JP7798604B2 - Automatic door system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic door system, an automatic door switch, a control method for an automatic door switch, and a control program for an automatic door switch.

Automatic door systems are known that use contactless switches to control the opening and closing operations of an opening/closing body. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a roller blind device that controls the opening and closing operations of a screen curtain in response to the detection state of a contactless switch means (area sensor). This device comprises an opening/closing means that opens and closes the opening, an area sensor that detects the approach of a finger without contact, and an opening/closing control means that controls the opening and closing operations of the opening/closing means in response to the detection state of the area sensor. In this device, two or more area sensors are arranged adjacent to each other, and each sensor enters one of several detection states when a finger is held over one or both of the sensors. The control means controls the opening and closing operations in response to these multiple detection states.

Patent Document 2 describes an automatic door activation device that opens a door via a drive means when an activation switch attached to the door is turned on. This device prohibits the drive means from opening the door until a predetermined time has passed since the output signal based on the activation switch being turned on, and then opens the door via the drive means in response to the output signal based on the activation switch being turned on within the valid time after the predetermined time has passed.

Patent Document 3 describes an automatic door system for a toilet stall door that opens and closes based on signals from inside and outside operating units. This system is equipped with a drive mechanism that opens and closes the door based on open/close signals from operating units located outside and inside the toilet stall, and an auxiliary light sensor located at the entrance to the toilet stall. When the door is open and closes based on a close signal from the inside operating unit, this system reverses the door and fully opens it if it receives a signal from the auxiliary light sensor during the closing operation.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-095940 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-290760 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-163408

Automatic door systems are available with contact switches operated by the user to open and close the door, as well as non-contact switches. Non-contact switches provide a poor operational feel, and if the door does not operate as the user intended, it is difficult to determine whether the operation was improper or the switch is faulty. Even in such cases, it is undesirable for an automatic door system to perform an operation not intended by the user. Patent documents 1 to 3 do not provide sufficient disclosure from this perspective.

The present invention was made in consideration of these issues, and one of its objectives is to provide technology for automatic door systems that can prevent unintended operation by the user.

To solve the above problems, one aspect of the automatic door system of the present invention comprises a contact switch group that includes contact-type open and close switches for opening and closing the door and detects the user's action as a reaction amount; a non-contact switch group that includes non-contact open and close switches for opening and closing the door and detects the user's action as a reaction amount; and an abnormality detection unit that detects abnormalities in each switch of the contact switch group and the non-contact switch group. When the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality in either the contact switch group or the non-contact switch group, it restricts the opening and closing of the door using that switch group.

In addition, any combination of the above, or mutual substitution of the components or expressions of the present invention between methods, devices, programs, temporary or non-temporary storage media on which programs are recorded, systems, etc., are also valid aspects of the present invention.

This invention provides technology for automatic door systems that can prevent unintended operation by the user.

1 is a diagram illustrating an automatic door system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a block diagram showing an automatic door system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a change in the reaction amount of a non-contact switch. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a non-contact switch. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the automatic door system of the first embodiment. 2 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling the automatic door switch of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an automatic door system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an automatic door system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a non-contact switch. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a non-contact switch. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of relationship information of a non-contact switch. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which an abnormal non-contact switch is operated. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of related information when an abnormal non-contact switch is operated. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition information when an abnormal non-contact switch is operated. 8 is a flowchart showing the automatic door switch control method of FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an automatic door system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an automatic door system according to a third embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a first example of a change in the reaction amount of a non-contact switch. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second example of a change in the reaction amount of the non-contact switch. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a third example of a change in the reaction amount of the non-contact switch. 17 is a flowchart showing the automatic door switch control method of FIG. 16. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an automatic door system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an automatic door system according to a fourth embodiment. 23 is a flowchart showing the checking operation of the automatic door system of FIG. 22. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of a confirmation operation. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation operation. 10 is a timing chart showing a second example of a confirmation operation. 23 is a diagram showing a control method for the automatic door switch of FIG. 22.

Among the embodiments disclosed in this specification, those that are composed of multiple objects may be integrated, and conversely, those that are composed of a single object may be separated into multiple objects. Regardless of whether they are integrated or not, it is sufficient that they are configured in a way that allows the purpose of the invention to be achieved.

Among the embodiments disclosed in this specification, those in which multiple functions are provided in a distributed manner may have some or all of those functions integrated together, and conversely, those in which multiple functions are provided in a distributed manner may have some or all of those functions integrated together. Regardless of whether the functions are integrated or distributed, it is sufficient that the configuration is such that the purpose of the invention can be achieved.

In addition, separate components that share something in common are distinguished by prefixing their names with "first," "second," etc., and these are omitted when referring to them collectively. In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, but these terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components and do not limit the components.

The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments and variations, identical or equivalent components and parts will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted where appropriate. The dimensions of the parts in each drawing will be enlarged or reduced as appropriate to facilitate understanding. Some parts that are not important for explaining the embodiments will also be omitted from the drawings.

[First embodiment]
An automatic door system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. As an example, the automatic door system 100 is a device that opens and closes doors to open or close entrances to walls or other structures that separate spaces in various facilities, such as train stations, hotels, department stores, hospitals, and elderly care facilities. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the automatic door system 100 according to this embodiment. This diagram shows a room 94 to which the automatic door system 100 is applied, viewed from the outside. The room 94 can be used as a private room in a multi-purpose restroom.

Figure 2 is a block diagram that shows an outline of the automatic door system 100 according to the present invention. Each block shown in Figure 2 and the block diagrams described below can be realized in hardware terms using computer processors, CPUs, memory and other elements, electronic circuits, and mechanical devices, and in software terms using computer programs, etc. However, the functional blocks shown here are realized by the cooperation of these elements. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combining hardware and software.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the automatic door system 100 includes an automatic door switch 10 and a door driver 98 that drives the door 90 to open and close. The automatic door switch 10 detects user actions and transmits an instruction signal S determined based on the detection results to the door driver 98. The instruction signal S includes control information for the door driver 98. The door driver 98 includes a door control unit 91 and a door engine 92. The door control unit 91 controls the door engine 92 to open and close the door 90 based on the instruction signal S from the automatic door switch 10. There are no limitations on the transmission path 96 that transmits the instruction signal S from the automatic door switch 10, but the transmission path 96 in this example includes an internal device bus. The door engine 92 rotates a drive motor (not shown) to open and close the door 90 based on the control of the door control unit 91.

The automatic door switch 10 will now be described. The automatic door switch 10 comprises a contact switch group 1, a non-contact switch group 2, an abnormality detection unit 3, a switch control unit 6, and an alarm unit 7. The contact switch group 1 and the non-contact switch group 2 comprise an outer switch unit located outside the room 94 and an inner switch unit located inside the room 94. Hereinafter, when distinguishing between inside and outside, the outer switch will be marked with the letter "-A" and the inner switch will be marked with the letter "-B." When referring to the switches collectively, no letter will be added.

The switches in contact switch group 1 are collectively referred to simply as "contact switches." Contact switch group 1 includes contact-type open switch 11 and close switch 12 for opening and closing door 90. Hereinafter, open switch 11 and close switch 12 may be referred to simply as switch 11 and switch 12. Open switch 11 and close switch 12 detect the user's action as a response amount. In this embodiment, the contact switch is a pushbutton switch, and its response amount is an electrical signal that changes between ON and OFF depending on the user's pushing pressure. The response amount of the contact switch is OFF when the pushbutton is not pressed and ON when pressed. Contact switch group 1 includes open switch 11-A and close switch 12-A located outside room 94, and open switch 11-B and close switch 12-B located inside.

The non-contact switch group 2 includes a non-contact open switch 21 and close switch 22 for opening and closing the door 90. Hereinafter, the open switch 21 and close switch 22 may be referred to simply as switch 21 and switch 22. The open switch 21 and close switch 22 detect the user's action as a reaction amount. The non-contact switch group 2 includes an open switch 21-A and a close switch 22-A located outside the room 94, and an open switch 21-B and a close switch 22-B located inside. When referring to the switches in the non-contact switch group 2 collectively, they are simply referred to as "non-contact switches."

A non-contact switch is a detection unit that detects user actions based on known detection principles. That is, the non-contact open switch 21 and close switch 22 are examples of multiple detection units 24, 25. These detection principles include those that use capacitance, ultrasound, microwaves, light (e.g., infrared light), etc. The response quantity of a non-contact switch is, for example, a physical quantity generated depending on the distance from the user's finger when the switch approaches, and may be analog information such as a voltage value, or digital information corresponding to that physical quantity. Below, we will explain an example in which the response quantity is analog information.

The change in the response amount of a contactless switch will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram that schematically shows an example of the change in the response amount of a contactless switch. The horizontal axis of this diagram represents the elapsed time when a finger approaches, and the vertical axis represents the response amount g1. The response amount g1 in this diagram represents the amount of change relative to a reference value. g1 shows an example of the progression of the response amount as it increases beyond a threshold and reaches a stable state.

The reaction amount g1 not only undergoes monotonous changes but also undergoes a variety of fluctuations. When the reaction amount g1 is near the threshold, chattering may occur, whereby the reaction amount g1 alternates between an ON state where the reaction amount g1 exceeds the threshold and an OFF state where the reaction amount g1 does not exceed the threshold. Furthermore, the reaction amount g1 may continue to increase, decrease, overshoot, etc. after exceeding the threshold. Therefore, the non-contact switch of this embodiment continuously acquires the progress of the reaction amount and determines that the reaction amount is in the ON state once it has reached a predetermined stable state.

The non-contact switch will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a non-contact switch. This diagram is a side view of a user bringing their finger close to the open switch 21 with the intention of opening the door. As shown in this diagram, the open switch 21 and the close switch 22 are positioned close to each other within a range that allows the user to operate them without changing their standing position. As a result, when a finger approaches the open switch 21, that finger also approaches the close switch 22. At this time, the open switch 21 and the close switch 22 detect a reaction amount according to the proximity state. Therefore, the threshold is set so that in this state, the open switch 21 is ON and the close switch 22 is OFF.

The appropriate reference values and threshold values for non-contact switches vary depending on the individual switch and also change due to factors such as deterioration over time. The reference values and threshold values can be adjusted by calibration during installation or maintenance. This calibration can also be performed automatically each time the device is started.

See Figures 1 and 2. Each of the contact switches and non-contact switches is associated with a preset control content related to the operation of the door 90. The open switches 11 and 21 are associated with a control content that includes control for opening the door 90, and the close switches 12 and 22 are associated with a control content that includes control for closing the door 90. In other words, when a switch is operated, the determination unit 4, which will be described later, determines an instruction signal S that includes the control content associated with that switch.

The switch control unit 6 outputs an instruction signal S based on the detection results (response amounts) of the contact switch group 1 and the non-contact switch group 2. The switch control unit 6 includes a determination unit 4, an output unit 5, a memory unit 66, and an input unit 67. The determination unit 4 determines the instruction signal S based on the detection results of the contact open switch 11 and close switch 12, which detect the user's action as a response amount, and the non-contact open switch 21 and close switch 22, which detect the user's action as a response amount. The output unit 5 outputs the instruction signal S determined by the determination unit 4 to the door control unit 91 of the door 90. As described above, the door control unit 91 controls the door 90 based on the instruction signal S from the switch control unit 6.

The memory unit 66 can store acquired information and intermediate processing information in chronological order. The memory unit 66 can also store the control program P120, which will be described later. The input unit 67 acquires the response amount of each switch in the contact switch group 1. The input unit 67 acquires the response amount of each switch in the non-contact switch group 2.

(Abnormality detection unit)
The abnormality detection unit 3 will now be described. The abnormality detection unit 3 detects abnormalities in each switch of the contact switch group 1 and the non-contact switch group 2. In particular, the abnormality detection unit 3 can individually detect abnormalities in each of the switches 11, 12, 21, and 22 of the contact switch group 1 and the non-contact switch group 2. In other words, the abnormality detection unit 3 can detect abnormalities in multiple detection units 24 and 25.

The abnormality detection unit 3 checks the reaction amounts of the contact switch group 1 and the non-contact switch group 2, and determines that an abnormality has occurred if the result is not within a predetermined range. Furthermore, the abnormality detection unit 3 determines that an abnormality has occurred if it is unable to calibrate the non-contact switch group 2 and adjust the reference values and threshold values to a predetermined state (hereinafter referred to as "adjustment failure").

If either a switch in either the contact switch group 1 or the non-contact switch group 2 is determined to be abnormal, it is desirable to prevent the door 90 from being operated by any of the switches in that switch group in order to avoid unintended operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the abnormality detection unit 3 detects an abnormality in either a switch in either the contact switch group 1 or the non-contact switch group 2, the switch control unit 6 restricts the opening and closing of the door 90 using that switch group. For example, when an abnormality is detected in the open switch 21, the door 90 is not operated by the close switch 22.

More specifically, when the abnormality detection unit 3 detects an abnormality in either the contact switch group 1 or the non-contact switch group 2, the automatic door system 100 stops outputting the instruction signal S from the switch control unit 6 based on the detection result of that switch group, or does not perform door control by the door control unit 91 based on the instruction signal S from the switch control unit 6.

This section describes a case where switches are provided both inside and outside the room 94. From the perspective of avoiding unintended operation, if either the inside or outside switch of the same type is determined to be abnormal, it is desirable to not operate the door 90 using both the inside and outside switches of the same type. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the abnormality detection unit 3 detects an abnormality in either the contact switch group 1 or the non-contact switch group 2, it stops outputting the instruction signal S from the switch control unit 6 based on the detection result of that switch group, regardless of whether the abnormality is in the inside or outside switch, or does not perform door control by the door control unit 91 based on the instruction signal S from the switch control unit 6. Stopping output of the instruction signal S or not performing door control by the door control unit 91 based on the instruction signal S in this way is referred to as invalidating the switch detection result.

(Notification Department)
The notification unit 7 will now be described. As described above, if an abnormality is detected in a switch, and the instruction signal S is not output or control based on the instruction signal S is not performed, causing the door 90 to fail to operate, it is desirable to provide advice to the user. Therefore, this embodiment includes the notification unit 7 that, when a user's operation is detected in a switch of the contact switch group 1 or the non-contact switch group 2 in which no abnormality is detected, provides guidance encouraging the user to use a switch in a switch group other than the switch group in which the abnormality is detected. For example, when an abnormality is detected in the open switch 21 of the non-contact switch group 2, and a user's operation is detected in the close switch 22 in which no abnormality is detected, the notification unit 7 can provide a voice guide urging the user to use a switch in the contact switch group 1.

The notification unit 7 in this embodiment includes a notification control unit 71 that determines the guidance to be provided to the user depending on the detected abnormality status of the switch group, and an audio output unit 72 that outputs audio guidance in accordance with the control of the notification control unit 71. In the example of Figure 1, the audio output unit 72 is located near the outer switch unit.

An example of the operation of the automatic door system 100 will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing operation S110 of the automatic door system 100. For example, operation S110 can be executed when the power is turned on or during operation. When operation S110 begins, the abnormality detection unit 3 adjusts or checks the calibration of the non-contact switches (step S111). Next, the abnormality detection unit 3 determines whether some of the non-contact switches are malfunctioning or showing abnormal values, resulting in a failed calibration adjustment (step S112). If the calibration adjustment was successful (N in step S112), the abnormality detection unit 3 terminates operation S110.

If the calibration adjustment fails (Y in step S112), the switch control unit 6 stops all operation of the non-contact switches, including the normal switches. Specifically, it invalidates the detection results of all non-contact switches (step S113). Next, the abnormality detection unit 3 obtains the response (amount of response) of the non-contact switches for which the calibration adjustment was successful (step S114).

Next, the abnormality detection unit 3 determines whether there has been a reaction based on the change in the reaction rate of the non-contact switch that has been successfully adjusted (step S115). If there has been no reaction (N in step S115), the process jumps to the beginning of step S114 and repeats steps S114 and S115. If there has been a reaction (Y in step S115), the notification unit 7 notifies the outside world that the non-contact switch cannot be used. At this time, a guide voice can be provided to encourage the use of a contact switch (step S116). After executing step S116, the abnormality detection unit 3 ends operation S110. These steps are merely examples, and various variations are possible.

The technical concept of this embodiment can be applied to a control method for the automatic door switch 10. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the control method S120 for the automatic door switch 10. The control method S120 includes abnormality detection steps S121 and S122 for detecting abnormalities in the multiple non-contact detectors 24, 25, which detect a user's action as a reaction amount and output an instruction signal S containing an instruction to open or close the door 90 to the control unit of the door 90 based on the detection results; and steps S123, S124, and S125 for stopping the output of instruction signals S from all of the multiple detectors 24, 25 when an abnormality is detected in any one of the multiple detectors 24, 25.

Control method S120 can prevent unintended actions by the user.

The steps of the control method S120 shown in FIG. 6 can be executed by a computer as the control program P120 for the automatic door switch 10. That is, the control program P120 for the automatic door switch 10 causes the computer to execute the following steps: abnormality detection steps S121 and S122 for detecting abnormalities in the multiple non-contact detectors 24, 25, which detect a user's action as a reaction amount and output an instruction signal S containing an instruction to open or close the door 90 to the control unit of the door 90 based on the detection results; and steps S123, S124, and S125 for stopping the output of instruction signals S from all of the multiple detectors 24, 25 when an abnormality is detected in any one of the multiple detectors 24, 25.

These functions of program P120 may be installed in the storage (e.g., memory unit 66) of the automatic door switch 10 as an application program that implements multiple modules corresponding to the functional blocks of the automatic door switch 10. Program P120 may be read into the main memory of a processor (e.g., a CPU) of a computer built into the automatic door switch 10 and executed.

Program P120 can prevent unintended actions by the user.

The features of the automatic door system 100 of this embodiment, configured as described above, are described below. The automatic door system 100 comprises a contact switch group 1, which includes a contact-type open switch 11 and a contact-type close switch 12 for opening and closing the door 90 and detects the user's action as a reaction amount; a non-contact switch group 2, which includes a contact-type open switch 21 and a contact-type close switch 22 for opening and closing the door 90 and detects the user's action as a reaction amount; and an abnormality detection unit 3, which detects abnormalities in the switches 11, 12, 21, and 22 of the contact switch group 1 and the non-contact switch group 2. When the abnormality detection unit 3 detects an abnormality in either the contact switch group 1 or the non-contact switch group 2, the automatic door system 100 restricts the opening and closing of the door 90 using that switch group.

This configuration prevents unintended operation by the user even if a malfunctioning open/close switch is used.

The technical concept of this embodiment may be specified as follows: The automatic door system 100 comprises a contact switch group 1 including a contact-type open switch 11 and a contact-type close switch 12 for opening and closing the door 90 and detecting a user's action as a reaction amount; a non-contact switch group 2 including a contact-type open switch 21 and a contact-type close switch 22 for opening and closing the door 90 and detecting a user's action as a reaction amount; a switch control unit 6 that outputs an instruction signal S including an instruction to open and close the door 90 based on the detection results of the contact switch group 1 and the non-contact switch group 2; a door 90 control unit that controls the door 90 based on the instruction signal S from the switch control unit 6; and an abnormality detection unit 3 that detects an abnormality in each switch of the contact switch group 1 and the non-contact switch group 2. When the abnormality detection unit 3 detects an abnormality in either the contact switch group 1 or the non-contact switch group 2, it stops outputting the instruction signal S from the switch control unit 6 based on the detection result of that switch group, or does not perform door control by the door 90 control unit based on the instruction signal S from the switch control unit 6.

This configuration prevents unintended operation by the user even if a malfunctioning open/close switch is used.

In the automatic door system 100, the contact switch group 1 and the non-contact switch group 2 are located inside and outside the room 94 in which the door 90 is installed. When the abnormality detection unit 3 detects an abnormality in either the inside or outside contact switch group or the inside or outside non-contact switch group 2, it stops outputting the instruction signal S from the switch control unit 6 based on the detection result of that switch group, regardless of whether the abnormality is in the inside or outside switch, or does not perform door control by the door control unit based on the instruction signal S from the switch control unit 6. In this case, the user can use any available switch. The switch that the abnormality detection unit 3 detects an abnormality in may be a contact switch or a non-contact switch.

The automatic door system 100 further includes a notification unit 7 that, when a user action is detected on a switch in one of the switch groups where no abnormality has been detected, provides guidance encouraging the user to use a switch in the other switch group. In this case, the user can open or close the door in accordance with the guidance.

The technical concept of this embodiment can also be identified by the following description. The automatic door switch 10 comprises multiple non-contact detection units 24, 25 that detect the user's actions as a reaction amount; a determination unit 4 that determines an instruction signal S based on the detection results of the multiple detection units 24, 25; an output unit 5 that outputs the instruction signal S determined by the determination unit 4 to the control unit of the door 90; and an abnormality detection unit 3 that detects abnormalities in the multiple detection units 24, 25. When the abnormality detection unit 3 detects an abnormality in any one of the multiple detection units, the automatic door switch 10 stops outputting instruction signals S based on all of the multiple detection units 24, 25.

This configuration prevents unintended operation by the user even when a malfunctioning non-contact switch is used.

The automatic door switch 10 further includes a notification unit 7 that, when a user's action is detected by one of the multiple detection units 24, 25 that has not detected an abnormality, provides guidance encouraging the use of a means other than the multiple detection units 24, 25. In this case, the user can open or close the door in accordance with the guidance.

This concludes the description of the first embodiment.

The second to fourth embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the drawings and descriptions of the second to fourth embodiments, components and members that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals.

Second Embodiment
The automatic door system 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Explanations that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted where appropriate, and differences from the first embodiment will be explained in detail. The explanation of the first embodiment will be applied to this embodiment to the extent that no contradictions arise, and in the event of any contradictions, the explanation of this embodiment will take precedence.

First, we will provide an overview of the automatic door system 200 of this embodiment. In an automatic door system with multiple non-contact switches installed closely together, if one of the switches malfunctions, the door corresponding to the malfunctioning switch (hereinafter referred to as the "faulty switch") cannot operate, even if the other switches (hereinafter referred to as the "normal switches") are normal. Note that a malfunctioning switch includes not only a malfunctioning switch, but also a switch that, for some reason, is unable to transmit a normal signal to the switch control unit.

In this embodiment, the automatic door system 200 pre-stores the signal strength (response) of each of the multiple switches when one of the switches is ON. For example, the signal strength (response) of the switch can be obtained when the power is turned on or when the surrounding environment continues to change significantly. When there is no output from the faulty switch, the operation state of the faulty switch is estimated from the stored signal strength and the signal strength of the normal switches, and the door operation corresponding to the faulty switch is realized based on this estimation result. This prevents the door from becoming inoperable even if one of the non-contact switches is malfunctioning. The automatic door system 200 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Please refer to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an automatic door system 200. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic diagram of an automatic door system 200 according to the present invention. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the automatic door system 200 comprises an automatic door switch 10 and a door driver 98 that drives the door 90 to open and close. The automatic door switch 10 detects the user's actions and transmits an instruction signal S determined based on the detection results to the door driver 98. The instruction signal S includes control details for the door driver 98.

The automatic door switch 10 will now be described. The automatic door switch 10 includes multiple contact switches 11, 13, and 12, multiple non-contact switches 21, 23, and 22, a switch control unit 6, and an alarm unit 7. Switches 11, 13, and 12 and switches 21, 23, and 22 are located close to one another and each detects a user's action as a reaction amount. Switches 11 and 21 are open switches that accept a user's operation to open the door 90. Switches 13 and 23 are stop switches that accept a user's operation to stop the door 90. Switches 12 and 22 are close switches that accept a user's operation to close the door 90. Switches 21, 23, and 22 exemplify detection units 24, 26, and 25 that can detect a user's action as a reaction amount. The switch control unit 6 includes a memory unit 66, a determination unit 4, an output unit 5, an abnormality detection unit 3, and an input unit 67.

Referring to Figure 9, the reactions of the finger and each switch when switches 21, 23, and 22 are operated will be explained. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a non-contact switch. In this diagram, A shows the state when switch 21 is operated, B shows the state when switch 23 is operated, and C shows the state when switch 22 is operated. The reaction amount of each switch increases as the distance from the finger decreases and decreases as the distance increases. When switch 21 is operated, the reaction amount of switch 21 is high, the reaction amount of switch 23 is medium, and the reaction amount of switch 22 is low. When switch 23 is operated, the reaction amount of switch 23 is high, the reaction amount of switch 22 is medium, and the reaction amount of switch 21 is slight. When switch 22 is operated, the reaction amount of switch 22 is high, the reaction amount of switch 23 is slight, and there is no reaction from switch 21.

When the reaction amount of any one of the multiple switches 21, 23, and 22 exceeds a threshold value (i.e., when it is determined that the switch has been turned ON), the memory unit 66 stores the reaction amounts of the other switches for each switch as memory information M. This storage operation can be performed during normal operation. For example, when switch 21 is operated and determined to have been turned ON, the memory unit 66 stores the reaction amounts H21, H23, and H22 of switches 21, 23, and 22 as memory information M. When switch 22 is operated and determined to have been turned ON, the memory unit 66 stores the reaction amounts H21, H23, and H22 of switches 21, 23, and 22 as memory information M. When switch 23 is operated and determined to have been turned ON, the memory unit 66 stores the reaction amounts H21, H23, and H22 of switches 21, 23, and 22 as memory information M. As shown in FIG. 8, the memory unit 66 stores memory information M over time and further includes a generation unit 9 that generates a reference value for determining an instruction signal S based on the memory information M stored over time. The switch control unit 6 outputs an instruction signal S based on the reaction amounts of the multiple switches and the reference value.

(Memory information reference operation)
An example of the stored information reference operation will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Here, an example will be described in which switches 21, 23, and 22 are normal. Fig. 10 shows an example of stored information M. In this figure, the top row shows the reaction amounts H21, H23, and H22 when switch 21 is operated and turned ON, the second row shows the reaction amounts H21, H23, and H22 when switch 23 is operated and turned ON, and the third row shows the reaction amounts H21, H23, and H22 when switch 22 is operated and turned ON.

The determination unit 4 determines the instruction signal S based on the reaction amounts of the multiple switches 21, 23, and 22 and the stored information M. In the example of FIG. 10 , the determination unit 4 uses 80, which is the median value of the reaction amounts H21 and H23 when switch 21 is operated, as a threshold value from the stored information M. The determination unit 4 determines the instruction signal S for the control content associated with the switch corresponding to the reaction amount H21, H23, or H22 that exceeds the reference value 80. When switch 21 is operated, the determination unit 4 determines the instruction signal S for opening the door 90. When switch 23 is operated, the determination unit 4 determines the instruction signal S for stopping the door 90. When switch 22 is operated, the determination unit 4 determines the instruction signal S for closing the door 90. The output unit 5 outputs the instruction signal S to the door control unit 91, which controls the operation of the door 90.

(Relationship information reference operation)
An example of the related information reference operation will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 13. Here, an example will be described in which one of the switches 21, 23, and 22 is abnormal. First, the abnormality detection unit 3 and the notification unit 7 will be described. The abnormality detection unit 3 can detect abnormalities in the switches 21, 23, and 22. The notification unit 7 notifies the outside when the abnormality detection unit 3 detects an abnormality in one of the multiple switches 21, 23, and 22.

The relationship information will now be explained. When the reaction amount of one of the multiple switches 21, 23, and 22 exceeds a threshold, the memory unit 66 stores the relationship between that reaction amount and the reaction amounts of the other switches for each switch as relationship information R. There are no limitations on the relationship between the reaction amounts, but as an example, the ratio between the reaction amounts can be used. Figure 11 shows, as relationship information R, the ratio of the reaction amount of the switch with the third largest reaction amount to the reaction amount of the switch with the second largest reaction amount in the stored information M of Figure 10.

In other words, if the operated switch is abnormal and no reaction amount can be obtained, it is possible to estimate whether an abnormal switch was operated using the ratio of the second and third reaction amounts. To account for errors and fluctuations, the estimation range can be set by adding a certain margin to the previously obtained reference reaction amount ratio. For example, the estimation range can be set to ±50% of the reference reaction amount ratio. For example, the reference reaction amount ratio can be obtained when the power is turned on or when the surrounding environment continues to change significantly.

Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of the state in which switch 23 is operated when it is abnormal. In this example, the reaction amount of switch 23 is ignored, and whether switch 23 has been operated is estimated from the reaction amounts of switches 21 and 22.

Figure 13 shows an example of the relationship information when switch 23 is operated when switch 23 is abnormal. The reaction amount in Figure 13 varies due to errors and fluctuations compared to the reaction amount in Figure 10. The reaction amount ratio of the reaction amount H21 of switch 21 to the reaction amount H22 of switch 22 is 0.145, which is within ±50% of the reference reaction amount ratio of 0.17 (within the estimated range). From this, the determination unit 4 can estimate that switch 23 has been operated. Based on this estimation, an instruction signal S for stopping the operation of door 90 defined by switch 23 is determined and output to the door control unit 91.

With reference to Figures 9 and 14, an example of operation based on memory information or relationship information stored over time will be described. Here, an example will be described in which switch 21 is abnormal. The memory unit 66 stores, over time, the reaction amounts of each of the multiple switches 21, 23, and 22 when the reaction amount of the other switches becomes equal to or greater than a threshold as transition information T, and the generation unit 9 generates a reference value for determining the instruction signal S based on the transition information T. The determination unit 4 estimates from this reference value whether an abnormal switch has been operated.

Figure 14 shows an example of transition information during the process of operating abnormal switch 21 when switch 21 is abnormal. In this example, the reaction amount of switch 21 is ignored, and whether switch 21 has been operated is estimated from the transition of the reaction amounts of switches 22 and 23.

For example, when the finger is moved from bottom to top to finally operate switch 21, the finger position changes in the order C (referred to as "first timing T1") ⇒ B (referred to as "second timing T2") ⇒ A (referred to as "third timing T3") in Figure 9. At this time, the reaction amount H23 of switch 23 changes from 60 ⇒ 100 ⇒ 10, and the reaction amount H22 of switch 22 changes from 100 ⇒ 60 ⇒ 30. In this example, the reaction amount ratio of reaction amount H22 to reaction amount H23 is 1.67 at first timing T1, 0.6 at second timing T2, and 3.0 at third timing T3.

The generation unit 9 generates an estimated ratio transition range as a reference value for determining the instruction signal S based on this ratio transition (transition information T). This ratio transition is acquired in advance as a reference ratio transition, and an estimated ratio transition range can be set by adding a certain margin to account for errors and fluctuations. For example, the estimated ratio transition range can be set to ±50% of the reference ratio transition. For example, the reference ratio transition can be acquired when the power is turned on or when the surrounding environment continues to change significantly.

When switch 21 is abnormal, if the change in the reaction amount ratio of reaction amount H22 to reaction amount H23 is within the estimated ratio change range, the determination unit 4 can estimate that switch 21 has been operated. In other words, if the change pattern of the reaction amount ratio is similar to the change pattern of the reference ratio change, it can be estimated that switch 21 has been operated. Based on this estimation, an instruction signal S for opening door 90 defined for switch 21 is determined and output to the door control unit 91.

The technical concept of this embodiment can be applied to a control method for the automatic door switch 10. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the control method S210 for the automatic door switch 10. This figure shows the acquisition process S200, which acquires the stored information R to be compared in advance, and the control method S210. The acquisition process S200 includes step S201, which acquires the response amounts of multiple non-contact detection units 24, 26, and 25, and step S202, which stores the relationship between the response amounts of each detection unit when one detection unit is turned ON. The control method S210 for the automatic door switch 10 includes step S211 of acquiring the response amounts of the multiple non-contact detectors 24, 26, and 25 that detect the user's movement as a response amount; step S212 of determining an instruction signal S based on the response amounts of the multiple detectors and relationship information R stored for each detector that indicates the relationship between the response amount of one of the multiple detectors 24, 26, and 25 and the response amounts of the other detectors when the response amount of that detector becomes equal to or greater than a threshold; and step S213 of outputting the instruction signal S to the door control unit 91 that controls the operation of the door 90. Each of these steps is an example, and various modifications are possible.

Control method S210 makes it possible to avoid situations where the non-contact switches become inoperable even if one of them has an abnormality.

The steps of the control method S210 shown in FIG. 15 can be executed by a computer as a control program P210 for the automatic door switch 10. Specifically, the control program P210 for the automatic door switch 10 causes the computer to execute the following steps: step S211: acquiring the response amounts of the multiple non-contact detectors 24, 26, and 25 that detect the user's movement as a response amount; steps S212 and S213: determining an instruction signal S based on the response amounts of the multiple detectors and relationship information R stored for each detector that indicates the relationship between the response amount of one of the multiple detectors 24, 26, and 25 and the response amounts of the other detectors when the response amount of that detector exceeds a threshold; and step S214: outputting the instruction signal S to the door control unit 91 that controls the operation of the door 90. Each of these steps is an example, and various modifications are possible.

These functions of program P210 may be installed in the storage (e.g., memory unit 66) of the automatic door switch 10 as an application program that implements multiple modules corresponding to the functional blocks of the automatic door switch 10. Program P210 may be read into the main memory of a processor (e.g., a CPU) of a computer built into the automatic door switch 10 and executed.

Program P210 prevents the non-contact switches from becoming inoperable even if one of them has an abnormality.

The features of the automatic door system 200 of this embodiment, configured as described above, are now described. The automatic door system 200 comprises multiple non-contact switches 21, 23, and 22 that are arranged close to each other and include at least an open switch 21 and a close switch 22 for opening and closing the door 90. Each switch detects the user's action as a response amount; a memory unit 66 that stores, for each switch, the response amount of that switch and the response amounts of the other switches when the response amount of one of the switches 21, 23, and 22 exceeds a threshold value as stored information M; a switch control unit 6 that outputs an instruction signal S containing an instruction to open or close the door 90 based on the response amounts of the multiple switches 21, 23, and 22 and the stored information M; and a door control unit 91 that controls the operation of the door 90 in accordance with the instruction signal S.

This configuration prevents the device from becoming inoperable even if one of the non-contact switches has an abnormality.

In the automatic door system 200, the memory unit 66 stores memory information M over time and further includes a generation unit 9 that generates a reference value for determining the instruction signal S based on the memory information M stored over time. The switch control unit 6 outputs the instruction signal S based on the reaction amounts of multiple switches and the reference value. In this case, since the instruction signal S is determined based on the transition information T, the effects of individual differences in the switches and changes over time can be reduced.

The automatic door system 200 is equipped with an abnormality detection unit 3 that detects abnormalities in multiple non-contact switches 21, 23, and 22. When the abnormality detection unit 3 detects an abnormality in one of the multiple non-contact switches 21, 23, and 22, the switch control unit 6 determines the instruction signal S based on the response amounts of the other switches and stored information M. In this case, it is possible to avoid situations where the door becomes inoperable even if one switch has an abnormality.

The automatic door system 200 is equipped with a notification unit 7 that notifies the outside when the abnormality detection unit 3 detects an abnormality in one of the multiple switches 21, 23, and 22. In this case, an outside person, such as a user, can recognize that a switch is abnormal.

The technical concept of this embodiment can also be identified by the following description. The automatic door switch 10 comprises multiple non-contact detectors 24, 25, 26 arranged in close proximity to each other and each detecting a user's movement as a response amount; a memory unit 66 that stores, for each detector, relationship information R indicating the relationship between the response amount of one of the detectors 24, 25, 26 when the response amount of that detector exceeds a threshold and the response amounts of the other detectors; a determination unit 4 that determines an instruction signal S based on the response amounts of the multiple detectors 24, 25, 26 and the relationship information R; and an output unit 5 that outputs the instruction signal S determined by the determination unit 4 to a door control unit 91 that controls the operation of the door 90. In this case, it is possible to avoid the switch becoming inoperable even if one switch has an abnormality.

In the automatic door switch 10, the memory unit 66 stores the relationship information R over time and further includes a generation unit 9 that generates a reference value for determining the indicator signal S based on the relationship information R stored over time. The determination unit 4 determines the indicator signal S based on the reaction amounts of the multiple detection units 24, 25 and the reference value. In this case, since the indicator signal S is determined based on the transition information T, the effects of individual differences in the switch and changes over time can be reduced.

The automatic door switch 10 is equipped with an abnormality detection unit 3 that detects abnormalities in the multiple detection units 24, 25, and 26. When the abnormality detection unit 3 detects an abnormality in one of the multiple detection units 24, 25, and 26, the determination unit 4 determines the indication signal S based on the response amounts of the other detection units and the related information R. In this case, because the indication signal S is determined based on the related information R, the effects of individual differences in the switch and changes over time can be reduced.

In the automatic door switch 10, the multiple detection units 24, 25, and 26 include at least an open detection unit 24 and a close detection unit 25 that output an open command and a close command for the door 90 when the reaction amount exceeds a threshold. In this case, the automatic door switch 10 can perform open and close operations.

This concludes the description of the second embodiment.

[Third embodiment]
The following describes an automatic door system 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Explanations that overlap with those of the first embodiment will be omitted where appropriate, and differences from the first embodiment will be explained in detail. The explanation of the first embodiment applies to this embodiment to the extent that no contradictions arise, and in the event of any contradictions, the explanation of this embodiment takes precedence.

First, we will provide an overview of the automatic door system 300 of this embodiment. The proximity required for a contactless switch to react varies depending on the setting and method. For this reason, even if the contactless switch detects a finger, there may be cases where the reaction amount does not exceed the threshold and the switch is not in a detected state, which can lead to operational errors.

In this embodiment, the automatic door system 300 sets a threshold (hereinafter referred to as the "second threshold") for determining whether the reaction amount of the non-contact switch is ON, as well as a threshold (hereinafter referred to as the "first threshold") that is lower than the second threshold. When the reaction amount continues to be between the first and second thresholds for a certain period of time, audio guidance regarding the operation of the non-contact switch is provided, thereby reducing operational errors of the non-contact switch. For example, this audio guidance can tell the user, "Please move your hand a little closer when operating." This guidance reduces operational errors of the non-contact switch by the user. The automatic door system 300 will now be described with reference to the drawings.

Please refer to Figures 16 and 17. Figure 16 is a diagram showing an outline of an automatic door system 300. Figure 17 is a block diagram showing an outline of an automatic door system 300 according to the present invention. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the automatic door system 300 comprises an automatic door switch 10, a door driver 98 that drives the door 90 to open and close, and an alarm unit 7. The automatic door switch 10 detects the user's actions and transmits an instruction signal S determined based on the detection results to the door driver 98. The instruction signal S includes control details for the door driver 98.

The automatic door switch 10 will now be described. The automatic door switch 10 includes multiple contact switches 11 and 12, multiple non-contact switches 21 and 22, a switch control unit 6, and an alarm unit 7. Switches 11 and 12 and switches 21 and 22 are located close to each other and each detects a user's action as a reaction amount. Switches 11 and 21 are open switches that accept a user's operation to open the door 90. Switches 12 and 22 are close switches that accept a user's operation to close the door 90. Switches 21 and 22 exemplify detection units 24 and 25 that can detect a user's action as a reaction amount. The switch control unit 6 includes a memory unit 66, a determination unit 4, an output unit 5, an alarm signal output unit 74, and an input unit 67.

(Notification Department)
The notification unit 7 will now be described. The notification unit 7 issues a predetermined notification to the outside when the reaction amount of any one of the multiple switches 21, 22 (hereinafter referred to as "one switch 28") is less than a second threshold value VT2 for determining that the one switch 28 has been operated, but is equal to or greater than a first threshold value VT1 that is smaller than the second threshold value VT2. The notification unit 7 of this embodiment includes a notification signal output unit 74 and a sound output unit 72. The non-contact type detection unit of this embodiment is a non-contact type switch, and the "one switch 28" is exemplified as the "one detection unit 29."

The alarm signal output unit 74 outputs a predetermined alarm signal K when the reaction amount of one switch 28 remains below the second threshold value VT2 and above the first threshold value VT1 for a predetermined period of time. As an example, the predetermined alarm signal K is an audio signal that prompts the user to approach the one switch 28. The audio output unit 72 outputs a guide audio in response to the alarm signal K. In the example of Figure 1, the audio output unit 72 is disposed near multiple switches 21 and 22. Therefore, the audio output unit 72 can allow the user of the automatic door switch 10 to hear the guide audio.

The change in the response amount of the non-contact switch will be explained with reference to Figures 18-20. Figures 18-20 are diagrams that schematically show first to third examples of the change in the response amount of the non-contact switches 21 and 22. The horizontal axis of this diagram represents the elapsed time when a finger approaches, and the vertical axis represents the response amount g1. The response amount g1 in this diagram represents the amount of change relative to a reference value. The automatic door switch 10 of this embodiment has a first threshold value VT1 and a second threshold value VT2 for the response amount g1 of the non-contact switch.

The second threshold VT2 is a threshold at which it is determined that the switch has been operated when the reaction amount g1 is equal to or greater than the second threshold VT2. Hereinafter, the state in which the switch is operated will be referred to as the ON state, and the state in which it is not operated will be referred to as the OFF state.

The reaction amount g1 not only undergoes monotonic changes but also undergoes a variety of fluctuations. When the reaction amount g1 is near the second threshold value VT2, chattering may occur, alternating between an ON state where the reaction amount g1 is equal to or greater than the second threshold value VT2 and an OFF state where the reaction amount g1 is less than the second threshold value VT2. Furthermore, the reaction amount g1 may continue to increase, decrease, overshoot, etc. after exceeding the second threshold value VT2. Therefore, as shown in Figure 18, the non-contact switch of this embodiment determines that the switch is in the ON state when the reaction amount g1 remains above the second threshold value VT2 for a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as the "holding period U"). The reaction amount g1 in Figure 18 satisfies the conditions of the holding period U and is therefore determined to be in the ON state.

The first threshold VT1 is used to determine a state in which the switch detects a finger but the response amount g1 is insufficient and less than the second threshold VT2 (hereinafter referred to as the "intermediate state"). For this reason, the first threshold VT1 is set to a level lower than the second threshold VT2. In other words, the intermediate state refers to a state in which the switch's response amount g1 is equal to or greater than the first threshold VT1 but less than the second threshold VT2. As mentioned above, the response amount g1 varies in a variety of ways. As shown in Figure 19, when the response amount g1 fluctuates significantly and is unstable, it is possible that noise is superimposed. Therefore, the automatic door switch 10 determines that the switch is in the intermediate state when the non-contact switch's response amount g1 remains less than the second threshold VT2 but greater than the first threshold VT1 for a predetermined period of time (hereinafter referred to as the "maintenance period Q"). The response amount g1 in Figure 19 does not satisfy the conditions for the maintenance period Q, so it is not determined to be an intermediate state and no audio guidance is output.

The response amount g1 in FIG. 20 is stable within a range below the second threshold VT2 and above the first threshold VT1, satisfying the condition for the maintenance period Q, and is therefore determined to be an intermediate state. If determined to be an intermediate state, the notification signal output unit 74 outputs a predetermined notification signal K. In other words, the notification signal output unit 74 outputs the predetermined notification signal K when the response amount g1 of one switch 28 remains below the second threshold VT2 and above the first threshold VT1 for the predetermined maintenance period Q. The audio output unit 72 outputs a guide voice in response to the notification signal K. The guide voice may be a voice urging the user to approach the switch, and the notification signal K may be a signal that causes the audio output unit 72 to output the guide voice.

The technical concept of this embodiment can be applied to a control method for the automatic door switch 10. Figure 21 is a flowchart showing the control method S310 for the automatic door switch 10. The control method S310 includes the steps of acquiring the response amounts of multiple non-contact detectors 24, 25, which detect the user's actions as response amounts, and steps S311, S312, and S313 of outputting a predetermined alarm signal K when the response amount of any one detector 29 of the multiple detectors 24, 25 is less than a second threshold VT2 for determining that the one detector 29 has been operated and is equal to or greater than a first threshold VT1 that is smaller than the second threshold VT2 for determining that the one detector 29 has responded. Each of these steps is an example, and various modifications are possible.

According to control method S310, a predetermined notification signal K is output to prompt the user to approach, reducing operational errors in the non-contact detection unit 29.

The steps of the control method S310 shown in FIG. 21 can be executed by a computer as a control program P310 for the automatic door switch 10. That is, the control program P310 for the automatic door switch 10 causes the computer to execute the following steps: acquiring the response amounts of multiple non-contact detectors 24, 25, which detect the user's actions as response amounts; and outputting a predetermined alarm signal K when the response amount of any one detector 29 of the multiple detectors 24, 25 is less than a second threshold VT2 for determining that the one detector 29 has been operated and is equal to or greater than a first threshold VT1, which is smaller than the second threshold VT2 for determining that the one detector 29 has responded. These steps are merely examples, and various modifications are possible.

These functions of program P310 may be installed in the storage (e.g., memory unit 66) of the automatic door switch 10 as an application program that implements multiple modules corresponding to the functional blocks of the automatic door switch 10. Program P310 may be read into the main memory of a processor (e.g., a CPU) of a computer built into the automatic door switch 10 and executed.

Program P310 outputs a predetermined notification signal K to encourage the user to approach, reducing operational errors in the non-contact detection unit 29.

The features of the automatic door system 300 of this embodiment, configured as described above, are now described. The automatic door system 300 comprises multiple non-contact switches 21, 21 located close to each other, including at least an open switch and a close switch for opening and closing the door 90, each of which detects the user's action as a response amount; a door control unit 91 that controls the door 90 in accordance with the response amounts of the multiple switches; and an alarm unit 7 that issues a predetermined alarm when the response amount of any one of the multiple switches is less than a second threshold VT2 that determines that the switch has been operated and is equal to or greater than a first threshold VT1 that is smaller than the second threshold VT2 that determines that the switch has responded.

This configuration outputs a predetermined notification signal K to encourage the user to approach, reducing operational errors with the non-contact switch 28.

In the automatic door system 300, the alarm unit 7 issues a specified alarm when the response volume of one switch remains below the second threshold value VT2 and above the first threshold value VT1 for a specified period of time. In this case, unnecessary alarms can be avoided if noise causes the response volume to become below the second threshold value VT2 and above the first threshold value VT1 for a short period of time.

In the automatic door system 300, the specified notification is a voice prompting the user to approach one of the switches 28. In this case, the user is aware that they should approach the switch 28.

The technical concept of this embodiment can also be identified by the following description. The automatic door switch 10 comprises multiple non-contact detectors arranged close to each other, each detecting a user's action as a reaction amount; a decision unit 4 that determines an instruction signal S to output to a door control unit 91 that controls the door 90 based on the detection results of the multiple detectors 24, 25; and an alarm signal output unit 5 that outputs a predetermined alarm signal when the reaction amount of any one of the multiple detectors 24, 25 is less than a second threshold VT2 that determines that that one detector has been operated and is equal to or greater than a first threshold VT1 that is smaller than the second threshold VT2 that determines that that one switch 28 has reacted.

This configuration outputs a predetermined notification signal K to encourage the user to approach, reducing operational errors with the non-contact detector 29.

In the automatic door switch 10, the alarm signal output unit 74 outputs a predetermined alarm signal K when the reaction volume of one detection unit 29 remains below the second threshold value VT2 and above the first threshold value VT1 for a predetermined period of time. In this case, unnecessary alarms can be avoided if noise causes the reaction volume to become below the second threshold value VT2 and above the first threshold value VT1 for a short period of time.

In the automatic door switch 10, the specified alarm signal K is an audio signal that prompts the user to approach one of the detection units 29. In this case, the user can recognize that they should approach the detection unit 29.

In the automatic door switch 10, the multiple detection units 24, 25 include at least an open detection unit 24 and a close detection unit 25 that output an open command and a close command for the door 90 when the reaction amount exceeds a threshold. In this case, users can reduce operational errors when opening and closing the door.

This concludes the description of the third embodiment.

[Fourth embodiment]
The following describes an automatic door system 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Explanations that overlap with those of the first embodiment will be omitted where appropriate, and differences from the first embodiment will be emphasized. The explanation of the first embodiment applies to this embodiment to the extent that no contradictions arise, and in the event of any contradictions, the explanation of this embodiment takes precedence.

First, an overview of the automatic door system 400 of this embodiment will be provided. Being able to perform multiple different operations with a single non-contact switch allows for a wide variety of operations without increasing the number of switches. For example, a single non-contact switch could distinguish between a normal operation and a long press operation, with one set to open the door and the other set to close the door. Furthermore, in an automatic door system with multiple operating modes, it could distinguish between a normal operation and a long press operation, with one set to the normal operation for opening and closing the door and the other set to a mode change operation for changing the operating mode.

In this embodiment, the automatic door system 400 determines whether the switch is being pressed normally or pressed long, based on the duration that the non-contact switch's response is above a threshold. In the former case, the system executes a normal operation defined by the switch, such as opening or closing the door, while in the latter case, it executes a specific operation, such as a mode change operation. By distinguishing between these two operations based on the duration, the user can perform two different operations with a single non-contact switch. The automatic door system 400 will now be described with reference to the drawings.

Please refer to Figures 22 and 23. Figure 22 is a diagram showing an outline of an automatic door system 400. Figure 23 is a block diagram showing an outline of an automatic door system 400 according to the present invention. As shown in Figures 22 and 23, the automatic door system 400 comprises an automatic door switch 10, a door driver 98 that drives the door 90 to open and close, and an alarm unit 7. The automatic door switch 10 detects the user's actions and transmits an instruction signal S determined based on the detection results to the door driver 98. The instruction signal S includes control details for the door driver 98.

The automatic door switch 10 will now be described. The automatic door switch 10 includes multiple contact switches 11 and 12, multiple non-contact switches 21 and 22, and a switch control unit 6. Switches 11 and 12 are located close to each other and each detects the user's action as a reaction amount. Switches 21 and 22 are located close to each other and each detects the user's action as a reaction amount. Switches 11 and 21 are open switches that accept a user's operation to open the door 90. Switches 12 and 22 are close switches that accept a user's operation to close the door 90. Switches 21 and 22 exemplify detection units 24 and 25 that can detect the user's action as a reaction amount.

In the description of this embodiment, the act of bringing a finger close to the non-contact switch 21, 22 is referred to as the act of pressing the switch 21, 22, regardless of whether the finger is in contact with the switch or not. Unless otherwise specified, a "pressing operation" or "long press" of a non-contact switch means that the response of the switch exceeds a threshold.

The switch control unit 6 includes a memory unit 66, a decision unit 4, an output unit 5, an operation determination unit 8, and an input unit 67.

The non-contact open switch 21 and close switch 22 exemplify the multiple detection units 24, 25. Hereinafter, the switch among the multiple non-contact switches 21, 22 that is used to determine a long press operation may be referred to as switch 28. Switch 28 exemplifies the detection unit 29. Switch 28 may be either the open switch 21 or the close switch 22. In the following explanation, an example is shown in which switch 28 is the close switch 22.

In this embodiment, the operation determination unit 8 determines that a long press of the switch 28 has occurred when the state in which the reaction amount of the switch 28 exceeds the threshold continues for a predetermined second period E. As an example, the second period E can be set in the range of 0.5 seconds to 5 seconds. In this explanation, the second period E will sometimes be referred to as y seconds. Furthermore, the operation determination unit 8 determines that a normal operation of the switch 28 has occurred when the state in which the reaction amount of the switch 28 exceeds the threshold continues for a predetermined first period D that is shorter than the second period E. As an example, the first period D can be set in the range of 0.3 seconds to 3 seconds, shorter than the second period E. In this explanation, the first period D will sometimes be referred to as x seconds.

When the operation determination unit 8 determines that a long press operation has occurred, the decision unit 4 of the switch control unit 6 executes a specific operation associated with the long press operation of the switch 28. The operation associated with the switch may be an operation defined for the switch. There is no limitation to the specific operation, but in this example it is a mode change operation. This embodiment has a normal operation mode in which the door is fully closed or fully opened in response to switch operation, and an inching mode in which the door moves only while the switch is being operated in response to switch operation. The mode change operation allows switching between the normal operation mode and the inching mode.

As an example, when the operation determination unit 8 determines that a long press operation has occurred, a mode change operation can be performed without a confirmation operation. In particular, when the operation determination unit 8 determines that a long press operation of the switch 28 has occurred, the switch control unit 6 outputs an instruction signal S associated with the long press operation of the switch 28. Specifically, when a long press operation is determined to have occurred, the determination unit 4 determines the instruction signal S as a control signal corresponding to the inching mode, and the output unit 5 outputs the instruction signal S for the inching mode determined by the determination unit 4.

A user may perform a long press without intending to change modes, which could cause confusion if the device operates in the changed mode without any announcement. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the operation determination unit 8 determines that a long press has been performed, the switch control unit 6 performs a confirmation operation to determine whether to allow the execution of a specific operation (mode change operation). If the confirmation operation allows the execution of the specific operation, the switch control unit 6 performs the specific operation. If the confirmation operation does not allow the execution of the specific operation, the switch control unit 6 outputs an instruction signal S for the control content associated with the switch 28.

The confirmation operation S410 of the automatic door system 400 will be described with reference to Figures 24, 25, and 26. Figure 24 is a flowchart showing the confirmation operation S410 of the automatic door system 400. Figure 25 is a timing chart showing the confirmation operation S410. Figure 26 is a schematic diagram showing the confirmation operation S410. In this example, of switches 21 and 22, switch 28 used to determine whether a long press operation has been performed is switch 22.

When the confirmation operation S410 is started, the operation determination unit 8 determines whether the state in which the response amount of the switch 22 exceeds the threshold value has continued for the first period D (x seconds) (step S411). If this has not continued (N in step S411), the process returns to the beginning of step S411.

The notification unit 7 will now be described. From the perspective of convenience, it is desirable to notify the user of the continued long press status. Therefore, this embodiment is equipped with a notification unit 7 that issues a notification at least one of the following times: when the second period E has elapsed while the response amount of the switch 22 has exceeded the threshold, and when a predetermined first period D, which is shorter than the second period E, has elapsed while the response amount of the switch 22 has exceeded the threshold. In particular, in this example, the notification control unit 71 of the notification unit 7 controls the audio output unit 72 to output beeps with different tones depending on whether the threshold has been exceeded and the first period D has elapsed or the second period E has elapsed.

Return to confirmation operation S410. If the threshold value is exceeded for a first period D (x seconds) (Y in step S411), the notification unit 7 issues a first notification by outputting a beep from the audio output unit 72 (step S412).

After executing step S412, the operation determination unit 8 determines whether the state in which the reaction amount of the switch 22 exceeds the threshold value has continued for a second period E (y seconds) (step S413). If this has not continued (N in step S413), the process jumps to step S419. In this case, the closing operation associated with the switch 22 is executed.

If the threshold value is exceeded for a second period E (y seconds) (Y in step S413), the operation determination unit 8 executes a mode selection operation (steps S414 to S419). In the mode selection operation, the notification unit 7 issues a second notification by outputting a beep from the audio output unit 72 (step S414).

After executing step S414, the operation determination unit 8 determines whether or not to change the mode (step S415). In this step, as shown in FIG. 26, the notification unit 7 outputs a guide voice such as "Do you want to change the mode?" from the voice output unit 72, and the switch control unit 6 performs a confirmation operation to determine whether or not to allow the execution of the specific operation (mode change operation).

In this case, as shown on the right side of Figure 26, the non-contact open switch 21 and the contact open switch 11 can be preset to "yes," and the non-contact close switch 22 and the contact close switch 12 can be preset to "no." In other words, the operation determination unit 8 determines that a mode change should be made when the open switch 21 is pressed, and determines that a mode change should not be made when the close switch 22 is pressed.

If the operation of pressing the open switch 21 is too short, it may be due to an erroneous operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is determined whether the operation of pressing the open switch 21 has continued for a third period F (step S416). In this description, the third period F may be referred to as z seconds. As an example, the third period F can be set in the range of 0.2 seconds to 2 seconds. If the operation of pressing the open switch 21 has not continued for the third period F (N in step S416), the process returns to the beginning of step S415.

If the operation of pressing the close switch 22 is too short, it may be due to an erroneous operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is determined whether the operation of pressing the close switch 22 has continued for a third period F (step S418). If the operation of pressing the close switch 22 has not continued for a third period F (N in step S418), the process returns to the beginning of step S415.

If the operation of pressing the open switch 21 continues for a third period F (Y in step S416), the decision unit 4 executes a mode change operation (step S417). In this step, the decision unit 4 changes from normal operation mode to inching mode. The decision unit 4 determines the instruction signal S as a control signal corresponding to inching mode, and the output unit 5 outputs the instruction signal S for the inching mode determined by the decision unit 4. After step S417 is executed, the confirmation operation S410 ends.

If the operation of pressing the close switch 22 continues for a third period F (Y in step S418), the decision unit 4 does not execute the mode change operation, but executes the normal operation mode (step S419). In this step, the decision unit 4 determines the instruction signal S corresponding to the full-close operation of the door 90 associated with the pressed switch 22, and the output unit 5 outputs the instruction signal S corresponding to the full-close operation. After step S419 is executed, the confirmation operation S410 ends.

The steps in the confirmation operation S410 are merely examples, and various modifications are possible. The above explanation shows an example of changing from normal operation mode to inching mode, but by performing steps S411 to S419 again, you can change from inching mode to normal operation mode.

A second example of the confirmation operation will be described with reference to Figure 27. Figure 27 is a timing chart showing the second example of the confirmation operation.

(1) Case A
If the state in which the reaction amount of the close switch 22 exceeded the threshold was interrupted α seconds before x seconds, and the contact-type close switch 12 (associated with the same closing operation as the close switch 22) was continuously pressed and held, the count up to α seconds of the switch 22 is maintained, and the input of the switch 12 starts from the continuation of that count. In other words, when the sum of the counts of the switch 22 and the switch 12 exceeds y seconds, the above-described mode selection operation (steps S414 to S419) may be executed.

(2) Case B
If the state in which the reaction amount of the close switch 22 exceeds the threshold value ceases α seconds before x seconds, the switch control unit 6 may not execute the mode change operation, but may output an instruction signal S corresponding to the full closing operation of the door 90 associated with the switch that is pressed at the time of x seconds (in the example of Figure 27, the contact-type close switch 12).

(3) Case C
If the state in which the reaction amount of the close switch 22 exceeds the threshold value ceases α seconds before x seconds, and the close switch 12 (associated with the same closing operation as the close switch 22) is still pressed and held at y seconds, the above-mentioned mode selection operation (steps S414 to S419) may be performed.

The technical concept of this embodiment can be applied to a control method for the automatic door switch 10. Figure 28 shows the processing steps included in the control method S430 for the automatic door switch 10. The control method S430 includes step S431 of detecting the response amount of the non-contact detection unit 29, which detects the user's action as a response amount; determination step S432 of determining that a long press operation of the detection unit 29 has occurred when the response amount of the detection unit 29 has exceeded a threshold value for a predetermined period of time; and step S433 of executing a specific operation associated with the long press operation of the detection unit 29 when it is determined in the determination step that a long press operation has occurred. Each of these steps is an example, and various modifications are possible.

According to control method S430, by executing a specific action associated with a long press of the detection unit 29, the user can perform two different operations using a single non-contact detection unit.

The steps of the control method S430 shown in FIG. 28 can be executed by a computer as a control program P430 for the automatic door switch 10. That is, the control program P430 for the automatic door switch 10 causes the computer to execute step S431 of detecting the reaction amount of the non-contact detection unit 29, which detects the user's action as a reaction amount; step S432 of determining that a long press operation of the detection unit 29 has occurred when the reaction amount of the detection unit 29 has exceeded a threshold value for a predetermined period of time; and step S433 of executing a specific operation associated with the long press operation of the detection unit 29 when it is determined in the determination step that a long press operation has occurred. Each of these steps is an example, and various modifications are possible.

These functions of program P430 may be installed in the storage (e.g., memory unit 66) of the automatic door switch 10 as an application program that implements multiple modules corresponding to the functional blocks of the automatic door switch 10. Program P430 may be read into the main memory of a processor (e.g., a CPU) of a computer incorporated in the automatic door switch 10 and executed.

According to control method S430, by executing a specific action associated with a long press of the detection unit 29, the user can perform two different operations using a single non-contact detection unit.

The following describes the features of the automatic door system 400 of this embodiment, configured as described above. The automatic door system 400 comprises a non-contact switch 28 that detects the user's action as a reaction amount to open or close the door 90; a switch control unit 6 that outputs an instruction signal S based on the detection state of the switch 28; a door control unit 91 that controls the door 90 in response to the instruction signal S from the switch control unit 6; and an operation determination unit 8 that determines that a long press of the switch 28 has occurred when the reaction amount of the switch 28 exceeds a threshold and continues for a predetermined second period E. When the operation determination unit 8 determines that a long press has occurred, the switch control unit 6 executes a specific operation associated with the long press of the switch 28.

With this configuration, by performing a specific action associated with a long press of switch 28, the user can perform two different operations using a single non-contact detection unit.

As an example, when the operation determination unit 8 determines that a long press of the switch has occurred, the switch control unit 6 outputs an instruction signal S associated with the long press of the switch as a specific operation. In this case, the mode can be changed by the long press.

In the automatic door system 400, when the operation determination unit 8 determines that a long press has occurred, the switch control unit 6 performs a confirmation operation to determine whether to allow the execution of a specific operation. In this case, if a long press is performed without the intention of changing modes, the user can reconfirm their intention through the confirmation operation.

In the automatic door system 400, if the confirmation operation does not permit the execution of a specific operation, the switch control unit 6 outputs an instruction signal S for the control content associated with the switch. In this case, if the switch is pressed and held without the intention of changing modes, the user can perform the normal opening and closing operation.

The automatic door system 400 is equipped with a notification unit 7 that issues a notification when the second period E has elapsed and the response amount of the switch 28 exceeds the threshold. In this case, the user can be notified that the switch is being held down for a long time.

The technical concept of this embodiment can also be identified by the following description. The automatic door switch 10 includes a non-contact detection unit 29 that detects a user's action as a response amount; a determination unit 4 that determines an instruction signal S based on the detection state of the detection unit 29; an output unit 5 that outputs the instruction signal S determined by the determination unit 4 to a door control unit 91 that controls the door 90; and an operation determination unit 8 that determines that a long press operation of the detection unit 29 has occurred when the response amount of the detection unit 29 exceeds a threshold value for a predetermined period of time. When the operation determination unit 8 determines that a long press operation has occurred, the determination unit 4 executes a specific operation associated with the long press operation of the detection unit 29.

With this configuration, by performing a specific action associated with a long press on the detection unit 29, the user can perform two different operations using a single non-contact detection unit.

As an example, when the operation determination unit 8 determines that a long press operation of the detection unit 29 has occurred, the determination unit 4 determines an instruction signal S associated with the long press operation of the detection unit 29 as the specific action. In this case, the mode can be changed by the long press operation.

In the automatic door switch 10, when the operation judgment unit 8 determines that a long press has occurred, the decision unit 4 performs a confirmation operation to determine whether to allow the execution of a specific operation. In this case, if a long press is performed without the intention of changing modes, the user can reconfirm their intention through the confirmation operation.

In the automatic door switch 10, if the confirmation operation does not permit the execution of a specific operation, the determination unit 4 determines the instruction signal S for the control content associated with the detection unit 29. In this case, when a long press is performed without the intention of changing modes, the user can perform normal opening and closing operations.

This concludes the description of the fourth embodiment.

The above provides a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. All of the above-described embodiments merely illustrate specific examples of how the present invention may be implemented. The content of the embodiments does not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and many design changes, such as changing, adding, or deleting components, are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In the above-described embodiments, content for which such design changes are possible is described using notations such as "in the embodiment" or "in the embodiment," but this does not mean that design changes are not permitted for content without such notation.

[Modification]
The following describes modified examples. In the drawings and descriptions of the modified examples, the same or equivalent components and members as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Explanations that overlap with the embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on the configurations that differ from the embodiment.

In the description of the embodiment, an example has been shown in which the determination unit 4 determines the instruction signal S without using AI, but this is not limiting. For example, the instruction signal S can be determined using a machine learning model generated based on previously acquired information. The machine learning model can be generated by machine learning (supervised learning) using information regarding the pattern of change in the response amount of each switch when a certain switch is operated as input and the operation result as output.

In the description of the embodiment, an example has been shown in which the alarm unit 7 outputs a predetermined sound, but this is not limited to this. For example, instead of sound, the alarm unit may output a sound, light (such as a flashing LED), a screen display, or other output that can be perceived by humans.

In the description of the embodiment, an example has been shown in which the non-contact open switch and close switch are equipped with independent non-contact detection units, but this is not limited to this. For example, the non-contact open switch and close switch may be realized by a single non-contact detection unit.

In the description of the embodiment, an example has been shown in which the switch control unit 6 is mounted on the automatic door switch 10, but this is not limited to this. The switch control unit may also be mounted on the door drive device.

In the description of the embodiment, an example was shown in which the transmission path 96 includes an internal device bus, but this is not limited to this. Any known wired or wireless information transmission means can be used as the transmission path.

The above-mentioned modifications achieve the same functions and effects as the respective embodiments.

Any combination of the above-described embodiments and variations is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. New embodiments resulting from such combinations combine the effects of the combined embodiments and variations.

1 Contact switch group, 2 Non-contact switch group, 3 Abnormality detection unit, 4 Determination unit, 5 Output unit, 6 Switch control unit, 7 Notification unit, 8 Operation judgment unit, 9 Generation unit, 10 Automatic door switch, 11 Open switch, 12 Close switch, 21 Open switch, 22 Close switch, 24, 25 Detection unit, 90 Door, 91 Door control unit, 94 Room, 98 Door drive device, 100 Automatic door device.

Claims (1)

a contact switch group including a contact open switch and a contact close switch for opening and closing the door, and detecting the user's action as a reaction amount;
a group of non-contact switches including a non-contact open switch and a non-contact close switch for opening and closing the door, and detecting a user's action as a reaction amount;
an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality in each switch of the contact switch group and the non-contact switch group;
Equipped with
When the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality in one of the switch groups of the contact switch group and the non-contact switch group, it restricts opening and closing of the door using that switch group.
Automatic door device.