Weight management device for managing weight of elevator user and elevator system

Abstract

Provided is an elevator weight management device capable of appropriately providing weight information to users. The elevator weight management device comprises: a receiving unit that receives information; a transmitting unit that transmits information; and a control unit. When the receiving unit receives identification information corresponding to a user and identification information corresponding to the elevator from a portable terminal held by a user inside an elevator car, the control unit causes the transmitting unit to transmit a weight acquisition request to the elevator. Based on the weight acquisition request, the elevator transmits information about the load applied to the car. When the receiving unit receives the information about the load applied to the car, the control unit causes the transmitting unit to transmit the information about the load applied to the car as weight information to the portable terminal of the user.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 202080069065.5 (application date January 10, 2020, invention name is "Weight management device and elevator system for managing the weight of elevator users"). Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a weight management device for managing the weight of an elevator user and an elevator system. Background Art

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a weight management device for an elevator. This weight management device can provide weight information to users.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-228045 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] However, in the weight management device described in Patent Document 1, the user's weight information is displayed on a display inside the car. Therefore, the user's weight information is also notified to users other than the user.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an elevator weight management device and an elevator system that can appropriately provide weight information to users.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] The weight management device of an elevator of the present invention comprises: a receiving unit that receives information; a sending unit that sends information; and a control unit, wherein when the receiving unit receives identification information corresponding to the user and identification information corresponding to the elevator from a portable terminal held by a user located inside the elevator car, the control unit causes the sending unit to send weight acquisition request information to the elevator, and the elevator sends information on the load applied to the car based on the weight acquisition request information. When the receiving unit receives information on the load applied to the car, the control unit causes the sending unit to send the information on the load applied to the car as weight information to the portable terminal of the user.

[0012] The elevator system of the present invention comprises: a weighing device that measures the load applied to the elevator car; and a communication device that transmits information on the load measured by the weighing device to the weight management device when receiving weight acquisition request information from the weight management device.

[0013] The elevator system of the present invention comprises: a weighing device which measures the load applied to the elevator car; a communication device which, upon receiving weight acquisition request information, sends information on the load measured by the weighing device; and a weight management device which, upon receiving identification information corresponding to a user located inside the car and identification information corresponding to the elevator from a portable terminal held by the user, sends weight acquisition request information to the communication device, receives information on the load applied to the car when the communication device sends information on the load applied to the car in response to the weight acquisition request information, and sends the information on the load applied to the car as weight information to the portable terminal of the user.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, weight information can be appropriately provided to a user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a configuration diagram of the elevator system in the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the weight management device for the elevator system in the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing changes in measurements by the weighing device of the elevator system in the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the operation of the weight management device for the elevator system in the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a hardware configuration diagram of the weight management device for an elevator in the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description of the parts will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0022] Implementation method 1.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a configuration diagram of the elevator system in the first embodiment.

[0024] exist Figure 1 In an elevator system, a shaft 1 passes through each floor of a building (not shown). A machine room 2 is located directly above the shaft 1. A plurality of landings 3 are located on each floor of the building. The landings 3 are each located opposite the shaft 1.

[0025] The hoisting machine 4 is installed in the machine room 2 . A main rope 5 is hung around the hoisting machine 4 .

[0026] The car 6 is installed inside the hoistway 1. The car 6 is suspended on one side of the main rope 5. The counterweight 7 is installed inside the hoistway 1. The counterweight 7 is suspended on the other side of the main rope 5.

[0027] For example, the weighing device 8 is installed on the upper part of the car 6. The weighing device 8 may also be installed below the floor portion of the car 6. For example, the communication device 9 is installed on the upper part of the car 6.

[0028] The plurality of landing-side beacon devices 10 are installed at each of the plurality of landings 3. The landing-side beacon devices 10 may be installed at a plurality of predetermined landings 3. Alternatively, the landing-side beacon devices 10 may be installed only at predetermined landings 3. The car-side beacon device 11 is installed inside the car 6.

[0029] The control device 12 is installed in the machine room 2. The control device 12 is configured to be able to control the entire elevator.

[0030] The monitoring device 13 is installed in the machine room 2 . The monitoring device 13 is installed so as to be able to monitor the state of the elevator based on information from the control device 12 .

[0031] The information center device 14 is installed in a location separate from the building where the elevator is installed. For example, the information center device 14 is installed in a maintenance company of the elevator. The information center device 14 is installed so as to be able to grasp the status of the elevator based on the information from the monitoring device 13.

[0032] The weight management device 15 is installed in a location separate from the building where the elevator is installed. For example, the weight management device 15 is installed at an elevator maintenance company. The weight management device 15 is installed so as to be able to manage the weight of elevator users.

[0033] An elevator user carries a mobile terminal 16, such as a smartphone or tablet. When the user approaches any one of the multiple landings 3, the user's mobile terminal 16 receives radio waves from the landing-side beacon device 10. At this point, a weight management application automatically starts on the user's mobile terminal 16.

[0034] Through the operation of the application software, upon receiving the radio wave, the user's portable terminal 16 automatically transmits the user's identification information and the elevator identification information included in the radio wave to the weight management device 15. For example, the user's portable terminal 16 automatically transmits the user's identification information and the elevator identification information included in the radio wave to the weight management device 15 via the mobile phone network.

[0035] The weight management device 15 receives the identification information corresponding to the user and the identification information of the elevator from the user's mobile terminal 16. At this time, the weight management device 15 transmits weight acquisition request information to the communication device 9 of the elevator corresponding to the identification information.

[0036] The communication device 9 receives a weight acquisition request from the weight management device 15. At this time, the communication device 9 transmits information on the load measured by the weighing device 8 of the elevator to the weight management device 15.

[0037] The weight management device 15 receives the load information from the communication device 9. At this time, the weight management device 15 transmits the load information to the portable terminal 16 of the user as weight information.

[0038] The user's portable terminal 16 receives the weight information from the weight management device 15. At this time, the user's portable terminal 16 displays the weight information.

[0039] Next, use Figure 2 The weight management device 15 will be described.

[0040] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of the weight management device for the elevator system in the first embodiment.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the weight management device 15 includes a receiving unit 15a, a transmitting unit 15b, an accumulating unit 15c, and a controlling unit 15d.

[0042] The receiving unit 15a is configured to receive information. For example, the receiving unit 15a receives information from the communication device 9. For example, the receiving unit 15a receives information from the portable terminal 16.

[0043] The transmitting unit 15b is configured to transmit information. For example, the transmitting unit 15b transmits information to the communication device 9 or the portable terminal 16.

[0044] The storage unit 15c is configured to store information. For example, the storage unit 15c stores information received by the receiving unit 15a.

[0045] The control unit 15d is configured to control the receiving unit 15a, the transmitting unit 15b, and the accumulating unit 15c. For example, upon receiving identification information corresponding to the user and identification information corresponding to the elevator from the mobile terminal 16, the control unit 15d causes the transmitting unit 15b to transmit a weight acquisition request to the communication device 9 of the elevator.

[0046] For example, when the communication device 9 of the elevator sends the information of the load measured by the weighing device 8 based on the weight acquisition request information, and the receiving unit 15a receives the information of the load measured by the weighing device 8, the control unit 15d causes the sending unit 15b to send the information of the load measured by the weighing device 8 as weight information to the portable terminal 16 of the user.

[0047] For example, when the receiving unit 15a receives identification information corresponding to the user and identification information corresponding to the elevator from the portable terminal 16 held by the user inside the car 6, the control unit 15d determines whether there is a user inside the car 6 based on the temporal change of the load applied to the car 6 when the elevator is stopping and the door is opening.

[0048] For example, when the control unit 15d determines that there is one user inside the car 6, it causes the transmission unit 15b to transmit information on the load applied to the car 6 to the mobile terminal 16 of the user as weight information.

[0049] For example, the control unit 15d associates the identification information and the weight information corresponding to the user with each other and stores them in the storage unit 15c.

[0050] For example, when the difference between the weight information value corresponding to the identification information in the accumulation unit 15c and the current weight information value is within a preset range, the control unit 15d determines whether there is a user inside the car 6.

[0051] For example, when the control unit 15d determines that there is a user inside the car 6, and the difference between the value of the previous weight information corresponding to the user and the value of the current weight information exceeds a preset allowable change value, it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the measurement of the load applied to the car 6.

[0052] Next, use Figure 3 , a method for determining whether there is a user inside the car 6 is described.

[0053] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing changes in measurement by the weighing device of the elevator system in the first embodiment.

[0054] like Figure 3As shown, the weight management device 15 detects temporal changes in the load applied to the car 6 while the elevator is stopped and the door is open. The weight management device 15 determines the number of users present in the car 6 based on the temporal changes in the load.

[0055] For example, the weight management device 15 determines that one user is present in the car 6 from the time the elevator door opens until time A. For example, the weight management device 15 determines that one user is present from time A to time B. For example, the weight management device 15 determines that one user is present after time B.

[0056] In this case, from the time the elevator door opens until time A, the weight management device 15 transmits the load information measured by the scale 8 as weight information to the user's portable terminal 16. After time A, the weight management device 15 does not transmit the load information measured by the scale 8 as weight information to the user's portable terminal 16.

[0057] Next, use Figure 4 The outline of the operation of the weight management device 15 will be described.

[0058] Figure 4 This is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the operation of the weight management device for the elevator system in the first embodiment.

[0059] In step S1, the weight management device 15 determines whether the identification information corresponding to the user and the identification information corresponding to the elevator have been received from the mobile terminal 16. If the identification information corresponding to the user and the identification information corresponding to the elevator have not been received from the mobile terminal 16, the weight management device 15 proceeds to step S1. If the identification information corresponding to the user and the identification information corresponding to the elevator have been received from the mobile terminal 16, the weight management device 15 proceeds to step S2.

[0060] In step S2, the weight management device 15 transmits weight acquisition request information to the elevator communication device 9. The weight management device 15 then proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the weight management device 15 receives information on the load measured by the scale 8 from the elevator communication device 9.

[0061] The weight management device 15 then proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the weight management device 15 determines whether there is one user inside the car 6. If it is determined in step S4 that there is no user inside the car 6 or if there are two or more users, the weight management device 15 proceeds to step S4. If it is determined in step S4 that there is one user inside the car 6, the weight management device 15 proceeds to step S5.

[0062] In step S5 , the weight management device 15 determines whether the difference between the previous weight information value and the current weight information value corresponding to the user exceeds a preset variation tolerance value multiple times in succession.

[0063] If it is determined in step S5 that the difference between the user's previous weight information and the current weight information does not exceed the preset permissible variation value multiple times in a row, the weight management device 15 proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the weight management device 15 transmits the load information measured by the scale 8 as weight information to the user's mobile terminal 16. The weight management device 15 then proceeds to step S1.

[0064] If it is determined in step S5 that the difference between the previous weight information value and the current weight information value corresponding to the user exceeds the preset permissible variation value multiple times in a row, the weight management device 15 proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the weight management device 15 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the measurement of the load applied to the car 6. In this case, the weight management device 15 transmits information indicating an abnormality in the weighing device 8 to the information center device 14. Thereafter, the weight management device 15 proceeds to step S1.

[0065] According to the first embodiment described above, the weight management device 15 transmits information on the load applied to the car 6 as weight information to the user's mobile terminal 16. Therefore, the weight information can be appropriately provided to the user.

[0066] Furthermore, when the weight management device 15 determines that there is a user inside the car 6, it transmits information on the load applied to the car 6 as weight information to the user's mobile terminal 16. Therefore, the weight information can be provided to the user more appropriately.

[0067] Furthermore, the weight management device 15 determines whether or not a user is present inside the car 6 based on the temporal change in the load applied to the car 6 during the elevator door closing process. Therefore, the weight information can be provided to the user more accurately.

[0068] Furthermore, when the difference between the previous weight information value corresponding to the identification information and the current weight information value is within a preset range, the weight management device 15 determines whether there is a user inside the car 6. Therefore, the weight information can be provided to the user more accurately.

[0069] Furthermore, when the weight management device 15 determines that a user is present inside the car 6, and if the difference between the previous weight information value and the current weight information value corresponding to the user exceeds a preset permissible variation value, the device 15 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the measurement of the load applied to the car 6. Therefore, an abnormality in the weighing device 8 can be detected early.

[0070] Furthermore, when the weight management device 15 determines that a user is present in the car 6, and the difference between the previous weight information value and the current weight information value corresponding to the user exceeds a preset tolerance for variation multiple times in a row, the device determines that an abnormality has occurred in the measurement of the load applied to the car 6. Therefore, simply because the user is carrying heavy cargo in the car 6, an abnormality in the weighing device 8 will not be detected. As a result, abnormalities in the weighing device 8 can be detected more accurately.

[0071] Furthermore, upon receiving radio waves from the landing-side beacon device 10, the user's portable terminal 16 transmits the identification information corresponding to the user and the identification information contained in the radio waves. Upon receiving the identification information corresponding to the user and the identification information contained in the radio waves, the weight management device 15 transmits weight acquisition request information to the elevator communication device 9 corresponding to the identification information contained in the radio waves. Upon receiving the weight acquisition request information, the communication device 9 transmits the load information measured by the scale 8 to the weight management device 15. Therefore, weight information can be appropriately provided to the user without requiring any special operation by the user.

[0072] Alternatively, the landing-side beacon device 10 may not be provided. In this case, upon receiving the radio wave from the car-side beacon device 11, the user's portable terminal 16 transmits the identification information corresponding to the user and the identification information contained in the radio wave. Upon receiving the identification information corresponding to the user and the identification information contained in the radio wave, the weight management device 15 transmits weight acquisition request information to the communication device 9 of the elevator corresponding to the identification information contained in the radio wave. Upon receiving the weight acquisition request information, the communication device 9 transmits the load information measured by the scale 8 to the weight management device 15. Therefore, the user can be appropriately provided with weight information without requiring any special operation by the user.

[0073] Alternatively, the car-side beacon device 11 may not be provided. In this case, upon receiving the radio wave from the landing-side beacon device 10, the user's portable terminal 16 transmits the identification information corresponding to the user and the identification information contained in the radio wave. Upon receiving the identification information corresponding to the user and the identification information contained in the radio wave, the weight management device 15 transmits weight acquisition request information to the communication device 9 of the elevator corresponding to the identification information contained in the radio wave. Upon receiving the weight acquisition request information, the communication device 9 transmits the load information measured by the scale 8 to the weight management device 15. Therefore, the user can be appropriately provided with weight information without requiring any special operation by the user.

[0074] Furthermore, the weight management device 15 of the first or second embodiment can also be applied to an elevator that does not have a machine room 2 but has the hoisting machine 4, the control device 12, and the monitoring device 13 installed above or below the hoistway 1.

[0075] In addition, other devices may have a part or all of the functions of the weight management device 15 in Embodiment 1. For example, the information center device 14 may have a part or all of the functions of the weight management device 15 in Embodiment 1.

[0076] Next, use Figure 5 An example of the weight management device 15 will be described.

[0077] Figure 5 This is a hardware configuration diagram of the weight management device for an elevator in the first embodiment.

[0078] Each function of the weight management device 15 can be implemented by a processing circuit. For example, the processing circuit includes at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. For example, the processing circuit includes at least one dedicated hardware 200.

[0079] When the processing circuit includes at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b, the various functions of the weight management device 15 are implemented using software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is described as a program. At least one of the software and firmware is stored in the at least one memory 100b. The at least one processor 100a implements the various functions of the weight management device 15 by reading and executing the program stored in the at least one memory 100b. The at least one processor 100a is also referred to as a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. For example, the at least one memory 100b is a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM, a magnetic disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a minidisc, or a DVD.

[0080] When the processing circuit includes at least one dedicated hardware component 200, the processing circuit may be implemented, for example, as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. For example, each function of the weight management device 15 may be implemented separately by the processing circuit. For example, each function of the weight management device 15 may be implemented collectively by the processing circuit.

[0081] Each function of the weight management device 15 may be partially implemented by dedicated hardware 200, while other functions may be implemented by software or firmware. For example, the functions of the control unit 15d may be implemented by a processing circuit as dedicated hardware 200, and functions other than the functions of the control unit 15d may be implemented by at least one processor 100a reading and executing a program stored in at least one memory 100b.

[0082] Thus, the processing circuit implements the various functions of the weight management device 15 through hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0083] Although not shown, the functions of the control device 12 can also be implemented by a processing circuit equivalent to the processing circuit that implements the functions of the weight management device 15. The functions of the monitoring device 13 can also be implemented by a processing circuit equivalent to the processing circuit that implements the functions of the weight management device 15. The functions of the information center device 14 can also be implemented by a processing circuit equivalent to the processing circuit that implements the functions of the weight management device 15.

[0084] Industrial applicability

[0085] As described above, the elevator weight management device and the elevator system according to the present invention can be utilized as a system for managing the weight of users.

[0086] Description of labels

[0087] 1: Hoistway; 2: Machine room; 3: Floor station; 4: Traction machine; 5: Main rope; 6: Car; 7: Counterweight; 8: Weighing device; 9: Communication device; 10: Floor station side beacon device; 11: Car side beacon device; 12: Control device; 13: Monitoring device; 14: Information center device; 15: Weight management device; 15a: Receiving unit; 15b: Sending unit; 15c: Storage unit; 15d: Control unit; 16: Portable terminal; 100a: Processor; 100b: Memory; 200: Hardware.

Claims

1. A weight management device for an elevator, wherein: The weight management device for an elevator comprises: a receiving unit that receives information; a sending unit that sends information; as well as a control unit, wherein, when the receiving unit receives identification information corresponding to a user and identification information corresponding to the elevator from a portable terminal held by a user inside an elevator car, the control unit causes the sending unit to send weight acquisition request information to the elevator, and the elevator sends information on the load applied to the car based on the weight acquisition request information; and when the receiving unit receives the information on the load applied to the car, the control unit causes the sending unit to send the information on the load applied to the car as weight information to the portable terminal of the user. When the control unit determines that there is a user inside the car, and the difference between the value of the previous weight information corresponding to the user and the value of the current weight information exceeds a preset allowable change value, it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the measurement of the load applied to the car.

2. The weight management device for an elevator according to claim 1, wherein: When the control unit determines that a user is present inside the car, the control unit causes the transmission unit to transmit information on a load applied to the car to the mobile terminal of the user as weight information.

3. The weight management device for an elevator according to claim 1, wherein: When the receiving unit receives identification information corresponding to the user and identification information corresponding to the elevator from a portable terminal held by a user inside the car, the control unit determines whether there is a user inside the car based on the temporal change of the load applied to the car during the opening of the elevator door.

4. The weight management device for an elevator according to claim 1, wherein: The weight management device for an elevator includes a storage unit that stores identification information corresponding to the user and weight information in association with each other. When the receiving unit receives identification information corresponding to the user and identification information corresponding to the elevator from a portable terminal held by a user inside the car, the control unit determines whether there is a user inside the car if the difference between the value of the previous weight information corresponding to the identification information and the value of the current weight information in the accumulation unit is within a predetermined range.

5. The weight management device for an elevator according to claim 1, wherein: When the control unit determines that there is a user inside the car, and the difference between the value of the previous weight information corresponding to the user and the value of the current weight information exceeds a preset allowable change value for multiple consecutive times, it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the measurement of the load applied to the car.

6. An elevator system, wherein: The elevator system comprises: a weighing device for measuring the load applied to the elevator car; as well as A communication device that, upon receiving weight acquisition request information from the weight management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, transmits information on the load measured by the scale to the weight management device.

7. The elevator system according to claim 6, wherein: The elevator system includes a beacon device installed at a landing or a car of an elevator and transmitting radio waves including identification information corresponding to the elevator. When a portable terminal held by a user receives an electric wave from the beacon device, and the portable terminal sends identification information corresponding to the user and the identification information contained in the electric wave, and the weight management device receives the identification information corresponding to the user and the identification information contained in the electric wave, and the weight management device sends weight acquisition request information to the elevator corresponding to the identification information contained in the electric wave, the communication device receives the weight acquisition request information and sends information on the load measured by the weighing device to the weight management device.

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