JP2022094709A - Escalator and floor congestion status display system using escalator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an escalator capable of effectively finding congestion status of an exit floor of the escalator.SOLUTION: An escalator 10 bridged between a downstairs floor DS and an upstairs floor US of a building is configured to have: a plurality of footsteps 12 which are endless conveyance bodies for traveling in a circulating manner and conveying a user from an entry side to an exit side; handrail lower lighting apparatuses 34A, 34B which are light apparatuses including a light source part; and lighting color switching means which switches an illumination color of the light source part between a white color which is a first illumination color in a normal case where the floor of the exit side is not congested and a red color which is a second illumination color in a case when the floor of the exit side is congested.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an escalator and a floor congestion status display system using the escalator, for example, an escalator installed in a commercial facility and the like.

In commercial facilities such as department stores and large shopping malls, multiple escalators are installed in the right places due to good transportation efficiency, and passengers transfer from the entrance floor to the destination floor.

By the way, as one of the measures against infectious diseases that have become widespread in recent years, it is mentioned to avoid places where people are crowded. For this reason, there are commercial facilities that broadcast in-house, such as "Please avoid busy hours when shopping."

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-22436

However, the busy hours vary depending on the floor (sales floor, etc.), and even if it is posted in the facility which floor is crowded in which time zone, it will be posted on the route to the destination floor. If there is no such information, the customer may not have access to the information.

For this reason, it is not until the escalator arrives at the destination floor and the target sales floor or the like is reached that the sales floor or the like is noticed to be crowded.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an escalator capable of effectively knowing the congestion status of the floor at the exit of the escalator, and a floor congestion status display system using the escalator.

In order to achieve the above object, the escalator according to the present invention is an escalator bridged between the downstairs floor and the upstairs floor of a building, and circulates to drive passengers from the entrance side to the exit side. The endless carrier, the lighting device including the light source unit, and the illumination light of the light source unit are used as the first illumination color in the normal case where the floor on the exit side is not congested. If so, it is characterized by having an illumination color switching means as a second illumination color.

Further, a balustrade panel erected along the passage of the passenger including the traveling path of the endless carrier and a handrail running along the upper end of the balustrade panel in synchronization with the endless carrier. The lighting device is characterized in that the light source unit is a handrail lower part lighting device provided along the handrail at the lower part of the handrail.

Further, the illumination color switching means refers to the congestion time zone storage unit that stores the time zone in which the floor on the exit side is congested and the congestion time zone storage unit, and uses the illumination light for the congestion time start time. It is characterized by including a switching unit for switching from the first illumination color to the second illumination color at the time of becoming, and switching from the second illumination color to the first illumination color at the end time of the congestion time. ..

Alternatively, the illumination color switching means has a switching signal receiving unit that receives a switching signal and a switching release signal transmitted from the outside, and when the switching signal receiving unit receives the switching signal, the illumination light is used as the first illumination light. It is characterized by including a switching unit that switches from the illumination color to the second illumination color and switches from the second illumination color to the first illumination color when the switching release signal is received.

In order to achieve the above object, the floor congestion status display system using an escalator according to the present invention includes the escalator and a switching instruction device including a signal transmitting unit for transmitting the switching signal and the switching release signal. The escalator, which has received the switching signal transmitted by the switching instruction device, switches the illumination light from the first illumination color to the second illumination color, so that the escalator becomes the exit side of the escalator. It is characterized by displaying that the floor is crowded.

Further, the switching instruction device has a camera for photographing the floor on the exit side.
The signal transmitting unit includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the floor on the exit side is congested from the image taken by the camera, and the determination unit determines that the floor is congested. In this case, the switching signal is transmitted, and when it is determined that the image is not congested, the switching release signal is transmitted.

According to the escalator having the above configuration, in the escalator spanning the downstairs floor and the upstairs floor, the illumination color of the illumination light of the light source portion of the lighting device is a normal case where the floor on the exit side is not congested. Is the first illumination color, and when it is congested, it is the second illumination color. Therefore, it is possible to know the congestion status of the floor at the exit of the escalator from the illumination color of the light source unit.

Further, according to the floor congestion status display system using the escalator having the above configuration, the illumination color of the illumination light of the light source portion of the escalator lighting device that has received the switching signal transmitted from the switching instruction device is on the exit side. Since the first illumination color in the normal case where the floor is not congested is switched to the second illumination color in the case of being congested, the illumination color of the light source unit is changed to the floor at the exit of the escalator. You can know the congestion situation.

(A) is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an escalator according to the first embodiment, and (b) is an enlarged view of an entrance / exit of the escalator. (A) is a block diagram of a lighting system including the control device of the escalator, and (b) is a diagram showing a congestion time zone storage unit stored in the ROM of the control device. It is a flowchart of the illumination color switching program executed by the CPU of the said control device. It is a figure which shows an example in which a plurality of the above escalators are installed in a building. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the floor congestion situation display system constructed by the escalator and the central monitoring board which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a flowchart of the illumination color switching program executed by the CPU of the control device of the escalator which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a floor congestion status display system constructed by an escalator, a congestion detection device, and a camera according to the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on the embodiments.
<Embodiment 1>
〔overall structure〕
FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the escalator 10 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of an entrance / exit of the escalator 10. In addition, in FIG. 1A, a part of the balustrade 16 described later is excised and shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, the escalator 10 has a plurality of steps 12 which are endless transport bodies which are connected in a ring shape, circulate and travel, and transport passengers from the entrance side to the exit side. The balustrades 14 and 16 are installed on both sides of the passenger passage PW including the traveling path of the step 12 and the upper and lower entrances.

Each of the balustrades 14 and 16 has a plurality of balustrade panels 18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28 arranged in rows along the aisle PW (in FIG. 1, the balustrades). As for the panel, only the balustrade panel constituting the balustrade 14 on one side is designated.) Each of the balustrade panels 18 to 28 is made of glass, for example, and has translucency.

Among the plurality of balustrade panels 18 to 28, the balustrade panels 18 and 28 provided at both ends in the rowing direction have arcuate ends protruding in the horizontal direction. When it is necessary to particularly distinguish the balustrade panels 18 and 28, the balustrade panels other than the end balustrade panels 18 and 28 are referred to as "edge balustrade panels 18, 28", and the balustrade panels other than the end balustrade panels 18 and 28 are referred to as "intermediate panels 19, ..., 27". And.

A plurality of guide rails (not shown) are provided at the upper ends of the balustrade panels 18 to 28 and the arcuate ends of the balustrade panels 18 and 28. The plurality of guide rails are guided by the guide rails and circulate in the same direction as the step 12 at the same speed (that is, run in synchronization with the plurality of step 12). , 32 are installed.

The handrails 30 and 32 guided by the guide rails (not shown) travel in the horizontal direction in the section traveling along the upper end of the balustrade panels 18, ..., 28 (the section grasped by the passenger), and then travel in the horizontal direction. It curves and skews straight, then curves and runs horizontally again. The handrails 30 and 32 traveling in the horizontal direction reverse the traveling direction along the arcuate end of one end balustrade panel, and then travel to the other end balustrade panel. Here, the section in which the handrails 30 and 32 travel in the horizontal direction is referred to as a "horizontal section", and the section in which the handrails are skewed is referred to as a "skew section".

The escalator 10 is installed, for example, so as to be bridged between the floor DS on the lower floor and the floor US on the upper floor in the building. The escalator 10 is used for ascending or descending by switching the traveling direction of the step 12 and the handrails 30 and 32, and the passenger on the step 12 can move from the floor DS downstairs to the floor US upstairs. Alternatively, it is transported from the floor US upstairs to the floor DS downstairs.

[Lighting device]
The escalator 10 also has a handrail lower lighting device 34A, a skirt guard lighting device 36A, and a comb lighting device 38A provided on the balustrade 14. The balustrade 16 is also provided with a handrail lower lighting device 34B, a skirt guard lighting device 36B, and a comb lighting device 38B (the skirt guard lighting device 36B and the comb lighting device 38B are not shown in FIG. 1). 2 (a)).

Hereinafter, each of the above lighting devices will be described, but the handrail lower lighting device 34A and the handrail lower lighting device 34B, the skirt guard lighting device 36A and the skirt guard lighting device 36B, and the comb lighting device 38A and the comb lighting device 38B are the same, respectively. Therefore, each lighting device provided on the balustrade 14 will be described as a representative, and the description of each of the lighting devices provided on the balustrade 16 will be omitted. In this case, if it is not necessary to distinguish between the balustrade 14 and the balustrade 16, the alphabetic symbols (A, B) are omitted.

The handrail lower lighting device 34 includes a light source unit and a controller. The light source unit includes a plurality of LED sets including a red LED chip, a green LED chip, and a blue LED chip arranged in close proximity, and the brightness of each color LED is adjusted to change the illumination color from the LED set. It is configured to be. The controller changes the illumination color by adjusting the brightness of each color LED according to the instruction from the CPU 52 described later.

The plurality of LED sets are arranged in a row at the lower part of the handrail 30 along the handrail 30 over the horizontal section and the oblique section. Hereinafter, a light source unit composed of a plurality of LED sets arranged in a row will be referred to as an “LED unit”. The LED unit is provided on the side opposite to the passage PW with respect to the balustrade panels 18 to 28. Since the balustrade panels 18 to 28 have translucency as described above, the illumination light from the LED unit is well visible not only to the outside of the escalator 10 but also to the passenger traveling through the passage PW.

Subsequently, the skirt guard lighting device 36 will be described. The skirt guard lighting device 36 has the same configuration as the handrail lower lighting device 34. That is, the skirt guard lighting device 36 is a light source unit in which a plurality of LED sets including a red LED chip, a green LED chip, and a blue LED chip are arranged in a row, and illumination light from the LED unit. Includes a controller to change the illumination color.

On the lower end side of the balustrade panels 18 to 28, a skirt guard 40 made of a panel such as a stainless steel plate is provided along the traveling path while maintaining a slight gap with the endless carrier. .. Further, between the lower ends of the balustrade panels 18 to 28 and the skirt guard 40, an inner deck 42 made of a panel such as a stainless steel plate is provided.

The LED unit, which is the light source unit of the skirt guard lighting device 36, is provided with the skirt guard 40. The LED unit of the skirt guard lighting device 36 brightly illuminates the user's feet along the skirt guard 40, and enhances the design of the escalator 10.

The comb lighting device 38 is provided on the skirt guard 40 at the entrance and exit, and illuminates the feet of the passengers to facilitate getting on and off. The comb lighting device 38 has a handrail lower lighting device 34 and a skirt, except that the number of the LED sets constituting the LED unit which is the light source unit is significantly small due to the difference in the lighting range (length range in the passage PW direction). It has the same configuration as the guard lighting device 36. That is, the com lighting device 38 illuminates the lighting light from the LED unit and the LED unit, which is a light source unit in which the LED set including the red LED chip, the green LED chip, and the blue LED chip is a set or a plurality of sets. Includes a controller to change the color.

〔Control device〕
FIG. 2A shows a control device 50 included in the escalator 10. The control device 50 has a configuration in which the ROM 54 and the RAM 56 are connected to the CPU 52 with the CPU 52 at the center. Further, the CPU 52 is connected to the handrail lower lighting devices 34A and 34B, the skirt guard lighting devices 36A and 36B, and the comb lighting devices 38A and 38B (each controller).

The ROM 54 stores various control programs and the like executed by the CPU 52, and the RAM 56 serves as a work area during program execution by the CPU 52. The CPU 52 executes an operation control program (not shown) stored in the ROM 54, controls an electric motor (not shown) that is a drive source of the step 12, and keeps the traveling speed (operating speed) of the step 12 constant. , Decelerating or, in some cases, stopping the operation is executed, but since the operation control is not the main subject of the present invention, further description thereof will be omitted.

Here, the escalator 10 will be described below assuming that the escalator 10 is used for ascending to transport a user from the floor DS on the lower floor in the building to the floor US on the upper floor. That is, the floor DS is on the entrance side and the floor US is on the exit side.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the ROM 54 has a congestion time zone storage unit 58. The congestion time zone storage unit 58 stores the floor DS, that is, the time zone when the floor on the exit side is congested. The time zone can be grasped empirically, and is stored in the ROM 54 in advance by using a personal computer or the like connected to the control device 50.

Of the time from 0:00 to 24:00, the range shown by the diagonal line in FIG. 2B is the congestion time zone. That is, the time between time T1 and time T2 and the time between time T3 and time T4 are set (stored) as the congestion time zone. In this example, there are two congestion time zones, but there may be one or three or more.

The CPU 52 refers to the congestion time zone storage unit 58, and determines that the floor on the exit side is not congested (time zone) and is congested (time zone), and the handrail lower lighting device 34. The light color of the illumination light of the LED unit, which is the light source unit of the above, is switched. For example, in the normal case, the illumination light is white, and when it is crowded, the illumination light is red.

The illumination color switching program executed by the CPU 52 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The illumination color switching program is started at the same time as the operation of the escalator 10 is started.

The CPU 52 refers to an internal clock (not shown) and acquires the current time “t” (step S1). Next, it is determined whether or not the acquired time "t" is within the congestion time zone (step S2). That is, it is determined whether or not "T1 ≦ t ≦ T2 or T3 ≦ t ≦ T4".

When it is determined that the current time "t" is out of the congestion time zone (NO in step S2), the CPU 52 outputs a normal lighting instruction to the handrail lower lighting device 34 (controller) (step S3). The controller that receives the normal lighting instruction turns on the LED unit in white. Following step S3, the CPU 52 sets the internal flag “i” to “0”. This internal flag is a flag indicating whether the LED unit is lit in white or lit in red. If "i = 0", it is lit in white, and if "i = 1", it is lit in red. Indicates that.

On the other hand, if YES is determined in step S2, that is, if it is determined that the current time "t" is the congestion time zone, the CPU 52 outputs a congestion lighting instruction to the handrail lower lighting device 34 (controller). (Step S5). The controller that receives the congestion lighting instruction turns on the LED unit in red. Following step S5, the CPU 52 sets the internal flag “i” to “1”.

As described above, steps S1 to 6 are initial setting processes of the lighting color executed at the start of operation of the escalator 10. When steps S1 to S4 or steps S1, S2, S5, and S6 are executed, the process proceeds to step S7, and the CPU 52 refers to the internal clock and acquires the time "t" (step S7).

Then, in the same manner as in step S2, the CPU 52 determines whether or not the acquired time "t" is within the congestion time zone (step S8). When it is determined that the current time "t" is out of the busy time zone (NO in step S8), the flag "i" is checked (step S9).

In the case of "i = 0" (YES in step S9), that is, when the LED unit of the handrail lower lighting device 34 emits white light, it is not necessary to change the illumination color, so the process returns to step S7. On the other hand, in the case of "i = 1" (NO in step S9), that is, when the LED unit is currently emitting red light, it is necessary to switch the illumination color to white, so that the CPU 52 uses the handrail lower illumination device 34. A normal lighting instruction is output to (controller) (step S10). The controller that receives the normal lighting instruction switches the illumination color of the LED unit from red to white. Following step S10, the CPU 52 sets the internal flag “i” to “0” and returns to step S7.

When it is determined in step S8 that the current time "t" is within the congestion time zone (YES in step S8), the flag "i" is checked (step S12).

In the case of "i = 0" (YES in step S12), that is, when the LED unit of the handrail lower lighting device 34 emits white light, it is necessary to switch the illumination color to red, so that the CPU 52 lowers the handrail. A congestion lighting instruction is output to the lighting device 34 (controller) (step S13). The controller that receives the congestion lighting instruction switches the illumination color of the LED unit from white to red. Following step S13, the CPU 52 sets the internal flag “i” to “1” and returns to step S7. On the other hand, in the case of "i = 1" (NO in step S12), it is not necessary to change the illumination color, so the process returns to step S7.

As described above, the control device 50 sets the illumination light of the LED unit of the handrail lower lighting device 34 to be white in a normal case where the floor US on the exit side of the escalator 10 is not congested. It functions as a lighting color switching means for switching to red when it is crowded.

More specifically, the ROM 54 of the control device 50 functions as a congestion time zone storage unit 58 for storing a time zone in which the floor on the exit side of the escalator 10 is congested, and the illumination color switching program executed by the CPU 52 (FIG. 3). ), The congestion time zone storage unit 58 is referred to (steps S7 and S8), and when the congestion time start time is reached (YES in step S8 and YES in step S12), the illumination light of the LED unit is turned white. When the congestion time ends (NO in step S8, NO in step S9), the illumination light of the LED unit is switched from red to white (step S10), and the process functions as a switching unit.

According to the escalator 10 having the above configuration, when the handrail lower lighting device 34, which is normally lit in white, is lit in red, which is different from the usual one, the passengers are congested on the exit side floor of the escalator 10. You can get the information that it is. Moreover, since the escalator 10 is always used when heading to the exit side floor, the above information is not overlooked as much as possible. Moreover. Since the LED unit, which is the light source portion of the handrail lower lighting 34, is provided on the outside of the balustrade panels 18 to 28 over almost the entire length of the escalator 10, it is located on the entrance side floor relatively far from the escalator 10. However, the above information can be obtained.

An example in which a plurality of escalators 10 (6 in this example) are installed will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an example in which two escalators 10 are arranged on the first to fourth floors of a building on each floor adjacent to the upper and lower floors. As shown in FIG. 4, the appendices A to F are added to distinguish each of the escalators 10. Here, for example, as shown by an arrow in the figure, the escalators 10A, 10D, and 10E are for ascending, and the escalators 10B, 10C, and 10F are for descending.

Further, for example, it is assumed that the second floor of the first to fourth floors is in a busy time zone. In this case, the lower handrail lighting device 34 of the escalators 10A and 10C whose second floor is on the exit side is lit in red, and the other escalator 10B, 10D, 10E, and 10F handrail lower lighting is lit in white. In FIG. 4, the handrail lower lighting device 34, which is lit in red, is hatched.

In such a situation, for example, in the case of a user who has business on the second and third floors, it can be seen that the second floor is crowded when entering the building and being on the first floor. The passenger first gets on the escalator 10A and heads for the second floor, but at least at the exit of the escalator 10A on the second floor, the handrail lower lighting device 34 of the escalator 10D is visible, so the third floor is not crowded. I understand. For this reason, it is conceivable that if you wait for a while, the congestion on the 2nd floor will be resolved, and you can pass through the 2nd floor, head to the 3rd floor with the escalator 10D, and finish the work on the 3rd floor first.

Also, if you are a customer who has business only on the 2nd floor, you can take measures such as killing time on other floors or outside the building and visiting again, or giving up on that day and visiting at a later date. can. In any case, it is possible to prevent entering a crowded sales floor or the like on the target floor (in this example, the second floor).

<Embodiment 2>
As described above, in the first embodiment, the illumination color of the handrail lower lighting device 34 is switched with reference to the congestion time zone storage unit 58 in the ROM 54 of the escalator 10. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the illumination color is switched based on the signal from the outside of the escalator.

The escalator 210 according to the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the escalator 10 of the first embodiment except that the control program executed by the CPU is mainly different. Therefore, the components of the escalator 210 are designated by the code of the 200th generation, and the last two digits thereof are designated by the code of the corresponding component in the escalator 10, and the description is omitted or mentioned as appropriate. stop.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which a plurality of escalators 210 according to the second embodiment (six in this example) are provided in the building as in the example shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, among the six escalators 210A to 210F, the configuration of the control unit 250 and the like of the escalators 210B to 210F is omitted.

A central control room (not shown) is provided in the building, and a central monitoring board 400 is installed in the central control room. The central monitoring board 400 has a control unit 402, a display 404, and an input device 406. The central monitoring board 400 is composed of a general information processing device. The central monitoring panel 400 is connected to the control devices 250 of the escalators 210A to 210F as shown in FIG.

In the building shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of cameras (not shown) for monitoring the congestion status of the floor are installed on each floor, and the images captured by the cameras are displayed in real time in the central control room. It is projected on the monitor screen (not shown) provided. The manager can grasp the congestion status of the passengers on each floor from the image on the monitor screen.

The manager uses the input device 406 to input the escalator 210 (congestion designation) in which the congested floor is on the exit side. The control unit 402 that has received the congestion designation outputs a switching signal that is an instruction to switch the illumination color of the handrail lower lighting device 34 from the normal white color to the red color at the time of congestion to the control device 50 of the corresponding escalator 210. ..

In addition, when the congestion status of the congested floor is resolved, the manager uses the input device 406 to input the escalator 210 whose exit side is the floor where the congestion has been eliminated (congestion designation is canceled). do. The control unit 402 that has received the congestion designation cancellation is an instruction to return the illumination color of the handrail lower lighting device 34 from the red color at the time of congestion to the white color at the normal time to the control device 50 of the corresponding escalator 210. Is output. In this example, regarding the illumination color of the handrail lower lighting device 34, the "signals" output from the control unit 402 to the escalator 210 are the above-mentioned "switching signal" and the above-mentioned "switching release signal".

The illumination color switching program executed by the CPU 252 of the control device 250 connected to the central monitoring panel 400 described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The illumination color switching program is started at the same time as the operation of the escalator 210 is started.

First, the CPU 252 outputs a normal lighting instruction to the handrail lower lighting device 234 (controller) (step S20). The controller that receives the normal lighting instruction turns on the LED unit in white. Following step S20, the CPU 252 sets the internal flag "i" to "0" (step S21). When step S21 is completed, the CPU 252 waits for reception of the signal output from the central monitoring board 400 (step S22).

When a "signal" is received from the central monitoring board 400 (control unit 402) (YES in step S22), the CPU 252 determines whether the received "signal" is a "switching signal" or a "switching release signal" (step S23). ).

When it is determined in step S23 that the signal is a "switching signal" (YES in step S23), the flag "i" is checked (step S24).

In the case of "i = 0" (YES in step S24), that is, when the LED unit of the handrail lower lighting device 234 is lit in white, it is necessary to switch the lighting color to red, so that the CPU 252 is the lower part of the handrail. A congestion lighting instruction is output to the lighting device 234 (controller) (step S25). The controller that receives the congestion lighting instruction switches the illumination color of the LED unit from white to red. Following step S25, the CPU 252 sets the internal flag "i" to "1" and returns to step S23. On the other hand, in the case of "i = 1" (NO in step S24), it is not necessary to change the illumination color, so the process returns to step S23.

When it is determined in step S23 that the signal is a "switching release signal" (NO in step S23), the flag "i" is checked (step S27).

When “i = 0” (YES in step S27), the LED unit is lit in white and it is not necessary to change the illumination color, so the process returns to step S23.

On the other hand, in the case of "i = 1" (NO in step S27), that is, when the LED unit of the handrail lower lighting device 234 is lit in red, the lighting color needs to be switched to white, so that the CPU 252 is handed. A normal lighting instruction is output to the rail lower lighting device 234 (controller) (step S28). The controller that receives the normal lighting instruction switches the illumination color of the LED unit from red to white. Following step S28, the CPU 252 sets the internal flag "i" to "0" and returns to step S23.

As described above, the control device 250 of the escalator 210 receives the switching signal and the switching release signal transmitted from the outside (central monitoring panel 400), and when the switching signal is received, the illumination light of the LED unit 234 is emitted from white. It switches to red and functions as an illumination color switching means that switches from red to white when a switching release signal is received.

More specifically, among the processes (steps) in the illumination color switching program (FIG. 6) executed by the control device 250 (CPU 252), the switching signal and switching transmitted from the control unit 402 (external) of the central monitoring panel 400. The process of receiving the release signal (step S22) functions as a switching signal receiving unit, and when the switching signal is received (YES in step S23), the illumination light of the LED unit of the handrail lower lighting device 234 is switched from white to red. (YES in step S24, step S25), when the switching release signal is received (NO in step S23), the illumination light of the LED unit of the handrail lower lighting device 234 is switched from red to white (NO in step S27, step S28). The process functions as a switching unit.

Further, the central monitoring panel 400 functions as a switching instruction device including a control unit 402 that functions as a signal transmitting unit that transmits a switching signal and a switching release signal. Then, on the central monitoring board 400 (switching instruction device) and the escalators 210A to 210F, the floor on the exit side of the escalator 210 (escalator lit in red) in which the illumination color of the LED unit is switched from white to red is A floor congestion status display system 200 (FIG. 5) using escalators 210A to 210F for displaying congestion is constructed.

In this example, the floor congestion status display system is constructed with a plurality of escalators 210, but the number of escalators may be one. This is because if there is one, it is possible to display at least whether or not the floor on the exit side is crowded.

<Embodiment 3>
In the second embodiment, the manager determines the congestion status of each floor from the images taken by the cameras (not shown) installed on each floor and displayed on the monitor screen (not shown). On the other hand, in the floor congestion status display system of the third embodiment, the congestion status of each floor can be automatically determined without relying on the judgment of a person.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the floor congestion status display system 300 of the third embodiment. The escalator 310 of the third embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the escalators 10 and 210 of the first and second embodiments, except that the control program executed by the CPU is mainly different. Therefore, the components of the escalator 310 are designated by the code of the 300th generation, and the last two digits thereof are designated by the code of the corresponding component in the escalator 10, and the description is omitted or mentioned as appropriate. stop. As in FIG. 5, in FIG. 7, the configuration of the control unit 250 and the like of the escalators 310B to 310F among the six escalators 310A to 310F is omitted.

The floor congestion status display system 300 of the third embodiment includes a congestion detection device 500 in place of the central monitoring panel 400 of the congestion status display system 200 of the second embodiment. The congestion detection device 500 has a configuration in which the ROM 504 and the RAM 506 are connected to the CPU 502. As the congestion detection device 500, a general information processing device such as a PC is used.

The ROM 504 stores an "escalator elevating setting table" (not shown) in which each floor and the escalator 310 whose exit side is the exit side are associated with each floor. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the first floor and the escalator 310B, the second floor and the escalator 310A, 310C, the third floor and the escalator 310D, 310F, and the fourth floor and the escalator 310E are associated with each other.

The floor congestion status display system 300 has cameras 601, 602, 603, and 604 installed on each floor of the building shown in FIG. 4 for monitoring the congestion status of the floor. The cameras 601, 602, 603, and 604 are installed so as to be able to monitor the congestion status of the first floor, the second floor, the third floor, and the fourth floor, respectively. Each of the cameras 601, 602, 603, and 604 is connected to the congestion detection device 500, and the images captured by the cameras 601, 602, 603, and 604 are transmitted to the congestion detection device 500. The number of cameras installed per floor is not limited to one, and may be a plurality of cameras.

The congestion detection device 500 receives an image transmitted from the cameras 601 to 604, detects a person (customer) from the image, and is in a congested state of the person (user) in each monitoring area of the cameras 601 to 604 (user). Performs processing to detect congestion level). Since this process (process of detecting the degree of congestion of a person from the image pickup result of a camera) can be realized by various known techniques disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-42049 and other documents, the details thereof. The explanation will be omitted, and the following will be explained by a simple example.

The congestion detection device 500 monitors the images taken by the cameras 601 to 604 at predetermined time intervals, and determines whether or not the corresponding floor is congested from the images. For example, a person is extracted from a captured image by a known image process, and if the number of people in one frame is more than a predetermined number, it is determined that the floor is crowded, and if the number is less than the predetermined number, the person is crowded. It is determined that it is not (normal). The predetermined number of people can be empirically determined based on the size of the monitoring area and the like.

When the congestion detection device 500 determines that the corresponding floor is congested, the congestion detection device 500 refers to the escalator elevating setting table and transmits a "switching signal" to the escalator associated with the floor. When it is determined that the corresponding floor is not congested, the escalator elevating setting table is referred to, and a "switching release signal" is transmitted to the escalator associated with the floor.

The illumination color switching program executed by the control device 350 (CPU 352) of the escalator 310 that has received the “switching signal” or the “switching release signal” is the same as that of the escalator 210 of the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. Therefore, the explanation will be omitted.

In the floor congestion status display system 300 of the third embodiment, the congestion detection device 500 includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the floor on the exit side is congested from the images taken by the cameras 601 to 604, and the determination unit. If it is determined that the floor on the exit side is congested, a "switching signal" is sent to the corresponding escalator (control device), and if it is determined that the floor is not congested, "switching is canceled". It functions as a switching instruction device including a signal transmitting unit that transmits a "signal".

Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and for example, the following embodiment may be used.
(1) The escalators 10, 210 and 310 include handrail lower lighting devices 34, 234, 334, skirt guard lighting devices 36, 236, 336, and com lighting devices 38, 238, 338 as lighting devices. Among the lighting devices, in the above embodiment, the lighting color of the lighting light of the handrail lower lighting device 34, 234, 334 is switched between the case where the floor on the exit side is congested and the case where it is not. However, it is not limited to this, and the following may be used.

(I) Instead of the handrail lower lighting device 34, 234, 334, the lighting color of the skirt guard lighting device 36, 236, 336 may be switched.

(Ii) The lighting colors of both the handrail lower lighting device 34, 234, 334 and the skirt guard lighting device 36, 236, 336 may be switched.

(Iii) All lighting colors of the handrail lower lighting device 34, 234, 334, the skirt guard lighting device 36, 236, 336, and the comb lighting device 38, 238, 338 may be switched.

(Iv) The point is that the illumination color of any one, any two, or all three illumination devices can be switched.

(2) In the above embodiment, the illumination color in the normal case where the floor on the exit side is not congested is white, and the illumination color when the floor is congested is red, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a combination of illumination colors is used. Is optional. For example, the lighting color in the normal case where the floor on the exit side is not crowded may be green, and the lighting color in the case of being crowded may be orange.

(3) In the above embodiment, as the light source unit of each of the lighting devices, an LED set consisting of a red LED chip, a green LED chip, and a blue LED chip arranged in close proximity is used, but the present invention is not limited to the following. It doesn't matter. A light source unit may be composed of a white LED row in which a plurality of white LEDs are connected in series and a red LED row in which a plurality of red LEDs are connected in series, and the controller may switch the LED row to emit light.

(4) In the above embodiment, the LED is used for the light source unit of each lighting device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and another light emitting element, for example, an organic EL may be used.

(5) In the above embodiment, the illumination color in the case of congestion is only red, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the illumination color may be switched according to the degree of congestion (congestion degree). For example, the illumination color in the case of the congestion degree 1 may be orange, and the illumination color in the case of the congestion degree 2 which is more crowded than the congestion degree 1 may be red. It should be noted that the evaluation of the degree of congestion at a plurality of levels can be realized by, for example, various known techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-42049 and other documents.

Even if the lighting color is switched according to the degree of congestion, the first lighting color is used in the normal case where the floor on the exit side is not congested, and at least the first is used when the floor is congested. There is no difference in switching to the second illumination color, and only the illumination color different from the first and second illumination colors is switched depending on the degree of congestion.

(6) If the floor of each floor is a relatively narrow building, on the floors adjacent to the top and bottom. A set of escalators for ascending and descending will be hung. On the other hand, for example, when the floors of each floor are relatively wide and there are multiple areas that provide different goods and services on each floor, such as a large two-story shopping mall (building), the upper and lower floors. A set of escalators for ascending and descending may be hung in each of the areas (for example, a food court, a grocery store, a clothing store, a large bookstore, a game center, etc.).

In this case, even if the floor is the same, there may be a situation where the congestion status of the passengers is different for each area. Therefore, the illumination color of the escalator toward the area (floor) (the floor is the exit side) may be switched depending on whether the floor of the area is crowded or not for each area. ..

(7) In the above embodiment, the escalator according to the present invention has been described based on an example of applying the escalator according to the present invention to an escalator having a step and having a stepped tread, but the escalator according to the present invention does not have a stepped tread. An escalator, that is, an escalator that circulates an endless carrier composed of a plurality of pallets connected in an annular shape or an endless carrier composed of a rubber belt to transport passengers, and is provided with a tread inclined in the horizontal direction. It can also be applied to escalators (inclined moving stairs).

The escalator according to the present invention can be suitably used, for example, as an escalator installed in a commercial facility that may be crowded with users.

10, 210, 310 Escalator 12 Steps 34, 234, 334 Handrail lower lighting device 36, 236, 336 Skirt guard lighting device 50, 250, 250 Control device 200, 300 Floor congestion status display system 400 Central monitoring board 500 Congestion detection device

Claims (6)

An escalator that spans between the downstairs and upstairs of a building.
An endless carrier that circulates and transports passengers from the entrance side to the exit side,
Lighting equipment including the light source and
Illumination color switching means in which the illumination light of the light source unit is used as the first illumination color in the normal case where the floor on the exit side is not congested, and as the second illumination color when the floor is congested. When,
An escalator characterized by having. The balustrade panel erected along the passage of the passenger including the traveling path of the endless carrier, and the balustrade panel.
A handrail that runs along the upper end of the balustrade panel in synchronization with the endless carrier,
Have,
The escalator according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device is a handrail lower part lighting device provided at the lower part of the handrail along the handrail. The illumination color switching means is
A congested time zone storage unit that stores a congested time zone on the floor on the exit side, and a congested time zone storage unit.
With reference to the congestion time zone storage unit, the illumination light is switched from the first illumination color to the second illumination color at the congestion time start time, and from the second illumination color at the congestion time end time. A switching unit for switching to the first illumination color and
The escalator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the escalator comprises. The illumination color switching means is
A switching signal receiver that receives switching signals and switching release signals transmitted from the outside,
When the switching signal receiving unit receives the switching signal, the illumination light is switched from the first illumination color to the second illumination color, and when the switching release signal is received, the first illumination color is changed from the second illumination color. A switching unit that switches to the illumination color,
The escalator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the escalator comprises. The escalator according to claim 4 and
A switching instruction device including a signal transmitting unit that transmits the switching signal and the switching release signal, and a switching instruction device.
Have,
The escalator that has received the switching signal transmitted by the switching instruction device switches the illumination light from the first illumination color to the second illumination color, so that the floor on the exit side of the escalator is formed. A floor congestion status display system using an escalator, which is characterized by displaying that it is crowded. Further, it has a camera that photographs the floor on the exit side.
The switching instruction device is
A determination unit for determining whether or not the floor on the exit side is congested from the image taken by the camera is included.
The signal transmitting unit is
The claim is characterized in that when it is determined by the determination unit that the floor is congested, the switching signal is transmitted, and when it is determined that the floor is not congested, the switching release signal is transmitted. The floor congestion status display system using an escalator described in 5.

Images