Display system and display control method

Abstract

To provide a display system capable of easily attracting the attention of users of a passenger conveyor and displaying information in a state easily visible to the users. According to an embodiment, a display system includes a display device and a display control device. The display devices are arranged in a row in the direction of travel of the step section on a deck board that is installed outside a moving area in which a step section that loads users moves within a passenger conveyor. The display control device has a display control unit that displays predetermined display information for each of the plurality of display devices.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a display system and a display control method. [Background technology]

[0002] In many buildings where escalators, a type of passenger conveyor, are installed, administrators issue warning announcements to users saying, "Please stop standing on the escalator," but this rule is often not followed. This is thought to be due to the psychological desire of users to move quickly, as well as the fact that the warning announcements become background music and people do not feel that they are being warned.

[0003] In view of this, there is a system in which a projector that projects information onto the steps of an escalator is installed, and when a user is walking on the escalator, this projector projects attention-grabbing information onto the steps (for example, Patent Document 1). By using the technology of this system, attention-grabbing information can be provided to attract the attention of users walking on the escalator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-20765 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even if warning information is projected onto the steps using the above-mentioned technology, there are cases where the detailed information is not displayed clearly because there are many grooves on the surface of the steps. Also, when there are many users on the escalator, the information is not properly projected onto the steps because the users block the information, and users are unable to recognize the content of the information.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a display system and a display control method that are capable of displaying information in a manner that is easy to attract the attention of passenger conveyor users and is easily visible to the users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to an embodiment for achieving the above object, a display system includes a display device and a display control device. The display devices are arranged in a row in a direction of travel of the step unit on a deck board installed outside a moving area in which a step unit that loads users moves within a passenger conveyor. The display control device has a display control unit that causes each of the plurality of display devices to display predetermined display information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a configuration of a display system according to first to third embodiments. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configurations of a camera device and a display control device of the display systems according to the first to third embodiments. [Figure 3A] 5 is a flowchart showing a first display process executed by the display system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3B] 5 is a flowchart showing a first display process executed by the display system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3C] 5 is a flowchart showing a first display process executed by the display system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram relating to a display processing example (1) of a first display processing executed by the display system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram relating to a display processing example (2) of the first display processing executed by the display system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram relating to a display processing example (3) of the first display processing executed by the display system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7]13 is a flowchart showing a second display process executed by the display system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram relating to an example of a second display process executed by a display system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram relating to an example of a third display process executed by a display system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram relating to another example of the third display process executed by the display system according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a display system for displaying information to users of an escalator, which is an example of a passenger conveyor, a display control device used therein, and a display control method will be described as embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] First Embodiment Configuration of the display system according to the first embodiment 1 is an overall view showing the configuration of a display system 1A according to a first embodiment. The display system 1A is a system that displays information to users using a monitor in an escalator ES. The escalator ES includes steps 2, which are steps along which users can move, handrails 3a and 3b installed on both sides of the steps 2 along the moving direction of the steps 2, and deck boards 4a and 4b installed between the steps 2 and the handrails 3a and 3b.

[0011] The movement area in which the steps 2 move within the escalator ES is defined as the step movement area 5, the right half of the step movement area 5 in the moving direction of the steps 2 is divided into six areas defined as partial areas 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, and 52f, and the left half is divided into six areas defined as partial areas 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, and 52f. The number of partial areas divided into each of the right and left halves of the step movement area 5 is not limited to six and may be any number equal to or greater than two. Furthermore, the partial areas may be divided into a plurality of areas in the moving direction without being divided into left and right within the step movement area 5.

[0012] Partial areas 51f and 52f are on the lower floor side of the escalator ES, and partial areas 51a and 52a are on the upper floor side of the escalator ES, and the steps 2 move in the direction of arrow d1 in Fig. 1, that is, from the lower floor to the upper floor, within the step movement area 5. An entrance 6 is located adjacent to the partial areas 51f and 52f on the lower floor, and an exit 7 is located adjacent to the partial areas 51a and 52a on the upper floor.

[0013] The display system 1A includes monitors 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f which are display devices installed on a deck board 4a inside the escalator ES, monitors 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, and 12f installed on the deck board 4b, a camera device 20A installed on the ceiling near the exit 7, and a display control device 30A communicatively connected to each monitor and camera device 20A.

[0014] The monitors 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f are arranged side by side in correspondence with the partial areas 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, 51e, and 51f, respectively. The monitors 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, and 12f are arranged side by side in correspondence with the partial areas 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, and 52f, respectively.

[0015] The monitors 11a and 11b, the monitors 11b and 11c, the monitors 11c and 11d, the monitors 11d and 11e, and the monitors 11e and 11f are connected by communication lines 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and 13e, respectively. The monitors 12a and 12b, the monitors 12b and 12c, the monitors 12c and 12d, the monitors 12d and 12e, and the monitors 12e and 12f are connected by communication lines 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, and 14e, respectively.

[0016] 2 is a block diagram showing detailed configurations of the camera device 20A and the display control device 30A. The camera device 20A has an imaging unit 21, a first CPU 22A, and a first communication unit 23. The imaging unit 21 captures an image of the inside of the escalator ES and generates imaging information.

[0017] The first CPU 22A has an imaging information acquisition unit 221, a user detection unit 222A as a first user detection unit, and a position information acquisition unit 223A as a first position information acquisition unit. The imaging information acquisition unit 221 acquires imaging information generated by the imaging unit 21. The user detection unit 222A analyzes the imaging information acquired by the imaging information acquisition unit 221 to detect a user walking in the step movement area 5. The position information acquisition unit 223A acquires position information of the user detected by the user detection unit 222A. The first communication unit 23 transmits the user position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 223A to the display control device 30A.

[0018] The display control device 30A includes a storage unit 31 and a second CPU 33A. The storage unit 31 includes a monitor information storage unit 311, a display information storage unit 312, and a display time storage unit 313. The monitor information storage unit 311 stores identification information and installation position information of each of the monitors 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, and 12f. The installation position information of each monitor includes identification information of the corresponding partial area.

[0019] The display information storage unit 312 stores advertisement information and attention-calling information for calling the attention of users as display information to be displayed on the monitors in the escalator ES. The display time storage unit 313 stores the display time of advertisement information and attention-calling information displayed on each monitor by the display control unit 331A as described later. The second communication unit 32 communicates between the camera device 20A and the monitors 11a and 12a.

[0020] The second CPU 33A has a display control unit 331A. The display control unit 331A determines display contents to be displayed on each monitor based on information obtained from the camera device 20A, obtains display information corresponding to the determined contents from the display information storage unit 312, and transmits the display information to the monitors to be displayed by using communication via the communication lines 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, and 14e.

[0021] The imaging information acquisition unit 221, the user detection unit 222A, and the position information acquisition unit 223A may be mounted in the display control device 30A.

[0022] <Operation of the display system according to the first embodiment> 3A, 3B, and 3C are flowcharts showing a first display process executed by the display system 1A. The display system 1A executes the first display process of FIG. 3A, 3B, and 3C for the right half area and the left half area in the moving direction of the steps 2 in the step movement area 5. When the display system 1A is operated, the imaging unit 21 of the camera device 20A starts capturing images of the inside of the escalator ES. The imaging information captured by the imaging unit 21 is acquired by the imaging information acquisition unit 221 and sent to the user detection unit 222A.

[0023] The user detection unit 222A analyzes the imaging information acquired by the imaging information acquisition unit 221, and monitors whether or not a user is present in the processing target area (the right half area or the left half area of ​​the step movement area 5) within the step movement area 5. When the user detection unit 222A does not detect a user within the processing target area ("NO" in S1), information regarding the detection of a user is not transmitted from the camera device 20A to the display control device 30A. In this case, the display control unit 331A of the display control device 30A acquires advertisement information from the display information storage unit 312, and transmits it to all monitors corresponding to the processing target area to display it (S2).

[0024] When the user detection unit 222A detects a user within the processing target area ("YES" in S1), it further analyzes the imaging information and monitors whether the detected user is walking within the processing target area (S3).

[0025] When the user detection unit 222A determines that the detected user is walking within the processing target area, that is, when it detects a user (hereinafter, referred to as a "pedestrian") walking within the processing target area ("YES" in S3), the position information acquisition unit 223A acquires identification information of the partial area in which the pedestrian is located as position information of the pedestrian (S4). The position information acquisition unit 223A transmits the acquired identification information of the partial area to the display control device 30A via the first communication unit 23.

[0026] In the display control device 30A, the display control unit 331A acquires the identification information of the partial area in which pedestrians are present, transmitted from the camera device 20A, via the second communication unit 32. The display control unit 331A identifies the monitor corresponding to the acquired identification information of the partial area, based on the information stored in the monitor information storage unit 311. The display control unit 331A also acquires attention-calling information from the display information storage unit 312. Here, the attention-calling information acquired by the display control unit 331A is text information "Do not walk" for encouraging the user to stop walking.

[0027] The display control unit 331A displays the acquired attention-calling information on the specified monitor. That is, the display control unit 331A displays the attention-calling information only on the monitor corresponding to the partial area where the pedestrian is present, and displays the advertisement information on the other monitors (S5).

[0028] After the display of step S5, when a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) has elapsed ("YES" in S6), the display control unit 331A judges whether the detected user continues to walk based on the information transmitted from the camera device 20A (S7). If the display control unit 331A does not obtain identification information of a partial area where a pedestrian is present from the camera device 20A, it recognizes that the user has stopped walking and stopped, and switches to transmitting and displaying advertising information to all monitors corresponding to the processing target area, and returns to step S1 (S8→S1).

[0029] In step S7, when the display control unit 331A determines that the detected user continues walking ("YES" in S7), it counts the number of partial areas in which pedestrians are present based on the information acquired from the camera device 20A (S9).

[0030] The display control unit 331A judges whether the pedestrian user ratio, which is the ratio of the number of partial areas in which pedestrians exist to the total number of partial areas in the right half or left half of the step movement area 5, which is six, is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, for example, 50% (S10). This threshold is not limited to 50% and can be changed as appropriate. If the pedestrian user ratio is less than the predetermined value ("NO" in S10), it judges whether the partial area in which pedestrians exist and the monitor displaying the attention-calling information are in corresponding positions (S11).

[0031] If the partial area where pedestrians are present and the monitor displaying the warning information are in corresponding positions ("YES" in S11), the display content displayed in step S5 is continued on each monitor (S12). If the partial area where pedestrians are present and the monitor displaying the warning information are not in corresponding positions ("NO" in S11), the monitor displaying the warning information is changed so that it corresponds. Specifically, the monitor that displayed the warning information in step S5 is switched to display advertising information, and the monitor that is newly determined to correspond to the partial area where pedestrians are present is switched to display warning information (S13). Then, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0032] If the pedestrian user ratio calculated in step S10 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value ("YES" in S10), it is determined whether this state has continued for a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) or more (S14). If the state in which the pedestrian user ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined value has not continued for the predetermined time or more ("NO" in S14), the process proceeds to step S11.

[0033] In step S14, if the state in which the pedestrian user ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined value continues for a predetermined time or more ("YES" in S14), the display control unit 331A changes the display form of the display information including the attention information on all monitors corresponding to the processing target area. Specifically, the display is switched between the advertisement information and the attention information at regular time intervals (S15).

[0034] After the display of step S15, when a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) has elapsed ("YES" in S16), the display control unit 331A judges whether the detected user continues to walk based on the information transmitted from the camera device 20A (S17). If the display control unit 331A does not obtain identification information of a partial area where a pedestrian is present from the camera device 20A, it recognizes that the user has stopped walking and stopped, switches to transmitting and displaying advertising information to all monitors corresponding to the processing target area, and returns to step S1 (S18→S1).

[0035] In step S17, when the display control unit 331A determines that the detected user continues walking ("YES" in S17), the number of partial areas in which pedestrians are present is counted based on the information acquired from the camera device 20A (S19).

[0036] The display control unit 331A judges whether the pedestrian user ratio, which is indicated by the number of partial areas in which pedestrians are present, relative to the total number of partial areas in the processing target area, which is six, is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, for example, 50% (S20). If the calculated pedestrian user ratio is less than the predetermined value ("NO" in S20), the display control unit 331A switches so that attention-calling information is displayed only on the monitor corresponding to the partial area in which pedestrians are present, and advertising information is displayed on the other monitors (S21). Then, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0037] If the pedestrian user ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined value in step S20 ("YES" in S20), it is determined whether this state has continued for a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) or more (S22). If the state in which the pedestrian user ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined value has not continued for the predetermined time or more ("NO" in S22), the process proceeds to step S21.

[0038] In step S22, if the state in which the pedestrian user ratio is equal to or greater than the predetermined value continues for a predetermined time or longer ("YES" in S22), the display control unit 331A switches between displaying advertisement information and warning information at regular time intervals on all monitors in the escalator ES (S23). Then, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0039] During the execution of the above-mentioned display process, the display control unit 331A stores the display time of the advertisement information and the display time of the attention-calling information displayed on each monitor in the display time storage unit 313. At this time, the number of monitors on which the advertisement information and the attention-calling information are displayed may also be stored.

[0040] The administrator of the display system 1A determines the advertising fee to be charged to the advertiser according to the display time of the advertising information stored in the display time storage unit 313.

[0041] Using the above-mentioned flowchart, display processing examples (1) to (3) executed by the display system 1A will be described.

[0042] [Display processing example (1)] As a display processing example (1), a case will be described in which display processing is performed for the right half area when a user, a pedestrian U1, is walking upward on the steps 2 within partial area 51e belonging to the right half area in the direction of travel of the step movement area 5, as shown in Figure 4.

[0043] In this case, the user detection unit 222A of the camera device 20A detects the pedestrian U1 in the right half area of ​​the step movement area 5 ("YES" in S1), and further determines that the detected pedestrian U1 is walking ("YES" in S3).

[0044] The position information acquisition unit 223A acquires identification information of the partial area 51e in which the pedestrian U1 is present as the position information of the pedestrian U1, and transmits it to the display control device 30A (S4).

[0045] The display control unit 331A of the display control device 30A identifies the monitor 11e that is the monitor corresponding to the partial area 51e based on the acquired identification information. The display control unit 331A also acquires attention-calling information for encouraging the user to stop walking and displays it on the identified monitor 11e, while displaying advertising information on the other monitors (S5).

[0046] If the pedestrian U1 stops walking ("NO" at S7) after a predetermined time has elapsed since the display of step S5 ("YES" at S6), the display of the warning information is terminated and the display is switched to display advertising information on all monitors corresponding to the right half of the step movement area 5 being processed (S8).

[0047] If the pedestrian U1 continues walking ("YES" in S7), there is only one partial area where a pedestrian is present, and the display control unit 331A determines that the pedestrian user ratio, which is the ratio of the number of partial areas where a pedestrian is present (1) to the total number of partial areas in the right half of the step movement area 5 (6), is 17%, which is less than the threshold value of 50% ("NO" in S9->S10).Then, the display control unit 331A determines whether the partial area where a pedestrian is present and the monitor displaying the attention-calling information are in corresponding positions (S11).

[0048] If the partial area where the pedestrian U1 is located corresponds to the monitor displaying the warning information, the display content is continued as is (S12), but if they do not correspond to each other ("NO" in S11), the monitor displaying the warning information is switched to accommodate the area.

[0049] For example, if pedestrian U1 has entered partial area 51d, partial area 51d in which pedestrian U1 is located does not correspond to monitor 11e displaying the warning information ("NO" in S11), so in order to make them correspond to each other, the monitor displaying the warning information is switched from monitor 11e to monitor 11d (S13).

[0050] By appropriately switching between displaying the attention-calling information on the monitor located close to the pedestrian U1 in this manner, the pedestrian U1 can easily notice the information.

[0051] [Display processing example (2)] As an example of display processing (2), we will explain the case where, as shown in Figure 5, there are one pedestrian (pedestrian U2) walking upward on steps 2 within step movement area 5, in partial area 51b, and two pedestrians (pedestrians U3 and U4) in partial area 51e, and there are one user (user U11) in partial area 52b, one user (user U12) in partial area 52c, and one user (user U13) in partial area 52e who have stopped to ride.

[0052] First, a description will be given of a case where display processing is performed on the right half area in the moving direction of the step movement area 5. In this case, the user detection unit 222A of the camera device 20A detects pedestrians U2, U3, and U4 in the processing target area ("YES" in S1), and further determines that the detected pedestrians U2, U3, and U4 are walking ("YES" in S3).

[0053] The position information acquisition unit 223A acquires identification information of the partial area 51b in which the pedestrian U2 is located and identification information of the partial area 51e in which the pedestrians U3 and U4 are located as the position information of the pedestrians U2, U3, and U4, and transmits the information to the display control device 30A (S4).

[0054] The display control unit 331A of the display control device 30A identifies the monitor 11b corresponding to the partial area 51b and the monitor 11e corresponding to the partial area 51e based on the acquired identification information. The display control unit 331A also acquires attention-calling information for encouraging the user to stop walking, and displays it on the identified monitors 11b and 11e, and displays advertising information on the other monitors (S5).

[0055] If pedestrians U2, U3, and U4 stop walking ("NO" in S7) after a predetermined time has elapsed since the display in step S5 ("YES" in S6), the display of the warning information is terminated and the display is switched to display advertising information on all monitors in the right half area corresponding to the processing target area (S8).

[0056] If pedestrians U2, U3, and U4 continue walking ("YES" at S7), there are two partial areas in which pedestrians exist, and the display control unit 331A determines that the pedestrian user ratio, expressed as the ratio of the number of partial areas in which pedestrians exist (2) to the total number of partial areas in the processing target area (6), is 33%, which is less than the threshold value of 50% ("NO" at S9→S10).

[0057] The display control unit 331A judges whether or not the partial area where the pedestrians are present corresponds to the monitor displaying the attention-calling information (S11). If the partial area where the pedestrians U2, U3, and U4 are present corresponds to the monitor displaying the attention-calling information, the display content is continued as is (S12), and if the partial area where the pedestrians U2, U3, and U4 are present corresponds to the monitor displaying the attention-calling information (S12), the display control unit 331A switches the monitor displaying the attention-calling information to correspond to the partial area.

[0058] Also, a case will be described where display processing is performed on the left half area in the moving direction of the step movement area 5. In this case, the user detection unit 222A of the camera device 20A detects users U11, U12, and U13 within the processing target area ("YES" in S1), but determines that the detected users are not walking ("NO" in S3).

[0059] At this time, the display control unit 331A acquires advertisement information from the display information storage unit 312, and transmits it to all monitors corresponding to the processing target area to display it (S2).

[0060] By appropriately switching in this manner to display warning information on monitors located close to pedestrians U2, U3, and U4, and displaying advertising information on monitors located close to users who are not walking, the display system 1A can improve the effectiveness of advertising to users who are not walking while alerting pedestrians U2, U3, and U4.

[0061] [Display processing example (3)] As an example of display processing (3), we will explain the case where, as shown in Figure 6, pedestrians walking upward on steps 2 within step movement area 5 include one pedestrian (pedestrian U5) in partial area 51b, one pedestrian (pedestrian U6) in partial area 51d, and one pedestrian (pedestrian U7) in partial area 51e, and users who have stopped to ride the vehicle include one user (user U14) in partial area 52b, one user (user U15) in partial area 52c, and one user (user U16) in partial area 52e.

[0062] First, a description will be given of a case where display processing is performed on the right half area in the moving direction of the step movement area 5. In this case, the user detection unit 222A of the camera device 20A detects pedestrians U5, U6, and U7 in the processing target area ("YES" in S1), and further determines that the detected pedestrians U5, U6, and U7 are walking ("YES" in S3).

[0063] The position information acquisition unit 223A acquires identification information of the partial area 51b where pedestrian U5 is located, identification information of the partial area 51d where pedestrian U6 is located, and identification information of the partial area 51e where U7 is located as the position information of pedestrians U5, U6, and U7, and transmits this to the display control device 30A (S4).

[0064] The display control unit 331A of the display control device 30A identifies the monitor 11b corresponding to the partial area 51b, the monitor 11d corresponding to the partial area 51d, and the monitor 11e corresponding to the partial area 51e based on the acquired identification information. The display control unit 331A also acquires attention-calling information for encouraging the user to stop walking and displays it on the identified monitors 11b, 11d, and 11e, and displays advertising information on the other monitors (S5).

[0065] If pedestrians U5, U6, and U7 stop walking ("NO" in S7) after a predetermined time has elapsed since the display in step S5 was performed ("YES" in S6), the display of the warning information is terminated and the display is switched to displaying advertising information on all monitors corresponding to the area to be processed (S8).

[0066] If pedestrians U5, U6, and U7 continue walking ("YES" at S7), there are three partial areas in which pedestrians exist, and the display control unit 331A determines that the pedestrian user ratio, expressed as the ratio of the number of partial areas in which pedestrians exist (3) to the total number of partial areas in the right half of the step movement area 5 (6), is 50%, which is greater than or equal to the threshold value of 50% ("YES" at S9→S10).

[0067] When the display control unit 331A determines that the calculated pedestrian user ratio remains at 50% or more for a predetermined period of time or more ("YES" in S14), it switches between displaying advertising information and warning information at regular time intervals on all monitors corresponding to the processing target area (S15).

[0068] If pedestrians U5, U6, and U7 stop walking ("NO" in S17) after a predetermined time has elapsed since the display in step S5 was performed ("YES" in S6), the display of the warning information is terminated and the display is switched to display advertising information on all monitors corresponding to the area to be processed (S18).

[0069] If pedestrians U5, U6, and U7 continue walking ("YES" in S7), the display control unit 331A determines that the pedestrian user ratio, indicated by the ratio of the number of partial areas in which pedestrians are present (3) to the total number of partial areas (6) in the right half of the step movement area 5, is 50%, which is greater than or equal to the threshold value of 50% ("YES" in S19→S20).

[0070] When the display control unit 331A determines that the calculated pedestrian user ratio of 50% or more continues for a predetermined time or more ("YES" in S22), it alternately displays advertisement information and warning information at regular time intervals on all monitors in the escalator ES (S23). Then, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0071] According to the first embodiment, the display system includes a plurality of monitors arranged in the direction of movement of the steps on a deck board installed adjacent to a step movement area, which is an area in an escalator where the steps carrying users move, and a display control device having a display control unit that displays predetermined display information on each of the plurality of monitors. This makes it possible to display information in a manner that easily attracts the attention of escalator users and is easy to see without being blocked by other users.

[0072] The display system further includes a user detection unit that detects users walking within the step movement area, and a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of the users detected by the user detection unit, and the display control unit identifies a monitor among the multiple monitors that corresponds to the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit and displays attention-calling information for the detected user on the identified monitor. This makes it possible to display the attention-calling information in a state that easily attracts the attention of pedestrians.

[0073] In addition, based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit, the display control unit calculates a pedestrian user ratio indicating the proportion of partial areas containing walking users for each right half area and left half area in the direction of step movement within the step movement area in question, and when it detects an area where the pedestrian user ratio remains at or above a predetermined value for or longer than a predetermined period of time, it changes the display format of the display information including warning information on the monitor corresponding to the detected area or on all monitors within the escalator.

[0074] This makes it easier for pedestrians to notice the warning information if they do not stop walking despite being warned. This changes the display format on all monitors on the side where the pedestrian is located.

[0075] In addition, when the display control unit detects an area where the proportion of pedestrian users remains above a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time or more, it switches at least one of the display devices within the escalator to alternately display warning information and advertising information, which is information other than warning information.

[0076] As a result, even if there are many pedestrians on the escalator, such as during rush hour, not only the attention information but also the advertising information is displayed alternately, making it possible to minimize the time during which the advertising information is not displayed and suppressing a decline in the effectiveness of advertising. Also, by setting the trigger for switching to the alternating display of the attention information and the advertising information to when "the proportion of pedestrians remains at or above a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time or more," frequent switching of the monitor display is suppressed, making it easier for users to recognize the information displayed on the monitor.

[0077] The display system further includes a display time storage unit that stores the time for which each type of display information, i.e., each of the warning information and the advertising information, is displayed on one of the multiple monitors. This allows the display system to charge the advertiser an advertising fee according to the display time.

[0078] Second Embodiment Configuration of a display system according to the second embodiment The configuration of the display system 1B according to the second embodiment is similar to the configuration of the display system 1A described in the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description of parts having the same functions will be omitted.

[0079] In this embodiment, a user detection unit 222B serving as a second user detection unit of the camera device 20B detects users who are about to board the escalator ES and all users within the step movement area 5. In addition, a position information acquisition unit 223B serving as a second position information acquisition unit acquires position information of users within the step movement area 5 detected by the user detection unit 222B, and transmits it to the display control device 30B.

[0080] When a user attempting to board the escalator ES is detected, the display control unit 331B of the display control device 30B identifies the less crowded area between the right half or the left half in the direction of movement of the steps 2 within the step movement area 5 based on the position information obtained from the camera device 20B, and if there is no user who has already boarded the escalator within the identified area and within a specified distance from the entrance 6, displays boarding guidance information including boarding position information for the escalator ES on the monitor corresponding to the identified area.

[0081] <Operation of the display system according to the second embodiment> In this embodiment, the display system 1B executes a second display process for a user who is about to get on the escalator ES.

[0082] 7 shows a second display process executed by the display system 1B. The user detection unit 222B analyzes the imaging information acquired by the imaging information acquisition unit 221, and monitors whether or not there is a user about to get on the escalator ES near the entrance 6. When the user detection unit 222B detects a user about to get on the escalator ES ("YES" in S21), it further analyzes the imaging information to detect all users in the step movement area 5 ("YES" in S22).

[0083] The position information acquisition unit 223B acquires identification information of the partial area in which the detected user is located (S23). The position information acquisition unit 223B transmits the acquired identification information of the partial area to the display control device 30B via the first communication unit 23.

[0084] In the display control device 30B, the display control unit 331B acquires the identification information of the partial area in which the users are present, transmitted from the camera device 20B, via the second communication unit 32. Based on the acquired identification information of the partial area, the display control unit 331B counts the number of users in each of the right half and the left half of the step movement area 5. The display control unit 331B determines whether there is a difference between the count value in the right half and the count value in the left half of the step movement area 5 (S24).

[0085] When the display control unit 331B determines that there is a difference between the count value of the right half and the count value of the left half of the step movement area 5 ("YES" in S24), it determines whether or not there is a user who has recently boarded on the side with the smaller count value (S25). Specifically, the display control unit 331B determines whether or not there is a user who has already boarded within a predetermined distance from the entrance 6 in the area on the side of the step movement area 5 with the smaller user count value.

[0086] If no user has recently boarded on the side with the lower count value ("NO" in S26), the display control unit 331B acquires boarding guidance information from the display information storage unit 312 and displays it on the monitor closest to the entrance 6 on the side with the lower count value (S26). The boarding guidance information displayed here is text information "Please hold on to the handrail on this side" for designating the side from which the user will board and guiding the user to board.

[0087] In step S21, when no user is detected about to board the escalator ES ("NO" in S21), when no user is detected in the step movement area 5 in step S22 ("NO" in S22), when it is determined in step S24 that there is no difference between the count values ​​in the right half and the left half of the step movement area 5 ("NO" in S24), and when it is determined in step S25 that a user has recently boarded on the side with the lower count value ("YES" in S25), the display control unit 331B does not display boarding guidance information, but sends advertising information to all monitors to display it (S27).

[0088] For example, as shown in Figure 8, a case will be described in which a user U31 about to board an escalator ES is at the entrance 6, and there is one user (user U17) in partial area 51d which belongs to the right half of the area facing the direction of travel of the step movement area 5, one user (user U18) in partial area 52b which belongs to the left half of the area, one user (user U19) in partial area 52c, and one user (user U20) in partial area 52e.

[0089] When the user detection unit 222B of the camera device 20B detects a user U31 about to get on the escalator ES ("YES" in S21), it further analyzes the captured image information to detect all users U17, U18, U19, and U20 in the step movement area 5 ("YES" in S22). The position information acquisition unit 223B acquires identification information of partial areas 51d, 52b, 52c, and 52e as identification information of the partial areas in which the detected users are located, and transmits the identification information to the display control device 30B (S23).

[0090] The display control unit 331B of the display control device 30B determines, based on the acquired identification information, that there is a difference between the number of users "1" in the right half of the step movement area 5 and the number of users "3" in the left half ("YES" in S24). Furthermore, the display control unit 331B determines that there is no user who has recently boarded on the side with the lower count value, that is, no user who has already boarded in the partial area 51f, which is the area closest to the boarding entrance 6 within the right half area with the lower count value ("NO" in S25).

[0091] As a result, the display control unit 331B displays the boarding guidance information on the monitor 11f that is closest to the right-side entrance 6 with the smaller count value. The user U31 visually recognizes the displayed boarding guidance information and boards the step 2 on the right side.

[0092] According to the above second embodiment, the display system further includes a second user detection unit that detects users who are about to board the escalator and users in the step movement area, and a second position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of users in the step movement area detected by the second user detection unit.When a user who is about to board the escalator is detected, the display control unit identifies the less crowded area between the right half area and the left half area in the step movement area in the direction of step movement based on the position information acquired by the second position information acquisition unit, and if there are no users who have already boarded the escalator within the identified area and within a predetermined distance from the escalator entrance, displays boarding guidance information including boarding position information for the escalator on the display device corresponding to the identified area.

[0093] By displaying boarding guidance information in this way and encouraging users to board the escalator, the positions of users on both sides of the escalator ES are as evenly spaced as possible, reducing the number of users walking on the empty side and improving transportation efficiency.

[0094] Third Embodiment Configuration of a display system according to the third embodiment The configuration of the display system 1C according to the third embodiment is similar to the configuration of the display system 1A described in the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description of parts having the same functions will be omitted.

[0095] In this embodiment, the user detection unit 222C of the camera device 20C further detects a user who is carrying a preset portable item and is about to board the escalator ES, or a user who is causing a nuisance in the step movement area 5. The position information acquisition unit 223C acquires position information of the pedestrian detected by the user detection unit 222C, and transmits it to the display control device 30C.

[0096] The display control unit 331C identifies a monitor within the escalator ES that corresponds to the position information acquired from the camera device 20C, and causes the identified monitor to display attention-calling information for the detected user.

[0097] <Operation of the display system according to the third embodiment> In this embodiment, the display system 1C executes the first display process described in the first embodiment, and also executes a third display process, when it detects that a user is about to board the escalator ES at the entrance 6 while carrying an item that is not suitable to be carried when boarding the escalator, to display warning information for the detected user.

[0098] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when a user U32 is at entrance 6 and is about to board an escalator ES carrying a large item L, such as a stroller, shopping cart, or large suitcase, which is an item that is not suitable to be carried when boarding an escalator ES, the display control unit 331C recognizes the user U32 based on information transmitted from the camera device 20C.

[0099] In this case, the display control unit 331C displays the attention-calling information on the left and right monitors 11f and 12f that are closest to the entrance 6. The attention-calling information displayed here is text information "Do not get on the escalator" to warn the user U32 not to get on the escalator. By displaying the attention-calling information in this manner, it is possible to promote the safe use of escalators.

[0100] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, when the camera device 20C detects that there is a suspicious person U22 who is committing a nuisance within the step movement area 5 and taking a secret photo of a user U21 in partial area 52c, the camera device 20C transmits identification information of partial area 52d where the suspicious person U22 is located to the display control device 30C.

[0101] The display control unit 331C displays warning information on the position corresponding to the partial area 52d where the suspicious person U22 is located and on all the left and right monitors 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d ahead of the position in the traveling direction based on the information transmitted from the camera device 20C. The warning information displayed here is text information "Please stop nuisance behavior" to warn the suspicious person U22 to stop the nuisance behavior. By displaying the warning information ahead of the line of sight of the suspicious person U22 in this way, the warning information is easily recognized by the suspicious person U22.

[0102] In the above-described first to third embodiments, the user detection units 222A, 222B, 222C may analyze the imaging information to further acquire attribute information of users within the step movement area 5, and the display control units 331A, 331B, 331C may display information related to the acquired attribute information as information other than warning information, etc.

[0103] For example, the user detection units 222A, 222B, 222C may analyze attribute information such as the gender and age of a user about to board the escalator ES from the image capture information of the camera devices 20A, 20B, 20C using AI or the like, and the display control units 331A, 331B, 331C may display advertising information suited to this user on a monitor corresponding to the position of this user.

[0104] In addition, the user detection units 222A, 222B, and 222C may acquire identification information of a user who is about to board the escalator ES, and the display control units 331A, 331B, and 331C may display information about the floor the user should head to, based on information previously registered about the user.

[0105] In addition, in the above-mentioned first to third embodiments, a case has been described in which users in the step movement area 5 and near the boarding entrance 6 are detected by analyzing image information captured by a camera device, but this is not limited to this, and detection may also be performed using sensing information from a sensor installed near the step 2.

[0106] Furthermore, in the above-described first to third embodiments, a display system is mounted on an escalator ES that moves in an upward direction from a lower floor to an upper floor. However, the same effect can be obtained by mounting and operating a display system of a similar configuration on an escalator that moves in a downward direction.

[0107] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1A, 1B, 1C... display system, 2... steps, 3a, 3b... handrails, 4a, 4b... deck board, 5... step movement area, 6... entrance, 7... exit, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f... monitor, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e... communication line, 20A, 20B, 20C... camera device, 21... imaging unit, 22A... first CPU, 23... first communication unit, 30A, 30B, 30C...display control device, 31...storage unit, 32...second communication unit, 33A, 33B, 33C...second CPU, 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, 51e, 51f, 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f...partial area, 221...imaging information acquisition unit, 222A, 222B, 222C...user detection unit, 223A, 223B, 223C...position information acquisition unit, 311...monitor information storage unit, 312...display information storage unit, 313...display time storage unit, 331A, 331B, 331C...display control unit

Claims

1. A plurality of display devices are arranged in a row in a moving direction of the step section on a deck board installed adjacent to a moving area, which is an area where a step section that loads users moves in a passenger conveyor; a display control device having a display control unit that displays predetermined display information for each of the plurality of display devices; a first user detection unit that detects a user walking within the movement area; a first location information acquisition unit that acquires location information of the user detected by the first user detection unit, the display control unit identifies a display device among the plurality of display devices corresponding to the position information acquired by the first position information acquisition unit, and causes the identified display device to display attention information for the detected user; calculating a pedestrian user ratio indicating a ratio of a partial area in which walking users are present for each of a right half area and a left half area in a moving direction of the step section within the movement area based on the position information acquired by the first position information acquisition unit; When an area is detected in which the pedestrian user ratio remains above a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time or more, the display system changes the display format of the display information including the warning information in at least one of the plurality of display devices.

2. The display system of claim 1, wherein when the display control unit detects an area in which the pedestrian user ratio remains above a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time or more, the display control unit switches at least one of the plurality of display devices to alternately display the warning information and information other than the warning information.

3. The display system according to claim 2 , further comprising a display time storage unit that stores, for each type of display information, a time for which the information is displayed on any one of the plurality of display devices.

4. The display system according to claim 1 , wherein the first user detection unit further detects a user who is carrying a predetermined portable item and is attempting to board the passenger conveyor, or a user who is engaging in nuisance behavior within the movement area.

5. The first user detection unit acquires attribute information of users within the moving area, The display system according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit causes a display device that is not displaying the attention-calling information to display information related to the attribute information.

6. A plurality of display devices arranged in a line in the direction of travel of a step section on a deck board installed adjacent to a moving area, which is an area where a step section that loads users moves within a passenger conveyor; a display control device having a display control unit that displays predetermined display information for each of the plurality of display devices; a second user detection unit that detects users who are about to board the passenger conveyor and users within the movement area; a second location information acquisition unit that acquires location information of a user in the moving area detected by the second user detection unit, When a user about to board the passenger conveyor is detected, the display control unit identifies, based on the position information acquired by the second position information acquisition unit, one of the right half area and the left half area in the moving area in the moving direction of the step section, which has a lower degree of congestion; If there is no user who has already boarded the passenger conveyor within a specified area and within a specified distance from the entrance of the passenger conveyor, the display system displays boarding guidance information including boarding position information for the passenger conveyor on a display device corresponding to the specified area.

7. A display control device is communicatively connected to a plurality of display devices arranged in a line in a moving direction of the step section on a deck board installed adjacent to a moving area, which is an area where a step section that loads users moves in a passenger conveyor; When a user walking within the moving area is detected, location information of the detected user is acquired; Identifying a display device corresponding to the acquired position information among the plurality of display devices, and displaying attention-calling information for the detected user on the identified display device; calculating a pedestrian user ratio indicating a ratio of a partial area in which a walking user is present for each of a right half area and a left half area in a moving direction of the step section within the movement area based on the acquired position information; A display control method, when an area is detected in which the pedestrian user ratio remains above a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time or more, the display format of display information including the warning information is changed in at least one of the plurality of display devices.

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