STAIR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME

Abstract

To provide a transparent staircase which has designability, openability and daylighting property, and can prevent the invasion of privacy.SOLUTION: A staircase system 100 having a function of protecting privacy of a user of a transparent staircase includes: at least a plurality of light control footsteps 4 including transparent footsteps, light control modules which can switch transparency and opacity of at least one surfaces of the transparent footsteps, and sensors for detecting that the user steps on the footsteps; and a control device 20 for controlling switching of the transparency and the opacity of the light control module according to a signal from the sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transparent staircase with a light control function, and more particularly to a staircase system that can prevent privacy violations on a transparent staircase that has designability, openness, and daylighting properties. [Background technology]

[0002] As shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), a staircase 10' is composed of a tread 1, a girder 2, and a riser 3. The tread 1 is the surface on which the foot steps, the riser 3 is the height of the step between the tread and the base tread, and the girder 2 is a structural material that supports the load applied to the tread 1. The riser 3 may simply be the space between the treads 1, or it may include a board (riser) that supports the end of the tread 1.

[0003] Some buildings are fitted with transparent staircases, the steps of which are made of glass or acrylic, for reasons such as an emphasis on design, creating an open atmosphere, and allowing in good light.

[0004] This type of transparent staircase has the advantages of being well designed, open, and having excellent lighting when viewed from below, but the disadvantage is that it may allow people to peek at people from below, which could be a violation of privacy.

[0005] As a prior art related to preventing the invasion of privacy in a transparent staircase that has design, openness, and natural lighting, Patent Document 1 discloses a natural lighting staircase that eliminates the shortcomings of conventional open staircases, brightens the area behind the staircase, and protects the privacy of people ascending and descending the staircase, while making effective use of the bright space behind the staircase due to the natural lighting. Specifically, the document discloses a natural lighting staircase in which the risers are made of translucent blinds, and natural lighting is allowed from the upper floors to the lower floors through the risers.

[0006] However, as the risers, which are the main component of this technology, are made of milky white acrylic panels that allow in light and provide privacy, a certain degree of privacy can be prevented. However, the risers, which are always in a state of privacy, are installed and the treads are made of steel plates or wood that do not transmit light, so it can be said that the design and openness are not sufficient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-303351 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a transparent staircase that has designability, openness, and lighting, and can prevent invasion of privacy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As a means for solving the above problems, the first aspect of the present invention is a staircase system having a function of protecting the privacy of users of a transparent staircase. , Tooru A light control module that can switch between transparent and opaque is provided on at least one surface of the transparent step, and a sensor that detects when the user steps on the light control module. The light control pedal Switching the dimming module between transparent and opaque The gradual change between the transparent and opaque and a control device for controlling the staircase. In addition, the sensor may identify which of the dimming step boards on the staircase the user has stepped on, and the control device may gradually change the state of the dimming step board located behind the user in the direction of travel that the user is stepping on from an opaque state to a transparent state. The control device may also abruptly change the state of the light control step located in front of the user in the traveling direction from a transparent state to an opaque state with respect to the light control step that the user is stepping on. In addition, the control device may gradually change the state of the dimmer step located behind the user's traveling direction from an opaque state to a transparent state by gradually or continuously reducing the voltage applied to the dimmer step located behind the user's traveling direction with respect to the dimmer step located behind the user's traveling direction, or by allowing the voltage applied to the dimmer step located behind the user's traveling direction to naturally discharge.

[0010] Also, a second aspect is the staircase system according to the first aspect, In addition to the sensor (referred to as the "first sensor"), a second sensor is provided for detecting a user at one end of the staircase and a third sensor is provided for detecting a user at the other end of the staircase, The stair system is characterized in that the control device controls the switching between transparent and opaque of the dimming module of the dimming step based on the signal of the first sensor as well as the signals of the second sensor and the third sensor.

[0011] In addition, the third aspect is Transparent stairs with a function to protect the privacy of users 1. A method of controlling a stair system, comprising: The staircase system comprises: A transparent stepping board, a light control module that is provided on at least one surface of the transparent stepping board and can be switched between transparent and opaque, and a stepping-on by the user is detected. No. 1 A sensor, a second sensor for detecting a user at one end of the staircase and a third sensor for detecting a user at the other end of the staircase; A plurality of dimmer treads, No. 1 Sensor Signal In addition, the signals of the second sensor and the third sensor Based on The light control pedal A control device for controlling the switching between transparency and opacity of the dimming module, a first step in which one or both of the second sensor and the third sensor detect the presence or absence of a user of the staircase system and determine the gender of the user; The above No. 1 A sensor identifies which of the dimmer steps the user has stepped on on the staircase. 2nd process and, The first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor Based on the signal, the control device In the second step The specified dimmer pedal and its The above Simultaneously switch between transparent and opaque dimmer modules of one or more dimmer treads, either before or after the dimmer treads, or both 3rd process and 3rd process In In the second step The above No. 1 When the signal from the sensor corresponds to the user stepping on the light-adjusting step of the staircase, the control device 3rd process The light control module is made opaque. If the gender determination result in the first step is male, the second step and the third step are not performed, and if the gender determination result in the first step is female, in the third step, the control device makes the light control module of the light control step specified in the second step and one or both of the light control step before and after the light control step opaque. The present invention relates to a method for controlling a stair system. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The staircase system of the present invention includes at least a transparent base material, a light control module capable of switching between transparent and opaque on at least one side of the transparent base material, a plurality of light control treads equipped with a sensor for detecting a user's stepping on the tread, and a control device for controlling the switching between transparent and opaque of the light control module based on a signal from the sensor. Therefore, the staircase system of the present invention is a staircase equipped with transparent treads, and has excellent design, openness, and lighting. On the other hand, the moment a user steps on the light control tread of the staircase system of the present invention, the sensor equipped on the light control tread detects the user, and the control device can make the light control tread opaque, so that it is possible to prevent invasion of privacy, such as being peeked at from under the transparent tread.

[0014] According to the control method for the staircase system of the present invention, it is possible to control the staircase system of the present invention to turn it into a transparent staircase that has designability, openness, and lighting properties, while preventing the invasion of privacy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a staircase system of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a light control tread used in the staircase system of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the basic structure of a staircase. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] <Stairs system> An embodiment of the staircase system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0017] The staircase system 100 of this embodiment is a staircase system that has a function of protecting the privacy of users of the transparent staircase 10.

[0018] The staircase system 100 of this embodiment comprises at least a transparent step 1, a plurality of dimming steps 4 each equipped with a dimming module 40 that can be switched between transparent and opaque on at least one side of the transparent step 1, and a first sensor 21 that detects when a user steps on it, a control device 20 that controls the switching of the dimming module 40 between transparent and opaque based on a signal from the first sensor 21, and a drive device 30 that drives the dimming module 40 of the dimming step 4 based on a signal transmitted from the control device 20.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2, the light control step 4 is an article in which a light control module 40 is laminated on at least one surface of a transparent step 1 so that the step 4 can be switched between transparent and opaque. The transparent step 1 is a step made of a transparent material. The light control step 4 is also provided with a first sensor 21 that detects that a user is stepping on the light control step 4.

[0020] The first sensor 21 of the dimming module 40 of each dimming step 4 and the control device 20 are connected by a wiring 5, and the control device 20 can receive a signal from the first sensor 21. Similarly, the second sensor 22 and the third sensor 23 are also connected to the control device 20 via a wiring 5, and the control device 20 can receive signals from the second sensor 22 and the third sensor 23. In addition, the control device 20 and the drive device 30 are connected via a wiring, and the drive device 30 can receive a signal from the control device 20. Furthermore, the drive device 30 and the dimming module 40 of each dimming step 4 are connected via a wiring 5, and each dimming module 40 can be driven by a drive voltage supplied from the drive device 30.

[0021] (stairs) The staircase 10 is composed of a light control tread 4, a riser 3, and a girder 2. The light control step 4 is a plate-like structure on which a person places his / her foot and steps. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the light control step 4 is an article in which a light control module 40 is laminated on a transparent step 1. The transparent step 1 is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a material that is transparent and has sufficient mechanical strength as a step. With this configuration, even if the transparent step 1 is a transparent resin plate or glass plate, it is possible to make the light control step 4 transparent or opaque by making the light control module 40 transparent or opaque.

[0022] The girder 2 is a structure that supports the light-adjusting tread 4. There are various types of girder 2. Side girders are placed on both sides of the tread to support it, and a force girder is inserted into the girders to support the tread. The structure is made of wood, metal, or navy blue crede. To create a transparent staircase with excellent design, openness, and lighting, it is desirable for the girder 2 to be made of a transparent material.

[0023] The riser 3 indicates the height of the steps of the stairs, and may be simply empty space, or it may be a structure made of wood, concrete, etc. To create a transparent staircase with excellent design, openness, and lighting, it is desirable for the riser 3 to be made of empty space or a transparent material.

[0024] Also, the staircase 10 may be a cantilever staircase in which one end of the tread is inserted into a support such as a wall, or a spiral staircase in which the treads are supported in a similar manner on a cylindrical support and arranged in a spiral shape. The staircase 10 may be of any shape.

[0025] In particular, the present invention assumes a transparent staircase with treads made of glass or transparent acrylic resin, etc., for reasons of emphasizing design, creating an open space, and allowing good lighting. Although such transparent staircases emphasize design, create an open space, and allow good lighting, there is a risk of privacy being violated when, for example, a woman wearing a skirt uses such a staircase.

[0026] (First sensor) The first sensor 21 is a sensor provided on the light control step 4. The first sensor 21 does not need to be particularly limited as long as it is a sensor capable of detecting that the light control step 4 is stepped on by a person's foot. For example, a pressure sensor can be installed on the surface (assumed to be the upper surface) of the transparent step 1 of the light control step 4 that is stepped on by a person's foot to detect the light control step 4 being stepped on. The pressure sensor may be embedded inside the transparent step 1 instead of on the surface of the transparent step 1. When the pressure sensor is embedded inside the transparent step 1, a sensor capable of detecting the transparent step 1 being slightly curved when a person stands on the transparent step 1 may be used. For example, a stress sensor utilizing the piezoelectric effect may be used as such a sensor. Also, instead of detecting a mechanical physical quantity, an optical sensor may be used to detect the person's foot. For example, an infrared sensor may be installed and a method may be used to detect that an infrared ray or the like is blocked by a person's foot. Also, an optical sensor capable of detecting the deformation of the transparent step 1 may be used.

[0027] (Second and third sensors) The second sensor 22 and the third sensor 23 are installed at both the start point (the part where the stairs 10 start, one end of the stairs 10) and the end point (the part where the stairs 10 end, the other end of the stairs 10) of the stairs 10, and are sensors that detect when a person approaches the stairs 10. An example of such a sensor is a video camera. The sensor can be used to determine not only the presence or absence of a user, but also whether the user is male or female, based on image information such as the face and clothing of the user acquired by the video camera. Alternatively, the sensor may simply be a human presence sensor that can detect when a user approaches the stairs 10 using ultrasound or the like.

[0028] It should be noted that in this embodiment of the stair system 100, even if the second sensor 22 and the third sensor 23 are not included and only the first sensor 21 described above is included, it is possible for the stair system to operate.

[0029] (Drive unit) The driving device 30 is a device or electronic circuit capable of supplying an electric signal (driving voltage) capable of driving the dimming module 40 of the dimming tread 4. The driving device 30 is a device that makes the dimming module 40 transparent or opaque by supplying an electric signal to the dimming module 40 in accordance with a signal from the control device 20. The driving device 30 may be integrated with the control device 20.

[0030] (Control device) The control device 20 receives signals from the first sensor 21, the second sensor 22 and the third sensor 23, and controls the drive device 30 based on the signals. As the control device 20, a computer device can be suitably used.

[0031] For example, if the first sensor 21 is a pressure sensor, by setting in advance the threshold level of the signal from the pressure sensor to be used, it is possible to identify whether the signal input to the input terminal of the computer device via the interface circuit indicates that the pressure sensor is being stepped on by the user.

[0032] In addition, when the second sensor 22 or the third sensor 23 is a video camera, the user's face image from the image information acquired by the video camera can be used to identify the user's gender, whether male or female, by installing a face recognition program in advance in a computer device or by accessing a face recognition function using artificial intelligence. By similarly analyzing and processing not only the face image but also the image information related to clothing, it is possible to identify not only the gender but also, for example, whether the person is wearing a skirt. When using such a program in combination, it is possible to select to treat a woman in the same way as a man because she is not wearing a skirt.

[0033] <Control method of staircase system> Next, an embodiment of a control method for a staircase system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0034] (First embodiment of a control method for a staircase system) The first embodiment of the control method for a stair system of the present invention is a control method for a stair system in the embodiment of the stair system 100 illustrated in Figure 1, in which the second sensor 22 and the third sensor 23 are not provided.

[0035] The control method for the staircase system of this first embodiment includes a first step in which a first sensor 21 identifies which of the multiple dimming step 4 on the staircase 10 the user has stepped on, and a second step in which, based on the signal from the first sensor 21 provided on each dimming step 4, the control device 20 simultaneously switches between transparent and opaque the dimming modules 40 (see Figure 2) of the dimming step 4 identified as being stepped on by the user and one or more dimming step 4 either before or after the dimming step 4 or both.

[0036] Even if only the light control step 4 that the user is stepping on is made opaque, there are cases where the invasion of privacy cannot be prevented. For this reason, the light control steps before and after the light control step 4 that the user is stepping on are also made opaque. Since there is no light control step in front of the light control step 4 at the start of the staircase 10, the light control step 4 in the user's moving direction (or in front of the light control step 4 that the user is stepping on) is made opaque. Make it opaque.

[0037] In the second step, if the signal from the first sensor 21 is a signal corresponding to a user stepping on the dimming step 4 of the staircase 10, the control device 20 makes the dimming module 40 opaque in the second step.

[0038] For example, when the light control step 40 stepped on by the user and one light control step before and after the light control step 40 are made opaque, the position of the light control step 40 stepped on by the user moves in the moving direction as the user advances along the stairs 10. The position of the light control step to be made opaque also moves with the movement in the moving direction, but the opaque light control step is always the light control step 40 stepped on by the user and one light control step before and after it. The control device 20 controls the transparent and opaque states of the light control module 40 of the light control step 4 via the drive device 30 so that such a series of opaque light control steps move in the moving direction as the user advances. The same applies when the user goes back along the stairs 10. For the light-adjusting step located ahead of the user in the direction of travel, it is desirable to apply a steep voltage (e.g., a square-wave voltage) to the light-adjusting step so that it changes suddenly from a transparent state to an opaque state as the user moves, in order to prevent peeking and ensure the effectiveness of privacy protection. On the other hand, the light control step located behind the user in the moving direction can be changed from the opaque state to the transparent state abruptly, or can be changed gradually from the opaque state to the transparent state. By gradually returning to transparency in this way, it is possible to prevent peeking from behind and ensure the effectiveness of privacy protection. The light control step 40 can be changed gradually from the opaque state to the transparent state by gradually or continuously lowering the voltage applied to the light control step 40. It is also possible to gradually change the light control step 40 from the opaque state to the transparent state by allowing the voltage applied to the light control step 40 to discharge naturally.

[0039] In this manner, in the staircase system 100 of the first embodiment, the transparent light control treads 40 gradually become opaque as the user moves, and then return to being transparent again after the user has passed by.

[0040] (Second embodiment of the control method for the staircase system) A second embodiment of the control method for a stair system of the present invention is a control method for the embodiment of the stair system 100 illustrated in FIG.

[0041] The control method of the second embodiment of this stair system includes a first step in which either or both of the second sensor 22 and the third sensor 23 detect the presence or absence of a user of the stair system 100 and determine the gender; a second step in which the first sensor 21 identifies the dimming step 4 stepped on by the user of the stair system 100; and a third step in which, based on the signals from the first sensor 21, the second sensor 22 and the third sensor 23, the control device 20 simultaneously switches between transparent and opaque the dimming modules 40 of the dimming step 4 identified in the second step and one or more dimming steps 4 either before or after the dimming step 4 or both.

[0042] If the gender determination result in the first step is male, nothing is done in the second step and the third step.

[0043] If the gender determination result in the first step is female, in a third step, the control device 20 makes the dimming modules 40 of the dimming step 4 identified in the second step and one or both of the dimming step 4 before and after the dimming step 4 opaque.

[0044] By carrying out such control, the user of the embodiment of the staircase system 100 is a woman. By making the transparent light control tread 4 opaque only when the user is a woman, invasion of privacy can be prevented. On the other hand, when the user is a man, who does not pose a risk of invasion of privacy, the staircase system 100 remains transparent. Therefore, the excellent design, openness, and daylighting of the embodiment of this staircase system 100 are maintained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1. Transparent tread 2... digits 3. Keage 4...Dimmer treadle 5. Wiring 10, 10´...stairs 20. Control device 21. First sensor 22 Second sensor 23 Third sensor 30. Drive unit 40...Dimming module 100···Stairs system

Claims

1. A method for controlling a staircase system having a function for protecting the privacy of users of transparent stairs, comprising: The staircase system comprises: A plurality of light-adjusting steps each including a transparent step, a light-adjusting module that is switchable between transparent and opaque and that is provided on at least one surface of the transparent step, a first sensor that detects when the user steps on the step, a second sensor that detects the user at one end of the staircase, and a third sensor that detects the user at the other end of the staircase; A control device that controls switching between transparency and opacity of the dimming module of the dimming step based on the signal of the first sensor as well as the signals of the second sensor and the third sensor; It is equipped with a first step in which one or both of the second sensor and the third sensor detect the presence or absence of a user of the staircase system and determine the gender of the user; A second step of identifying which of the light-adjusting treads of the staircase the user has stepped on using the first sensor; A third step in which the control device simultaneously switches between transparent and opaque the light control modules of the light control step specified in the second step and one or more light control steps before and after the light control step, based on signals from the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor; In the third step, when the signal of the first sensor in the second step is a signal corresponding to the user stepping on the light-adjusting step of the staircase, the control device makes the light-adjusting module opaque in the third step; If the gender determination result in the first step is male, the second step and the third step are not performed, A method for controlling a stair system, characterized in that, if the gender determination result in the first step is female, in the third step, the control device makes opaque the dimming modules of the dimming step identified in the second step and one or more dimming step(s) before or after the dimming step, or both.

2. A staircase system with a function of protecting the privacy of users of transparent stairs, A plurality of light control boards each including a transparent step board, a light control module that is provided on at least one surface of the transparent step board and can be switched between transparent and opaque, and a sensor that detects the user stepping on the step board; A control device that controls the switching between the transparent and opaque states of the dimming module of the dimming footboard by a stepwise change between the transparent and opaque states based on a signal from the sensor; A stair system comprising:

3. The sensor identifies which of the light-adjusting treads of the staircase the user has stepped on; The control device changes the state of the light control step located behind the user in the traveling direction from an opaque state to a transparent state in a stepwise manner with respect to the light control step stepped on by the user.

3. The stair system according to claim 2.

4. The control device causes the light control step located in front of the user in the traveling direction to suddenly change from a transparent state to an opaque state with respect to the light control step that the user is stepping on.

4. The staircase system according to claim 3.

5. The control device gradually changes the state of the dimmer step located behind the user in the traveling direction from an opaque state to a transparent state by gradually or continuously lowering the voltage applied to the dimmer step located behind the user in the traveling direction with respect to the dimmer step that the user is stepping on, or by allowing the voltage applied to the dimmer step located behind the user in the traveling direction to naturally discharge.

5. A staircase system according to claim 3 or claim 4.

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