JP7559461B2 - Dense avoidance device and computer program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a crowding avoidance device and a computer program.

To reduce the risk of infection from microorganisms, it may be preferable to avoid the "three Cs" in a room. The three Cs are crowded, close contact, and closed spaces.

For example, a system is being considered that recognizes people from camera images and detects the number of people and the degree of congestion.
In the crowded congestion detection system described in Patent Document 1, the degree of spatial variation in the image features of the video data at the observation location is calculated as the image clutter level, and the degree of congestion of objects appearing in the image is calculated based on the correlation between the density of objects and the image clutter level (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-181307 A

However, with conventional technology, even if the level of congestion is the same, the risk of infection from microorganisms and other pathogens is thought to differ depending on factors such as the speed of air flow, so there is a need for more appropriate ways to avoid crowded conditions.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a crowding avoidance device and computer program that can appropriately assist in avoiding crowded conditions in a specified space.

A crowding avoidance device according to one embodiment includes a crowding estimation unit that estimates a crowding state in a space to be estimated based on at least one of crowding degree or closeness and wind conditions, and determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the estimated result, and a crowding avoidance process execution unit that executes a process to avoid crowding when the crowding estimation unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied , wherein the predetermined condition is that a predetermined remaining time has reached 0, and the crowding avoidance device sets the remaining time to an initial value, and then, at each check interval, shortens the remaining time if at least one of the crowding degree or closeness is greater than a predetermined threshold, and shortens the remaining time if the wind state, that is, wind speed or wind volume, is smaller than a predetermined threshold .

A computer program according to one embodiment causes a computer to execute a density estimation step of estimating the density state of a space to be estimated based on at least one of density or closeness and wind conditions, and determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the estimated result, and a density avoidance processing execution step of executing processing to avoid density if it is determined by the density estimation step that the predetermined condition is satisfied , wherein the predetermined condition is that a predetermined remaining time has reached 0, and the density estimation step sets the remaining time to an initial value, and then, at each check interval, shortens the remaining time if at least one of the density or the closeness is greater than a predetermined threshold, and shortens the remaining time if the wind state, which is wind speed or wind volume, is smaller than a predetermined threshold .

The crowding avoidance device and computer program of the present invention can help appropriately avoid crowded conditions in a specified space.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a close-contact avoidance system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the density according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the degree of closeness according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a procedure of a process performed in a close-contact avoidance device according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a procedure of a process performed in a close-contact avoidance device according to an embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a close-contact avoidance system according to an embodiment (third embodiment) of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
<Crowding avoidance system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a close-contact avoidance system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The close-contact avoidance system 1 includes a close-contact avoidance device 11, an imaging unit 21, a wind condition detection unit 22, a warning unit 31, and a control target 41.
The crowding avoidance device 11 includes an imaging information acquisition unit 51, a person detection unit 52, a distance detection unit 53, a wind condition information acquisition unit 54, a crowding estimation unit 55, a warning control unit 56, a target control unit 57, and a memory unit 58.

In this embodiment, the imaging unit 21 , the wind condition detection unit 22 , the warning unit 31 , and the control target 41 are provided in a space 71 .
In this embodiment, the space 71 is a space in which the three Cs are to be avoided, and is, for example, a room. Note that the space 71 may be any location, and is, for example, a location where the three Cs may occur.

The imaging unit 21 is disposed at a position where it is possible to capture an image of the space 71 .
The imaging unit 21 is, for example, a camera. The camera may be, for example, a surveillance camera or a network camera.
Here, the imaging unit 21 may be provided outside the space 71 as long as it is capable of capturing an image of the space 71 .
In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the term "image" is used; however, video may be used instead of an image, or an image extracted from a video may be used.

The wind condition detection unit 22 detects the state of wind (wind condition) at a predetermined location in the space 71. The predetermined location is, for example, a location where the wind condition detection unit 22 is provided.
The wind state is, for example, a state related to the air flow in the space 71, and may be one or both of the wind speed (wind speed) and the wind volume (wind volume).

Here, any method may be used to detect the wind conditions, and for example, a method of detecting an estimated value of the wind conditions may be used.
For example, a cup-type, windmill-type, ultrasonic, or hot-wire anemometer may be used to detect wind speed, or a method of estimating wind speed using wind noise, laser light, an infrared camera, or the like may be used.

The warning unit 31 issues a predetermined warning. In this embodiment, the predetermined warning is a warning to avoid overcrowding.
The predetermined warning may be, for example, one or more of a sound output for a warning, a light output for a warning, a display on a screen for a warning, and a vibration for a warning.
Note that the warning unit 31 may be provided outside the space 71 as long as it can notify a warning to a target to which the warning should be given. In the present embodiment, a case is shown in which a warning is given to a person present inside the space 71, but as another configuration example, a configuration in which a warning is given to a person present outside the space 71, or a configuration in which a warning is given to both a person present inside and a person present outside the space 71 may be used.
The warning unit 31 may be, for example, installed in the space 71, or may be a functional part of a device carried by a person to be warned. The device may be, for example, a smartphone.
The person to be warned may be, for example, a person present in the space 71 or a person who manages the space 71 (for example, a manager of the facility that owns the space 71).

The controlled object 41 is an object that is controlled to avoid overcrowding in the space 71, and may be, for example, a ventilation fan, a window, a door, etc.
The control target 41 may be one target, or may be multiple targets.

<Crowding avoidance device>
The close-contact avoidance device 11 will be described.
The imaging information acquisition unit 51 acquires information on the image captured by the imaging unit 21 .
Here, the imaging unit 21 transmits information about the captured image to the imaging information acquisition unit 51. The communication between the imaging unit 21 and the imaging information acquisition unit 51 may be, for example, wired communication or wireless communication.

The person detection unit 52 detects an image portion of a person appearing in the image based on the information of the image acquired by the imaging information acquisition unit 51 .
Here, any method may be used as a method for detecting the image portion of a person, for example, a method using AI technology may be used, or a method using pattern matching may be used.

The distance detection section 53 detects the distance between people (the distance between people) based on the image information acquired by the imaging information acquisition section 51 and the image portion of the person detected by the person detection section 52 .
Here, any method may be used to detect the distance between people. For example, a method using optical flow technology may be used to detect the distance between people, and the distance between people may be detected while estimating the movement of the person by determining whether or not the person moving in consecutive images is the same person.

The wind condition information acquisition unit 54 acquires information on the wind condition detected by the wind condition detection unit 22 .
Here, the wind condition detection unit 22 transmits information on the detected wind conditions to the wind condition information acquisition unit 54. The communication between the wind condition detection unit 22 and the wind condition information acquisition unit 54 may be, for example, wired communication or wireless communication.

The density estimation unit 55 estimates the density state based on the image portion of the person detected by the person detection unit 52, the distance detected by the distance detection unit 53, and the wind condition information acquired by the wind condition information acquisition unit 54.
In this embodiment, the density estimation unit 55 estimates two densities, crowded and close, and a density related to wind conditions. In this embodiment, the density related to wind conditions is used instead of the density of closed.

The warning control unit 56 transmits a control signal to the warning unit 31 to cause the warning unit 31 to issue a warning, based on the dense state estimated by the dense estimation unit 55.
Here, the warning unit 31 receives a control signal transmitted from the warning control unit 56, and outputs information for warning based on the control signal. The communication between the warning control unit 56 and the warning unit 31 may be, for example, wired communication or wireless communication.

The object control unit 57 transmits a control signal for controlling the control object 41 to the control object 41 based on the dense state estimated by the dense estimation unit 55 .
Here, the control target 41 receives a control signal transmitted from the target control unit 57 and operates based on the control signal. The communication between the target control unit 57 and the control target 41 may be, for example, wired communication or wireless communication.
For example, in the case where the control target 41 is a ventilation fan, the target control unit 57 can reduce the crowded state by starting up the ventilation fan.
For example, when the control target 41 is a window, the target control unit 57 can reduce the crowded state by opening the window.
For example, if the control target 41 is a door, the target control unit 57 can reduce the crowded state by opening the door.

In this embodiment, a case is described in which the timing at which the warning control unit 56 causes the warning unit 31 to issue a warning is the same as the timing at which the target control unit 57 controls the control target 41, but different timings may also be used as these timings.

The storage unit 58 stores various types of information.
The storage unit 58 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

The close-contact avoidance device 11 is configured using, for example, a computer.
In this case, the close-contact avoidance device 11 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes various processes by executing a program (computer program) stored in a storage unit 58 by the processor. The processes include processes performed by each of the imaging information acquisition unit 51, the person detection unit 52, the distance detection unit 53, the wind condition information acquisition unit 54, the close-contact estimation unit 55, the warning control unit 56, and the target control unit 57.
The storage unit 58 stores programs for executing various processes and parameters used in the various processes.

Here, in this embodiment, the imaging unit 21, the wind condition detection unit 22, and the warning unit 31 are shown as separate entities from the close-contact avoidance device 11, but as another configuration example, a configuration in which one or more of the imaging unit 21, the wind condition detection unit 22, and the warning unit 31 are integrally provided in the close-contact avoidance device 11 may be used.
As an example, by providing the imaging unit 21 with the functionality of the close-contact avoidance device 11, for example, it is possible to configure a camera having the functionality of the close-contact avoidance device 11.

In addition, in this embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation, a case is shown in which one imaging unit 21 is provided, but as another configuration example, multiple imaging units 21 may be provided, and in this case, the imaging information acquisition unit 51 acquires image information from the multiple imaging units 21.
The human detection section 52 and the distance detection section 53 then perform their respective detections using one or more pieces of information from these multiple images.

In addition, in this embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation, a case is shown in which one wind condition detection unit 22 is provided, but as another configuration example, multiple wind condition detection units 22 may be provided, and in this case, the wind condition information acquisition unit 54 acquires wind condition information from the multiple wind condition detection units 22.
The density estimation unit 55 then uses one or more of these pieces of wind condition information to estimate the density state.
When there is information on a plurality of wind conditions, the information on the plurality of wind conditions may be processed in any manner, for example, an average value or a maximum value may be calculated and used.

The wind condition detection unit 22 may be provided at any position in the space 71, and is provided at an appropriate position depending on the wind conditions in the space 71, for example.
For example, the wind condition detection unit 22 may be provided near the imaging unit 21 .
Furthermore, a plurality of wind condition detection units 22 may be provided in a distributed manner in the space 71. For example, two of the plurality of wind condition detection units 22 may be disposed in paired positions, such as at one end and the other end of the space 71.

<Crowding and closeness>
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the congestion according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows an example of an image 111 that has been acquired by the imaging information acquisition section 51 and then detected by the human detection section 52 .
The person detection unit 52 detects person portions 131 to 136 which are image portions of people included in the image 111 .

Here, various detection methods may be used as a method for detecting the image portion of a person by the person detection unit 52 .
In addition, in the example of FIG. 2, rectangles surrounding each person are defined as person portions 131 to 136, but other detection methods may be used.

The density estimation unit 55 calculates the density by dividing the number of people by the area of the image range.
In other words, (density) = (number of people) / (area of image range).
Such congestion values may be considered estimates.
In such a density, the larger the density value, the higher the degree of density, and the smaller the density value, the lower the degree of density.
In the example of Fig. 2, (number of people) is six people, and (area of image range) is the area of the range of image 111. Note that, for example, when the range of the image captured by imaging unit 21 is constant, (area of image range) may be set to a constant value in advance. There is no particular limit to the value of (area of image range), and it may be 1 square meter, for example. Usually, the range of the image captured by imaging unit 21 can often be known in advance.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the degree of closeness according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows an example of an image 211 obtained by performing detection by the distance detection unit 53 with respect to the image 111 shown in FIG.
The distance detection unit 53 detects the distance between people in the person portions 131 to 136 included in the image 211 .

Here, various detection methods may be used as a method for detecting the distance between people by the distance detection unit 53.
In addition, in the example of FIG. 3, the distance between people who are close to each other is detected, but other detection methods may be used.

In the example of FIG. 3, distance 231 between person portion 131 and person portion 132, distance 232 between person portion 133 and person portion 134, and distance 233 between person portion 134 and person portion 135 are detected. In the example of FIG. 3, the distances are detected based on the center positions of the respective person portions 131 to 136. Also, in the example of FIG. 3, distances that are equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value are detected.

The dense estimation unit 55 calculates the number of pairs of people whose distance between the people is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold as the degree of closeness.
Such proximity values may be considered estimates.
In such a closeness, the larger the closeness value, the higher the degree of closeness, and the smaller the closeness value, the lower the degree of closeness.
In the example of FIG. 3, the number of pairs of persons whose distance between the persons is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold is three.
The predetermined threshold value is not particularly limited and may be, for example, 50 centimeters.

Note that the density and the closeness may each be determined using any method, for example, using an existing method.

<Wind conditions>
In the present embodiment, the density estimation unit 55 determines the dense state by assuming that the higher the wind speed, the lower the density, and that the lower the wind speed, the higher the density.
As another configuration example, the density estimation unit 55 may determine the dense state by determining that the greater the air volume, the lower the degree of density, and that the smaller the air volume, the higher the degree of density.
As another example of the configuration, the density estimation unit 55 may calculate a value based on both the wind speed and the air volume, and determine the dense state based on the calculated value. For example, the density estimation unit 55 determines the dense state by determining that the larger the value based on both the wind speed and the air volume is, the lower the degree of density is, and that the smaller the value based on both the wind speed and the air volume is, the higher the degree of density is.

<Operation of the crowding avoidance device>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a procedure of a process performed in the close-contact avoidance device 11 according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.
The process steps performed by the close-contact avoidance device 11 will be described as (step S1) to (step S8) and (step S11) to (step S13).

(Step S1)
The density estimation unit 55 initializes the warning time to an initial value, and then proceeds to the process of step S2.
Here, as the initial value of the warning time, any value may be used, such as 60 minutes, etc. The initial value is, for example, determined in advance.
In this embodiment, the warning time is a decrementing value, and a warning is issued when the warning time reaches zero.

(Step S2)
The dense estimation unit 55 waits for the check interval to elapse, and when the check interval has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S3.
Here, the check interval may be any value, such as one minute, etc. The check interval is, for example, determined in advance.
In this embodiment, the check interval is a predetermined time interval for checking the dense state.

(Step S3)
The density estimation unit 55 determines whether the density is 0 (that is, whether or not there is no person).
As a result of this determination, if the density estimation unit 55 determines that the density is 0 (step S3: YES), the process proceeds to step S2.
On the other hand, if the density estimation unit 55 determines that the density is greater than 0 (step S3: NO), the process proceeds to step S4.

(Step S4)
The density estimation unit 55 determines whether the density is greater than a predetermined threshold value (density threshold value) related to the density. The density threshold value is, for example, determined in advance.
As a result of this determination, when the density estimation unit 55 determines that the density is greater than the density threshold value (step S4: YES), the process proceeds to step S11.
On the other hand, if the density estimation unit 55 determines that the density is equal to or lower than the density threshold (step S4: NO), the process proceeds to step S5.

(Step S5)
The closeness estimation unit 55 determines whether the closeness is greater than a predetermined threshold value (closeness threshold value) related to the closeness. The closeness threshold value is, for example, determined in advance.
As a result of this determination, when the closeness estimation unit 55 determines that the closeness is greater than the closeness threshold value (step S5: YES), the process proceeds to step S12.
On the other hand, when the closeness estimation unit 55 determines that the closeness is equal to or less than the closeness threshold (step S5: NO), the process proceeds to step S6.

(Step S6)
The dense estimation unit 55 determines whether the wind speed is smaller than a predetermined threshold value (wind speed threshold value) related to the wind speed. The wind speed threshold value is, for example, determined in advance.
As a result of this determination, when the density estimation unit 55 determines that the wind speed is smaller than the wind speed threshold value (step S6: YES), the process proceeds to step S13.
On the other hand, if the density estimation unit 55 determines that the wind speed is equal to or greater than the wind speed threshold (step S6: NO), the process proceeds to step S7.

(Step S7)
The dense estimation unit 55 determines whether the warning time is equal to or less than 0 (0 or negative in this embodiment).
As a result of this determination, when the density estimation unit 55 determines that the warning time is equal to or less than 0 (step S7: YES), the process proceeds to step S8.
On the other hand, if the density estimation unit 55 determines that the warning time is not equal to or less than 0 (step S7: NO), the process proceeds to step S2.

(Step S8)
The density estimation unit 55 outputs a predetermined instruction signal to the warning control unit 56, thereby causing the warning control unit 56 to issue a predetermined warning to the warning unit 31. Then, the process proceeds to step S1.
Here, any signal may be used as the predetermined instruction signal.
Furthermore, the specified warning may be, for example, set in advance, or may be determined by the density estimation unit 55 according to the state of density, etc., based on predetermined conditions.

(Step S11)
The density estimation unit 55 updates the warning time to be shorter by subtracting a predetermined time from the warning time, and then proceeds to the process of step S5.

(Step S12)
The density estimation unit 55 updates the warning time to be shorter by subtracting a predetermined time from the warning time, and then proceeds to the process of step S6.

(Step S13)
The density estimation unit 55 subtracts a predetermined time from the warning time to update the warning time to be shorter, and then proceeds to the process of step S7.

Here, the predetermined time subtracted from the warning time regarding crowding in step S11, the predetermined time subtracted from the warning time regarding closeness in step S12, and the predetermined time subtracted from the warning time regarding wind speed in step S13 may be the same or different.
As an example, these predetermined times may be the same, such as one minute.

As another example, the predetermined time to be subtracted from the warning time regarding the congestion in step S11 may be determined by the congestion estimation unit 55 according to the value of the congestion.
Similarly, the predetermined time to be subtracted from the warning time regarding the closeness in step S12 may be determined by the closeness estimation unit 55 depending on the closeness value.
Similarly, the predetermined time to be subtracted from the warning time regarding the wind speed in step S13 may be determined by the dense estimation unit 55 depending on the value of the wind speed.

Here, in the example of FIG. 4, the density estimation unit 55 does not shorten the warning time except for shortening the warning time in the process of step S11, the process of step S12, and the process of step S13.
As another example of the configuration, the density estimation unit 55 may be configured to shorten the warning time in accordance with the flow of time, in addition to shortening the warning time in the process of step S11, the process of step S12, and the process of step S13. That is, in this configuration, even if the density, closeness, and wind speed do not satisfy the predetermined conditions (the conditions of step S4, the conditions of step S5, and the conditions of step S6), a warning is issued every time a predetermined time (such as 60 minutes, which is the initial value of the warning time) has elapsed. In this case, for example, the initial value of the warning time may be set longer than in the example of FIG. 4.

Here, the example in Figure 4 shows a processing procedure in which a warning is issued when the warning time becomes equal to or less than 0. However, as another configuration example, when the warning time becomes equal to or less than 0, a warning is issued and the dense estimation unit 55 outputs a predetermined instruction signal to the object control unit 57, thereby causing the object control unit 57 to perform a predetermined control on the control object 41.
Here, any signal may be used as the predetermined instruction signal.
Furthermore, the predetermined control may be, for example, set in advance, or may be determined by the density estimation unit 55 in accordance with the density state, etc., based on predetermined conditions.

Furthermore, as another configuration example, when the warning time becomes equal to or less than 0, the density estimation unit 55 may control the control target 41 by the target control unit 57 without causing the warning control unit 56 to issue a warning. In this case, the warning time in the example of FIG. 4 may be called by another name, for example, a control time.

As described above, in the close-contact avoidance system 1 according to this embodiment, the close-contact avoidance device 11 determines the crowded state for the space 71 based on the density and closeness as well as wind conditions, thereby helping to appropriately avoid crowded states and reducing the risk of infection with microorganisms, etc.
The crowding avoidance device 11 of this embodiment shortens a predetermined remaining time (warning time in the example of Figure 4) based on the density, closeness, and wind conditions, and when the remaining time reaches 0, a warning and/or control is performed, making it possible to avoid crowded conditions by comprehensively taking into account the density, closeness, and wind conditions.

Here, in the present embodiment, the crowding avoidance device 11 has been shown to perform processing to avoid crowding based on both the density and closeness as well as the wind conditions, but as another configuration example, processing to avoid crowding may be performed based on any one of the density and closeness as well as the wind conditions.
For example, when performing processing to avoid crowding based on the degree of crowding and wind conditions, the close-contact avoidance device 11 does not perform processing related to the degree of crowding (for example, the processing of step S5 and the processing of step S12 shown in FIG. 4). In this case, the close-contact avoidance device 11 does not need to include, for example, the distance detection unit 53.
For example, when performing processing to avoid crowding based on the degree of crowding and wind conditions, the crowding avoidance device 11 does not perform processing related to the degree of crowding (for example, the processing of step S4 and the processing of step S11 shown in FIG. 4).
In addition, typically, it is preferable for the close-contact avoidance device 11 to perform processing to avoid close contact based on both the density and closeness as well as the wind conditions, since this is more effective in avoiding close contact.

Second Embodiment
In this embodiment, the schematic configuration of the close-contact avoidance system 1 including the close-contact avoidance device 11 is similar to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the close-contact avoidance system 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be used for the description.
In this embodiment, the processing performed by the close-contact avoidance device 11 is different from that of the first embodiment, but other points are similar. In this embodiment, the points that are different from the first embodiment will be described in detail, and the detailed description of the similar points will be omitted.

<Operation of the crowding avoidance device>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a procedure of a process performed in the close-contact avoidance device 11 according to an embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention.
The process steps performed by the close-contact avoidance device 11 will be described as (step S31) to (step S36).

(Step S31)
The dense estimation unit 55 waits for the check interval to elapse, and when the check interval has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S32.

(Step S32)
The density estimation unit 55 determines whether the density is 0 (that is, whether or not there is no person).
As a result of this determination, when the density estimation unit 55 determines that the density is 0 (step S32: YES), the process proceeds to step S31.
On the other hand, if the density estimation unit 55 determines that the density is greater than 0 (step S32: NO), the process proceeds to step S33.

(Step S33)
The density estimation unit 55 determines whether the density is greater than a density threshold value.
As a result of this determination, when the density estimation unit 55 determines that the density is greater than the density threshold value (step S33: YES), the process proceeds to step S36.
On the other hand, if the density estimation unit 55 determines that the density is equal to or lower than the density threshold value (step S33: NO), the process proceeds to step S34.

(Step S34)
The dense estimation unit 55 determines whether the degree of closeness is greater than a closeness threshold value.
As a result of this determination, when the closeness estimation unit 55 determines that the closeness is greater than the closeness threshold value (step S34: YES), the process proceeds to step S36.
On the other hand, when the closeness estimation unit 55 determines that the closeness is equal to or less than the closeness threshold value (step S34: NO), the process proceeds to step S35.

(Step S35)
The dense estimation unit 55 determines whether the wind speed is smaller than a wind speed threshold.
As a result of this determination, when the density estimation unit 55 determines that the wind speed is smaller than the wind speed threshold value (step S35: YES), the process proceeds to step S36.
On the other hand, if the density estimation unit 55 determines that the wind speed is equal to or greater than the wind speed threshold (step S35: NO), the process proceeds to step S31.

(Step S36)
The density estimation unit 55 outputs a predetermined instruction signal to the warning control unit 56, thereby causing the warning control unit 56 to issue a predetermined warning to the warning unit 31. Then, the process proceeds to step S31.

Thus, in the example of Figure 5, if any one of the density, closeness, or wind speed is determined to be poor in comparison with the threshold, a warning is issued.

Here, in the example of FIG. 5, a configuration is used in which the density estimation unit 55 does not use a warning time.
As another configuration example, the density estimation unit 55 may be configured to set an initial value of the warning time, shorten the warning time over time, and issue a warning when the warning time reaches 0. In this configuration, even if the density, closeness, and wind speed do not satisfy predetermined conditions (the conditions in steps S33, S34, and S35), a warning is issued every time a predetermined time (such as 60 minutes, which is the initial value of the warning time) has elapsed.

In the example of FIG. 5, similarly to the first embodiment, the control object 41 may be controlled together with the warning, or the control object 41 may be controlled instead of the warning.

As described above, in the crowding avoidance system 1 of this embodiment, the crowding avoidance device 11 can assist in appropriately avoiding crowded conditions by determining the crowded state based on the density and closeness as well as wind conditions, thereby reducing the risk of infection from microorganisms, etc.
The crowding avoidance device 11 of this embodiment makes it possible to avoid crowded conditions by taking into account the crowding level, closeness, and wind conditions, by issuing a warning and/or control when any of the crowding level, closeness, and wind conditions meets a specified condition.

Here, in the present embodiment, the crowding avoidance device 11 has been shown to perform processing to avoid crowding based on both the density and closeness as well as the wind conditions, but as another configuration example, processing to avoid crowding may be performed based on any one of the density and closeness as well as the wind conditions.
For example, when performing processing to avoid crowding based on the degree of crowding and wind conditions, the closeness avoidance device 11 does not perform processing related to the degree of crowding (for example, the processing of step S34 shown in FIG. 5). In this case, the closeness avoidance device 11 does not need to include, for example, the distance detection unit 53.
For example, when performing processing to avoid crowding based on the degree of crowding and wind conditions, the crowding avoidance device 11 does not perform processing related to the degree of crowding (for example, the processing of step S33 shown in FIG. 4).
In addition, typically, it is preferable for the close-contact avoidance device 11 to perform processing to avoid close contact based on both the density and closeness as well as the wind conditions, since this is more effective in avoiding close contact.

Third Embodiment
<Crowding avoidance system>
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a close-contact avoidance system 501 according to an embodiment (third embodiment) of the present invention.
The congestion avoidance system 501 includes a congestion avoidance device 511, a plurality of N terminal devices 512-1 to 512-N, a network 513, and a warning unit 591.
Among the terminal devices 512-1 to 512-N, the i-th terminal device 512-i (i is an integer between 1 and N) is capable of communicating with the imaging unit 21-i, the wind condition detection unit 22-i, the warning unit 31-i, and the control object 41-i via wired or wireless communication.

Each terminal device 512-i, imaging unit 21-i, wind condition detection unit 22-i, warning unit 31-i, and control target 41-i are provided in each space 571-i.
In this manner, in this embodiment, one congestion avoidance device 511 manages the congestion-related states of a plurality of different spaces 571-1 to 571-N.

The congestion avoidance device 511 and a plurality of terminal devices 512 - 1 to 512 -N are connected to a network 513 .
The congestion avoidance device 511 is capable of communicating with each of the terminal devices 512 - 1 to 512 -N via a network 513 .
The network 513 may be, for example, a wired network or a wireless network.

Here, each of the spaces 571-1 to 571-N, the imaging units 21-1 to 21-N, the wind condition detection units 22-1 to 22-N, the warning units 31-1 to 31-N, and the control targets 41-1 to 41-N in each of the spaces 571-1 to 571-N are similar to the space 71, the imaging unit 21, the wind condition detection unit 22, the warning unit 31, and the control target 41 shown in FIG. 1.

<Crowding avoidance device>
The crowding avoidance device 511 includes a communication unit 531, an imaging information acquisition unit 551, a person detection unit 552, a distance detection unit 553, a wind condition information acquisition unit 554, a crowding estimation unit 555, a warning control unit 556, a target control unit 557, and a memory unit 558.
Here, broadly speaking, the image capture information acquisition unit 551, the person detection unit 552, the distance detection unit 553, the wind condition information acquisition unit 554, the density estimation unit 555, the warning control unit 556, the target control unit 557, and the memory unit 558 each have functions similar to those of the image capture information acquisition unit 51, the person detection unit 52, the distance detection unit 53, the wind condition information acquisition unit 54, the density estimation unit 55, the warning control unit 56, the target control unit 57, and the memory unit 58 shown in FIG. 1, respectively.

The communication unit 531 communicates with each of the terminal devices 512 - 1 to 512 -N via the network 513 .
The terminal devices 512-1 to 512-N in each of the spaces 571-1 to 571-N function as relay devices in the communication between the imaging unit 21-i, the wind condition detection unit 22-i, the warning unit 31-i, and the control object 41-i in each of the spaces 571-1 to 571-N and the close-contact avoidance device 511.

In this embodiment, the close-contact avoidance device 511 can manage the close-contact state for each of the multiple spaces 571-1 to 571-N. The processing that the close-contact avoidance device 511 performs regarding the close-contact state of each of the spaces 571-1 to 571-N is similar to that in the first or second embodiment.

In this embodiment, a warning unit 591 is provided that is common to the spaces 571-1 to 571-N.
In the close-contact avoidance device 511, the warning control unit 556 has a function of causing the warning units 31-1 to 31-N of the respective spaces 571-1 to 571-N to issue a warning, and also has a function of causing the warning unit 591 to issue a warning.

For example, when there is an administrator who manages multiple spaces 571-1 to 571-N, the density estimation unit 555 may notify the administrator of a warning by having the warning unit 591 warn the administrator about one or more spaces selected from the multiple spaces 571-1 to 571-N. In this case, the administrator can select one or more spaces from the multiple spaces 571-1 to 571-N, for example, by operating an operation unit of the warning unit 591.

As another configuration example, when there is an administrator who manages multiple spaces 571-1 to 571-N, the density estimation unit 555 may notify the administrator of a warning by having the warning unit 591 issue a warning via the warning control unit 556 when a warning should be issued regarding the dense state of any one of the spaces 571-1 to 571-N.

The warning unit 591 may be installed, for example, in a space where the administrator is present, or may be a functional part of a device carried by the person to whom the warning should be given (in this example, the administrator). The device may be, for example, a smartphone.

As described above, in the close-contact avoidance system 501 according to this embodiment, the close-contact avoidance device 511 determines the state of congestion for each of the multiple spaces 571-1 to 571-N based on the density and closeness as well as wind conditions, thereby helping to appropriately avoid crowded conditions and reducing the risk of infection with microorganisms, etc.

<Configuration example>
As an example configuration, the present invention is a close-contact avoidance device (close-contact avoidance device 11 in the example of FIG. 1, close-contact avoidance device 511 in the example of FIG. 6) that estimates the state of density in a space to be estimated (space 71 in the example of FIG. 1, spaces 571-1 to 571-N in the example of FIG. 6) based on at least one of the density or closeness and the wind state, and determines whether or not a predetermined condition (the conditions of steps S4, S5, and S6 in the example of FIG. 4, and the conditions of steps S33, S34, and S35 in the example of FIG. 5) is satisfied based on the estimated result, and includes a close-contact avoidance process execution unit (one or both of the warning control unit 56 and the target control unit 57 in the example of FIG. 1, and one or both of the warning control unit 556 and the target control unit 557 in the example of FIG. 6) that executes a process to avoid close contact (in the embodiment, one or both of a warning and control) when the density estimation unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

As one configuration example (example in FIG. 4), in the crowding avoidance device, the predetermined condition is that a predetermined remaining time (warning time in the example in FIG. 4) has reached 0. After setting the remaining time to an initial value, the crowding estimation unit shortens the remaining time at each check interval if at least one of the crowding degree or closeness degree is greater than a predetermined threshold, and shortens the remaining time if the wind speed or wind volume, which is the wind condition, is less than the predetermined threshold.

As one configuration example (example of FIG. 5), in a crowding avoidance device, the predetermined conditions are that at least one of the crowding degree or closeness is greater than a predetermined threshold, and that the wind speed or wind volume is less than a predetermined threshold.

As one configuration example, in the crowded avoidance device, the processing performed by the crowded avoidance processing execution unit is one or both of a warning processing performed to avoid crowdedness and a processing to control a control target to avoid crowdedness.

As an example configuration, the computer program is for causing a computer (in an embodiment, a computer constituting the crowding avoidance device 11, 511) to execute a crowding estimation step of estimating the crowding state of the space to be estimated based on at least one of the crowding degree or closeness and the wind state, and determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the estimation result, and a crowding avoidance processing execution step of executing processing to avoid crowding when it is determined by the crowding estimation step that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

In the above embodiment, an example of a density estimation unit is shown that estimates the density state of the space to be estimated based on at least one of the density or closeness and the wind state, and determines whether or not a certain condition is satisfied based on the estimated result, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The density estimation unit may use all of the values indicating the density, closeness, and wind conditions to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied.
As an example, the dense estimation unit may determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied for a value calculated using all values indicating the density, closeness, and wind state. For example, the dense estimation unit may be configured to calculate the value of D in formula (1), and execute a process (e.g., one or both of warning and control) to avoid denseness when it is determined that the value of D satisfies a predetermined condition that the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The coefficients A, B, and C may each be set arbitrarily. In addition, in formula (1), the air volume may be used instead of the wind speed, or a value that takes both the wind speed and the air volume into consideration may be used.
D = A x density + B x density - C x wind speed (1)

A program (computer program) for implementing the functions of any component of any device, such as the close contact avoidance devices 11 and 511 described above, may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be read and executed by a computer system. Note that the term "computer system" here includes an operating system (OS) or hardware such as peripheral devices. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD (Compact Disc)-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also refers to storage devices that hold a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

The above program may be transmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium, or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has a function of transmitting information, such as a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.
The above program may be for implementing some of the above functions. Furthermore, the above program may be a so-called differential file that can implement the above functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. The differential file may be called a differential program.

The functions of any of the components in any of the devices described above may be realized by a processor. For example, each process in the embodiment may be realized by a processor that operates based on information such as a program and a computer-readable recording medium that stores information such as a program. Here, the functions of each part of the processor may be realized by individual hardware, or the functions of each part may be realized by integrated hardware. For example, the processor may include hardware, and the hardware may include at least one of a circuit for processing digital signals and a circuit for processing analog signals. For example, the processor may be configured using one or more circuit devices mounted on a circuit board, or one or both of one or more circuit elements. An IC (Integrated Circuit) or the like may be used as the circuit device, and a resistor or a capacitor may be used as the circuit element.

Here, the processor may be, for example, a CPU. However, the processor is not limited to a CPU, and various processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) may be used. The processor may be, for example, a hardware circuit using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The processor may be, for example, a plurality of CPUs, or a hardware circuit using a plurality of ASICs. The processor may be, for example, a combination of a plurality of CPUs and a hardware circuit using a plurality of ASICs. The processor may include, for example, one or more of an amplifier circuit or a filter circuit that processes analog signals.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment and includes designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

1, 501...crowding avoidance system, 11, 511...crowding avoidance device, 21, 21-1 to 21-N...imaging unit, 22, 22-1 to 22-N...wind condition detection unit, 31, 31-1 to 31-N, 591...warning unit, 41, 41-1 to 41-N...control target, 51, 551...imaging information acquisition unit, 52, 552...person detection unit, 53, 553...distance detection unit, 54, 554...wind condition information acquisition unit, 55, 555...crowding estimation unit, 56, 556...warning control unit, 57, 557...target control unit, 58, 558...storage unit, 111, 211...image, 131 to 136...person unit, 231 to 233...distance, 512-1 to 512-N...terminal device, 513...network, 531...communication unit

Claims (2)

a density estimation unit that estimates the density state of a space to be estimated based on at least one of the density and the closeness and the wind state, and determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the estimation result;
a density avoidance process execution unit that executes a process for avoiding density when the density estimation unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied;
Equipped with
the predetermined condition is that a predetermined remaining time has reached 0,
The density estimation unit sets the remaining time to an initial value, and then, at each check interval, shortens the remaining time when at least one of the density or the closeness is greater than a predetermined threshold, and shortens the remaining time when the wind speed or wind volume of the wind state is smaller than a predetermined threshold . On the computer,
a density estimation step of estimating the density state of the space to be estimated based on at least one of the density and the closeness and the wind state, and determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the estimation result;
a dense avoidance process execution step of executing a process for avoiding denseness when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied by the dense estimation step;
Run the command ,
the predetermined condition is that a predetermined remaining time has reached 0,
The density estimation step is a computer program for setting the remaining time to an initial value, and then shortening the remaining time at each check interval when at least one of the density or the closeness is greater than a predetermined threshold, and shortening the remaining time when the wind speed or wind volume, which is the wind condition, is smaller than a predetermined threshold .

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