Escalator pedestrian stop point system

Abstract

This system provides a low-cost escalator walking stop point awarding system that eliminates the need for complex device configurations for point awarding. [Solution] A radio transmitter is installed near the center of the escalator's overall length, which transports a user from one entrance / exit to the other, such that the radio signal strength is strong near the center and weakens as the user approaches the entrance / exit. The user's steps are counted using a mobile device they possess, and walking information is generated from the step count during escalator use and the radio signal strength data received by the radio transmitter during escalator use. Based on the walking information, the user's stopping status on the escalator is determined, and stopping points are assigned according to the stopping status.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a walking stop point providing system and a walking stop point providing method for an escalator.

Background Art

[0002] Walking on an escalator is generally prohibited, but during rush hours and the like, users continue to walk. Although the country, prefectures, and elevator associations have issued warnings to prevent walking on escalators, there is still no effective preventive measure in place.

[0003] Conventionally, there is also a system that detects walking users using sensors and image processing technology and alerts escalator users to stop walking. In addition, a system that awards points when walking stops has been proposed to encourage walking stops.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, simply issuing warnings is not sufficient to suppress walking on the steps. In addition, conventional point awarding systems require multiple devices to determine walking on the steps, and there is a problem that it is difficult to introduce them in terms of layout and cost.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an escalator pedestrian stop point awarding system and a pedestrian stop point awarding method that eliminate the need for a complex device configuration for awarding points and enable cost reduction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An embodiment to achieve the above objective involves installing a radio transmitter near the center of the escalator's overall length, which transports a user from one entrance / exit to the other, such that the radio signal strength is strong near the center and weakens as the user approaches the entrance / exit. The user's steps are counted using a mobile device carried by the user, and walking information is generated from the step count during escalator use and the radio signal strength data received by the radio transmitter during escalator use. Based on the walking information, the user's stopping state on the escalator is determined, and stopping points are assigned according to the stopping state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] An explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an escalator to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram showing an example of a smartphone screen configuration to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 3] A block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of an escalator system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of an escalator system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 5] A waveform diagram showing the time course of radio wave strength when a user is stopped on the steps. [Figure 6] A waveform diagram showing the time course of radio wave intensity when a user moves along the steps. [Figure 7] A diagram illustrating the placement of the radio transmitter when there is only one escalator. [Figure 8] A diagram illustrating the placement of radio transmitters when two escalators are running in parallel. [Figure 9]A diagram illustrating the placement of radio transmitters when three escalators are running in parallel. [Figure 10] An explanatory diagram showing the placement of radio transmitters when two escalators intersect. [Figure 11] An explanatory diagram showing the installation location of radio transmitters when escalators are located alongside stairs. [Figure 12] An explanatory diagram showing the installation locations of radio transmitters in the case of moving walkways. [Figure 13] An explanatory diagram showing the radio transmitter and signal strength when a user uses the stairs. [Figure 14] A waveform diagram showing the time course of radio wave intensity when a user uses the stairs. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <Configuration of the embodiment> Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the escalator system in the embodiment. In the following embodiment, the escalator also includes a "moving walkway".

[0010] Escalator 1 has steps 4 that move endlessly between the lower floor entrance / exit 2 and the upper floor entrance / exit 3, and moves users 5 who are on the steps 4 up and down. A radio transmitter 6 is installed in the center of the direction of movement of escalator 1.

[0011] User 5, carrying a smartphone 10, can acquire predetermined walking stop points as shown in Figure 2 by moving while stationary between the lower floor entrance / exit 2 and the upper floor entrance / exit 3 without walking on the steps 4 of the escalator 1. The acquired points can be used, for example, at shops or restaurants inside the building where the escalator 1 is installed.

[0012] The radio wave transmitter 6 transmits a radio wave (beacon wave) including ID information for identifying the escalator 1, and is constituted by, for example, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) beacon. As shown in FIG. 1, when the radio wave transmitter 6 is installed at the central part in the moving direction of the escalator 1, a region AR1 with a strong radio wave intensity, a region AR2 with a medium radio wave intensity, and a region AR3 with a weak radio wave intensity are formed.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of an escalator system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0014] The smartphone 10 includes a radio wave receiving unit 11, a step counter 12, a walking information generating unit 13, a walking information transmitting unit 14, a point receiving unit 15, and a point accumulating unit 16.

[0015] The radio wave receiving unit 11 receives a radio wave (beacon wave) peculiar to the escalator 1 transmitted from the radio wave transmitter 6.

[0016] The step counter 12 constitutes a step counting system, and counts the number of steps of the user 5 when the user 5 is walking in conjunction with the beacon wave from the radio wave transmitter 6.

[0017] The walking information generating unit 13 generates walking information indicating whether or not the user 5 is walking on the escalator 1 based on the radio wave received from the radio wave transmitter 6 and the number of steps of the user 5 counted by the step counter 12.

[0018] The walking information transmitting unit 14 transmits the walking information generated by the walking information generating unit 13 to the data management server 20.

[0019] The point receiving unit 15 receives the points given from the data management server 20.

[0020] The point accumulating unit 16 accumulates the received points. The user 5 can use the accumulated points as needed.

[0021] The data management server 20 includes a gait determination unit 21 and a point awarding unit 22.

[0022] The walking determination unit 21 receives walking information transmitted from the smartphone 10 held by the user 5 and determines the walking state of the user 5. Specifically, if the user 5 is riding the escalator 1 and the radio wave strength changes from weak → medium → strong → medium → weak, the unit uses the location where the radio wave strength becomes strong as the central axis, estimates the time spent on the escalator 1 from information such as the distance and speed of the escalator 1 obtained from the ID information, and determines the user 5's stopping state while using the escalator from the step count information in the step count system.

[0023] The point awarding unit 22 awards points based on the determination result of the walking determination unit 21, according to the stopping state of the user 5, and transmits the awarded points to the user 5's smartphone 10.

[0024] <Operation of the Embodiment> Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

[0025] Radio transmitter 6 transmits radio waves containing ID information that identifies the escalator unit 1. User 5's smartphone 10 determines whether or not it is receiving a signal with an ID information signal strength of (weak) or higher (S1).

[0026] When receiving a signal with a signal strength of (weak) or higher, user 5 is near the lower floor entrance / exit 2 of escalator 1, and the app installed on smartphone 10 continues to acquire the number of steps from the step counter 12 (S2).

[0027] Next, the walking information generation unit 13 of the smartphone 10 determines whether or not it is receiving radio wave strength for a specific ID in the order of weak → medium → strong → medium → weak (S3).

[0028] If the signal strength for a specific ID is not received in the sequence of weak → medium → strong → medium → weak (S3NO), the user will be considered to be walking on step 4 and no points will be awarded (S4).

[0029] If the signal strength of a specific ID is received in the sequence of weak → medium → strong → medium → weak (S3YES), the time period of use is calculated based on the escalator ride time of user 5, with the strong signal strength being the central point (S5).

[0030] Based on previously acquired information within the smartphone 10, the system determines the stopping status of the escalator ride and awards points (S6). The awarded points are transmitted to the smartphone 10 held by user 5. Points received by the point receiving unit 15 of the smartphone 10 are stored in the point storage unit 16 and can be used by user 5 as needed.

[0031] Figure 5 shows an image of the time-series data of the signal strength (strong to weak) on the smartphone 10 and the number of steps recorded by the pedometer (pedometer counting system) 12, from when the user shown in Figure 1 boards the escalator, stops while riding, until disembarking.

[0032] Before boarding, the step count value is acquired by the step count system, but when boarding the escalator, the step count value becomes zero, and after disembarking, the step count value is acquired again. As shown in the Radio Wave Strength [Overview], the signal strength (strong to weak) increases as you get closer to the radio wave transmitter 6 and decreases as you move away. The Radio Wave Strength [Details], with strength on the vertical axis, shows that the slope SL1 of the radio wave strength can be visualized based on the signal strength and the passage of time.

[0033] In contrast, when user 5 is walking on step 4, as shown in Figure 6, the time from boarding to disembarking is shorter, and consequently, the incline SL2 is steeper compared to incline SL1.

[0034] Therefore, by comparing the waveform in Figure 5 with the waveform in Figure 6, it is possible to detect whether user 5 is standing still or walking on step 4.

[0035] <Example of installation location for radio transmitter 6> Figures 7 to 13 show the relationship between the layout of escalators inside the building, the installation location of radio transmitters, and their radio wave range (AR).

[0036] Figure 7 shows the installation location of the radio transmitter 6 when there is one escalator. In a building with one escalator 1, it is preferable to install the radio transmitter 6 on the railing near the center of the escalator 1 in the overall length direction.

[0037] Figure 8 shows the installation location of the radio transmitter 6 when two escalators are installed in parallel. When two escalators 1-1 and 1-2 are installed in parallel, it is desirable to install the radio transmitter 6 near the center in the overall length direction, midway between the two escalators 1-1 and 1-2. In this case, by changing the radio wave intensity of the radio transmitter 6, it is possible to determine which of the two escalators 1-1 and 1-2 is being used with a single radio transmitter 6.

[0038] Figure 9 shows the installation location of the radio transmitter 6 when the escalators are installed in parallel. When three escalators 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 are installed in parallel, the installation location of the radio transmitter 6 is the same as when two escalators are installed side by side, and is located at the center where each of the escalators 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 falls within the radio wave range AR.

[0039] Figure 10 shows the installation location of the radio transmitter 6 when two escalators intersect. When two escalators 1-1 and 1-2 are installed intersecting each other, the radio transmitter 6 is installed in the same way, at the center position where each escalator 1-1 and 1-2 falls within the radio wave range AR.

[0040] Figure 11 shows the installation location of the radio transmitter 6 when the escalator is located next to a staircase. When the escalator is located next to a staircase, it is desirable to install the radio transmitter 6 near the center of the escalator 1 in the direction of its entire length so that both users 5 of the escalator 1 and people walking on the stairs 7 can receive the radio waves within the radio wave range AR.

[0041] Figure 12 shows the installation location of the radio transmitter 6 in the case of a moving walkway. Similarly, in the case of a moving walkway, the radio transmitter 6 should be installed in a location where people using the moving walkway 8 within the radio wave range AR can receive the radio waves.

[0042] <If using stairs> As shown in Figure 13, the overall configuration of the escalator system is shown when user 5 uses the stairs 7 in a system where the escalator is installed alongside the stairs 7.

[0043] As shown in Figure 13, a radio transmitter 6 is installed near the center of the stairs 7 and transmits a predetermined beacon wave. By adding stair information to the ID information of the beacon wave emitted from the radio transmitter 6, it is possible to determine whether the user is moving on the escalator 1 or the stairs 7.

[0044] When user 5's smartphone 10 receives a beacon wave, it counts the steps in conjunction with the step counter 12.

[0045] In this case, the beacon signal strength increases at slope SL3, reaching its maximum in the center, and then decreases from strong to medium to weak as you move towards the top of the stairs. This allows points to be awarded even if user 5 uses stairs 7 instead of escalator 1, thereby encouraging them to use stairs 7 whenever possible.

[0046] <Variation> Variation 1 Depending on the escalator 1, it may not be possible to install the radio transmitter 6 at the center position. Therefore, the radio signal strength at the center position of the escalator 1 may not be at its maximum. In this case, by adding information to the ID information that offsets the position of the central axis of the previously measured radio signal strength, the control side can be configured to have the same conditions as if the radio transmitter 6 were installed at the center position.

[0047] Variation 2 The entire escalator, including the users, is imaged with a camera, and the image information from the camera is analyzed to determine the posture and condition of the escalator users. If the analysis determines that the posture and condition are correct, additional points may be added to the normal points; if they are determined to be incorrect, points may be deducted from the normal points.

[0048] Variation 3 If the communication status between the smartphone 10 and the data management server 20 is good, points will be awarded immediately. However, if the communication status is poor, the awarding of points may be withheld and accumulated until the communication status improves.

[0049] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1, 1-1, 1-2, 1-3… Escalator, 2… Lower floor entrance / exit, 3… Upper floor entrance / exit, 4… Steps, 5… User, 6… Radio wave transmitter, 7… Stairs, 8… Moving walkway, 10… Smartphone, 11… Radio wave receiver, 12… Step counter, 13… Walking information generation unit, 14… Walking information transmission unit, 15… Point receiver unit, 16… Point accumulation unit, 20… Data management server, 21… Walking determination unit, 22… Point awarding unit, AR… Radio wave range, AR1… Radio wave strength (strong) area, AR2… Radio wave strength (medium) area, AR3… Radio wave strength (weak) area, SL1, SL2, SL3… Slope of radio wave strength waveform

Claims

1. A radio transmitter is installed near the center of the escalator's overall length, which transports users from one entrance / exit to the other. The transmitter is configured to have a strong signal strength near the center, and to decrease as the user approaches the entrance / exit. A portable terminal that is carried by the user and comprises at least a step counter for counting the user's steps, a radio wave receiving unit for receiving radio waves from the radio wave transmitter, and a walking information generation unit. The mobile terminal is connected to a data management server, The walking information generation unit of the aforementioned mobile terminal generates walking information using the step count value when using the escalator and the radio wave intensity data of the radio wave transmitter received when using the escalator. The aforementioned data management server determines the user's stopping status on the escalator based on walking information transmitted from the mobile terminal, and assigns stopping points according to the stopping status, thereby providing an escalator walking stopping point assignment system.

2. When the aforementioned mobile terminal receives radio waves from the radio transmitter that include specific ID information identifying the escalator, it records the user's step count. When a user rides an escalator and the signal strength changes from weak to medium to strong to medium to weak, the location where the signal strength is strong is used as the central axis. Based on the escalator distance and speed information obtained from the ID information, the escalator ride time is estimated. The escalator walking stop point awarding system according to claim 1, which determines the user's stopping status while using the escalator based on the user's step count and escalator ride time, and awards stopping points according to the stopping status.

3. If the user's pedometer readings cannot be obtained, the system determines the stopping time and state on the steps based on the time and gradient of the radio wave intensity from the radio wave transmitter (weak → medium → strong → medium → weak), and awards points according to the determination result, as described in claim 1.

4. The escalator walking stop point assignment system according to claim 1, which can be adapted to various escalator installation configurations by changing the radio wave intensity of the radio wave transmitter, thereby enabling the system to handle situations ranging from one escalator to multiple escalators, or situations where escalators intersect, or where moving walkways are mixed, by setting escalator information corresponding to the ID information emitted from a single radio wave transmitter.

5. The escalator walking stop point awarding system according to claim 1, wherein, when an escalator and stairs are provided together, stair information is added to the ID information transmitted from the radio transmitter to determine whether movement is via escalator or stairs, and points can be awarded even when ascending or descending stairs.

6. The escalator walking stop point assignment system according to claim 1, wherein, depending on the installation location of the radio wave transmitter, if the radio wave strength is not at its maximum at the center of the escalator, this can be addressed by adding information to the ID information that offsets the position of the central axis of the radio wave strength, which was measured in advance.

7. The escalator walking stop point awarding system according to claim 1, wherein the entire escalator, including the users, is imaged with a camera, the image information from the camera is analyzed to analyze the posture and state of the escalator users, and if it is determined that the posture and state are correct, positive points are awarded to the normal points, and if it is determined that they are incorrect, points are deducted from the normal points.

8. The escalator walking stop point awarding system according to claim 1, wherein points are awarded immediately when the communication status between the mobile terminal and the data management server is good, but when the communication status is poor, point awarding is withheld and accumulated until the communication status improves.

9. In an escalator that transports users from one entrance / exit to the other, a radio transmitter is installed near the center of the escalator's length, such that the radio signal strength is strong near the center and decreases as the user approaches the entrance / exit. The user's steps are counted using the mobile device possessed by the user. Walking information is generated from the step count data obtained while using the escalator and the radio wave strength data received by the radio transmitter while using the escalator. A method for assigning stopping points for escalators, which determines the user's stopping status on the escalator based on the aforementioned walking information and assigns stopping points according to the stopping status.

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