Switchgear

Abstract

Alerts you to the possibility of a closure failure. [Solution] An opening and closing device comprising an opening and closing body 10 that performs a closing operation, an opening detection means that detects when the opening and closing body 10 is in the open position, and an object recognition means that recognizes an object x in the closing path of the opening and closing body 10 or in the vicinity of the closing path, and when the opening detection means detects an object and the object recognized by the object recognition means is determined to be not moving, an alarm is issued to inform the user that there is a possibility of a closing obstruction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening and closing device in which an opening and closing body performs a closing operation along a closing path. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional inventions of this type include a shutter device that automatically closes an opening / closing body in the event of a disaster to form a fire compartment and prevent the spread of flames and smoke, as described in Patent Document 1. Such shutter devices are sometimes called fire shutters or fire / smoke shutters. Furthermore, among this type of shutter device, there is a shutter device that normally keeps the opening open and closes the opening when necessary for purposes such as crime prevention, wind protection, rain protection, etc. Such a shutter device is sometimes called a management shutter. Furthermore, there are shutter devices that combine the functions of both the former and latter shutter devices. Such shutter devices are sometimes called managed fire shutters, or simply managed combined shutters. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-224232 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, the various shutter devices described above are generally used in such a way that no obstacles, such as luggage, are left in the closing path of the opening / closing body. However, for example, if an obstacle is left in the closing path and the manager or other person does not notice this, the opening / closing body may come into contact with the obstacle and stop as it closes, creating a space below the opening / closing body through which smoke, flames, etc. can pass. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. The device comprises an opening / closing body that performs a closing operation, an opening detection means that detects that the opening / closing body is in an open position, and an object recognition means that recognizes an object in a closing path of the opening / closing body or in the vicinity of the closing path, An opening / closing device that issues an alert to inform users of the possibility of a closing obstruction when the opening detection means detects an object and the object recognized by the object recognition means is determined to be not moving, wherein the object recognition means includes an imaging unit that images the closing path of the opening / closing body or the vicinity of the closing path, processes the image data captured by the imaging unit to recognize objects in the captured image, and determines that the object is not moving by analyzing the image data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] Since the present invention is configured as described above, when there is a possibility of a closing failure occurring, it is possible to notify the occurrence of the failure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing an example of an opening and closing device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of an imaging range of an imaging unit. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the opening and closing device. [Figure 5] 1 is a front view showing an example of an opening and closing device according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the opening and closing device. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of control. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of control. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a front view showing another example of an opening and closing device according to the present invention. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the opening and closing device. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] This embodiment discloses the following features. The first feature is that the device comprises an opening / closing body that performs a closing operation, an opening detection means that detects when the opening / closing body is in the open position, and an object recognition means that recognizes an object in the closing path of the opening / closing body or in the vicinity of the closing path, and when the opening detection means detects an object and the object recognized by the object recognition means is determined to be not moving, an alarm is issued to inform the user that there is a possibility of a closing obstruction (see Figures 1 to 11).

[0009] The second feature is that the opening and closing body is a shutter curtain and constitutes a shutter device (see FIGS. 1 to 2, 5, and 9).

[0010] As a third feature, the object recognition means includes an imaging unit that images the closing path of the opening / closing body or the vicinity of the closing path, and performs image processing on the image data captured by the imaging unit to recognize objects in the captured image (see Figures 1 to 4 and 7 to 11).

[0011] As a fourth feature, the object recognition means includes a sensor that detects an object in the closing path of the opening / closing body or in the vicinity of the closing path in a non-contact manner (see FIGS. 8 to 11).

[0012] As a fifth feature, in addition to the above-mentioned judgment, if it is judged that the object is not a person, the notification is given (see FIGS. 5, 7, and 8).

[0013] As a sixth feature, the notification is given when the determination that the opening detection means has detected an object and the object recognized by the object recognition means has not moved is repeated for a predetermined period of time (see Figures 5, 7, and 8).

[0014] As a seventh feature, the notification is stopped on condition that the object recognition means no longer recognizes the object (see FIGS. 5, 7, 8, 10, and 11).

[0015] As an eighth feature, the notification is made by sound (see FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 9).

[0016] <Specific embodiment> Next, specific embodiments having the above-mentioned features will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, "thickness direction of the opening / closing body" refers to the thickness direction of the opening / closing body in the closed state, and "width direction of the opening / closing body" refers to a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the opening / closing direction of the opening / closing body, but is not the thickness direction of the opening / closing body. In the following description, the term "closure obstruction" refers to a state in which the opening / closing body 10 in the open position cannot be closed. This closing obstruction includes a state in which the opening / closing body 10 in the open position cannot be closed due to an object x located on the closing side (see Figures 1-2, 5, 9, etc.).

[0017] <Opening and closing device 1> The opening and closing device 1 comprises an opening and closing body 10 that opens and closes in the vertical direction while dividing a space, left and right guide rails 20, 20 that surround the widthwise ends of the opening and closing body 10 and guide it in the opening and closing direction, a storage section 30 that winds and unwinds the opening and closing body 10 using a winding shaft 32 on the opening direction side, an opening and closing machine 40 that drives and rotates the winding shaft 32, an opening and closing machine control section 50 that controls the opening and closing machine 40, an automatic closing device 60 that enables the opening and closing body 10 to close using its own weight, an imaging section 70 that images an object x in the closing path of the opening and closing body 10 or near the closing path, a monitoring and alarm control section 80 that issues an alarm depending on the recognition status of the object x, and an audio alarm section 81.

[0018] This opening and closing device 1 can be configured as a management shutter device that closes general exterior wall openings of a building for crime prevention, wind resistance, rain protection, etc., a fire shutter device that confines flames and smoke in the event of a fire in the building, or a combined management shutter device that can utilize the functions of these two types of shutter devices.

[0019] The opening / closing body 10 is formed by connecting multiple slats 11a, which are made by bending a horizontally elongated, approximately rectangular metal plate, so that they can rotate between adjacent slats above and below to form the opening / closing body main body 11, and a seat plate member 12 is connected to the lower end of this opening / closing body main body 11 to abut against the abutment target area G on the closing direction side, thereby forming a shutter curtain. The opening / closing body main body 11 can be made of a material other than the slats 11a, such as a pipe material, a flexible sheet material, or a panel-like member, either singly or in any suitable combination thereof.

[0020] The guide rails 20 are provided on both end sides in the width direction of the opening / closing body 10. Each guide rail 20 has a cross-sectional shape that surrounds the end of the opening / closing body 10 in the width direction in a concave shape, and is provided in an elongated shape that extends from the contact target site G to the storage section 30.

[0021] The storage section 30 includes a storage case 31 in the shape of a horizontally long box having an opening at the bottom for passing the opening / closing body 10 therethrough, a winding shaft 32 for winding up and unwinding the opening / closing body 10, and the like. According to the illustrated example, the storage case 31 stores an opening / closing device 40, an opening / closing device control unit 50, an automatic closing device 60, a monitoring / announcement control unit 80, etc., which will be described later.

[0022] The opening / closing machine 40 comprises an electric motor (not shown) for driving and rotating the winding shaft 32, a brake device (not shown) for braking the rotational force of the electric motor, an operating lever 41 for operating the brake device from the outside, and an opening / closing position sensing unit 42 for sensing the opening / closing position of the opening / closing body 10 from the amount of rotation of the rotating part, and a known structure can be applied.

[0023] The operating lever 41 is pushed by the automatic closing device 60, which will be described later, to release the brake device. In this released state, the power transmission path between the electric motor and the winding shaft 32 is cut off, allowing the winding shaft 32 to rotate freely. Therefore, the opening / closing body 10 is unwound by its own weight. In the initial state, the opening / closing device 40 is in a braking state in which the braking device is activated by the force of a biasing member (not shown), and this braking state is released when the operating lever 41 is pushed by external operation.

[0024] The opening / closing position sensing unit 42 is a limit switch equipped with a mechanical counter structure that outputs a contact signal when the rotation amount of the rotating part of the opening / closing device 40 reaches a predetermined value, and outputs the contact signal when it senses that the opening / closing body 10 is in a fully open or fully closed state.

[0025] The switch control unit 50 is an electrical circuit equipped with a sequencer, a relay circuit, etc., and controls the switch 40 to rotate forward, reverse, stop, etc. in response to signals from the monitoring and alarm control unit 80 described later and signals from an on / off switch not shown.

[0026] The automatic closing device 60 is a device that advances a push rod 61 in response to an input signal, and this push rod 61 pushes the operating lever 41 in the release direction, and a device of known structure can be applied.

[0027] The imaging unit 70 is a digital video camera that captures moving images at a predetermined frame rate (for example, 30 fps). In the illustrated example, the imaging unit 70 is attached to the lower surface of the storage unit 30 with its optical axis facing downward. As another example, the imaging unit 70 can be attached to an immovable part such as the guide rail 20 or a building in which the opening and closing device 1 is installed. As yet another example, the imaging unit 70 can be attached to the opening and closing body 10.

[0028] In a preferred example of this embodiment, the imaging range 70a of the imaging unit 70 is a range that includes at least a part of the closing path of the opening / closing body 10 (a predetermined range near the fully closed position in the illustrated example). 3, the imaging range 70a on the plane of the contact target site G is a rectangular range in a plan view that includes the area between the left and right guide rails 20, 20 and that spans the opening and closing path of the opening and closing body 10 in the thickness direction of the opening and closing body 10. Therefore, the imaging unit 70 can image the object x placed in this rectangular range.

[0029] As another example, the imaging range 70a of the imaging unit 70 may be set to include the entire opening and closing path of the opening and closing body 10 from the top to the bottom, or multiple imaging units 70 may be provided so that the imaging range 70a of the imaging unit 70 can be appropriately secured.

[0030] The monitoring and reporting control unit 80 is an electric circuit including, for example, a microcomputer, a storage device, a relay circuit, etc., and operates according to a pre-stored program. In the illustrated example, the monitoring / announcement control unit 80 is attached above the imaging unit 70 inside the storage case 31. The monitoring / announcement control unit 80 may be attached at a position other than that shown in the illustrated example inside the storage case 31, or outside the storage case 31, etc. As another example of the monitoring and reporting control unit 80, it is also possible to include it in a control circuit that constitutes the opening and closing mechanism control unit 50.

[0031] The monitoring / announcement control unit 80 functions as an object recognition means for recognizing the object x in cooperation with the imaging unit 70. That is, the monitoring / announcement control unit 80 operates according to a pre-stored program, performs image processing on the video data captured by the imaging unit 70, and recognizes the object x in the captured image. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the image data captured by the image capturing unit 70 is analyzed, and based on the visual characteristics of the object x, it is recognized as to whether the object x is a non-human object, a human, smoke, or flame. For this recognition, an estimation model created in advance using artificial intelligence technology or the like may be used, for example.

[0032] Furthermore, the monitoring / announcement control unit 80 analyzes the image data captured by the imaging unit 70 to determine whether the recognized object x is a stationary object or a moving object.

[0033] The monitoring / announcement control unit 80 also functions as an open detection unit that detects that the opening / closing body 10 is in the open position based on the image data captured by the imaging unit 70. Here, the open position may be any position in which the opening / closing body 10 is opened at least a predetermined amount, and includes a fully open position in which the opening / closing body 10 is substantially fully open, a partially open position in which the opening / closing body 10 is stopped in a partially open state, and the like.

[0034] The audio notification unit 81 is a speaker that emits audio in response to a signal from the monitoring and notification control unit 80 . In the illustrated example, this voice notification unit 81 is placed on the underside of the storage case 31, but in other examples, it can be placed in a location other than the illustrated example, such as inside the storage case 31, on the guide rail 20, or in the building in which the opening / closing device 1 is to be installed.

[0035] The power sources for the monitoring / announcement control unit 80, the imaging unit 70, the audio notification unit 81, etc. can be commercial power sources, but it is preferable to use battery power sources in case of a power outage due to a fire or the like.

[0036] <Control example A> Next, an example of the control operation by the monitoring and reporting control unit 80 for the opening and closing device 1 having the above configuration will be described in detail. First, the monitoring / announcement control unit 80 executes an initial setting mode by a predetermined operation, thereby capturing and storing an initial image in advance in a state in which the opening / closing body 10 is in an open state and there is no object x in the imaging range 70a. Thereafter, either automatically or by a predetermined operation, the monitoring / announcement control unit 80 switches to a monitoring mode and executes the processing of the flowchart described below. 1 and 2 show an example in which the opening / closing body 10 is in an intermediate opening / closing position, but the initial state of the opening / closing body 10 is preferably in a fully open state.

[0037] In the monitoring mode, the monitoring / announcement control unit 80 starts acquiring video data of the imaging range 70a by the imaging unit 70 (FIG. 4, step S1).

[0038] In the next step S2, it is determined whether or not the opening / closing body 10 is in the open position. If it is in the open position, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process returns to step S1. This process may be performed, for example, by determining whether or not a pre-stored image of the seat panel member 12 is present in the image captured by the imaging unit 70. That is, if there is no image of the seat panel member 12 in the captured image, it can be determined that the opening / closing body 10 is in the open position (including the fully open position and the partially open position), and if there is an image of the seat panel member 12 in the captured image, it can be determined that the opening / closing body 10 is not in the open position.

[0039] In the example shown in Figure 2, the seat panel member 12 of the opening / closing body 10 in the partially open position is imaged, but by appropriately setting the imaging range 70a or using multiple imaging units 70, it is possible to image the seat panel member 12 of the opening / closing body 10 in the fully open position.

[0040] As another example of step S2, it may be possible to determine whether the opening / closing body 10 is in the open position based on a signal from the opening / closing position sensor 42 without using the imaging unit 70.

[0041] In the next step S3, the above-mentioned object recognition means determines whether or not there is an object x in the closing path of the opening / closing body 10 or near the closing path (in other words, in the image captured by the imaging unit 70), and if there is an object x, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process returns to step S1. This process may determine the presence or absence of object x by, for example, comparing the initial image in which object x does not exist in the imaging range 70a with the captured image. That is, if the initial image and the captured image match, it is determined that object x does not exist, and if the initial image and the captured image do not match, it is determined that object x exists.

[0042] In the next step S4, it is determined whether the object x recognized in the previous step has not moved. If it has not moved, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process skips the subsequent steps and returns to step S1. Here, the fact that the object x is not moving includes a state in which the object x is almost stationary, a state in which the object x is swaying or fluttering without moving from the position where it is placed, and the like. That is, if the object x is, for example, a moving object, it is deemed that there is little possibility that the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10 will be hindered by this object x, and the subsequent processing is skipped. The processing in step S4 may be performed, for example, by observing the coordinates of object x between frames of the captured video data, and if these coordinates change, it is determined that object x is moving, and if not, it is determined that object x is not moving.

[0043] In the next step S5, it is determined whether or not the object x is a person. If it is a person, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the subsequent steps are skipped and the process returns to step S1. That is, if the object x is a person, it is assumed that since people usually move, there is little possibility that the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10 will be obstructed, and the subsequent processing is skipped. The process of step S5 may be, for example, as described above, to determine whether or not the object x is a person based on the visual characteristics of the object x in the image data captured by the image capturing unit . As another example, it is also possible to provide a separate human presence sensor (e.g., a pyroelectric infrared sensor) without using the imaging data from the imaging unit 70, and determine whether or not the object x is a human based on the detection signal of this human presence sensor.

[0044] In the next step S6, it is determined whether or not the object x has been recognized for a predetermined time (five minutes in the illustrated example) or more. If it has been recognized, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process returns to step S3. Although not shown in the flowchart, the start of counting the predetermined time is the point at which object x is first recognized in step S3. That is, when object x is first recognized in step S3, a timer (not shown) is started. Then, the processing from step S3 to step S6 is repeated until the count value of this timer reaches the predetermined time, and when the predetermined time has been reached, the processing proceeds to the next step S7.

[0045] In step S7, the audio notification unit 81 makes a notification. This notification may be, for example, a sound such as "The shutter cannot be closed" or "Please remove the obstacle" to inform the user that there is a possibility of a closing problem, or a sound urging the user to remove object x.

[0046] In the next step S8, if the object x is no longer recognized, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process returns to step S7 to continue the notification. That is, for example, if the object x in the imaging range 70a is removed, and the object x is no longer captured by the imaging unit 70, the process proceeds to the next step, and if the object x is present, the notification continues. The determination of the presence or absence of the object x in step S8 can be made in the same manner as in step S3.

[0047] Then, in step S9, the notification output by the audio notification unit 81 is stopped, and the process returns to step S1.

[0048] Therefore, according to the opening / closing device 1 and control example A having the above configuration, when there is a possibility that a closing failure of the opening / closing body 10 may occur, it is possible to notify the surroundings of this by sound.

[0049] <Opening and closing device 2> The embodiment described below is a partial modification of the opening and closing device 1 having the above-described configuration, and therefore the modified portions will be mainly described in detail, and overlapping detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0050] The opening and closing device 2 shown in FIG. 5 is the same as the opening and closing device 1, except that the imaging unit 70 is replaced with a sensor 71 and the control program stored in the monitoring and reporting control unit 80 is changed.

[0051] The sensor 71 is a multi-optical axis sensor that non-contactly senses an object x in the closing path of the opening / closing body 10, and functions as an object recognition means in cooperation with the monitoring and alarm control unit 80 to recognize an object x in the closing path of the opening / closing body 10. This sensor 71 (multi-optical axis sensor) has a light-emitting unit extending vertically within one guide rail 20 and a capture unit extending vertically within the other guide rail 20, and these light-emitting unit and capture unit form multiple light paths spaced apart in the opening and closing direction along the opening and closing path of the opening and closing body 10. When at least a part of the multiple optical paths is blocked, the sensor 71 changes the detection signal that is sent to the monitoring / announcement control unit 80 from OFF to ON (or from ON to OFF).

[0052] The sensor 71 may be any sensor capable of detecting the object x in a non-contact manner, and other examples include a single or multiple single-axis phototube sensor, an area sensor using infrared light or visible light as a detection medium, a 3D sensor using a stereo camera or a ToF camera, a laser sensor, etc.

[0053] In the opening and closing device 2, the sensor 71 cooperates with the monitoring and reporting control unit 80 to function as an object recognition means for recognizing an object x in the closing path of the opening and closing body 10. In addition, the open / close position sensing unit 42 cooperates with the monitoring / announcement control unit 80 to function as an open sensing means that senses that the open / close body 10 is in the open position (fully open position or halfway open position).

[0054] <Control example B> Next, an example of the control operation of the monitoring and reporting control unit 80 for the opening and closing device 2 will be described in detail. First, the monitoring and alarm control unit 80 determines whether the opening / closing body 10 is in the open position based on the contact signal of the opening / closing position sensing unit 42 (step S11), and if it is in the open position, proceeds to the next step; if not, repeats the step and waits for the opening / closing body 10 to reach the open position.

[0055] In step S12, it is determined based on the detection signal of the sensor 71 whether or not an object x is present in the closing path of the opening / closing body 10. If an object x is present, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process returns to step S11.

[0056] In step S13, it is determined whether or not the object x has been sensed for a predetermined time (five minutes in the illustrated example) or more. If it has been sensed, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process returns to step S12.

[0057] Although not shown in the flowchart, the counting of the predetermined time period starts when object x is first detected in step S12. That is, when object x is first detected in step S12, a timer (not shown) is started. The processing from step S12 to step S13 is repeated until the count value of this timer reaches the predetermined time period, and when the predetermined time period has been reached, the processing proceeds to the next step S14.

[0058] In step S14, similar to step S7 above, the audio notification unit 81 emits audio such as "The shutter cannot be closed" or "Please remove the obstacle" to inform the user that there is a possibility of a closing problem, or audio to urge the user to remove object x.

[0059] In step S15, if the object x is no longer recognized based on the sensing signal of the sensor 71, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process returns to step S14 to continue the notification.

[0060] Then, in step S16, the notification output by the audio notification unit 81 is stopped, and the process returns to step S11.

[0061] Therefore, according to the opening / closing device 2 and control example B having the above configuration, when there is a possibility that a closing failure of the opening / closing body 10 may occur, it is possible to notify the surroundings of this by sound.

[0062] <Control example C> Control example C, the flowchart of which is shown in Fig. 7, is executed by modifying the control program of the monitoring and reporting control unit 80 for the above-described opening and closing device 1 (see Figs. 1 to 3). Control example C will be described in detail below.

[0063] The processes in steps S21 to S24 are approximately the same as the processes in steps S1 to S4 in the above control example A, respectively, and therefore will not be described again.

[0064] In the next step S25, it is determined whether the opening / closing body 10 is stopped or not, and if it is stopped, the process proceeds to the next step, and if not, the process jumps to step S31. This process can be performed, for example, by installing an imaging unit 70 so that the opening / closing body 10 in the open position is included in the imaging range, analyzing the imaging data captured by this imaging unit 70, observing changes in the coordinates of a specific part of the opening / closing body 10 (for example, the seat panel member 12) between frames, and determining that the opening / closing body 10 is stopped if there is no change in coordinates. As another example, the above processing may be performed based on data from an imaging unit separately provided for photographing the opening / closing body 10. As another example, it may be possible to determine whether the opening / closing body 10 is stopped or not by using a relay contact signal of the opening / closing device control unit 50 or the like, without using the imaging unit 70.

[0065] The processing in the following steps S26 to S27 is the same as the processing in steps S5 to S6 in the above control example A, and therefore a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0066] In the next step S28, the audio notification unit 81 makes a first notification. Here, the first notification is similar to the notification in the above control example A, and is, for example, a sound such as "The shutter cannot be closed" or "Please remove the obstacle" to inform the user that there is a possibility of a closing problem, or a sound urging the user to remove object x.

[0067] In the next step S29, it is determined whether or not recognition of object x has ceased. If object x has not been recognized, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process returns to step S28 and the first notification is continued. The determination in step S29 may be based on the image data captured by the image capturing unit 70, or may be based on the sensor 71, as in step S8 and the like.

[0068] In the next step S30, the first notification by the audio notification unit 81 is stopped, and the process returns to step S21.

[0069] In addition, in step S31, it is determined whether the opening / closing body 10, which was determined not to be stopped in the previous step S25, is in the closing operation, and if it is in the closing operation, the processing proceeds to the next step, and if not, the subsequent processing is skipped and the processing returns to step S21. This process may be performed, for example, by analyzing image data captured by the imaging unit 70 and determining whether the opening / closing body 10 is in the closing operation based on the coordinate change of a specific part of the opening / closing body 10 (for example, the seat panel member 12) between frames. As another example, the process may be performed based on data from an imaging unit separately provided for capturing images of the opening / closing body 10. As a further example, it may be possible to determine whether the opening / closing body 10 is in the closing operation by a relay contact signal or the like of the opening / closing device control unit 50 without using the imaging unit 70.

[0070] In the next step S32, the audio notification unit 81 issues a second notification by audio. Here, the second notification is a notification different from the first notification, and is a notification related to the operation of the opening / closing body 10. Specifically, this second notification is a sound that conveys the closing operation status of the opening / closing body 10, such as "The shutter is descending" or "Please evacuate," or a sound that urges the user to evacuate from below the opening / closing body 10.

[0071] In the next step S33, similar to step S29 above, if recognition of object x is no longer occurring, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process returns to step S32 and the second notification is continued.

[0072] In the next step S34, the second notification by the audio notification unit 81 is stopped, and the process returns to step S21.

[0073] Therefore, according to control example C shown in Figure 7, appropriate notifications can be made according to the status of the closing path and the opening / closing body 10, such as the possibility of a closing failure occurring and the closing operation status of the opening / closing body.

[0074] <Control example D> Control example D, the flowchart of which is shown in Fig. 8, is executed by modifying the control program of the monitoring and reporting control unit 80 for the above-described opening and closing device 1 (see Figs. 1 to 3). Control example D will be described in detail below.

[0075] In Control Example D, the processes of steps S41 to S44 and S46 to S50 are approximately the same as the processes of steps S21 to S24 and S26 to S30 in Control Example C, respectively, and therefore redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0076] In step S45, similarly to step S25, it is determined whether the opening / closing body 10 is stopped, and if it is stopped, the process proceeds to the next step, and if not, the process jumps to step S51.

[0077] In step S51, similar to step S31 above, it is determined whether the opening / closing body 10 is in the closing operation, and if it is in the closing operation, the processing proceeds to the next step; if not, the subsequent processing is skipped and the processing returns to step S41.

[0078] In step S52, similar to step S32 above, the audio notification unit 81 emits a second notification, such as a voice message conveying the closing operation status of the opening / closing body 10, such as "The shutter is descending," or a voice message encouraging evacuation from below the opening / closing body 10.

[0079] In step S53, it is determined whether there is an obstacle on the closing direction side of the opening / closing body 10 during the closing operation, and if there is an obstacle, the processing proceeds to the next step, and if there is no obstacle, the subsequent processing is skipped and the processing returns to step S41 above. In the process of step S53, for example, the imaging data of the imaging unit 70 is analyzed to determine whether or not there is an obstacle in the closing path of the opening-closing body 10.

[0080] In the next step S54, the monitoring and reporting control unit 80 turns on the output of a stop signal for stopping the closing operation of the opening-closing body 10. More specifically, the monitoring and reporting control unit 80 issues the stop signal output to the switchgear control unit 50. In response to the stop signal output being turned ON, the switchgear control unit 50 activates a brake device (not shown) in the switchgear 40 to lock the output shaft of the switchgear 40 so that it cannot rotate.

[0081] In the next step S55, it is determined whether the opening / closing body 10 is stopped, and if it is stopped, the process proceeds to the next step, and if not, step S55a is executed.

[0082] In step S55a, in a manner similar to step S33 above, it is determined whether or not there is any object in the closing path of the opening / closing body 10. If there is no object, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process returns to step S52.

[0083] In step S56, the second notification by the audio notification unit 81 is stopped, and the process proceeds to the next step.

[0084] In step S57, the stop signal output that was turned ON in step S52 is turned OFF, thereby enabling the opening / closing device 40 to perform the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10.

[0085] In the next step S58, similar to step S33 etc., it is determined whether or not the object x has disappeared from the closing path of the opening / closing body 10, and if it has disappeared, the process proceeds to the next step, and if not, the process proceeds to step S58a.

[0086] In step S58a, similar to step S28 above, the audio notification unit 81 issues a first notification (for example, "The shutter cannot be closed" or "Please remove the obstacle"), and the process returns to step S58 to wait for object x to disappear.

[0087] In step S59, the first notification by the audio notification unit 81 is stopped, and the process proceeds to the next step. That is, if the object x has disappeared, the first notification is no longer necessary and is therefore stopped.

[0088] In the next step S60, the close signal output is turned ON, and the process returns to step S41. In this process, the monitoring and reporting control unit 80 outputs a closing signal to the switch control unit 50, and in response to this, the switch control unit 50 controls the switch 40 to rotate to close.

[0089] Therefore, according to the above control example D, appropriate alerts can be given according to the status of the closing path and the opening / closing body 10, such as the possibility of a closing failure or the closing operation status of the opening / closing body, and further, the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10 can be stopped if an obstacle is present, or automatically resumed when the obstacle is removed, thereby forming a fire compartment.

[0090] In the flowchart of control example D, the following processing may be added as necessary at appropriate points (for example, between step S53 and step S54, or between step S46 and step S47). In this process, if the monitoring / announcement control unit 80 determines based on the image data captured by the image capturing unit 70 that the recognized object or obstacle is not a person but smoke or flames, it activates the automatic closing device 60. Then, the process immediately after this returns to step S41. According to these processes, if the recognized object is smoke or flame, the automatic closing device 60 frees the output shaft of the opening / closing mechanism 40, and the opening / closing body 10 is forced to close under its own weight, thereby forming a fire compartment.

[0091] <Opening and closing device 3> In another embodiment, the opening / closing device 3 (see Figure 9) includes an opening / closing body 10 that performs a closing operation, an object recognition means that recognizes an object x in the closing path of the opening / closing body 10 or near the closing path, and a communication unit 90 that can communicate with a communication terminal 101. According to the illustrated example, this opening / closing device 3 is the opening / closing device 1, to which a sensor 71 and a communication unit 90 similar to those of the opening / closing device 2 have been added, and the control program stored in the monitoring / alarm control unit 80 has been modified. The object recognition means in this opening and closing device 3 is made up of a sensor 71 that detects an object x, an imaging unit 70 that captures an image including the object x, a monitoring and reporting control unit 80, and the like.

[0092] The communication unit 90 is equipped with a wireless module (more specifically, a wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) module, a specific low-power wireless module, etc.), and is configured to transfer commands received from the communication terminal 101 via the network line 100, etc., to the monitoring and alarm control unit 80, and to wirelessly transmit information input from the monitoring and alarm control unit 80 (for example, image data captured by the imaging unit 70, etc.).

[0093] In the illustrated example, the communication terminal 101 is a smartphone, and is equipped with a CPU that processes input data, a memory device, an input / output device (including a touch panel display), a wireless transceiver, etc., and has the function of wirelessly connecting to the network line 100 via a mobile phone line, Wi-Fi, etc. This communication terminal 101 performs two-way communication with the communication unit 90 by functioning according to a program (application) stored in advance. Other examples of this communication terminal 101 include mobile communication terminals other than those shown in the figure, notebook computers, desktop computers, tablet computers, wearable computers of various shapes (e.g., wristwatch-type), and other devices with network connection capabilities.

[0094] In FIG. 9, reference numeral 102 denotes a line termination device provided in a building or the like where the switchgear 3 is installed. A specific example of this line termination device 102 is an optical line termination device (ONU) connected to the network line 100 via an optical communication cable, and transmits and receives data wirelessly to and from the communication unit 90 . The line terminating device 102 may also be a modem connected to an ADL line or a CATV line.

[0095] <Control example E> Next, a control example E of the switching device 3 by the monitoring and reporting control unit 80 will be described in detail (see FIG. 10).

[0096] First, the monitoring and alarm control unit 80 determines whether the opening / closing body 10 is in the open position based on the contact signal of the opening / closing position sensing unit 42 (step S71), and if it is in the open position, proceeds to the next step; if not, repeats this step and waits for the opening / closing body 10 to reach the open position. The determination in step S71 can also be made based on the image data captured by the image capturing unit 70 in the same manner as in step S2, without using the open / close position sensing unit 42.

[0097] In the next step S72, it is determined based on the detection signal of the sensor 71 whether or not there is an object x in the closing path of the opening / closing body 10, and if there is an object x, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process returns to step S71. The determination in step S72 can also be made based on the image data captured by the image capturing unit 70, similar to step S3, without using the sensor 71.

[0098] In the next step S73, similar to steps S6 and S13, it is determined whether or not object x has been detected for a predetermined time (five minutes in the illustrated example) or more since step S72, and if it has been detected, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process skips the subsequent steps and returns to step S71.

[0099] In the next step S74, the imaging unit 70 is started up to start acquiring video data.

[0100] In the next step S75, the recognition information obtained by the object recognition means such as the sensor 71 and the imaging unit 70 is transmitted to the specific communication terminal 101 by the communication unit 90. Here, the recognition information includes a sensing signal (on, off, etc.) of the sensor 71, video data captured by the imaging unit 70, and the like.

[0101] When the communication terminal 101 receives the recognition information from the communication unit 90, it displays a push notification indicating that an object x (obstacle) is in the closing path of the opening / closing body 10, and displays image data (video or still image) captured by the imaging unit 70 in response to a tap operation or the like on the notification. The communication terminal 101 also stores a log of the date and time when the recognition information was received, the image data, etc.

[0102] The period for storing the image data may be the entire period during which the recognition information is being received, or may be a period from the time the recognition information is received until a predetermined time has elapsed. The log may be stored in a storage device on the communication terminal 101 or in a cloud server (not shown) in the network line 100 .

[0103] In addition, the communication terminal 101 has a function to transmit operational commands such as opening / closing or stopping the opening / closing body 10 to the communication unit 90, and a function to transmit audio data to the communication unit 90 so that the holder or the like can emit audio (for example, warnings or instructions) from the audio notification unit 81, and can perform these functions while displaying images captured by the imaging unit 70 on the screen.

[0104] In the next step S76, similar to step S29 etc., if recognition of object x is no longer being performed, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, step S76 is repeated to wait until recognition of object x is no longer being performed.

[0105] In the next step S77, the transmission of the recognition information in step S75 is stopped.

[0106] Then, in step S78, imaging by the imaging unit 70 is stopped.

[0107] Therefore, according to the opening and closing device 3 and control example E, the imaging time by the imaging unit 70 and the transmission time by the opening and closing device control unit 50 can be reduced to the minimum necessary, thereby reducing power consumption. Furthermore, the owner of the communication terminal 101 can remotely monitor obstacles and suspicious persons on the path closed by the opening / closing body 10 and can operate the opening / closing body 10.

[0108] In the flowchart of control example E, the following processing may be added as necessary at an appropriate point (for example, between step S73 and step S74). In this process, if the monitoring / alarm control unit 80 determines based on the imaging data from the imaging unit 70 that the recognized object x is not moving, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, the process skips the subsequent steps and returns to step S71 above. According to this process, power consumption by the imaging unit 70 and the opening / closing device control unit 50 can be reduced more effectively.

[0109] In addition, when the opening / closing device 3 receives a predetermined disaster prevention signal from outside, it activates the automatic closing device 60 and performs a closing operation using the weight of the opening / closing body 10, regardless of which stage of the above flowchart it is at.

[0110] <Control example F> Next, a control example F of the above opening and closing device 3 by the monitoring and reporting control unit 80 will be described in detail (see FIG. 11).

[0111] First, the monitoring / announcement control unit 80 starts imaging by the imaging unit 70 and records the imaging data by the imaging unit 70 in a loop recording format (step S81). Here, the loop recording method is a recording method in which video data is continuously written into a recording area with a predetermined limited capacity, and when the limited capacity is exceeded, the oldest data written first is erased in order, and new data is written into the freed memory area. For example, well-known technology used as a recording method for drive recorders can be applied.

[0112] The processes in the following steps S82 to S84 are respectively the same as the above steps S71 to S73, and the process in step S85 is the same as the above step S75.

[0113] In the next step S86, an indeletable file that will not be erased is created and stored for the image data. That is, in the case of recording using the loop recording method, as described above, when the capacity limit is exceeded, the oldest data written first is erased in order, but in step S86, in order to prevent the old data from becoming unreadable due to the erasure using the loop recording method, an indeletable file is created for the image data that will not be erased when recording using the loop recording method. This process is sometimes called lock file saving. As an example of this process, only during steps S86 to S88, the image data recorded by the loop recording method may be copied and saved in a storage area separate from the storage area used for the loop recording method.

[0114] The recording area for the unerasable file may be a storage area of ​​a storage device provided in the monitoring / announcement control unit 80, or may be a storage area of ​​a storage device provided in the communication terminal 101. Furthermore, it may be a storage area in a cloud server (not shown) in the network line 100.

[0115] Next, in step S87, similar to step S76 above, if recognition of object x is no longer being performed, the process proceeds to the next step; if not, step S87 is repeated to wait until recognition of object x is no longer being performed.

[0116] In the next step S88, the process of creating and saving the unerasable file described above is stopped. That is, from step S88 onwards, the unerasable file is not created and saved, and recording by the loop recording method is continued.

[0117] In the next step S89, the transmission of the recognition information in step S85 is stopped, and the process returns to step S82.

[0118] Therefore, according to control example F, the owner of the communication terminal 101 can remotely monitor obstacles or suspicious persons in the closing path of the opening-closing body 10, operate the opening / closing operation or stopping of the opening-closing body 10, and issue warnings using the audio notification unit 81. Furthermore, images of the opening and closing path of the opening-closing body 10 can be loop-recorded, and in particular, if there is an object x in the closing path, the date, time, image, etc. can be saved so that they will not be erased.

[0119] In addition, when the opening / closing device 3 is used as a combined control shutter, the sensor 71 is used as a sensor to stop the closing operation if an obstacle is detected during the closing operation of the opening / closing body 10 by operating a switch, etc., but when a specified disaster prevention signal is received from outside, the automatic closing device 60 is activated and the closing operation by the opening / closing body 10's own weight is given priority.

[0120] <Other variations> In the above embodiment, the imaging unit 70 is a video camera for capturing moving images. However, another example of the imaging unit 70 is a digital camera for capturing still images. In this case, the digital camera is used to capture multiple still images within a predetermined period of time. The monitoring / alarm control unit 80 processes and analyzes the multiple still images to determine whether an object in the image is moving, whether it is a person, etc.

[0121] Furthermore, although the opening and closing devices 1 and 2 illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 do not have a communication unit 90, the opening and closing devices 1 and 2 may also be provided with a communication unit 90, similar to the opening and closing device 3 (see Figure 9), to enable monitoring, operation, etc. by a communication terminal 101.

[0122] In addition, in the above embodiment, the notification is made by sound using the audio notification unit 81, but as another example, it is also possible to provide a light-emitting device to notify by light, or to notify by sound and light. As another example, it is possible to use a mode in which the notification is only by transmitting a signal to an external device such as the communication terminal 101, or to appropriately combine the signal transmission with notification by sound or light.

[0123] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as a particularly preferred mode, the object x that is at least in the closing path of the opening / closing body 10 is recognized, but as another example, it is also possible to recognize an object that is not in the closing path of the opening / closing body 10 but is in the vicinity of the closing path. In this mode, for example, if there is an object in the vicinity of the closing path, it is determined that there is a high possibility that this object will enter the closing path, and the above-mentioned notification is made.

[0124] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a shutter device, but the present invention can also be applied to door devices, sliding door devices, revolving door devices, folding door devices, balance door devices, window devices, partition fitting devices, etc.

[0125] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1, 2, 3: Switchgear 10: Opening and closing body 20: Guide rail 30: Storage area 40: Opening and closing machine 50: Switch control unit 60: Automatic closing device 70: Imaging unit 70a: Image area 71: Sensor 80: Monitoring and notification control unit 81: Voice notification unit 90: Communications Department 100: Network line 101: Communication terminal A to F: Control examples x: object

Claims

1. The device comprises an opening / closing body that performs a closing operation, an opening detection means that detects that the opening / closing body is in an open position, and an object recognition means that recognizes an object in a closing path of the opening / closing body or in the vicinity of the closing path, An opening and closing device that issues a warning to inform that there is a possibility of a closing failure when it is determined that there is detection by the opening detection means and that the object recognized by the object recognition means is not moving, The object recognition means is equipped with an imaging unit that images the closing path of the opening / closing body or the vicinity of the closing path, processes the image data from the imaging unit to recognize objects in the captured image, and determines that the object is not moving by analyzing the image data.

2. 2. The opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein the object recognition means observes the coordinates of the object in the captured image between frames of the imaging data, and if the coordinates do not change, determines that the object has not moved.

3. 3. The opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing body is a shutter curtain, which constitutes a shutter device.

4. The opening and closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the notification is made when the judgment that the opening detection means has detected an object and the object recognized by the object recognition means has not moved is repeated for a predetermined period of time.

5. 5. The opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein the notification is stopped on condition that the object recognition means no longer recognizes the object.

6. 6. The opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein the notification is made by emitting a sound.

Images