration time that is pre-registered as a scheduled date and time for inspection work, from the image data, and transmits the data to the processing device; A security device inspection system comprising: (Appendix 2) The processing device includes: a condition determination processing unit that determines whether the determination condition is met; a data collection request transmission processing unit that transmits a data collection request including a request to collect the inspection data to the communication device when the determination condition is met; a data reception processing unit that receives and stores the inspection data transmitted by the communication device based on the data collection request; 2. A security device inspection system according to claim 1, comprising: (Appendix 3) A security device inspection system as described in Appendix 2, wherein the data collection request includes a request to collect data from the inspection data that was captured at the time the judgment condition was met. (Appendix 4) The processing device includes: A security device inspection system as described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3, further comprising a data disclosure processing unit that transmits the inspection data to the mobile terminal via the public line. (Appendix 5) The data disclosure processing unit A security device inspection system as described in Appendix 4, configured to transmit, from the inspection data, data designated for viewing from the mobile terminal to the mobile terminal via the public line. (Appendix 6) The data disclosure processing unit A security device inspection system as described in Appendix 4, configured to automatically transmit the inspection data to the mobile terminal via the public line. (Appendix 7) A method for inspecting a security device equipped with a surveillance camera installed in an elevator car and a recording device that records image data captured by the surveillance camera, comprising: a step of determining whether or not a determination condition is satisfied, the determination condition including that the elevator is set to an inspection mode and that the current time is within a work registration time that is registered in advance as a scheduled date and time for the inspection work; When the determination condition is satisfied, collecting, from the recording device as inspection data, data captured during at least a part of the image data during which the determination condition is satisfied; transmitting the inspection data via a public line to a mobile terminal operated by a maintenance worker working on-site at the elevator; A method for inspecting a security device comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 car, 2 counterweight, 3 hoistway, 4 rope, 5 hoist, 6 control panel, 7 machine room, 8 communication device, 9 public line, 10 external server, 12 inspection switch, 20 security device, 22 surveillance camera, 24 recording device, 30 processor, 40 memory, 42 program, 44 data, 50 mobile terminal, 60 dedicated hardware, 62 processing circuit, 82 interface unit, 84 control unit, 86 communication unit, 100 inspection system, 302 information acquisition processing unit, 304 condition determination processing unit, 306 data collection request transmission processing unit, 308 data reception processing unit, 310 data disclosure processing unit

Claims

1. A security device inspection system comprising a surveillance camera installed in an elevator car and a recording device that records image data captured by the surveillance camera, a processing device that can be accessed via a public line from a mobile terminal operated by a maintenance worker working on-site at the elevator; a communication device that collects, from the recording device as inspection data, data captured at least during a period when a determination condition is met, including that the elevator is set to an inspection mode and the current time is within a work registration time that is pre-registered as a scheduled date and time for inspection work, from the image data, and transmits the data to the processing device; A security device inspection system comprising:

2. The processing device includes: a condition determination processing unit that determines whether the determination condition is met; a data collection request transmission processing unit that transmits a data collection request including a request to collect the inspection data to the communication device when the determination condition is met; a data reception processing unit that receives and stores the inspection data transmitted by the communication device based on the data collection request; The security device inspection system according to claim 1 , comprising:

3. 3. The security device inspection system according to claim 2, wherein the data collection request includes a request to collect data of the inspection data that was captured at a time when the determination condition was met.

4. The processing device includes:

3. The security device inspection system according to claim 1, further comprising a data disclosure processing unit that transmits the inspection data to the mobile terminal via the public line.

5. The data disclosure processing unit 5. The security device inspection system according to claim 4, wherein data designated for viewing from the mobile terminal out of the inspection data is transmitted to the mobile terminal via the public line.

6. The data disclosure processing unit 5. The security device inspection system according to claim 4, wherein the inspection data is automatically transmitted to the mobile terminal via the public line.

7. A method for inspecting a security device equipped with a surveillance camera installed in an elevator car and a recording device that records image data captured by the surveillance camera, comprising: a step of determining whether or not a determination condition is satisfied, the determination condition including that the elevator is set to an inspection mode and that the current time is within a work registration time that is registered in advance as a scheduled date and time for the inspection work; When the determination condition is satisfied, collecting, from the recording device as inspection data, data captured during at least a part of the image data during which the determination condition is satisfied; transmitting the inspection data via a public line to a mobile terminal operated by a maintenance worker working on-site at the elevator; A method for inspecting a security device comprising:

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