Automatic door device, status monitoring method for an infrared sensor for an automatic door device, infrared sensor system for an automatic door device, and infrared sensor for an automatic door device

Abstract

To provide an automatic door device capable of estimating a state of an infrared sensor, a method for monitoring the state of the infrared sensor for the automatic door device, an infrared sensor system for the automatic door device and the infrared sensor for the automatic door device.SOLUTION: The automatic door device comprises: a sliding door that is opened / closed by a driving part; an infrared sensor which has a light projection part for projecting detection light, a light receiving part for receiving a reflection of the detection light, and a detection area, and which outputs a signal used for control for opening / closing the sliding door based on an amount of light received by the light receiving part; and a state monitoring part for monitoring the state of the infrared sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic door system, a state monitoring method for an infrared sensor for an automatic door system, an infrared sensor system for an automatic door system, and an infrared sensor for an automatic door system. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-074866, filed on April 20, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Reflective sensors for automatic doors that form a monitoring area by irradiating spot lights in a matrix on the floor surface near the automatic door have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the sensor includes a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and the light-emitting unit has first to fourth light-emitting element groups. The first to fourth light-emitting element groups are cyclically driven in the order of the first light-emitting element group → second light-emitting element group → third light-emitting element group → fourth light-emitting element group → first light-emitting element group.... The light-receiving unit has first to eighth light-receiving element groups. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, for example, the first light-emitting element group is made to emit light, and the outputs of the first to eighth light-receiving element groups are selected in the order of, for example, the first light-receiving element group → the second light-receiving element group → the third light-receiving element group → the fourth light-receiving element group → the fifth light-receiving element group → the sixth light-receiving element group → the seventh light-receiving element group → the eighth light-receiving element group. Next, for example, the second light-emitting element group is made to emit light, and the outputs of the first to eighth light-receiving element groups are selected in the order of, for example, the first light-receiving element group → the second light-receiving element group → the third light-receiving element group → the fourth light-receiving element group → the fifth light-receiving element group → the sixth light-receiving element group → the seventh light-receiving element group → the eighth light-receiving element group. However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 does not monitor the state of the sensor. Therefore, the technology described in Patent Document 1 cannot estimate the degree of deterioration of the sensor. As a result, the technology described in Patent Document 1 cannot replace the sensor at an appropriate time before the sensor breaks down. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-271537 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic door system that can estimate the state of an infrared sensor, a state monitoring method for an infrared sensor for an automatic door system, an infrared sensor system for an automatic door system, and an infrared sensor for an automatic door system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] [1] An automatic door device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a sliding door that is opened and closed by a drive unit, a detection area that detects an object, a light-projecting unit that projects detection light onto the detection area, and a light-receiving unit that receives the detection light reflected from the light-projecting unit. The infrared sensor outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit, and a status monitoring unit that monitors the status of the infrared sensor.

[0006] [2] In the automatic door system according to the aspect [1] above, the detection area may include at least a nearby area close to the sliding door and a distant area far from the sliding door, and the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit in the nearby area and the amount of light received by the light receiving unit in the distant area.

[0007] [3] In the automatic door system according to the aspect [2] above, a memory unit is provided which stores the amount of light received in the near area and the amount of light received in the far area, and the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor using at least one of the two amounts of light received stored in the memory unit.

[0008] [4] In the automatic door system according to the aspect [2] above, the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor based on a difference between a near area received light amount at a first time point, which is the amount of light received in the near area at a first time point, and a near area received light amount at a second time point, which is the amount of light received in the near area at a second time point different from the first time point, and a difference between a far area received light amount at a first time point, which is the amount of light received in the far area at the first time point, and a far area received light amount at a second time point, which is the amount of light received in the far area at the second time point.

[0009] [5] In the automatic door system according to aspect [4] above, the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor based on both the detection results of the infrared sensor in the nearby area and the detection results in the distant area.

[0010] [6] In the automatic door system according to the aspect [1] above, the detection area may include a plurality of detection spots and may be equipped with an acquisition unit that acquires detection information and control information of the infrared sensor, and the detection information may indicate whether the plurality of detection spots are in a detection state in which they are detecting the object, or whether the plurality of detection spots are in a non-detection state in which they are not detecting the object.

[0011] [7] In the automatic door system according to aspect [6] above, the plurality of detection spots may include a first detection spot in the non-detection state, and the acquisition unit may acquire the amount of light received by the first detection spot and control information of the infrared sensor, and the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor based on changes over time in the amount of light received by the first detection spot and the control information of the infrared sensor acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0012] [8] In the automatic door system according to aspect [7] above, the multiple detection spots include the first detection spot in the non-detection state and the second detection spot in the detection state, and the first detection spot includes an adjacent spot adjacent to the second detection spot and a non-adjacent spot not adjacent to the second detection spot, and the acquisition unit acquires the amount of light received by the first detection spot, excluding the adjacent spot light received amount, which is the amount of reflected light received by the infrared sensor from the non-adjacent spots, and control information of the infrared sensor, and the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor based on the amount of light received by the first detection spot including the non-adjacent spot light received amount acquired by the acquisition unit and changes over time in the control information of the infrared sensor.

[0013] [9] In the automatic door system according to any one of the above aspects [6] to [8], the plurality of detection spots may include a second detection spot in the detection state, and the acquisition unit may acquire control information of the infrared sensor when the second detection spot is included in the detection area, and the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor based on a change over time in the control information of the infrared sensor acquired by the acquisition unit when the second detection spot is included in the detection area.

[0014]

[10] In the automatic door system according to any one of the above aspects [6] to [9], the acquisition unit acquires a multiple detection spot received light amount, which is the amount of reflected light from each of the multiple detection spots, projected by a light-projecting unit of the infrared sensor onto each of the multiple detection spots and received by a light-receiving unit of the infrared sensor, and the acquisition unit may acquire at least one of a setting of the light-projecting unit and a setting of the light-receiving unit.

[0015]

[11] In the automatic door system according to aspect [1] above, the detection area may include a plurality of detection spots, and the system may further comprise a memory unit which stores a degradation tolerance of the amount of light received by each detection spot, which is the amount of light reflected from each of the plurality of detection spots, and which is projected onto each of the plurality of detection spots by the light-projecting unit of the infrared sensor and received by the light-receiving unit of the infrared sensor, and an acquisition unit which acquires time-dependent data on the amount of light received by the detection spot, which is the amount of light reflected from at least one of the plurality of detection spots, and which is projected onto at least one of the plurality of detection spots by the light-projecting unit of the infrared sensor of the automatic door system installed at an installation site and received by the light-receiving unit of the infrared sensor.

[0016]

[12] In the automatic door system according to the aspect

[11] above, a calculation unit is provided which calculates the amount of decrease in the amount of light received by the detection spots over a specified period of time based on the time-lapse data of the amount of light received by the acquisition unit, and the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor based on the allowable deterioration amount of the amount of light received by each detection spot and the amount of decrease in the amount of light received by the detection spots.

[0017]

[13] In the automatic door system according to the aspect

[12] above, the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor based on whether the amount of decrease in the amount of light received by the detection spot calculated by the calculation unit exceeds the deterioration tolerance of the amount of light received by each detection spot stored in the memory unit.

[0018]

[14] In the automatic door system according to the aspect

[13] above, the multiple detection spots may include at least a proximity detection spot which is a detection spot near the sliding door and a distant detection spot which is a detection spot far from the sliding door, and the acquisition unit may acquire time-lapse data on the proximity detection spot received light amount, which is the amount of light reflected from the proximity detection spot, which is projected onto the proximity detection spot by the light-projecting unit of the infrared sensor and received by the light-receiving unit of the infrared sensor after the automatic door system is installed at the installation site, the calculation unit may calculate an amount of decrease in the proximity detection spot received light amount based on the time-lapse data on the proximity detection spot received light amount acquired by the acquisition unit, and the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor based on whether the amount of decrease in the proximity detection spot received light amount calculated by the calculation unit exceeds a deterioration tolerance amount of the proximity detection spot received light amount stored in the memory unit.

[0019]

[15] The automatic door system according to aspect

[13] above may further comprise a selection unit which selects a minimum detection spot of degradation tolerance which is a detection spot corresponding to the minimum value of the degradation tolerance of the amount of light received by the detection spot stored in the memory unit, and the acquisition unit acquires, after the automatic door system is installed at the installation site, data over time of the minimum detection spot light reception amount of degradation tolerance which is the amount of light reflected from the minimum detection spot of degradation tolerance which is projected onto the minimum detection spot of degradation tolerance by the light projection unit of the infrared sensor and received by the light receiving unit of the infrared sensor, the calculation unit calculates an amount of decrease in the minimum detection spot light reception amount of degradation tolerance based on the time data of the minimum detection spot light reception amount of degradation tolerance acquired by the acquisition unit, and the status monitoring unit may monitor a status of the infrared sensor based on whether the amount of decrease in the minimum detection spot light reception amount of degradation tolerance calculated by the calculation unit exceeds the degradation tolerance of the minimum detection spot light reception amount of degradation tolerance stored in the memory unit.

[0020]

[16] In the automatic door system of the above aspect [1], the infrared sensor comprises a light-projecting unit which projects light onto the detection area, a monitoring light-projecting unit which is arranged inside the infrared sensor and projects light under the same conditions as the light-projecting unit, and a monitoring light-receiving unit which is arranged inside the infrared sensor and receives direct light from the monitoring light-projecting unit, and the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor based on the amount of light received by the monitoring light-receiving unit.

[0021]

[17] In the automatic door system according to the aspect

[16] above, the status monitoring unit includes an acquisition unit which acquires time-lapse data on the amount of light received by the monitoring light receiving unit, and an analysis unit, and the analysis unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor based on the time-lapse data acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0022]

[18] The automatic door system according to the aspect [1] above further comprises a fixture which reflects the light emitted by the light-emitting unit and returns the light to the light-receiving unit before the light reaches the detection area, and an acquisition unit which acquires control information including the light-emitting conditions of the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving conditions of the light-receiving unit, and an amount of light reflected by the fixture and received by the light-receiving unit, and the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor based on the control information and the amount of light received.

[0023]

[19] In the automatic door system according to aspect

[18] above, a filter for changing the intensity of the light from the light-projecting unit may be disposed in the optical path between the light-projecting unit and the light-receiving unit.

[0024]

[20] In the automatic door system according to the aspect

[18] above, the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor based on changes over time in the control information of the infrared sensor acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0025]

[21] In the automatic door system according to any one of the above aspects [1] to

[20] , the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor by referring to at least one of temperature and humidity information at the installation site of the automatic door system.

[0026]

[22] In the automatic door system according to any one of the above aspects [1] to

[20] , the status monitoring unit may monitor the status of the infrared sensor by referring to the time period during which light was received by the light receiving unit of the infrared sensor.

[0027]

[23] A method for monitoring the status of an infrared sensor for an automatic door system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: an infrared sensor having a detection area for detecting an object, a light-projecting unit for projecting detection light onto the detection area, and a light-receiving unit for receiving the detection light reflected from the light-projecting unit, outputting a signal used to control the opening and closing of a sliding door of an automatic door system based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit; and monitoring the status of the infrared sensor.

[0028]

[24] An infrared sensor system for an automatic door system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an infrared sensor having a detection area for detecting an object, a light-projecting unit for projecting detection light onto the detection area, and a light-receiving unit for receiving the detection light reflected from the light-projecting unit, and outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of a sliding door of an automatic door system based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit, and a status monitoring unit for monitoring the status of the infrared sensor.

[0029]

[25] An infrared sensor for an automatic door system according to one embodiment of the present invention has a detection area for detecting an object, a light-projecting unit for projecting detection light onto the detection area, and a light-receiving unit for receiving the detection light reflected from the light-projecting unit, and outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of a sliding door of an automatic door system based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit, and is further provided with a status monitoring unit for monitoring the status of the infrared sensor for an automatic door system. Effect of the Invention

[0030] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic door system that can estimate the state of an infrared sensor, a state monitoring method for an infrared sensor for an automatic door system, an infrared sensor system for an automatic door system, and an infrared sensor for an automatic door system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the automatic door system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an infrared sensor 12 of the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment and an example of the relationship between a detection area AR of the infrared sensor 12 and a sliding door 11. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for monitoring the state of the infrared sensor 12 performed by the state monitoring unit 13 of the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the change over time in the amount of light received by the light receiving element of the infrared sensor 12 monitored by the state monitoring unit 13 of the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between a detection area AR of an infrared sensor 12 and a sliding door 11 of an automatic door system 1 according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the change over time in the amount of light received by the light receiving element of the infrared sensor 12 monitored by the status monitoring unit 13 of the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for monitoring the state of the infrared sensor 12 performed by the state monitoring unit 13 of the automatic door system 1 of the third embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for monitoring the state of the infrared sensor 12 performed by the state monitoring unit 13 of the automatic door system 1 of the third embodiment. [Figure 7C] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for monitoring the state of the infrared sensor 12 performed by the state monitoring unit 13 of the automatic door system 1 of the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ included in the detection area AR of the infrared sensor 12 of the automatic door system 1 of the third embodiment and the sliding door 11. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an infrared sensor 12 of an automatic door system 1 according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10A]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a jig 14 of the automatic door system 1 of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 10B] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a jig 14 of the automatic door system 1 of the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of an automatic door system, an infrared sensor status monitoring method for an automatic door system, an infrared sensor system for an automatic door system, and an infrared sensor for an automatic door system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the infrared sensor 12 of the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment and an example of the relationship between the detection area AR of the infrared sensor 12 and the sliding door 11. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment includes a sliding door 11 that opens and closes, an infrared sensor 12, and a status monitoring unit 13. In the example shown in Figure 2, the two sliding doors 11 are of a double-sliding type that can be opened and closed in the left and right directions in Figure 2, but in other examples, any number of sliding doors 11 other than two may be opened and closed.

[0034] In the example shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, two sliding doors 11 are opened and closed by a drive unit (driving device, control device) (not shown) including a door engine, a controller, etc. The infrared sensor 12 is installed, for example, on a window or a ceiling, and has a detection area AR. The detection area AR is formed, for example, on a floor surface through which objects such as people pass. The detection area AR detects objects. The infrared sensor 12 also outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding doors 11. That is, the infrared sensor 12 detects the state of the detection area AR (a state in which an object is present in the detection area AR, or a state in which an object is not present in the detection area AR). Furthermore, the opening and closing of the sliding doors 11 is controlled based on a signal (information indicating the state of the detection area AR) output from the infrared sensor 12.

[0035] 2, the infrared sensor 12 includes a detection area AR, a light projecting section 12A, and a light receiving section 12B. The detection area AR of the infrared sensor 12 has, for example, 72 (=12×6) detection spots. Light-projecting section 12A has light-projecting element groups 12A1 and 12A2 and lenses 12A3 and 12A4. Light-projecting element group 12A1 and lens 12A3 form a light-projecting unit on the left side of Fig. 2. Light-projecting element group 12A2 and lens 12A4 form a light-projecting unit on the right side of Fig. 2. The light-projecting element group 12A1 includes, for example, 12 (=3×4) light-projecting elements. The lens 12A3 generates a plurality of detection lights by dividing the infrared light emitted by each light-projecting element of the light-projecting element group 12A1 as an initial projection, and focuses each generated detection light on a predetermined detection spot in the detection area AR. Specifically, the lens 12A3 is divided into, for example, four parts. The lens 12A3 generates four detection lights by the four parts of the lens 12A3 from the initial projection of the infrared light emitted by each light-projecting element. The orientations and inclinations of the four parts of the lens 12A3 are adjusted so that each of the four detection lights is focused on one of the four detection spots in the detection area AR. The light-projecting element group 12A2 includes, for example, six (=3×2) light-projecting elements. The lens 12A4 generates a plurality of detection lights by dividing the infrared light emitted by each light-projecting element of the light-projecting element group 12A2 as an initial projection, and focuses each generated detection light on a predetermined detection spot within the detection area AR. Specifically, the lens 12A4 is divided into, for example, four parts. The lens 12A4 generates four detection lights by the four parts of the lens 12A4 from the initial projection of the infrared light emitted by each light-projecting element. The orientations and inclinations of the four parts of the lens 12A4 are adjusted so that each of the four detection lights is focused on one of the four detection spots within the detection area AR.

[0036] The light receiving section 12B has, for example, four light receiving units 12B1, 12B2, 12B3, and 12B4. Each of the light receiving units 12B1 to 12B4 is composed of a light receiving element (not shown) and a condenser lens (not shown). The condenser lens condenses reflected light from a predetermined detection spot in the detection area AR, and the light receiving element receives the reflected light condensed by the condenser lens. The 18 light-projecting elements of the light-projecting element groups 12A1 and 12A2 are sequentially caused to emit light at a predetermined cycle. In addition, whether or not an object exists at each detection spot in the detection area AR is determined based on the amount of received light, which is the amount of reflected light from each detection spot in the detection area AR received by each light-receiving element of the light-receiving units 12B1 to 12B4. The sliding door 11 is controlled to open and close based on whether or not an object exists in the detection area AR. In other words, the infrared sensor 12 outputs a signal (for example, a signal indicating the amount of received light of each light-receiving element of the light-receiving units 12B1 to 12B4) used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11. That is, the infrared sensor 12 has a light-projecting section 12A that projects detection light, a light-receiving section 12B that receives the reflected detection light, and a detection area AR. The infrared sensor 12 also outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving section 12B.

[0037] 1 and 2, the state monitoring unit 13 monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12. The state monitoring unit 13 includes, for example, a memory unit 13A, an acquisition unit 13B, a calculation unit 13C, a selection unit 13D, and an analysis unit 13E. In other examples, the state monitoring unit 13 does not need to include the acquisition unit 13B, the calculation unit 13C, and the selection unit 13D. 1 and 2, the storage unit 13A stores the amount of light received from each detection spot in the detection area AR, etc. Specifically, the storage unit 13A stores, as the amount of received light, the amount of reflected light from each detection spot that is projected from the light projecting element of the light projecting unit 12A of the infrared sensor 12 onto each detection spot in the detection area AR and received by the light receiving element of the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12. For example, the amount of received light stored by the storage unit 13A may be an instantaneous value of the amount of received light at a certain point in time, or an average value of the amount of received light during a predetermined period. The acquisition unit 13B acquires, for example, detection information indicating whether each detection spot in the detection area AR is in a detection state, control information for the infrared sensor 12, information indicating the amount of light received by the light receiving element of the infrared sensor 12, etc., based on the signal output by the infrared sensor 12. The "detection state" refers to the state in which an object is present in each detection spot. The "detection information" refers to information indicating whether each detection spot is in a detection state or a non-detection state. The calculation unit 13C calculates, for example, the amount of change (increase, decrease) in the amount of light received by the light receiving element of the infrared sensor 12 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving element of the infrared sensor 12 acquired by the acquisition unit 13B at multiple points in time. The selection unit 13D selects, for example, a detection spot that may be at risk of failure from among a plurality of detection spots included in the detection area AR. Analysis unit 13E monitors the state of infrared sensor 12 by analyzing information stored in storage unit 13A.

[0038] Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for monitoring the status of the infrared sensor 12 performed by the status monitoring unit 13 of the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the change over time in the amount of light received by the light receiving element of the infrared sensor 12 monitored by the status monitoring unit 13 of the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment. The horizontal axis of Fig. 4 corresponds to the first to fourth columns in Fig. 3, and the vertical axis of Fig. 4 indicates the amount of light received (amount of reflected light) by the light receiving element that receives reflected light from the detection spots of the first to fourth columns. In the example shown in Fig. 3, of the 72 detection spots in the detection area AR shown in Fig. 2, the detection spots in the first row closest to the sliding door 11, the detection spots in the second row adjacent to the detection spots in the first row, the detection spots in the third row adjacent to the detection spots in the second row, and the detection spots in the fourth row adjacent to the detection spots in the third row are used to monitor the state of the infrared sensor 12. There are 12 detection spots in each of the first to fourth rows. The 12 detection spots in the first row form a nearby area AR1 near the sliding door 11, and the 12 detection spots in the fourth row form a far area AR2 far from the sliding door 11. In another example, the near area AR1 may be configured by 12 detection spots in a row different from the first row, and the far area AR2 may be configured by 12 detection spots in a row different from the fourth row.

[0039] 3 and 4, for example, when a pedestrian passes from the inside (upper side in FIG. 3) to the outside (lower side in FIG. 3) of the sliding door 11 and when a pedestrian passes from the outside to the inside of the sliding door 11, the memory unit 13A of the state monitoring unit 13 stores the amount of light received by the light receiving elements in the nearby area AR1, the distant area AR2, etc. within the detection area AR and accumulates the information. Also, the analysis unit 13E of the state monitoring unit 13 analyzes the data of the change over time in the amount of light received by the light receiving elements in the nearby area AR1, the distant area AR2, etc. within the detection area AR accumulated in the memory unit 13A, and monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12. In the vicinity area AR1 near the sliding door 11, which is basically used to check the safety of passersby, the light emission and reception of the light by the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements are stable, so the amount of light received by the light receiving elements in the vicinity area AR1 in the first row (amount of light reflected from passersby) is used as a comparison target for the distant area AR2 in the fourth row. The amount of light received by the light receiving elements in the distant area AR2 in the fourth row (amount of light reflected from passersby) is compared with the amount of light received by the light receiving elements in the vicinity area AR1 in the first row, and the state of the infrared sensor 12 is monitored based on how the amount of light received by the light receiving elements in the distant area AR2 in the fourth row (amount of light reflected from passersby) changes over time.

[0040] 3 and 4, the memory 13A of the state monitoring unit 13 stores the amount of reflected light (nearby area received light amount) from the near area AR1 that is projected by the light projector 12A of the infrared sensor 12 onto the near area AR1 and received by the light receiver 12B of the infrared sensor 12. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 3 and 4, the memory 13A of the state monitoring unit 13 stores the amount of reflected light (far area received light amount) from the far area AR2 that is projected by the light projector 12A onto the far area AR2 and received by the light receiver 12B. Next, the analysis unit 13E of the state monitoring unit 13 monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the near area received light amount and the far area received light amount stored in the memory 13A. That is, the state monitoring unit 13 monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B in the nearby area AR1 and the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B in the distant area AR2. Therefore, in the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4, the accuracy of estimating the state of the infrared sensor 12 can be improved compared to when the state of the infrared sensor 12 is monitored based on the amount of reflected light from only one point within the detection area AR. In another example, the status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of the infrared sensor 12 using only one of the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B in the nearby area AR1 and the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B in the distant area AR2 stored in the memory unit 13A.

[0041] In other words, in the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment, first, the infrared sensor 12 having the detection area AR outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door system 1. Information indicating the amount of near area received light and information indicating the amount of far area received light stored in the memory unit 13A of the status monitoring unit 13 are included in the signal output from the infrared sensor 12. Next, the analysis unit 13E of the status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12 based on the amount of near area received light and the amount of far area received light stored in the memory unit 13A. Therefore, with the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment, it is possible to estimate the state of the infrared sensor 12 and to grasp the appropriate timing for replacing the infrared sensor 12 before the infrared sensor 12 breaks down.

[0042] Specifically, in the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4, the change over time in the amount of light received in the nearby area is represented by the difference △1 between the “amount of light received” “at the time of construction” in the “first column” shown in Figure 4 and the “amount of light received” “after changes over time” in the “first column” shown in Figure 4. Specifically, the change over time in the amount of light received in the nearby area is the difference △1 (i.e., the amount of decrease in the amount of light received in the nearby area) between the amount of light received in the nearby area at a first time point ("amount of light received" in "first column" shown in FIG. 4) which is the "amount of light reflected from the nearby area AR1" projected by light-projecting unit 12A to nearby area AR1 at a first time point ("at the time of construction" shown in FIG. 4) and received by light-receiving unit 12B, and the amount of light received in the nearby area at a second time point ("after aging" in FIG. 4) which is the "amount of light reflected from the nearby area AR1" projected by light-projecting unit 12A to nearby area AR1 at a second time point ("after aging" in FIG. 4) and received by light-receiving unit 12B. The change over time in the amount of received light in the far area is represented by the difference Δ2 between the "amount of received light" "at the time of construction" in the "fourth column" shown in Fig. 4 and the "amount of received light" "after deterioration over time" in the "fourth column" shown in Fig. 4. Specifically, the change over time in the amount of received light in the far area is the difference Δ2 (i.e., the amount of decrease in the amount of received light in the far area) between the first time point distant area received light amount ("amount of received light" "at the time of construction" in the "fourth column" shown in Fig. 4), which is the "amount of reflected light from the far area AR2" projected by the light projector 12A to the far area AR2 at a first time point and received by the light receiver 12B, and the second time point distant area received light amount ("amount of received light" "after deterioration over time" in the "fourth column" shown in Fig. 4), which is the "amount of reflected light from the far area AR2" projected by the light projector 12A to the far area AR2 at a second time point and received by the light receiver 12B. Analysis section 13E of state monitoring section 13 monitors the state of infrared sensor 12 based on the change over time in the amount of light received in the near area (Δ1) and the change over time in the amount of light received in the far area (Δ2). Therefore, in the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4, the accuracy of estimating the state of the infrared sensor 12 can be improved compared to a case in which the state of the infrared sensor 12 is not monitored based on the change over time in the "amount of reflected light from the detection area AR" of the infrared sensor 12. The above-mentioned "nearby area light receiving amount at the first time point" may be an average value of the amount of light received at the 12 detection spots included in the near area AR1 during construction, but is not limited to this. The "nearby area light receiving amount at the first time point" may be an amount of light received at any of the 12 detection spots included in the near area AR1 during construction. Similarly, the above-mentioned "nearby area light receiving amount at the second time point" may be an average value of the amount of light received at the 12 detection spots included in the near area AR1 after aging, but is not limited to this. The "nearby area light receiving amount at the second time point" may be an amount of light received at any of the 12 detection spots included in the near area AR1 after aging. The above-mentioned "distant area light receiving amount at the first time point" may be an average value of the amount of light received at the 12 detection spots included in the distant area AR2 during construction, but is not limited to this. The "distant area light receiving amount at the first time point" may be an amount of light received at any of the 12 detection spots included in the distant area AR2 during construction. The above-mentioned "amount of light received in the distant area at the second time point" may be the average amount of light received after aging of the 12 detection spots included in the distant area AR2, but is not limited to this. The "amount of light received in the distant area at the second time point" may be the amount of light received after aging of any of the 12 detection spots included in the distant area AR2.

[0043] Through intensive research, the inventors have found that when the infrared sensor 12 is activated, when a pedestrian passes through a nearby area AR1 and a distant area AR2, there are many cases in which the nearby area AR1 is detected but the distant area AR2 is not detected. Therefore, in the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the analysis unit 13E of the status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12 based on whether or not the nearby area AR1 has entered a detection state and whether or not the distant area AR2 has entered a detection state. In detail, the analysis unit 13E of the status monitoring unit 13 estimates that, for example, when a passerby approaches the sliding door 11, the infrared sensor 12 may be in a state where the distant area AR2 does not enter a detection state but the nearby area AR1 enters a detection state. That is, the status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12 based on both the detection result of the infrared sensor 12 in the near area AR1 and the detection result in the far area AR2. Therefore, in the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4, the accuracy of estimating the state of the infrared sensor 12 can be improved compared to when the state of the infrared sensor 12 is monitored based only on either whether or not the nearby area AR1 has entered a detection state or whether or not the distant area AR2 has entered a detection state.

[0044] In another example, a situation in which the S / N ratio is low and the deterioration state of the infrared sensor 12 is easy to estimate may be intentionally created. In this example, the infrared sensor 12 has a deterioration estimation detection area (not shown) that outputs a signal that is not used for controlling the opening and closing of the sliding door 11. As this deterioration estimation detection area, an area (detection spot) far from the sliding door 11 within the detection area AR, where the distance of light emitted and received by the infrared sensor 12 is long, is used. The amount of reflected light (amount of received light) from this deterioration estimation detection area is used as a reference for the deterioration state of the infrared sensor 12. For example, when this deterioration estimation detection area is no longer in a detection state, it is estimated that the infrared sensor 12 may have deteriorated.

[0045] The inventors of the present invention have found through extensive research that the temperature at the location where the automatic door system 1 is installed affects the light receiving sensitivity of the infrared sensor 12. 1 to 4, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of infrared sensor 12 without reference to the temperature of the site where automatic door system 1 is installed, but this is not limited to the above. In another example, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of infrared sensor 12 by referring to temperature information of the site where automatic door system 1 is installed. In this example, the accuracy of estimating the status of infrared sensor 12 can be improved compared to when the status of infrared sensor 12 is monitored without reference to the temperature of the site where automatic door system 1 is installed.

[0046] Furthermore, the inventors have discovered through extensive research that the humidity at the location where the automatic door system 1 is installed affects the lifespan of the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the infrared sensor 12. 1 to 4, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of infrared sensor 12 without reference to the humidity at the installation site of automatic door system 1, but this is not limited to the above. In another example, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of infrared sensor 12 by referring to humidity information at the installation site of automatic door system 1. In this example, the accuracy of estimating the status of infrared sensor 12 can be improved compared to when the status of infrared sensor 12 is monitored without reference to the humidity at the installation site of automatic door system 1.

[0047] Furthermore, through extensive research, the inventors have found that, for example, during a time period when reflected light of the setting sun is received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12, if the state of the infrared sensor 12 is monitored based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B (this amount of light received includes the amount of light of the setting sun) and the control information of the infrared sensor 12, there is a risk of erroneously estimating whether or not the infrared sensor 12 has deteriorated. Therefore, in another example, the analysis unit 13E of the status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of the infrared sensor 12 by referring to the time period during which light was received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12. In this example, the accuracy of estimating the status of the infrared sensor 12 can be improved compared to the case where the status of the infrared sensor 12 is monitored without being based on the time period during which light was received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12.

[0048] The above-mentioned state monitoring unit 13 may be provided separately from the infrared sensor 12 and the drive unit. Specifically, the memory unit 13A that stores data from the infrared sensor 12 and the like may be provided separately from the infrared sensor 12 (for example, may be provided in the drive unit), may be provided in the infrared sensor 12, or may be provided in, for example, an external cloud server (not shown) or the like. In an example where the status monitoring unit 13 is provided within the infrared sensor 12, the infrared sensor 12 has a light-projecting unit 12A that projects detection light, a light-receiving unit 12B that receives reflected detection light, and a detection area AR, and functions as an infrared sensor for an automatic door system that outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door system 1 based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 12B. In an example where the status monitoring unit 13 is provided in, for example, an external cloud server, an infrared sensor system for an automatic door device is made up of the infrared sensor 12 and the status monitoring unit 13 that monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12. The infrared sensor 12 has a light-projecting unit 12A that projects detection light, a light-receiving unit 12B that receives the reflected detection light, and a detection area AR, and outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door device 1 based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 12B. In other words, this infrared sensor system for an automatic door device comprises the infrared sensor 12 and the status monitoring unit 13 that is provided in, for example, an external cloud server.

[0049] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the automatic door system, the status monitoring method for an automatic door system infrared sensor, the infrared sensor system for an automatic door system, and the infrared sensor for an automatic door system of the present invention will be described below. Except for the points described below, the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment is configured similarly to the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between the detection area AR of the infrared sensor 12 and the sliding door 11 of the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment. In one example of the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment, the status monitoring unit 13 includes, for example, a memory unit 13A, an acquisition unit 13B, a calculation unit 13C, a selection unit 13D, and an analysis unit 13E. In another example of the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment, the status monitoring unit 13 does not need to include the calculation unit 13C and the selection unit 13D.

[0051] In the example shown in Fig. 5, the detection area AR includes a detection spot ARA and a detection spot ARB. The detection spot ARA is a detection spot that first goes into a detection state (i.e., a state in which a pedestrian is present in the detection spot ARA and the pedestrian is detected) when, for example, a pedestrian passes from the outside (lower side in Fig. 5) to the inside (upper side in Fig. 5) of the sliding door 11. 5, the detection spot ARA is configured by 4 (=4×1) detection spots out of 72 (=12×6) detection spots included in the detection area AR. In other examples, the detection spot ARA may be configured by any number of detection spots other than 4. In still other examples, the detection spot ARA may be disposed at a position different from that in the example shown in FIG. 5.

[0052] 5, of the 72 (=12 × 6) detection spots included in the detection area AR, for example, 68 detection spots excluding the detection spot ARA constitute the detection spot ARB. The detection spot ARB includes an adjacent spot ARB1 adjacent to the detection spot ARA and a non-adjacent spot ARB2 not adjacent to the detection spot ARA. 5, the adjacent spot ARB1 is composed of 8 detection spots, and the non-adjacent spot ARB2 is composed of 60 detection spots. In other examples, the adjacent spot ARB1 may be composed of any number of detection spots other than 8, and the non-adjacent spot ARB2 may be composed of any number of detection spots other than 60.

[0053] In the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment, the acquisition unit 13B of the state monitoring unit 13 acquires the control information of the infrared sensor 12 from the infrared sensor 12 when the infrared sensor 12 enters a detection state (for example, each time the detection spot ARA of the infrared sensor 12 enters a detection state). Then, the storage unit 13A of the state monitoring unit 13 stores the control information of the infrared sensor 12 acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. Furthermore, the analysis unit 13E of the state monitoring unit 13 monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the change over time in the control information of the infrared sensor 12 acquired by the acquisition unit 13B (specifically, performs failure diagnosis and failure prediction of the infrared sensor 12). That is, in the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment, at the timing when the second detection spot, which is the detection spot in the detection state, is included in the detection area AR (when the second detection spot is included in the detection area AR), the acquisition unit 13B of the state monitoring unit 13 acquires the control information of the infrared sensor 12 from the infrared sensor 12. Then, the analysis unit 13E of the state monitoring unit 13 monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the change over time in the control information of the infrared sensor 12 acquired by the acquisition unit 13B when the second detection spot ARA is included in the detection area AR. Therefore, in the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment, by acquiring the necessary information whenever the automatic door system 1 is used (for example, each time the detection spot ARA becomes the second detection spot), it is possible to properly diagnose and predict failures of the infrared sensor 12.

[0054] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the acquisition unit 13B acquires from the infrared sensor 12 detection information indicating whether each of the detection spots ARA and ARB is in a detection state, and control information for the infrared sensor 12. The detection information indicating whether the detection spot ARA is in a detection state is information indicating whether the detection spot ARA is in a detection state or a non-detection state (a state where no detection is occurring). The detection information indicating whether the detection spot ARB is in a detection state is information indicating whether the detection spot ARB is in a detection state or a non-detection state. For example, when an object such as a passerby or an object is not present in the detection spot ARB but is present in the detection spot ARA, the acquisition unit 13B acquires detection information indicating that the detection spot ARA is in a detection state and the detection spot ARB is in a non-detection state from the infrared sensor 12.

[0055] 5, the information acquired by the acquisition unit 13B includes the amount of light received from the multiple detection spots. The amount of light received from the multiple detection spots is, for example, the "amount of light reflected (amount of light received) from the detection spot ARA" projected by the light projecting unit 12A of the infrared sensor 12 onto the detection spot ARA and received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12, and the "amount of light reflected (amount of light received) from the detection spot ARB" projected by the light projecting unit 12A onto the detection spot ARB and received by the light receiving unit 12B. The information acquired by the acquisition unit 13B includes settings of the light projector 12A, settings of the light receiver 12B, etc. For example, at least one of the settings of the light projector 12A and the settings of the light receiver 12B is included in the control information of the infrared sensor 12 acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. The settings of the light receiver 12B include, for example, settings of a detection threshold, settings of sensitivity (amplification amount of the threshold), etc. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 5, fault diagnosis and fault prediction of the infrared sensor 12 can be performed with higher accuracy than when the amount of light received from the detection spots ARA and ARB (amount of light received from multiple detection spots) is not used for analysis by the analysis unit 13E, or when neither the settings of the light-projecting unit 12A nor the settings of the light-receiving unit 12B are used for analysis by the analysis unit 13E. For example, when information indicating the respective voltages, sensitivities (amplification rates) of the multiple light-emitting elements and multiple light-receiving elements included in the infrared sensor 12, the respective amounts of light received by the multiple light-receiving elements included in the infrared sensor 12, and the respective positions of, for example, 72 detection spots included in the detection area AR is acquired by the acquisition unit 13B as control information for the infrared sensor 12, the accuracy of fault diagnosis and fault prediction of the infrared sensor 12 can be further improved.

[0056] For example, since the amount of light reflected from the detection spot ARA is not constant when the detection spot ARA is in a detection state (i.e., when an object is present in the detection spot ARA), the amount of light reflected from the detection spot ARA when the detection spot ARA is in a detection state is not suitable for monitoring the state of the infrared sensor 12. Therefore, in the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment, when the detection spot ARA is in a detection state and the detection spot ARB is in a non-detection state, the acquisition unit 13B acquires the amount of received light of the first detection spot, which is the non-detection state detection spot ARB, and the control information of the infrared sensor 12. Then, the storage unit 13A stores the amount of received light of the first detection spot (non-detection state detection spot ARB) and the control information of the infrared sensor 12 acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. Furthermore, when the detection spot ARA is in a detection state and the detection spot ARB is in a non-detection state, the analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the change over time in the amount of received light of the first detection spot (non-detection state detection spot ARB) and the control information of the infrared sensor 12 acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. Therefore, in the automatic door device 1 of the second embodiment, the accuracy of estimating the state of the infrared sensor 12 can be improved compared to when the state of the infrared sensor 12 is monitored based on the amount of light received by the detection spot ARB obtained when the detection spot ARB is in a detection state and the change over time in the control information of the infrared sensor 12 (i.e., information that is not suitable for monitoring the state of the infrared sensor 12).

[0057] For example, when a person passes from the outside (lower side in Figure 5) to the inside (upper side in Figure 5) of the sliding door 11, and the detection spot ARB is in a non-detection state and the detection spot ARA is in a detection state (detection ON trigger timing of the automatic door device 1), the reflected light from the detection spot ARB adjacent to the detection spot ARA may be affected by the reflected light from the person. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the detection spot ARB includes an adjacent spot ARB1 adjacent to the detection spot ARA (second detection spot) and a non-adjacent spot ARB2 not adjacent to the detection spot ARA. The acquisition unit 13B acquires the amount of received light of the first detection spot ARB, which does not include the adjacent spot received light amount, which is the "amount of reflected light from the adjacent spot ARB1," received by the infrared sensor 12 (nor does it include the amount of received light from the detection spot ARA), but includes the non-adjacent spot received light amount, which is the "amount of reflected light from the non-adjacent spot ARB2," received by the infrared sensor 12, and control information of the infrared sensor 12. The storage unit 13A stores the amount of received light of the first detection spot ARB and the control information of the infrared sensor 12 acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. Furthermore, the analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the amount of received light of the first detection spot ARB including the amount of received light of the non-adjacent spots acquired by the acquisition unit 13B and the change over time in the control information of the infrared sensor 12. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 5, the accuracy of estimating the state of the infrared sensor 12 can be improved compared to when the state of the infrared sensor 12 is monitored based on the amount of light received by the detection spot ARB, including the amount of light received by adjacent spots that may be affected by reflected light from passersby, and changes over time in the control information of the infrared sensor 12.

[0058] As described above, in the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment, the detection area AR includes the detection spots ARA and ARB. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 13B acquires from the infrared sensor 12 the detection information indicating whether each of the detection spots ARA and ARB is in a detection state, and the control information of the infrared sensor 12. Therefore, in the automatic door device 1 of the second embodiment, by acquiring and analyzing detection information indicating whether each of the multiple detection spots ARA, ARB is in a detection state or not, and control information for the infrared sensor 12, it is possible to perform fault diagnosis and fault prediction of the infrared sensor 12 with higher accuracy than if these information were not acquired and analyzed.

[0059] In other words, in the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment, first, the infrared sensor 12 having the detection area AR outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door system 1. The acquisition unit 13B of the status monitoring unit 13 acquires information indicated by the signal output by the infrared sensor 12 (detection information indicating whether each of the detection spots ARA, ARB is in a detection state or not, and control information of the infrared sensor 12). The memory unit 13A of the status monitoring unit 13 stores the information acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. Next, the analysis unit 13E of the status monitoring unit 13 monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on changes over time in the information stored in the memory unit 13A. Therefore, with the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment, it is possible to estimate the state of the infrared sensor 12 and to grasp the appropriate timing for replacing the infrared sensor 12 before the infrared sensor 12 breaks down.

[0060] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the change over time in the amount of light received by the light receiving element of the infrared sensor 12 monitored by the status monitoring unit 13 of the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment. The vertical axis of Fig. 6 indicates the amount of light received (amount of reflected light) by the light receiving element that receives reflected light from the non-adjacent spot ARB2 shown in Fig. 5, and the horizontal axis of Fig. 6 indicates time (elapsed time). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the state monitoring unit 13 performs a failure diagnosis of the infrared sensor 12 based on the change over time of the amount of light received by the first detection spot including the amount of light received from the non-adjacent spot ARB2 and the control information of the infrared sensor 12 stored in the memory unit 13A during, for example, a period from time t1 (when the automatic door device 1 is installed) to time t2 (current time). Furthermore, the state monitoring unit 13 performs a failure prediction of the infrared sensor 12 based on the change over time (change over the period from time t1 to time t2) of the amount of light received by the first detection spot including the amount of light received from the non-adjacent spot ARB2 and the control information of the infrared sensor 12 stored in the memory unit 13A, for example, at time t2 (current time). The "failure prediction of the infrared sensor 12" is, for example, a prediction of whether or not the infrared sensor 12 will fail in the future after time t2.

[0061] In one example of the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment, various data of the infrared sensor 12 (information on the light-emitter voltage, sensitivity, amount of light received, and the like of each detection spot) are acquired by the acquisition unit 13B at the detection ON trigger timing of the automatic door system 1 described above. The various data acquired by the acquisition unit 13B is stored in the memory unit 13A. The memory unit 13A may be provided separately from the infrared sensor 12 and the drive unit. Specifically, the memory unit 13A may be provided separately from the infrared sensor 12 (for example, in the drive unit), in the infrared sensor 12, in a communication device (not shown), or in an external cloud server, for example. In an example in which the storage unit 13A is provided in a communication device (not shown), various data stored in the storage unit 13A are transmitted to an analysis unit 13E provided in, for example, an external cloud server, etc. Next, the analysis unit 13E analyzes the various data and monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 (fault diagnosis and fault prediction of the infrared sensor 12).

[0062] In another example of the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment, in order to obtain the various data to be analyzed by the analysis unit 13E, the environment for obtaining the various data may be kept constant, for example by covering the reflective surface (the floor surface on which the detection area AR is formed) with a gray mat during maintenance and inspection of the automatic door system 1. In this example, each time maintenance and inspection of the automatic door system 1 is performed, the various data are obtained and accumulated, and temporal data is obtained.

[0063] 5 and 6, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of infrared sensor 12 without reference to the temperature of the site where automatic door system 1 is installed, but this is not limited to the above. In other examples, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of infrared sensor 12 by referring to temperature information of the site where automatic door system 1 is installed.

[0064] 5 and 6, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of infrared sensor 12 without reference to the humidity at the installation site of automatic door system 1, but this is not limited to the above. In other examples, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of infrared sensor 12 by referring to humidity information at the installation site of automatic door system 1.

[0065] 5 and 6, the analysis unit 13E of the state monitoring unit 13 monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 without being based on the time period when light is received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12, but this is not limited to the above. In another example, the analysis unit 13E of the state monitoring unit 13 may monitor the state of the infrared sensor 12 by referring to the time period when light is received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12.

[0066] In the automatic door system 1 of the second embodiment, the status monitoring unit 13 may be provided separately from the infrared sensor 12 and the drive unit. Specifically, a memory unit 13A for storing data from the infrared sensor 12 may be provided separately from the infrared sensor 12 (for example, in the drive unit), may be provided in the infrared sensor 12, or may be provided in, for example, an external cloud server. In an example where the status monitoring unit 13 is provided inside the infrared sensor 12, the infrared sensor 12 has a light-projecting unit 12A that projects detection light, a light-receiving unit 12B that receives the reflected detection light, and a detection area AR. The infrared sensor 12 functions as an infrared sensor for an automatic door system that outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door system 1 based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 12B. The infrared sensor 12 also includes a status monitoring unit 13 that monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12. In an example where the status monitoring unit 13 is provided in an external cloud server, for example, an infrared sensor system for an automatic door device is made up of the infrared sensor 12 and the status monitoring unit 13 that monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12. The infrared sensor 12 has a detection area AR where the light-projecting unit 12A projects detection light and the light-receiving unit 12B receives the reflected detection light, and outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door device 1 based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 12B. That is, this infrared sensor system for an automatic door device includes an infrared sensor 12 and a status monitoring unit 13 installed in, for example, an external cloud server.

[0067] [Third embodiment] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the automatic door system, the status monitoring method for an automatic door system infrared sensor, the infrared sensor system for an automatic door system, and the infrared sensor for an automatic door system of the present invention will be described. Except for the points described below, the automatic door system 1 of the third embodiment is configured similarly to the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the automatic door system 1 of the third embodiment can achieve the same effects as the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below.

[0068] 7A to 7C are diagrams for explaining an example of a state monitoring method of the infrared sensor 12 performed by the state monitoring unit 13 of the automatic door device 1 of the third embodiment. In detail, FIG. 7A shows the relationship between the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ included in the detection area AR of the infrared sensor 12 and the amount of light received by each detection spot at the time of shipping inspection of the infrared sensor 12. FIG. 7B shows the relationship between the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ and the amount of light received by each detection spot at the time of installation at the site of the automatic door device 1 including the infrared sensor 12. FIG. 7C shows the relationship between the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ and the amount of light received by each detection spot at the time of failure of the infrared sensor 12. The horizontal axes of FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C correspond to the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ, and the vertical axes of FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C show the relationship with the amount of light received (amount of reflected light) of the light receiving element that receives the reflected light from each detection spot. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ included in the detection area AR of the infrared sensor 12 of the automatic door system 1 of the third embodiment and the sliding door 11. In one example of the automatic door system 1 of the third embodiment, the state monitoring unit 13 includes, for example, a storage unit 13A, an acquisition unit 13B, a calculation unit 13C, a selection unit 13D, and an analysis unit 13E.

[0069] 7A to 7C and 8, the detection area AR includes the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ. In another example, the detection spot ARW may be disposed at a position different from the position of the detection spot ARW shown in Fig. 8, but is not limited to this. In another example, the detection spot ARX may be disposed at a position different from the position of the detection spot ARX shown in Fig. 8. In another example, the detection spot ARY may be disposed at a position different from the position of the detection spot ARY shown in Fig. 8, but is not limited thereto. In another example, the detection spot ARZ may be disposed at a position different from the position of the detection spot ARZ shown in Fig. 8.

[0070] In the example shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C and 8, during a shipping inspection of the infrared sensor 12, a process of projecting and receiving light from the infrared sensor 12 onto a specified floor surface is carried out. 7A, the amount of received light R11 is stored by the storage unit 13A. The amount of received light R11 is "the amount of reflected light from the detection spot ARW" that is projected by the light projecting unit 12A of the infrared sensor 12 onto the detection spot ARW and received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12. In addition, for example, the calculation unit C calculates a degradation allowance TL1 (=R11-TH) of the amount of received light R11 with respect to a preset threshold value TH, and the storage unit 13A stores the degradation allowance TL1 of the amount of received light R11. The degradation allowance TL1 is, for example, the difference between the amount of received light required in the specifications of the infrared sensor 12 and the amount of received light at the time of shipping inspection. Further, the amount of received light R12 is stored by the memory unit 13A. The amount of received light R12 is the "amount of reflected light from the detection spot ARX" that is projected onto the detection spot ARX by the light projecting unit 12A of the infrared sensor 12 and received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12. For example, the calculation unit C calculates the deterioration allowable amount TL2 (=R12-TH) of the amount of received light R12 with respect to the threshold value TH, and the memory unit 13A stores the deterioration allowable amount TL2 of the amount of received light R12. Similarly, the amounts of received light R13 and R14 are stored by the memory unit 13A. The amounts of received light R13 and R14 are "amounts of reflected light from the detection spots ARY and ARZ" projected onto the detection spots ARY and ARZ by the light projecting unit 12A of the infrared sensor 12 and received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12. For example, the calculation unit C calculates deterioration allowable amounts TL3 (=R13-TH) and TL4 (=R14-TH) of the amounts of received light R13 and R14 with respect to the threshold value TH, and the memory unit 13A stores the deterioration allowable amounts TL3 and TL4 of the amounts of received light R13 and R14.

[0071] 7A to 7C and 8, next, with the automatic door system 1 including the infrared sensor 12 installed at the site, a light emitting and receiving process is carried out from the infrared sensor 12 to the floor surface (i.e., the detection area AR) at the site where the automatic door system 1 is installed. Preferably, this light emitting and receiving process is carried out after the sliding door 11 of the automatic door system 1 installed at the site has been opened and closed approximately 100 times. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7B, the amount of received light R21 is stored by the memory unit 13A. The amount of received light R21 is "the amount of reflected light from the detection spot ARW" that is projected by the light projecting unit 12A of the infrared sensor 12 onto the detection spot ARW and received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12. In addition, for example, the calculation unit C calculates a threshold value (=R21-TL1) (fault determination threshold value) of the detection spot ARW at the installation site of the automatic door device 1 based on the deterioration allowance TL1 and the amount of received light R21 stored in the memory unit 13A, and the memory unit 13A stores the threshold value. The amount of received light R21 may be a value for one time or an average value of values ​​for multiple times. Furthermore, the amount of received light R22 is stored by the memory unit 13A. The amount of received light R22 is the "amount of reflected light from the detection spot ARX" that is projected onto the detection spot ARX by the light projecting unit 12A of the infrared sensor 12 and received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12. Furthermore, for example, the calculation unit C calculates a threshold value (=R22-TL2) of the detection spot ARX at the installation site of the automatic door device 1 based on the deterioration allowance TL2 and the amount of received light R22 stored in the memory unit 13A, and the memory unit 13A stores the threshold value. Similarly, the amounts of received light R23, R24 are stored by the memory unit 13A. The amounts of received light R23, R24 are the "amounts of reflected light from the detection spots ARY, ARZ" projected onto the detection spots ARY, ARZ by the light projecting unit 12A of the infrared sensor 12 and received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12. In addition, for example, the calculation unit C calculates threshold values ​​(R23-TL3, R24-TL4) of the detection spots ARY, ARZ at the installation site of the automatic door system 1 based on the deterioration allowable amounts TL3, TL4 and the amounts of received light R23, R24 stored in the memory unit 13A, and the memory unit 13A stores the threshold values.

[0072] Next, in the example shown in Figures 7A to 7C and Figure 8, the amount of light received at the detection spot ARW, the amount of light received at the detection spot ARX, the amount of light received at the detection spot ARY, and the amount of light received at the detection spot ARZ are continuously or periodically monitored by the status monitoring unit 13. Specifically, the amount of light received by the detection spot ARW, the amount of light received by the detection spot ARX, the amount of light received by the detection spot ARY, and the amount of light received by the detection spot ARZ are periodically stored by the storage unit 13A. As a result, time-based data on the amount of light received by the detection spot ARW, the amount of light received by the detection spot ARX, the amount of light received by the detection spot ARY, and the amount of light received by the detection spot ARZ are stored in the storage unit 13A. Specifically, the acquisition unit 13B acquires, at a predetermined timing, data over time on the amount of light received at the detection spot ARW, data over time on the amount of light received at the detection spot ARX, data over time on the amount of light received at the detection spot ARY, and data over time on the amount of light received at the detection spot ARZ, which are stored in the memory unit 13A.

[0073] The analysis unit 13E performs failure diagnosis and failure prediction of the infrared sensor 12 for each detection spot, based on the time-lapse data of the amount of received light at the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. Specifically, the calculation unit 13C calculates the amount of decrease in the amount of received light at the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ over a specified period based on the time-lapse data of the amount of received light at the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. In the example shown in FIG. 7C, the calculation unit 13C calculates the amount of decrease (=R21-R31) in the amount of received light of the detection spot ARW based on the time-lapse data of the amount of received light of the detection spot ARW acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. Furthermore, the calculation unit 13C calculates the amount of decrease (=R22-R32) in the amount of received light in the detection spot ARX based on the time-lapse data of the amount of received light in the detection spot ARX acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. Similarly, the calculation unit 13C calculates the decrease in the amount of received light at the detection spots ARY and ARZ (R23-R33, R24-R34) based on the time-lapse data of the amount of received light at the detection spots ARY and ARZ acquired by the acquisition unit 13B.

[0074] 7C, the analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the degradation allowable amount TL1 of the amount of received light of the detection spot ARW stored in the storage unit 13A and the decrease amount (R21-R31) of the amount of received light of the detection spot ARW calculated by the calculation unit 13C. In detail, the analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on whether or not the decrease amount (R21-R31) of the amount of received light of the detection spot ARW calculated by the calculation unit 13C exceeds the degradation allowable amount TL1 of the amount of received light of the detection spot ARW stored in the storage unit 13A. Further, the analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the deterioration allowable amount TL2 of the amount of received light of the detection spot ARX stored in the memory unit 13A and the decrease amount (R22-R32) of the amount of received light of the detection spot ARX calculated by the calculation unit 13C. In detail, the analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on whether or not the decrease amount (R22-R32) of the amount of received light of the detection spot ARX calculated by the calculation unit 13C exceeds the deterioration allowable amount TL2 of the amount of received light of the detection spot ARX stored in the memory unit 13A. Similarly, the analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the degradation allowable amounts TL3 and TL4 of the amounts of received light of the detection spots ARY and ARZ stored in the storage unit 13A and the decrease amount (R23-R33, R24-R34) of the amounts of received light of the detection spots ARY and ARZ calculated by the calculation unit 13C. In detail, the analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on whether the decrease amount (R23-R33, R24-R34) of the amounts of received light of the detection spots ARY and ARZ calculated by the calculation unit 13C exceeds the degradation allowable amounts TL3 and TL4 of the amounts of received light of the detection spots ARY and ARZ stored in the storage unit 13A.

[0075] Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 7C, the decrease in the amount of received light of the detection spot ARW (R21-R31) exceeds the deterioration tolerance TL1 of the amount of received light of the detection spot ARW. On the other hand, the decrease in the amount of received light of the detection spot ARX (R22-R32) does not exceed the deterioration tolerance TL2 of the amount of received light of the detection spot ARX. The decrease in the amount of received light of the detection spot ARY (R23-R33) does not exceed the deterioration tolerance TL3 of the amount of received light of the detection spot ARY. The decrease in the amount of received light of the detection spot ARZ (R24-R34) does not exceed the deterioration tolerance TL4 of the amount of received light of the detection spot ARZ.

[0076] As described above, in the example shown in Figures 7A to 7C and 8, after the automatic door system 1 is installed at a site, the acquisition unit 13B acquires time-lapse data on the amount of received light at each of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ. Therefore, in the example shown in Figures 7A to 7C and 8, a fault diagnosis of the infrared sensor 12 can be performed for each detection spot. Furthermore, in the examples shown in Figures 7A to 7C and Figure 8, by predicting the future decrease in the amount of received light at the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ based on the time-lapse data of the amount of received light at each of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ, it is also possible to predict failures of the infrared sensor 12 on a detection spot basis. When the infrared sensor 12 is diagnosed as having a malfunction, or when it is expected that the infrared sensor 12 will malfunction in the near future, a notification (for example, a flashing LED or the like, output of an error message, etc.) may be sent to, for example, a manager of the automatic door device 1, to inform the person that the infrared sensor 12 has malfunctioned or is expected to malfunction in the near future.

[0077] In addition, in the example shown in Figures 7A to 7C and Figure 8, the analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the degradation tolerances TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 of the amount of received light at each of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ, and the decrease in the amount of received light at each of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ (R21-R31, R22-R32, R23-R33, R24-R34). Therefore, in the examples shown in Figures 7A to 7C and Figure 8, fault diagnosis and fault prediction can be performed with higher accuracy for each of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, ARZ of the infrared sensor 12 than when the state of the infrared sensor 12 is monitored without being based on the degradation tolerance amounts TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4 of the amount of received light of each of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, ARZ and the decrease amounts (R21-R31, R22-R32, R23-R33, R24-R34) of the amount of received light of each of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, ARZ. Furthermore, in the examples shown in Figures 7A to 7C and 8, the analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on whether the decrease in the amount of received light of each of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ (R21-R31, R22-R32, R23-R33, R24-R34) exceeds the deterioration tolerance amounts TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 of the amount of received light of each of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ. Therefore, in the examples shown in Figures 7A to 7C and 8, fault diagnosis and fault prediction can be performed with higher accuracy for each of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, ARZ of the infrared sensor 12 than when the state of the infrared sensor 12 is monitored without being based on whether the decrease in the amount of received light of each of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, ARZ (R21-R31, R22-R32, R23-R33, R24-R34) exceeds the degradation tolerances TL1, TL2, TL3, TL4 for the amount of received light of each of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, ARZ.

[0078] In other words, in the automatic door system 1 of the third embodiment, at the time of shipping inspection and after the automatic door system 1 is installed on site, the infrared sensor 12 having the detection area AR outputs a signal (a signal including the amount of light received by the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, ARZ) used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door system 1. Next, the analysis unit 13E of the status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12 based on the time-lapse data of the amount of light received by the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, ARZ, etc. Therefore, with the automatic door system 1 of the third embodiment, it is possible to estimate the state of the infrared sensor 12 and to grasp the appropriate timing for replacing the infrared sensor 12 before the infrared sensor 12 breaks down.

[0079] As described above, in the example shown in Fig. 7A to Fig. 7C and Fig. 8, after the automatic door device 1 is installed at the site, the acquisition unit 13B acquires time-lapse data of the amount of light received by the detection spot ARW, time-lapse data of the amount of light received by the detection spot ARX, time-lapse data of the amount of light received by the detection spot ARY, and time-lapse data of the amount of light received by the detection spot ARZ. In the example shown in Fig. 7A to Fig. 7C and Fig. 8, the calculation unit 13C calculates the decrease in the amount of light received by the detection spot ARW (R21-R31), the decrease in the amount of light received by the detection spot ARX (R22-R32), the decrease in the amount of light received by the detection spot ARY (R23-R33), and the decrease in the amount of light received by the detection spot ARZ (R24-R34). In the example shown in Fig. 7A to Fig. 7C and Fig. 8, the analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on all of the following (1) to (4). (1) Whether the decrease in the amount of light received by the detection spot ARW (R21-R31) exceeds its deterioration tolerance TL1 (2) Whether the decrease in the amount of light received by the detection spot ARX (R22-R32) exceeds its deterioration tolerance TL2 (3) Whether the decrease in the amount of light received by the detection spot ARY (R23-R33) exceeds its deterioration tolerance TL3 (4) Whether the decrease in the amount of light received by the detection spot ARZ (R24-R34) exceeds its deterioration tolerance TL4 In another example, the status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of the infrared sensor 12 based only on the nearby detection spot ARW, which is the detection spot ARW near the sliding door 11, among the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ. In this example, the status of the infrared sensor 12 is monitored without being based on the distant detection spots ARX, ARY, and ARZ, which are the detection spots ARX, ARY, and ARZ far from the sliding door 11, among the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ. In this example, after the automatic door device 1 is installed at the site, the acquisition unit 13B acquires time-dependent data on the amount of light received by the detection spot ARW, the calculation unit 13C calculates the amount of decrease (R21-R31) in the amount of light received by the detection spot ARW, and the analysis unit 13E monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12 based on whether the amount of decrease (R21-R31) in the amount of light received by the detection spot ARW exceeds its deterioration allowance TL1. Therefore, fault diagnosis and failure prediction of the infrared sensor 12 can be performed with higher accuracy than when the fault diagnosis and failure prediction of the infrared sensor 12 are performed without being based on the decrease in the amount of light received by the detection spot ARW near the sliding door 11 (R21-R31).

[0080] In yet another example, the selection unit 13D of the status monitoring unit 13 may select the minimum degradation tolerance detection spot, which is the detection spot ARW corresponding to the minimum degradation tolerance TL1 among the degradation tolerances TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 of the light receiving amounts of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ stored in the memory unit 13A. In this example, after the automatic door device 1 is installed at a site, the acquisition unit 13B acquires time-dependent data on the amount of light received by the detection spot ARW corresponding to the minimum deterioration tolerance TL1. The calculation unit 13C calculates the amount of decrease (R21-R31) in the amount of light received by the detection spot ARW corresponding to the minimum deterioration tolerance TL1. The analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on whether the amount of decrease (R21-R31) in the amount of light received by the detection spot ARW corresponding to the minimum deterioration tolerance TL1 exceeds the deterioration tolerance TL1. That is, in this example, failure diagnosis and failure prediction of the infrared sensor 12 are performed based on the decrease in the amount of received light (R21-R31) of the detection spot ARW that is most likely to fail (i.e., the detection spot ARW corresponding to the minimum deterioration allowance TL1) among the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ of the infrared sensor 12. Therefore, failure diagnosis and failure prediction of the infrared sensor 12 can be performed more appropriately than when failure diagnosis and failure prediction of the infrared sensor 12 are performed based on the decrease in the amount of received light of detection spots that are less likely to fail.

[0081] 7A to 7C and 8, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of infrared sensor 12 without reference to the temperature of the site where automatic door system 1 is installed, but this is not limited to the above. In other examples, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of infrared sensor 12 by referring to temperature information of the site where automatic door system 1 is installed.

[0082] 7A to 7C and 8, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of infrared sensor 12 without reference to the humidity at the installation site of automatic door system 1, but this is not limited to the above. In other examples, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of infrared sensor 12 by referring to humidity information at the installation site of automatic door system 1.

[0083] 7A to 7C and 8, the analysis unit 13E of the state monitoring unit 13 monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 without being based on the time period during which light is received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12, but this is not limited to the above. In another example, the analysis unit 13E of the state monitoring unit 13 may monitor the state of the infrared sensor 12 by referring to the time period during which light is received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12.

[0084] In the automatic door system 1 of the third embodiment, the status monitoring unit 13 may be provided separately from the infrared sensor 12 and the drive unit. Specifically, a memory unit 13A for storing data from the infrared sensor 12 may be provided separately from the infrared sensor 12 (for example, in the drive unit), may be provided in the infrared sensor 12, or may be provided in, for example, an external cloud server. In an example where the status monitoring unit 13 is provided inside the infrared sensor 12, the infrared sensor 12 has a light-projecting unit 12A that projects detection light, a light-receiving unit 12B that receives the reflected detection light, and a detection area AR. The infrared sensor 12 functions as an infrared sensor for an automatic door system that outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door system 1 based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 12B. The infrared sensor 12 also includes a status monitoring unit 13 that monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12. In an example where the status monitoring unit 13 is provided in an external cloud server or the like, an infrared sensor system for an automatic door device is configured by the infrared sensor 12 and the status monitoring unit 13 that monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12. The infrared sensor 12 has a light projecting unit 12A that projects detection light, a light receiving unit 12B that receives the reflected detection light, and a detection area AR. The infrared sensor 12 outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door device 1 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B. In other words, this infrared sensor system for an automatic door device includes the infrared sensor 12 and the status monitoring unit 13 that is installed in, for example, an external cloud server. Data such as the amount of light received by the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ of the infrared sensor 12 is transmitted to the status monitoring unit 13 via a communication device (not shown), stored by the memory unit 13A, and used to monitor the status of the infrared sensor 12 by the analysis unit 13E. In this example, it is possible to carry out fault diagnosis and fault prediction for each of the detection spots ARW, ARX, ARY, and ARZ of the infrared sensor 12 at a location away from the installation site of the automatic door system 1. In the above-mentioned example, for example, an application in a handy terminal (not shown) or an application in a cloud server functions as the analysis unit 13E.

[0085] [Fourth embodiment] Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the automatic door system, the status monitoring method for an automatic door system infrared sensor, the infrared sensor system for an automatic door system, and the infrared sensor for an automatic door system of the present invention will be described. Except for the points described below, the automatic door system 1 of the fourth embodiment is configured similarly to the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the automatic door system 1 of the fourth embodiment can achieve the same effects as the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment, except for the points described below.

[0086] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the infrared sensor 12 of the automatic door system 1 of the fourth embodiment. The automatic door system 1 of the fourth embodiment includes a sliding door 11 that opens and closes, an infrared sensor 12, and a status monitoring unit 13. 9, the infrared sensor 12 includes a light-projecting unit 12A, a light-receiving unit 12B, a monitoring light-projecting unit 12C, and a monitoring light-receiving unit 12D. The light-projecting unit 12A projects light onto the detection area AR, similar to the light-projecting unit 12A of the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment. The light-receiving unit 12B receives light that is projected by the light-projecting unit 12A and reflected by the detection area AR, similar to the light-receiving unit 12B of the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment. The monitoring light-projecting unit 12C is disposed inside the infrared sensor 12. For example, a component having the same configuration as the light-projecting element of the light-projecting unit 12A is used as the light-projecting element of the monitoring light-projecting unit 12C. In other words, the monitoring light-projecting unit 12C projects light under the same conditions as the light-projecting unit 12A (for example, the light-projecting time, light amount, etc. of the monitoring light-projecting unit 12C are the same as those of the light-projecting unit 12A). The monitoring light receiving section 12D is disposed inside the infrared sensor 12. As the light receiving element of the monitoring light receiving section 12D, for example, a component having the same configuration as the light receiving element of the light receiving section 12B is used. The light projected by the monitoring light projector 12C is received by the monitoring light receiver 12D without passing through the outside of the infrared sensor 12 (i.e., without being reflected by the floor surface or the like that forms the detection area AR). That is, the monitoring light receiver 12D receives direct light from the monitoring light projector 12C. In detail, a lens, a filter, or the like is disposed between the light projecting element of the monitoring light projector 12C and the light receiving element of the monitoring light receiver 12D so that the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B and the amount of light received by the monitoring light receiver 12D are approximately the same. The light-projecting element of the monitoring light-projecting unit 12C and the light-receiving element of the monitoring light-receiving unit 12D project and receive light at the same timing as, for example, the light-projecting element of the light-projecting unit 12A and the light-receiving element of the light-receiving unit 12B. In other words, the light-projecting element of the monitoring light-projecting unit 12C and the light-receiving element of the monitoring light-receiving unit 12D project and receive light in conjunction with, for example, the light-projecting element of the light-projecting unit 12A and the light-receiving element of the light-receiving unit 12B. Therefore, the deterioration over time of the light-projecting element of the monitoring light-projecting unit 12C and the light-receiving element of the monitoring light-receiving unit 12D progresses at approximately the same speed as the deterioration over time of the light-projecting element of the light-projecting unit 12A and the light-receiving element of the light-receiving unit 12B.

[0087] In the automatic door system 1 of the fourth embodiment, the state monitoring unit 13 includes, for example, a storage unit 13A, an acquisition unit 13B, and an analysis unit 13E. The acquiring unit 13B acquires data on the amount of light received by the monitoring light receiving unit 12D at a predetermined timing, and the storage unit 13A stores the data on the amount of light received by the monitoring light receiving unit 12D acquired by the acquiring unit 13B. In detail, the acquiring unit 13B continuously acquires data on the amount of light received by the monitoring light receiving unit 12D. That is, the acquiring unit 13B acquires time-dependent data on the amount of light received by the monitoring light receiving unit 12D. The analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the time-lapse data acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. That is, the analysis unit 13E monitors the states of the monitoring light projector 12C and the monitoring light receiver 12D, and estimates that the light projector 12A and the light receiver 12B have deteriorated to the same extent as the monitoring light projector 12C and the monitoring light receiver 12D. That is, the analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the amount of light received by the monitoring light receiver 12D. Therefore, with the automatic door system 1 of the fourth embodiment, the state of the infrared sensor 12 can be estimated with high accuracy without being affected by external factors (such as changes in the reflectance of the floor surface that forms the detection area AR, or the effect of optical noise from sunlight) of the infrared sensor 12. In other words, with the automatic door system 1 of the fourth embodiment, the accuracy of estimating the state of the infrared sensor 12 can be improved compared to when the state of the infrared sensor 12 is monitored based on the amount of reflected light affected by external factors.

[0088] 9, the monitoring light-projecting unit 12C and the monitoring light-receiving unit 12D are placed in an environment that is not subject to external disturbances. Furthermore, the change over time in the amount of light received by the monitoring light-receiving unit 12D is monitored for a predetermined period of time, and deterioration over time of the light-projecting unit 12A and the light-receiving unit 12B is estimated based on the change over time in the amount of light received by the monitoring light-receiving unit 12D.

[0089] In other words, in the automatic door system 1 of the fourth embodiment, first, the infrared sensor 12 having the detection area AR outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door system 1. In detail, the infrared sensor 12 outputs a signal including the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B etc. (a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11) and a signal including the amount of light received by the monitoring light receiving unit 12D etc. Next, the analysis unit 13E of the status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12 based on the signal including the amount of light received by the monitoring light receiving unit 12D etc. Therefore, in the automatic door device 1 of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to estimate the state of the infrared sensor 12 (more specifically, the state of the light-emitting section 12A and the light-receiving section 12B) and to determine the appropriate timing for replacing the infrared sensor 12 before the infrared sensor 12 breaks down.

[0090] In the example shown in Figure 9 above, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of infrared sensor 12 without reference to the temperature of the site where the automatic door device 1 is installed, but in other examples, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of infrared sensor 12 by referring to temperature information of the site where the automatic door device 1 is installed.

[0091] In the example shown in Figure 9 above, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of infrared sensor 12 without reference to the humidity at the installation site of the automatic door device 1, but in other examples, analysis unit 13E of status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of infrared sensor 12 by referring to humidity information at the installation site of the automatic door device 1.

[0092] In the example shown in Figure 9 above, the analysis unit 13E of the status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12 without being based on the time period during which light is received by the light receiving unit 12B and the monitoring light receiving unit 12D of the infrared sensor 12, but in other examples, the analysis unit 13E of the status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of the infrared sensor 12 by referring to the time period during which light is received by the light receiving unit 12B and the monitoring light receiving unit 12D of the infrared sensor 12.

[0093] In the automatic door system 1 of the fourth embodiment, the status monitoring unit 13 may be provided separately from the infrared sensor 12 and the drive unit. Specifically, a memory unit 13A for storing data from the infrared sensor 12 may be provided separately from the infrared sensor 12 (for example, in the drive unit), may be provided in the infrared sensor 12, or may be provided in an external cloud server, for example. In an example where the status monitoring unit 13 is provided within the infrared sensor 12, the infrared sensor 12 has a light-projecting unit 12A that projects detection light, a light-receiving unit 12B that receives reflected detection light, and a detection area AR, and functions as an infrared sensor for an automatic door system that outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door system 1 based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 12B. In an example where the status monitoring unit 13 is provided on an external cloud server, for example, the infrared sensor 12 has a light-projecting unit 12A that projects detection light, a light-receiving unit 12B that receives the reflected detection light, and a detection area AR. The infrared sensor 12 that outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door system 1 based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 12B, and the status monitoring unit 13 that monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12 constitute an infrared sensor system for an automatic door system. In other words, this infrared sensor system for an automatic door system comprises the infrared sensor 12 and the status monitoring unit 13 that is provided on an external cloud server, for example.

[0094] [Fifth embodiment] Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the automatic door system, the status monitoring method for an automatic door system infrared sensor, the infrared sensor system for an automatic door system, and the infrared sensor for an automatic door system of the present invention will be described. Except for the points described below, the automatic door system 1 of the fifth embodiment is configured in the same way as the automatic door system 1 of the fifth embodiment described above. Therefore, the automatic door system 1 of the fifth embodiment can achieve the same effects as the automatic door system 1 of the first embodiment described above, except for the points described below.

[0095] Figures 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of the configuration of the jig 14 of the automatic door system 1 of the fifth embodiment. In detail, Figure 10A is a perspective view showing the relationship between the jig 14 of the automatic door system 1 and the infrared sensor 12. Figure 10B is a diagram showing the filter portion 14A and the reflector portion 14B provided on the inner surface of the jig 14. The automatic door system 1 of the fifth embodiment comprises a sliding door 11 that opens and closes, an infrared sensor 12, a state monitoring unit 13, and a jig . The jig 14 is for reflecting the light projected by the light-projecting unit 12A of the infrared sensor 12 before the light reaches the detection area AR. For example, during regular maintenance of the automatic door system 1, the jig 14 is placed so as to cover the infrared sensor 12, as shown in Fig. 10A. As a result, the jig 14 reflects the light projected by the light-projecting unit 12A before it reaches the detection area AR, and returns it to the light-receiving unit 12B. In the state shown in Fig. 10A, the light projected by the light projecting unit 12A of the infrared sensor 12 passes through the filter unit 14A (see Fig. 10B) of the jig 14, is reflected by the reflecting unit 14B (see Fig. 10B) of the jig 14, passes through the filter unit 14A, and is received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12. That is, in the state shown in Fig. 10A, the light projected by the light projecting unit 12A does not reach the detection area AR. Also, the filter unit 14A arranged in the optical path between the light projecting unit 12A and the light receiving unit 12B changes the intensity of the light projecting unit 12A.

[0096] In the automatic door system 1 of the fifth embodiment, the state monitoring unit 13 includes, for example, a storage unit 13A, an acquisition unit 13B, and an analysis unit 13E. The acquisition unit 13B acquires the amount of reflected light from the jig 14 received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12 and control information of the infrared sensor 12. That is, the acquisition unit 13B acquires the amount of light reflected by the jig 14 and received by the light receiving unit 12B, and the control information of the infrared sensor 12 including the light projection conditions (e.g., intensity) of the light projecting unit 12A and the light receiving conditions (e.g., sensitivity) of the light receiving unit 12B. That is, the acquisition unit 13B acquires the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B and the control information of the infrared sensor 12 in the state shown in Fig. 10A, and the storage unit 13A stores the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B and the control information of the infrared sensor 12 acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. In detail, the acquiring unit 13B continuously acquires the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B and the control information of the infrared sensor 12. That is, the acquiring unit 13B acquires time-series data of the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B and the control information of the infrared sensor 12. The analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the amount of received light and the control information of the infrared sensor 12 acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. That is, the status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B and the control information of the infrared sensor 12. The status monitoring unit 13 also monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12 based on a change over time in the control information of the infrared sensor 12 acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. Therefore, with the automatic door system 1 of the fifth embodiment, the state of the infrared sensor 12 can be estimated with high accuracy without being affected by changes in the environment of the detection area AR. More specifically, in the automatic door system 1 of the fifth embodiment, the analysis unit 13E monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the change over time of the control information of the infrared sensor 12 acquired by the acquisition unit 13B. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of estimating the state of the infrared sensor 12 compared to a case where the state of the infrared sensor 12 is not monitored based on the change over time of the control information of the infrared sensor 12, including the amount of reflected light from the jig 14.

[0097] As described above, in the example shown in Figures 10A and 10B, for example, when the state is as shown in Figure 10A (i.e., a state prepared under a certain environment), control information of infrared sensor 12 (e.g., the voltage of the light-emitting element of each detection spot, the sensitivity of the light-receiving element, the amount of light received, etc.) is acquired and accumulated, and fault diagnosis and fault prediction of infrared sensor 12 is performed with high accuracy based on the historical data.

[0098] In other words, in the automatic door system 1 of the fifth embodiment, in a normal state (a state in which the infrared sensor 12 is not covered by the jig 14) different from the state shown in Fig. 10A, the infrared sensor 12 having the detection area AR outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door system 1. On the other hand, in the state shown in Fig. 10A, the infrared sensor 12 outputs control information for the infrared sensor 12 including the amount of reflected light from the jig 14. Next, the analysis unit 13E of the state monitoring unit 13 monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 based on the time-lapse data of the control information for the infrared sensor 12 acquired by the acquisition unit 13B in the state shown in Fig. 10A. Therefore, in the automatic door device 1 of the fifth embodiment, it is possible to estimate the state of the infrared sensor 12 (more specifically, the state of the light-emitting section 12A and the light-receiving section 12B) and to determine the appropriate timing for replacing the infrared sensor 12 before the infrared sensor 12 breaks down.

[0099] 10A and 10B, the analysis unit 13E of the status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12 without reference to the temperature of the site where the automatic door system 1 is installed, but this is not limited to this. In other examples, the analysis unit 13E of the status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of the infrared sensor 12 by referring to the temperature of the site where the automatic door system 1 is installed.

[0100] 10A and 10B, the analysis unit 13E of the status monitoring unit 13 monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12 without reference to the humidity at the installation site of the automatic door system 1, but this is not limited to the above. In another example, the analysis unit 13E of the status monitoring unit 13 may monitor the status of the infrared sensor 12 by referring to the humidity at the installation site of the automatic door system 1.

[0101] 10A and 10B, the analysis unit 13E of the state monitoring unit 13 monitors the state of the infrared sensor 12 without being based on the time period during which light is received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12, but this is not limited to the above. In another example, the analysis unit 13E of the state monitoring unit 13 may monitor the state of the infrared sensor 12 by referring to the time period during which light is received by the light receiving unit 12B of the infrared sensor 12.

[0102] In the automatic door system 1 of the fifth embodiment, the status monitoring unit 13 may be provided separately from the infrared sensor 12 and the drive unit. Specifically, a memory unit 13A for storing data from the infrared sensor 12 may be provided separately from the infrared sensor 12 (for example, in the drive unit), may be provided in the infrared sensor 12, or may be provided in an external cloud server, for example. In an example where the status monitoring unit 13 is provided inside the infrared sensor 12, the infrared sensor 12 has a light-projecting unit 12A that projects detection light, a light-receiving unit 12B that receives the reflected detection light, and a detection area AR. The infrared sensor 12 functions as an infrared sensor for an automatic door system that outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door system 1 based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 12B. The infrared sensor 12 also includes a status monitoring unit 13 that monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12. In an example where the status monitoring unit 13 is provided in an external cloud server, the infrared sensor 12 has a light projecting unit 12A that projects detection light, a light receiving unit 12B that receives the reflected detection light, and a detection area AR. The infrared sensor 12 that outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of the sliding door 11 of the automatic door device 1 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 12B, and the status monitoring unit 13 that monitors the status of the infrared sensor 12 constitute an infrared sensor system for an automatic door device. That is, this infrared sensor system for an automatic door device includes the infrared sensor 12 and the status monitoring unit 13 that is installed in an external cloud server, for example. Data such as the amount of light received by the detection area AR of the infrared sensor 12 and data on the amount of reflected light from the jig 14 are transmitted to the status monitoring unit 13 via a communication device (not shown), stored in the storage unit 13A, and used to monitor the status of the infrared sensor 12 by the analysis unit 13E. In this example, a failure diagnosis and failure prediction of the infrared sensor 12 can be performed at a location away from the installation site of the automatic door device 1. In the above-mentioned example, for example, an application in a handy terminal (not shown) or an application in a cloud server functions as the analysis unit 13E.

[0103] In one example of the automatic door system 1 of the fifth embodiment, a high intensity grade (product name) reflective sheet is used as the above-mentioned reflective portion 14B. The filter portion 14A is used to reduce the intensity of the light received by the light receiving portion 12B. The condition monitoring unit 13 has a normal mode in which the infrared sensor 12 receives reflected light from the detection area AR, and an inspection mode in which the infrared sensor 12 receives reflected light from the jig 14. The normal mode and the inspection mode are switched by, for example, a switch provided on the infrared sensor 12. In the inspection mode, the amount of light emitted by the light-projecting element is reduced compared to the normal mode, the light-projecting period of the light-projecting element is made longer than in the normal mode, and the number of times the light is projected by the light-projecting element is increased compared to the normal mode. In this example, by using the jig 14, it is possible to obtain data necessary for fault diagnosis and failure prediction of the infrared sensor 12 without being affected by the floor surface of the detection area AR or the installation site of the automatic door system 1. As a result, fault diagnosis and failure prediction of the infrared sensor 12 can be performed with high accuracy.

[0104] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments and examples, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments and examples may be combined.

[0105] The functions of each unit of the automatic door system 1 in the above-mentioned embodiment, in whole or in part, may be realized by recording a program for realizing these functions on a computer-readable recording medium, and having a computer system load and execute the program recorded on the recording medium. The "computer system" referred to here includes the OS, peripheral devices, and other hardware. In addition, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage units such as hard disks built into computer systems. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" may also include those that dynamically hold a program for a short period of time, such as a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and those that hold a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that serves as a server or client in such cases. Furthermore, the above program may be one that realizes part of the above-mentioned functions, or may be one that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Industrial Applicability]

[0106] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic door system that can estimate the state of an infrared sensor, a state monitoring method for an infrared sensor for an automatic door system, an infrared sensor system for an automatic door system, and an infrared sensor for an automatic door system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1...automatic door device, 11...sliding door, 12...infrared sensor, 12A...light emitting section, 12A1, 12A2...light emitting element group, 12A3, 12A4...lens, 12B...light receiving section, 12B1, 12B2, 12B3, 12B4...light receiving unit, 12C...monitoring light emitting section, 12D...monitoring light receiving section, 13...status monitoring section, 13A...storage section, 13B...acquisition section, 13C...calculation section, 13D...selection section, 13E...analysis section, 14...jig, 14A...filter section, 14B...reflection section, AR...detection area, AR1...nearby area, AR2...far area, ARA...detection spot, ARB...detection spot, ARB1...adjacent spot, ARB2...non-adjacent spot, ARW...detection spot, ARX...detection spot, ARY...detection spot, ARZ...detection spot

Claims

1. A sliding door that is opened and closed by a drive unit; an infrared sensor having a light-projecting unit that projects detection light onto a detection area including a near area near the sliding door and a far area far from the sliding door, and a light-receiving unit that receives the detection light reflected from the light-projecting unit, and that outputs a signal used for controlling opening and closing of the sliding door based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit; a storage unit that stores the amount of light received in the near area and the amount of light received in the far area; a status monitoring unit that monitors a status of the infrared sensor, The state monitoring unit is a difference between a first time point nearby area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the nearby area at a first time point, and a second time point nearby area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the nearby area at a second time point different from the first time point; A difference between a first time point distant area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the distant area at the first time point, and a second time point distant area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the distant area at the second time point; and monitoring a state of the infrared sensor based on the Automatic door device.

2. The state monitoring unit monitors the state of the infrared sensor based on both a detection result in the near area and a detection result in the far area of ​​the infrared sensor.

2. The automatic door system according to claim 1.

3. A device having a light-projecting unit which projects detection light onto a detection area including a near area near a sliding door which is opened and closed by a drive unit and a far area far from said sliding door, and a light-receiving unit which receives the detection light reflected from said light-projecting unit, and an output unit which outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of said sliding door based on the amount of light received by said light-receiving unit; a storage unit that stores the amount of light received in the near area and the amount of light received in the far area; a status monitoring unit that monitors the status of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit, The state monitoring unit is a difference between a first time point nearby area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the nearby area at a first time point, and a second time point nearby area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the nearby area at a second time point different from the first time point; A difference between a first time point distant area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the distant area at the first time point, and a second time point distant area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the distant area at the second time point; and monitoring the states of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit based on the Infrared sensor system for automatic door devices.

4. A light-projecting unit that projects detection light onto a detection area including a near area near a sliding door that is opened and closed by a drive unit and a far area far from the sliding door; a light receiving section that receives the detection light reflected from the light projecting section; an output unit that outputs a signal used to control opening and closing of the sliding door based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit; a storage unit that stores the amount of received light in the near area and the amount of received light in the far area; a status monitoring unit that monitors the status of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit, The state monitoring unit is a difference between a first time point nearby area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the nearby area at a first time point, and a second time point nearby area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the nearby area at a second time point different from the first time point; A difference between a first time point distant area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the distant area at the first time point, and a second time point distant area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the distant area at the second time point; and monitoring the states of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit based on the Infrared sensor for automatic door systems.

5. An infrared sensor having a light-projecting unit that projects detection light and a light-receiving unit that receives the detection light reflected from the light-projecting unit, comprising: a storage step of storing the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit in a detection area including a near area near a sliding door and a far area far from the sliding door; a calculation step of calculating a difference between a first time nearby area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the nearby area at a first time point, and a second time nearby area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the nearby area at a second time point different from the first time point, and a difference between a first time distant area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the distant area at the first time point, and a second time distant area received light amount, which is the amount of light received in the distant area at the second time point; a monitoring step of determining a state of the infrared sensor based on the difference calculated in the calculation step; The automatic door system includes an infrared sensor.

6. A sliding door that is opened and closed by a drive unit; an infrared sensor having a light-projecting unit that projects detection light onto a detection area consisting of a plurality of detection spots, and a light-receiving unit that receives the detection light reflected from the light-projecting unit, and that outputs a signal used to control opening and closing of the sliding door based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit; an acquisition unit that acquires detection information of the infrared sensor and control information of the infrared sensor; a status monitoring unit that monitors a status of the infrared sensor, the detection information indicates whether the plurality of detection spots are in a detection state in which they detect an object, or in a non-detection state in which they do not detect an object, The state monitoring unit monitors a state of the infrared sensor based on the detection information acquired by the acquisition unit and a change over time in control information of the infrared sensor. Automatic door device.

7. The plurality of detection spots includes a first detection spot in the non-detection state and a second detection spot in the detection state, the first detection spot includes an adjacent spot adjacent to the second detection spot and a non-adjacent spot not adjacent to the second detection spot, the acquisition unit acquires a light receiving amount of the first detection spot including a non-adjacent spot light receiving amount, which is an amount of reflected light received by the infrared sensor from the non-adjacent spot, and control information for the infrared sensor, the non-adjacent spot light receiving amount not including an adjacent spot light receiving amount, which is an amount of reflected light received by the infrared sensor from the adjacent spot, and The state monitoring unit monitors a state of the infrared sensor based on the amount of received light of the first detection spot including the amount of received light of the non-adjacent spot acquired by the acquisition unit and a change over time in control information of the infrared sensor.

7. The automatic door system according to claim 6.

8. The plurality of detection spots includes a second detection spot in the detection state, the acquisition unit acquires control information of the infrared sensor when the second detection spot is included in the detection area; The state monitoring unit monitors a state of the infrared sensor based on a change over time in control information of the infrared sensor acquired by the acquisition unit when the second detection spot is included in the detection area.

8. The automatic door system according to claim 6 or 7.

9. An output section having a light-projecting section which projects detection light onto a detection area consisting of a plurality of detection spots, and a light-receiving section which receives the detection light reflected from the light-projecting section, and which outputs a signal used to control the opening and closing of a sliding door based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving section; an acquisition unit that acquires detection information of the plurality of detection spots and control information of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit; a status monitoring unit that monitors the status of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit, the detection information indicates whether the plurality of detection spots are in a detection state in which they detect an object, or in a non-detection state in which they do not detect an object, The state monitoring unit monitors the states of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit based on a change over time in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit and the control information acquired by the acquisition unit. Infrared sensor system for automatic door devices.

10. A light-projecting unit that projects detection light onto a detection area consisting of a plurality of detection spots; a light receiving unit that receives the detection light reflected from the light projecting unit; an output unit that outputs a signal used for controlling opening and closing of the sliding door based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit; an acquisition unit that acquires detection information of the plurality of detection spots and control information of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit; a status monitoring unit that monitors the status of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit, the detection information indicates whether the plurality of detection spots are in a detection state in which they detect an object, or in a non-detection state in which they do not detect an object, The state monitoring unit monitors the states of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit based on a change over time in the amount of light received by the light receiving unit and the control information acquired by the acquisition unit. Infrared sensor for automatic door systems.

11. An infrared sensor having a light-projecting unit which projects detection light onto a detection area consisting of a plurality of detection spots, and a light-receiving unit which receives the detection light reflected from the light-projecting unit, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring detection information indicating whether the plurality of detection spots are in a detection state in which an object is being detected, or whether the plurality of detection spots are in a non-detection state in which an object is not being detected, and control information of the infrared sensor; a monitoring step of determining a state of the infrared sensor based on the detection information acquired in the acquisition step and a change over time in control information of the infrared sensor; The automatic door system includes an infrared sensor.

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