Smoking area information provision system

Abstract

A smoking area information system can be obtained that can provide information on how smoky a smoking area is. [Solution] The smoking area information provision system (100) comprises a smoke detection unit (101) that detects smoke generated in the smoking area (50), and a processing unit (150) that derives a smokiness index indicating the degree of smokiness in the smoking area (50) based on the detection results by the smoke detection unit (101). The processing unit (150) comprises an indoor concentration calculation unit (102) that calculates the indoor smoke concentration in the smoking area (50) as the indoor concentration based on the detection results by the smoke detection unit (101), and a smokiness index deriving unit (103) that derives a smokiness index in the smoking area (50) based on the indoor concentration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a smoking area information providing system that provides information on smoking areas.

Background Art

[0002] With the implementation of the passive smoking prevention law, in modern times where the reduction of smoking areas is progressing, there is a problem that, due to not knowing the location of smoking areas, it conversely promotes roadside smoking or littering.

[0003] To address these problems, a system has been constructed that distributes a map specifying the locations of smoking areas to the terminal devices possessed by smokers (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). Such a system has become a service with very high demand for smokers.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The system according to Non-Patent Document 1 is specifically specialized in identifying the locations of smoking areas. Therefore, information such as the degree of smokiness inside the smoking area and whether it is crowded is not provided. Consequently, users cannot confirm the smokiness, congestion status, etc. unless they actually visit the smoking area.

[0006] It is also possible to display the number of people in a smoking area using motion sensors or by measuring the number of people entering and leaving, but even in this case, the level of smoke inside the smoking area cannot be determined. For example, if heated tobacco products are being smoked in a smoking area, it will not be as smoky as if the same number of people were smoking the same amount of cigarettes. While the level of congestion in the smoking area is important to some users, there is also a desire to avoid the smoke from other people's cigarettes as much as possible.

[0007] This disclosure is made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a smoking area information system that can provide information on how smoky a smoking area is. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The smoking area information provision system relating to this disclosure comprises a smoke detection unit that detects smoke generated in a smoking area, and a processing unit that derives a smoky index indicating the degree of smokiness in the smoking area based on the detection results from the smoke detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, a smoking area information provision system can be obtained that can provide information on how smoky a smoking area is. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates the overall configuration of the smoking area information provision system in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure illustrates a smoking area that is different from the one shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the smoking area information provision system. [Figure 4] Figure 1 illustrates a map provided to a terminal device by the cloud server shown. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows an example of a configuration in which an indicator light is installed in a smoking area as another means of notification in the smoking area information provision system shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the smoking area information provision system of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The smoking area information provision system described herein is technically characterized by measuring smoke concentration by installing smoke detectors in smoking areas and providing information on the smokiness and congestion level of the smoking areas based on these measurement results.

[0012] The greater the amount of smoke and the higher the smoke concentration in a smoking area, the greater the discomfort and congestion caused by the smoke. Conversely, the less smoke there is and the lower the smoke concentration, the less discomfort and congestion caused by the smoke. The smoking area information provision system described in this disclosure utilizes this correlation to provide information on the current level of smoke and congestion in the smoking area based on real-time measured smoke concentration.

[0013] Furthermore, the smoking area information provision system related to this disclosure will deliver a map clearly indicating the location of smoking areas to the system user's terminal device, as well as the smoke intensity index and congestion level of each smoking area. This will make it possible to provide the system user with information on the location of each smoking area in the surrounding area, the level of smoke at each smoking area, and / or the congestion level, through the terminal device they possess.

[0014] Here, "smoky" and "smoky feeling" refer to physical discomfort caused by smoke, such as difficulty breathing or difficulty opening the eyes. Furthermore, a "smoky feeling index" refers to a guideline or numerical data derived based on rules to objectively understand the degree of smokiness.

[0015] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the smoking area information provision system in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure.

[0016] In FIG. 1, the smoking area information providing system 100 can be configured to include a smoke sensor 11, a receiver 12, and a cloud server 20.

[0017] The smoke sensor 11 and the receiver 12 are installed for each smoking area 50 provided at each location.

[0018] The smoke sensor 11 is a spot-type R-type sensor that senses smoke, and is installed in the exhaust duct 14 of the smoking area 50.

[0019] Here, the R-type sensor is a sensor used in R-type fire alarm equipment. In the case of a smoke sensor, it measures the smoke concentration (light extinction rate with respect to when there is no smoke) in the target space and transmits the measured value to the R-type receiver. The R-type receiver determines the occurrence of a fire based on the smoke concentration received from the R-type sensor and the set threshold value.

[0020] <X Thus, the R-type sensor is usually used to detect smoke caused by a fire, but in Embodiment 1, it is used for the purpose of detecting the smoke concentration of tobacco in the exhaust duct 14.

[0021] The tobacco smoke generated in the smoking area 50 is exhausted from the exhaust duct 14 through the exhaust port 13. The smoke sensor 11 detects the concentration of the smoke passing through the exhaust duct 14 and outputs the smoke concentration to the receiver 12. Note that the smoke concentration in the exhaust duct 14 detected by the smoke sensor 11 is referred to as the "in-duct concentration" in order to distinguish it from the indoor concentration described later.

[0022] Here, the reason for providing the smoke sensor 11 in the exhaust duct 14 will be mentioned. If the smoke sensor 11 is provided in the smoking area 50, the detection value will change depending on the position of the person smoking. Therefore, in order to measure the smoke concentration in the exhaust duct 14 that collects and exhausts the indoor smoke of the smoking area 50, the smoke sensor 11 is provided in the exhaust duct 14. As a modification, there is also a method of installing a plurality of smoke sensors 11 in the smoking area and calculating the smoke concentration (indoor concentration described later) of the entire interior of the smoking area 50 based on the smoke concentrations detected by each of them.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, instead of the spot-type smoke detector 11 described above, a photoelectrically separated smoke detector 16 equipped with a light-transmitting unit 16A and a light-receiving unit 16B can be installed in the smoking area 50. This allows for the measurement of the attenuation rate between the light-transmitting unit 16A and the light-receiving unit 16B, and enables the measurement of the overall smoke concentration (indoor concentration, described later) in the smoking area 50, regardless of the size of the room inside the smoking area 50.

[0024] Receiver 12 is an R-type receiver and is installed in a designated location in the smoking area 50. R-type receivers are typically used to notify when smoke from a fire has been detected.

[0025] In contrast, the receiver 12 in Embodiment 1 receives the duct concentration output from the smoke detector 11 and calculates the amount of smoke in the smoking area 50 and the smoke concentration inside the smoking area 50 in real time based on this duct concentration. The smoke concentration inside the smoking area 50 is referred to as "indoor concentration" to distinguish it from the duct concentration.

[0026] Furthermore, the receiver 12 transmits the calculated smoke volume and indoor concentration to the cloud server 20 via the internet 200.

[0027] The cloud server 20 is a server that can communicate with the receiver 12 and the terminal device 30 via the internet 200.

[0028] The cloud server 20 receives smoke volume and indoor concentration data from receivers 12 located in each of the smoking areas 50. Based on the received smoke volume data, the cloud server 20 calculates the level of congestion for each smoking area 50 in real time. The cloud server 20 also derives a smokiness index for each smoking area 50 in real time based on the received indoor concentration data.

[0029] Furthermore, the cloud server 20 provides information about each smoking area 50 to the terminal device 30 in response to a request from the terminal device 30.

[0030] The terminal device 30 is a smartphone, tablet computer, notebook computer, personal computer, etc., owned by the system user.

[0031] The terminal device 30 displays a map provided by the cloud server 20, which clearly indicates the location of each smoking area 50. The terminal device 30 also displays the smoke intensity index and congestion level for each smoking area 50, which are obtained from the cloud server 20.

[0032] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the smoking area information provision system 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0033] In Figure 3, the smoking area information provision system 100 includes a smoke detection unit 101, an indoor concentration calculation unit 102, a smokiness index derivation unit 103, a distribution unit 104, and a time-of-day distribution unit 105.

[0034] The smoke detection unit 101 is, for example, the smoke detector 11 installed in each smoking area 50, and detects the concentration of smoke contained in the air passing through the exhaust duct 14, i.e., the duct concentration.

[0035] The indoor concentration calculation unit 102 is, for example, the receiver 12 installed in each smoking area 50, and determines the amount of smoke and the indoor concentration in the smoking area 50 based on the detection results from the smoke detection unit 101.

[0036] The indoor concentration calculation unit 102 stores information on the cross-sectional area and wind speed of the exhaust duct 14, and calculates the amount of smoke from the cross-sectional area, the wind speed, and the concentration inside the duct detected by the smoke detection unit 101.

[0037] Furthermore, the indoor concentration calculation unit 102 also maintains the volume inside the smoking area, and calculates the indoor concentration based on the calculated amount of smoke and the volume inside the smoking area.

[0038] This allows for more accurate measurement of the absolute amount of smoke and the indoor concentration, regardless of the size of the smoking area 50. The correlation between duct concentration and smoke volume, and between duct concentration and indoor concentration, varies depending on the duct cross-sectional area, wind speed, and volume of the smoking area, as described above. Therefore, the calculation formula is set based on actual measured values ​​of these factors.

[0039] The smoke index derivation unit 103, the distribution unit 104, and the time-of-day distribution unit 105 are all located on the cloud server 20.

[0040] The smoke intensity index derivation unit 103 derives a smoke intensity index for the smoking area 50 based on the indoor concentration transmitted from the indoor concentration calculation unit 102.

[0041] Here, the smokiness index derivation unit 103 derives a smokiness index in three stages: "high," "medium," and "low," according to the indoor concentration received from the indoor concentration calculation unit 102.

[0042] For example, the smoke index derivation unit 103 sets the smoke index to "high" when the indoor concentration received from the indoor concentration calculation unit 102 is 10% / m or higher. The smoke index derivation unit 103 also sets the smoke index to "medium" when the received indoor concentration is 5% or higher but less than 10% / m, and sets the smoke index to "low" when the received indoor concentration is less than 5% / m.

[0043] In this way, the smoke index derivation unit 103 derives the smoke index for the smoking area 50 in three stages: high, medium, and low, by classifying the indoor concentration received from the indoor concentration calculation unit 102 using thresholds. Note that although the classification is done in three stages (high, medium, and low) here, the granularity of the classification and the thresholds used to classify the received indoor concentration are merely examples.

[0044] In addition to deriving this smokiness index, the smokiness index derivation unit 103 also calculates the degree of congestion in the smoking area 50 based on the amount of smoke received from the indoor concentration calculation unit 102.

[0045] In Embodiment 1, a conversion formula for determining the degree of congestion from the amount of smoke is generated in advance, and this conversion formula is stored in the smoky index derivation unit 103 for use.

[0046] To generate such a conversion formula, first, a typical indoor smoking area is filled with the maximum number of smokers determined by considering factors such as outdoor exhaust volume. Then, the amount of smoke produced when all smokers are smoking cigarettes under these conditions is measured.

[0047] Then, the amount of smoke produced when the maximum number of people are smoking is used as the congestion level of 100%, and a conversion formula is generated to calculate the congestion level (%) by apportioning it based on the currently measured amount of smoke.

[0048] The smoke level index derivation unit 103 can calculate the current level of congestion (%) from the amount of smoke by applying the current amount of smoke obtained in real time from each smoking area 50 to the above conversion formula.

[0049] The above methods for determining the smokiness index and congestion level are merely examples. For example, the smokiness index can be calculated numerically using a predetermined conversion formula, in addition to classifying it into high, medium, and low using a threshold. Alternatively, a suitable conversion formula can be used for each of the 50 smoking areas, or a common conversion formula can be used. Furthermore, a correspondence table linking indoor concentration and the smokiness index can be used. Similarly, for congestion level, a suitable conversion formula can be used for each of the 50 smoking areas, or a correspondence table linking smoke volume and congestion level can be used.

[0050] The smoke intensity index deriving unit 103 stores the obtained smoke intensity index and / or congestion level over time and stores them in a way that allows them to be distinguished for each smoking area 50.

[0051] Furthermore, the smoke intensity index output unit 103 aggregates the smoke intensity index and / or congestion level of each smoking area 50 for each time period. In Embodiment 1, the aggregation is performed in one-hour increments, but it is not limited to this, and aggregation may also be performed in 10-minute or 30-minute increments.

[0052] The distribution unit 104 functions as a notification unit that notifies the external party of the smoke index and / or congestion level obtained by the smoke index derivation unit 103. More specifically, the distribution unit 104 distributes the smoke index and / or congestion level to an external terminal device 30 via the internet 200.

[0053] The distribution unit 104 distributes the current smoke level index and / or congestion level of each smoking area 50 to the terminal device 30, associating it with location information indicating the location of the smoking area 50. It is assumed that the cloud server 20 has the location information of each smoking area 50 stored in advance.

[0054] The time zone distribution unit 105 obtains the busiest and least busy time zones from the congestion level data compiled by the smoke index derivation unit 103. The time zone distribution unit 105 then distributes the obtained busy and least busy time zones to the terminal device 30 via the internet 200.

[0055] Furthermore, the time-based distribution unit 105 will distribute content during both peak and off-peak hours, in conjunction with the distribution unit 104.

[0056] It is also possible to combine the indoor concentration calculation unit 102 and the smokiness index derivation unit 103 described above into a single processing unit 150. In this case, the processing unit 150 is configured as a functional unit that derives a smokiness index for the smoking area 50 based on the detection results from the smoke detection unit 101.

[0057] By consolidating these processes into a single processing unit 150, the processing and coefficients performed individually in the indoor concentration calculation unit 102 and the smoky index derivation unit 103 can be thoroughly examined and then combined into an internal processing unit 150.

[0058] Furthermore, by consolidating the processing unit 150, some or all of the functions of the indoor concentration calculation unit 102 can be provided on the cloud server 20. Also, by consolidating the processing unit 150, some or all of the functions of the smokiness index derivation unit 103 can be provided on the side of the smoking area 50.

[0059] Figure 4 is an example of a map provided to the terminal device 30 by the cloud server 20 shown in Figure 1.

[0060] The terminal device 30 receives information from the cloud server 20 regarding the location of the smoking area 50, the current smoke level index, the level of congestion, the time of day when it is crowded, and the time of day when it is not crowded. Based on this information, the terminal device 30 displays a map, as shown in Figure 3, in which the location of each smoking area 50 is indicated by an icon.

[0061] The icons marked on the map are color-coded according to the smoke level index. For example, smoking area 50 with a high smoke level index is displayed as a red icon, indicating a situation where the cigarette smoke is extremely unpleasant. Smoking area 50 with a moderate smoke level index is displayed as a yellow icon. Smoking area 50 with a low smoke level index is displayed as a white, blue, or green icon, indicating a relatively comfortable situation.

[0062] Furthermore, when a system user selects an icon on the map, the terminal device 30 displays information on the current level of congestion at the smoking area 50, including specific numerical values, busy times, and less busy times.

[0063] By checking this information, system users can easily understand the current level of smoke and congestion at each of the 50 smoking areas. Furthermore, system users can also identify busy and less busy times. Therefore, system users can adjust their usage to avoid busy times or actively utilize the smoking areas during less busy periods.

[0064] The terminal device 30 may also provide information to system users about busy and less busy times by displaying a graph with each time period on the horizontal axis and the degree of congestion on the vertical axis.

[0065] Figure 5 shows an example configuration in which an indicator light is installed in the smoking area 50 as another notification means in the smoking area information provision system 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0066] As shown in Figure 5, an indicator light 15 capable of displaying information in different colors according to the level of smoke may be provided outside the smoking area 50 as a notification unit.

[0067] In some cases, the doors and walls of smoking area 50 are made of glass with low light transmittance or materials that are completely opaque. In such cases, it is not easy to see inside smoking area 50 from the outside.

[0068] By installing the indicator light 15 in a clearly visible location near the door, the level of smoke inside the smoking area 50 can be assessed from outside the smoking area.

[0069] The indicator light 15 may be illuminated in a color similar to the icon described in Figure 3, or it may be a different color.

[0070] When such an indicator light 15 is provided, the indicator light 15 receives instructions from the receiver 12 on which color to illuminate according to the smoke level indicator. In this case, the receiver 12 may also derive the smoke level indicator by performing the same process as the smoke level indicator derivation unit 103 described above, and then determine the illumination color of the indicator light 15.

[0071] Alternatively, the receiver 12 may obtain a smoke index derived by the cloud server 20 from the cloud server 20 and determine the color of the indicator light 15 according to the obtained smoke index.

[0072] In the above embodiment 1, a receiver 12, i.e., an R-type receiver, was used as the indoor concentration calculation unit 102, but it is not limited to this. Any simpler configuration that can calculate the indoor concentration and communicate with the cloud server 20 may be used as the indoor concentration calculation unit 102.

[0073] Furthermore, the receiver 12 may also be used as a receiver for issuing fire alarms. In this case, the fire monitoring may be handled by a heat detector.

[0074] Furthermore, instead of identifying the smoke level indicator by the difference in the color of the light, the indicator light 15 may employ other methods, such as identifying the smoke level indicator by varying the interval between flashing displays. In other words, the indicator light 15 only needs to be an indicator light that can change its display content according to the smoke level indicator.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, the smoky index and the degree of congestion were treated as separate entities and determined by different methods. On the other hand, since "smoky" and "crowded" are related, "smoky" can sometimes be described as "crowded," and vice versa.

[0076] Similarly, the "smokiness index" can be expressed as "crowding level," and vice versa. Furthermore, although there are differences in notation, the smokiness index and crowding level can be considered essentially the same. For this reason, the crowding level may be calculated using the same method as the smokiness index, and vice versa.

[0077] The features of this smoking area information provision system 100 can be summarized as follows, and it will be able to achieve its intended effects.

[0078] The smoking area information provision system 100 includes a smoke detection unit 101 that detects smoke generated in the smoking area 50, and a processing unit 150 that derives a smokiness index indicating the degree of smokiness in the smoking area 50 based on the detection results from the smoke detection unit 101.

[0079] Furthermore, the processing unit 150 includes an indoor concentration calculation unit 102 that calculates the indoor smoke concentration in the smoking area 50 as the indoor concentration based on the detection results from the smoke detection unit 101, and a smoke intensity index deriving unit 103 that derives a smokiness index in the smoking area 50 based on the indoor concentration.

[0080] Therefore, a smoking area information provision system 100 can be obtained that can provide information on how smoky a smoking area 50 is, based on quantitative measurement results.

[0081] Furthermore, the system includes a notification unit that notifies the external system of the smoke index derived by the processing unit 150. Alternatively, a distribution unit 104 can be used as the notification unit to distribute the smoke index externally via the internet 200.

[0082] Therefore, system users can remotely determine how smoky the smoking area 50 is.

[0083] Furthermore, the smoking area 50 is composed of multiple smoking areas 50 provided at various locations. The smoke detection unit 101 is composed of multiple smoke detection units 101 provided individually at each of the multiple smoking areas 50. The processing unit 150 derives a smoke level index for each of the multiple smoking areas 50 based on the detection results from each smoke detection unit 101.

[0084] The distribution unit 104 distributes the smoke intensity index for each of the multiple smoking areas 50, derived by the processing unit 150, to an external source, in association with the location information of each smoking area 50.

[0085] Therefore, system users can view and compare the smoke levels of 50 different smoking areas in a single list.

[0086] Furthermore, a notification unit can be provided, which is installed outside the smoking area 50 and uses an indicator light 15 that changes its display content according to the smoke level index.

[0087] Therefore, by observing the smoking area 50 from the surrounding area, it is possible to determine the level of smoke inside the smoking area 50.

[0088] Furthermore, the smoke detection unit 101 is installed in the exhaust duct 14 of the smoking area 50. Therefore, a more accurate smoke concentration can be obtained than if the smoke detection unit 101 were installed inside the smoking area 50.

[0089] Furthermore, the processing unit 150 aggregates the congestion level of the smoking area 50 for each time period, and derives either the congested time period or the uncrowded time period, or both, at the smoking area 50 based on the aggregated data. The smoking area information provision system 100 also includes a time period distribution unit 105 that distributes the congested or uncrowded time period derived by the processing unit 150 to external parties via the Internet 200.

[0090] Therefore, information about busy or quiet times can be provided to system users.

[0091] As described above, the smoking area information provision system 100 can be used to understand the congestion status of smoking areas by using motion sensors or managing entry and exit, but in that case, if the users inside are using e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products, the smoking area may be crowded but not very smoky. The smoking area information provision system 100 of the present invention uses the level of smokiness as the criterion for judgment, so it can provide more useful information to users who want to avoid other people's cigarette smoke. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 11 Smoke detector, 12 Receiver, 13 Exhaust vent, 14 Exhaust duct, 15 Indicator light, 20 Cloud server, 30 Terminal device, 50 Smoking area, 100 Smoking area information provision system, 101 Smoke detection unit, 102 Indoor concentration calculation unit, 103 Smoke level index derivation unit, 104 Distribution unit, 105 Time zone distribution unit, 150 Processing unit, 200 Internet.

Claims

1. A smoke detection unit that detects smoke generated in the smoking area, A processing unit that derives a smoke index indicating the degree of smoke in the smoking area based on the detection results from the smoke detection unit, A smoking area information provision system equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned processing unit, An indoor concentration calculation unit calculates the indoor smoke concentration in the smoking area based on the detection results from the smoke detection unit, The smoking area information provision system according to claim 1, comprising: a smoke intensity index deriving unit that derives the smoke intensity index in the smoking area based on the indoor concentration.

3. The smoking area information provision system according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit for notifying the external party of the smoke intensity index derived by the processing unit.

4. The notification unit is configured as a distribution unit that distributes the smoke index to external parties via the internet. The smoking area information provision system according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned smoking area is composed of multiple smoking areas set up in various locations. The smoke detection unit is configured as a plurality of smoke detection units individually provided in each of the plurality of smoking areas. The processing unit derives the smoke intensity index for each of the plurality of smoking areas based on the detection results from each of the smoke detection units. The distribution unit distributes the smoke intensity index for each of the multiple smoking areas derived by the processing unit to an external source, in association with the location information of each smoking area. The smoking area information provision system according to claim 4.

6. The notification unit is installed outside the smoking area and is configured as an indicator light that changes the displayed content according to the smoke level indicator. The smoking area information provision system according to claim 3.

7. The smoke detection unit is installed in the exhaust duct of the smoking area. The smoking area information provision system according to claim 1.

8. The processing unit further aggregates the degree of congestion in the smoking area for each time period, and based on the aggregated data, derives either the congested time period or the uncrowded time period, or both, in the smoking area. A smoking area information provision system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The system further includes a time zone distribution unit that distributes the congested time zone or the uncongested time zone derived by the processing unit to an external party via the Internet. The smoking area information provision system according to claim 8.

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