JP4712348B2 - Railroad crossing monitoring device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a crossing monitoring device installed in the vicinity of a crossing such as a railway.

  Conventionally, the purpose is to detect the case where an automobile or the like is stuck due to an engine failure or the like in a railroad crossing where a road and a railroad track intersect, and to monitor a vehicle or a person who enters while a circuit breaker is operating There is a crossing monitoring device (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  In such a level crossing monitoring device, a surveillance camera attached to a high place such as an electric pole near the level crossing is installed on a device box installed near the level crossing via a coaxial cable or the like such as a time lapse VTR. Connected to recording device. The image taken by the surveillance camera is recorded by a recording device, and the VTR tape on which the image is recorded is collected and investigated by a maintenance worker.

  Usually, an emergency button is provided in the vicinity of the crossing to notify an emergency in the crossing. When the emergency button is pressed, an emergency stop signal is notified to the train traveling on the track. This avoids a crossing accident.

  By the way, such an emergency button may be pushed by mischief or the like even though there is no problem with the railroad crossing, which may cause disturbance in the train schedule. Therefore, there has been a crossing trouble notification device that prevents such mischief (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

This level crossing trouble notification device includes a switch that is operated when a trouble occurs at a level crossing, and a camera that photographs the operator in accordance with the operation of the switch. The camera is actuated by operating the switch, whereby the operator of the switch is photographed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-80082 JP-A-8-26115 JP-A-8-72722

  However, in the above conventional level crossing monitoring device, it is necessary to fix the camera at a high place such as an electric pole, and the coaxial cable for connecting the monitoring camera to the recording device needs to be run through the level crossing and laid. There was a situation that construction was difficult.

  In addition, it is necessary for a maintenance worker to visit the renovation of the recorded video, and the recording of the video may be lost as time elapses.

  Furthermore, since the image is taken from the upper part of the level crossing monitoring, it is difficult to analyze the captured image and it is difficult to identify the person who performed the emergency button operation.

  In the railroad crossing trouble notification device described in Patent Document 3, the camera is operated by operating the switch, and thus the operator of the switch can be photographed. However, since photographing is performed only when the switch is operated, There was a possibility that the operator could not be photographed in a distinguishable manner.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a railroad crossing monitoring apparatus that can be easily installed and can prevent mischief or the like of a railroad crossing operator.

A railroad crossing monitoring device according to the present invention is provided inside the housing, and is provided inside the housing, and is provided inside the housing to generate an emergency notification signal when a notification operation is performed from outside the housing. An image pickup means for picking up an image, a recording means for recording an image picked up by the image pickup means,
Is provided.

  With this configuration, the image capturing means for capturing an image and the level crossing emergency notification unit are integrated in the same housing, so that installation near the level crossing is easy, and the operator of the level crossing emergency notification unit to be operated is determined. Images can be acquired.

  In the railroad crossing monitoring apparatus of the present invention, the recording unit stops recording an image from the imaging unit a predetermined time after the emergency notification signal is generated.

  With this configuration, when the recording unit is a FIFO type memory or the like that continuously updates the storage for a certain period of time, it is possible to prevent the image when the railroad crossing emergency notification unit is operated from being overwritten.

  Further, the railroad crossing monitoring apparatus of the present invention includes an image acquisition means for acquiring an image recorded in the recording means when the emergency notification signal is generated, and the acquired image to the outside via a wireless communication network. Wireless communication means for notifying.

  With this configuration, it is possible to quickly notify the railway personnel, etc., of the operator's image of the emergency notification means, improving the work efficiency of maintenance workers, and in the case of mischievous operation of the crossing operator, The rate can be improved.

  In the crossing monitoring apparatus according to the present invention, the image acquisition means acquires images for a predetermined time before and after the emergency notification signal is generated.

  With this configuration, only the image related to the operation of the emergency notification means can be notified to the railway personnel and the like.

  In the crossing monitoring apparatus according to the present invention, when the emergency notification signal is generated, the wireless communication means transmits the image to the server device, and the emergency notification signal is generated to a designated mobile phone. An e-mail including information indicating that the image has been received and image identification information transmitted to the server device is transmitted.

  This configuration notifies the mobile phone device, etc. owned by maintenance workers that an emergency notification signal has been generated by sending an email with a small amount of data, so that only maintenance workers, etc. who need images can Since it is only necessary to make an acquisition request to the apparatus, the amount of data for wireless communication as a whole can be reduced.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a level crossing monitoring apparatus which can be installed easily and can prevent mischief etc. of a level crossing operating device can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an outline of a crossing monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a crossing monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the level crossing monitoring apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes an emergency button 102 that can be operated from the outside of the housing 120, an imaging unit 107 installed in the housing 120, an image storage unit 110, A wireless communication unit 111. The imaging unit 107 images the outside of the housing 120 through a window 121 covered with, for example, a half mirror. Since the window 121 has a vertically long shape, the imaging angle in the vertical direction of the imaging unit 107 can be adjusted according to the installation position of the level crossing monitoring device 100.

  The casing 120 of the level crossing monitoring device 100 is fixed to a support near the level crossing. The height at which the housing is fixed is a height at which the emergency button 102 can be pressed, and is about 1.2 to 1.5 m.

  Next, a monitoring system including a crossing monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an operation when the crossing operating device (emergency button) of the crossing monitoring apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is operated.

  Imaging and recording by the level crossing monitoring device 100 are always performed. When the emergency button of the level crossing monitoring device 100 is pressed, the level crossing monitoring device 100 detects that the emergency button has been pressed, and after recording images within a predetermined time before and after the time when the emergency button was pressed, the server 200 And a mail notifying that the emergency button has been pressed is transmitted to the mobile phone device 300 held by the maintenance worker.

The maintenance worker receives the notification mail by the mobile phone device 300, receives the notification that the emergency button is pressed, and accesses the server 200 using the mobile phone device 300, so that a predetermined time is set before and after the time when the emergency button is pressed. You can see images in time. In the present embodiment, the railroad crossing monitoring apparatus 100 transmits to the server 200 images totaling (t ₁ + t ₂ ) seconds from t ₁ seconds before the time when the emergency button is pressed to t ₂ seconds later. Shall.

  As a result, an emergency notification signal is generated by sending an e-mail with a small amount of data to a mobile phone device etc. possessed by a maintenance worker, etc. Therefore, the amount of data to be wirelessly communicated can be reduced as a whole.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the crossing monitoring apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the level crossing monitoring device 100 includes a display lamp 101, an emergency button 102, a special signal light emitter 103, a magnet sensor 104, a start button 105, a signal processing unit 106, an imaging unit 107, and the like. The signal delay unit 108, the image processing unit 109, the image storage unit 110, the wireless communication unit 111, and the mobile phone 112 are configured.

  The display lamp 101 indicates the state of the emergency button 102 and is turned on when the emergency button 102 is pressed, and is turned off when the emergency button 102 is restored.

  The emergency button 102 can be operated from the outside. When pressed, the emergency button 102 notifies the special signal light emitter 103 of an emergency and sends an emergency signal to the signal processing unit 106.

  The special signal light emitter 103 is an automatic train stop device. When the emergency button 102 is pressed, the special signal light emitter gives a stop instruction to the train to stop the train.

  The magnet sensor 104 detects a change in the state of the lid of the housing, and transmits a signal to the signal processing unit 106 when the lid is pry open.

  The start button 105 instructs the signal processing unit 106 to start the operation of the crossing monitoring device 100. After the start button 105 is pressed and the lid is closed, the imaging unit 107 starts imaging.

  When the signal processing unit 106 transmits a command and receives a signal from the emergency button 102, it sends a lighting signal to the display lamp 101, a start signal to the special signal light emitter 103, and an emergency signal to the signal delay unit 108. .

  The imaging unit 107 is a camera that images the outside, and is, for example, a 1/3 inch CCD camera (270,000 pixels).

The signal delay unit 108 outputs the emergency signal from the signal processing unit 106 to the image processing unit 109 and the wireless communication unit 111 after t ₂ seconds have elapsed.

  The image processing unit 109 takes in an image signal from the imaging unit 107 and stores it in the image storage unit 110. When the emergency signal from the signal delay unit 108 is input, the capturing of the image signal from the imaging unit 107 is stopped. In addition, an image from the input of the emergency signal from the signal delay unit 108 to (t1 + t2) seconds before is read, that is, an image of (t1 + t2) seconds in total of t1 seconds before the emergency signal input and t2 seconds after the emergency signal input. Read and send to the wireless communication unit 111.

  The image storage unit 110 stores an image captured by the image processing unit 109 from the imaging unit 107. Here, as the image storage unit 110, for example, a small card-type memory or the like can be applied. This memory is, for example, a FIFO type memory. When the video in the compact flash memory becomes full, the old video frames are deleted and the latest video frames are stored.

  The wireless communication unit 111 is activated by the emergency signal from the signal delay unit 108, outputs the image signal from the image processing unit 109 to the mobile phone 112, and controls the transmission operation of the mobile phone 112. In addition, if transmission is not performed correctly, retransmission is performed until transmission is successful.

  The cellular phone 112 transmits the image signal from the wireless communication unit 111 to the server 200. In addition, an e-mail notifying that the emergency button has been pressed is transmitted to the mobile phone device 300 held by the maintenance worker.

  The operation of the crossing monitoring apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

  First, the signal processing unit 106 determines whether or not there is a signal from the start button 105 (step S301). If it is determined that there is no signal from the start button 105, the process returns to step S301, and the signal from the start button 105 is received again. Determine if there is. When the start button 105 is pressed, a signal is sent to the signal processing unit 106. The absence of a signal from the start button 105 indicates that the start button 105 has not been pressed. Here, a state where the start button 105 is not pressed is set as an initial state. The railroad crossing monitoring device 100 is activated after the start button 105 is pressed by an operation of a railway operator such as a maintenance worker.

  If it is determined in step S301 that there is a signal from the start button 105, the open / close state of the lid is determined based on the signal from the magnet sensor 104 (step S302). If it is determined that the lid is open, step Returning to S302, the open / close state of the lid is determined, and when the lid of the level crossing monitoring device 100 is opened, imaging by the imaging unit 107 is not performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S302 that the lid is closed, the image processing unit 107 captures an image using the image capturing unit 107, and stores the captured image in the image storage unit 110 (step S303).

  The signal processing unit 106 determines whether there is a signal from the emergency button 102 (step S304). If it is determined that there is no signal from the emergency button 102, it determines whether there is a signal from the magnet sensor 104 (step S305). ). Here, when the emergency button 102 is pressed, an emergency signal is sent to the signal processing unit 106. When there is no emergency signal from the emergency button 102, the emergency button 102 is not pressed.

  If it is determined in step S305 that the lid is closed, the process returns to step S303, the image processing unit 107 captures an image by the imaging unit 107, and stores the captured image in the image storage unit 110.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S305 that the lid is open, the process proceeds to step S307.

  If it is determined in step S304 that there is an emergency signal from the emergency button 102, it is assumed that the emergency button 102 has been pressed, and the signal processing unit 106 sends a lighting signal to the display lamp 101 to turn on the display lamp 101. At the same time, an emergency signal is sent to the special signal light emitter 103 and the signal delay unit 108 (step S306).

  When the signal delay unit 108 determines whether the delay time has elapsed (step S307) and determines that the delay time has not elapsed, the image processing unit 109 captures an image from the imaging unit 107, and stores the captured image as an image storage. The information is stored in the unit 110 (step S308), and the process returns to step S307 to determine whether the delay time has elapsed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S307 that the delay time has elapsed, the signal delay unit 108 outputs an emergency signal to the image processing unit 109 and the wireless communication unit 111 (step S309), and the image processing unit 109 outputs the emergency signal. When received, the capturing of the image from the imaging unit 107 is stopped (step S310). By stopping the capturing of the image from the imaging unit 107, it is possible to prevent the image when the railroad crossing emergency notification means is operated from being overwritten. The wireless communication unit 111 is activated when the emergency signal output from the signal delay unit 108 is received (step S311).

After the image processing unit 109 stops capturing an image from the imaging unit 107, an image of (t ₁ + t ₂ ) seconds before receiving an emergency signal from the signal delay unit 108 from the image storage unit 110, that is, an emergency button is displayed. pressed time than the read images of _one second before and t ₂ seconds after t, sent to the radio communication unit 111, the wireless communication unit 111 acquires the image and sends it to the server 200 via the mobile phone 112 ( Step S312).

  It is determined whether the wireless communication unit 112 has transmitted all the images (step S313), and if it is determined that all the images have not been transmitted, the process returns to step S312 and the wireless communication unit 111 transmits the server via the mobile phone 112. 200 sends an image.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S313 that all the images have been transmitted, the emergency button 102 is pressed on the mobile phone device 300 held by the maintenance worker designated in advance by the wireless communication unit 111 via the mobile phone 112. A mail notifying this is transmitted (step S314), and the activation of the wireless communication unit 111 is stopped (step S315). Here, the notification mail may be a short message service (SMS) of a mobile phone or an electronic mail. The contents described in this mail include information indicating which level crossing emergency button has been pressed, and information (such as a URL) for accessing an image file stored in the server device.

  Subsequently, the signal processing unit 106 determines whether or not there is an emergency signal from the emergency button 102 (step S316). If it is determined that there is an emergency signal from the emergency button 102, the process returns to step S316, and again from the emergency button 102. Determine if there is an emergency signal. When the emergency button 102 is returned, the transmission of the emergency signal to the signal processing unit 106 is stopped, and when it is determined that there is an emergency signal from the emergency button 102, it means that the emergency button 102 has not been returned yet, The process returns to step S316 and waits for the emergency button 102 to return.

  On the other hand, when the emergency button determines that there is no emergency signal from 102 in step S316, the signal processing unit 106 stops the signals to the display lamp 101, the special signal light emitter 103, and the signal delay unit 108, and the display lamp 101 Is turned off (step S317).

  Then, the process returns to step S301, and it is determined whether there is a signal from the start button 105.

  According to such a level crossing monitoring apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, a camera is built in the level crossing monitoring apparatus, and it is not necessary to install a camera, and the camera can take a face of an emergency button handler. The casing is fixed at a height, and the captured video can be easily analyzed. In addition, since images of a predetermined time before and after the time when the emergency button is pressed can be quickly provided, it is possible to prevent the level crossing device from being mischievous and to improve the criminal clearance rate.

  In addition, an image of a predetermined time before and after the time when the emergency button is pressed is sent to the server, and at the same time, an e-mail notifying that the emergency button is pressed is sent to the mobile phone device possessed by the maintenance worker. It is possible to know that the emergency button has been pressed while the worker is moving. Furthermore, when the server is accessed using the mobile phone device possessed by the maintenance worker, images before and after the time when the emergency button is pressed can be viewed, and the efficiency of the maintenance worker's work can be improved.

  In the above description, an example in which an image signal is transmitted to a server using a mobile phone has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to a mobile phone and can be similarly implemented as long as the device has a wireless communication function. is there.

  Moreover, although the example which transmits an image to a server and an emergency notification mail to a maintenance worker's mobile telephone from the railroad crossing monitoring apparatus was demonstrated, you may transmit an image directly to a maintenance worker's mobile telephone. Further, an image may be transmitted from the crossing monitoring device to the server, and an emergency notification mail or image may be transmitted from the server to the mobile phone.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be easily installed, has an effect of preventing mischief or the like of a level crossing operating device, and is useful for a level crossing monitoring device or the like.

It is a front view of a level crossing monitoring device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. The conceptual diagram which shows operation | movement when the level crossing operation device (emergency button) of the level crossing monitoring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention is operated. The block diagram which shows the structure of the level crossing monitoring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the level crossing monitoring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the level crossing monitoring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Railroad crossing monitoring apparatus 101 Display lamp 102 Emergency button 103 Special signal light emitter 104 Magnet sensor 105 Start button 106 Signal processing part 107 Imaging part 108 Signal delay part 109 Image processing part 110 Image memory | storage part 111 Wireless communication part 112 Cellular phone 120 Case 121 Windows 200 Server 300 Mobile phone device

Claims (3)

A railroad crossing emergency notification means that is provided inside the housing and generates an emergency notification signal when a notification operation is performed from outside the housing;
An imaging unit provided inside the housing, for capturing a moving image of an operator of the railroad crossing emergency notification unit ;
Recording means for recording an image picked up by the image pickup means;
An image acquisition means for acquiring an image recorded in the recording means when the emergency notification signal is generated;
Wireless communication means for notifying the acquired image to the outside via a wireless communication network;
The wireless communication means transmits the image to the server device when the emergency notification signal is generated, and indicates that the emergency notification signal has been generated for a mobile phone held by a maintenance worker. A mail including information and image identification information transmitted to the server device, and the recording means starts recording an image when the casing is closed and records an image when the casing is opened. Railroad crossing monitoring device to stop. A railroad crossing monitoring device according to claim 1,
The railroad crossing monitoring apparatus, wherein the recording unit stops recording an image from the imaging unit after a predetermined time from the occurrence of the emergency notification signal. A railroad crossing monitoring device according to claim 1,
The crossing monitoring device, wherein the image acquisition means acquires images of a predetermined time before and after the emergency notification signal is generated.

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