JP7746187B2 - Lost and suspicious item detection system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to technology for detecting lost or suspicious items placed on seats in railway vehicles, etc.

Traditionally, on Shinkansen and limited express trains, conductors regularly patrol the carriages to check seat occupancy status in relation to ticket information and the presence of suspicious baggage, a task that places a significant burden on the conductor. Patent Document 1 discloses a system that automates ticket inspection work as a technology to reduce the conductor's burden.

JP 2015-176201 A

The ticket inspection system in Patent Document 1 can detect whether a passenger occupying a seat has a ticket, but it cannot detect lost or suspicious items left on the seat. When an object is left on a seat, it is almost always the baggage of a passenger sitting in a nearby seat, but in some cases it may be an item left behind by a passenger who has disembarked, or a dangerous object that has been intentionally left there. It is desirable for such lost or suspicious items to be discovered as quickly as possible.

The present invention therefore aims to provide technology for detecting forgotten or suspicious items placed on seats.

The present invention is a lost property/suspicious object detection system that detects lost property or suspicious objects placed on a seat, and comprises a seat occupancy detection unit that detects whether the seat is empty, whether a person is seated, or whether an object is placed on it, and a judgment unit that determines whether an object placed on the seat is a lost property/suspicious object based on the occupancy status of two adjacent seats.The seat occupancy detection unit is characterized by comprising a distance sensor that is placed on the armrest of the seat and detects the presence of an object on the seat bottom, and a microswitch that is placed on the backrest of the seat and detects whether the backrest is being pressed .

This invention makes it possible to detect lost or suspicious items left on seats without the need for a person (such as a crew member) to make rounds, thereby improving work efficiency. It also makes it possible to quickly discover lost or suspicious items, which can be useful for improving service and safety.

1 is a block diagram of a lost item/suspicious object detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing a seat in which the distance measuring sensor and the microswitch of FIG. 1 are installed. 2 is a diagram showing a seat in which the distance measuring sensor and the microswitch of FIG. 1 are installed. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an algorithm for determining the seat occupancy status of the seats in FIGS. 2 is an example of information displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1 . 2 is an example of information displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1 . 2 is an example of information displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1 . 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a determination process performed by the on-board server of FIG. 1 .

A "lost property/suspicious object detection system" according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

The lost property/suspicious object detection system 100 shown in Figure 1 is a system that detects lost property or suspicious objects placed on each seat 5 (see Figures 2 and 3) installed in a non-reserved seat car of a passenger train. This lost property/suspicious object detection system 100 includes a distance sensor 6 and a microswitch 7 installed on each seat 5, an on-board server 102 installed on the train, and a display unit 103.

The display unit 103 is, for example, a mobile terminal carried by the conductor or a terminal installed in the conductor's room.

The on-board server 102 is connected to the distance sensor 6, microswitch 7, and display unit 103. Based on the detection results of the distance sensor 6 and the microswitch 7, the on-board server 102 determines whether the seat 5 is vacant, occupied, or has an object placed on it, and outputs the determination result, i.e., the occupancy status of the seat 5, to the display unit 103 (see Figures 5 to 7). Furthermore, based on the occupancy status of two adjacent seats 5, the on-board server 102 determines whether an object placed on the seat 5 is a lost item or a suspicious item, and outputs the determination result to the display unit 103 (see Figures 5 to 7).

The distance sensor 6, microswitch 7, and on-board server 102 described above correspond to the "seat occupancy detection unit" described in the claims. Furthermore, the on-board server 102 corresponds to the "determination unit" described in the claims.

The seat 5 in this example is a two-seater type, with two seats 5 arranged side by side and supported by a single frame. Pedals are attached to the bases supporting these two seats 5, and by stepping on the pedals, the orientation of the seats 5 can be changed by 180 degrees. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each seat 5 comprises a seat portion 2, a backrest 3, and a pair of armrests 4a, 4b.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the distance sensor 6 is disposed on the armrest 4a of the seat 5 and detects the presence of an object on the seat portion 2. In Figure 2, reference numeral 61 denotes a light-transmitting window of the distance sensor 6, reference numeral 62 denotes a light-emitting element, and reference numeral 63 denotes a light-receiving element. The light-transmitting window 61 is provided on the inner surface of the armrest 4a. Light from the light-emitting element 62 passes through the light-transmitting window 61 and is projected toward the armrest 4b. If an object is present on the seat portion 2, light from the light-emitting element 62 is reflected by the object, passes through the light-transmitting window 61, and is received by the light-receiving element 63. This detects the presence of an object on the seat portion 2.

Furthermore, in this example, to keep costs down while widening the detection range as much as possible, only one distance measuring sensor 6 is used, as shown in Figure 3, and the distance measuring sensor 6 is installed so that light L is projected from the light-emitting element 62 in a diagonally rearward direction. More specifically, the single distance measuring sensor 6 is placed at the bottom front end of one armrest 4a, and light L from the light-emitting element 62 is projected diagonally from near the front left corner of the seat 2 to near the rear right corner. Note that the front, back, left, and right directions mentioned above are directions seen from the perspective of a person sitting in the seat 5. Such a distance measuring sensor 6 can reliably detect when a person is seated, and can also almost always detect when a bag 11, shown by the dashed line in Figure 3, or a bag 12, shown by the dashed line in Figure 3, is placed on the seat.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the microswitch 7 is located inside the backrest 3 of the seat 5 and detects when the backrest 3 is being pressed. In this example, the microswitch 7 is located higher than the distance measurement sensor 6. This placement allows the microswitch 7 to detect a pressure state when the backrest 3 is being pressed by a person's back, and prevents the microswitch 7 from reacting when luggage is hitting a low part of the backrest 3. The microswitch 7 includes a case 71, a contact portion 72 located within the case 71, and an actuator 73 that protrudes from the case 71 and transmits the pressure on the backrest 3 to the contact portion 72.

The backrest 3 is composed of a back frame 31 and a cushioning material 32 that covers the back frame 31. The microswitch 7 is fixed to the back frame 31, and when the backrest 3 is pressed by a person's back or the like, the actuator 73 is displaced, opening and closing the contact point 72. This detects that the backrest 3 is being pressed. Furthermore, in this example, to improve the response of the microswitch 7, a plate 9 is provided between the actuator 73 and the cushioning material 32, and this plate 9 presses the actuator 73.

The table in Figure 4 shows the algorithm for determining the occupancy status of each seat 5. The on-board server 102 determines that a person is sitting in seat 5 if there is an object on the seat 2 (distance measurement sensor: ○) and the backrest 3 is pressed (microswitch: ○). Furthermore, if there is an object on the seat 2 (distance measurement sensor: ○) and the backrest 3 is not pressed (microswitch: ×), it determines that an object has been placed on seat 5. The basis for this determination is that people typically lean on the backrest 3 immediately after sitting in seat 5, but if an object is placed on seat 5, gravity applies a downward load, and no force is applied to push back on the backrest 3. Furthermore, if there is no object on seat 2 (distance measurement sensor: ×) and the backrest 3 is not pressed (microswitch: ×), it determines that seat 5 is vacant. Furthermore, since it is generally impossible for the backrest 3 to be pressed (microswitch O) when there is no object on the seat 2 (distance sensor X), in reality, if there is no object on the seat 2, the seat 5 is determined to be vacant.

Figures 5 to 7 are examples of information displayed on the display unit 103, including the occupancy status of each seat 5 and information about lost items and suspicious items placed on seats 5. As described above, these are output from the on-board server 102. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the display unit 103 displays a seating chart made up of marks resembling seats. The numbers 51 to 54 attached to each seat mark are seat numbers.

In Figure 5, seats 51 and 52 are shown with the seat portion in white (no mark displayed). This means that seats 51 and 52 are vacant. In Figure 5, seat 53 is shown with a blue person mark displayed on the seat portion. This means that a person is sitting in seat 53.

Seat 54 in Figure 5 has a blue bag mark displayed on the seat. This means that an object has been placed on this seat 54 and that it is not a lost item or suspicious item. If the object placed on the seat is a lost item or suspicious item, a red bag mark will be displayed on the seat. The determination of whether the object is a lost item or suspicious item is based on the occupancy status of the seat next to the seat on which the object is placed.

For example, in Figure 5, seat 53 is occupied, so an item placed on the seat next to it, 54, is likely to be the baggage of the passenger sitting in seat 53. Therefore, the item placed on seat 54 is determined not to be a lost item or suspicious item.

Figure 6 shows an example display of a situation in which the occupancy status of seats 52 and 53 has changed over time since the situation in Figure 5. In Figure 6, an object has been placed on seat 52, which was vacant in the situation in Figure 5. However, the bag mark on seat 52 is displayed in blue for a predetermined time (e.g., three minutes) from the time the object is detected. Once the predetermined time has elapsed, the object placed on seat 52 is determined to be a lost or suspicious item, and as shown in Figure 7, the bag mark on seat 52 changes from blue to red. The reason for determining that the object is a lost or suspicious item after the predetermined time has elapsed is to anticipate a situation in which a passenger has temporarily placed baggage before sitting down, and to avoid confusing the conductor's work by repeatedly detecting lost or suspicious items.

In addition, in Figure 6, seat 53, which was occupied in the situation in Figure 5, is now vacant. The item that was placed on seat 54 in the situation in Figure 5 is still there in the situation in Figure 6, but the bag mark on seat 54 is displayed in blue for a predetermined time (e.g., three minutes) after seat 53 becomes vacant. Then, once this predetermined time has elapsed, the item placed on seat 54 is determined to be a lost item or suspicious item, and the bag mark on seat 54 changes from blue to red, as shown in Figure 7. The reason for determining that the item is a lost item or suspicious item after the predetermined time has elapsed is to anticipate situations in which a passenger sitting in seat 53 has temporarily left their seat to access the luggage rack or to use the restroom or make a phone call, etc., and to avoid confusing the conductor's work by repeatedly detecting lost items or suspicious items.

As shown in Figure 7, when a red bag symbol is displayed, the conductor will actually go to seats 52 and 54 to check for any items that have been determined to be lost or suspicious.

In this way, in the lost property/suspicious object detection system 100 of this example, if it detects that a person is seated in one 53 of two adjacent seats 53, 54 and that an object has been placed on the other 54, it determines that the object is not a lost property/suspicious object (see Figure 5). If seat 53 becomes vacant in this situation, it determines that the object placed on seat 54 is not a lost property/suspicious object for a predetermined time after the seat becomes vacant (see Figure 6), and once the predetermined time has passed, it determines that the object placed on seat 54 is a lost property/suspicious object (see Figure 7). Furthermore, when it is detected that one 51 of two adjacent seats 51, 52 is vacant and an object has been placed on the other 52, it determines that the object is not a lost item or suspicious item for a predetermined time from the time of detection (see Figure 6), and if the state in which one 51 of the two adjacent seats 51, 52 is vacant and an object has been placed on the other 52 continues after the predetermined time has elapsed, it determines that the object is a lost item or suspicious item (see Figure 7).

The flow of the determination process performed by the on-board server 102 will be explained below with reference to the flowchart in Figure 8.

In step S1 of the flowchart in Figure 8, the on-board server 102 determines whether the distance measurement sensor 6 has detected an object on the seat 2 for each seat 5 (whether it is an empty seat or a person or object). If the distance measurement sensor 6 has not detected an object on the seat 2, the process proceeds to step S2, where it determines that there is no abnormality (the seat 5 is empty and there is no left-behind or suspicious item), and returns to step S1. If the distance measurement sensor 6 detects an object on the seat 2, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, it is determined whether the microswitch 7 in the seat 5 has detected pressure on the backrest 3 (whether by a person or an object). If the microswitch 7 detects pressure on the backrest 3, the process proceeds to step S4, where it is determined that there is no abnormality (a person is sitting in the seat 5). If the microswitch 7 does not detect pressure on the backrest 3, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not a person is sitting in the seat 5 adjacent to the seat 5 on which the object was placed, as detected in step S3 (whether or not the microswitch 7 in the adjacent seat 5 detected pressure on the backrest 3). If it is determined that a person is sitting in the adjacent seat 5, it proceeds to step S6, determines that there is no abnormality (an object has been placed on the seat 5, but it is not a lost item or suspicious item), and returns to step S1. If it is determined that no person is sitting in the adjacent seat 5, it proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, it is determined whether n minutes have passed since it was detected in step S3 that an object was placed on seat 5. If n minutes have not passed, the process proceeds to step S8, where it is determined that there is no abnormality (an object has been placed on seat 5, but it is not a lost item or suspicious item), and the process returns to step S1. If n minutes have passed, the process proceeds to step S9, where it is determined that there is an abnormality (the object placed on seat 5 is a lost item or suspicious item).

In addition, the on-board server 102 transmits the determination results in steps S2, S4, S6, S8, and S9 to the display unit 103.

As explained above, with the lost item/suspicious object detection system 100 of this example, the conductor can learn of the presence of lost items or suspicious objects placed on seats 5 by looking at the display unit 103 without having to patrol the train, thereby improving work efficiency. Furthermore, lost items and suspicious objects can be discovered early, which helps improve service and safety.

In the above-described embodiment, a two-seater seat was used as an example, but the lost property/suspicious object detection system of the present invention can also be applied to three-seater seats. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the seat occupancy detection unit was made up of the distance sensor 6, microswitch 7, and on-board server 102, but the present invention is not limited to this; for example, a pressure-sensitive element or the like could be used instead of the microswitch 7.

Note that the above-described embodiment merely illustrates a typical form of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various modifications within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

5 Seat 100 Lost and suspicious object detection system 102 On-board server (determination unit)

Claims (3)

A lost item/suspicious object detection system that detects lost items or suspicious items placed on seats,
a seat occupancy detection unit that detects whether a seat is vacant, whether a person is seated, or whether an object is placed on the seat;
a determination unit that determines whether an object placed on a seat is a lost item or a suspicious item based on the occupancy status of two adjacent seats ,
The seat occupancy detection unit includes a distance measurement sensor disposed on the armrest of the seat to detect the presence of an object on the seat bottom, and a microswitch disposed on the backrest of the seat to detect the backrest being pressed.
A lost item/suspicious object detection system characterized by: The lost property/suspicious object detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, when it detects that a person is sitting in one of two adjacent seats and that an object is placed in the other, it determines that the object is not a lost property/suspicious object. When it detects that one of two adjacent seats is empty and the other has an object placed on it, it determines that the object is not a lost item or suspicious item within a specified time from the time of detection,
The lost item/suspicious object detection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that if, after the specified time has elapsed, one of two adjacent seats remains vacant and an object remains on the other, the object is determined to be a lost item/suspicious object.