JP7842614B2 - Automatic door device, automatic door system, notification control method for automatic door device, and notification control program for automatic door device - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to an automatic door device, an automatic door system, a notification control method for an automatic door device, and a notification control program for an automatic door device.

Conventionally, in automatic door systems that open a door when a person or object is near it, there are known automatic door systems that do not open the door under certain conditions. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an automatic door system in which, when the door 1 is in the closed position and a door pocket sensor detects the presence of a person or object on the door pocket side of the automatic door and inputs a detection signal to the controller, if a detection signal is also input to the controller from the entrance/exit sensor, the motor stops for a set waiting time and the door remains in the closed position. According to the automatic door system of Patent Document 1, since the door waits in the closed position for a set waiting time, a person or object may move away from the door pocket side of the automatic door during that waiting period, thus preventing a collision between the door and the person or object present on the door pocket side.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-127152

However, in automatic door systems that do not open the door under predetermined conditions, as described in Patent Document 1, if a door that should normally open fails to open, people near the automatic door system or those who operated the door to open it may not be aware of the situation. Therefore, there was room for improvement in terms of convenience.

In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to provide a technology for an automatic door system that enables a person near the automatic door system or the person who operated the door to open it to understand that the automatic door system is in a situation where it cannot open the door, when the door fails to open under predetermined conditions.

To solve the above problems, an automatic door device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: an open instruction signal output unit that outputs an open instruction signal for opening and closing an opening; a limiting unit that outputs a limiting signal for restricting the opening operation of the door under predetermined conditions; a control unit that controls the opening and closing operation of the door based on the open instruction signal and refrains from opening the door when the open instruction signal is output while the limiting signal is received; and a notification unit that notifies a notification device that the door cannot be opened when the open instruction signal is output while the limiting signal is received.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an automatic door system comprising: an open instruction signal output unit that outputs a door open instruction signal for opening and closing an opening based on the detection of a person or object within an activation detection area; a limiting unit that outputs a limiting signal for restricting the door opening operation under predetermined conditions; a control unit that controls the door opening and closing operations based on the open instruction signal and refrains from opening the door when the open instruction signal is output while the limiting signal is received; and a notification unit that notifies a notification device that the door cannot be opened when the open instruction signal is output while the limiting signal is received.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic door system comprising: a security release device that outputs a security release signal to permit the opening operation of a door that opens and closes an opening; an automatic door device that includes an activation sensor that outputs an activation signal based on the detection of a person or object in an activation detection area; an open instruction signal output unit that outputs an open instruction signal for the door based on at least one of the activation signal and the security release signal; a limiting unit that outputs a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of the door under predetermined conditions; a control unit that controls the opening and closing operations of the door based on the open instruction signal and does not open the door when the open instruction signal is output while the limiting signal is received; and a notification unit that notifies a notification device that the door cannot be opened when the open instruction signal is output while the limiting signal is received.

A notification control method for an automatic door device in yet another aspect of the present invention comprises the steps of: a limiting unit outputting a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of a door that opens and closes an opening under predetermined conditions; and a notification unit notifying that the door cannot be opened when an open instruction signal output unit, which outputs an open instruction signal for the door, outputs the open instruction signal upon receiving the limiting signal, notifies that the door cannot be opened.

A notification control program for an automatic door device in yet another aspect of the present invention is a notification control program for an automatic door device that causes a computer to perform the following steps: a limiting unit outputs a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of a door that opens and closes an opening under predetermined conditions; and a notification unit notifies the computer that the door cannot be opened when an open instruction signal is output from an open instruction signal output unit that has received the limiting signal.

Furthermore, any combination of the above, or any substitution of the components or expressions of the present invention between methods, apparatus, programs, temporary or non-temporary storage media or systems on which programs are recorded, are also valid embodiments of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology for an automatic door system that allows a person near the automatic door system to understand that the automatic door system is unable to open the door when the door fails to open under predetermined conditions.

This is a schematic front view of an automatic door system. This figure illustrates the system configuration of an automatic door device according to the first embodiment. This is a schematic diagram showing the activation detection area and protection detection area of the first embodiment as viewed from above. This is a functional block diagram of the door controller of the first embodiment. This is a flowchart showing the processing of the door controller according to the first embodiment. This is a functional block diagram of the door controller according to the second embodiment. This figure illustrates the system configuration of an automatic door device according to the third embodiment. This is a functional block diagram of the door controller according to the third embodiment. This is a flowchart showing the processing of the door controller in the third embodiment.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, based on preferred embodiments. In embodiments and modifications, the same or equivalent components and members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the dimensions of the members in each drawing are enlarged or reduced as appropriate for ease of understanding. Also, some members that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted from the drawings.

Furthermore, separate components sharing common characteristics are distinguished by adding "First," "Second," etc., to the beginning of their names, and these prefixes are omitted when referring to them collectively. While terms including ordinal numbers such as "First," "Second," etc., are used to describe diverse components, these terms are used solely to distinguish one component from others and do not limit the components themselves.

First Embodiment Figure 1 is a schematic front view showing the automatic door device 100. The automatic door device 100 shown in Figure 1 is a double sliding door type, in which two doors 9 automatically open and close to the left and right. The doors 9 are a pair, left and right, and are configured to move back and forth along fixed 22 which are fixedly placed with a gap between them on either side of the opening 23, thereby opening and closing the opening 23. As an example, the automatic door device 100 is a device that opens and closes doors for openings 23 provided in walls or the like that partition spaces in various facilities such as apartments, hotels, and research laboratories. The automatic door device 100 of this embodiment is installed at the entrance of an apartment building.

Hereinafter, the direction along the opening and closing direction of the automatic door device 100 will be referred to as the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 1, when viewing the automatic door device 100 from the front, the left side will be referred to as "left" or "leftward," and the right side will be referred to as "right" or "rightward." Furthermore, the direction along the projection direction of the automatic door device 100 will be referred to as the front-back direction. The side away from the automatic door device 100 will be referred to as "front" or "forward," and the side approaching the automatic door device 100 in the front-back direction will be referred to as "rear" or "rearward." Also, the projection direction of the automatic door device 100 will be referred to as the "up-down direction." These directional notations do not restrict the orientation of the automatic door device 100; the automatic door device 100 can be used in any orientation.

Door 9 is in a fully closed state when the left and right ends of the door come into contact with each other, closing the opening 23. Door 9 then moves so that the ends of the door separate, stopping when the ends reach near the end of the fixed 22 on the opening 23 side, opening the opening 23 to a fully open state. Note that the automatic door device 100 may be a double-sliding door type, a single-sliding door type, a folding door type, etc.

Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of the automatic door device 100 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in Figure 2, the automatic door device 100 comprises an automatic door sensor 10, a notification device 40, and an automatic door drive device 90 for opening and closing the door 9. The automatic door device 100 is configured to communicate with the authentication device 51 and the opening permission device 52 of the security release system 50, which are located outside the automatic door device 100.

The automatic door sensor 10 detects a person or object (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "detection target") within the activation detection area 70 and the protection detection area 71 of the automatic door device 100. The automatic door sensor 10 includes an outdoor activation sensor 4A, an indoor activation sensor 4B, and an auxiliary photoelectric sensor 30.

The outdoor activation sensor 4A detects the object in the outdoor activation detection area 70A, which is located around the outdoor side of the opening 23. Furthermore, the outdoor activation sensor 4A also detects the object in the protective detection area 71, which is positioned to protect the object from contact with the door 9 when the door 9 is in the opening operation. The outdoor activation sensor 4A is positioned, for example, at the center of the left-right direction on the outdoor side of the transom 16 above the opening 23.

The indoor activation sensor 4B detects the target object in the indoor activation detection area 70B, which is located around the indoor side of the opening 23. For example, the indoor activation sensor 4B is positioned in the center of the left-right direction on the indoor side of the outer surface of the transom 16 above the opening 23.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the activation detection area 70 and protection detection area 71 of the first embodiment as viewed from above, and shows the activation detection area 70 and protection detection area 71 on the floor surface. As shown in Figure 3, the outdoor activation detection area 70A is provided on the outdoor side of the fully closed door 9. The indoor activation detection area 70B is provided on the opposite side of the opening 23 from the outdoor activation detection area 70A. In Figure 3, the solid line represents the fully closed door 9, and the dotted line represents the fully open door 9.

The protective detection area 71 includes a first protective detection area 71A and a second protective detection area 71B. The first protective detection area 71A is provided within the opening width of the opening 23 (see Figure 3). In this embodiment, the first protective detection area 71A is provided between the left and right fixes 22 and is located on the opening 23 side from the door 9's track. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first protective detection area 71A is provided along the door surface of the door 9, on the fixe 22 side with respect to the door 9 in the depth direction. The first protective detection area 71A may or may not include the area on the door 9's track.

The second protective detection area 71B is located on the tail end side of the door 9. The second protective detection area 71B is located outside the opening width of the opening 23 and on the front side of the fix 22 on the door 9 side. The second protective detection area 71B may or may not include the area along the track of the door 9.

The outdoor activation sensor 4A and the indoor activation sensor 4B are infrared reflection type sensors that emit and receive infrared light diagonally downward from their positions on the transom 16, and detect objects entering the door 9. When the outdoor activation sensor 4A detects an object, it transmits an outdoor activation signal to the door controller 91. When the indoor activation sensor 4B detects an object, it transmits an indoor activation signal to the door controller 91. Hereinafter, the outdoor activation sensor 4A and the indoor activation sensor 4B may be collectively referred to as the activation sensor 4. Also, the outdoor activation signal and the indoor activation signal may be collectively referred to as the activation signal. The outdoor activation detection area 70A and the indoor activation detection area 70B constitute the activation detection area 70 of the automatic door device 100.

In this embodiment, the outdoor activation sensor 4A sequentially acquires the amount of infrared light received in the outdoor activation detection area 70A. The indoor activation sensor 4B sequentially acquires the amount of infrared light received in the indoor activation detection area 70B. For example, the outdoor activation sensor 4A and the indoor activation sensor 4B each determine the presence or absence of a detection target in their respective areas based on the acquired amount of light received. For example, the outdoor activation sensor 4A and the indoor activation sensor 4B each determine that a detection target exists in the activation detection areas 70A and 70B when the detection level of the amount of light received in their respective activation detection areas 70A and 70B exceeds a predetermined level, and generate an activation signal. Hereinafter, the state in which a detection target is determined to exist in the activation detection area 70 is referred to as the detection state, and the state in which there is no detection state is referred to as the non-detection state. Also, for example, the outdoor activation sensor 4A determines that a detection target exists in the protection detection area 71 when the detection level of the amount of light received in the protection detection area 71 exceeds a predetermined level, and generates a protection detection signal. The shapes of the activation detection area 70 and the protection detection area 71 may be circular, elliptical, rectangular, or polygonal in any way other than a rectangle. The number and size of the activation detection area 70 and the protection detection area 71 are not limited to the example in Figure 3 and may be set arbitrarily.

The auxiliary photoelectric sensor 30 is a photoelectric detection device and has a light emitter 301 and a light receiver 302 positioned near the opening 23 of the fixed panel 22. The auxiliary photoelectric sensor 30 detects when the light ray passing between the light emitter 301 and the light receiver 302 is blocked, and transmits detection information indicating the presence of a person or object in the path of the door 9 to the door controller 91. Note that the auxiliary photoelectric sensor 30 may also be a light reflection type or ultrasonic type detection device attached to the transom 16, in addition to the photoelectric type.

The automatic door drive system 90 includes a door controller 91 and a door engine 92. The door controller 91 controls the door engine 92 to open and close the door 9 based on activation signals, detection information, and security release signals (described later). While there are no limitations on the transmission path 96 that transmits the activation signals, detection information, and security release signals (described later), in this example, the transmission path 96 includes an internal bus (e.g., CAN: Controller Area Network). The door engine 92 drives the door 9 to open and close by rotating a motor (not shown) based on the control of the door controller 91.

When the door controller 91 receives an indoor activation signal, it activates the motor (not shown) of the door engine 92 to drive the door 9 open until it is fully open. On the other hand, in this embodiment, from the viewpoint of improving building security by preventing intruders from entering the building from outside, the door controller 91 does not drive the door 9 open even if it receives an outdoor activation signal while it has not received the security release signal described later. It only drives the door 9 open until it is fully open when it receives the outdoor activation signal while it has received the security release signal described later.

The door controller 91 maintains the fully open state for a certain period of time after the door 9 has changed to the fully open state, and then operates the door engine 92 in the reverse direction to drive the door 9 until it is fully closed. When the door controller 91 receives detection information from the auxiliary photoelectric sensor 30 during the closing drive of the door 9, it reverses the driving direction of the door engine 92, returning the door 9 to the fully open state.

If the door controller 91 receives a restriction signal from the restriction unit 103 (described later) and an open instruction signal is output from the open instruction signal output unit 102 (described later), it will not open the door 9.

The security release system 50 includes an authentication device 51, an opening permission device 52, an external intercom 53 installed near the automatic door device 100, and an internal intercom 54 installed in the rooms of residents or building managers of the apartment building. The authentication device 51 and the opening permission device 52 each output an authentication signal and an opening permission signal to the door controller 91 to release the security of the automatic door device 100, respectively, to allow passage to persons (passersby) attempting to pass through the opening 23 in predetermined cases. For example, upon receiving an authentication signal or an opening permission signal, the door controller 91 enters a state of having received a security release signal for a predetermined period of time. The authentication device 51 and the opening permission device 52 in this embodiment are examples of security release devices. Furthermore, the authentication signal of the authentication device 51 and the opening permission signal of the opening permission device 52 in this embodiment are examples of security release signals. Hereinafter, the authentication signal and the opening permission signal may be collectively referred to as security release signals.

The authentication device 51 outputs an authentication signal based on the authentication of the passerby. The authentication device 51 is installed, for example, near the door 9. In this embodiment, the authentication device 51 is installed outdoors of the building where the automatic door system 100 is installed. The authentication device 51 may be, for example, a key operation device that authenticates passersby based on the operation of a predetermined key, a PIN input device for entering a PIN, or a biometric authentication device.

The access control device 52 outputs an access control signal based on input from a user (resident, caretaker, etc.) inside the room. In this embodiment, the access control device 52 is installed in each room. For example, when a passerby communicates with a user inside the room via the external intercom 53 and the internal intercom 54, the access control device 52 outputs an access control signal in response to receiving user input during that communication granting permission for the passerby to pass.

The notification device 40 is, for example, a speaker, an LED lamp, or a liquid crystal display. The notification device 40 can notify that the door 9 cannot be opened through sound from the speaker, flashing of the LED lamp, a display on the liquid crystal display, etc. In this embodiment, the notification device 40 is installed, for example, on the door surface of the door 9 or in the vicinity of the door 9, but it may also be installed outside the automatic door device 100. Furthermore, the notification device 40 may also be, for example, a portable communication terminal owned by a passerby, resident, or caretaker.

Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of the door controller 91 of the first embodiment. Each block shown in the following figures can be implemented hardware-wise using components such as a computer processor, CPU, and memory, as well as electronic circuits and mechanical devices, and software-wise using computer programs, etc. However, here, the functional blocks are depicted as being realized through the coordination of these components. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be implemented in various ways through combinations of hardware and software.

As shown in Figure 4, the door controller 91 comprises an acquisition unit 101, an open instruction signal output unit 102, a limiting unit 103, a control unit 104, and a notification unit 105.

The acquisition unit 101 acquires the activation signals and protection detection signals from the outdoor activation sensor 4A and the indoor activation sensor 4B, detection information from the auxiliary photoelectric sensor 30, and security release signals, etc.

The open instruction signal output unit 102 outputs an open instruction signal for the door 9 in predetermined cases. In this embodiment, the automatic door device 100 is configured so that the activation sensor 4 becomes active when a security release signal is received. The open instruction signal output unit 102 outputs an open instruction signal when the activation signal for the activation sensor 4 is output.

The limiting unit 103 outputs a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of the door 9 under predetermined conditions. In this embodiment, the limiting unit 103 outputs a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of the door 9 when the outdoor activation sensor 4A detects a target object in the protection detection area 71.

The control unit 104 controls the opening and closing operations of the door 9. The control unit 104 opens the door 9 based on the open instruction signal, and does not open the door 9 if the open instruction signal is output while a restriction signal is received. Hereinafter, the operation of the door 9 when the opening operation is restricted may be referred to as the open protection operation.

In this embodiment, when the door 9 is fully closed and a protection detection signal is received, the limiting unit 103 outputs a limiting signal to prevent the door 9 from opening, and the control unit 104 executes an open protection operation for the door 9. On the other hand, if a protection detection signal is received when the door is not fully closed, the limiting unit 103 does not output a limiting signal, and the control unit 104 executes a predetermined closing protection operation for the door 9 (for example, closing at a slower speed than normal, stopping, or reversing to an open operation) to protect the detected object from the closing operation of the door 9.

Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the process S100 of the door controller 91 in the first embodiment.

In step S101, the open instruction signal output unit 102 determines whether the open instruction signal output conditions are met. For example, the open instruction signal output unit 102 determines, as the open instruction signal output conditions, whether an indoor activation signal has been acquired via the acquisition unit 101 and whether an outdoor activation signal has been acquired while a security release signal (authentication signal or permission signal) has been received. If the open instruction signal output conditions are not met (N in step S101), process S100 returns to the beginning of step S101 and repeats step S101. If the open instruction signal output conditions are met (Y in step S101), process S100 proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the open instruction signal output unit 102 outputs an open instruction signal to the control unit 104.

In step S103, the control unit 104, in response to receiving the open instruction signal, determines whether or not it has received a restriction signal. Here, the restriction signal is output from the restriction unit 103 to the control unit 104 when the restriction unit 103 acquires the protection detection signal, which is output when the outdoor activation sensor 4A detects an object within the protection detection area 71, via the acquisition unit 101. When the control unit 104 acquires the restriction signal, it enters a state where it has received a restriction signal. This state of having received a restriction signal continues from the time of receiving the restriction signal until the restriction termination condition described later is met. Alternatively, the state of having received a restriction signal may end after a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception of the restriction signal. If the state of having received a restriction signal is not one of receiving a restriction signal (N in step S103), processing S100 proceeds to step S108.

When no restriction signal is received, there is no object to be detected in the protection detection area 71, so even if the door 9 is opened, the possibility of the object coming into contact with the door 9 is low. Therefore, in step S108, the control unit 104 activates the open instruction signal and opens the door 9. After step S108, processing S100 ends.

When a restriction signal is received, the object to be detected is within the protection detection area 71. Therefore, if the door 9 is opened, there is a risk that the object to be detected will come into contact with the door 9. For this reason, when a restriction signal is received (Y in step S103), the control unit 104 does not open the door 9, and processing S100 proceeds to step S104.

In step S104, the notification unit 105 notifies the notification device 40 that the door 9 cannot be opened. For example, the notification unit 105 displays the message, "The door 9 cannot be opened because a person or object has been detected within the protection detection area 71," on the display of the notification device 40.

In step S105, the control unit 104 determines whether the outdoor activation sensor 4A has detected an object within the protection detection area 71 for a predetermined period of time. For example, the period of time the opening operation.

In step S106, the control unit 104 determines whether the termination condition is met. In this embodiment, the termination condition is, for example, when the outdoor activation sensor 4A no longer detects a target object within the protection detection area 71. Specifically, this is when, for example, a target object that was previously within the protection detection area 71 leaves the protection detection area 71, and the door controller 91 no longer receives a protection detection signal. If the termination condition is met (Y in step S106), processing S100 proceeds to step S107. If the termination condition is not met (N in step S106), processing S100 returns to step S105, and steps S105 and S106 are repeated until the detection state continues for the open operation hold time (Y in step S106) or until the termination condition is met (Y in step S106).

In step S107, the notification unit 105 terminates the notification indicating that the door 9 cannot be opened.

In step S108, the control unit 104 activates the open instruction signal and opens the door 9. After step S108, process S100 ends.

Returning to step S105, if the detection state persists for the opening operation hold time (Y in step S105), process S100 proceeds to step S109. In step S109, the notification unit 105 issues a final notification that the door 9 cannot be opened. For example, the notification unit 105 displays the message, "The door could not be opened because a person or object was detected within the protection detection area 71," on the display of the notification device 40.

In step S110, the control unit 104 disables the open instruction signal and maintains the fully closed state of the door 9. After step S110, process S100 ends.

Here, if the door 9 opens while a detection target is present in the protective detection area 71, there is a risk that the detection target may come into contact with the opening door 9. To mitigate this, for example, the risk of collision can be reduced by not opening the door 9 when a detection target is present in the protective detection area 71.

However, when using this countermeasure, if a passerby attempts to pass through the automatic door device 100 while a detection target is present in the protective detection area 71, the passerby may not understand why the door does not open. In particular, in automatic door devices 100 operating under security specifications for apartment buildings (where automatic activation in the outdoor activation detection area 70A is disabled when the door is fully closed), for example, if the door 9 does not open when a passerby attempts to pass from the indoor side to the outdoor side, the fix 22, etc., may create a blind spot, making it difficult for the passerby and the detection target in the protective detection area 71 on the outdoor side to see each other. As a result, there was room for improvement in terms of convenience, as passersby and the detection target in the protective detection area 71 may not be able to understand the situation.

In this embodiment, the restriction unit 103 outputs a restriction signal to restrict the opening operation of the door 9 under predetermined conditions, such as when the outdoor activation sensor 4A detects a target object in the protective detection area 71. The notification unit 105, upon receiving the restriction signal, notifies the notification device 40 that the door 9 cannot be opened when an open command signal is output. This configuration allows the notified person to understand that the door 9 is unable to open. Therefore, it becomes easier for the notified person to take appropriate action, such as confirming safety and removing the detected object from the protective detection area 71. This allows for improved convenience while ensuring safety for the opening door 9.

In this embodiment, the predetermined condition in the limiting unit 103 is that the outdoor activation sensor 4A has detected a person or object within the protective detection area 71. The statement that the door 9 cannot be opened includes the statement that the door 9 cannot be opened because a person or object has been detected within the protective detection area 71. With this configuration, the notified person can understand that a person or object is present within the protective detection area 71, making it easier for them to take appropriate actions, such as confirming safety and removing the detected object from the protective detection area 71.

In this embodiment, when the control unit 104 receives an open command signal, it disables the open command signal if a person or object is detected within the protective detection area 71 for a predetermined period of time after receiving the open command signal. The notification unit 105 then notifies that the door cannot be opened if a person or object is detected within the protective detection area 71 for a predetermined period of time after receiving the open command signal. If the open command signal were not disabled in this situation, the door 9 would open even if, after the detected object leaves the protective detection area 71, there is no longer a person in the protective detection area 71 who wants to pass through the opening 23. By disabling the open command signal, it is possible to prevent the door 9 from opening even when there is no one passing through the opening 23.

The following explains some variations.

The termination conditions for the restriction are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the termination condition may be when a predetermined time has elapsed since the restriction on the opening operation of door 9 began. The control unit 104 may determine whether or not at least one of the above-described termination conditions is met.

In this embodiment, the door 9 was not opened at all. However, it is also possible to open or close the door 9 to a degree that prevents a person from passing through, such as opening it a few centimeters and then returning it to the fully closed position, or closing it further from the fully closed position to deform the door edge rubber.

In this embodiment, an example is shown where two activation sensors 4 are placed outdoors and indoors, respectively. However, the embodiment is not limited to this arrangement; both activation sensors 4 may be placed indoors, or both may be placed outdoors.

In this embodiment, the outdoor activation sensor 4A sets the protection detection area 71, but the embodiment is not limited to this; other sensors such as the indoor activation sensor 4B and the auxiliary photoelectric sensor 30 may also set the protection detection area 71. Furthermore, the protection detection area 71 may be set both outdoors and indoors.

In this embodiment, the protection detection area 71 consists of two areas, the first protection detection area 71A and the second protection detection area 71B, but it may also consist of only one of them.

In this embodiment, the door controller 91 opened the door 9 for pedestrians entering from inside the building based on the acquisition of an indoor activation signal. However, it is not limited to this; the door 9 may also be opened based on the acquisition of both a security release signal and an indoor activation signal. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the door controller 91 opened the door 9 for pedestrians entering from outside the building based on the acquisition of both a security release signal and an outdoor activation signal. However, it is not limited to this; the door 9 may also be opened based on the acquisition of an outdoor activation signal. Additionally, the door controller 91 may open the door 9 based solely on the activation signal, without requiring a security release signal.

In this embodiment, the authentication device 51 is installed outdoors of the building where the automatic door device 100 is installed, but it is not limited to this. The authentication device 51 may be installed indoors, or it may be installed both outdoors and indoors.

In this embodiment, the door controller 91 determines whether to perform an open protection operation or a closed protection operation of the door 9 based on whether the door 9 is in a fully closed state, but this is not limited to this. For example, the automatic door sensor 10 may determine whether to perform an open protection operation or a closed protection operation of the door 9 by outputting a signal to perform an open protection operation and a signal to perform a closed protection operation of the door 9 based on whether the door 9 is in a fully closed state.

In this embodiment, the notification unit 105 did not notify in step S104 that the door 9 could not be opened, and did not make any further notifications until the final notification in step S109. However, it is not limited to this. The notification unit 105 may periodically make notifications in step S106 until the restriction termination condition is met, or it may make only one notification in step S104 without making a notification in step S109.

The content of the notification from the notification unit 105 is not limited to those described above. For example, in addition to the fact that the door cannot be opened, the notification unit 105 may instruct the user to perform the operation to activate the door 9 again, such as "Please check your surroundings and try activating the automatic door again." Alternatively, in addition to the fact that the door cannot be opened, the notification unit 105 may provide a more detailed explanation of why the door 9 could not be opened, such as "The door could not be opened because the outdoor activation sensor was in a detection state in the protection detection area before it was fixed," by indicating at least one of the sensor that detected the object within the protection detection area 71 and the protection detection area 71 where the object was located.

If a restriction signal is received when an open instruction signal is received, the control unit 104 may invalidate the open instruction signal each time.

In this embodiment, if a predetermined opening operation hold time elapses in step S105, it is determined in step S106 whether the limit termination condition is met; however, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, in this case, the opening instruction signal output unit 102 may again determine whether the opening instruction signal output condition is met, and if the opening instruction signal output condition is not met, processing S100 may proceed to steps S109 and S110. Furthermore, for example, the determination of whether the limit termination condition is met may be made before the determination of whether the predetermined opening operation hold time has elapsed, and the determination of whether the opening instruction signal output condition is met may be made immediately after the outdoor activation sensor 4A stops detecting an object within the protection detection area 71, or the determination of whether the opening instruction signal output condition is met may be made after a predetermined time has elapsed.

In this embodiment, the notification unit 105 notified the user that the door 9 could not be opened by displaying a message. However, it is not limited to this; for example, it may also notify the user by voice, or by using pictures or images. Furthermore, the notification unit 105 may also notify the user that the door 9 cannot be opened using video from an image sensor used as the activation sensor 4, or from a surveillance camera whose monitoring range includes the door 9.

Second Embodiment The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the drawings and description of the second embodiment, the same or equivalent components and members as in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on the configurations that differ from the first embodiment.

Figure 6 is a functional block diagram of the automatic door device 100 of the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the automatic door device 100 of the second embodiment further includes an abnormality detection unit 106 and an operation information storage unit 107.

The abnormality detection unit 106 determines abnormalities in the components of the automatic door system 100 based on, for example, the operating information of the automatic door system 100. The components of the automatic door system 100 include, for example, the door controller 91, the door engine 92, the automatic door sensor 10, the transmission line 96 for communication between them, and the door 9. Furthermore, abnormalities in the components include, for example, a malfunction of the components to the extent that they cannot properly operate to open the door 9, or deterioration of the components to the extent that the door 9 cannot be safely opened or closed, such as exhibiting unusual behavior during opening and closing. The operating information of the automatic door system 100 includes, for example, information indicating the detection status of the automatic door sensor 10, information indicating the position of the door 9, information indicating the movement speed of the door 9, information indicating the drive voltage of the door engine 92, and information indicating the response characteristics of the door controller 91.

For example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires operational information from the door controller 91, door engine 92, automatic door sensor 10, etc., and stores it chronologically in the operational information storage unit 107. The abnormality determination unit 106 determines, for example, that there is an abnormality in the equipment constituting the automatic door device 100 when the chronological data of the operational information shows an abnormal value, and outputs an abnormality determination signal to the limiting unit 103. In this embodiment, the limiting unit 103 outputs a limiting signal to the control unit 104 in response to the acquisition of the abnormality determination signal. As a result, the control unit 104 enters a state where it has received the limiting signal.

In this embodiment, the notification unit 105 displays the message "The door cannot be opened due to a malfunction in the automatic door device 100" on the display of the notification device 40 in step S104 described above. Furthermore, the notification unit 105 displays the message "The door could not be opened due to a malfunction in the automatic door device 100" on the display of the notification device 40 in step S109 described above.

Thus, in this embodiment, the predetermined condition in the limiting unit 103 is that the abnormality determination unit 106 determines an abnormality in the equipment constituting the automatic door device 100, and the notification unit 105 notifies that the door 9 cannot be opened due to an abnormality in the equipment of the automatic door device 100. With this configuration, the person receiving the notification can understand that the door 9 cannot be opened due to an abnormality in the equipment constituting the automatic door device 100, making it easier for them to take appropriate action, such as informing the building manager that the automatic door device 100 is not working.

The abnormality detection unit 106 is not limited to the examples described above, and can determine abnormalities in the components of the automatic door device 100 using known methods.

Third Embodiment The third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the drawings and description of the third embodiment, the same or equivalent components and members as in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on the configurations that differ from the first embodiment.

Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating the system configuration of the automatic door device 100 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, in the third embodiment, notification devices 40A to 40C are provided on the automatic door device 100, the authentication device 51, and the opening permission device 52, respectively. In the third embodiment, the notification unit 105 of the door controller 91 can notify the notification devices 40B and 40C of the authentication device 51 and the opening permission device 52, in addition to the notification device 40A of the automatic door device 100, that the door 9 cannot be opened.

Figure 8 is a functional block diagram of the door controller 91 of the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the door controller 91 further comprises a determination unit 108 and a signal storage unit 109.

Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the process S200 of the door controller 91 in the third embodiment. Steps S201, S203-S204, and S206-S212 in Figure 9 are essentially the same as steps S101-S110 in Figure 5, except for points specifically mentioned; therefore, explanations of overlapping points are omitted.

If the conditions for outputting the open instruction signal are met in step S201 (Y in step S201), processing S200 proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the signal storage unit 109 stores the signal that formed the basis for determining that the conditions for outputting the open instruction signal are met. For example, if the conditions for outputting the open instruction signal are met based on the acquisition of an indoor activation signal, the signal storage unit 109 stores the indoor activation signal. If the conditions for outputting the open instruction signal are met based on the acquisition of an outdoor activation signal while a security release signal (e.g., a permit signal) has been received, the signal storage unit 109 stores the outdoor activation signal and its security release signal (permit signal).

After going through steps S203 to S204, in step S205, the decision unit 108 decides which notification device 40 to notify that the door 9 cannot be opened. Specifically, the decision unit 108 decides to notify the notification device 40 corresponding to the device that output the signal stored in the signal storage unit 109 in step S202 that the door 9 cannot be opened. For example, if the signal stored in the signal storage unit 109 is an indoor activation signal, the decision unit 108 decides to notify the notification device 40A provided on the automatic door device 100 having an automatic door sensor 10 that output the indoor activation signal that the door 9 cannot be opened. Furthermore, for example, if the signal stored in the signal storage unit 109 is an outdoor activation signal and an authentication signal, the decision unit 108 decides to notify the notification device 40A provided on the automatic door device 100, including the automatic door sensor 10 that output the outdoor activation signal, and the notification device 40B provided on the authentication device 51 that output the authentication signal, that the door 9 cannot be opened. Also, for example, if the signal stored in the signal storage unit 109 is an outdoor activation signal and an open permission signal, the decision unit 108 decides to notify the notification device 40A provided on the automatic door device 100, including the automatic door sensor 10 that output the outdoor activation signal, and the notification device 40C provided on the open permission device 52 that output the open permission signal, that the door 9 cannot be opened.

In steps S206 and S211, the notification unit 105 causes the notification device determined in step S205 to notify that the door 9 cannot be opened.

In this embodiment, notification devices 40B and 40C are provided on the authentication device 51 and the opening permission device 52, respectively, which are security release devices. When an opening instruction signal is output based on a security release signal, the notification unit 105 causes the notification device 40B or 40C, provided on the security release device that output the security release signal, to notify that the opening operation is not possible. This configuration allows a person attempting to open the door 9 to be directly informed that the door 9 cannot be opened.

In this embodiment, when the authentication device 51 outputs an authentication signal, the notification device 40B, which is provided on the authentication device 51 that output the authentication signal, is notified that the door 9 cannot be opened. This configuration makes it possible to inform a passerby who attempts to open the door 9 using the authentication device 51 that the door 9 cannot be opened.

In this embodiment, when the opening permission device 52 outputs an opening permission signal, the notification device 40C, which is provided on the opening permission device 52 that output the opening permission signal, is notified that the door 9 cannot be opened. However, since the resident who outputs the opening permission signal using the opening permission device 52 from their room is located away from the automatic door system 100, they may not be aware that the door 9 is not opening or the reason why. This configuration makes it possible to inform the resident who attempted to open the door 9 using the opening permission device 52 that the door 9 is not opening.

Furthermore, the notification unit 105 may notify other notification devices 40, in addition to the notification device 40 related to the device that output the activation signal or security release signal, that the door 9 cannot be opened, or it may notify only the notification device 40 related to the device that output the signal that the door 9 cannot be opened.

Any combination of the embodiments and modifications described above is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. The new embodiments resulting from these combinations possess the combined effects of the respective embodiments and modifications.

4A Outdoor activation sensor, 4B Indoor activation sensor, 9 Door, 10 Sensor for automatic door, 20 Automatic door drive unit, 22 Fix, 23 Opening, 50 Security release system, 51 Authentication device, 52 Authorization device, 70 Activation detection area, 71 Protection detection area, 100 Automatic door device, 101 Acquisition unit, 102 Open instruction signal output unit, 103 Restriction unit, 104 Control unit, 105 Notification unit, 106 Anomaly determination unit, 107 Operation information storage unit, 108 Decision unit, 109 Signal storage unit.

Claims (15)

An open instruction signal output unit outputs an open instruction signal for a door that opens and closes an opening,
A limiting unit that outputs a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of the door under predetermined conditions,
A control unit that controls the opening and closing of the door based on the opening instruction signal, and that does not open the door when the opening instruction signal is output while the restriction signal is received,
A notification unit that, when the aforementioned restriction signal is received and the aforementioned open instruction signal is output, notifies the notification device that the door cannot be opened,
Equipped with ,
The aforementioned predetermined condition is that the abnormality detection unit, which determines abnormalities in the equipment constituting the automatic door system, has determined that the equipment is abnormal.
The statement that the door cannot be opened includes the statement that the door cannot be opened due to a malfunction of the equipment.
Automatic door system. An open instruction signal output unit outputs an open instruction signal for a door that opens and closes an opening,
A limiting unit that outputs a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of the door under predetermined conditions,
A control unit that controls the opening and closing of the door based on the opening instruction signal, and that does not open the door when the opening instruction signal is output while the restriction signal is received,
A notification unit that, when the aforementioned restriction signal is received and the aforementioned open instruction signal is output, notifies the notification device that the door cannot be opened,
Equipped with,
The open instruction signal output unit outputs the open instruction signal based on the security release signal from the security release device that outputs a security release signal to permit the opening operation of the door.
The notification device is provided in the security release device,
If the notification unit outputs the open instruction signal based on the security release signal, it will cause the notification unit provided in the security release device that output the security release signal to notify that the opening operation cannot be performed.
Automatic door system. The predetermined condition is that a sensor whose detection area includes a protective detection area for protecting a person or object from contact with the opening door has detected the person or object.
The statement that the door cannot be opened includes the statement that the door cannot be opened because a person or object has been detected within the protective detection area.
The automatic door device according to claim 1 or 2 . The control unit disables the open instruction signal when the detected state continues for a predetermined time.
The notification unit notifies that the door cannot be opened when the open instruction signal becomes invalid.
The automatic door device according to claim 3 . The security release device is provided near the door and outputs the security release signal based on the authentication of a person attempting to pass through the opening.
The automatic door device according to claim 2 . The aforementioned automatic door device is installed at the entrance of the building.
The security release device is installed in a room in the building and outputs the security release signal based on input from a user in the room.
The automatic door device according to claim 2 . An open command signal output unit outputs a door open command signal that opens or closes the opening based on the detection of a person or object within the activation detection area,
A limiting unit that outputs a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of the door under predetermined conditions,
A control unit that controls the opening and closing of the door based on the opening instruction signal, and that does not open the door when the opening instruction signal is output while the restriction signal is received,
A notification unit that, when the aforementioned restriction signal is received and the aforementioned open instruction signal is output, notifies the notification device that the door cannot be opened,
Equipped with ,
The aforementioned predetermined condition is that the abnormality detection unit, which determines abnormalities in the equipment constituting the automatic door system, has determined that the equipment is abnormal.
The statement that the door cannot be opened includes the statement that the door cannot be opened due to a malfunction of the equipment.
Automatic door system. The predetermined condition is that a sensor whose detection area includes a protective detection area for protecting a person or object from contact with the opening door has detected the person or object.
The statement that the door cannot be opened includes the statement that the door cannot be opened because a person or object has been detected within the protective detection area.
The automatic door device according to claim 7 . The control unit disables the open instruction signal when the detected state continues for a predetermined time.
The notification unit notifies that the door cannot be opened when the open instruction signal becomes invalid.
The automatic door device according to claim 8 . A security release device that outputs a security release signal to allow the opening operation of a door that opens and closes an opening,
It is an automatic door system,
A start sensor that outputs a start signal based on the detection of a person or object in the start detection area,
An open instruction signal output unit outputs a door open instruction signal based on at least one of the activation signal and the security release signal,
A limiting unit that outputs a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of the door under predetermined conditions,
A control unit that controls the opening and closing of the door based on the opening instruction signal, and that does not open the door when the opening instruction signal is output while the restriction signal is received,
A notification unit that, when the aforementioned restriction signal is received and the aforementioned open instruction signal is output, notifies the notification device that the door cannot be opened,
Automatic door systems,
Equipped with ,
The aforementioned predetermined condition is that the abnormality detection unit, which determines abnormalities in the equipment constituting the automatic door system, has determined that there is an abnormality in the equipment.
The statement that the door cannot be opened includes the statement that the door cannot be opened due to a malfunction of the equipment.
Automatic door system. A security release device that outputs a security release signal to allow the opening operation of a door that opens and closes an opening,
It is an automatic door system,
A start sensor that outputs a start signal based on the detection of a person or object in the start detection area,
An open instruction signal output unit outputs a door open instruction signal based on at least one of the activation signal and the security release signal,
A limiting unit that outputs a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of the door under predetermined conditions,
A control unit that controls the opening and closing of the door based on the opening instruction signal, and that does not open the door when the opening instruction signal is output while the restriction signal is received,
A notification unit that, when the aforementioned restriction signal is received and the aforementioned open instruction signal is output, notifies the notification device that the door cannot be opened,
Automatic door systems,
Equipped with,
The open instruction signal output unit outputs the open instruction signal based on the security release signal from the security release device that outputs a security release signal to permit the opening operation of the door.
The notification device is provided in the security release device,
If the notification unit outputs the open instruction signal based on the security release signal, it will cause the notification unit provided in the security release device that output the security release signal to notify that the opening operation cannot be performed.
Automatic door system. A limiting unit outputs a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of a door that opens and closes an opening under predetermined conditions, and
The steps include: when the door open command signal output unit outputs the door open command signal while receiving the restriction signal, a notification unit notifies that the door cannot be opened when the door open command signal is output,
Equipped with ,
The aforementioned predetermined condition is that the abnormality detection unit, which determines abnormalities in the equipment constituting the automatic door system, has determined that the equipment is abnormal.
The statement that the door cannot be opened includes the statement that the door cannot be opened due to a malfunction of the equipment .
A notification control method for automatic door systems. A limiting unit outputs a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of a door that opens and closes an opening under predetermined conditions, and
The steps include: when the door open instruction signal output unit outputs the door open instruction signal while receiving the restriction signal, a notification unit notifies the notification device that the door cannot be opened, and the notification unit notifies the notification device that the door cannot be opened;
Equipped with,
The open instruction signal output unit outputs the open instruction signal based on the security release signal from the security release device that outputs a security release signal to permit the opening operation of the door.
The notification device is provided in the security release device,
If the notification unit outputs the open instruction signal based on the security release signal, it will cause the notification unit provided in the security release device that output the security release signal to notify that the opening operation cannot be performed.
A notification control method for automatic door systems. On the computer,
A limiting unit outputs a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of a door that opens and closes an opening under predetermined conditions, and
The steps include: when the door open command signal output unit outputs the door open command signal while receiving the restriction signal, a notification unit notifies that the door cannot be opened when the door open command signal is output,
Make it run ,
The aforementioned predetermined condition is that the abnormality detection unit, which determines abnormalities in the equipment constituting the automatic door system, has determined that the equipment is abnormal.
The statement that the door cannot be opened includes the statement that the door cannot be opened due to a malfunction of the equipment .
Notification and control program for automatic door systems. On the computer,
A limiting unit outputs a limiting signal to restrict the opening operation of a door that opens and closes an opening under predetermined conditions, and
The steps include: when the door open instruction signal output unit outputs the door open instruction signal while receiving the restriction signal, a notification unit notifies the notification device that the door cannot be opened, and the notification unit notifies the notification device that the door cannot be opened;
Make it run,
The open instruction signal output unit outputs the open instruction signal based on the security release signal from the security release device that outputs a security release signal to permit the opening operation of the door.
The notification device is provided in the security release device,
If the notification unit outputs the open instruction signal based on the security release signal, it will cause the notification unit provided in the security release device that output the security release signal to notify that the opening operation cannot be performed.
Notification and control program for automatic door systems.