JPH06274713A - Congestion degree detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the counting accuracy of the persons waiting at an elevator hall by detecting the light reaching the floor surface of an area and calculating roughly the number of persons within the area based on the illuminance measured on the floor surface by the detected light. CONSTITUTION:Plural sensors 23 are buried under a floor surface 21 of an elevator hall 1 to detect the light on the surface 21. When the persons gather at the hall 1, the illuminance caused on the surface 21 by the ceiling illumination or the external light is reduced by the gathered persons. A hall congestion degree detector 13 measures the total illuminance on the surface 21 by the quantity of light detected by those sensors 23 and then roughly calculates the number of persons based on the illuminance of illumination notified previously, the correlative function between the illuminance of the floor 21 and the number of persons, etc. Then the number of persons counted roughly in such a way is used by a group controller 15 for calculation of the number of cars to be allocated in a congestion state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a congestion degree detecting device, and more particularly to a congestion degree detecting device capable of accurately estimating the number of people in an area by using an illuminance sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, it is possible to efficiently operate a plurality of elevators in order to early eliminate congestion caused by people (waiters) gathering in an area such as an elevator hall (hall) for getting on an elevator in a high-rise building. desired. Therefore, it is necessary to roughly count the number of waiting passengers and detect the degree of congestion in the elevator hall. FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a hall congestion degree monitor system including a conventional congestion degree detection device that roughly counts waiting passengers in order to detect the congestion degree of an elevator hall.

Reference numeral 1 is an elevator hall (hereinafter referred to as a hall), 3 is an elevator car door, 5 is an elevator car call switch, and 9 is a plurality of television cameras installed on a ceiling 7 of the hall 1. And elevator machine room 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a hall congestion degree detection device 13 which roughly estimates the number of waiting customers from the photographing information from the television camera 9, and a group management device which controls the operation of an elevator cage based on the information from the hall congestion degree detection device 13. And 15 are provided.

This conventional hall congestion degree monitor system operates as follows. The television camera 9 installed on the ceiling 7 photographs the waiting passengers in the hall 1 and sends the photographing information to the hall congestion degree detection device 13. The hall congestion degree detection device 13 identifies the head color (black) of the waiting customer based on the shooting information, and roughly counts the number of waiting customers. This number of waiting passengers is sent to the group management device 15 and is used as cart call assignment information. That is, the number of waiting passengers is used for forecasting the crowded floors to be occupied, determining the priority level of the crowded floors, calculating the expected arrival time of the car, calculating the number of vehicles allocated to the crowded floors, and the like.

[0005]

However, since the black discrimination detection is used based on the photographing information from the conventional television camera, the case where a black object other than the head is counted as one person, or On the contrary, there are cases where people who wear hats other than black are not counted,
There is a problem that the number of waiting passengers that is roughly counted results in many errors.

In addition, there is a problem in that the application is restricted by the floor color (black is not suitable) and the ceiling height (3.5 m or less is not suitable).

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a congestion degree detecting device for improving the accuracy of counting the number of waiting customers in a hall.

[0008]

According to the present invention, when people gather in an area, ceiling illuminance or floor illuminance due to outside light is blocked by those who gather. Based on the technical idea that the larger the number of people who gather, the lower the floor illuminance of the entire floor is, and in order to achieve the above objects, the congestion degree detection device according to the present invention is In a congestion degree detection device that estimates the number of people in the area, detecting the light that reaches the floor surface of the area, and estimating the number of people in the area based on the floor illuminance measured by the detected light Is characterized by.

Further, the congestion degree detecting device has one or a plurality of floor surface illuminance sensors embedded in the floor surface of the area, and detects the light reaching the floor surface of the area. .

Further, the congestion degree detecting device includes one or a plurality of floor surface illuminance sensors embedded in the floor surface of the area,
One or a plurality of wall surface illuminance sensors embedded in the wall surface near the floor of the area, and detecting the floor surface illuminance of the area.

Further, the congestion degree detection device forms a floor surface of the area having a double structure and a part or all of an upper surface forming the area floor surface, and is a hard member that transmits light in the area. A transparent member and one or a plurality of floor surface illuminance sensors that are provided on a lower surface that forms the area floor surface and detect the transmitted light, and detect the floor surface illuminance of the area. And

[0012]

In the congestion degree detecting device according to the present invention having the above structure, the light reaching the floor surface of the area is detected. The number of people in the area is roughly estimated by measuring the floor illuminance of this light.

In order to detect the light reaching the floor surface, according to the present invention, one or a plurality of floor surface illuminance sensors are embedded in the floor surface of the area.

Further, in addition to the floor illuminance sensor, one or a plurality of wall illuminance sensors are embedded in the wall near the floor in the area. As a result, even when the floor illuminance sensor is stepped on by a person and the light is blocked, the error in counting the number of people can be reduced.

According to another invention, the floor surface of the area has a double structure, and a part or all of the upper surface on which the person stands upright is formed of a hard transparent member, and one or more of the lower surfaces of the floor surface are formed. Install a floor illuminance sensor. Thus, the floor illuminance sensor can detect the light reaching the floor without being stepped on by a person.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hall congestion degree monitor system equipped with a hall congestion degree detecting device for roughly counting waiting passengers in order to detect the congestion degree of an elevator hall. It should be noted that substantially the same elements as those in the conventional example are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. Floor 21 in hall 1
A plurality of floor surface illuminance sensors 23 that detect the light reaching the floor surface 21 of the hall 1 are embedded therein. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hall 1 having four elevator cages 25.
According to FIG. 2, twelve floor illuminance sensors 2 are provided on the floor 21.
3 is buried.

In FIG. 1, if people gather in Hall 1,
The illuminance on the floor due to ceiling lighting or outside light is blocked by the people who gathered (hereinafter referred to as waiting customers), and is reduced. As the number of waiting passengers increases, the floor illuminance of the entire floor 21 further decreases.

The feature of this embodiment is that the light reaching the floor surface 21 is detected and measured by utilizing the fact that the light is blocked and the floor illuminance decreases as the number of waiting passengers increases as described above. It is to roughly estimate the number of waiting passengers in the hall 1 based on the determined floor illuminance. As a result, the number of waiting customers can be accurately and roughly counted.

The first embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a floor illuminance sensor 23 is embedded in the floor surface 21 as a device for detecting light.

This embodiment operates as follows.

The light reaching the floor surface 21 receives the floor illuminance sensor 2
3 is detected. The hall congestion degree detection device 13 measures the overall illuminance of the floor surface 21 by the detected light amount,
This total illuminance is reflected in the number of waiting customers. This number of waiting passengers can be accurately estimated from the previously known correlation between irradiation illuminance and floor illuminance and the number of waiting customers. In this way, the number of waiting passengers counted roughly is
In the same manner as in the conventional example, the group management device 15 is used to predict the crowded floors to be occupied, determine the priority of the crowded floors, calculate the expected arrival time of the car, calculate the number of vehicles to be delivered to the crowded floors, and the like.

As described above, in this embodiment, the floor surface 2
By measuring the total illuminance of 1, the number of waiting customers can be accurately and roughly counted.

Next, a second embodiment will be described.

In the first embodiment, an error in counting the number of waiting passengers which occurs when the floor illuminance sensor 23 embedded in the floor surface 21 is stepped on by the waiting passenger's foot and the ceiling lighting and the outside light are directly cut off. In order to reduce the number, in the present embodiment, an illuminance sensor is provided on the wall surface of the hall 1 in addition to the floor illuminance sensor 23. FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the side wall surface of the car door 3 of the hole 1 of FIG. According to Figure 3, Hall 1
Three wall illuminance sensors 29 are embedded in the wall skirting board 27 near the floor. The wall surface illuminance sensor 29 operates as follows. That is, the decrease rate of the floor illuminance detected by the floor illuminance sensor 23 is large with respect to the irradiation illuminance,
If the decrease rate of the floor illuminance detected by the wall surface illuminance sensor 29 is small, if the decrease rate is extremely different, the hall 1
Illuminance compensation for determining that the floor illuminance sensor 23 is directly stepped on by the legs of the waiter, etc., but the floor illuminance is reduced, although the actual number of waiting customers is small, not the number of waiting customers. Have a functional function. Therefore, in the hall congestion degree detection device 13, the illuminance measured based on the light detected by the wall surface illuminance sensor 29 is reflected in the number of waiting customers. This makes it possible to accurately and roughly count the number of waiting customers by using the floor illuminance. Of course, the illuminance itself measured from the light intensity from the wall illuminance sensor 29 may be used for the estimation of the number of waiting customers.

Next, a third embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a hall 1 having four elevator baskets 25 in this embodiment, and FIG.
It is a cross-sectional side view of the floor surface 21. Floor surface 2 in this embodiment
As shown in FIG. 5, 1 has a double structure of an upper surface 33 on which a person stands directly and a lower surface 35 provided with a floor illuminance sensor 23. The upper surface 33 is partially in the hole 1
It is formed of a transparent hard plastic plate 31 that transmits the light inside. According to FIG. 4, twelve hard plastic plates 31 and six floor illuminance sensors 23 are provided, and the bottom surface 35 at the position corresponding to the center of the four hard plastic plates 31 on the upper surface 33 is respectively on the floor surface. Illuminance sensor 2
3 are provided.

The characteristic of this embodiment is that the floor illuminance sensor 23 is provided on the lower surface 35, so that the floor illuminance sensor 23 is not directly stepped on by the legs of a waiter or the like, and the hard plastic plate 31 is attached. It is possible to detect the light reaching the transmitted floor surface.

The operation of this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment and will not be described.

According to this embodiment, even if the number of floor illuminance sensors 23 is reduced, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.
The number and arrangement of the hard plastic plates 31 are not limited to those shown in FIG. It can be determined by the number and arrangement of the floor illuminance sensors 23, irradiation illuminance, aesthetic processing of the floor 21, and the like. Further, it is desirable that the size of the hard plastic plate 31 is larger than the size of a person's foot. However, even if one hard plastic plate 31 is blocked, light is transmitted from the other hard plastic plate 31. Is not limited to. That is, the entire surface may be colored and transparent and the entire floor may be the hard plastic plate 31.

As described above, in the above three embodiments, by utilizing the illuminance on the floor surface, the number of waiting customers can be accurately measured without being restricted by the color of the head, the color of the floor, the height of the ceiling, and the like. It can be counted approximately well. Further, the initial cost can be reduced as compared with the conventional example using the television camera.

In the above-mentioned three embodiments, the installation location and the number of the floor illuminance sensor 23 and the wall illuminance sensor 29 may be appropriately set depending on the environment of the hall 1. By increasing the number of floor illuminance sensors 23 and increasing the burying density of the floor illuminance sensors 23 with respect to the area of the hall 1, it is possible to considerably improve the accuracy of counting the number of waiting customers.

Further, in this embodiment, the illuminance sensor is provided in the hall 1 to detect the degree of congestion in the hall 1. However, by installing the illuminance sensor in the elevator car, the number of passengers can be increased. And the number of waiting customers can be roughly estimated. As a result, priority service to a floor with a high congestion level, number of vehicles allocated to a congestion floor, forecast of full capacity, etc. are possible, and more advanced elevator operation management can be realized.

[0034]

As described above, according to the congestion degree detecting device of the present invention, the floor surface illuminance sensor is provided on the floor surface to measure and use the floor surface illuminance to accurately and roughly count the number of people. Is possible.

Further, by providing the wall surface illuminance sensor, it is possible to determine whether or not the light reaching the floor surface illuminance sensor is blocked by a person's foot or the like, so that it is possible to reduce the error in counting the number of people. Becomes

Further, the floor surface has a double structure and a floor surface illuminance sensor is provided on the lower surface thereof, so that the light reaching the floor surface can be detected without being blocked by being stepped on by a person's foot or the like. Is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a hall congestion degree monitor system including a congestion degree detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an elevator hall in the first embodiment of the congestion degree detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of an elevator hall in a second embodiment of the congestion degree detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an elevator hall in a third embodiment of the congestion degree detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the floor surface in the third embodiment of the congestion degree detecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a hall congestion degree monitor system including a conventional congestion degree detection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Elevator Hall 13 Hall Congestion Level Detector 21 Floor 23 Floor Illuminance Sensor 29 Wall Illuminance Sensor 31 Hard Plastic Plate

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A congestion degree detection device for roughly estimating the number of people in an area, detecting light reaching a floor surface of the area, and detecting the light in the area based on the illuminance of the floor surface measured by the detected light. A congestion degree detection device characterized by estimating the number of people present. 2. The congestion degree detection device according to claim 1, further comprising one or a plurality of floor surface illuminance sensors buried in the floor surface of the area, and detecting light reaching the floor surface of the area. Congestion degree detection device characterized by. 3. The congestion degree detection device according to claim 1, wherein one or a plurality of floor surface illuminance sensors embedded in the floor surface of the area, and one or a plurality of floor surface illuminance sensors embedded in the wall surface near the floor of the area. A congestion degree detection device comprising: a wall surface illuminance sensor; and detecting floor surface illuminance in the area. 4. The congestion degree detection device according to claim 1, wherein a floor surface of the area having a double structure and part or all of an upper surface forming the area floor surface are formed, and light in the area is formed. And a floor transparent illuminance sensor that is provided on a lower surface that forms the floor of the area and that detects the transmitted light, and detects a floor illuminance of the area. A congestion degree detection device characterized by: