Communication relay devices and elevator systems

Abstract

A communication relay device and an elevator system. This reduces the workload during installation. The communication relay device includes: a storage unit that stores mapping information, which establishes a correspondence between codes representing building floor names and floor management values ​​that assign a sequential order to floors designated for car stops; a code acquisition unit that acquires codes from a control device and sends them in a manner corresponding to the car's position; a notification unit that, based on the mapping information and the codes acquired by the code acquisition unit, notifies a cooperating device of the floor management values ​​as the car's position; a car button detection unit that detects whether the car buttons are lit or off; and a mapping update unit that, based on the detection results from the car button detection unit and the codes acquired by the code acquisition unit, creates updated mapping information that updates the correspondence between codes and floor management values ​​in the mapping information, and updates the mapping information to the updated mapping information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to communication relay devices and elevator systems. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an elevator system. According to this elevator system, an in-car communication unit is installed in the elevator car. The in-car communication unit converts the protocol of command signals from a robot already in the car and sends them to the elevator system's control device. In this way, the in-car communication unit can act as a communication relay device to relay communication between the robot already in the car and the control device.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-111394 Summary of the Invention

[0006] However, in the elevator system described in Patent Document 1, the installation of the in-car communication unit requires manual operation to set the protocol conversion information to correspond to the information of each car. Therefore, the installation workload of such a communication relay device is large.

[0007] This invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems. The object of this invention is to provide a communication relay device and an elevator system that can reduce the workload during installation.

[0008] The communication relay device of the present invention relays communication between a cooperating device and a control device. The cooperating device has the function of utilizing the elevator car in a building equipped with an elevator, and the control device controls the car. The communication relay device includes: a storage unit that stores mapping information, which establishes a correspondence between codes representing the names of floors in the building and floor management values, wherein the floor management values ​​are values ​​that assign consecutive serial numbers to floors set for the car to stop at; a code acquisition unit that acquires the code sent from the control device in a manner corresponding to the position of the car; and a notification unit that, based on... Based on the mapping information stored in the storage unit and the code obtained by the code acquisition unit, the floor management value is notified to the cooperating device as the position of the car; the car button detection unit detects whether each of the multiple car buttons provided in the car is in an on or off state; and the mapping update unit creates updated mapping information that updates the correspondence between the code and the floor management value based on the detection result of the car button detection unit and the code obtained by the code acquisition unit, and updates the mapping information stored in the storage unit with the updated mapping information.

[0009] The elevator system of the present invention comprises: a cooperating device having the function of utilizing the elevator car in a building equipped with an elevator; a control device for controlling the car; and a communication relay device for relaying communication between the cooperating device and the control device, and further comprising: a storage unit storing mapping information that establishes a correspondence between codes representing the names of floors in the building and floor management values, the floor management values ​​being values ​​that assign consecutive serial numbers to floors set for the car to stop at; a code acquisition unit that acquires from the control device the code sent in a manner corresponding to the position of the car; and a notification unit. The system comprises: a floor management unit, which, based on the mapping information stored in the storage unit and the code obtained by the code acquisition unit, notifies the cooperating device of the floor management value as the position of the car; a car button detection unit, which detects whether each of the multiple car buttons provided in the car is in an on or off state; and a mapping update unit, which, based on the detection result of the car button detection unit and the code obtained by the code acquisition unit, creates updated mapping information that updates the correspondence between the code and the floor management value for the mapping information, and updates the mapping information stored in the storage unit with the updated mapping information.

[0010] Invention Effects

[0011] According to the present invention, the communication relay device updates the mapping information based on the detection results of the illuminated or extinguished state of the car buttons and the code sent from the control device. Therefore, the workload during installation can be reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an elevator system that uses the communication relay device of Implementation Method 1.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the communication relay device according to Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of an elevator system that uses the communication relay device of Implementation Method 1.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a summary of the information stored in the cooperative device of the communication relay device applied in Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing a summary of the mapping information stored in the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 6This is a diagram showing a summary of the car button information stored in the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation summary of the automatic update mode of the communication relay device in Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation summary of the automatic update mode of the communication relay device in Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the automatic update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0021] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the automatic update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0022] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the automatic update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0023] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation summary of the manual update mode of the communication relay device in Embodiment 1.

[0024] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation summary of the manual update mode of the communication relay device in Embodiment 1.

[0025] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the manual update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0026] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the manual update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0027] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the manual update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0028] Figure 17 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation summary of the elevation difference correction of the communication relay device in Embodiment 1.

[0029] Figure 18 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the manual update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0030] Figure 19 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the manual update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0031] Figure 20 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the manual update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0032] Figure 21 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the manual update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0033] Figure 22 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the manual update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0034] Label Explanation

[0035] 1: Hoistway; 2: Landing station; 3, 3a: Car; 4: Traction machine; 5: Landing station button; 6: Digital landing station indicator; 7: Landing station destination floor display; 8: Car control panel; 8a: Car button; 9: Car analog indicator; 10: Car digital indicator; 11: Car destination floor display; 12: Control device; 12a: Control unit; 13: Landing station transmission cable; 14: Car transmission cable; 15: Building control device; 16: Robot; 17: Communication relay device; 17a: ROM; 17b: RAM; 17c: EEPROM; 17d: CPU; 20: Storage unit; 21: Code acquisition unit; 22: Notification unit; 23: Call creation unit; 24: Car button detection unit; 25: Mode setting unit; 26: Floor setting unit; 27: Mapping update unit; 28: Elevation difference correction unit. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the drawings, identical or equivalent parts are labeled with the same reference numerals. Repetitive descriptions of these parts have been simplified or omitted where appropriate.

[0037] Implementation Method 1

[0038] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an elevator system that uses the communication relay device of Implementation Method 1.

[0039] exist Figure 1 In the elevator system, the shaft 1 runs through all floors of a building (not shown). Multiple landings 2 are located on each floor of the building, each opposite the shaft 1. The car 3 is located inside the shaft 1. The traction machine 4 is located in a machine room (not shown) to enable the car 3 to move up and down. Additionally, the elevator system includes other cars 3a (not shown). These other cars 3a belong to the same elevator group as car 3.

[0040] Multiple floor buttons 5 are located on multiple floor stations 2. Multiple digital floor indicators 6 are located on multiple floor stations 2. Multiple destination floor displays 7 are located on multiple floor stations 2.

[0041] The car control panel 8 is located inside the car 3. The car control panel 8 has multiple car buttons 8a. These multiple car buttons 8a correspond to the floors where the car 3 is set to stop. For example, if the car 3 is set to stop at the 4th, 9th, and 11th floors, four car buttons 8a are provided corresponding to these four floors. The car buttons 8a can be illuminated and extinguished using button lights.

[0042] An analog car indicator 9 is installed inside the car 3. A digital car indicator 10 is installed inside the car 3. A destination floor display 11 is installed inside the car 3. The destination floor display 11 stores floor table information, which establishes a correspondence between floor management values ​​and indicator codes. Each indicator code uniquely identifies each floor of the building. That is, the indicator code is used to uniquely identify the name of each floor.

[0043] The control device 12 is located in the machine room. The control device 12 is capable of overall control of the elevator system. The control device 12 includes a control unit 12a. For example, the control unit 12a includes ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 12a is electrically connected to multiple landing buttons 5, multiple digital landing indicators 6, and multiple destination floor displays 7 via landing transmission cables 13. The control unit 12a is electrically connected to the car control panel 8, the car analog indicator 9, the car digital indicator 10, and the car destination floor display 11 via car transmission cables 14.

[0044] The building control unit 15, serving as a collaborative device, is installed inside the building. Here, the collaborative device is a device that has functions such as creating a call button for the elevator car 3 and cooperating with the elevator system to utilize it. The robot 16, also serving as a collaborative device, is installed inside the building as an in-building appliance. For example, the robot 16 could be a security robot, a delivery robot, or a robot that patrols the various floors of the building. The robot 16 can communicate with the building control unit 15 wirelessly. Alternatively, the robot 16 can also communicate with the building control unit 15 via a wired connection.

[0045] The communication relay device 17 is installed in the machine room. Alternatively, the communication relay device 17 can also be installed in any location within the building, such as the hoistway 1, the car 3, or the building's administrator's room. The communication relay device 17 is electrically connected to the control unit 12a of the control device 12. The communication relay device 17 can read the communication between the equipment installed in the car 3 and the control unit 12a via the car transmission cable 14. Therefore, the communication relay device 17 can monitor the status of the car 3.

[0046] The communication relay device 17 can communicate with the building control device 15 via wired or wireless means. The communication relay device 17 can also communicate with the robot 16 via the building control device 15. Alternatively, the communication relay device 17 can also communicate with the robot 16 wirelessly without going through the building control device 15.

[0047] During normal operation of the elevator system, passengers inside car 3 operate the car button 8a on the car control panel 8. The control unit 12a detects when the car button 8a is pressed, which is considered a call from the car control panel 8. The control unit 12a registers the destination floor corresponding to the car button 8a and updates the destination floor information. The destination floor information includes illuminated information for floors with registered calls and de-illuminated information for floors without registered calls. The control unit 12a continuously sends the destination floor information to the car control panel 8, the car analog indicator 9, the car digital indicator 10, and the car destination floor display 11.

[0048] The car control panel 8 illuminates or extinguishes multiple car buttons 8a according to the illumination and extinguishing information contained in the destination floor information. Specifically, the destination floor information contains illumination or extinguishing information corresponding to each floor of the building, arranged sequentially from the bottom floor upwards. The car control panel 8 instructs the car buttons 8a to illuminate according to the order of the illumination or extinguishing information contained in the destination floor information, and in accordance with the physical connection order of the car buttons 8a. As a result, the car buttons 8a registered for calling the elevator are illuminated.

[0049] The car destination floor display 11 determines the floor management value indicated by the illumination information based on the destination floor information received from the control unit 12a. The car destination floor display 11 obtains the indicator code corresponding to the determined floor management value based on the floor table information. The car destination floor display 11 displays the name of the floor corresponding to the obtained indicator code as the name of the destination floor on the screen.

[0050] Then, the control unit 12a moves the car 3 towards the destination floor. During this time, the control unit 12a constantly monitors the position of the car 3. The control unit 12a continuously sends an indicator code corresponding to the position of the car 3 to the equipment installed in the car 3 via the car transmission cable 14. For example, the car digital indicator 10 displays the name of the floor corresponding to this indicator code as the current position of the car 3. Additionally, the control unit 12a also continuously sends an analog indicator code corresponding to the car analog indicator 9.

[0051] Robot 16 can register an elevator call to a target floor with the control unit 12a via the building control device 15 and the communication relay device 17. For example, robot 16 can register an elevator call with its current standby floor as the destination floor. In this case, robot 16 notifies the communication relay device 17 of the name of the target floor via the building control device 15. The communication relay device 17 creates an elevator call received from robot 16, showing the name of the target floor, and sends it to the control unit 12a. In this way, the communication relay device 17 realizes the destination floor registration performed by robot 16. Robot 16 utilizes the elevator system.

[0052] Specifically, the communication relay device 17 determines the indicator code corresponding to the name of the floor. The communication relay device 17 stores mapping information that establishes a correspondence between indicator codes and floor management values. The floor management value is the floor management value corresponding to the set floor where the car 3 stops. The communication relay device 17 determines the floor management value corresponding to the determined indicator code. The communication relay device 17 sends a call to the control unit 12a representing the floor management value determined by simulating the car operation panel 8. Based on the floor management value contained in the call from the communication relay device 17, the control unit 12a determines that the car button 8a on the car operation panel 8 corresponding to that floor management value has been activated. Therefore, the control unit 12a registers the call from the robot 16 with the target floor as the destination floor.

[0053] Furthermore, the communication relay device 17 obtains information indicating whether multiple car buttons 8a are lit or off by reading signals transmitted through the car transmission cable 14 and through serial transmission, etc. For example, the communication relay device 17 determines the lit or off state of the multiple car buttons 8a based on floor management values. By reading signals transmitted through the car transmission cable 14, the communication relay device 17 can obtain information related to all indicator codes of the car analog indicator 9, car digital indicator 10, and car destination floor display 11 installed in the car 3. That is, the communication relay device 17 can always keep track of the registration status of the destination floor registered through the car operation panel 8 and the indicator codes from the control unit 12a.

[0054] The communication relay device 17 notifies the robot 16 of information obtained via the building control device 15. For example, the communication relay device 17 notifies the robot 16 of the floor management value as the position of the car 3. The robot 16 pre-stores a building floor table that establishes a correspondence between the floor management values ​​and floor names of the mapping information stored by the communication relay device 17. For example, the robot 16 identifies the name of the floor where the car 3 is currently located based on the information in the building floor table. For example, the communication relay device 17 identifies the lit or extinguished state of multiple car buttons 8a based on the information in the building floor table, as information indicated by the obtained floor management value.

[0055] When car 3 arrives at the floor where robot 16 is waiting, robot 16 recognizes this situation via communication relay device 17. Robot 16 then uses communication relay device 17 to control the opening of the door of car 3.

[0056] Specifically, robot 16 sends a door-opening command to communication relay device 17. Communication relay device 17 transmits the door-opening command to car control panel 8 via serial or parallel transmission. Based on the door-opening command, car control panel 8 sends a signal to control unit 12a indicating that the door-opening button on car control panel 8 has been activated.

[0057] At this time, the communication relay device 17 obtains information about whether the open or close door button on the car control panel 8 has been operated by reading the signal transmitted by the car transmission cable 14. The communication relay device 17 sends information indicating the operation status of the open or close door button to the robot 16. For example, the robot 16 confirms the operation status of the open door button. By sending an open door command for a predetermined time, the robot 16 can maintain the open state of the car 3 door. In addition, the robot 16 can also similarly control the closing of the car 3 door.

[0058] Thus, the building control unit 15 and the robot 16, acting as collaborative devices, cooperate with the elevator system to perform their original operational tasks. Specifically, in the case of a security robot, the robot 16 cooperates with the elevator system to ride in the elevator car 3, thereby performing its original operational task of patrolling each floor. The communication relay device 17 relays the communication between the control unit 12a of the control unit 12 and the collaborative devices. At this time, the communication relay device 17 uses mapping information to eliminate inconsistencies in the protocols between the communication data used in the control unit 12a and the communication data used in the robot 16.

[0059] The communication relay device 17, installed before being installed in the elevator system, stores default mapping information. When a new building control device 15, robot 16, and communication relay device 17 are installed in an existing elevator system, the communication relay device 17 updates the default mapping information to the updated mapping information corresponding to the car 3. The communication relay device 17 creates updated mapping information corresponding to each car or elevator group installed in the building. At this time, the communication relay device 17 uses an automatic update mode to create updated mapping information via an operator's operation mode change switch. In automatic update mode, the communication relay device 17 automatically sends an elevator call for updating to the control unit 12a. The communication relay device 17 creates updated mapping information based on the automatically registered elevator call in the car 3 and the actions of the car operation panel 8.

[0060] Furthermore, when it is necessary to rewrite the mapping information correspondence through updates to car 3, the mapping information of communication relay device 17 needs to be updated. In this case, communication relay device 17 creates updated mapping information in manual update mode by switching the operator's operation mode. In this case, the operator operates car operation panel 8 according to the steps corresponding to manual update mode. In manual update mode, communication relay device 17 creates updated mapping information based on the actions of car 3 and car operation panel 8.

[0061] Next, use Figure 2 An example of the hardware structure of the communication relay device 17 will be described.

[0062] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of the communication relay device according to Embodiment 1.

[0063] like Figure 2 As shown, the communication relay device 17 includes a ROM 17a, RAM 17b, EEPROM 17c (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), and CPU 17d. The ROM 17a stores programs for executing the various functions of the communication relay device 17. The RAM 17b temporarily stores information for tasks such as temporary storage of tables, temporary storage of communication packet data, and storage of temporary variables used in processing. The EEPROM 17c stores update mapping information. The CPU 17d implements the various functions of the communication relay device 17 by executing the programs stored in the ROM 17a. The CPU 17d processes the calculations for communication with the control unit 12a of the control device 12, the building control device 15, and the robot 16.

[0064] Next, use Figure 3 The communication relay device 17 will be described.

[0065] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of an elevator system that uses the communication relay device of Implementation Method 1.

[0066] like Figure 3 As shown, the communication relay device 17 includes a storage unit 20, a code acquisition unit 21, a notification unit 22, a call creation unit 23, a car button detection unit 24, a mode setting unit 25, a floor setting unit 26, a mapping update unit 27, and a height difference correction unit 28. These functions are transmitted via... Figure 2 The hardware shown is used for implementation.

[0067] For example, storage unit 20 includes Figure 3 RAM 17b (not shown). Storage unit 20 stores mapping information and car button information. Additionally, storage unit 20 functions as a RAM for temporary storage of various information.

[0068] The code acquisition unit 21 acquires the indicator code sent from the control device 12 to the car 3.

[0069] The notification unit 22 converts the indicator code obtained by the code acquisition unit 21 into the corresponding floor management value based on the mapping information stored in the storage unit 20. The notification unit 22 then notifies the building control device 15 and the robot 16 of the created floor management value as the position information of the car 3.

[0070] When the call creation unit 23 receives an instruction from the robot 16 to create a call based on floor management values, it creates the call and sends it to the control device 12.

[0071] The car button detection unit 24 detects whether the multiple car buttons 8a provided on the car control panel 8 are in an on or off state. The car button detection unit 24 reflects the detection results in the car button table of car button information stored in the storage unit 20.

[0072] The mode setting unit 25 includes a mode change switch (not shown). In response to operation of the mode change switch, the mode setting unit 25 can set an automatic update mode, a manual update mode, a floor setting determination mode, and a no-setting mode.

[0073] The floor setting unit 26 sets the designated floors for registered elevator calls in automatic update mode. For example, the floor setting unit 26 sets each floor as a designated floor from the bottom floor of the building to the top floor.

[0074] Mapping update unit 27 contains Figure 3The EEPROM 17c is not shown in the diagram. The mapping update unit 27 creates updated mapping information based on the setting of automatic update mode or manual update mode. When updated mapping information is created, the mapping update unit 27 updates the mapping information stored in the storage unit to the updated mapping information.

[0075] The height difference correction unit 28 performs height difference correction. For example, the height difference correction unit 28 performs height difference correction when it determines that the correspondence between the floor management value and the indicator is different in two mapping information corresponding to car 3 and another car 3 belonging to the same elevator group. For example, if another car 3, which is the second car, can stop at a floor lower than the first car compared to the first car, a height difference that requires height difference correction may occur.

[0076] Next, use Figures 4 to 6 The information managed by the communication relay device 17 is explained.

[0077] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a summary of the information stored in the cooperative device of the communication relay device applied in Embodiment 1. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing a summary of the mapping information stored in the communication relay device of Embodiment 1. Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a summary of the car button information stored in the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0078] Figure 4 Example (A) shows an example of the building's structure in tabular form. Additionally, the communication relay device 17 establishes a correspondence between the elevator cars 3 and each elevator group. Therefore, the table shows the elevator cars 3 belonging to a particular elevator group. In this example, a certain elevator group in the elevator system has two cars 3, A and B.

[0079] In the table, the leftmost column shows the "Actual Floor Name" as the actual floor name. For example, in this case, the bottom floor is "B2," representing basement level 2. The second column from the left shows the "Floor Number," which is the number of floors counting from the bottom floor. For example, in this case, the "Floor Number" for the actual floor name "5" is "7," representing the 7th floor from the bottom. The third column from the left shows the floors where car 3, designated as "Unit A," stops. "○" indicates a floor where car 3, designated as "Unit A," stops. "-" indicates a floor where car 3, designated as "Unit A," does not stop. For example, car 3, designated as "Unit A," stops on floor 1. Car 3, designated as "B1," does not stop at basement level 1. The fourth column from the left, similarly to the third column, shows the floors where car 3, designated as "Unit B," stops.

[0080] Figure 4(B) shows an example of a building floor table stored by robot 16. The building floor table information establishes a correspondence between "actual floor names" and "floor management values." Although not illustrated, the "floor management values" correspond to the "floor management values" in the mapping information stored by communication relay device 17. For example, communication relay device 17 periodically, or after updating the mapping information, sends the corresponding "floor management values" to robot 16. Robot 16 updates the building floor table.

[0081] Figure 5 This illustration shows an example of the mapping information for the car 3 stored in the communication relay device 17. The mapping information is information that establishes a correspondence between floor management values ​​and indicator codes using a mapping table. Figure 5 In the diagram, the numeric indicator code is displayed as an indicator code. For example, the numeric indicator code is expressed in hexadecimal. For example, the indicator code corresponding to the floor with a car management value of "1" is "01".

[0082] Figure 6 This example shows car button information for a specific car 3 stored in the communication relay device 17. The car button information establishes a correspondence between floor management values ​​and "button connection status" in the car button table. The floor management values ​​are shown in the left column. The "button connection status" is shown in the right column. "Button connection status" indicates which floor management value each of the multiple car buttons 8a installed in car 3 corresponds to. "○" indicates that a corresponding car button 8a is present, meaning it is connected. "-" indicates that no corresponding car button 8a is present, meaning it is not connected. For example, in this example, car 3 does not have any car buttons 8a corresponding to floor management values ​​"1" to "3". Therefore, the "button connection status" corresponding to floor management values ​​"1" to "3" is "-". Car 3 has a car button 8a corresponding to floor management value "4". Therefore, the "button connection status" corresponding to floor management value "4" is "○".

[0083] Next, use Figure 7 and Figure 8 The automatic update mode is explained.

[0084] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation summary of the automatic update mode of the communication relay device in Embodiment 1.

[0085] In this automatic update mode, the communication relay device 17 enables the car 3 to automatically stop at each floor from the lowest floor to the highest floor, and creates updated mapping information. At the beginning of the flowchart, the updated mapping information is information with the same mapping table as the original mapping information.

[0086] like Figure 7 As shown, in step S001, the operator sets the mode change switch of the communication relay device 17 to automatic update mode. The communication relay device 17 then starts automatic update mode. In automatic update mode, the communication relay device 17 temporarily stores each of the "index", "off position", and "written floor management value" as variables.

[0087] Then, step S002 is performed. In step S002, the mapping update unit 27 of the communication relay device 17 sets the "index" to "1", the "off position" to an empty set, and the "write floor management value" to "OFF". Based on the set floor set by the floor setting unit 26, the mapping update unit 27 creates a call for the floor corresponding to the floor management value at the bottom of the car button table for the call creation unit 23.

[0088] Then, the action of step S003 is performed. In step S003, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the car button 8a corresponding to the floor where the call button was created is lit.

[0089] If it is determined in step S003 that the corresponding car button 8a is lit, then step S004 is performed. In step S004, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the car 3 has started moving.

[0090] If it is determined in step S004 that the car 3 has started moving, then step S005 is performed. In step S005, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the car 3 has stopped and whether the corresponding car button 8a has turned off from the lit state.

[0091] If it is determined in step S005 that the car 3 has stopped and the car button 8a has been turned off, the operation in step S006 is performed. In step S006, the mapping update unit 27 obtains the indicator code sent by the control unit 12a when the car 3 stops as the first code and temporarily stores it.

[0092] Then, the action of step S007 is performed. In step S007, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the setting of "write floor management value" is "off".

[0093] If the setting for "Write Floor Management Value" is "Off" in step S007, the operation in step S008 is performed. In step S008, the mapping update unit 27 scans the mapping table to determine whether there is a row that matches the stored indicator code.

[0094] If a matching row is determined in step S008, step S009 is performed. In step S009, the mapping update unit 27 sets the "index" to the matching position.

[0095] Then, the action of step S010 is performed. In step S010, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the set of "extinguishing positions" is empty, that is, whether the "extinguishing positions" have been cleared.

[0096] If it is determined in step S010 that the "extinguished position" has not been cleared, the operation of step S011 is performed. In step S011, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the number of elements contained in the set of "extinguished positions" is greater than or equal to the value set as the "index", that is, whether "index ≤ number of extinguished positions".

[0097] If it is determined in step S011 that "index ≤ number of extinguished positions", then step S012 is performed. In step S012, the mapping update unit 27 inserts rows into the mapping table to update the mapping information. Specifically, the mapping update unit 27 inserts the number of "-" characters from the bottom of the column of floor management value and the column of indicator code in the mapping table, which is "number of extinguished positions - floor management value recorded in the matching row + 1".

[0098] Then, step S013 is performed. In step S013, the mapping update unit 27 inserts a "-" in the row of the floor management value corresponding to the latest "off position" in the mapping table that updates the mapping information. A "-" in the row of floor management values ​​in the mapping table means that there is no floor management value. The mapping update unit 27 adds the number of "off positions" to the value of the "index".

[0099] If, in step S010 following step S013, it is determined that the "extinguished position" has been cleared, or if, in step S011, it is determined that the index is not less than or equal to the number of extinguished positions, the operation in step S014 is performed. In step S014, the mapping update unit 27 inserts a "1" in the column of the floor management value in the mapping table that corresponds to the "index," starting from the bottom row and moving up to the row containing the value of the "index." The mapping update unit 27 writes the acquired indicator code in the same row as the row containing the "1" inserted, which is the row corresponding to the value of the "index," i.e., the column of the indicator code in the mapping table. The mapping update unit 27 fills the column of the indicator code in the mapping table with the inserted indicator code as the starting point. The mapping update unit 27 writes numbers in a sequence starting with "2" in the row above the "1."

[0100] Then, the action of step S015 is performed. In step S015, the mapping update unit 27 deletes all elements of the set of "extinguishing positions", that is, clears the "extinguishing positions".

[0101] Then, the action of step S016 is performed. In step S016, the mapping update unit 27 increments the value of the "index" by 1, that is, it increments the "index".

[0102] Then, the action of step S017 is performed. In step S017, the mapping update unit 27 causes the call creation unit 23 to create the call for the next floor in the car button table.

[0103] Then, the operation of step S018 is performed. In step S018, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the indicated row exists in the car button table and whether the selection switch maintains the automatic update mode.

[0104] If, in step S018, it is determined that there are no more indicated rows in the car button table, or that the selection switch has been restored to a mode other than the automatic update mode, then step S019 is performed. In step S019, the mapping update unit 27 considers the first automatic update mode to be successful and ends the first automatic update mode.

[0105] If, in step S018, it is determined that the indicated row exists in the car button table and the selection switch maintains the automatic update mode, then the actions after step S003 are performed.

[0106] If, in step S003, it is determined that the corresponding car button 8a is not lit, that is, when the corresponding car button 8a is off, the operation in step S020 is performed. In step S020, the mapping update unit 27 temporarily adds the floor management value corresponding to the car button 8a from the car button table to the set of "off position", that is, temporarily stores the "off position" of this step in RAM. Then, the operations after step S016 are performed.

[0107] If, in step S007, it is determined that the setting for "Write Floor Management Value" is not "Off" but "On", then step S021 is performed. In step S021, the mapping update unit 27 scans the mapping table to determine whether there is a row that matches the stored indicator code.

[0108] If a matching row is determined to exist in step S021, the operation in step S022 is performed. In step S022, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the set of "extinguishing positions" is empty, that is, whether the "extinguishing positions" have been cleared.

[0109] If it is determined in step S022 that the "extinguishing position" has been cleared, proceed with the actions after step S022.

[0110] If it is determined in step S021 that there is no matching row, or if it is determined in step S022 that the "off position" has not been cleared, the operation in step S023 is performed. In step S023, the mapping update unit 27 writes the obtained indicator code into the row corresponding to the value of the "index" in the indicator code column of the mapping table that updates the mapping information.

[0111] Then, the operation in step S024 is performed. In step S024, the mapping update unit 27 writes the number of "-" symbols for "off position" sequentially in the column of the floor management value in the mapping table, in the row below the row corresponding to the indicator code written in step S023. In addition, if there is no "off position", no "-" symbol is written.

[0112] Then, the operation of step S025 is performed. In step S025, the mapping update unit 27 writes numbers in the column of floor management values ​​in the mapping table for updating mapping information, starting from the bottom row and moving upwards, except for rows containing "-", using consecutive numbers starting with "1" in the column of floor management values. Then, the operations after step S015 are performed.

[0113] If, in step S004, it is determined that the car has not started moving, or in step S005, it is determined that the corresponding car button 8a is not turned off when the car is stopped, then step S026 is performed. In step S026, the mapping update unit 27 considers the first automatic update mode to have failed and ends the first automatic update mode. In this case, the mapping update unit 27 does not update the mapping information.

[0114] Next, use Figures 9 to 11 This section provides an example of an action that updates the mapping table for the mapping information in the automatic update mode.

[0115] Figures 9 to 11 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the automatic update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0116] exist Figure 9 The table on the far left shows the building structure in this example. In the building, there are floors from basement level 2 "B2" to floor 12 "12" above ground. The floor number is 14, counting from the bottom floor. Car 3, designated "Aircraft No. 1," stops on floors 2 and 7 through 12. "Aircraft No. 1" does not stop between basement level 2 and floor 1, or between floors 3 and 6.

[0117] The second table from the left is the default mapping table, which serves as the mapping information before the update. In this example, we assume that a communication relay device 17 is installed. Therefore, the mapping information stored in the communication relay device 17 is the default mapping table. For example, in the default mapping table, the floor management values ​​are set to 1 to 128.

[0118] The third table from the left is the car button table for car 3 of "Unit 1" stored in communication relay device 17. The floor management values ​​in the car button table are the same as the floor management values ​​in the mapping information before the update. In this example, car 3 of "Unit 1" is connected to car buttons 8a for floors 2 and 7 to 12, which are the floors it stops at. The floor management values ​​corresponding to car buttons 8a are 4 and 9 to 14.

[0119] The fourth table from the left is the mapping table for updated mapping information created by the communication relay device 17. When the automatic update mode starts, the mapping table for updated mapping information is set to the same state as the mapping table for mapping information before the update.

[0120] When the automatic update mode is started, as action O001, the communication relay device 17 sets the "index" to "1", sets the "off position" to an empty set, and sets "write floor management value" to "off". Then, the communication relay device 17 creates a call for the floor corresponding to the floor management value "1" at the bottom of the car button table.

[0121] However, in "Unit 1", there is no car button 8a connected to the floor management value "1". Therefore, in this example, the call is not registered, and the car button 8a is not illuminated. In this case, the communication relay device 17 adds the floor management value "1" to the set of "off positions". Then, the communication relay device 17 increments the "index" to "2", creating a call for the floor corresponding to the floor management value "2". The communication relay device 17 then repeats the same operation until the call is registered.

[0122] Figure 10 This displays a table of car buttons and a mapping table showing updated mapping information after a call to the floor corresponding to the floor management value "4". As action O002, the communication relay device 17 detects that the car 3 has stopped at the floor where the call is made and that the car button 8a corresponding to the floor management value "4" is off. At this time, the set of "off positions" includes {1, 2, 3}. The set of "off positions" when the car button 8a was initially off in the state where "Write Floor Management Value" is "Off" corresponds to the first interval counting from the bottom floor. At this time, in this example, the control unit 12a sends indicator code "02". The communication relay device 17 temporarily stores indicator code "02" as the first code in RAM.

[0123] Then, as action O003, the communication relay device 17 confirms that "Write Floor Management Value" is "Off". The communication relay device 17 scans the mapping table, searching for a row that matches indicator code "02". In this example, the communication relay device 17 determines that a matching row exists.

[0124] Then, as action O004, the communication relay device 17 inserts a "-" in the row containing the number of "number of extinguishing positions - floor management value recorded in the matching row + 1" starting from the bottom row of the mapping table.

[0125] Then, as action O005, the communication relay device 17 writes "-" to the row of the floor management value corresponding to the latest extinguishing position.

[0126] Then, as action O006, the communication relay device 17 sets the floor management value of the row corresponding to the "index" to "1" and writes the stored indicator code "02" into the corresponding row.

[0127] Then, as action O007, the communication relay device 17 changes the floor management value of the row above the row where the floor management value is set to "1" to a series of consecutive numbers starting from "2" and increasing by 1 each time. The communication relay device 17 sets "Write Floor Management Value" to "ON".

[0128] Then, as action O008, the communication relay device 17 clears the "off position", increments the index by 1, and creates a call for the floor corresponding to the floor management value of the "index" value.

[0129] Figure 11 This shows a map that can also create a car button table for calling elevators and update mapping information. Here, Figure 11 This indicates a state where the same action has been performed repeatedly.

[0130] As action O009, the communication relay device 17 detects that the car 3 has stopped at the floor where the elevator is called, and the car button 8a corresponding to the floor management value "9" is off. At this time, the set of "off positions" includes {5, 6, 7, 8}. The set of "off positions" when the car button 8a is off when "write floor management value" is "on" corresponds to the second interval. The communication relay device 17 stores the floor indicator code "07" as the first code.

[0131] As action O010, the communication relay device 17 writes indicator code "07" in the column of the indicator code in the mapping table, in the row corresponding to the value of "index", in the row of the floor where the car button 8a is detected to be off.

[0132] Then, as action O011, the communication relay device 17 writes the number of "-" indicating no floor management value in the "off position" column of the mapping table, in a row below the row written in action O010. That is, the communication relay device 17 registers no floor management value in the floor management value column of the mapping table for floors belonging to the second interval that are actually not registered for elevator calls.

[0133] Then, as action O012, the communication relay device 17 writes numbers in the column of the floor management value in the mapping table, in the rows except for "-" which represent unmanaged floors, in a manner where the numbers become consecutive numbers after "1" in the row representing the upper floors.

[0134] Then, the communication relay device 17 clears the "off position", increments the index by 1, and creates a call button for the floor corresponding to the floor management value of the "index" value.

[0135] The same actions are performed thereafter. In this case, the indicator codes for the floors that car 3 has stopped at will match the mapping table. Furthermore, since no floors have been skipped above, there is no "off position". In this case, after incrementing the value of the "index", the communication relay device 17 repeatedly performs the action of creating call buttons corresponding to the next floor. After creating call buttons to the top floor in the car button table, the communication relay device 17 ends the automatic update mode.

[0136] In addition, if the first code does not match the mapping table of the mapping information, the indicator code as the first code is also added to the mapping table of the updated mapping information along with the corresponding floor management value.

[0137] Next, use Figure 12 and Figure 13 The manual update mode is explained.

[0138] Figure 12 and Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation summary of the manual update mode of the communication relay device in Embodiment 1.

[0139] For example, the manual update mode is executed when you want to change only the different floors based on the default mapping information. Specifically, it is executed when the actual floor or indicator code contains floors containing letters such as B1 or M1, or when you want to apply it to car 3 of a shuttle elevator that only travels from floor 1 to floor 15.

[0140] like Figure 12As shown, in step S101, the operator sets the selection switch of the communication relay device 17 to manual update mode. The communication relay device 17 then begins manual update mode.

[0141] Then, step S102 is performed. In step S102, the operator registers a call for the elevator to the first registered floor (from). For example, the operator operates the car button 8a corresponding to the first registered floor. Alternatively, the operator can register the call from the maintenance terminal. Here, the communication relay device 17 remains on standby until a call for the first registered floor is made.

[0142] Then, step S103 is performed. In step S103, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the car button 8a corresponding to the floor called is lit.

[0143] If the corresponding car button 8a from step S103 is illuminated, step S104 is performed. In step S104, the mapping update unit 27 of the communication relay device 17 determines whether the car 3 has started moving.

[0144] If it is determined in step S104 that the car 3 has started moving, then step S105 is performed. In step S105, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the car 3 has stopped and whether the corresponding car button 8a has turned off from the lit state.

[0145] If it is determined in step S105 that the car 3 has stopped and the car button 8a has been turned off, then step S106 is performed. In step S106, the mapping update unit 27 obtains the indicator code sent by the control unit 12a when the car 3 stops and temporarily stores it.

[0146] Then, the action of step S107 is performed. In step S107, the mapping update unit 27 stores the floor management value corresponding to the row that has turned off from the lit state in the car button table as "Index_from".

[0147] Then, step S108 is performed. In step S108, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether there is a row in the mapping table that matches the stored indicator code.

[0148] If a matching row is determined in step S108, step S109 is performed. In step S109, the floor management value of the matching row is stored as the index "from".

[0149] Then, the action of step S110 is performed. In step S110, the door of car 3 is opened. Then, the door of car 3 is closed.

[0150] Then, the action of step S111 is performed. In step S111, the operator registers a call for the elevator to the second registered floor (to). Here, the communication relay device 17 stands by until a call for the second registered floor is made.

[0151] Then, step S112 is performed. In step S112, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the car button 8a corresponding to the floor called is lit.

[0152] If it is determined in step S112 that the corresponding car button 8a is lit, then step S113 is performed. In step S113, the mapping update unit 27 of the communication relay device 17 determines whether the car 3 has started moving.

[0153] If it is determined in step S113 that the car 3 has started moving, the operation of step S114 is performed. In step S114, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the car 3 has stopped and whether the corresponding car button 8a has turned off from the lit state.

[0154] If it is determined in step S114 that the car 3 has stopped and the car button 8a has been turned off, the operation of step S115 is performed. In step S115, the mapping update unit 27 temporarily stores the changes in indicator codes received from the control unit 12a during the movement from the first registered floor to the second registered floor, i.e., the indicator codes of the floors that the car 3 has passed through, in RAM.

[0155] Then, the operation of step S116 is performed. In step S116, the mapping update unit 27 stores the instruction received from the control unit 12a when the car 3 stops. The mapping update unit 27 temporarily stores the position of the floor management value in the car button table of the car button 8a that was turned off from the lit state when the car 3 stopped at the second registered floor as "Index_to".

[0156] Then, the action of step S117 is performed. In step S117, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the movement from the first registered floor to the second registered floor is downward.

[0157] If it is determined in step S117 that the direction is downward, the operation in step S118 is performed. In step S118, the mapping update unit 27 overwrites the changes in the indicator codes that temporarily store the indicator codes for the first registered floor to the second registered floor in the column of the indicator codes of the mapping table that updates the mapping information, moving downwards. Specifically, the mapping update unit 27 overwrites the changes in the indicator codes in the column of the indicator codes of the mapping table, starting from the row corresponding to the value of "from".

[0158] Then, step S119 is performed. In step S119, the mapping update unit 27 calculates the value of "to" and temporarily stores it in RAM. Specifically, the mapping update unit 27 subtracts the absolute value of the difference between the value of "Index_from" and the value of "Index_to" from the value of "from" to obtain the value of "to". That is, the value of "to" is calculated as the value of "from - |Index_from - Index_to|".

[0159] If the movement in step S117 is not downward, i.e., if the movement was upward, then step S120 is performed. In step S120, the mapping update unit 27 overwrites the changes in the indicator codes that temporarily store the indicator codes for the first registered floor to the second registered floor in the column of the indicator codes of the mapping table that updates the mapping information, moving upward. Specifically, the mapping update unit 27 overwrites the changes in the indicator codes in the column of the indicator codes of the mapping table, starting from the row corresponding to the value of "from", moving upward.

[0160] Then, the operation in step S121 is performed. In step S121, the mapping update unit 27 calculates the value of "to" and temporarily stores it in RAM. Specifically, the mapping update unit 27 adds the absolute value of the difference between the value of "Index_from" and the value of "Index_to" to the value of "from" to obtain the value of "to". That is, the value of "to" is calculated as the value of "from + |Index_from - Index_to|".

[0161] After performing step S119 or step S121, step S122 is performed. In step S122, the mapping update unit 27 checks the row position from the value of "Index_from" to the value of "Index_to" in the car button table. Specifically, the mapping update unit 27 checks whether a skip exists. If there is a "-" between the row position of the value of "Index_from" and the row position of the value of "Index_to" in the car button table, the mapping update unit 27 determines that a skip exists. If a skip exists, in the column of indicator codes in the mapping table that updates the mapping information, the indicator code for the row position between "from" and "to", which corresponds to the position of the skip, is changed to "-". At this time, the row positions of "from" and "to" are not changed to "-".

[0162] Then, the action of step S123 is performed. In step S123, in order to confirm whether the actions so far are normal, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether there is no floor jump between the first registered floor and the second registered floor and whether the absolute value of the difference between the value of "Index_from" and the value of "Index_to" is greater than the number of changes in the stored indicator code, that is, whether "|Index_from-Index_to|> the number of changes in the indicator code".

[0163] If, in step S123, it is determined that there is no skipping layer and "|Index_from-Index_to|> the number of changes in the indicator code", the mapping update unit 27 considers the manual update mode to have failed and terminates the manual update mode. This is because it is impossible to confirm that the mapping information before the update is correct or that the mapping table during the update may be incorrect. In this case, the mapping update unit 27 does not update the mapping information.

[0164] If, in step S123, it is determined that a skipped layer exists, or if, although there is no skipped layer, the number of changes in the indicator code is not greater than "|Index_from - Index_to| > 0", then step S124 is performed. In step S124, the mapping update unit 27 determines whether the absolute value of the difference between the value of "Index_to" and the value of "to" is 0, i.e., whether "|Index_to - to| = 0", in order to perform bottom-level correction.

[0165] If it is determined in step S124 that "|Index_to-to|=0", then the action in step S125 is performed. In step S125, the mapping update unit 27 inserts the row containing the value of "|Index_to-to|" as a "-" into the position corresponding to the value of "to" in the column of the floor management value of the mapping table that updates the mapping information.

[0166] If the determination in step S124 is "|Index_to-to|=0" or if the action in step S125 has been performed, the action in step S126 is performed. In step S126, the mapping update unit 27 confirms the connection status of the car button table from the position corresponding to "Index_to" to the bottom position. Specifically, if there is a "-" from the position of "Index_to" to the bottom position in the car button table, the mapping update unit 27 rewrites the floor management value in the mapping table from the position of "to" to the bottom position to "-" in a manner corresponding to that position.

[0167] Then, the action of step S127 is performed. In step S127, the mapping update unit 27 rewrites the floor management value column of the mapping table, starting from the bottom, for all rows except "-", so that the floor management value becomes a consecutive number starting from "1".

[0168] Then, in step S128, the mapping update unit 27 considers the manual update mode to be successful and ends the manual update mode.

[0169] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S103 that the corresponding car button 8a is not lit, in step S104 that the car 3 has not started moving, in step S105 that the car button 8a is not turned off, in step S108 that there is no matching row, in step S112 that the corresponding car button 8a is not lit, in step S113 that the car 3 has not started moving, or in step S114 that the car button 8a is not turned off, the mapping update unit 27 considers the manual update mode to have failed and terminates the manual update mode. This is because it is impossible to confirm that the mapping information before the update is correct or that the mapping table during the update may be incorrect. In this case, the mapping update unit 27 does not update the mapping information.

[0170] Next, use Figures 14 to 16 An example is given of the mapping table for updating mapping information in the action of creating a manual update mode.

[0171] Figures 14 to 16 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the manual update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0172] Figure 14 The example shown is similar to Figure 9 The buildings shown in the examples have the same structure.

[0173] The operator begins manually updating the mode by operating the mode change switch of the communication relay device 17. First, as action O101, the operator registers a call for the floor designated as "from". The communication relay device 17 obtains the indicator code "07" for the floor where the car 3 is stopped. Based on the car button table, the communication relay device 17 sets "Index_from" to "9".

[0174] Then, as action O102, the communication relay device 17 sets the floor management value "7" in the update mapping information that matches the indicator code "07" to "from".

[0175] like Figure 15As shown, then, as action O103, the operator registers a call for the floor designated as "to". The communication relay device 17 stores multiple indicator codes "{06, 05, 04, 03, 02}" as indicator code changes before the elevator stops. The communication relay device 17 obtains the indicator code "02" for the floor where the car 3 has stopped. Based on the car button table, the communication relay device 17 sets "Index_from" to "4".

[0176] Then, as action O104, the communication relay device 17 overwrites the indicator code change in the downward direction in the column of the indicator code in the mapping table. The communication relay device 17 calculates "to" as "2" based on "from", "Index_from" and "Index_from".

[0177] Then, as action O105, the communication relay device 17 determines that there is a floor skipping based on the car button table.

[0178] like Figure 16 As shown, in action O106, the communication relay device 17 performs the lowest-level correction. Specifically, the communication relay device 17 inserts a "-" row, representing the value of "|Index_from-to|", into the lowest position of the mapping table.

[0179] Then, as action O107, the communication relay device 17 refers to the row with the connection status "-" in the car button table and writes "-" in the corresponding row of the floor value column of the mapping table.

[0180] Then, as action O108, the communication relay device 17 rewrites the floor management value column of the mapping table, starting from the bottom position, for each row except for "-", so that the floor management value becomes a consecutive number starting from "1".

[0181] Then, the communication relay device 17 terminates the manual update mode. Alternatively, the communication relay device 17 may not terminate the manual update mode but instead wait for new "from" and "to" calls. In this case, the operator can continuously perform the manual update mode without operating the switch.

[0182] Next, use Figure 17 The elevation difference correction performed on the communication relay device 17 is explained.

[0183] Figure 17 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation summary of the elevation difference correction of the communication relay device in Embodiment 1.

[0184] exist Figure 17The diagram illustrates the correction action performed by the height difference correction unit 28 when there is a difference in elevation between car 3 of "A" belonging to the same elevator group and car 3 of "B", which is another car 3, at the floors designated as stopping floors. The communication relay device 17 stores two mapping information entries, corresponding to car 3 of A and car 3 of B, respectively. For example, the communication relay device 17 initiates height difference correction based on operations performed by the operator.

[0185] In step S201, the elevation difference correction unit 28 of the communication relay device 17 sets the "index" to "1", the variable "a" to "0", and the variable "b" to "0". Here, variable "a" is the variable corresponding to device A. Variable "b" is the variable corresponding to device B.

[0186] Then, the action of step S202 is performed. In step S202, the height difference correction unit 28 determines whether the row corresponding to the "index" in the column of the floor management value in the mapping table corresponding to the updated mapping information of unit A is "-".

[0187] If, in step S202, it is determined that the row corresponding to the "index" is "-", then step S203 is performed. In step S203, the height difference correction unit 28 increments "a", that is, it adds 1 to the variable "a".

[0188] If, in step S202, it is determined that the row corresponding to the "index" is not "-", or if the action in step S203 has been performed, the action in step S204 is performed. In step S204, the elevation difference correction unit 28 determines whether the row corresponding to the "index" in the column of the floor management value in the mapping table corresponding to the update mapping information of unit B is "-".

[0189] If, in step S204, it is determined that the row corresponding to the "index" is "-", then step S205 is performed. In step S205, the height difference correction unit 28 increments "b", that is, it adds 1 to the variable "b".

[0190] If, in step S204, it is determined that the row corresponding to the "index" is not "-", or if the action in step S205 has been performed, the action in step S206 is performed. In step S206, the elevation difference correction unit 28 adds the value "a" to the value of the row corresponding to the "index" in the column of the floor management value in the mapping table that contains the updated mapping information corresponding to unit A, which is the first mapping information. However, if the row corresponding to the "index" is "-", the elevation difference correction unit 28 does not add the value "a" to that row. Similarly, in the column of the floor management value in the mapping table that contains the updated mapping information corresponding to unit B, the elevation difference correction unit 28 adds the value "b" to the value of the row corresponding to the "index". However, if the row corresponding to the "index" is "-", the elevation difference correction unit 28 does not add the value "b" to that row.

[0191] Then, the operation of step S207 is performed. In step S207, the height difference correction unit 28 increments the "index".

[0192] Then, step S208 is performed. In step S208, the height difference correction unit 28 determines whether there is a row in the mapping table corresponding to the "index", that is, whether there are more locations that are pointed out.

[0193] If it is determined in step S208 that there is a row in the mapping table corresponding to the "index", the height difference correction unit 28 repeatedly performs the actions after step S202.

[0194] If it is determined in step S208 that there is no row in the mapping table corresponding to the "index", the height difference correction unit 28 ends the height difference correction operation.

[0195] Next, use Figures 18 to 22 An example is given of the mapping table for updating mapping information in the action of creating a manual update mode.

[0196] Figures 18 to 22 This is a diagram showing an outline of an example of the manual update mode operation performed by the communication relay device of Embodiment 1.

[0197] exist Figure 18 In the table on the far left, we see the building structure for this example. The building has two elevators belonging to the same group: elevator car 3 ("A" car, designated as car 1) and elevator car 3 ("B" car, designated as car 2). Elevator car 3 stops on floors 1 through 5. Elevator car 3 stops on floors 2 (basement) through 5 (ground floor).

[0198] The third table from the left is a mapping table related to "Machine A". This mapping table is stored by the communication relay device 17 and is also shared by the robot 16, which acts as a collaborative device. In this mapping table, "01" for "indicator code" corresponds to "1" for "floor management value".

[0199] The fourth table from the left is a mapping table related to "Machine B". This mapping table is stored by the communication relay device 17 and is also shared by the robot 16, which acts as a collaborative device. In this mapping table, "01" for "indicator code" corresponds to "3" for "floor management value".

[0200] like Figure 18 As shown, when the correspondence between the "indicator code" and the "floor management value" in the mapping table corresponding to two cars 3 belonging to the same elevator group is different, there is a concern that the robot 16 may not be able to determine the correct floor position of car 3 even based on the floor management value from the communication relay device 17. This is because the communication relay device 17 sometimes sends the floor management value as the position of car 3 for each elevator group. Therefore, an elevation difference correction operation is required.

[0201] The height difference between the mapping table of "Unit A" and the mapping table of "Unit B" is 2. The height difference correction unit 28 of the communication relay device 17 performs height difference correction by adding 2 to each value of the floor management value of "Unit A".

[0202] In the operation of height difference correction, as action O201, the communication relay device 17 sets "index" to "1", "a" to "0", and "b" to "0".

[0203] exist Figure 19 In action O202, the communication relay device 17 increments "a" to "1". However, since the first row of the floor management value for "Unit A" is "-", no addition operation is performed. The communication relay device 17 increments the "index" to "2". At this time, "b" remains unchanged at "0".

[0204] exist Figure 20 In action O203, the communication relay device 17 increments "a" to "2". However, since the second row of the floor management value for "Unit A" is "-", no addition operation is performed. The communication relay device 17 increments the "index" to "3". At this time, "b" remains unchanged at "0".

[0205] exist Figure 21In action O204, since the "index" is "3", the communication relay device 17 adds the quantity "a" "2" to the floor management value of the third row below "Unit A", setting it to "3". At this time, the value of "a" corresponds to the floor number with the difference in elevation.

[0206] Then, perform the same action. That is, in Figure 22 In action O205, the communication relay device 17 increments the floor management value of "Unit A" by 2 each time the "index" is incremented. When there are no more rows in the mapping table, the communication relay device 17 ends the elevation difference correction operation.

[0207] Furthermore, even when the number of mapping tables compared based on the high-low difference correction is more than 2, the communication relay device 17 can still perform the high-low difference correction operation through the same processing.

[0208] According to Embodiment 1 described above, the elevator system includes an in-building control device 15 or robot 16 as a cooperating device, a control device 12, and a communication relay device 17. The communication relay device 17 includes a storage unit 20, a code acquisition unit 21, a notification unit 22, a car button detection unit 24, and a mapping update unit 27. The mapping update unit 27 creates updated mapping information based on the detection results of the car button detection unit 24 and the indicator codes acquired by the code acquisition unit 21. Therefore, in a device that relays communication between the cooperating device and the control device 12, the mapping information, which is used for information conversion during relay, can be updated. Furthermore, the installation load can be reduced.

[0209] Furthermore, based on the detection results of the car button detection unit 24, the communication relay device 17 establishes a correspondence between the indicator code obtained when it detects that the car button 8a has turned off from its lit state and the updated floor management value used to update the mapping information. Therefore, mapping information corresponding to the connection state of the car button 8a can be created.

[0210] Furthermore, the communication relay device 17 also includes a floor setting unit 26 and a call creation unit 23. In automatic update mode, the call creation unit 23 creates an updated call based on the floor set by the floor setting unit 26. Therefore, the communication relay device 17 can automatically update the mapping information. For example, when a new coordinating device and communication relay device 17 are installed in the elevator system, previously, mapping information corresponding to each car 3 had to be created manually. According to the communication relay device 17 of this embodiment, the mapping information is automatically created as updated mapping information. Therefore, the workload of operators can be reduced. Furthermore, installation work can be completed earlier.

[0211] Furthermore, as an automatic update mode, the communication relay device 17 sets designated floors as stop floors. After creating a call for the lowest floor, the communication relay device 17 sequentially creates calls for the floors above it. The communication relay device 17 determines whether the first code, which is the indicator code obtained when the car button 8a has turned off from the lit state, is included in the mapping table of the mapping information. If it is determined that the first code is not included in the mapping table, the communication relay device 17 appends the first code to the mapping table and assigns floor management values ​​in a consecutive sequence. Therefore, it is possible to create updated mapping information that includes indicator codes not included in the previous mapping information.

[0212] Furthermore, in automatic update mode, the communication relay device 17 determines a first interval from the lowest floor to the floor below, where the floors are those below the floor corresponding to the car button 8a that was initially turned off from its illuminated state. The communication relay device 17 sets a "-" symbol to not assign floor management values ​​to floors belonging to the first interval. Therefore, the communication relay device 17 is able to create update mapping information corresponding to the configuration of the car button 8a.

[0213] Furthermore, in automatic update mode, the communication relay device 17 designates the floors above the floors where the car button 8a was initially lit but not illuminated for calling the elevator as the second interval, and sets these floors to not be assigned floor management values. Therefore, even in cars 3 with skipped floors, updated mapping information can be created.

[0214] Additionally, the communication relay device 17 can also, in floor setting mode, cause the control device 12 to operate the car 3 for determining the set floor. In this case, the mode setting unit 25 sets the set floor determination mode by operating the mode change switch. The call creation unit 23 creates a call and sends it to the control device 12 such that the car 3 travels between the top and bottom floors of the building without stopping. The control device 12 responds to the call and moves the car 3. The code acquisition unit 21 acquires multiple indicator codes corresponding to the multiple floors sent by the control device 12. The floor setting unit 26 calculates the lower consecutive number, which is the number of indicator codes among the multiple indicator codes acquired by the code acquisition unit 21 that correspond to the floors consecutively starting from the bottom floor. The floor setting unit 26 calculates the upper consecutive number, which is the number of indicator codes among the multiple indicator codes acquired by the code acquisition unit 21 that correspond to the floors consecutively starting from the top floor. The floor setting unit 26 determines the larger of the upper consecutive number and the lower consecutive number. The floor setting unit 26 considers the consecutive floors corresponding to the larger of the upper consecutive number and the lower consecutive number as the set floors. For example, in automatic update mode, update mapping information is created based on the set floors set in the set floor mode.

[0215] When car 3 is traveling in floor setting mode, there is a possibility that the indicator display may jump during the period until car 3 reaches its maximum speed. The floor setting indicates the range in which such indicator jumps have not occurred. Therefore, in automatic update mode, updated mapping information can be created more accurately.

[0216] Furthermore, the communication relay device 17 performs a manual update mode. In manual update mode, the communication relay device 17 is configured not to assign floor management values ​​to floors between the first and second registered floors registered by the operator. Then, the communication relay device 17 creates updated mapping information by sequentially assigning floor management values ​​in a consecutive order. Therefore, for example, the operator can update the mapping information only for floors that differ from the current mapping information. Thus, the flexibility of the work process used for mapping updates can be improved.

[0217] Furthermore, the communication relay device 17 performs height difference correction for the first mapping information. Therefore, even if multiple cars 3 belonging to the same elevator group are set to stop at different floors, height difference correction can be performed automatically.

[0218] In addition, the communication relay device 17 is equipped with a mode change switch. Therefore, operators can easily switch between different modes.

[0219] Additionally, the floor setting unit 26 can determine the designated floor for each consecutive floor number corresponding to the smaller of the upper and lower consecutive numbers. The communication relay device 17 can also create and update mapping information while stopping the car 3 for each designated floor number.

Claims

1. A communication relay device that relays communication between a cooperating device and a control device, the cooperating device having the function of utilizing the elevator car in a building equipped with an elevator, the control device controlling the elevator car, the communication relay device comprising: The storage unit stores mapping information that establishes a correspondence between codes representing the names of floors in the building and floor management values, wherein the floor management values ​​are consecutive serial numbers assigned to floors designated for the car to stop at. The code acquisition unit acquires from the control device the code that is sent in a manner corresponding to the position of the car; The notification unit, based on the mapping information stored in the storage unit and the code obtained by the code acquisition unit, notifies the cooperating device of the floor management value as the position of the car; The car button detection unit detects whether each of the multiple car buttons installed in the car is in an on or off state. as well as The mapping update unit creates updated mapping information that updates the correspondence between the code and the floor management value based on the detection result of the car button detection unit and the code obtained by the code acquisition unit, and updates the mapping information stored in the storage unit with the updated mapping information.

2. The communication relay device according to claim 1, wherein, The mapping update unit establishes a correspondence between the code obtained by the code acquisition unit and the updated floor management value when the car button detection unit detects that any one of the plurality of car buttons has turned off from the lit state, thereby creating the updated mapping information.

3. The communication relay device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The communication relay device also includes: In automatic update mode, the floor setting unit sets a set floor in the building's floors for the elevator car to stop. as well as The elevator call creation unit creates and sends an elevator call to the control device by sequentially stopping at the designated floors set in the floor setting unit. This elevator call simulates the multiple car buttons making calls to the control device. In automatic update mode, the mapping update unit creates the update mapping information based on the detection result detected by the car button detection unit and the code obtained by the code acquisition unit when the car moves according to the call created by the call creation unit.

4. The communication relay device according to claim 3, wherein, In the automatic update mode, the floor setting unit sets each floor as the set floor, starting from the lowest floor of the building and moving upwards. After the call creation unit creates a call that simulates the multiple car buttons based on the floor settings set by the floor setting unit, and obtains a call that sets the lowest floor as the stop floor, it sequentially creates calls that set the floor above it as the stop floor. When the mapping update unit determines, as the automatic update mode, that any one of the multiple car buttons has turned off from the lit state and the first code obtained by the code acquisition unit is not included in the mapping information stored in the storage unit, the mapping update unit creates updated mapping information that, after appending the first code to the mapping information, sequentially assigns the floor management value from the bottom floor upwards.

5. The communication relay device according to claim 4, wherein, The communication relay device has a switch that enables the automatic update mode.

6. The communication relay device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, In the automatic update mode, the mapping update unit determines the floors belonging to the first interval. In the updated mapping information, the floors belonging to the first interval are set as floors that are not assigned the floor management value. The first interval is the interval from the lowest floor in the set floors to the floor below the floor corresponding to the floor of the car button that was initially turned off from the lit state.

7. The communication relay device according to claim 6, wherein, In the automatic update mode, the mapping update unit determines, from the lowest floor in the set floors to the floors above the floor corresponding to the floor where the car button among the plurality of car buttons was initially turned off from the lit state, the floors where the elevator call created by the elevator call creation unit is not lit, and sets the determined floors as floors without management values ​​in the update mapping information.

8. The communication relay device according to claim 3, wherein, As a floor-determining mode, the elevator call creation unit sends an elevator call to the control device, which enables the elevator car to travel between the lowest and highest floors of the building without stopping. The code acquisition unit acquires multiple codes corresponding to the car's position while the car is traveling between the lowest and highest floors in the set floor determination mode. The floor setting unit calculates the number of consecutive floor codes starting from the bottom floor and the number of consecutive floor codes starting from the top floor among the plurality of codes obtained by the code acquisition unit, and selects the consecutive floor corresponding to the larger of the number of consecutive floor codes starting from the bottom floor and the number of consecutive floor codes starting from the top floor as the set floor.

9. The communication relay device according to claim 8, wherein, The communication relay device has a switch that enables the set floor determination mode to be started.

10. The communication relay device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In manual update mode, the code acquisition unit acquires multiple codes from the control device during the period when the car travels between the first and second registered floors where calls from the plurality of car buttons are registered. In the manual update mode, the mapping update unit includes multiple codes obtained by the code acquisition unit in the update mapping information, and sets that no floor management value is assigned to the code corresponding to the first registered floor and the code corresponding to the second registered floor. Then, it sequentially assigns floor management values ​​from the bottom floor to the floors above, thereby creating the update mapping information.

11. The communication relay device according to claim 10, wherein, The communication relay device has a switch that enables the manual update mode.

12. The communication relay device according to claim 1, wherein, The communication relay device also includes a height difference correction unit. When a first car and a second car are present, the height difference correction unit performs height difference correction by adding the floor management value corresponding to the floor where the first car stops to the value in the first mapping information. The second car is set to stop at a floor that is lower than the first car by the height difference. The first mapping information is information that establishes a correspondence between the floor management value corresponding to the floor where the first car stops and the code.

13. An elevator system, wherein, The elevator system has the following features: A cooperative device that has the function of utilizing the elevator car in a building equipped with an elevator; Control device, which controls the car; and A communication relay device that relays communication between the cooperating device and the control device, and has the following features: The storage unit stores mapping information that establishes a correspondence between codes representing the names of floors in the building and floor management values, wherein the floor management values ​​are consecutive serial numbers assigned to floors designated for the car to stop at. The code acquisition unit acquires from the control device the code that is sent in a manner corresponding to the position of the car; The notification unit, based on the mapping information stored in the storage unit and the code obtained by the code acquisition unit, notifies the cooperating device of the floor management value as the position of the car; The car button detection unit detects whether each of the multiple car buttons installed in the car is in an on or off state. as well as The mapping update unit creates updated mapping information that updates the correspondence between the code and the floor management value based on the detection result of the car button detection unit and the code obtained by the code acquisition unit, and updates the mapping information stored in the storage unit with the updated mapping information.

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