JP7460266B1 - Escalator information display method and escalator - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an information display method for an escalator and an escalator that can improve safety during boarding without compromising the effectiveness of advertising displays. [Solution] At least a first display device 81 is installed near the boarding entrance of the escalator, and a second display device 88 is installed near the exit entrance of the escalator. The first display device 81 displays first information, and the second display device 88 displays an answer to the first display information at a time interval that would occur if the user stopped while riding from the boarding entrance to the exit entrance after the first display information has been displayed. [Selected Figure] Figure 6

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an escalator information display method and an escalator.

Conventionally, there are known examples of installing monitors on or around the escalator body to display advertisements and other information to escalator users. There is also a technology in which multiple monitors are arranged along the direction of escalator movement, and the screens are scrolled or switched in accordance with the movement of the user, making it easier for users to see. Furthermore, there is also a known example of a system that uses a projector to display advertisements on the steps of an escalator, which projects advertising information when no users are walking, and displays a warning when users are walking.

JP 2001-282229 A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-62892 Patent No. 6657309 JP 2021-20765 Publication

By the way, when using an escalator, it is customary to leave one side of the step open, and passengers who are in a hurry walk on the open step.

However, because safety standards for escalators are based on the assumption that passengers will stand on the steps when using them, despite calls to not walk on them, this rule is currently not being followed.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an escalator information display method and escalator that can improve safety while riding by encouraging users to stop and look at the display device depending on the content displayed on the display device and the timing of display.

The embodiment for achieving the above object includes at least a first display device installed near the boarding entrance of the escalator and a second display device installed near the exit entrance of the escalator. The first display device displays first information, and the second display device displays an answer to the first display information after a time has elapsed when the user stops from near the boarding entrance to near the exit entrance to board the escalator.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an escalator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an escalator control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of content displayed on the display device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another display example of content displayed on the display device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing still another display example of content displayed on the display device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing still another display example of content displayed on the display device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing still another display example of content displayed on the display device according to the embodiment. 8 is a timing chart showing the display timing of the display examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of a bee as an example of display content before division. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing divided images of the bee image shown in FIG. 9; 11 is a timing chart showing the display timing of the divided images of the honeybee shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a calculation formula displayed on a display device. 13 is a timing chart showing the display timing of the calculation formula shown in FIG. 12 . 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams showing advantages for a user when only the right display device and only the left display device are displayed, respectively. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another configuration of the control system for the escalator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Configuration of the embodiment
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an escalator according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the escalator 100 transports users by running endlessly connected steps 2 between the upper and lower floors. Handrails 3 that run in conjunction with the steps 2 are installed on both sides of the steps 2. In addition, load detectors 4 that detect the load of users are installed on the steps 2 and are used to detect when users get on and off. Note that by installing a load detector 4 on each step 2, it can be used to detect when users are walking.

Stairs 2 are set between the left and right inner decks 5. An outer deck 6 is arranged adjacent to each inner deck 5, and a glass panel 7 is erected between the inner deck 5 and the outer deck 6. The handrail 3 is arranged so as to be able to run on the glass panel 7.

On the outer deck 6, multiple display devices 8 (81, 82, 83, ..., 8n) are installed at appropriate intervals. Here, display device 81 installed near the boarding entrance of escalator 100 is defined as the first display device. Display device 88 installed near the disembarking entrance of escalator 100 is defined as the second display device. Furthermore, display devices 82 to 87 installed at a predetermined interval between display device 81, which is the first display device, and display device 88, which is the second display device, are defined as the third display device.

A camera 9 is installed near the ceiling of the upper floor of the escalator 100, and monitors the escalator 100 to ensure the safety of users. Furthermore, by analyzing the camera image, it is possible to detect whether the user is walking on the steps 2 or not.

In addition, a lift plate 10 is installed near the entrance, and user detectors 11d, 11u that detect passengers getting on and off are installed on the inner deck 5 near the lift plate 10. Furthermore, a disembarking detector 12 is installed on the inner deck 5 near the disembarking area. These user detectors 11d, 11u and a disembarking detector 12 are composed of optical sensors, infrared sensors, human sensors, etc., and are used to detect passengers.

The display devices 8 are composed of liquid crystal panels or organic EL panels, and a plurality of display devices 8 are installed at equal intervals on the outer deck 6 of the diagonal section of the escalator 100. The external shape of the display device 8 is a vertically long rectangle. Further, the power supply for the display device 8 is supplied by making a hole in the outer deck 6 and connecting it to the escalator power supply installed inside the truss. In addition, it is attached by a pedestal so that it fits within the width of the outer deck 6. In addition, the height is such that it fits between the outside deck 6 and the handrail 3. This display device 8 is configured such that the screen display direction can be freely changed by remote control operation.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a display system that displays content on the display device 8 (81, 82, 83,..., 8n) of the escalator 100.

As shown in the figure, this display system is configured with an escalator control device 20 as the control center. The escalator control device 20 is equipped with a travel control unit 21, a display control unit 22, a walking detection unit 23, a content storage unit 24, a content update unit 25, and a control information input unit 26. The escalator control device 20 is also connected to an escalator monitoring center 30 and a content distribution server 40 via a network.

The travel control unit 21 of the escalator control device 20 controls the travel of the escalator 100 based on the user detection information detected by the user detectors 11d and 11u, the exit detector 12, and the like. Furthermore, when control information is input from the control information input unit 26, the escalator 100 is operated under control.

The display control unit 22 controls the display of the display devices 8 (81, 82, 83, ..., 8n) to scroll or display the content in a fixed manner.

Display Control of the Display Control Unit 22
A specific description will now be given of the display control of the display control unit 22. When information is to be displayed on all of the display devices 8, which are arranged at predetermined intervals, the following display method is executed.

(1) An image (image pieces) of one piece of information to be displayed is divided among all the display devices 8, and each image is displayed on each of the display devices 8 (81, 82, ... 88).

(2) The displayed information has a relationship with each other, and at least the display contents of the first display device (first display device) 81 and the last display device (second display device) 88 in the direction of movement of the step 2 are , shall be non-identical.

(3) The displayed information is related to each other, but the display devices 8 display different contents.
(4) The information to be displayed shall take at least one of the display formats in which the same content is displayed on all display devices 8, and the timing for the first information to be displayed on the monitors shall be when the user boards the vehicle, and the timing for the last information to be displayed on the monitors shall be just before the user disembarks (when he or she looks at the last display device) if the user was on the vehicle and not walking.

When receiving control information from the building or a signal from the escalator's safety device, the display of advertisements is stopped and the content is changed to display control information, safety measures, etc. When the escalator 100 is not operating or in low-speed standby operation, the display is turned off.

Note that the display control unit 22 has advertisement content and display information predetermined in a display table depending on the time, day of the week, and date, and changes them as appropriate. Alternatively, the content distribution server 40 may have a display table, and when updating information, the information in this display table may also be transmitted to a storage unit (not shown) of the display device 8.

The walking detection unit 23 inputs the camera image from the camera 9, detects whether or not a pedestrian is walking, and outputs walking detection information to the display control unit 22. Note that pedestrians may be detected based on load detection signals from a plurality of load detectors 4.

The content storage unit 24 is composed of a USB memory, a memory card, etc., and stores the content displayed on the display device 8 in an updateable manner.

The content update unit 25 is connected to the content distribution server 40, and when an advertisement is distributed from the content distribution server 40, the content update unit 25 replaces and updates the content in the content storage unit 24 with the distributed content.

The control information input unit 26 is connected to the escalator monitoring center 30, and when control information is output due to an earthquake, fire, etc., it inputs the control information and outputs it to the travel control unit 21 and the display control unit 22.

The escalator monitoring center 30 remotely monitors the escalator 100 and provides centralized control of multiple escalators.

The content distribution server 40 supplies content to the escalator control device 20 and causes the display device 8 to display question information, answer information to the question information, advertising information, etc.

《Specific example of content display》
Figures 3 to 5 are examples of displays that prompt the pedestrian on step 2 to stop walking. In the example shown in FIG. 3, marks urging "no walking" are displayed on all eight display devices 81 to 88. The example shown in FIG. 4 has the same display content as FIG. 3, but the display mark gradually scrolls upward (in the case of UP operation). In this way, by displaying a mark indicating "no walking" on all display devices 8, it is possible to psychologically appeal to the user that walking is prohibited, and to ask the user to stop walking and stop on the steps 2. can be encouraged.

In the example shown in Figure 5, "No walking" signs are displayed at a specified interval, along with a warning such as "Do not walk, there is a child behind you." Pedestrians are detected from the image information of the camera 9, and if it is detected that a child is riding nearby, specific messages are displayed to warn the pedestrian and stop him or her from walking.

In the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the quiz questions are displayed on the first display device (first display device) 81 when the user 50 gets on the train, and the last display device ( The answer to the quiz is displayed on the second display device (88). Specifically, in FIG. 6A, the question "What day is it today?" is displayed on the display device 81 at the boarding timing. Then, at the timing of getting off the train, the answer "Escalator Day" is displayed. In FIG. 7A, the question ``What is the material cost to make one 1 yen coin?'' is displayed on the display device 81, and the answer ``3 yen'' is displayed on the display device 88 at the timing of getting off the train.

In this way, the user can enjoy riding the escalator 100 while thinking about the answer to the question, which can be expected to have an effect of inhibiting the user 50 from walking.

Figure 8 shows the display timing of the display examples shown in Figures 6 and 7. Assume now that the ascending/descending distance (total length) of the escalator 100 is 30 m, and the ascending/descending speed is 30 m/min.

There are five questions, Q1 to Q5, and five answers, A1 to A5. Display timing t1 indicates the display timing of the first display device 81, and display timing t8 indicates the display timing of the last display device 88.

In this state, the first question Q1 is displayed on the display device 81 for five seconds. The next question Q2 is displayed for the next five seconds. Meanwhile, when the steps 2 move up and down a distance of 30 m, the answer A1 to the first question Q1 is displayed on the last display device 88 for five seconds. As a result, if the user 50 who has seen the first question Q1 stops walking on the steps 2 without walking, he or she will be able to see the answer A1 to question Q1 one minute later. Note that although the answer A1 is displayed one minute after the question Q1 is displayed on the first display device 81, the timing of the display of answer A1 may be adjusted to a time slightly shorter than one minute, rather than one minute after the question Q1 is displayed on the first display device 81, taking into consideration the installation position of the last display device 88, so as to match the timing at which the user can easily see the answer.

In this way, in this display example, questions such as trivia and today's weather are displayed when the user boards the vehicle, and the answers are displayed when the user disembarks. The answers are displayed at a time when the user is riding the vehicle and not walking. Therefore, if the user walks, they will not be able to see the answer, which helps to discourage walking. Also, by preparing questions that will interest users about the answers, walking can be further discouraged.

FIG. 9 shows an image of a honey bee, and FIG. 10 shows the image of a honey bee shown in FIG. An example is shown in which the answer to what the combined image of the seven images represents is displayed on the last display device 88 as text data, ``bee''.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the display timings of five different types of image data I1 to I5 prepared in advance and the display timings of answers A1 to A5 as to what each image data represents. First, images obtained by dividing the image data I1 into seven parts are simultaneously displayed on seven display devices 81 to 87 for 5 seconds. Next, images (image pieces) obtained by dividing the image data I2 into seven are simultaneously displayed on seven display devices 81 to 87 for 5 seconds. In this way, the image data I1 to I5 are displayed on the display devices 81 to 87 in sequence at 5 second intervals. Then, when the image data I5 is displayed, the display returns to the image data I1 again and the display is repeated. Furthermore, the display device 88 displays the answer to what the image data I1 to I5 represent as text data. After 60 seconds have passed after the image data I1 is displayed on the seven display devices 81 to 87, the answer A1 as to what the image data I1 represents is displayed on the display device 88 as text data. Similarly, for the image data I2 to I5, the answers A2 to A5 are displayed on the display device 88 at a timing 60 seconds after the respective display timings.

The user can check what the image data displayed at the boarding gate indicates by looking at the answer in the text data displayed at the disembarking gate. If the user is walking on the steps, the split image and the answer will not match.

Figure 12 shows another example of a display. In this example, a question is displayed to the user on the first display device (first display device) 81 when the user boards the train. In this example, the question is "addition." The next display device 82 displays "1," display device 83 displays "+," display device 84 displays "2," display device 85 displays "+," display device 86 displays "3," and display device 87 displays "=". Then, the answer, "6," is displayed on the final display device (second display device) 88.

FIG. 13 shows the display timing of the display example shown in FIG. Here, distance from display device 81 to display device 88: Lm, interval between display devices: L/7, escalator speed: Vm/min, display timing on each display device (seconds): L/7÷V *60 seconds (=8.57 seconds).

First, the type of operation M1 to be posed is displayed as text data on display device (first display device) 81; in this example, it is "addition." Calculation formulas N1 to N5 and E7 are displayed in sequence on display devices 81 to 87 in accordance with the timing of the user's movement, and when the user approaches display device (second display device) 88, the answer A1 (in this example, "6") is displayed.

Figure 14 (A) shows the advantages of displaying information only on the display device 8 on the right side of the driving direction, while Figure 14 (B) shows the advantages of displaying information only on the left side of the driving direction.

As shown in Figure 14 (A), if there are no users on the left and a pedestrian is walking on the right, if only the right side is displayed, the pedestrian will change his/her line of sight because the advertisement is displayed at his/her feet. It can be visually recognized without any problems. Therefore, displaying the above-mentioned content to a walking user is effective in making the user stop walking.

In FIG. 14A, if the user on the left side is stationary but the user on the right side is walking, the person walking can see the advertisement without changing their line of sight because the advertisement is displayed at their feet. On the other hand, since the line of sight of a user stopping on the left side is also directed toward the display device on the right side, there is a restraining effect that makes it difficult for a user walking on the right side to walk.

As shown in FIG. 14(B), if there is no user on the left side and a pedestrian is walking on the right side, with only the left side displayed, the pedestrian has the freedom to change his or her line of sight and can see it on any display device. Therefore, by displaying a message prohibiting walking on the left display device, it is possible to prompt users walking on the right side to stop walking.

In FIG. 14(B), if the user on the left side is stationary but the user on the right side is walking, there is an advantage that the stationary user can view the display calmly. On the other hand, a user walking on the right side is curious about what is displayed on the display device on the left side. Therefore, by displaying a message prohibiting walking on the left display device, users walking on the right side can be urged to stop walking.
The advertisement is displayed at your feet, so you can see it without changing your line of sight.

Based on the above considerations, it can be seen that whether the sign is displayed only on the right side or only on the left side, it has a certain effect of encouraging pedestrians to stop walking.

《Modified example》
When display devices are installed on the left and right outer decks 6 with the steps 2 in between, the display content and display speed between the left and right display devices 8 may be the same or different. The columns on at least one side only need to have the same speed and content.

It is also possible to adjust the angle of the display surface of the display device 8. The angles of all display devices 8 may be made constant. Further, the angle may be adjusted for each individual display device 8. Further, the angle of the display device 8 may be adjusted not only in one axis but also in two or three axes.

A camera can be attached to the display device 8 to monitor users and the operation status of the escalator.

《Other examples of system configuration》
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the escalator information display method and the configuration of a system to which the escalator is applied according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the content display function of the escalator control device 20 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is provided in a content distribution server 40. For this reason, the content distribution server 40 includes a display control section 42, a travel control section 43, a content storage section 44, a content update section 45, and a control information input section 46. The individual functions of the display control section 42, travel control section 43, content storage section 44, content update section 45, and control information input section 46 are the display control section 22 and travel control section in the escalator control device 20 shown in FIG. It is the same as the section 21, the content storage section 24, the content update section 25, and the control information input section 46.

The escalator control device 20 also includes a walking detection unit 23, an escalator control unit 27, and a communication unit 28.

The walking detection unit 23 is similar to that shown in Figure 2, and receives the camera image from the camera 9 to detect whether or not a pedestrian is walking.

The machine control unit 27 executes running control of each escalator machine, such as outputting a control command to the drive motor of the escalator 100.

The communication unit 28 receives control commands for the escalator 100 in cooperation with the escalator monitoring center 30, and transmits a walking detection signal etc. from the walking detection unit 23 to the escalator monitoring center 30.

The content distribution server 40 is connected to the escalator monitoring center 30 and the escalator control device 20 wirelessly or via a network line, and works together to control the display of content on the display device 8.

The display control process is the same as in the embodiment described above, so a detailed description is omitted.

With this system configuration, the content distribution server 40 is designed to include a content distribution function, so advertisements can be distributed to each escalator 100 in a batch without changing the functions of each escalator control device 20. In addition, content distribution can be updated in a batch, making maintenance easier.

In addition, since we have made it possible for pedestrians to stop and look at the display, if the advertisement is hidden on the display device 8, further advertising effects can be expected. It has the effect of being visible and having good visibility.

In the embodiments described above, the display devices 8 are arranged on the outer deck 6 at a predetermined interval, but the display devices 8 do not necessarily have to be on the outer deck 6. For example, they may be placed on the wall of a building parallel to the escalator 100 at a predetermined interval.

Further, although the display device 8 of this embodiment has a vertically long rectangular shape, it is not limited to the vertically long shape. It may be of various shapes, such as a horizontally long shape or an elliptical shape.

In addition, in this embodiment, the transparent glass panel 7 is used as the balustrade panel, but if the display device 8 is installed on the wall of a building parallel to the escalator 100, for example, the display device 8 is not necessarily transparent but semitransparent. It may be an opaque panel such as a panel or a stainless steel panel.

Furthermore, the content such as information and advertisements displayed on the display device 8 may be text, still images, videos, or a combination of these, or a combination of these with audio.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

2...Steps, 3...Handrail, 4...Load detector, 5...Inner deck, 6...Outer deck, 7...Glass panel, 8 (81,82,83,8n)...Display device, 81...First display device , 82-87...Third display device, 88...Second display device, 9...Camera, 10...Elevating board, 11d, 11u...User detector, 12...Getting off detector, 20...Escalator control device, 21 ... Traveling control section, 22... Display control section, 23... Walking detection section, 24... Content storage section, 25... Content updating section, 26... Control information input section, 27... Unit control section, 28... Communication section, 30... Escalator Monitoring center, 40...Content distribution server, 42...Display control unit, 43...Travel control unit, 44...Content storage unit, 45...Content update unit, 46...Control information input unit, 50...User, 100...Escalator,

Claims (4)

At least a first display device installed around the entrance of the escalator and a second display device installed around the exit entrance of the escalator,
The first display device displays first information;
After displaying the first display information, the second display device displays the first display information so that the user stops and gets on the train while thinking about the answer to the first display information. An escalator information display method that displays an answer to first display information after a time elapses when the user stops and rides the escalator. There are multiple types of first information displayed on the first display device, and they are displayed one by one at predetermined time intervals,
2. The escalator information display method according to claim 1, wherein the second display device sequentially displays answers corresponding to the first information at predetermined time intervals. A plurality of third display devices are installed at predetermined intervals between the first display device and the second display device,
The first information is composed of a plurality of pieces of division information, and each piece of division information is displayed on the first display device and the third display device for a predetermined period of time;
In the escalator information display method, the second display device displays the answer to the first display information after a time has elapsed when the user stops and rides from the vicinity of the boarding gate to the vicinity of the disembarking gate after displaying the first display information. An escalator equipped with a display control unit that displays the escalator information display method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 on a display device installed on the escalator.

Images