JP2005267010A - Monitoring terminal and monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring terminal and a monitoring system, accurately grasping a state of a queue by finding a waiting time of a user, and allowing both queue dissolution and fuel and light expense reduction by performing operation/suspension control for an ATM according to the waiting time. <P>SOLUTION: Video data of a camera device 3 imaging the order queue are received via a network 4, and the waiting time of the user of the order queue is found on the basis of the video data. An operating number of the ATMs 2 is determined on the basis of the found waiting time and an operation table 54b configured such that the operating number of the ATMs 2 is reduced as the waiting time are shorter and that the operating number of the ATMs 2 is increase as the waiting time is longer, and an operation instruction or a suspension instruction is transmitted to the corresponding ATMs 2 such that the ATMs 2 of the operating number each come into an operation state inside a business store. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a monitoring terminal and a monitoring system for controlling the operation of automated equipment such as an automatic transaction apparatus (ATM).

Conventionally, an automatic device such as an ATM installed in a bank or a ticket machine at a station is connected to a camera that captures an order queue using the automatic device, and a user is obtained from video data captured by the camera. In some cases, the operation of an automated device is changed according to the degree of the matrix. For example, it is possible to grasp the state of the user's queue by counting the number of people in the queue, and if the number of people is less than the predetermined number, all services provided by automated equipment can be used, and if there are many, the contents of the service In some cases, the use efficiency of ATM is improved by controlling so as to limit.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-312267

  In the above prior art, the queue state is grasped by the number of people, but when the number of people is the same, the waiting time is not always the same, and accuracy is insufficient to grasp the queue state. Met. For this reason, even if the operation of the automated device is changed based on the grasping result with insufficient accuracy, it seems that the effect of the change is not sufficiently exhibited.

  By the way, this type of automated equipment is always in a state where a service can be provided regardless of the presence or absence of a user, and even when there are no users, power is turned on and electricity is wasted. In addition, companies that install automation equipment have the advantage that transactions can be increased by increasing the number of automation equipment, but there is a problem that utility costs increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and by accurately determining the queue state by obtaining the waiting time of the user and performing the operation / pause control of the automation device according to the waiting time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a monitoring terminal and a monitoring system that enable both queuing and reduction of utility costs.

  A monitoring terminal according to the present invention is a monitoring terminal connected via a network to a plurality of automated devices arranged in a sales office and a photographing means for photographing an order queue that uses these automated devices. Stores the waiting time until the start of use of an automation device and the number of automation devices to be operated at that waiting time. The shorter the waiting time, the fewer the number of automation devices that can be operated. The longer the operation table, the greater the number of automation devices that can be operated, the communication means for receiving video data from the imaging means via the network, and the order based on the video data received via the communication means. Based on the waiting time calculated by the waiting time calculating means for recognizing the users of the queue individually and calculating the waiting time of the recognized user, and the waiting time calculated by the waiting time calculating means Automated device operation control that refers to the operation table and sends an operation instruction or suspension instruction to the corresponding automated device in the sales office so that the corresponding number of automated devices are operating and the other automated devices are in a power saving state. Means.

  In the present invention, the waiting time of the user of the order queue is obtained from the video data of the photographing means for photographing the order queue. And the shorter the waiting time is, the fewer the number of operating automation devices is, and the longer the waiting time is, the operating table is configured to increase the number of operating automation devices, and the waiting time previously determined. The number of operating automation devices is determined, and an operation instruction or suspension instruction is transmitted to the corresponding automation device so that the number of operating automation devices are in an operating state in the sales office.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the waiting time of the user of the turn queue is obtained based on the video data, and the waiting time and the shorter the waiting time, the fewer the number of operating automation devices, The longer the time is, the more the number of automation devices to be operated is determined based on the operation table that is configured to increase the number of automation devices. Since the operation instruction or the suspension instruction is transmitted to the corresponding automated equipment, both the queuing and the reduction of the utility cost are possible.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, a case will be described as an example where the automated device is an automatic transaction apparatus (hereinafter referred to as ATM) installed in a bank office.
The monitoring system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a camera device 3 as an imaging unit that captures an order queue of a user who uses a plurality of ATMs 2 provided at an ATM corner of a store, and a network connected to the camera device 3. 4 and a monitoring terminal 5 installed at the back of the same store as the ATM corner. The monitoring terminal 5 grasps the state of the queue based on the video data from the camera device 3 and controls the operation / pause of each ATM 2 at the ATM corner via the network 4 based on the grasp result. Each ATM 2 is assigned with an individual number # 1, # 2,..., And can be individually operated / suspended. In the following, ATM2 (# 1), ATM2 (# 2),... Will be numbered when referring to ATM2 individually, and ATM2 will be numbered otherwise.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the monitoring terminal of FIG.
The monitoring terminal 5 is configured by a computer such as a personal computer, and includes a computer main body (processing device) 51 that performs various processes, a display device 52 such as a liquid crystal display, and a mouse or keyboard for an operator to perform input operations. And the like, and a storage device 54 such as a hard disk.

  In the processing device 51, a communication interface 51a as a communication means for communicating with the camera device 3 and the ATM 2, and video data obtained from the camera device 3 through the communication interface 51a are processed to recognize users individually. Then, based on the waiting time obtained by the image recognizing means 51b and the waiting time obtained by the image recognizing means 51b, the operation table 54b is referred to based on the waiting time obtained by the image recognizing means 51b. The ATM operation control means 51c for performing the operation / pause control of the ATM 2 is provided. Here, in this example, the passage time required for the user to pass between a predetermined time measurement start position and a time measurement end position is regarded as the user's waiting time. Each means in the processing device 51 is realized by a control program 54a and a CPU (not shown) which will be described later.

  The storage device 54 stores a control program 54a for performing processing according to the present invention, an operation table 54b described later, a waiting time management table 54c, an ATM state management table 54d, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation table.
The operation table 54b includes items of “management No.”, “passing time”, “number of operating units”, and “ATM to be operated”. Management No. in the first row In the management record 1, contents for operating two ATMs 2 (# 1) and 2 (ATM 2 (# 2)) are set when the passing time of the user is 3 seconds or less. As is apparent from FIG. 3, the operation table 54b is configured such that the shorter the passing time of the user, the smaller the number of operating ATMs 2, and the longer the passing time, the larger the operating number.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the waiting time management table.
The waiting time management table 54c is a table for managing the waiting time of the user. The passing time when the user passes the time measurement start position and the passing time when the user passes the time measurement end position are stored. It is a table updated whenever it passes a measurement start position and a time measurement end position.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the ATM state management table.
The ATM state management table 54d is a table for managing the state of each ATM 2, and is composed of items of “ATM number” and “state”. The monitoring terminal 5 sequentially obtains status information indicating the status of the ATM 2 from each ATM 2, and updates the ATM status management table 54d as appropriate. In the “status” item, “operating”, “resting”, “suspending use” (for example, “suspending use due to failure or abnormality”), etc. are set.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of the monitoring system according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation flow in the monitoring system 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The monitoring terminal 5 receives the video data of the user's queue in the ATM corner transmitted from the camera device 3 via the network 4 via the communication interface 51a (S1). The image recognition means 51b of the monitoring terminal 5 sequentially recognizes the users who have passed the time measurement start position based on the video data, and ends the time measurement after each user has passed the time measurement start position. The transit time required to pass through the position is sequentially obtained (S2). The image recognition means 51b stores and manages the time at which the user passes each of the time measurement start position and the time measurement end position in the waiting time management table 54c for each user, and passes through the time measurement start position. The passage time (waiting time) is obtained by obtaining the difference between the time and the passage time of the time measurement end position. Note that the user is recognized by using a known person tracking technique or face recognition technique.

  Then, every time the passage time is determined, the ATM operation control means 51c refers to the operation table 54b (see FIG. 3) in the storage device 54 to determine the ATM 2 to be operated (S3), and the corresponding ATM 2 The operation instruction or the suspension instruction is transmitted to (S4). Here, since the processing device 51 knows the current state of each ATM 2 by the ATM state management table 54d, for example, when increasing the number of operating units, it transmits an operating instruction only to the newly operating ATM 2. Upon receiving the operation instruction, ATM2 executes initial processing and starts providing the service. Conversely, ATM 2 that has received a pause instruction enters a pause mode when the provision of the service being executed is completed. Note that the sleep mode is a so-called energy saving mode in which a low power state is set.

A specific example will be described below. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific queue state. Here, a queue of four people (users A to D) is formed, and ATM2 (# 1) to ATM2 (# 1) to ATM2 (# 6) out of ATM2 (# 1) to ATM2 (# 6) set in the operation table 54b. Assume that ATM2 (# 4) is in operation and ATM2 (# 5) and (# 6) are in suspension.
Here, when the user A passes the time measurement end position, as shown in FIG. 4, the time is written in the corresponding part of the waiting time management table 54c. Then, when the image recognition means 51b determines that the passing time of the user A is 40 seconds from the waiting time management table 54c, the ATM operation control means 51c, based on this passing time, stores in the storage device 54. With reference to the operation table 54b (see FIG. 3), the ATM 2 to be operated is determined. In this case, since the passage time corresponds to “60 seconds or less”, ATM2 (# 1) to (# 6) are operated. Here, since the processing device 51 knows that the ATMs 2 (# 1) to (# 4) are already in operation by the ATM state management table 54d, the other ATM2 (# 5), An operation instruction is transmitted to (# 6) via the network 4, and the ATMs (# 5) and (# 6) that have been suspended are operated.

  The processing device 51 performs the same process for the users B to D following the user A, and obtains a waiting time each time the users B to D pass the time measurement end position. Then, every time the passage time is obtained, the operation table 54b is referred to and the number of operating ATMs 2 is reviewed. For example, when the passing time of the user D is 20 seconds, ATM2 (# 1) to (# 4) may be operated by the operation table 54b (see FIG. 3), so ATM2 (# 5), A suspension instruction is transmitted to (# 6) via the network 4. The ATMs 2 (# 5) and (# 6) that have received the suspension instruction from the monitoring terminal 5 enter the suspension mode.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the waiting time of the user in the turn queue is obtained based on the video data from the camera device 3, and the shorter the waiting time and the waiting time, the more the number of ATMs 2 operating. As the waiting time is longer and the waiting time is longer, the number of operating ATMs 2 is determined based on the operating table 54b configured to increase the number of operating ATMs. Since the operation instruction or the suspension instruction is transmitted to the ATM 2, it is possible to both cancel the queue and reduce the utility cost.

  In addition, in this example, it demonstrated in the example which reviews the number of operation of ATM2 whenever the user of a queue passes a measurement end position, For example, each time when the measurement number of passing time reaches 10 people The average of the passage time may be obtained, and the operation / pause control may be performed by referring to the operation table 54b based on the time, and the timing for reviewing the ATM operation number can be arbitrarily set. In short, it is characterized in that the state of the queue is determined based on the waiting time of the user, and the number of operating ATMs 2 is controlled according to the waiting time.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the second embodiment, the operation table 54b can be arbitrarily changed by the operator of the monitoring terminal.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the monitoring terminal according to the second embodiment.
The monitoring terminal 60 of the second embodiment displays an operation table change screen on the display device 52 in response to an input operation from the input device 53 in the processing device 51 of the monitoring terminal 5 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. It further includes display control means 60a to be displayed and operation table changing means 60b for changing the operation table 54b in accordance with the contents input on the operation table change screen, and the other configurations are the same as those in FIG. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with a focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of the same processing as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

Here, the case where the operation table 54b is changed includes, for example, the following cases.
(1) When the ATM designated as “ATM to be operated” in the operation table 54b breaks down (for example, a shortage of banknotes or a banknote jam) and the use is stopped.
(2) When the transit time is MAX for a long time. That is, in the example of the operation table 54b in FIG. 3, when the passing time is 60 seconds, it is set to operate six ATMs 2, but when the passing time of each user always exceeds 60 seconds. Is a case where it is determined that the operation is full and a seventh unit is added.

Hereinafter, an operation related to the change of the operation table 54b in the monitoring terminal 60 will be described.
When the operator performs a predetermined operation from the input device 53, the display control means 60a of the monitoring terminal 60 displays an operation table change screen 80 as shown in FIG. When the operator adds a new management record to the operation table 54b, the operator presses the “add new” button 81 on the operation table change screen 80, and then presses the “execute” button 85. Then, change contents are input in the transit time input field 88 and the operating ATM input field 89 and the “Register” button 90 is pressed. Then, the operation table changing unit 60 b that has recognized this operation input displays a new management record in the operation table 93 on the operation table change screen 80 and stores it in conjunction with the operation table 93 on the operation table change screen 80. A new management record is newly registered in the operation table 54b in the apparatus 54.

  Also, when changing an existing management record, the “change” button 82 is pressed, the management number of the management record to be changed is input to the management number input field 84, and the “execute” button 85 is pressed. Then, change contents are input in the transit time input field 88 and the operating ATM input field 89 and the “Register” button 90 is pressed. Then, the operation table changing means 60b that recognizes this operation input changes the operation table 93 on the operation table change screen 80 according to the contents of the operation input, and interlocks with the operation table 93 on the operation table change screen 80. The operation table 54b in the storage device 54 is changed.

  If the management record is to be deleted, the “delete” button 86 is pressed, the management number of the management record to be deleted is input to the management number input field 84 and the “delete” button 86 is pressed. As a result, the management record of the corresponding management No. is deleted from the operation table 93 on the operation table change screen 80, and the management record of the corresponding management No. is also deleted from the operation table 54b in the storage device 54.

  The operation table 54b can be changed as described above. Then, the operation / pause control of ATM2 is performed according to the changed operation table 54b, but the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the operation table 54b can be changed by the monitoring terminal 5. For example, it is possible to cope with the situation and prevent inconvenience such as an increase in the queue.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the third embodiment, the necessity of changing the operating table 54b is automatically determined from the operating state of the ATM 2 (operating, inactive, inactive, etc.) and the status of the queue, and it is determined that the change is necessary In this case, the operator is notified of this fact and a change is urged.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitoring terminal of the monitoring system according to the third embodiment.
The monitoring terminal 70 according to the third embodiment includes the operation table change determination means 70a in the monitoring terminal 5 (60) according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment. The same as in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which the operation table change determining unit 70a is provided in the monitoring terminal 60 according to the second embodiment.

  The operation table change determination unit 70a determines the necessity of changing the operation table 54b based on the operation table 54b, the waiting time management table 54c, and the ATM state management table 54d. 60a is instruct | indicated and the process which displays the information which shows the reason which the change is necessary, and the operation table change screen 80 on the display apparatus 52 is performed.

  Specifically, for example, in the case where the operation table 54b is FIG. 3 and the ATM state management table 54d is FIG. 5, if the failure occurs in ATM2 (# 1) and the state changes from operation to use stop, the operation table The change determination means 70a determines that the operation table 54b needs to be changed because the ATM 2 (# 1) set in the “ATM to be operated” of the operation table 54b has been suspended, and the ATM 2 (# 1) Instruct the display control means 60a to display the screen for notifying that the use has been stopped and the operation table change screen 80 on the display device 52 so as to prompt the operator to change the operation table 54b. . In this case, the operator deletes ATM2 (# 1) whose use has been stopped from the operation table 54b and sets another ATM2 (# 7) on the operation table change screen 80, as shown in FIG. The operation table 54b as shown is created.

  Further, for example, when it is determined that the passing time of each user exceeds 60 seconds based on the waiting time management table 54c, it is determined that the operating state is full, and a notification screen and a change of the operating table are displayed. The screen 80 is displayed on the display device 52 so as to prompt the operator to change the operation table 54b. In this case, for example, when the passage time is 60 seconds, the operation of ATM2 (# 1) to (# 6) is performed, but a change such as addition of a seventh unit is made.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the monitoring terminal 5 automatically determines the necessity of changing the operation table 54b, displays the determination result, and prompts the operator to change the operation table 54b. Therefore, it is always possible to obtain an optimum operating state suitable for the operating state and the queue state of each ATM 2 and improve operational strictness.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the fourth embodiment, a monitoring server that can perform the same operation as the monitoring terminal 5 and can operate as an alternative terminal of the monitoring terminal 5 is provided.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the monitoring system according to the fourth embodiment.
The monitoring system 100 according to the fourth embodiment includes each monitoring terminal 70 and each camera device 3 installed in each sales office (sales office A, sales office B,...), And a monitoring server 110 disposed on the center side. Are connected via the network 4. The video of each camera device 3 is transmitted to the monitoring server 110 in addition to the monitoring terminal 5 of the same store where the camera device 3 is installed.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the monitoring server according to the fourth embodiment.
The monitoring server 110 has substantially the same configuration as the monitoring terminal 70 of the third embodiment, and includes a computer main body (processing device) 111, a display device 112, an input device 113, and a storage device 114, and the processing device 111. Inside, the same means 51a-51c, 60a, 61b, 70a as the monitoring terminal 70 is provided, and the same operation | movement as the monitoring terminal 5 is possible. In addition, the monitoring server 110 sequentially acquires store information 115 including an operation table 54b, a waiting time management table 54c, and an ATM state management table 54d from each monitoring terminal 70, and stores and manages each store.

  In the monitoring system 100 configured in this way, the monitoring server 110 can operate in the same manner as the monitoring terminal 70, and therefore can operate as an alternative terminal of the monitoring terminal 5 when the monitoring terminal 5 breaks down. . Therefore, as a whole of the monitoring system 100, it is possible to perform the operation / pause control of each ATM 2 of each branch office stably at all times.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring system of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring terminal in the monitoring system of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of an operation table. It is a figure which shows an example of a waiting time management table. It is a figure which shows an example of an ATM state management table. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of the monitoring system according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state of a specific queue. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitoring terminal in the monitoring system according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an operation table change screen. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitoring terminal in a monitoring system according to a third embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation table after a change. It is a figure which shows the structure of the monitoring system of Embodiment 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a monitoring terminal in a monitoring system according to a fourth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1, 100 monitoring system, 2 ATM (automated equipment) 3 camera device, 4 network, 5, 60, 70 monitoring terminal, 51 processing device, 51a communication interface (communication means), 51b image recognition means (waiting time calculation means), 51c ATM operation control means (automated equipment operation control means), 52 display device, 53 input device, 54b operation table, 54c waiting time management table, 54d ATM state management table, 60a display control means, 60b operation table change means, 70a operation Table change determination means, 80 operation table change screen, 110 monitoring server.

Claims (5)

A monitoring terminal connected via a network to a plurality of automated devices arranged in a sales office and a photographing means for photographing a sequence queue using these automated devices,
Stores the waiting time until the user starts using the automation device and the number of automation devices to be operated at the waiting time, and the shorter the waiting time, the smaller the number of automation devices to be operated. An operation table configured such that the longer the waiting time, the greater the number of operating automated devices;
Communication means for receiving video data from the photographing means via a network;
A waiting time calculating means for individually recognizing the users of the turn queue based on video data received via the communication means, and for determining the waiting time of the recognized users;
Based on the waiting time obtained by the waiting time calculating means, the operation table is referred to, and the corresponding number of automation devices are in an operating state, and the other automation devices are in a power saving state. A monitoring terminal comprising: an automatic device operation control means for transmitting an operation instruction or a pause instruction to the automatic device.   Display control means for displaying an operation table change screen for changing the operation table on a display device, and operation table change means for changing the operation table according to the contents input on the operation table change screen The monitoring terminal according to claim 1.   An automated device status management table that acquires status information indicating the status of the automated device from each automated device and manages the status of each automated device, and a wait time management table that manages user wait time Further, the necessity of changing the operation table is determined from the automated device state management table, the waiting time management table, and the operation table. If it is determined that the change is necessary, the display control means is instructed, The monitoring terminal according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation table change determination unit that displays information indicating a reason for the change and the operation table change screen on the display device.   4. The user waiting time is a transit time required for the user to pass between a predetermined measurement start position and a measurement end position. The monitoring terminal described in 1. 5. The plurality of monitoring terminals according to claim 1, the imaging unit, and a monitoring server capable of performing the same operation as the monitoring terminal are connected via a network, and the monitoring server A monitoring system configured to acquire video data from the means via the network and operable as an alternative terminal of the monitoring terminal as necessary.

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