JPH10338447A - Man conveyor controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To safely control a man conveyor by extracting the features of a hand rail from the photographed data, detecting a travel speed, and judging that the hand rail is in an abnormal condition when differences between them and reference values are above predetermined values. SOLUTION: Picture image data photographed by a photographing means 3 such as a camera, etc., is memorized in a picture image memory part 61. It is sent to a processing part 42. When an abnormality such as deviation of speed of a hand rail 1 is detected, judgement information is output to an emergency memory part 43 and a communication part 44, respectively. When this information is received, picture image data from current time to a time before the predetermined time is read from the picture image memory part 41 and is stored. The communication part 44 informs to a maintenance center 8 when it receives the judgement information, reads picture image data from the emergency memory part 43 as required, and transmits it to a maintenance center 5. Consequently, it is possible to confirm an abnormal condition of a man conveyor and obtain the photographed data from the emergency memory part 43 to isolate a cause of abnormality.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a man-conveyor control device, and more particularly to a man-conveyor control device capable of detecting an abnormal state such as slippage of a handrail and controlling the man conveyor safely.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a conveyor control device,
The following is known as a device for detecting slippage of a handrail and performing safety control of a man conveyor.

The first prior art is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-17 / 1988.
In Japanese Patent No. 6289, as a detection means, a travel code made of a material having a different reflectance from the handrail is embedded in the handrail, and the travel code is read by an optical sensor to detect the speed of the handrail and detect the handrail speed. Some detect slippage.

As a second prior art, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 4-191289 discloses that a speed detector is attached to a roller that comes into frictional contact with a handrail to detect the speed of the handrail, and that the right and left handrails have different positions. When the speed difference exceeds a predetermined value, an abnormal signal is output. Further, when slippage of the handrail is detected, an image of an escalator is displayed on a monitoring monitor, and information on the site is grasped in detail.

[0005]

However, in the case of the first prior art, an expensive device such as an optical sensor must be prepared only for monitoring the handrail, which increases the cost. There is a problem.

Also, in the case of the second prior art, there is a problem that the speed detector attached to the roller must be prepared only for detecting slippage of the handrail, which increases the cost. Further, since only the video after detecting the handrail slip is displayed on the monitoring device, it is not used for verifying the cause of the handrail slip based on the image data.

In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention detects an abnormal state such as slippage of a handrail based on image data obtained from a newly-installed or existing imaging means, and detects an abnormal state of the handrail. An object of the present invention is to provide a man-conveyor control device capable of performing safety control of a man-conveyor by storing an event that caused a slip as image data.

[0008]

The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

In a man-conveyor control device for detecting and notifying an abnormal state of a man-conveyor, a new or existing image-capturing means for taking an image of a handrail and obtaining image data, and extracting characteristics on the handrail from the image data. And speed detection means for detecting the moving speed of the feature, and determining information that the handrail is in an abnormal state when the difference between the detected moving speed of the feature and a reference value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Output determination means.

Further, in a man conveyor control device for detecting and reporting an abnormal state of a man conveyor, a new or existing image pickup means for picking up an image of a handrail and a step to obtain image data, And extracting each feature on the step,
Speed detecting means for detecting the moving speed of each of the features, and calculating a difference between the detected moving speeds of the respective features, and determining that the handrail is in an abnormal state when the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Determining means for outputting determination information.

[0011] Further, in a man-conveyor control device for detecting and notifying an abnormal state of the man-conveyor, a new or existing image-capturing means for taking an image of a step and obtaining image data;
Extracting the feature on the step from the imaging data,
Speed detecting means for detecting the moving speed of the feature, and determining means for outputting determination information that the step is in an abnormal state when the detected moving speed of the feature is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Features.

The man conveyor control device may further include means for notifying the determination information and storing the image data for a predetermined time before the time when the determination information is output, based on the determination information, The stored image data is output as needed.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a man-conveyor control device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the main body of the man-conveyor control device shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a handrail of a man conveyor, 11 is a mark provided on the handrail 1 at regular intervals, 2 is a step of the man conveyor, 21 is a mark provided on the step 2 at regular intervals. Reference numeral 3 denotes imaging means such as a camera installed above the man conveyor, and 4 denotes imaging means 3.
The main body of the conveyor controller that processes the image data obtained from and transmits predetermined data to the maintenance center, 41 is an image storage unit that sequentially stores the obtained image data, and 42 determines the image data by comparing it with a reference value An image processing unit 421 for outputting the judgment information to the communication unit and the emergency storage unit; and an extraction unit 421 for extracting features such as the mark 11 from the image data
Is a speed detection unit that detects the moving speed of the feature, 423 is a determining unit that compares the moving speed of the detected feature with a reference speed, and outputs determination information, and 43 is a determination unit that outputs the determination information. The emergency storage unit 44 stores the image data stored in the image storage unit 41 in a storage medium such as a memory, a hard disk, or a tape based on the determination information and the emergency storage unit output from the image processing unit 42. 43
Is a communication unit for transmitting image data output from the maintenance center to the maintenance center, and 5 is a maintenance center for maintaining and managing the man conveyor by maintenance personnel and the like.

The imaging means 3 such as a camera may be newly provided for this embodiment, but may be used for other reasons, such as detection of traffic conditions. Is also good. Also, the mark 21 of step 2 is attached at a fixed interval in the same manner as the mark 11 of the handrail 1. However, since the steps such as the escalator often have a yellow surrounding area, this mark is used as a new mark. It is not necessary to provide.

FIG. 1 shows an automatic line as an example of a man conveyor, but the present embodiment can be similarly applied to an escalator.

Further, in this embodiment, the maintenance center 5 is notified of an abnormal state such as slippage of the handrail 1, but it may be notified not to the maintenance center 5 but to a building manager or the like. Alternatively, both may be notified.

The image data picked up by the image pick-up means 3 such as a camera is stored in the image storage section 41 of the main body 4 of the conveyor control device, and the stored image data is sent to the image processing section 42. When detecting an abnormal state such as a speed deviation of the handrail 1, the image processing unit 42 outputs determination information to the emergency storage unit 43 and the communication unit 44, respectively. Upon receiving the determination information, the emergency storage unit 43 reads out the image data from the current time to a predetermined time before from the image storage unit 41 and stores the image data. Upon receiving the determination information, the communication unit 44 notifies the maintenance center 8 of the detection of the abnormal state, and reads out the image data from the emergency storage unit 43 as necessary.
It is transmitted to the maintenance center 5. The maintenance center 5 checks the abnormal state of the conveyor and obtains the imaging data up to that time from the emergency storage unit 43 as necessary to determine the cause of the abnormal state.

Next, a control procedure of the main control unit 4 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

In step 1, the image data picked up by the image pickup means 3 is stored in the image storage section 41.
At this time, as the image data is sequentially stored, when the image storage unit 41 runs out of free storage capacity, the oldest image data is updated. Next, in step 2, the stored image data is extracted by the extraction unit 421 of the image processing unit 42.
, And a process of extracting the mark 11 as a feature of the image data is performed. Next, in step 3, the speed detecting unit 422 calculates the moving amount of the extracted feature per unit time, and obtains the moving speed of the handrail 1.
Further, in step 4, the determination unit 423 determines
The difference between the determined moving speed and the reference value is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the absolute value of the difference is equal to or more than a predetermined value. If the absolute value is smaller than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step 7 and the handrail is slipping. When the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the determination is that the state is abnormal, and the determination information is output to the emergency storage unit 43 and the communication unit 44. In step S5, the emergency storage unit 43 performs a process of storing image data from the present time to a predetermined time before from the image storage unit 41, based on the determination information that the state is abnormal. Further, in step 6, the determination information indicating the abnormal state output from the determination unit 423 and the image data stored in the emergency storage unit 43 are notified to the maintenance center 5 via the communication unit 44. Next, in step 7, it is determined whether or not the man conveyor is operating. If it is operating, the process from step 1 is repeated, and if not, the process ends.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The man-conveyor control device of this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the image pickup means 3 picks up the mark 21 of step 2 of the man-conveyor other than the mark 11 of the handrail 1. And the processing program of the main conveyor control device 4 is different.

Next, a control procedure of the main control unit 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

In step 8, the image data picked up by the image pickup means 3 is stored in the image storage section 41.
At this time, the oldest image data is updated to new image data. Next, in step 9, the stored image data is input to the extraction unit 421 of the image processing unit 42, and a process of extracting the marks 11 and 21 as features of the image data is performed. Next, in step 10, the speed detecting unit 422 calculates the moving amount of the extracted features 11 and 21 per unit time as the extracted features, and obtains the moving speed of the handrail 1 and step 2. Further, in step 11, the determination unit 423
In, the difference between the moving speeds of the handrail 1 and step 2 is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the absolute value of the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
If the difference is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, it is determined that an abnormal state such as a speed deviation has occurred in the handrail 1, and the determination information is output to the emergency storage unit 43 and the communication unit 44. Step 1
In 2, the emergency storage unit 43 performs a process of storing image data from the current time to a predetermined time before from the image storage unit 41 based on the determination information that the state is abnormal. Further, in step 13, the determination information indicating the abnormal state output from the determination unit 423 and the image data stored in the emergency storage unit 43 are transmitted to the maintenance center 5 via the communication unit 44, respectively. Report the status. Next, it is determined in step 14 whether or not the man conveyor is operating.
Are repeated, and the process ends if the vehicle is not running.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the man-conveyor control device according to the present embodiment, the imaging means 3 is different from the first embodiment in that the image-taking means 3 replaces the mark 11 of the handrail 1 with the mark 21 of step 2 of the man-conveyor.
And the processing program of the main conveyor control device main body 4 is different.

Next, a control procedure of the main conveyor control device 4 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

At step 15, the image data picked up by the image pickup means 3 is stored in the image storage section 41. At this time, the oldest image data is updated to new image data. Next, in step 16, the stored image data is stored in the extraction unit 42 of the image processing unit 42.
1 and an extraction process of the mark 21 as a feature of the image data is performed. Next, at step 17, the moving amount per unit time of the extracted feature is calculated by the speed detecting unit 422 to obtain the moving speed at step 2.
Further, in step 18, the determining unit 423 determines whether or not the obtained moving speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined value. If the moving speed is higher than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step 21; It is determined that an abnormal state, such as the stoppage of No. 2, has occurred, and the determination information is output to the emergency storage unit 43 and the communication unit 44. Step 1
In 9, the emergency storage unit 43 stores the image data from the image storage unit 41 up to a predetermined time before the present time based on the determination information indicating the abnormal state. Next, in step 20, the determination information indicating the abnormal state output from the determination unit 423 and the image data stored in the emergency storage unit 43 are transmitted to the maintenance center 5 via the communication unit 44 in step 2. Notifies that an abnormal state has occurred. Next, in step 21, it is determined whether or not the man conveyor is operating. If it is operating, the process from step 15 is repeated, and if not, the process ends.

In the above embodiments, the maintenance center 5 is configured to notify the maintenance center 5 of an abnormal state such as slippage of the handrail 1. Can be taken out and the cause of the accident can be verified.

As described above, according to the above embodiments,
In the case where the image pickup means 3 such as a camera which is already used for another purpose is also used, it is not necessary to add a new device, so that the cost can be reduced. Also, when the slip of the handrail 1 is detected, when the speed difference between the handrail and the step becomes a predetermined value or more,
Since the image data is recorded from the time when the speed becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value to the time before the predetermined time, the cause of the slip of the handrail 1 or the cause of the stoppage of the conveyor may be verified later. Can be. For example, it is often the case that a child rides on the handrail 1 or pulls the handrail 1 for mischief. Therefore, even if the man conveyor is stopped, whether the stop of the man conveyor is caused by mischief or a machine. Can be easily determined as to whether or not this is due to a malfunction. Further, since the image data from the time when the speed in step 2 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value to the time before the predetermined time is also recorded, the passenger conveyor may stop when the passenger's shoes or the like are caught between the steps 2 or the like. Even in this case, it is possible to easily know whether the cause of the accident is mischief or a mechanical failure.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, when an existing image pickup means is also used, it is not necessary to add a new mechanical device to the man-conveyor control device, and the cost of the device is reduced. The height can be suppressed, and the image data before the abnormality is stored for a predetermined time, so that maintenance personnel and the like can easily verify the cause of the abnormal state such as the handrail from the stored image data. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a man conveyor control device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a main control unit 4 of the conveyor control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a main control unit 4 of the conveyor system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of a main conveyor control device 4 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Handrail of man conveyor 11 Mark 2 Step of man conveyor 21 Mark 3 Imaging means 4 Man conveyor control device main body 41 Image storage part 42 Image processing part 421 Extraction part 422 Speed detection part 423 Judgment part 43 Emergency storage part 44 Communication part 5 Maintenance center

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Segawa 1070 Ma, Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki Pref. Hitachi, Ltd. Mito Plant

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A man-conveyor control device for detecting and informing an abnormal state of a man-conveyor, wherein a new or existing image-taking means for taking an image of a handrail to obtain image-taking data, and a feature on the handrail from the image-taking data. Speed detection means for detecting the moving speed of the feature, and determining that the handrail is in an abnormal state when a difference between the detected moving speed of the feature and a reference value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. And a determination unit that outputs information. 2. A man-conveyor control device for detecting and reporting an abnormal state of a man-conveyor, comprising: a new or existing image-taking means for taking an image of a handrail and a step to obtain image-taking data; And a speed detecting means for extracting each feature on the step and detecting a moving speed of each feature, and calculating a difference between the detected moving speeds of each feature, wherein the difference is equal to or more than a predetermined value. A determination unit configured to output determination information indicating that the handrail is in an abnormal state. 3. A man-conveyor control device for detecting and informing an abnormal state of a man-conveyor, wherein a new or existing image-capturing means for taking an image of a step to obtain image-capturing data, and extracting characteristics on the step from the image-capturing data. do it,
Speed detecting means for detecting the moving speed of the feature; and determining means for outputting, when the detected moving speed of the feature is equal to or less than a predetermined value, determination information that the step is in an abnormal state. Characteristic conveyor control device. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination information is notified, and the determination information is output based on the determination information. A man-conveyor control device, comprising: means for storing the image data for a predetermined period of time before, and outputting the stored image data as needed.