JP-7855671-B1 - Escalator pedestrian stop point system

JP7855671B1JP 7855671 B1JP7855671 B1JP 7855671B1JP-7855671-B1

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an escalator walking stop point awarding system that eliminates the need for a complex device configuration for awarding points and can reduce costs. [Solution] A radio transmitter is installed near the center of the escalator's overall length, which transports a user from one entrance/exit to the other, such that the radio signal strength is strong near the center and weakens as the user approaches the entrance/exit. The user's steps are counted using a mobile device they possess, and walking information is generated from the step count during escalator use and the radio signal strength data received by the radio transmitter during escalator use. Based on the walking information, the user's stopping status on the escalator is determined, and stopping points are assigned according to the stopping status. [Selection Diagram] Figure 4

Inventors

吉澤寿朗

Assignees

東芝エレベータ株式会社

Dates

Publication Date: 20260508
Application Date: 20241218

Claims (2)

A radio transmitter is installed near the center of the escalator's overall length, which transports users from one entrance/exit to the other. The transmitter is configured to have a strong signal strength near the center, and to decrease as the user approaches the entrance/exit. A portable terminal that is carried by the user and comprises at least a step counter for counting the user's steps, a radio wave receiving unit for receiving radio waves from the radio wave transmitter, and a walking information generation unit. The mobile terminal is connected to a data management server, When the mobile terminal's walking information generation unit receives specific ID information from the radio wave transmitter, it generates walking information indicating whether or not the user is walking on the escalator based on the radio wave strength and the step count value from the step counter . The data management server, based on the walking information transmitted from the mobile terminal, calculates the escalator ride time from the escalator distance and speed information obtained from the ID information, using the location where the signal strength becomes strong as the central axis when the user is riding the escalator and the signal strength changes from weak → medium → strong → medium → weak, and from the escalator distance and speed information obtained from the ID information, and from the information obtained so far, it grasps the stopping state while riding the escalator and assigns stopping points according to the stopping state , An escalator walking stop point system that analyzes the posture and state of users on an escalator based on image information obtained by capturing the entire escalator, including the users, with a camera, and if it is determined that the posture and state are correct, adds points to the stop point that is assigned according to the stopping state, and if it is determined that the posture and state are not correct, subtracts points from the stop point .
A radio transmitter is installed near the center of the escalator's overall length, which transports users from one entrance/exit to the other. The transmitter is configured to have a strong signal strength near the center, and to decrease as the user approaches the entrance/exit. A portable terminal that is carried by the user and comprises at least a step counter for counting the user's steps, a radio wave receiving unit for receiving radio waves from the radio wave transmitter, and a walking information generation unit. The mobile terminal is connected to a data management server, When the mobile terminal's walking information generation unit receives specific ID information from the radio wave transmitter, it generates walking information indicating whether or not the user is walking on the escalator based on the radio wave strength and the step count value from the step counter . The data management server, based on the walking information transmitted from the mobile terminal, calculates the escalator ride time from the escalator distance and speed information obtained from the ID information, using the location where the signal strength becomes strong as the central axis when the user is riding the escalator and the signal strength changes from weak → medium → strong → medium → weak, and from the escalator distance and speed information obtained from the ID information, and from the information obtained so far, it grasps the stopping state while riding the escalator and assigns stopping points according to the stopping state , If escalators and stairs are located side by side, the stair information is added to the ID information transmitted from the radio transmitter. An escalator walking stop point system that determines whether a user is walking on an escalator or on stairs based on the step count value and the gradient of the signal strength from a radio transmitter, and enables point awarding even when going up or down stairs.

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an escalator pedestrian stopping point system and a pedestrian stopping point system. Walking on escalators is generally prohibited, but during rush hour and other peak times, users continue to walk on them. While the national and prefectural governments, as well as the Elevator Association, have issued warnings to prevent walking on escalators, effective preventative measures have yet to be implemented. Conventionally, there are systems that use sensors and image processing technology to detect pedestrians and warn escalator users to stop walking. Furthermore, systems that award points for stopping walking have also been proposed to encourage users to stop. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-203496Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-165194 An explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an escalator to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.An explanatory diagram showing an example of a smartphone screen configuration to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.A block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of an escalator system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.A flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of an escalator system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.A waveform diagram showing the time course of radio wave intensity when a user is stopped on the steps.A waveform diagram showing the time course of radio wave intensity when a user moves along the steps.A diagram illustrating the placement of the radio transmitter when there is only one escalator.An explanatory diagram showing the placement of radio transmitters when two escalators are running in parallel.An explanatory diagram showing the placement of radio transmitters when three escalators are running in parallel.An explanatory diagram showing the placement of radio transmitters when two escalators intersect.An explanatory diagram showing the installation location of radio transmitters when escalators are located alongside stairs.An explanatory diagram showing the installation locations of radio transmitters in the case of moving walkways.An explanatory diagram showing the radio transmitter and signal strength when a user uses the stairs.A waveform diagram showing the time course of radio wave intensity when a user uses the stairs. <Configuration of the Embodiment> Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the escalator system in the embodiment. In the following embodiment, the escalator also includes a "moving walkway". Escalator 1 has steps 4 that move endlessly between the lower floor entrance/exit 2 and the upper floor entrance/exit 3, and moves users 5 who are riding on the steps 4 up and down. A radio transmitter 6 is installed in the center of the escalator 1 in the direction of movement. User 5, carrying a smartphone 10, can acquire a predetermined walking stop point, as shown in Figure 2, by moving between the lower floor entrance/exit 2 and the upper floor entrance/exit 3 while stationary, without walking on the steps 4 of the escalator 1. The acquired points can be used, for example, at shops or restaurants within the building where the escalator 1 is installed. The radio transmitter 6 transmits radio waves (beacon waves) containing ID information that identifies the escalator 1, and is composed of, for example, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) beacon. As shown in Figure 1, when the radio transmitter 6 is installed in the center of the escalator 1 in the direction of movement, a region of high radio wave intensity AR1, a region of medium radio wave intensity AR2, and a region of low radio wave intensity AR3 are formed. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of an escalator system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The smartphone 10 comprises a radio wave receiving unit 11, a step counter 12, a walking information generation unit 13, a walking information transmission unit 14, a point receiving unit 15, and a point accumulation unit 16. The radio wave receiving unit 11 receives radio waves (beacon waves) specific to the escalator 1 transmitted from the radio wave transmitter 6. The step counter 12 constitutes the step counting system and, in conjunction with the beacon waves from the radio transmitter 6, counts the number of steps taken by the user 5 while they are walking. The walking information generation unit 13 generates walking information indicating whether or not user 5 is walking on the escalator 1, based on the radio waves received from the radio transmitter 6 and the number of steps taken by user 5 counted by the step counter 12. The walking information transmission unit 14 transmits the walking information generated by the walking information generation unit 13 to the data management server 20. The point receiving unit 15 receives the awarded points from the data management server 20. The point accumulation