Lost and suspicious object detection system

Abstract

To provide a technology for detecting an article left behind or a suspicious object placed on a seat.SOLUTION: An article left behind and suspicious object detection system 100 detects an article left behind or a suspicious object placed on each seat in a non-reserved seat vehicle of a passenger train. The system includes: a ranging sensor 6 and a micro switch 7 installed in each seat; an on-board server 102 mounted on the train; and a display unit 103, which is a portable terminal held by a conductor. The on-board server 102 determines whether a seat 5 is empty, occupied by a person, or occupied by an object based on a detection result by the ranging sensor 6 and a detection result by the micro switch 7. The on-board server 102 also determines whether or not an object placed on a seat is an article left behind or suspicious object based on the occupancy status of two adjacent seats and outputs the determination result to the display unit 103.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for detecting items left behind or suspicious objects placed on seats in railway carriages, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, on Shinkansen and limited express trains, conductors regularly patrol the train to check seat occupancy status against ticket information, whether there is any suspicious baggage, etc., and these tasks have placed a heavy burden on the conductor. As a technology to reduce the burden on the conductor mentioned above, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that performs ticket inspection work automatically. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-176201 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The ticket inspection system in Patent Document 1 can detect whether a passenger occupying a seat has a ticket, but it cannot detect items left behind or suspicious objects left on the seat. When an object is left on a seat, it is almost always the baggage of a passenger sitting in a nearby seat, but in some cases it may be an item left behind by a passenger who has disembarked, or a dangerous object that has been intentionally left there. It is desirable to find such items left behind or suspicious objects as quickly as possible.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology for detecting items left behind or suspicious objects placed on seats. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a lost property / suspicious object detection system that detects lost property or suspicious objects placed on seats, and is equipped with a seat occupancy detection unit that detects whether a seat is vacant, whether a person is seated, or whether an object is placed on the seat, and a determination unit that determines whether an object placed on a seat is a lost property / suspicious object based on the occupancy status of two adjacent seats. The seat occupancy detection unit includes a distance sensor disposed on the armrest of the seat to detect the presence of an object on the seat bottom, and a microswitch disposed on the backrest of the seat to detect the backrest being pressed. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to detect lost or suspicious items left on seats without the need for a person (such as a crew member) to make rounds, thereby improving work efficiency. In addition, it is possible to quickly find lost or suspicious items, which can be useful for improving service and safety. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a lost item / suspicious object detection system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a seat on which the distance measuring sensor and the microswitch shown in FIG. 1 are installed. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a seat on which the distance measuring sensor and the microswitch shown in FIG. 1 are installed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an algorithm for determining the seat occupancy status of the seats in FIGS. [Figure 5] 2 is an example of information displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 2 is an example of information displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 2 is an example of information displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a determination process performed by the on-board server of FIG. 1.

[0009] A "lost property / suspicious object detection system" according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0010] The lost article / suspicious object detection system 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a system that detects lost articles or suspicious objects placed on each seat 5 (see Figs. 2 and 3) installed in a non-reserved seat car of a passenger train. This lost article / suspicious object detection system 100 includes a distance measuring sensor 6 and a microswitch 7 installed on each seat 5, an on-board server 102 installed on the train, and a display unit 103.

[0011] The display unit 103 is, for example, a mobile terminal carried by the conductor or a terminal installed in the conductor's room.

[0012] The on-board server 102 is connected to the distance measurement sensor 6, the microswitch 7, and the display unit 103. Based on the detection results of the distance measurement sensor 6 and the microswitch 7, the on-board server 102 determines whether the seat 5 is vacant, whether a person is seated therein, or whether an object is placed thereon, and outputs the determination result, i.e., the occupancy status of the seat 5, to the display unit 103 (see FIGS. 5 to 7). The on-board server 102 also determines whether an object placed on the seat 5 is a lost item or a suspicious item based on the occupancy status of two adjacent seats 5, and outputs the determination result to the display unit 103 (see FIGS. 5 to 7).

[0013] The distance measuring sensor 6, the microswitch 7, and the on-board server 102 correspond to the "seat occupancy detection unit" described in the claims. The on-board server 102 also corresponds to the "determination unit" described in the claims.

[0014] The seat 5 in this example is a two-seater type in which two seats 5 are arranged side by side and supported by a single frame. Pedals are attached to the bases supporting these two seats 5, and by stepping on the pedals, the orientation of the seats 5 can be changed by 180 degrees. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each seat 5 comprises a seat portion 2, a backrest 3, and a pair of armrests 4a, 4b.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the distance measuring sensor 6 is disposed on the armrest 4a of the seat 5 and detects the presence of an object on the seat portion 2. In Figure 2, reference numeral 61 denotes a light-transmitting window of the distance measuring sensor 6, reference numeral 62 denotes a light-emitting element, and reference numeral 63 denotes a light-receiving element. The light-transmitting window 61 is provided on the inner surface of the armrest 4a. Light from the light-emitting element 62 passes through the light-transmitting window 61 and is projected toward the armrest 4b. When an object is present on the seat portion 2, light from the light-emitting element 62 is reflected by the object, passes through the light-transmitting window 61, and is received by the light-receiving element 63. This detects the presence of an object on the seat portion 2.

[0016] Furthermore, in this example, in order to minimize costs and maximize the detection range, only one distance measuring sensor 6 is used, as shown in FIG. 3, and the distance measuring sensor 6 is installed so that light L is projected from the light-emitting element 62 in a diagonally rearward direction. More specifically, the single distance measuring sensor 6 is disposed at the lower front end of one armrest 4a, and light L from the light-emitting element 62 is projected diagonally from near the front left corner of the seat 2 to near the rear right corner. Note that the front, back, left, and right directions mentioned above are directions seen from the perspective of a person sitting in the seat 5. Such a distance measuring sensor 6 can reliably detect when a person is seated, and can also almost always detect when a bag 11, shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3, or a bag 12, shown by the dashed line in FIG. 3, is placed on the seat.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the microswitch 7 is disposed inside the backrest 3 of the seat 5 and detects when the backrest 3 is being pressed. In this example, the microswitch 7 is disposed at a higher position than the distance measurement sensor 6. This arrangement allows the microswitch 7 to detect the pressure state when the backrest 3 is being pressed by a person's back, and to prevent the microswitch 7 from reacting when luggage is hitting a low part of the backrest 3. The microswitch 7 includes a case 71, a contact portion 72 disposed within the case 71, and an actuator 73 that protrudes from the case 71 and transmits the pressure on the backrest 3 to the contact portion 72.

[0018] The backrest 3 is composed of a back frame 31 and a cushioning material 32 that covers the back frame 31. The microswitch 7 is fixed to the back frame 31, and when the backrest 3 is pressed by a person's back or the like, the actuator 73 is displaced, opening and closing the contact part 72. This detects that the backrest 3 is being pressed. Furthermore, in this example, to improve the response of the microswitch 7, a plate 9 is provided between the actuator 73 and the cushioning material 32, and this plate 9 presses the actuator 73.

[0019] The table in Figure 4 shows the algorithm for determining the occupancy status of each seat 5. The on-board server 102 determines that a person is sitting in the seat 5 if there is an object on the seat 2 (distance measurement sensor: ○) and the backrest 3 is pressed (microswitch: ○). Also, if there is an object on the seat 2 (distance measurement sensor: ○) and the backrest 3 is not pressed (microswitch: ×), it determines that an object has been placed on the seat 5. The basis for this determination is that, although people normally lean on the backrest 3 immediately after sitting in the seat 5, if an object is placed on the seat 5, gravity applies a downward load and no force is applied to press the backrest 3 backward. Also, if there is no object on the seat 2 (distance measurement sensor: ×) and the backrest 3 is not pressed (microswitch: ×), it determines that the seat 5 is vacant. In addition, since it is normally impossible for the backrest 3 to be pressed (microswitch ○) when there is no object on the seat 2 (distance sensor ×), in reality, if there is no object on the seat 2, the seat 5 is determined to be vacant.

[0020] 5 to 7 are examples of information displayed on the display unit 103, including the occupancy status of each seat 5 and information on lost items and suspicious items placed on the seats 5. As described above, these are output from the on-board server 102. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the display unit 103 displays a seating chart made up of marks resembling seats. The reference numerals 51 to 54 attached to each seat mark are seat numbers.

[0021] In Figure 5, seats 51 and 52 are shown with the seat portion in white (no mark displayed). This means that seats 51 and 52 are vacant. In Figure 5, seat 53 is shown with a blue person mark displayed on the seat portion. This means that a person is sitting in seat 53.

[0022] Seat 54 in Figure 5 has a blue bag mark displayed on the seat. This means that an object has been placed on this seat 54 and that it is not a lost or suspicious item. If the object placed on the seat is a lost or suspicious item, a red bag mark will be displayed on the seat. The determination of whether the object is a lost or suspicious item is based on the occupancy status of the seat next to the seat on which the object is placed.

[0023] For example, since a person is sitting in seat 53 in Figure 5, it is highly likely that an object placed on seat 54 next to him is the baggage of the passenger sitting in seat 53. Therefore, it is determined that the object placed on seat 54 is not a lost item or a suspicious item.

[0024] FIG. 6 shows an example of a display in a situation where the occupancy status of seats 52 and 53 has changed over time since the situation in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, an object has been placed on seat 52, which was vacant in the situation in FIG. 5. However, the bag mark on seat 52 is displayed in blue for a predetermined time (e.g., three minutes) from the time the object is detected. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the object placed on seat 52 is determined to be a lost or suspicious item, and the bag mark on seat 52 changes from blue to red, as shown in FIG. 7. The reason for determining the object as a lost or suspicious item after the predetermined time has elapsed is to assume a situation in which a passenger temporarily places baggage before sitting down, and to avoid confusing the conductor's work by repeatedly detecting lost or suspicious items.

[0025] Also, in Figure 6, seat 53, which was occupied in the situation in Figure 5, is now vacant. The item that was placed on seat 54 in the situation in Figure 5 is still there in the situation in Figure 6, but the bag mark on seat 54 is displayed in blue for a predetermined time (e.g., three minutes) after seat 53 becomes vacant. Then, once the predetermined time has elapsed, the item placed on seat 54 is determined to be a lost item or suspicious item, and the bag mark on seat 54 changes from blue to red, as shown in Figure 7. The reason for determining the item as a lost item or suspicious item after the predetermined time has elapsed is to anticipate situations in which a passenger sitting in seat 53 has temporarily left their seat to access the luggage rack or to use the restroom or make a phone call, etc., and to avoid confusing the conductor's work by excessively detecting lost items or suspicious items.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 7, when a red bag mark is displayed, the conductor actually goes to seats 52 and 54 to check for any items that have been determined to be lost or suspicious.

[0027] In this way, in the lost item / suspicious object detection system 100 of this example, when it is detected that a person is seated on one 53 of two adjacent seats 53, 54 and an object is placed on the other 54, it determines that the object is not a lost item / suspicious object (see FIG. 5). If seat 53 becomes vacant in this situation, it determines that the object placed on seat 54 is not a lost item / suspicious object for a predetermined time after the seat becomes vacant (see FIG. 6), and once the predetermined time has passed, it determines that the object placed on seat 54 is a lost item / suspicious object (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, when it is detected that one 51 of two adjacent seats 51, 52 is vacant and an object has been placed on the other 52, the object is determined not to be a lost item or a suspicious item for a predetermined time from the time of detection (see Figure 6), and if the state in which one 51 of the two adjacent seats 51, 52 is vacant and an object has been placed on the other 52 continues after the predetermined time has elapsed, the object is determined to be a lost item or a suspicious item (see Figure 7).

[0028] The flow of the determination process performed by the on-board server 102 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0029] In step S1 of the flowchart in Figure 8, the on-board server 102 determines whether the distance measurement sensor 6 has detected an object on the seat 2 for each seat 5 (whether it is an empty seat or a person or object). If the distance measurement sensor 6 has not detected an object on the seat 2, the process proceeds to step S2, where it determines that there is no abnormality (the seat 5 is empty and there is no left-behind or suspicious object), and returns to step S1. If the distance measurement sensor 6 has detected an object on the seat 2, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0030] In step S3, it is determined whether the microswitch 7 in the seat 5 has detected a pressure on the backrest 3 (whether by a person or an object). If the microswitch 7 has detected a pressure on the backrest 3, the process proceeds to step S4, where it is determined that there is no abnormality (a person is sitting in the seat 5). If the microswitch 7 has not detected a pressure on the backrest 3, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0031] In step S5, it is determined whether or not a person is sitting in the seat 5 adjacent to the seat 5 on which the object was placed, as detected in step S3 (whether or not the microswitch 7 in the adjacent seat 5 detected the backrest 3 being pressed). If it is determined that a person is sitting in the adjacent seat 5, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is determined that there is no abnormality (an object has been placed on the seat 5, but it is not a lost item or suspicious object), and the process returns to step S1. If it is determined that no person is sitting in the adjacent seat 5, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0032] In step S7, it is determined whether n minutes have passed since it was detected in step S3 that an object was placed on seat 5. If n minutes have not passed, the process proceeds to step S8, where it is determined that there is no abnormality (an object has been placed on seat 5, but it is not a lost item or suspicious item), and the process returns to step S1. If n minutes have passed, the process proceeds to step S9, where it is determined that there is an abnormality (the object placed on seat 5 is a lost item or suspicious item).

[0033] In addition, the on-board server 102 transmits the determination results in steps S2, S4, S6, S8, and S9 to the display unit 103.

[0034] As described above, according to the lost article / suspicious object detection system 100 of this embodiment, the conductor can be informed of the presence of a lost article / suspicious object placed on a seat 5 by looking at the display unit 103 without having to patrol the inside of the train, thereby improving work efficiency. Furthermore, lost articles and suspicious objects can be discovered early, which can be useful for improving service and safety.

[0035] In the above-described embodiment, a two-seater seat has been described as an example, but the lost property / suspicious object detection system of the present invention can also be applied to a three-seater seat. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the seat occupancy detection unit is made up of the distance sensor 6, the microswitch 7, and the on-board server 102, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a pressure-sensitive element or the like can be used instead of the microswitch 7.

[0036] The above-described embodiment merely shows a typical form of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 5 seats 100 Lost and suspicious object detection system 102 On-board server (judgment unit)

Claims

1. A lost item / suspicious object detection system that detects lost items or suspicious items placed on seats, a seat occupancy detection unit that detects whether a seat is vacant, whether a person is seated, or whether an object is placed on the seat; a determination unit that determines whether an object placed on a seat is a lost item or a suspicious item based on the occupancy status of two adjacent seats, The seat occupancy detection unit includes a distance measurement sensor disposed on the armrest of the seat to detect the presence of an object on the seat bottom, and a microswitch disposed on the backrest of the seat to detect the backrest being pressed. A lost item / suspicious object detection system characterized by:

2. If it detects that one of two adjacent seats is occupied and an object is placed on the other, it determines that the object is not a lost item or suspicious item.

2. The system for detecting lost property and suspicious objects according to claim 1.

3. When it detects that one of two adjacent seats is empty and the other has an object placed on it, it determines that the object is not a lost item or suspicious item within a specified time from the time of detection, If, after the predetermined time has elapsed, one of the two adjacent seats remains vacant and an object is placed on the other, the object is determined to be a lost or suspicious item.

3. The system for detecting lost property and suspicious objects according to claim 1 or 2.

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