Elevator shaftway intrusion device using optical imaging processing

• US 6,050,369 A
• Filed: 10/07/1994
• Issued: 04/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TOC Holding Company of New York Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TOC Holding Company of New York Incorporated
• Inventors: Cummins, Robert F., Brochhagan, Thomas, Vitiello, Joseph, Leone, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nappi, Robert
• Application Number:
  US08/320,140
• Time in Patent Office: 2,020 Days
• Field of Search: 187/392, 187/390, 187/391, 187/279, 187/280, 382/103, 382/325
• US Class Current: 187/392
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/34 Details , e.g. call counting devices, data transmission from car to control system, devices giving information to the control system
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 5/0031 for safety reasons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19632 Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19636 pertaining to the camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves

Abstract

There is provided an elevator shaftway intrusion detector which utilizes an image detector including a camera for generating a detection field within a zone of detection including the elevator shaft-side roof and floor and an image processing means for generating a detection signal upon an attempted entry. A power supply and switching network are employed for applying power from the power supply to the image detector and processor which are responsive to the detection signal for applying power from the power supply to a detection indicator such as a siren.

Claims

1. A detection system for detecting attempted entry into the shaft of an elevator cab comprising:

power supply means for supplying power to said system;

image acquisition means in electrical connection with said power supply means and being disposed in said shaft proximate said elevator cab for acquiring an image of a zone of detection in said shaft; and

image processing means responsive to said image acquisition means for comparing a first image of said zone of detection in an un-intruded state with a second image of said zone in an intruded state and providing a detection signal when an object enters said detection zone in said intruded state, said image processing means indicating said attempted entry.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said image acquisition means is a video camera obtaining images associated with the elevator car top on a frame by frame basis.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said image processing means provides an alarm condition when changes from one said frame to the other is above a threshold level.

4. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said image processing means further comprises a neural network for detecting certain features of a human figure corresponding to said attempted entry.

5. A detection system for detecting attempted entry into the shaft of an elevator cab comprising:

an image acquirer disposed in said shaft proximately to said elevator cab for acquiring an image of a zone of detection in said shaft above the roof of said elevator cab; and

an image processor responsive to said image for detecting the presence of an object within the zone of detection by comparing a first image of said zone in an un-intruded state with a second image of said zone in an intruded state and providing a detection signal when an object is detected to be present in said zone of detection, said image processor indicating said presence in said zone of detection.

6. The detection system according to claim 5 wherein said image acquirer is removably attached to said elevator cab facing downwardly for detecting images of the rooftop of said elevator cab.

7. The detection system according to claim 5 wherein said image acquirer is removably attached to said eleavtor cab facing an exterior hoistway door.

8. The detection system according to claim 5 wherein said image acquirer is a camera.

9. The detection system according to claim 8 wherein said image processor receives information corresponding to images acquired by said camera and generates an alarm condition when within a predetermined period of time a change above a given threshold is detected in said received information corresponding to said acquired images.

10. The detection system according to claim 8 wherein said image processor receives information corresponding to images acquired by said camera and generates an alarm condition when said information corresponds to a human figure.

11. A detection system for detecting attempted entry into the shaft of an elevator cab comprising:

an image detector for detecting the presence of an object within a zone of detection above the roof of said elevator cab, said image detector disposed fixedly in the shaftway above said elevator cab and having a variable image adjustment for adjusting images detected by said detector such that the same image of the roof of said elevator cab is detected while the elevator cab ascends towards said detector or descends away from said detector; and

an image processor responsive to said image detector for providing a detection signal when an object is detected to be present in said zone of detection, said image processor indicating said presence in said zone of detection.