Escalator exit contact avoidance device and escalator exit contact avoidance method

Abstract

To alert stopped escalator users to approaching pedestrians when getting off the escalator without obstructing traffic by visually indicating this. [Solution] The escalator comprises a video information storage unit that stores video information set according to the usage status of escalator users, an audio information storage unit that stores audio information synchronized with the video information set according to the usage status of escalator users, a photographic information acquisition unit that acquires the usage status of escalator users, an analysis unit that analyzes the photographic information taken by the camera and, when a pedestrian user is detected among the escalator users, acquires the timing at which the stopped user and the pedestrian user cross the exit crossing from the user's speed, and an output control unit that acquires video information and audio information set according to the usage status of escalator users from the video information storage unit and audio information storage unit, respectively, based on the timing acquired by the analysis unit, and outputs the information from a display and a speaker.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an escalator exit contact avoidance device and an escalator exit contact avoidance method. [Background technology]

[0002] Escalators are prone to danger when getting on and off, and are prone to falling or collisions. In particular, when getting off, if a walking user (hereinafter referred to as a walking user) and a stopped user (hereinafter referred to as a stopped user) get off at the same time, the two may come into contact and fall or other trouble may occur. In order to avoid falling or collisions when getting on and off the escalator, users have had to measure the distance between themselves and other users and the timing of getting on and off.

[0003] Conventionally, there are known techniques for projecting passenger flow instructions onto boarding and alighting boards, and for restricting passenger movement by projecting a three-dimensional image into the air from below the boards. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-20757 [Patent Document 2] Patent Application No. 2023-109067 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-17457 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if the boarding and alighting board is dirty or there is a lot of people moving around, conventional technology that projects passenger flow instructions onto the boarding and alighting board may not be effective in preventing contact between passengers, and it does not have a function to notify passengers of approaching passengers walking from behind.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an escalator exit contact avoidance device and escalator exit contact avoidance method that can alert stopped escalator users to the approach of pedestrians when getting off the escalator without obstructing passage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In an embodiment for achieving the above object, the elevator exit contact avoidance device is communicatively connected to a camera that photographs the escalator usage status, including escalator users and the area around the exit com, a display that projects information toward escalator users, and a speaker that announces information to escalator users.

[0008] This elevator exit contact avoidance device comprises a video information storage unit that stores video information set in accordance with the usage status of escalator users, an audio information storage unit that stores audio information synchronized with the video information set in accordance with the usage status of escalator users, a photographic information acquisition unit that acquires the usage status of escalator users, an analysis unit that analyzes the photographic information taken by the camera and, when a pedestrian user is detected among the escalator users, acquires the timing at which the stopped user and the pedestrian user cross the exit crossing from the user's speed, and an output control unit that acquires video information and audio information set in accordance with the usage status of escalator users from the video information storage unit and audio information storage unit, respectively, based on the timing acquired by the analysis unit, and outputs the information from a display and a speaker. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall view showing the configuration of an escalator system using an escalator exit contact avoidance device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view of an escalator system using an escalator-exit contact avoidance device according to an embodiment, viewed from above near an escalator exit. FIG. [Figure 3]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an exit contact avoidance device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a process of selecting video information to be displayed on a display by an exit contact avoidance device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are image diagrams illustrating an example of a normal image displayed on a display by an exit contact avoidance device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are image diagrams illustrating an example of a video image that is displayed on a display by an exit contact avoidance device according to an embodiment, to warn of approaching pedestrians behind. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are image diagrams illustrating an example of a rear pedestrian contact warning image displayed on a display by an exit contact avoidance device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <Configuration of an escalator system using an escalator exit contact avoidance device according to one embodiment> FIG. 1 is an overall view showing the configuration of the vicinity of an exit of an escalator system 1 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vicinity of the exit of the escalator system 1 according to the embodiment as seen from above.

[0011] An escalator 2 constituting the escalator system 1 carries users by moving steps 3 in a circular motion between a lower floor entrance / exit 4 and an upper floor entrance / exit (not shown). A camera 7 and a speaker 8 are installed near the exit of the escalator 2, and a display 10 is embedded in the side wall 6 of the building. The camera 7, speaker 8, and display 10 are connected to an exit contact avoidance device 20 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0012] In this embodiment, the case where the exit contact avoidance device 20 is connected to one camera and one speaker installed for one escalator 2 will be described, but in an escalator 2 that has an UP / DOWN operation switch, the device may be connected to two cameras 7, two speakers 8, and two displays 10 installed near both the lower floor entrance 4 and the upper floor entrance. Furthermore, the display 10 may be embedded in the ceiling. If the device cannot be embedded in the side wall 6 or the ceiling, the camera 7, speaker 8, and display 10 may be installed instead by installing a portal gate. Also, FIG. 1 illustrates the escalator 2 in the downward direction, and in the figure, 5 indicates the exit COM.

[0013] The camera 7 photographs an area AR1 near the escalator exit, including users on the escalator 2 and the exit com 5.

[0014] Display 10 projects video information toward users (pedestrian users 31 and stopped users 32) moving from the steps 3 toward the exit (lower floor entrance / exit 4). Here, users who walk on escalator 2 are referred to as "pedestrian users 31." Additionally, users who stop on escalator 2 and move are referred to as "stopped users 32."

[0015] The speaker 8 outputs audio information to users (pedestrian users 31 and stationary users 32) moving from the steps 3 toward the exit (lower floor entrance / exit 4). The display 10 displays the image from the imaging unit 11 as an aerial image 12 on the front side of the exit of the escalator 2.

[0016] 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of exit contact avoidance device 20. Exit contact avoidance device 20 has storage unit 22 and CPU 21. Storage unit 22 has video information storage unit 221 and audio information storage unit 222. Video information storage unit 221 stores video information set in accordance with the usage status of escalator users. Audio information storage unit 222 stores auto-announcements and audio information synchronized with video information set in accordance with the usage status of escalator users.

[0017] The CPU 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in a general-purpose microcomputer, and by installing and executing a predetermined escalator exit contact avoidance program, constitutes one or more information processing units described below. The CPU 21 has an imaging information acquisition unit 211, an analysis unit 212, and an output control unit 213.

[0018] The imaging information acquisition unit 211 acquires imaging information captured by the camera 7 .

[0019] The analysis unit 212 analyzes the imaging information acquired by the imaging information acquisition unit 211 to detect pedestrian users 31 walking on the escalator 2. When the analysis unit 212 detects a pedestrian user 31, it acquires speed information of the pedestrian user 31 and speed information of a stopped user 32 who is standing and moving (escalator speed information) based on the imaging information.

[0020] The output control unit 213 acquires from the memory unit 22 video information and audio information corresponding to the status of these users based on the speed information of the walking users 31 and the speed information of the stopped users 32 acquired by the analysis unit 212, and outputs the information from the display 10 and the speaker 8.

[0021] <Operation of the Escalator System According to an Embodiment> FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the target person selection process that the exit contact-avoidance device 20 executes for the escalator 2 while the escalator system 1 is in operation.

[0022] While the escalator system 1 is in operation, the image information acquisition unit 211 of the exit contact avoidance device 20 sequentially acquires image information captured by the camera 7 and sends it to the analysis unit 212. The analysis unit 212 analyzes the image information and monitors whether or not there is a pedestrian user 31 in the area AR1 near the escalator exit (S1).

[0023] When the analysis unit 212 detects the walking user 31 (S1 YES), it further analyzes the image capture information to obtain speed information of the walking user 31 and speed information of the stopped user 32 (S2).

[0024] The analysis unit 212 acquires information indicating whether the walking user 31 and the stopped user 32 cross the exit comb 5 at the same time or not from the speed information of the walking user 31 and the speed information of the stopped user 32 (S3).

[0025] Here, when the analysis unit 212 acquires information indicating that the walking user 31 and the stopped user 32 cross the exit com 5 at the same time (S3 YES), the output control unit 213 acquires a video image warning about contact with a pedestrian behind from the video information storage unit 221 and outputs it from the display 10, and acquires audio information synchronized with the video image warning about contact with a pedestrian behind from the audio information storage unit 222 and outputs it from the speaker 8 (S4).

[0026] In step S3, when information is acquired indicating that the walking user 31 and the stopped user 32 do not cross the exit combo 5 at the same time (S3 NO), the output control unit 213 acquires a video image of a pedestrian approaching from the video information storage unit 221 and outputs it from the display 10. At the same time, audio information synchronized with the video image of a pedestrian approaching from the rear is acquired from the audio information storage unit 222 and output from the speaker 8 (S5).

[0027] If there is no pedestrian user 31 in step S1 (S1 NO), the output control unit 213 acquires normal video from the video information storage unit 221 and outputs it from the display 10. At the same time, it acquires audio information synchronized with the normal video from the audio information storage unit 222 and outputs it from the speaker 8 (S6).

[0028] The exit contact-avoidance device 20 repeats the processes of steps S1 to S5 for the escalator 2 while the escalator system 1 is in operation, thereby selecting a target person.

[0029] 5 to 7 are conceptual diagrams that are displayed on the display 10 by the exit contact avoidance device 20 according to the embodiment.

[0030] In the normal video example of Figure 5, as shown in Figure 5(a), text information and animation saying "Exit coming up! Watch your step" are displayed as aerial image 12, and audio information to that effect is output from the speaker.

[0031] In another example of a normal image, as shown in Figure 5(b), an aerial image 12 displays text information and animation saying, "Event is being held! Please stop by the 3rd floor," and audio information to that effect is output from a speaker.

[0032] Furthermore, in another example of a normal image, as shown in Figure 5(c), text information and animation saying "It's slippery due to the rain! Please be careful when descending" are displayed as an aerial image 12, and audio information to that effect is output from speaker 8.

[0033] In the example of the video alerting the driver to approaching pedestrians behind in FIG. 6, text information and animation saying "Caution! Pedestrians are approaching from behind!" are displayed as the aerial image 12, and audio information to that effect is output from the speaker 8.

[0034] In the example of a video alerting the driver to collisions with pedestrians coming from behind shown in Figure 7, text information and animation saying "Caution! Be careful of collisions with pedestrians coming from behind!" are displayed as aerial image 12, and audio information to that effect is output from speaker 8.

[0035] As described above, this embodiment can output appropriate visual and audio information according to the usage status of the escalator 2. Furthermore, when disembarking, a warning video is displayed as a spatial image near the exit com and a warning audio is output, thereby preventing falls and contact with pedestrians that could cause trouble when disembarking. Furthermore, because the display 10 is installed on the side wall 6 or the ceiling, the projection equipment does not get in the way during escalator maintenance and inspection. Furthermore, because it is displayed as an aerial image 12, warnings can be reliably issued regardless of dirt on the display 10 over time or the flow of people.

[0036] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied 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 within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1...escalator system, 2...escalator, 3...step, 4...lower floor entrance / exit, 5...exit comb, 6...side wall, 7...camera, 8...speaker, 10...display, 11...imaging unit, 12...aerial image, 20...exit contact avoidance device, 21...CPU, 22...storage unit, 211...photographing information acquisition unit, 212...analysis unit, 213...output control unit, 221...video information storage unit, 222...audio information storage unit, 31...pedestrian user, 32...stopped user

Claims

1. The device is communicatively connected to a camera that captures images of escalator users and the escalator usage status including the vicinity of the exit com, a display that projects information toward the escalator users, and a speaker that announces information toward the escalator users; a video information storage unit that stores video information set in accordance with the usage status of users of the escalator; an audio information storage unit for storing audio information synchronized with video information set in accordance with the usage status of users of the escalator; an image capturing information acquiring unit that acquires a usage status of the escalator by users; an analysis unit that analyzes the photographed information taken by the camera, and when a pedestrian user is detected among the users of the escalator, obtains the timing at which the stopped user and the pedestrian user cross the exit crossing from the speed of the users; and an output control unit that acquires, from the video information storage unit and the audio information storage unit, video information and audio information set according to the usage status of the escalator user, from the timing acquired by the analysis unit, and outputs the information from the display and the speaker.

2. 2. The escalator exit contact avoidance device according to claim 1, wherein when the analysis unit detects the pedestrian user, it acquires the movement speed information of the pedestrian user and the movement speed information of the stopped user as usage status, and determines whether the timing of crossing the exit comb is simultaneous.

3. the display is an aerial projection display that is disposed so as to be embedded in a side wall or ceiling near the exit com and projects an image into the air above the escalator passage; Based on the determination result of the analysis unit, if the timing of the stopped user and the pedestrian user crossing the exit comb is the same, a rear pedestrian contact warning image is displayed on the display, and a rear pedestrian contact warning sound synchronized with the rear pedestrian contact warning image is output from the speaker, If the timings at which the stopped user and the pedestrian user cross the exit comb are not simultaneous based on the determination result of the analysis unit, a video image of a rear pedestrian approaching is displayed on the display, and a sound image of a rear pedestrian approaching is output from the speaker in synchronization with the video image of the rear pedestrian approaching.

2. The escalator exit contact avoidance device according to claim 1, wherein, when there are no pedestrians based on the determination result of the analysis unit, the display shows a normal video including normal caution information when getting off the escalator, an auto-announcement, or building information advertisements, and the speaker outputs a normal video audio synchronized with the normal video.

4. 4. The escalator exit contact avoidance device according to claim 3, wherein when the camera and the aerial projection display cannot be embedded in a side wall or a ceiling, a gate-type gate incorporating equipment including the camera and the aerial projection display is provided.

5. An escalator exit contact avoidance device as described in claim 3, wherein in an escalator with UP / DN operation switching, the aerial projection displays are installed both near the lower floor boarding / exit and near the upper floor boarding / exit, and each aerial projection display is connected to a camera and a speaker.

6. The camera captures the usage of the escalator, including the users and the area around the exit com. The photographed information taken by the camera is analyzed by an analysis unit, and when a walking user is detected from among the users of the escalator, the timing at which the stopped user and the walking user cross the exit crossing is obtained from the speed of the users; A method for avoiding contact at an escalator exit, which outputs, from a spatial projection display and a speaker, video information and audio information that are preset in accordance with the usage status of the escalator user, from the timing acquired by the analysis unit.

7. If the timing of the stopped user and the pedestrian user crossing the exit comb is the same based on the determination result of the analysis unit, a rear pedestrian contact warning image is displayed on the spatial projection display, and a rear pedestrian contact warning sound synchronized with the rear pedestrian contact warning image is output from the speaker, If the timings at which the stopped user and the pedestrian user cross the exit comb are not simultaneous based on the determination result of the analysis unit, a rear pedestrian approach warning image is displayed on the spatial projection display, and a rear pedestrian approach warning sound synchronized with the rear pedestrian approach warning image is output from the speaker, 7. The method for avoiding contact at an escalator exit according to claim 6, wherein, when there are no pedestrians based on the determination result of the analysis unit, a normal video including normal caution information when getting off the escalator, an auto-announcement, or building information advertisement is displayed on the spatial projection display, and a normal video audio synchronized with the normal video is output from the speaker.

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