sensor

Abstract

A sensor for monitoring the landing or car interior of an elevator (10), characterized in that, prior to being installed in the landing or car to monitor the monitoring area within the elevator (10), initial settings for monitoring the monitoring area are performed according to the conditions of the landing or car interior and the specifications of the sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , ,

[0006] , , , , To install in a manner suitable for the actual installation site conditions, during installation , , , , ,

[0004] , , , , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sensor for monitoring an elevator landing or the interior of an elevator car.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, sensors such as cameras for monitoring the situation of an elevator landing are installed in the elevator landing or the interior of the elevator car. Information obtained by sensors installed in the elevator landing or the interior of the elevator car is used in an elevator system, for example, to estimate the number of standby passengers waiting for the elevator at each landing (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] According to this disclosure, To install in a manner suitable for the actual installation site conditions, during installation We can provide sensors that eliminate the hassle of initial setup. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] The first embodiment shows an example of the landing situation assuming the elevator to be installed is located on the landing. Figure 1A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an elevation view of the elevator assuming it is installed on the landing, and Figure 1B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a plan view of the elevator shown in Figure 1A. [Figure 2] The first embodiment shows another example of the landing situation when the elevator to be installed is located on the landing. Figure 2A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an elevation perspective view of the elevator when it is located on the landing, and Figure 2B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a plan view of the elevator shown in Figure 2A. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of the landing situation in Embodiment 1, assuming that the elevator to be installed is located on the landing. The diagram also shows an example of the landing situation assuming that the cameras, which have been initially installed with two cameras mounted on the side wall of the door, are installed on the landing. [Figure 4]This diagram shows an example of the landing situation in Embodiment 1, assuming that the elevator to be installed is located on the landing. The diagram also shows an example of the landing situation assuming that the cameras, which have been initially installed with two cameras mounted on the side wall of the door, are installed on the landing. [Figure 5] Figures 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of the landing situation in Embodiment 1, assuming that the elevator and signage to be installed are set up at the landing. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example configuration of an inspection system used by an elevator installation company to obtain initial setup information for performing initial camera setup when installing an elevator at an actual landing, in Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This flowchart illustrates an example of the operation of an inspection system used by an elevator installation company to perform initial camera setup when installing an elevator at an actual landing, in Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] Figures 8A and 8B show an example of the hardware configuration of the inspection system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a camera configuration in Embodiment 1 that includes a function for performing calibration. [Figure 10] This flowchart illustrates an example of the operation of a camera in Embodiment 1 that has a function to perform calibration when installed at an actual boarding area. [Figure 11] In Embodiment 1, the diagram shows an example of the situation inside the cage when the cage to be installed is installed inside a building. Figure 11A is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the cage when installed inside a building, and Figure 11B is a schematic top view showing an example of the inside of the cage shown in Figure 11A viewed from above. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates an example of the process by which monitoring information is displayed in an elevator system.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1. The sensor according to Embodiment 1 is a landing monitoring sensor that monitors the situation in the landing or car of an elevator in the landing or car of the elevator. The sensor monitors the presence or absence of users in the landing or car of the elevator, and if a user is present, the attributes of the user, etc. Note that the sensor can also acquire attribute information such as wheelchairs, strollers, cardboard boxes, loading platforms, electric bicycles, and electric wheelchairs, not just people. The sensor includes a camera, a lidar, or a radar. In the following Embodiment 1, as an example, it is assumed that the sensor is a camera.

[0010] When installing a camera for monitoring the situation in the landing or car of an elevator in the landing or car of the elevator, the camera needs to be installed in an appropriate manner so that the area to be monitored by the camera (hereinafter referred to as the "monitoring area") can be monitored without omission. In Embodiment 1, the monitoring area assumes, for example, the area of the landing in front of the elevator car (hereinafter referred to as the "area in front of the car") or the area inside the elevator car (hereinafter referred to as the "area inside the car"). In Embodiment 1, adjusting the mode of the camera so that it is in an appropriate mode when installed in the landing or car of the elevator is referred to as "initial setting". That is, when installing a camera for monitoring the situation in the landing or car of an elevator in the landing or car of the elevator, it needs to be installed in the initially set state so that the camera can monitor the monitoring area without omission. In Embodiment 1, the modes adjusted by implementing the initial setting include, for example, the number of cameras installed in the landing or car, the installation location, height, angle, the range for mask processing, or the viewing angle.

[0011] Here, conventionally, after a building is completed, or in a building where an elevator has already been installed, when attempting to install a surveillance camera in the elevator landing or car, there has been a problem that the initial settings when installing the camera are time-consuming. Normally, the work schedule for installing an elevator when a building is under construction is different from the work schedule until the building is completed. At the time when the elevator installation work is carried out, it is assumed that the building is still under interior decoration. Also, after the building is completed, technicians with knowledge about elevators are not involved in the management and operation of the building except when visiting for elevator maintenance, etc. Therefore, after the building is completed, it may be necessary for a building management company or owner, etc. who has no relation to the installation of the elevator, to become the person installing the camera (hereinafter referred to as the "camera installer") and install a camera in the elevator landing or car. In this case, it is particularly assumed that the initial settings of the camera are time-consuming. In recent years, as a camera for monitoring the elevator landing or car, cameras with a small viewing angle (such as 80 degrees left and right, 60 degrees up and down, etc.) like AI cameras are often used. Generally, when the viewing angle of the camera is small, the initial settings when installing the camera are time-consuming. When the building management company or owner, etc. becomes the camera installer after the building is completed, it is even more time-consuming for the initial settings.

[0012] In contrast, the camera according to Embodiment 1 is provided with the initial settings being implemented in a state prior to being installed in the elevator landing or car in order to monitor the monitoring area in the elevator landing or car. Thereby, the camera according to Embodiment 1 solves the above-described problems and shortens the time taken by the camera installer for the initial settings. For example, the elevator development company implements the initial settings in a state prior to the camera being installed in the elevator landing or car in order to monitor the monitoring area in the elevator landing or car. For example, for a person with knowledge about elevators, such as an elevator development company, it is possible to estimate what kind of mode the camera should be in to be in an appropriate mode when installed in the elevator landing or car. In Embodiment 1, the conditions of the landing include, for example, the specifications of the elevators installed at the landing, the size of the landing, the total number of elevators installed at the landing, the relative positions of the elevators installed at the landing, whether or not signage is installed at the landing, and, if signage is installed at the landing, the location of the signage. The size of the landing includes the planar dimensions of the landing or the depth of the landing as seen from the elevator. The specifications of the elevator include the capacity of the elevator or the size of the elevator. In Embodiment 1, the conditions inside the car include, for example, the specifications of the car. The specifications of the car include the size of the car interior, the presence or absence of ancillary equipment such as handrails or buttons, or their arrangement, etc. The size of the car interior includes dimensions such as width, depth, and height. Camera specifications include the camera's field of view, etc.

[0013] The following is a detailed explanation of the initial setup, assuming that the elevator development company will perform the initial setup. In the following Embodiment 1, as an example, the elevator development company will perform the initial setup of camera 1 for monitoring the elevator landing at the landing of a building where the elevator is scheduled to be installed, in other words, at the landing of a building where the elevator has not yet been installed. In Embodiment 1, as an example, in order to cover the widest possible area, the camera 1 is provided at the widest possible angle of view and facing forward. Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, as an example, the settings adjusted in the initial configuration include the installation location and number of cameras 1 at the boarding area. However, this is merely an example, and as described above, the height, angle, masking range, or field of view may also be adjusted in the initial configuration.

[0014] Here, Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the landing situation assuming that the elevator 10 to be installed in Embodiment 1 is installed at the landing. Figure 1A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an elevation view of elevator 10 as it would appear when installed at a landing, and Figure 1B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a plan view of elevator 10 as shown in Figure 1A. Only the essential parts are shown in Figures 1A and 1B. In Figure 1, as an example, it is assumed that three elevators 10, elevator 10a, elevator 10b, and elevator 10c, will be installed side by side at the landing. Figure 1 also shows an image of what camera 1 would look like if it were installed on the landing after initial setup by the elevator development company.

[0015] <Landing area conditions: Elevator specifications> For example, assuming that three elevators 10 are installed at the landing as shown in Figure 1, we will explain an example of the initial setup performed by the elevator development company to monitor the landing conditions and the monitoring area according to the specifications of camera 1. For example, an elevator development company performs the initial setup of camera 1 according to the specifications of the elevator 10 to be installed in the building and the specifications of camera 1.

[0016] First, the elevator development company estimates the size of the area in front of the elevator car, i.e., the monitoring area, based on the specifications of the elevator 10, more specifically, for example, the capacity or size of the elevator 10. Typically, the capacity or size of the elevator 10 is related to the size of the area in front of the car. Even before the building is completed, the specifications of the elevator 10 to be installed in the building under construction are finalized. The elevator development company can estimate the size of the monitoring area based on the finalized specifications of the elevator 10 before providing the elevator 10 to the actual landing. The elevator development company estimates the size of the monitoring area and, taking into account the specifications of camera 1, such as the field of view, determines how camera 1 can monitor the entire monitoring area without any omissions.

[0017] For example, suppose the elevator 10 installed at the landing has a capacity of 13 people, that is, the elevator 10 is a 13-seater. In this case, the elevator development company estimates from the capacity that the size of the area in front of the car is 2.5m x 2.5m. Based on the estimated size of the area in front of the car, the elevator development company estimates that if three cameras 1 are installed on the upper frame 12 of the three-sided frame 11 of each elevator 10, the cameras 1 will be able to monitor the entire monitoring area without any omissions. The elevator development company then decides to initially install three cameras 1 on the upper frame 12 of the three-sided frame 11 of each elevator 10. The elevator development company then performs the initial setup of the cameras 1 so that the decided number of cameras 1 are installed in the decided locations.

[0018] For example, based on the specifications of camera 1, rules (hereinafter referred to as "mode determination rules") may be generated in advance by the elevator development company that specify how much adjustment should be made to the camera 1 to ensure that it can monitor the entire monitoring area (in this case, the area in front of the elevator car) under different conditions at the landing. In the example above, for instance, the elevator development company may pre-generate a set of rules for determining the optimal configuration of camera 1 (installation location and number of cameras at the landing), which associates the field of view of camera 1 with the capacity of elevator 10, the size of the elevator, the size of the area in front of the car, and the optimal configuration of camera 1. The mode determination rules generated by the elevator development company are managed, for example, on a common server. The elevator development company may, for example, refer to the mode determination rules to determine the mode of camera 1 that can monitor the entire monitoring area without any omissions.

[0019] It should be noted that the above-mentioned rules for determining the type of elevator are merely examples, and elevator development companies can set their own rules for determining the type of elevator as appropriate. For example, in the above-mentioned configuration determination rules, the size of elevator 10 and the area in front of the elevator car do not need to be specified. Generally, if the capacity of elevator 10 is known, the size of elevator 10 can be estimated, and if the size of elevator 10 can be estimated, the size of the area in front of the elevator car can also be estimated. The configuration determination rules should define, based on the specifications of camera 1, how much adjustment should be made to the configuration under different landing conditions so that camera 1 can monitor the entire monitoring area without any omissions. Furthermore, elevator development companies can update the configuration determination rules as needed.

[0020] Camera 1, which has already been pre-configured by the elevator development company, is provided (delivered) to the actual landing by the elevator installation company when the elevator 10 is installed in the building, for example, and installed at the actual landing. In other words, the elevator installation company becomes the camera installer. The cameras 1 provided at the actual landing will be installed on the upper frame 12 of the three-sided frame 11 of the elevator 10. For example, as shown in the image in Figure 1, at the actual landing, three cameras 1 (camera 1a, camera 1b, camera 1c) will be installed on the upper frame 12 (upper frame 12a, upper frame 12b, upper frame 12c) of the three-sided frame 11 (three-sided frame 11a, three-sided frame 11b, three-sided frame 11c) of each elevator 10 (elevator 10a, elevator 10b, elevator 10c). In Figure 1B, "Ba" represents the area in front of the elevator car 10a, which is the monitoring area of ​​camera 1a; "Bb" represents the area in front of the elevator car 10b, which is the monitoring area of ​​camera 1b; and "Bc" represents the area in front of the elevator car 10c, which is the monitoring area of ​​camera 1c. Here, each camera 1 monitors the area in front of the elevator car 10 on which it is installed.

[0021] Camera 1 may be shipped by the elevator development company attached to the upper frame 12 of the three-sided frame 11 of the elevator 10, and provided to the actual landing by the elevator installer while attached to the elevator 10, or the elevator installer may attach it to the upper frame 12 of the three-sided frame 11 when installing the elevator 10 at the actual landing. In any case, since the elevator development company has performed the initial setup to ensure that the camera is installed in a manner suitable for the actual landing conditions, camera 1 is designed to save the camera installer the trouble of initial setup.

[0022] For example, when an elevator installer installs camera 1 at an actual landing, they perform final fine-tuning, or calibration, to match the actual landing. More specifically, the elevator installer adjusts the range of the area that camera 1 can detect (hereinafter referred to as the "detectable area"), sets the elevator unit number 10 corresponding to camera 1, sets the depth of the landing as seen from elevator 10, and sets the range to be cropped within the detectable area of ​​camera 1. For example, if the material of the elevator door surface or other parts of elevator 10 is a mirrored surface that reflects people, the above cropping becomes essential on the image captured within the detectable area of ​​camera 1.

[0023] As mentioned above, for example, if the building management company or owner were to install camera 1 separately after the building was completed, it would take time for initial setup, making the installation of camera 1 difficult. In contrast, the camera 1 according to Embodiment 1 is initially configured to be installed in a manner suitable for the actual conditions of the elevator landing, even before it is installed at the landing to monitor the area being monitored at the elevator landing 10. Furthermore, when the elevator 10 is installed at the actual landing, camera 1 is provided and installed at the landing along with the elevator 10, attached to components of the elevator landing such as the three-sided frame 11. The camera installer (in this case, for example, an elevator installation company) installs the pre-configured camera 1 at the same time as the installation of the elevator 10 and makes final fine adjustments to camera 1, making it easier for the camera installer to make fine adjustments to camera 1.

[0024] Furthermore, when the camera installer makes final adjustments to camera 1, they may make fine adjustments to divide the detection area within the detection range that camera 1 can detect. When dividing the detection area, for example, the camera installer is expected to divide the detection area into areas such as the area in front of the control panel installed at the landing, the waiting area for a specific bank at the landing, and the area between waiting areas for specific banks at the landing. When dividing the detection area, the camera installer is expected to divide the detection area not only in the planar direction but also in the vertical direction. When dividing the detection area in the vertical direction, for example, the camera installer is expected to divide it into areas corresponding to the height of a person's head, areas corresponding to the height of a person's feet, and so on. For example, by fine-tuning camera 1 to detect areas in the vertical direction, camera 1 can detect people with different attributes, such as tall people or short people (e.g., wheelchair users or children), and link the detected person attributes to controls implemented according to those person attributes.

[0025] If camera 1 is provided, for example, attached to the elevator 10 and its landing components (for example, the three-sided frame 11 in the above example), it is possible to prevent a situation where someone unrelated to elevator 10 becomes the camera installer and has to go through the trouble of initial setup. Even if camera 1 is provided without being attached to the components of the elevator landing 10, camera 1 is provided to the actual landing along with elevator 10 at the time of installation. Therefore, the person involved with the elevator (the elevator installation company) will be responsible for installing camera 1, and since the initial setup of camera 1 has already been completed, it is possible to prevent the camera installer from having to go through the trouble of installing camera 1.

[0026] In the example above, it was assumed that camera 1 was initially configured to be installed in a configuration of three on the upper frame 12 of the three-sided frame 11 of the elevator 10, but this is merely one example. If the elevator development company estimates that, for example, in order for camera 1 to be installed so as to monitor the area in front of the car without any omissions, it would be better for camera 1 to be installed in a location other than the upper frame 12 of the three-sided frame 11, for example, on the vertical frames 13 of the three-sided frame 11 (vertical frames 13a, 13b, and 13c), then the company will perform the initial setup so that camera 1 is installed on each of the vertical frames 13 of the three-sided frame 11 of the elevator 10.

[0027] Furthermore, in the example described above, the elevator development company performed the initial setup to monitor the area of ​​surveillance according to the conditions of the landing and the specifications of camera 1, assuming that three elevators 10 are installed side by side in the landing, as shown in Figure 1. However, this is merely one example. For instance, even if the elevators 10 are installed facing each other in the landing, the elevator development company can perform the initial setup to monitor the area of ​​surveillance according to the conditions of the landing and the specifications of camera 1 in a similar manner. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating another example of the landing situation in Embodiment 1, assuming that the elevator 10 to be installed is located at the landing. Figure 2A is a schematic diagram showing an example of an elevation perspective view of elevator 10 as it would appear when installed at a landing, and Figure 2B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a plan view of elevator 10 as shown in Figure 2A. Only the essential parts are shown in Figures 2A and 2B. In Figure 2, as an example, it is assumed that at the landing, six elevators 10—elevators 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f—are planned to be installed in groups of three, facing each other. Figure 2 also shows an image of what would happen if cameras 1 (camera 1a, camera 1b, camera 1c, camera 1a', camera 1b', camera 1c') were installed at the landing after initial setup by the elevator development company. For example, if the initial setup is performed by the elevator development company in a manner similar to that described in the example above, then, as shown in Figure 2, at the actual landing, cameras 1 (camera 1a, camera 1b, camera 1c, camera 1a', camera 1b', camera 1c') will be mounted on the upper frame 12 of the three-sided frame 11 of each elevator 10 (elevator 10a, elevator 10b, elevator 10c, elevator 10d, elevator 10e, elevator 10f). 6 The platform will be installed. Note that, for convenience, the three-sided frame 11 of each elevator 10 and the upper frame 12 of the three-sided frame 11 are omitted from the illustration in Figure 2. In Figure 2B, "Ba" indicates the area in front of the elevator car 10a, which is the monitoring area of ​​camera 1a; "Bb" indicates the area in front of the elevator car 10b, which is the monitoring area of ​​camera 1b; "Bc" indicates the area in front of the elevator car 10c, which is the monitoring area of ​​camera 1c; "Ba'" indicates the area in front of the elevator car 10d, which is the monitoring area of ​​camera 1a'; "Bb'" indicates the area in front of the elevator car 10e, which is the monitoring area of ​​camera 1b'; and "Bc'" indicates the area in front of the elevator car 10f, which is the monitoring area of ​​camera 1c'. Here, each camera 1 monitors the area in front of the elevator car 10 on which it is installed.

[0028] <Landing conditions: Elevator specifications, total number of elevators at the landing> In the above embodiment 1, the landing conditions were described as, for example, the specifications of the elevator, and the elevator development company decided, based on the specifications of elevator 10, or more specifically, the capacity of elevator 10, that a total of three cameras 1 would be installed, one on each of the three-sided frames 11 for each elevator 10. However, this is merely one example. Also, the cameras 1 were assumed to be attached to the three-sided frames 11, but this is merely one example. For example, the landing conditions may include the specifications of the elevator 10 and the total number of elevators 10 at the elevator landing. The elevator development company may then determine how camera 1 can monitor the estimated area in front of the elevator car, i.e., the monitoring area, without any omissions, based on the specifications of the elevator 10, more specifically, for example, the capacity of the elevator 10 and the total number of elevators 10 at the landing.

[0029] For example, as shown in the image in Figure 1, the elevator 10 to be installed at the landing has a capacity of 13 people, and it is planned that three of these elevators 10 will be installed at the landing. For example, an elevator development company estimates that, based on the estimated size of each car front area, if one camera 1 is installed on each of the upper frames 12 of the three-sided frames 11, the camera 1 can monitor the entire area without missing any. However, when viewed on a landing basis, the company estimates that even if two cameras are installed on the side walls of the elevator door 10, or two cameras on the wall in front of the door, the camera 1 can still monitor the entire area without missing any. Therefore, the elevator development company may decide to initially install, for example, two cameras 1 on the side walls of the elevator door 10, since this would allow for a smaller number of cameras. The elevator development company then initializes the cameras 1 at the landing so that the determined number of cameras 1 are installed in the determined locations.

[0030] In this case, the configuration determination rules would, for example, associate the field of view of camera 1 with the capacity of each elevator 10, the size of each elevator, the size of the area in front of each elevator car, the total number of elevators 10 installed at the landing, and the optimal configuration of camera 1.

[0031] Figure 3 is an image illustrating an example of the landing situation in Embodiment 1, assuming that the elevator 10 to be installed is installed at the landing. The image also shows an example of the landing situation assuming that the cameras 1 (camera 1d, camera 1e) have been installed at the landing after the initial installation, where two cameras are installed on the side walls WR and WL of the door surface. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a plan view of three elevators 10 (elevator 10a, elevator 10b, elevator 10c) as they would appear when installed at a landing. Note that only the essential parts are shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3, "Bd" indicates the area in front of the cage that is monitored by camera 1c, and "Be" indicates the area in front of the cage that is monitored by camera 1e.

[0032] The side walls WR and WL of the elevator door surface are completed at the time of elevator installation. In Embodiment 1, the components of the elevator landing are not limited to those provided by the elevator installer at the time of elevator installation, such as the three-sided frame 11, but also include landing structures such as walls that are completed at the time of elevator installation.

[0033] In this case, for example, when the elevator installation company installs the elevator 10 in the actual landing, they also install cameras 1 (camera 1d, camera 1e) on the side walls WR and WL of the door surface. In this case as well, since camera 1 is pre-configured by the elevator development company to be installed in a manner suitable for the actual landing conditions, camera 1 is a camera that saves the camera installer the trouble of initial setup. The camera installer can save the trouble of initial setup of camera 1.

[0034] Furthermore, prior to the installation of Camera 1 at the elevator landing to monitor the area to be monitored at the landing, the initial setup for Camera 1 at the landing is not three cameras at three locations on the upper frame 12 of the three-sided frame 11 of each elevator 10, but rather two cameras on the side walls WR and WL of the door surface. As a result, even if multiple Camera 1s need to be installed at the landing, Camera 1 can cover the area to be monitored at the landing with fewer cameras than the number of elevators 10, without needing to install as many cameras as there are elevators 10. As explained using Figure 3, camera 1d, when installed on the side wall WR on the door side at the landing, can cover a monitoring area corresponding to 1.5 elevators (10), encompassing the area in front of elevator car 10a and approximately half of the area in front of elevator car 10b. Similarly, camera 1e, when installed on the side wall WL on the door side at the landing, can cover a monitoring area corresponding to 1.5 elevators (10), encompassing the area in front of elevator car 10c and approximately half of the area in front of elevator car 10b.

[0035] In this case as well, for example, when the elevator installation company installs camera 1 at the actual landing, they perform a final fine-tuning, or calibration, to match the actual landing.

[0036] <Landing area conditions: Elevator specifications, total number of elevators at the landing, relative positions> Furthermore, for example, the landing conditions may include the specifications of the elevator 10, the total number of elevators 10 at the elevator landing, and the relative installation positions of the elevators 10 installed at the landing. The elevator development company may then determine, based on the specifications of the elevator 10, the total number of elevators 10 at the landing, and the relative installation positions of the elevators 10 installed at the landing, how the camera 1 can monitor the estimated area in front of the elevator car, i.e., the monitoring area, without any omissions. In the example given in Embodiment 1 above, the elevators 10 were installed side by side at the landing. However, here, for example, it is planned that six 13-passenger elevators 10 will be installed at the landing in a position where three elevators face each other.

[0037] For example, the elevator development company estimates that, based on the estimated size of each car front area, if one camera 1 is installed on each of the upper frames 12 of the three-sided frames 11, the camera 1 can monitor the entire area without missing any. However, when viewed on a landing-by-landing basis, the company estimates that even if two cameras are installed on the side walls of the door surface, or two cameras are installed on the front wall of the door surface, the camera 1 can still monitor the entire area without missing any. Furthermore, the elevator development company estimates that if two cameras 1 are installed on the side walls of the door surface, or two cameras are installed on the front wall of the door surface, the camera 1 can still monitor the entire area without missing any, regardless of which elevator 10 has three cameras facing each other and two cameras are installed on the side walls of the door surface, or two cameras are installed on the front wall of the door surface. The elevator development company decides that, since fewer cameras are needed, they will initially install two cameras on the side wall of one of the door faces in a pair of elevators 10, which are arranged in pairs of three facing each other. The elevator development company then initializes the cameras 1 at the landing so that the determined number of cameras 1 are installed in the determined locations.

[0038] In this case, the configuration determination rules would, for example, associate the field of view of camera 1 with the capacity of each elevator 10, the size of each elevator, the size of the area in front of each elevator car, the total number of elevators 10 installed at the landing, the relative installation positions of each elevator at the landing, and the optimal configuration of camera 1.

[0039] Figure 4 is an image illustrating an example of the landing situation in Embodiment 1, assuming that the elevator 10 to be installed is installed at the landing. The image also shows an example of the landing situation assuming that the cameras 1 (camera 1f, camera 1g) have been installed at the landing after the initial installation, where two cameras are installed on the side walls WR and WL of the door surface. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a plan view of six elevators 10 (elevator 10a, elevator 10b, elevator 10c, elevator 10d, elevator 10e, elevator 10f) as they would be installed at a landing. At the landing, it is assumed that the elevators 10 would be installed in groups of three (elevator 10a, elevator 10b, elevator 10c and elevator 10d, elevator 10e, elevator 10f), facing each other. Note that only the essential parts are shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4, "Bf" indicates the area in front of the cage that is monitored by camera 1f, and "Bg" indicates the area in front of the cage that is monitored by camera 1g.

[0040] The side walls WR and WL on the door surface of elevator 10 were completed at the time of elevator 10's installation.

[0041] In this case, for example, when an elevator installation company installs elevator 10 in a building as the camera installer, they also install cameras 1 (camera 1f, camera 1g) on ​​the side walls WR and WL of the door surface. In this case as well, since camera 1 is pre-configured by the elevator development company to be installed in a manner suitable for the actual landing conditions, camera 1 is a camera that saves the camera installer the trouble of initial setup. The camera installer can save the trouble of initial setup of camera 1.

[0042] Furthermore, prior to the installation of Camera 1 at the elevator landing to monitor the area of ​​surveillance at the elevator landing, the initial setup is such that the number of Camera 1 units installed at the landing is two units on the side walls WR and WL of the door surface, rather than three units at three locations on the upper frame 12 of the three-sided frame 11 of each elevator 10. As a result, even if multiple Camera 1 units are needed at the landing, Camera 1 can cover the area of ​​surveillance at the landing with fewer units than the number of elevators 10, without requiring installation equal to the number of elevators 10. As explained using Figure 4, camera 1g is installed on the side wall WR of the door surface at the landing, covering a monitoring area corresponding to three elevators (10), specifically the area in front of the elevator cars 10d, 10b, and 10c. Similarly, camera 1f is installed on the side wall WL of the door surface at the landing, covering a monitoring area corresponding to three elevators (10), specifically the area in front of the elevator cars 10f, 10e, and 10a.

[0043] In the image shown in Figure 4, camera 1 is installed on the side walls WR and WL on the door side of elevators 10d, 10e, and 10f. However, this is just one example, and camera 1 may also be installed on the side walls WR and WL on the door side of elevators 10a, 10b, and 10c.

[0044] In this case as well, for example, when the elevator installation company installs camera 1 at the actual landing, they perform a final fine-tuning, or calibration, to match the actual landing.

[0045] <Landing area conditions: Elevator specifications, presence or absence of digital signage at the landing, and location of signage> Furthermore, for example, the landing conditions may include the specifications of the elevator 10, whether or not signage is installed at the landing, and, if so, the location of the signage. The elevator development company may then determine, based on the specifications of the elevator 10, whether or not signage is installed at the landing, and, if so, the location of the signage, how the camera 1 can monitor the estimated area in front of the elevator car 10, i.e., the monitoring area, without any omissions.

[0046] For example, let's assume that three elevators 10, each with a capacity of 13 people, are planned to be installed at the landing, as shown in the image in Figure 1. Furthermore, it is planned that digital signage will also be installed at the elevator landings. Here, it is assumed that the signage will be installed, for example, by the elevator installation company at the same time as the installation of elevator 10. Since the signage can be installed as part of the building's interior construction, it can be installed at the same time as the elevator installation. Similar to elevator 10, the location of the signage at each landing will be determined before the building is completed. The elevator development company can, for example, determine where and on which landing the signage will be installed. In this case, the elevator development company may decide on the configuration of camera 1 considering the installation location of the signage, and may decide to mount camera 1 on the signage or install it around the signage.

[0047] Here, Figures 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of the landing situation in Embodiment 1, assuming that the elevator 10 and signage 2 to be installed are located at the landing. Figures 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing an example of a plan view of three elevators 10 (elevator 10a, elevator 10b, elevator 10c) and signage 2, assuming they are installed at a landing. Note that only the essential parts are shown in Figures 5A and 5B. Figures 5A and 5B also show an image of what camera 1 would look like if it were installed on the landing after the initial setup was completed.

[0048] For example, the elevator development company determines the location within the landing where the three elevators 10 (elevator 10a, elevator 10b, elevator 10c) will be installed, and further determines where the signage 2 will be installed within the landing.

[0049] For example, if the landing for elevator 10 is not at the end of a corridor, there are two possible routes for passengers entering the landing: one from the right side of the landing and the other from the left side. The elevator development company estimates that the wall facing the corridor to the landing is a suitable location for the signage 2, so that passengers can see the display content of the signage 2 regardless of which direction they enter the landing from, and confirms that wall as the installation location for the signage 2 (see Figure 5A).

[0050] On the other hand, if the landing for elevator 10 is at the end of a corridor, the movement of passengers entering the landing for elevator 10 is limited to one direction, from the front of elevator 10. In this case, the elevator development company might, for example, estimate that the wall facing the passageway to the landing is a suitable location for installing the signage 2, and then determine that wall to be the installation location for the signage 2. Furthermore, the elevator development company may, for example, assume that if a passenger enters the landing from the corridor and immediately boards the nearest elevator 10 (elevator 10a), they may not look at the wall directly facing the corridor to the landing. Therefore, to ensure that passengers of elevator 10 can reliably see the display content of the signage 2 upon entering the landing, the wall next to the door of elevator 10 (elevator 10a), which is located closest to the entrance of the landing, is a suitable location for the signage 2, and may designate this wall as the installation location for the signage 2 (see Figure 5B).

[0051] As described above, once the elevator development company determines the installation location of the signage 2 at the landing, it estimates the configuration of camera 1 that will allow camera 1 to monitor the entire monitoring area without any omissions, taking into account the installation location of signage 2. For example, an elevator development company estimates, based on the size of each car front area, that if camera 1 is mounted on signage 2, camera 1 mounted on signage 2 will be able to monitor the car front areas of at least two elevators 10 (elevator 10a and elevator 10b). The elevator development company decides to initially install, for example, one camera 1 on signage 2 and one camera 1 on the upper frame 12 of the three-sided frame 11 of elevator 10c to cover the area in front of the elevator car of elevator 10 (elevator 10c), which is estimated to be difficult to cover with camera 1 mounted on signage 2. The elevator development company then initially configures the cameras 1 at the landing so that the determined number of cameras 1 are installed in the determined locations. Figures 5A and 5B show an image in which camera 1h is mounted on signage 2 and camera 1c is installed on the upper frame 12c of the three-sided frame 11c of elevator 10c.

[0052] In this case, the configuration determination rules would associate, for example, the field of view of camera 1 with the capacity of each elevator 10, the size of each elevator, the size of the area in front of each elevator car, whether or not signage 2 is installed at the landing, the location of signage 2 if it is installed at the landing, and the optimal configuration of camera 1.

[0053] The camera 1c may be shipped by the elevator development company already attached to the upper frame 12c of the three-sided frame 11c of the elevator 10c, and may be provided to the actual landing by the elevator installation company while still attached to the elevator 10c, or the elevator installation company may attach the camera 1c to the upper frame 12c of the three-sided frame 11c when installing the elevator 10c at the actual landing. Camera 1h is attached to the signage 2, for example, when an elevator installation company installs the elevator 10 and signage 2 at the actual landing. For example, if signage 2 is shipped from an elevator development company, camera 1h may be shipped already attached to signage 2 by the elevator development company and provided to the actual landing by the elevator installer while still attached to signage 2. In any case, since the elevator development company has performed the initial setup to ensure that the camera is installed in a manner suitable for the actual landing conditions, camera 1 is designed to save the camera installer the trouble of initial setup.

[0054] Signage 2 is installed at the landing when elevator 10 is installed, and its location at that landing is also predetermined. In other words, signage 2 is a completed landing structure at the time of elevator 10's installation and can be considered a component of the elevator 10's landing.

[0055] In this case, for example, when the elevator installation company installs the elevator 10 at the actual landing, they also install camera 1 (camera 1c, camera 1h) on the upper frame 12c of the three-sided frame 11c of the elevator 10c, or on the signage 2. In this case as well, since camera 1 is pre-configured by the elevator development company to be installed in a manner suitable for the actual landing conditions, camera 1 is a camera that can be set up without any hassle. The camera installer can save time on the initial setup of camera 1.

[0056] Furthermore, prior to the installation of Camera 1 at the elevator landing to monitor the area of ​​surveillance at the elevator landing, the initial setup for Camera 1 at the landing is not three cameras at three locations on the upper frame 12 of the three-sided frame 11 of each elevator 10, but rather one camera on the upper frame 12c of the three-sided frame 11c of one elevator 10c and one camera on the signage 2. As a result, even if multiple Camera 1s need to be installed at the landing, Camera 1 can cover the area of ​​surveillance at the landing with fewer cameras than the number of elevators 10, without needing to install as many cameras as there are elevators 10. In the example shown in Figures 5A and 5B, camera 1c is installed on the upper frame 12c of the three-sided frame 11c of elevator 10c at the landing, thereby covering a monitoring area corresponding to one elevator (10). Additionally, camera 1h is mounted on the signage 2 at the landing, thereby covering a monitoring area corresponding to two elevators (10), specifically the area in front of elevator car 10a and the area in front of elevator car 10b.

[0057] In this case as well, for example, when the elevator installation company installs camera 1 at the actual landing, they perform a final fine-tuning, or calibration, to match the actual landing.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above example, the elevator development company determined the location of the signage 2 within the landing where three elevators 10 (elevator 10a, elevator 10b, elevator 10c) would be installed, as shown in Figure 5A or Figure 5B. However, this is only one example. The elevator development company should determine the configuration of camera 1 while taking into account the installation location of signage 2. For example, in a landing where two elevators 10 are to be installed, and where a digital signage 2 is also planned to be installed, the elevator development company may estimate that the wall between the two elevators 10, next to the doors of each elevator 10, is a suitable location for the digital signage 2, and may determine that the wall between the two elevators 10 is the installation location for the digital signage 2. Furthermore, the elevator development company may estimate the configuration of camera 1 so that it can monitor the entire area without missing any, taking into consideration the installation location of signage 2, and decide to initially configure camera 1 to be installed on signage 2, such as on top of signage 2. For example, the elevator development company may estimate the configuration of camera 1 so that it can monitor the entire area without missing any, taking into consideration the installation location of signage 2, and decide to initially configure camera 1 to be installed on the three-sided frame of elevator 10, which is around signage 2.

[0059] In the examples using Figures 5A and 5B above, camera 1h is assumed to be initially configured to be mounted on signage 2, but this is just one example. For example, camera 1h may be initially configured to be installed around signage 2. Furthermore, for example, regarding the installation of signage 2 at the landing, the elevator development company may generate rules (hereinafter referred to as "signage installation decision rules") in advance to determine the installation location and number of signage 2 based on how many elevators 10 will be installed at the landing and whether or not the elevator landing is at the end of a corridor, and manage these rules on a common server or the like. The elevator development company may, for example, refer to the signage installation decision rules to determine the most suitable locations and number of signage 2 for installation.

[0060] As described above, camera 1 undergoes initial setup to monitor the area in the elevator landing, in accordance with the conditions of the landing and the specifications of camera 1, even before it is installed at the landing to monitor the area in the elevator landing. Camera 1 is designed to eliminate the hassle of initial setup, thus reducing the effort required for camera installers.

[0061] In the above embodiment 1, the elevator development company initially installed the camera 1 before the elevator 10 was provided to the actual landing, but this is only one example. For example, when an elevator installer installs elevator 10 at an actual landing, they may use an inspection system to obtain information for initializing camera 1 (hereinafter referred to as "initial setup information"), and then perform the initial setup of camera 1 based on the obtained initial setup information. After performing the initial setup of camera 1, the elevator installer installs camera 1, which has been initially set up, at the actual landing. The inspection system detects the condition of the elevator landing from captured images of the actual landing, generates initial setup information based on the detected landing condition and the specifications of camera 1, and presents the generated initial setup information to the elevator installation company.

[0062] Here, we will explain the details of the inspection system with an example. Figure 6 shows an example of the configuration of the inspection system 5 used by an elevator installation company in Embodiment 1 to obtain initial setup information for performing the initial setup of the camera 1 when installing the elevator 10 at the actual landing.

[0063] The inspection system 5 consists of an inspection camera 3 and a terminal 4. The inspection camera 3 captures images of the elevator landing 10 where camera 1 will be installed. The inspection camera 3 may, for example, be installed in the actual landing beforehand, or it may be temporarily installed in the landing by the elevator installation company for initial setup. The inspection camera 3 includes a landing image acquisition unit 31 and a landing condition detection unit 32. The landing image acquisition unit 31 captures images of the landing of the elevator 10 where camera 1 will be installed. The boarding area image acquisition unit 31 outputs the captured image to the boarding area status detection unit 32.

[0064] The boarding area status detection unit 32 detects the boarding area status based on the captured image taken by the boarding area image acquisition unit 31. For example, the boarding area status detection unit 32 detects the boarding area status based on the captured image. The boarding area status detection unit 32 outputs information regarding the detected boarding area status (hereinafter referred to as "boarding area status information") to the terminal 4.

[0065] Terminal 4 is envisioned as, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a mobile device such as a smartphone carried by an elevator installation company. Terminal 4 is equipped with an initial setup information generation unit 41.

[0066] The initial setup information generation unit 41 acquires landing condition information output from the inspection camera 3 and generates initial setup information based on the acquired landing condition information. For example, information indicating the mode determination rules generated in advance by the elevator development company (hereinafter referred to as "mode determination rule information") is stored in a location accessible to the initial setup information generation unit 41, such as a storage device (not shown). The initial setup information generation unit 41 refers to the mode determination rule information and, for example, compares the landing conditions indicated in the landing condition information, the specifications of camera 1, and the mode determination rule to determine a mode in which camera 1 can monitor the entire monitoring area without omission. The specifications of camera 1 can be entered in advance by the elevator installation company, for example, by operating an operation unit (not shown) provided on terminal 4. The elevator installation company is aware of the specifications of the camera 1 that has been delivered. For example, the initial setup information generation unit 41 determines the number of cameras 1 to be installed and their locations at the boarding area, in the above configuration.

[0067] The initial setup information generation unit 41 generates information (hereinafter referred to as "initial setup information") to instruct the determined mode in which camera 1 can monitor the monitoring area without missing any areas. The initial setup information may be, for example, information that lists and displays the determined modes, or it may be an image in which information indicating the determined mode is superimposed on an image captured by the inspection camera 3 (for example, an image in which an icon indicating camera 1 is superimposed on the image on the image captured at the determined installation location). If the initial setup information is an image in which information indicating the determined mode is superimposed on an image captured by the inspection camera 3, the initial setup information generation unit 41 will acquire the image from the inspection camera 3 along with the landing status information.

[0068] Furthermore, for example, an elevator development company may have previously generated a model that is trained to take landing status information as input and output information regarding the configuration of camera 1 (for example, information that displays a floor plan reflecting the configuration of camera 1), and this model may be stored in a storage device or the like (not shown). The initial setup information generation unit 41 inputs landing status information into the model, obtains the information regarding the configuration of camera 1, and uses this as initial setup information. The initial setup information generation unit 41 causes, for example, a display unit (not shown) provided by the terminal 4 to display information based on the initial setup. As a result, the initial setup information generation unit 41 instructs the elevator installation company on what initial settings should be performed to adjust the orientation of camera 1.

[0069] The elevator installation company performs the initial setup as instructed. Afterwards, the elevator installation company installs camera 1, which has been initially set up, at the actual landing. In this case as well, for example, when the elevator installation company installs camera 1 at the actual landing, they perform a final fine-tuning, or calibration, to match the actual landing.

[0070] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the inspection system 5 used by an elevator installation company to perform the initial setup of the camera 1 when installing the elevator 10 at the actual landing in Embodiment 1. For example, when installing the elevator 10, the elevator installer operates an operation unit (not shown) on the inspection camera 3 to start the inspection system 5. The elevator installer may, for example, input the specifications of camera 1 by operating an operation unit (not shown) on terminal 4 before starting the inspection system 5.

[0071] The landing image acquisition unit 31 captures an image of the landing of the elevator 10 where camera 1 will be installed (step ST1). The boarding area image acquisition unit 31 outputs the captured image to the boarding area status detection unit 32.

[0072] The boarding area status detection unit 32 detects the boarding area status (step ST2) based on the image captured by the boarding area image acquisition unit 31 in step ST31. The boarding area detection unit 32 outputs boarding area information to the terminal 4.

[0073] In terminal 4, the initial setup information generation unit 41 acquires landing status information output from the inspection camera 3 and generates initial setup information based on the acquired landing status information (step ST3). The initial setup information generation unit 41 causes, for example, a display unit (not shown) provided by the terminal 4 to display information based on the initial setup.

[0074] Thus, the inspection system 5 may detect the condition of the elevator landing based on the captured image of the elevator landing, and generate initial setup information for performing the initial setup based on the detected condition of the elevator landing and the specifications of camera 1. The inspection system 5 may then present the generated initial setup information to the elevator installation company. When installing elevator 10, the elevator installer performs the initial setup of camera 1 according to the provided initial setup information. As a result, camera 1 is in a state where it has been initially configured before it is installed at the elevator landing to monitor the area being monitored at the elevator landing 10. The elevator installer, who is responsible for installing the camera, can save time and effort on the initial setup of camera 1.

[0075] Furthermore, the functions of the landing image acquisition unit 31, the landing condition detection unit 32, and the initial setting information generation unit 41 in the inspection system 5 described above may be mounted on the camera 1. In other words, camera 1 may be equipped with a landing image acquisition unit 31, a landing condition detection unit 32, and an initial setting information generation unit 41. In this case, for example, the elevator installer, when installing the elevator 10, can place the camera 1, which was brought in along with the elevator 10, in a suitable location on the landing and execute the functions of the inspection system 5 as explained in the flowchart of Figure 7.

[0076] Figures 8A and 8B show an example of the hardware configuration of the inspection system 5 according to Embodiment 1. In Embodiment 1, the functions of the landing image acquisition unit 31, the landing status detection unit 32, and the initial setting information generation unit 41 are realized by the processing circuit 1001. That is, the inspection system 5 includes a processing circuit 1001 for performing control to obtain initial setting information for performing the initial setup of the camera 1 based on the captured image of the elevator landing 10. The processing circuit 1001 may be dedicated hardware as shown in Figure 8A, or it may be a processor 1004 that executes a program stored in memory as shown in Figure 8B.

[0077] If the processing circuit 1001 is dedicated hardware, it may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0078] When the processing circuit is a processor 1004, the functions of the landing image acquisition unit 31, the landing condition detection unit 32, and the initial setting information generation unit 41 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is written as a program and stored in memory 1005. The processor 1004 executes the functions of the landing image acquisition unit 31, the landing condition detection unit 32, and the initial setting information generation unit 41 by reading and executing the program stored in memory 1005. In other words, the inspection system 5 is equipped with memory 1005 for storing a program that, when executed by the processor 1004, will result in the execution of steps ST1 to ST3 in Figure 7 described above. It can also be said that the program stored in memory 1005 causes the computer to execute the processing procedures or methods of the landing image acquisition unit 31, the landing condition detection unit 32, and the initial setting information generation unit 41. Here, memory 1005 refers to non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidiscs, DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), etc.

[0079] Furthermore, the functions of the boarding area image acquisition unit 31, the boarding area status detection unit 32, and the initial setup information generation unit 41 may be partially implemented by dedicated hardware and partially by software or firmware. For example, the boarding area image acquisition unit 31 can be implemented by a processing circuit 1001 as dedicated hardware, while the boarding area status detection unit 32 and the initial setup information generation unit 41 can be implemented by the processor 1004 reading and executing a program stored in memory 1005. The operating unit, which is not shown in the diagram, is composed of a display device such as a touch panel display. Furthermore, the inspection system 5 includes devices such as a storage device (not shown), and an input interface device 1002 and an output interface device 1003 for wired or wireless communication.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, it was assumed that the camera installer would manually perform final fine-tuning, or so-called calibration, when installing camera 1 at the actual landing. However, this is merely one example, and for example, camera 1 may have a function to perform calibration when it is installed at the actual landing. In this case as well, camera 1 is initially configured before it is installed at the elevator landing to monitor the area being monitored at the elevator landing. In this case, when the initial setup is performed, information for calibration (hereinafter referred to as "calibration information") is also set in camera 1. The elevator development company sets the calibration information at the same time as performing the initial setup. Calibration information includes, for example, information about the landing size, such as the planar dimensions, the door width of elevator 10, the depth of the landing as seen from elevator 10, or the model of elevator 10.

[0081] Figure 9 shows an example configuration of camera 1 in Embodiment 1, which has a function to perform calibration. Camera 1 includes a reception unit 101 and a calibration execution unit 102. The reception unit 101 receives instruction information that instructs the execution of calibration. For example, when a camera installer (e.g., an elevator installer) installs camera 1 at the initially configured installation location, they input instruction information from an operating unit (not shown) provided on camera 1. The reception unit 101 outputs the received instruction information to the calibration execution unit 102.

[0082] When the reception unit 101 receives instruction information, the calibration execution unit 102 performs calibration based on the calibration information set in the camera 1. For example, the calibration execution unit 102 adjusts the range of the detectable area of ​​camera 1, sets the elevator 10 unit corresponding to camera 1, sets the depth of the landing as seen from elevator 10, and sets the range to be trimmed within the detectable area of ​​camera 1. For example, rules (hereinafter referred to as "calibration rules") are set in advance to determine what kind of calibration should be performed according to the size of the landing, and information indicating the calibration rules (hereinafter referred to as "calibration rule information") is stored in a location accessible to camera 1, such as a storage device not shown in the diagram. The calibration execution unit 102 calculates the landing size from the calibration information and determines what kind of calibration should be performed by comparing the calculated landing size with the calibration rule information. For example, a rule (hereinafter referred to as "elevator model-to-landing correspondence rule") is set in advance, associating elevator models with landing sizes, and information indicating the elevator model-to-landing correspondence rule (hereinafter referred to as "elevator model-to-landing correspondence rule information") is stored in a storage device (not shown). If information indicating the elevator model is set as calibration information, the calibration execution unit 102 can calculate the landing size by referring to the elevator model-to-landing correspondence rule information. If information indicating the landing size is set as calibration information, the calibration execution unit 102 can, for example, identify the landing size from the calibration information.

[0083] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of Camera 1 in Embodiment 1, which has a function to perform calibration when installed at an actual landing. For example, when an elevator installer, who is the camera installer, installs the elevator 10, they install camera 1 in the initially configured installation location and turn on the power to camera 1. Then camera 1 starts operating as shown in the flowchart in Figure 10.

[0084] The reception unit 101 receives instruction information (step ST10). The reception unit 101 outputs the received instruction information to the calibration execution unit 102.

[0085] When the reception unit 101 receives instruction information in step ST10, the calibration execution unit 102 performs calibration based on the calibration information set in camera 1 (step ST11).

[0086] Thus, camera 1 is a camera that, even before being installed at the elevator landing to monitor the area to be monitored at the elevator landing, has undergone initial setup for monitoring the area to be monitored according to the conditions of the landing and the specifications of camera 1, as well as calibration information setting. When it is actually installed at the landing, camera 1 can receive instruction information and perform calibration based on the set calibration information. By having these functions, camera 1 can be calibrated even if the camera installer does not have any knowledge of camera 1 when it is installed at an actual landing. In addition, camera 1 can reduce the amount of time required for camera installers to calibrate camera 1.

[0087] The hardware configuration of camera 1, as shown in Figure 9, is the same as the hardware configuration shown in Figures 8A and 8B. The functions of the reception unit 101 and the calibration execution unit 102 are realized by the processing circuit 1001. In other words, the camera 1 receives instruction information, and upon receiving the instruction information, the camera 1 is equipped with a processing circuit 1001 for performing calibration based on the calibration information set in the camera 1. The processing circuit 1001 may be dedicated hardware as shown in Figure 8A, or it may be a processor 1004 that executes a program stored in memory as shown in Figure 8B.

[0088] The processing circuit 1001 executes the functions of the reception unit 101 and the calibration execution unit 102 by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 1005. In other words, the camera 1 is equipped with a memory 1005 for storing a program that, when executed by the processing circuit 1001, will result in the execution of steps ST10 to ST11 in Figure 10 described above. It can also be said that the program stored in the memory 1005 causes the computer to execute the processing procedures or methods of the reception unit 101 and the calibration execution unit 102. Camera 1 includes a device such as a storage device, and an input interface device 1002 and an output interface device 1003 for wired or wireless communication.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, for example, when camera 1 is mounted on signage 2, it was assumed that it would be provided to the landing when elevator 10 is installed, before the building is completed, and then mounted on signage 2. However, there is also a need to add signage 2 after the building has been completed, for example. Therefore, if signage 2 is installed in the elevator landing 10 after the building has been completed, camera 1 may be mounted on signage 2 installed in that landing. In this case as well, camera 1 should be configured to monitor the area in accordance with the conditions of the landing and the specifications of camera 1, before it is mounted on signage 2, that is, before it is installed in the landing to monitor the area in the elevator landing 10. In this case, for example, at the time of elevator maintenance and inspection, an elevator technician would perform the initial setup of camera 1 at the actual landing, and then install the camera 1, after the initial setup has been completed, onto the signage 2. For example, the elevator technician could perform the initial setup using the inspection system 5 described above. Alternatively, for example, the elevator development company could perform the initial setup of camera 1 and then ship the camera 1, with the initial setup completed, to the elevator management company to which the elevator technician belongs. Camera 1 may also be installed around the signage 2.

[0090] In this case as well, for example, when the elevator installation company installs camera 1 at the actual landing, they perform a final fine-tuning, or so-called calibration, to match the actual landing.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, as an example, it was assumed that the elevator 10 is to be installed at the landing, and that when the elevator 10 is actually installed at the landing, the camera 1 is provided with the elevator 10 in an initial setup state. However, this is merely an example. For example, the elevator 10 may be an elevator 10 that is already installed in the building. The initial setup of the camera 1 as described in the above embodiment 1 can also be applied to the initial setup of a camera 1 to be newly added to an existing elevator 10 for monitoring the elevator landing. Once the building is completed and the elevator 10 is installed, the specifications of the elevator 10 are finalized. The elevator development company performs the initial setup of camera 1 in accordance with the conditions of the existing elevator landing and the specifications of camera 1, before camera 1 is actually installed in the landing.

[0092] Even in this way, camera 1 is pre-configured by the elevator development company to be installed in a manner suitable for the actual landing conditions, thus saving the camera installer the trouble of initial setup. In other words, even when camera 1 is newly added to an existing elevator 10, the trouble of initial setup is reduced, making it an easy-to-install camera 1.

[0093] Furthermore, as mentioned above, after the building is completed, engineers with knowledge of elevator 10 will not be involved in the management and operation of the building except for visits for elevator maintenance, etc. In contrast, since the initial setup of camera 1 has already been carried out according to the conditions of the existing elevator 10 landing and the specifications of camera 1, even if camera 1 is newly added to the existing elevator 10 after the building is completed, and the camera installer does not have knowledge of elevator 10, it is possible to prevent the camera installer from having to go through the trouble of installing camera 1.

[0094] In this case as well, the camera installer will perform final fine-tuning, or calibration, to match the actual boarding area when installing camera 1 at the actual boarding area.

[0095] In this case, for example, the camera installer may use the inspection system described above to obtain initial setup information for performing the initial setup of camera 1 at the actual landing where elevator 10 is already installed, and then perform the initial setup of camera 1 based on the obtained initial setup information. After performing the initial setup of camera 1, the camera installer installs camera 1, which has been set up, at the actual landing where elevator 10 is already installed. By using the inspection system described above, the camera installer can prevent the situation where it is time-consuming to install camera 1 when installing a new camera 1 at the landing of an elevator 10 that is already installed.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, as an example, camera 1 is a camera that monitors the landing area of ​​elevator 10, and the initial setup of camera 1 was described. However, as mentioned above, camera 1 may also be a camera that monitors the area inside the elevator car. The elevator development company can perform the initial setup of the camera 1 installed inside the elevator car in the same manner as the initial setup method for the camera 1 installed at the landing, as described in Embodiment 1 above. In other words, the elevator development company performs the initial setup before the camera 1 is installed inside the elevator car to monitor the monitoring area inside the elevator car. The camera 1 installed inside the car becomes a camera 1 that has been initially set up before being installed inside the car, and becomes a camera 1 that can reduce the time required for the camera installer to perform the initial setup.

[0097] Here, Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the situation inside a cage, assuming that the cage to be installed in Embodiment 1 is installed inside a building. Figure 11A is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a cage installed inside a building, and Figure 11B is a schematic top view showing an example of the inside of the cage shown in Figure 11A viewed from above. Figures 11A and 11B show only the essential parts. Figure 11 also shows an image of what would happen if camera 1 were installed inside the elevator car after initial setup by the elevator development company. In Figure 11, the basket is indicated by the number "60".

[0098] For example, assuming that an elevator car like the one shown in Figure 11 is installed, we will explain an example of the initial setup performed by the elevator development company to monitor the conditions inside the car and the monitoring area according to the specifications of camera 1. For example, an elevator development company performs the initial setup of camera 1 according to the specifications of the elevator car to be installed in the building and the specifications of camera 1.

[0099] For example, the control panel is located to the right of the door, as viewed from a person who may be inside the elevator car. The height inside the elevator car is assumed to be 2.3 meters, which is the average height of elevator cars installed in commercial facilities. In this case, the elevator development company estimates, based on the specifications of the elevator car, that if camera 1 is installed slightly downwards at a height equivalent to the head of a typical user on the surface opposite the control panel inside the car, camera 1 will be able to monitor the entire monitoring area without any omissions. The elevator development company then decides to initially install one camera 1 inside the elevator car, on the surface opposite the control panel, at a height equivalent to the head of a typical user, and facing slightly downwards. The elevator development company then performs the initial setup of the cameras 1 so that the decided number of cameras 1 are installed in the decided locations and in the decided orientations. In Embodiment 1, components of the cage, such as the walls or control panel inside the cage, or those provided as accessories to the cage, are included in the components of the cage.

[0100] For example, based on the specifications of camera 1, the elevator development company may pre-generate rules determining how much adjustment should be made to the camera 1 to ensure that it can monitor the entire monitoring area (in this case, the area inside the elevator car) under different conditions.

[0101] Camera 1, which has already been pre-configured by the elevator development company, is provided (delivered) to the actual building by, for example, the elevator installation company when the elevator car is installed in the building, and is installed inside the elevator car in the actual building. In other words, the elevator installation company becomes the camera installer. As shown in Figures 11A and 11B, the camera 1 provided to the actual building will be installed inside the elevator car, on the surface opposite the surface where the control panel is installed, at a height equivalent to the head of a typical user, and facing slightly downwards.

[0102] Camera 1 may be shipped installed inside the elevator car by the elevator development company and provided to the actual landing by the camera installer while installed inside the car, or it may be installed inside the car by the camera installer when the camera installer installs the car in the actual building. In any case, since the elevator development company has performed the initial setup to ensure that the camera is installed in a manner suitable for the actual conditions inside the elevator car, camera 1 is designed to save the camera installer the trouble of initial setup.

[0103] In this case as well, the camera installer will perform final fine-tuning, or calibration, to match the actual interior of the elevator car when installing camera 1 inside the car. For example, when the camera installer makes final adjustments to camera 1, they may make fine adjustments by dividing the detection area within the detection range that camera 1 can detect into smaller sections. For example, the camera installer may divide the detection area into sections such as the handrail area inside the elevator car.

[0104] In this case as well, for example, the camera installer may use the inspection system described above inside the actual building to obtain initial setup information for camera 1, and then perform the initial setup of camera 1 based on the obtained initial setup information. After performing the initial setup of camera 1, the camera installer installs camera 1, which has been set up, inside the cage in the actual building.

[0105] In this case, in the inspection system 5 shown as an example in Figure 6, the inspection camera 3 is equipped with an in-car image acquisition unit (not shown) in place of or in addition to the landing image acquisition unit 31. Furthermore, the inspection camera 3 is equipped with an in-car condition detection unit (not shown) in place of or in addition to the landing condition detection unit 32. The elevator car image acquisition unit captures images of the inside of the elevator car where camera 1 will be installed. The elevator car image acquisition unit outputs the captured image to the elevator car status detection unit. The elevator car status detection unit detects the conditions inside the elevator car based on the images captured by the elevator car image acquisition unit. The elevator car status detection unit outputs information regarding the detected elevator car status (hereinafter referred to as "elevator car status information") to terminal 4. In Embodiment 1, the landing image acquisition unit 31 or the car interior image acquisition unit is also simply referred to as the image acquisition unit. Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the landing situation detection unit 32 or the car interior situation detection unit is also simply referred to as the situation detection unit. Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the landing situation information or car interior situation information is also simply referred to as the situation information.

[0106] As described in Embodiment 1 above, the camera 1, which has been initially configured before being installed inside the elevator landing or car in order to monitor the monitoring area inside the elevator landing or car, is installed inside the actual landing or car. The following describes an example of a system using camera 1 after it has been installed in an actual boarding area or inside the elevator car. Camera 1, which has been initially configured before being installed inside the elevator car or landing to monitor the monitoring area inside the elevator car 10, is installed inside the elevator car or landing. For example, when the building is put into operation, Camera 1 installed inside the elevator car or landing begins monitoring the monitoring area. The results of camera 1 monitoring the monitoring area (more specifically, the captured images of the monitoring area taken by camera 1) are collected as information indicating the results of monitoring the landing or the inside of the elevator car in an elevator system, for example (hereinafter referred to as "monitoring information"), and a display is made based on this monitoring information.

[0107] Furthermore, during operation or use of the system, malfunctions may occur, such as changes in the angle of camera 1, due to unforeseen circumstances such as an earthquake or human contact. If such a malfunction occurs, for example, if the change in angle is minor, the camera installer may use the inspection system described above to obtain initial setup information for camera 1, perform the initial setup of camera 1 based on the obtained initial setup information, and resume operation of the system. Alternatively, if such a malfunction occurs and, for example, the angle changes significantly, requiring recalibration after returning camera 1 to its original state, the camera installer may use the inspection system described above to obtain initial setup information for camera 1, perform the initial setup of camera 1 based on the obtained initial setup information, and then, after installing camera 1 in the initially set location, input instruction information from camera 1 to cause camera 1 to perform recalibration. In this case, camera 1 is assumed to have a function to perform calibration. Upon receiving instruction information, camera 1 performs recalibration based on the calibration information set during the initial setup of camera 1. When the aforementioned malfunction occurs, the camera installer can use the inspection system to prevent the troublesome process of reinstalling Camera 1, or more specifically, reinstalling Camera 1 after performing the initial setup again.

[0108] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the process leading up to the display of monitoring information in the elevator system 1000. For example, the elevator system 1000 detects the number of people waiting for the elevator 10 in the area in front of the car on each floor based on monitoring information, and displays the detected number of people waiting on a display device. For example, the elevator system 1000 may be configured to display the number of people waiting at a landing on a display device when it detects that a person has become available to wait at the landing, or when it detects that the number of people waiting at the landing has increased. Furthermore, for example, the elevator system 1000 may, based on monitoring information, display a message on its display device when it detects that a user of the elevator 10 has pressed an up or down button on the control panel (not shown) located at the landing of the elevator 10, or has registered a destination.

[0109] The display device may be, for example, a signage 2 installed at a landing, a signage 2 installed in a corridor, living room, or conference room within a building, a display unit on a PC used by a building user, or a display unit on a mobile device such as a smartphone carried by a building user.

[0110] The elevator system 1000 can, for example, display captured images as surveillance information collected from camera 1 on a display device. For example, if camera 1 is an AI camera or other camera capable of acquiring only person attribute information or number of people information, camera 1 will not record images containing personal information, but will only record attribute information and number of people information. In this case, the elevator system 1000 can display the captured images as surveillance information on a display device as images converted into information that does not identify individuals. Since AI cameras are well-known cameras, a detailed explanation will be omitted. Here, the sensor is referred to as camera 1, but if the sensor is, for example, a lidar or radar, or any other sensor capable of acquiring the location or number of people by means that do not identify individuals, then even if the elevator system 1000 displays the monitoring information collected from the sensor directly on the display device, it can be displayed as information that does not identify individuals.

[0111] Furthermore, the elevator system 1000 may, for example, display the number of people waiting for the elevator 10 in the area in front of the car on each floor on a display device based on monitoring information, convert the number of people into information about the waiting people according to a pre-set rule (hereinafter referred to as the "waiting person conversion rule") and display it. The waiting person conversion rule is generated in advance by, for example, the building manager. For example, the elevator system 1000 may display the following text on its display device: "0 people" or "none" if the number of people waiting for the elevator 10 in the area in front of the car on each floor, based on monitoring information; "1 person" if the number is 2 to 3 people; "3 to 5 people" or "somewhat crowded" if the number is 3 to 5 people; and "many people" or "crowded" if the number is 6 or more people.

[0112] Furthermore, if camera 1 is capable of pre-setting a detection area or boundary line and has the function of detecting the movement of people or objects inside or outside the set detection area or boundary line, the elevator system 1000 can, for example, detect the movement of people at the boundary of the elevator door or the area in front of the car based on monitoring information collected from camera 1, thereby improving the accuracy of determining the number of people waiting in the area in front of the car. Since camera 1, which has the functions described above, is a well-known model, a detailed explanation of these functions will be omitted.

[0113] Furthermore, for example, if multiple cameras 1 are installed at the landing, the elevator system 1000 may, based on the monitoring information collected from each camera 1, sum up the people captured by the multiple cameras 1 and display the total number of people waiting in each area in front of the elevator car at the landing on a display device. In this case, the elevator system 1000 may, for example, sum up the people captured by the multiple cameras 1 according to their attributes. Also, depending on the attribute, the elevator system 1000 may display a display that highlights the presence of people with that attribute.

[0114] To give a concrete example, suppose camera 1 is installed at an actual boarding area in the position shown in Figure 3. For example, suppose that the image captured by camera 1d in the area in front of the elevator car indicated by "Bd" shows four men and one woman, and the image captured by camera 1e in the area in front of the elevator car indicated by "Be" shows two men. In this case, the elevator system 1000 may, for example, display information on its display device indicating that there are "7 people" waiting or that it is "crowded". Furthermore, the elevator system 1000 may, for example, display information on its display device indicating that the number of people waiting is "4 men" and "1 woman," or it may display "4 men" along with an indication that it is "somewhat crowded."

[0115] For example, suppose that the image captured by camera 1d in the area in front of the elevator car indicated by "Bd" shows one wheelchair user and five able-bodied individuals, and the image captured by camera 1e in the area in front of the elevator car indicated by "Be" shows five able-bodied individuals. In this case, the elevator system 1000 may, for example, display information on its display device indicating "10 people" or "crowded," and may also highlight information indicating the presence of wheelchair users.

[0116] To give another specific example, suppose camera 1 is installed at an actual boarding area in the position shown in Figure 4. For example, suppose that the image captured by camera 1g of the area in front of the elevator car indicated by "Bg" shows two men and two women in the area in front of elevator car 10d, and four men and four women in the areas in front of elevator car 10b and elevator car 10c, and the image captured by camera 1f of the area in front of the elevator car indicated by "Bf" shows no one in the areas in front of elevator car 10e and elevator car 10f, and one man and one woman in the area in front of elevator car 10a. In this case, the elevator system 1000 may, for example, display information on its display device indicating that there are "4 people" waiting on the elevator 10d-10f side and "10 people" waiting on the elevator 10d-10c side, or it may display information indicating that the elevator 10d-10f side is "somewhat crowded" and the elevator 10d-10c side is "crowded".

[0117] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, in addition to displaying information based on monitoring data from camera 1 installed at the landing, the elevator system 1000 may also display the operating status of the elevator car (indicated as "60" in Figure 12) or the conditions inside the car (hereinafter referred to as "car conditions") based on monitoring data from camera 1 installed inside the elevator car 10. The elevator system 1000 can collect operational status information indicating the operation status of the elevator cars from, for example, a car control device (not shown) that controls the operation of each car. The elevator system 1000 can also collect in-car status information indicating the conditions inside the car from a camera 1 installed inside the car, or from a camera 1 installed inside the car via the car control device. The status information displayed in the elevator car operation information indicates, for example, that the elevator car is moving toward the destination floor. The status information displayed in the elevator car status information indicates, for example, that people are getting on or off inside the elevator car.

[0118] Furthermore, although not shown in Figure 12, the elevator system 1000 may also display information based on monitoring data, for example, the building status (hereinafter referred to as "building status") on the display unit. The elevator system 1000 can collect building status information, which indicates the building's condition, from, for example, a building management system (not shown) that manages the building. The information provided in the building status report may include, for example, whether the building's security gates are operational or whether the access control system is operational. It may also include information such as the operation status of escalators or the presence or absence of people near stairs, or the operational status of the building's air conditioning or lighting systems.

[0119] As described above, according to Embodiment 1, the sensor is a sensor for monitoring the landing of the elevator 10, and before it is installed at the landing to monitor the monitoring area at the elevator 10, initial settings for monitoring the monitoring area are performed according to the conditions of the landing and the specifications of the sensor. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sensor that can save the effort required for initial setup.

[0120] Furthermore, any component of the embodiment can be modified, or any component of the embodiment can be omitted. [Industrial applicability]

[0121] The sensor described herein can eliminate the effort required for initial setup. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1,1a,1b,1c,1a',1b',1c',1d,1e,1f,1g,1h Camera, 10,10a,10b,10c,10d,10e,10f Elevator, 11,11a,11b,11c Three-sided frame, 12,12a,12b,12c Top frame, 13,13a,13b,13c Vertical frame, 5 Inspection system, 3 Inspection camera, 31 Landing image acquisition unit, 32 Landing status detection unit, 4 Terminal, 41 Initial setting information generation unit, 101 Reception unit, 102 Calibration execution unit, 1001 Processing circuit, 1002 Input interface device, 1003 Output interface device, 1004 Processor, 1005 Memory.

Claims

1. A sensor for monitoring elevator landings or inside the elevator car, Prior to being installed in the elevator car or landing to monitor the monitoring area within the elevator car, an initial setup for monitoring the monitoring area is performed according to the conditions of the elevator car or landing and the specifications of the sensor. The aforementioned initial settings include adjusting the range or field of view of the sensor for masking, The aforementioned sensor is a camera, An image acquisition unit that acquires captured images of the elevator landing or the inside of the elevator car, A situation detection unit detects the conditions of the landing or the inside of the elevator car based on the captured image acquired by the image acquisition unit, The system includes an initial setting information generation unit that generates initial setting information for performing the initial setting based on the conditions of the landing or inside the car detected by the condition detection unit and the specifications of the sensor, Prior to being installed in the landing or car of the elevator to monitor the monitoring area in the landing or car, the initial setup is performed based on the initial setup information generated by the initial setup information generation unit. A sensor characterized by the following features.

2. Attached to the landing or components inside the elevator car The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a sensor.

3. The aforementioned component is the three-sided frame of the elevator. The sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that it is as described above.

4. The aforementioned components include structures on the side of the elevator door surface at the elevator landing, or structures on the opposite side of the door surface. The sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that it is as described above.

5. The aforementioned components include signage installed at the landing. The sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that it is as described above.

6. The conditions of the landing include the specifications of the elevator installed at the landing. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a sensor.

7. Multiple elevators are installed at the aforementioned landing. The conditions of the landing include the specifications of the elevators installed at the landing, and the total number of elevators installed at the landing. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a sensor.

8. Multiple elevators are installed at the aforementioned landing. The conditions of the landing include the specifications of the elevators installed at the landing, the total number of elevators installed at the landing, and the relative positions of each elevator at the landing. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a sensor.

9. The conditions of the landing include the specifications of the elevator installed at the landing, whether or not the signage is installed at the landing, and, if the signage is installed at the landing, the location of the signage. The sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that it is a sensor.

10. The specifications of the elevator include the capacity of the elevator. The sensor according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by the features described above.

11. The conditions inside the aforementioned cage include the size of the cage, the presence or absence of ancillary equipment, and its arrangement. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a sensor.

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