Elevator system and elevator control method

Abstract

The present application provides an elevator system and an elevator control method, which realize detection of failure and position deviation of a non-contact sensor configured in an operation panel for registering a destination floor. The operation panel is provided with: a non-contact detection area for elevator operation by a non-contact sensor; a sensor check area for elevator operation without the non-contact sensor; and an input processing unit that detects coordinates of a reference object provided in the sensor check area by the non-contact sensor, and monitors the non-contact sensor based on the detected coordinates. The input processing unit performs processing for notifying the elevator control device of an abnormality of the non-contact sensor when it is determined based on the detected coordinates of the reference object that an abnormality has occurred in the non-contact sensor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an elevator system and an elevator control method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, in a car of an elevator, as an operation panel, a destination floor registration button that registers a destination floor is arranged, and an occupant who gets into the car performs an operation of pressing the destination floor registration button of a target floor. For example, when 10th floor is the target floor, the occupant performs an operation of pressing the destination floor registration button of 10th floor from among the destination floor registration buttons arranged on the operation panel. By pressing the destination floor registration button of 10th floor, the display color of the pressed destination floor registration button of 10th floor is changed to a color that is noticeable, and it is known that 10th floor is registered as the destination floor.

[0003] As a structure that makes such a conventional destination floor registration button advanced, a scheme is proposed in which a touch panel with a display function is arranged as an operation panel (operation panel) in the car. In addition, as an infectious disease countermeasure in recent years, a scheme is proposed in which a touch panel is replaced with a non-contact touch panel. The non-contact touch panel is provided with a non-contact sensor, and an operation is performed by the occupant approaching an object such as a finger to a button displayed on the display panel.

[0004] For example, in Patent Literature 1, a screen driving device is disclosed in which an effective area of an operation is set in a touch screen in correspondence with an operation part image of the touch screen, and when an operation to the inside of the effective area is detected after an operation to the outside of the effective area is detected, at least one of the set position of the effective area and the display position of the operation part image is corrected.

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-310739

[0006] However, the screen driving device described in Patent Literature 1 is able to correct the relative positional relationship (positional deviation) of the operation part image of the touch screen and the effective area, but it is not a structure that is able to detect a failure of the touch screen. In particular, a disconnection failure of the touch screen can be detected only in a state in which the occupant operates the touch screen, and cannot be detected without human intervention. Furthermore, the device described in Patent Literature 1 does not consider detection of a failure and a positional deviation of the non-contact sensor provided in the non-contact touch panel. SUMMARY

[0007] The present application was completed in view of the above-described circumstances, and aims to achieve detection of a failure and a positional deviation of a non-contact sensor arranged in an operation panel for registering a destination floor.

[0008] In order to solve the above-described problem, an elevator system of one embodiment of the present application is an elevator system that is provided with an operation panel that is able to register a destination floor using a non-contact sensor.

[0009] The operation panel includes a non-contact detection area for operating the elevator by a non-contact sensor, a sensor check area for not operating the elevator by the non-contact sensor, and an input processing section that detects coordinates of a reference object provided in the sensor check area by the non-contact sensor and monitors the non-contact sensor based on the detected coordinates.

[0010] Further, the input processing section performs processing for notifying the elevator control device of an abnormality of the non-contact sensor when it is determined based on the detected coordinates of the reference object that an abnormality has occurred in the non-contact sensor.

[0011] According to at least one embodiment of the present application, it is possible to detect a failure and a positional shift of a non-contact sensor provided in an operation panel for registering a destination floor.

[0012] The above and other objects, structures, and effects are apparent from the following description of the embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an elevator system of an embodiment of the present application.

[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a control terminal of an elevator system of an embodiment of the present application.

[0015] Figure 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a display panel in a car of an embodiment of the present application.

[0016] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a display example (numeric key input mode) of a display panel of an embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Figure 5 is a diagram showing a display example (floor button input mode) of a display panel of an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 6 is a diagram showing a display of a display panel of an embodiment of the present application and a change example thereof.

[0019] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of input processing of an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of registration processing of a destination floor of an embodiment of the present application (first half).

[0021] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of registration processing of a destination floor of an embodiment of the present application (second half).

[0022] Figure 10 is a diagram showing an outline of a monitoring method of a non-contact sensor disposed on a display panel used in an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a monitoring result of a non-contact sensor based on a specific coordinate of a reference object in an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a non-contact sensor setting process in an embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a non-contact sensor monitoring process in an embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a process when an abnormality occurs in a non-contact sensor in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, an example of a mode for carrying out the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present specification and the drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to constituent elements having substantially the same functions or structures, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0028] <Embodiment>

[0029] [Structure of elevator system]

[0030] Figure 1 A structure example of an elevator system of the first embodiment is shown.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1 , the elevator system of the present embodiment has an elevator control device 10 and a control terminal 20. The control terminal 20 has a function as a so-called destination floor registration device, and is disposed in a car 50 Figure 3 . In addition, the elevator control device 10 shown in Figure 1 has a structure related to the setting of a destination floor and a registration floor, and other structures such as the travel control of the car 50 are omitted.

[0032] The elevator control device 10 controls the travel (ascending / descending) of the car 50 by a hoist based on the operation of a car call button of a landing of each floor, the registration operation of a destination floor in the car 50.

[0033] The control terminal 20 is disposed in the car 50, and is configured to a display panel 41 Figure 3 having an input function disposed on an operation panel 40 Figure 3The display in the display panel 41, the sound output of the sound device 44, in which the operation panel 40 is provided in the car 50, is controlled. On the operation panel 40, in addition to the display panel 41, a noncontact sensor 43 for detecting a noncontact input of an object such as a finger of a user approaching the display panel 41 is arranged. That is, an operation panel that accepts selection of a destination floor by a noncontact operation to the noncontact sensor 43 is formed on the operation panel 40. The control terminal 20 detects a noncontact input to the display panel 41 by the noncontact sensor 43 and transmits an instruction to the elevator control device 10.

[0034] The display panel 41 has a destination floor registration area 41a and a registered floor display area 41b. In the following description, a case referred to as an input operation basically indicates a noncontact input operation, but can include an operation of directly touching the surface of the display panel 41 with a finger.

[0035] Further, the destination floor indicates a target floor on which a user who gets on the elevator car 50 gets off, and the registered floor indicates a floor registered in the elevator control device 10 as the destination floor. That is, the user inputs a target floor through the operation panel 40 in the car 50 to perform an operation of setting a destination floor, whereby the destination floor is registered in the elevator control device 10, and the display panel 41 displays the registered floor, and the car 50 stops at the registered floor. However, there is a case where the car 50 stops at a floor other than the registered floor due to a car call at a landing, or the like.

[0036] (Control system of control terminal)

[0037] The structure of the control system of the control terminal 20, which has an input processing section 21, an input information transmission section 22, a destination floor registration operation processing section 23, a registered floor display processing section 24, a sound output determination section 25, and a sensor monitoring result transmission section 26, will be described.

[0038] The input processing section 21 performs input processing of information on the detection state of a finger or the like by the noncontact sensor 43 to the display panel 41. In addition, the input processing section 21 determines which display site a finger or the like approaches and performs a noncontact operation in the display panel 41 with respect to the information on the detection state after the input processing. That is, the input processing section 21 detects a coordinate on the display panel 41 (for example, the destination floor registration area 41a) operated by a user based on an output signal from the noncontact sensor 43. Then, the input processing section 21 determines what kind of input operation (instruction or the like) is performed based on the detected coordinate on the display panel 41.

[0039] In addition, the input processing section 21 performs processing of monitoring the state of the noncontact sensor 43 and outputting a monitoring result to the sensor monitoring result transmission section 26.

[0040] The input information transmission section 22 performs input information transmission processing of transmitting information of the non-contact operation (contents of the input operation of the user to the operation panel 40) determined by the input processing section 21 to the elevator control device 10. The input processing section 21 can also have the function of the input information transmission section 22.

[0041] The destination floor registration operation processing section 23 determines whether the mode of the display screen of the destination floor registration area 41a of the display panel 41 is the floor selection mode or the numeral key input mode. Specific display examples of the floor selection mode and the numeral key input mode are described later ( Figures 4-6 ). The mode determination in the destination floor registration operation processing section 23 is performed based on an instruction from the elevator control device 10. The destination floor registration operation processing section 23 performs display processing of the registration floor display area 41b of the display panel 41 based on information transmitted from the elevator control device 10 according to the destination floor registration operation of the user. In addition, the destination floor registration operation processing section 23 performs processing of updating the display of the destination floor registration area 41a of the display panel 41 at a predetermined timing (for example, at a certain period).

[0042] The registration floor display processing section 24 receives information of the registration floor set by the elevator control device 10, and performs registration floor display processing of displaying the registration floor in the registration floor display area 41b of the display panel 41 in the order of the floors. In addition, the destination floor registration operation processing section 23 performs processing of updating the display of the registration floor display area 41b of the display panel 41 at a predetermined timing (for example, at a certain period).

[0043] In addition, the display processing of the destination floor registration operation processing section 23 and the registration floor display processing section 24 can also be performed based on information from the input processing section 21. The destination floor registration operation processing section 23 and the registration floor display processing section 24 acquire display information and perform display processing without the network between the elevator control device 10 and the control terminal 20, and thus the usability is high.

[0044] The sound output determination section 25 determines whether it is a timing to output a sound based on the input information from the input processing section 21, and outputs a sound from the sound device 44 provided to the operation panel 40 at the timing determined to output. As the sound output from the sound device 44, there are an operation sound indicating that an input operation is detected, various guide sounds for informing a passenger in the car 50, and the like. The determination of the timing to output a sound in the sound output determination section 25 is performed based on information from the elevator control device 10 and the situation of the control terminal 20.

[0045] In addition, the sound outputted by the sound device 44 for notification, such as an operation sound, can change at least one of a frequency, a volume, and a tone, and these changes are made in accordance with a condition set in advance. For example, the sound device 44 performs processing that changes at least one of a frequency, a volume, and a tone of an operation sound outputted in accordance with a time period.

[0046] The sensor monitoring result transmitting section 26 performs processing that transmits the monitoring result of the non-contact sensor 43 inputted from the input processing section 21 to the sensor monitoring result transmitting section 26 of the elevator control device 10.

[0047] (Control system of elevator control device)

[0048] The structure of the control system of the elevator control device 10 will be described. The elevator control device 10 is provided with an initial setting display information holding section 11, a display information processing section 12, a display information transmitting section 13, a destination floor registration / cancellation processing section 14, and an operation control section 15.

[0049] The initial setting display information holding section 11 holds initial setting display information of an elevator displayed in the destination floor registration area 41a of the display panel 41. The initial setting display information is, for example, information of a floor name of a destination floor (an entrance floor, a hall floor, a parking lot floor, and the like), an emergency operation target floor, a local operation target floor, and the like. The initial setting display information differs depending on a building in which the elevator is installed, a single elevator, and the like.

[0050] The display information processing section 12 performs display information processing that causes the display panel 41 to display a destination floor, a registration floor, based on the initial setting display information of the destination floor held by the initial setting display information holding section 11. Here, the display information processing section 12 is supplied with information of registration and cancellation of a destination floor from the destination floor registration / cancellation processing section 14. When there is registration or cancellation of a destination floor, the display information processing section 12 generates display information that reflects the information of the registration or cancellation, and outputs the display information to the display information transmitting section 13.

[0051] The display information transmitting section 13 transmits the display information obtained by the display information processing section 12 to the registration floor display processing section 24 and the destination floor registration operation processing section 23 of the control terminal 20.

[0052] The destination floor registration / cancellation processing section 14 receives input information from the input information transmitting section 22 of the control terminal 20, and determines registration or cancellation of a destination floor in the operation panel 40 of the car 50. Then, the destination floor registration / cancellation processing section 14 outputs a determination result regarding registration or cancellation of a destination floor to the display information processing section 12.

[0053] The operation control unit 15 operates based on the car call buttons at each floor station and the control panel 40 inside the car 50. Figure 3 The operation control unit 15 controls the elevator operation by performing the destination floor registration operation. For example, the operation control unit 15 obtains the determination result of the destination floor registration / cancellation performed via the operation panel 40 from the destination floor registration / cancellation processing unit 14, and controls the travel (lifting) of the car 50 via the hoist based on the determination result. Then, the operation control unit 15 outputs operation information related to the operation of the car 50, such as the current operation mode and the position of the car 50 in the building (shaft), to the display information processing unit 12. The display information processing unit 12 reflects the operation information obtained from the operation control unit 15 in the display information processing. For example, based on the latest operation information, the registration floor column 107 (in the registration floor display area 41b) is displayed. Figure 4 Remove floor number 50 where the car stops.

[0054] In addition, the operation control unit 15 performs the process of sending the monitoring results of the non-contact sensor 43, which are sent from the sensor monitoring result sending unit 26 of the control terminal 20, to an information terminal (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as "maintenance personnel terminal") assigned to the maintenance personnel via the network.

[0055] [Hardware structure of the control terminal]

[0056] Figure 2 This shows an example of the hardware structure when a computer constitutes the control terminal 20.

[0057] The control terminal 20 is constructed using a computer device 30. The computer device 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30a, a main storage unit 30b, a non-volatile storage device 30c, a network interface 30d, an input unit 30e, and an output unit 30f, all of which are connected to a bus.

[0058] CPU 30a is an arithmetic processing unit that reads and executes program code from main memory 30b or non-volatile memory device 30c to implement the functions performed by control terminal 20.

[0059] CPU 30a reads program code from main memory 30b or non-volatile memory 30c, performs arithmetic processing in the working area of ​​main memory 30b, thereby constructing various processing function units in main memory 30b. That is, various processing function units are constructed in main memory 30b. Figure 1 The input processing unit 21, the destination layer registration operation processing unit 23, the registration layer display processing unit 24, and the sound output determination unit 25 shown are all processing units.

[0060] The nonvolatile storage device 30c uses, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a memory card, or the like as a large-capacity information storage medium. In the nonvolatile storage device 30c, software for implementing the functions of the terminal 20, data obtained by executing the program, and data necessary for display screen setting are stored.

[0061] The network interface 30d uses, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like, and performs transmission and reception of data with other devices such as the elevator control device 10 via the network interface 30d. For example, the functions of the input information transmission unit 22 and the sensor monitoring result transmission unit 26 are implemented using the network interface 30d.

[0062] The input unit 30e performs input processing of information related to the detection state of the noncontact sensor 43.

[0063] The output unit 30f performs processing of supplying display data to the destination floor registration area 41a and the registered floor display area 41b of the display panel 41. In addition, the output unit 30f outputs sound data to the sound device 44.

[0064] Further, as with the terminal 20, the hardware structure of the elevator control device 10 can also be implemented using the computer device 30. In this case, the CPU 30a of the computer device 30 included in the elevator control device 10 executes program codes of software for implementing the functions performed by the elevator control device 10, whereby each processing unit such as the display information processing unit 12 and the destination floor registration / cancel processing unit 14 is constituted in the main storage unit 30b. Figure 1 In addition, the functions of the display information transmission unit 13 are implemented using the network interface 30d.

[0065] Further, the computer shown in Figure 2 The fact that the terminal 20 and the elevator control device 10 are constituted by the computer is one example, and the terminal 20 and the elevator control device 10 can also be constituted by other arithmetic processing devices other than the computer. For example, a part or all of the functions performed by the terminal 20 can also be implemented by hardware such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0066] Moreover, as with the control terminal 20, the hardware structure of the maintenance person terminal can also be implemented using the computer device 30. In this case, the CPU 30a of the computer device 30 possessed by the maintenance person terminal executes program codes of software for implementing functions performed by the maintenance person terminal, thereby constituting a processing section of the sensor monitoring result display function and the like.

[0067] [Arrangement of display panel in car]

[0068] Figure 3 An example in which a display panel 41 is provided in the car 50 possessed by the elevator system of the present embodiment is shown.

[0069] Figure 3 is a view of the vicinity of a door 51 of the car 50 as viewed from the inside of the car 50. A door-side plate 52 and 53 are arranged on the left and right sides of the door 51. Here, the door-side plate 53 on the right side of the door 51 is provided with an operation panel 40.

[0070] The display panel 41, a non-contact sensor 43, and a sound device 44 are arranged on the operation panel 40. As described above, the non-contact sensor 43 detects a finger or the like approaching the surface of the display panel 41 within a predetermined distance.

[0071] In addition, a card reader 32 is arranged on the lower side of the display panel 41 of the operation panel 40. This card reader 32 is used, for example, in the case where an IC card held by a passenger is authenticated and a floor for which security is set is registered as a destination floor.

[0072] The display panel 41 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, and is arranged in a longitudinal direction in a size that fits in the lateral width of the door-side plate 53. As explained in the display examples described later, the display panel 41 can display characters, numerals, and various graphics. The non-contact sensor 43 is composed of, for example, an infrared sensor, and is arranged at the left end of the display panel 41 to detect a case where a finger or the like approaches the surface of the display panel 41.

[0073] In the example of Figure 3 , the non-contact sensor 43 is arranged in a state of slightly protruding from the surface of the display panel 41, and can scan the surface of the display panel 41 using a sensor wave (scanning line) of infrared or the like.

[0074] The non-contact sensor 43 detects an object such as a finger approaching to the surface of the display panel 41 to several centimeters to several millimeters or so, for example, based on the reflection condition of infrared rays. At this time, the non-contact sensor 43 also detects the coordinate position of the approach of the finger or the like on the display panel 41. Further, it is one example that the infrared sensor is used as the non-contact sensor 43, and the sensor using a means other than infrared rays can also be used to detect the object such as a finger approaching to the surface of the display panel 41.

[0075] The sound device 44 is disposed, for example, above the display panel 41, and outputs an operation sound, various guide sounds, and the like from a built-in speaker. As shown in Figure 3 Fig. 6, it is one example that the sound device 44 is disposed on the operation panel 40, and the sound device 44 can be disposed at other positions in the car 50. For example, the sound device 44 can be disposed on the ceiling of the car 50. Further, as the sound device 44, a circuit portion performing a process related to sound output and a speaker can be separated, and the circuit portion can be disposed on the operation panel 40, and only the speaker can be disposed at an arbitrary position in the car.

[0076] Further, the non-contact sensor 43 can also detect the approach of a finger based on an electrostatic capacity value. The non-contact sensor detecting the electrostatic capacity value is, for example, integrally assembled in the display panel 41.

[0077] In the example of Figure 3 Fig. 6, the state that the display panel 41 and the non-contact sensor 43 are provided as the operation panel 40 is shown, but for example, a button indicating opening and closing of the door, an emergency reporting button, and the like can be disposed in the vicinity of the display panel 41. Alternatively, a button indicating opening and closing of the door, an emergency reporting button can be displayed on the display panel 41.

[0078] Further, it is one example that the operation panel 40 and the display panel 41 are disposed on the door jamb 53 on the right side of the door 51, and the operation panel 40 and the display panel 41 can be disposed on the door jamb 52 on the left side of the door 51. In this case, the operation panel 40 and the display panel 41 can be disposed on either one of the door jambs 52 or 53, or the operation panel 40 and the display panel 41 can be disposed on both of the door jambs 52 and 53. Further, in the case that the operation panel 40 and the display panel 41 are disposed on both of the door jambs 52 and 53, a touch panel detecting a touch operation of a passenger, a button, or the like can be provided with respect to either one of the operation panels 40.

[0079] [Display mode of display panel]

[0080] Next, the display mode of the display panel 41 will be described with reference to Figures 4-6 to the display panel 41 will be described.

[0081] As already described, the display panel 41 has a destination floor registration area 41a and a registration floor display area 41b. As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the destination floor registration area 41a is arranged in the right area of the display panel 41, and the registration floor display area 41b is arranged in the left area of the display panel 41. The registration floor display area 41b is a relatively narrow area where the values of the registration floors can be displayed in one (or two) vertical columns, and the remaining area all becomes the destination floor registration area 41a.

[0082] In addition, the sizes of the destination floor registration area 41a and the registration floor display area 41b can also be variable. Hereinafter, various display modes will be described in detail with reference to Figures 4-6 details.

[0083] In the case of this embodiment, a numeric keypad input mode and a floor selection mode are prepared in the input mode of the destination floor.

[0084] (Numeric Keypad Input Mode)

[0085] Figure 4 The display shown is an example of the display in the numeric keypad input mode. The numeric keypad input mode is a mode in which the destination floor registration area 41a displays numeric keys, and the user inputs the floor as a numerical value.

[0086] That is, in the destination floor registration area 41a, floor input buttons 101, a registration button 102, an input floor 103, a cancel button 104, an input guide 105, and a screen switching button 106 are displayed, which are composed of ten numeric buttons from 0, 1, 2, 3, …, 9 and a “B” button indicating the basement.

[0087] In Figure 4 the example, it shows the state where the finger is close to “6” in the floor input button 101, and “6” is displayed in the column of the input floor 103.

[0088] In the input guide 105, a display is made to prompt the operation with the Japanese sentence “行き先階を入力してください (Please input the destination floor)”, and the same display is also made with the English sentence “please select a destination floor”.

[0089] In the input floor 103, the value input through the floor input button 101, “B” is displayed. When a numeric button is pressed after the “B” button, a display indicating the basement floor, such as “B1”, is made.

[0090] In addition, even when a two-digit numerical input operation is performed, or when a numerical input operation is performed after "B", if a floor where the elevator does not stop (a floor that does not exist in the building) is input, the operation is invalid, and the input floor is not displayed in the input floor 103.

[0091] The registration button 102 is a button that determines the floor displayed in the input floor 103 as the registration floor.

[0092] The cancel button 104 is used to perform an operation to cancel the floor displayed in the input floor 103. This cancel button 104 can always be displayed, but it can also be displayed only when there is a floor input in the input floor 103 through the operation of the floor input button 101.

[0093] The screen switching button 106 is displayed in Japanese and English as "主要階のご利用 / To main floors (go to main floors)", and the display is switched to the floor selection mode display of the button that displays the main floors through the input operation of this button.

[0094] In the registration floor display area 41b, as Figure 4 shown, the registration floor column 107 is vertically displayed as a single column. When nothing is displayed in the registration floor display area 41b, it means that there is no registration of a registration floor.

[0095] In the registration floor column 107, based on the arrangement of the floors in the actual building, the registration floors of the floors with smaller numerical values are displayed in ascending order from the bottom. Since the display of the registration floor column 107 is based on the arrangement of the floors in the actual building, for the basement floors, the larger the floor numerical value, the lower the floor.

[0096] Figure 4 The example of

[0097] shows a situation where 10 registration floors are registered, indicating that the registration floor column 107 of 10 floors is displayed using substantially the entire registration floor display area 41b.

[0098] In addition, when the number of registration floors is small, for example, the registration floors are compactly displayed starting from the lower side of the registration floor display area 41b. For example, when the registration floors are "Floor 6" and "Floor 10", in the registration floor display area 41b, they are compactly displayed as "6" and "10" from the bottom.

[0099] However, the compact display from the lower side is an example. For example, the registration floors can also be displayed roughly gathered in the center, or the registration floors can be compactly displayed from the upper side.

[0100] The display of the registration floor display area 41b is the same in both the floor selection mode and the numeric keypad input mode.

[0101] (Floor selection mode)

[0102] Figure 5 The display shown is an example of the display in the floor selection mode. In this floor selection mode, candidate buttons representing the destination floors are directly displayed in the destination floor registration area 41a, and the registration floor is directly set by operating these buttons.

[0103] For example, in the destination floor registration area 41a, destination floor buttons 111 representing the main floors of the building, a screen switching button 112, and an input guide 105 are displayed.

[0104] In Figure 5 's example, as the destination floor buttons 111, only buttons for the main floors with high stop frequencies, namely the 1st floor (entrance floor), 2nd floor (lobby floor), B1 floor (4th parking lot), B2 floor (3rd parking lot), B3 floor (2nd parking lot), and B4 floor (1st parking lot), are displayed. When an input operation is performed with a finger or the like approaching these destination floor buttons 111, the floor displayed on the operated button is directly determined as the registration floor without performing a confirmation operation or the like.

[0105] In the screen switching button 112, it is displayed in Japanese and English as "一般階のご利用 / To all floors (go to all floors)", and by operating this screen switching button 112, the display switches to the display of the floor input mode with buttons such as numeric keypads displayed ( Figure 4 ).

[0106] In the input guide 105, a display is made to prompt the operation with the Japanese sentence "行き先階を入力してください (Please enter the destination floor)", and the same display is also made in English as "please select a destination floor".

[0107] Regarding the display of the registration floor display area 41b, the displays in the floor selection mode and the numeric keypad input mode are the same.

[0108] In addition, the display of the destination floor buttons 111 for the main floors in the floor selection mode is an example. For example, buttons for all floors can also be displayed as the destination floor buttons 111.

[0109] (Switching of screen modes)

[0110] Next, an explanation will be given of Figure 6 the display of the destination floor registration area 41a shown and its change examples. This Figure 6The display changes shown represent an example of switching screen modes through manual operation by the operator.

[0111] For example, in the default screen is Figure 6 When the floor selection mode shown in the upper left corner is displayed as M11, the destination floor button 111 of the main floor is displayed in the default screen. This default screen is, for example, the initial screen when the car door 51 is opened with no registered floor set.

[0112] Here, in Figure 6 The top left corner shows the destination floor button 111. On the default screen shown in M11, a finger approaches the screen switching button 112 and selects it. At this point, the default screen changes to... Figure 6 The upper right corner of the display is shown as M12. In display M12, the display color of the screen switching button 112, which is near a finger, changes, indicating to the user that the button has been operated.

[0113] In changing the display color of this button, it is preferable to change it to a brighter color, making it appear as if the button is lit. Furthermore, this illustration shows the state where the screen switching button 112 has been operated, but the display of other buttons besides the screen switching button 112 will also change when a finger or other object approaches them.

[0114] When in Figure 6 When the screen switching button 112 is operated in the upper right display M12, the destination layer registration area 41a is as shown. Figure 6 The display in the lower right corner, similar to M13, has been changed to a numeric keypad input mode that displays the floor input button 101 and the registration button 102.

[0115] By registering the destination layer in this numeric keypad input mode, such as Figure 6 As shown in the lower left of display M14, registration layer column 107 is displayed in registration layer display area 41b. Figure 6 The example in the lower left shows the state where the finger approaches the floor input button 101 in sequence with the numbers "1" and "9", and the column for the entered floor 103 shows "19". It also shows the state where 9 registration floors (registration floor column 107) are registered in the registration floor display area 41b in display M14.

[0116] Furthermore, by operating the screen switching button 106 in this numeric keypad input mode, the destination layer registration area 41a changes to... Figure 6 The top left corner shows the floor selection mode for M11.

[0117] [Processing performed by the control terminal]

[0118] Next, with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The processing performed in the control terminal 20 for the display of the display panel 41 explained so far will be described.

[0119] (Input processing in floor button input mode)

[0120] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of input processing performed by the input processing section 21 of the control terminal 20. This flowchart is an example when the display mode of the destination floor registration area 41a of the display panel 41 Figure 7 ) is the floor button input mode.

[0121] First, the input processing section 21 determines whether or not the non-contact sensor 43 has detected the approach of an object (finger) to the destination floor registration area 41a of the display panel 41 (step S701). In step S701, when the approach of an object to the destination floor registration area 41a has not been detected (NO in step S701), the input processing section 21 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0122] Then, in step S701, when the approach of an object to the destination floor registration area 41a has been detected (YES in step S701), the input processing section 21 determines whether or not the area where the approach of an object has been detected is an operation button within the destination floor registration area 41a (step S702). In step S702, when the area where the approach of an object has been detected is not an operation button (NO in step S702), the input processing section 21 waits until the approach of an object to an operation button is detected.

[0123] Then, in step S702, when the area where the approach of an object has been detected is an operation button (YES in step S702), the input processing section 21 causes the sound device 44 of the operation panel 40 to sound an operation sound via the sound output determination section 25 (step S703). Next, the input processing section 21 determines whether or not the approach of an object is for a predetermined time or more (step S704). The sounding of an operation sound in step S703 is a short-time sound output for informing the user that the operation has been accepted.

[0124] In addition, the output of an operation sound in this step S703 is performed at a stage where the operation has not been determined. That is, the output of an operation sound is performed before the input information transmission section 22 transmits operation information based on approach detection to the elevator control device 10.

[0125] In step S704, when the approach of the object is not for a predetermined time or more ("No" in step S704), the input processing part 21 repeatedly performs the determination of step S704. The predetermined time here is set to 0.3 seconds or the like, for example, which is assumed to be a time for which operation is continued at a minimum when operating with a finger or the like. Thus, it is possible to exclude the case where the display panel 41 is approached by mistake by a finger or the like.

[0126] In step S704, when the approach of the object is not for a predetermined time or more ("No" in step S704), the input processing part 21 repeatedly performs the determination of step S704. The predetermined time here is set to 0.3 seconds or the like, for example, which is assumed to be a time for which operation is continued at a minimum when operating with a finger or the like. Thus, it is possible to exclude the case where the display panel 41 is approached by mistake by a finger or the like.

[0127] After that, the input processing part 21 determines whether or not the approach of the object (finger) from the infrared of the non-contact sensor 43 is detected (step S706). In step S706, when the approach of the object is not detected ("No" in step S706), the input processing part 21 repeatedly performs the detection of the approach of the object.

[0128] Then, in step S706, when the approach of the object is detected ("Yes" in step S706), the control terminal 20 restores the luminance or color of the light emission of the operation button so that the operation button selected by the non-contact operation becomes in the off state (step S707).

[0129] Then, the input processing part 21 determines whether or not the selected operation button that is lit in step S705 is other than the screen switching button (step S708). In step S708, when the selected operation button that is lit is other than the screen switching button ("Yes" in step S708), the input information sending part 22 sends information of the selected operation button to the elevator control device 10 (step S709).

[0130] In addition, in step S708, when the selected operation button that is lit is the screen switching button ("Yes" in step S708), the control terminal 20 switches the display mode of the destination floor registration area 41a to the numeric key input mode (step S710).

[0131] After the processing of steps S709 and S710, the processing of the present flowchart ends, but the input processing part 21 executes the processing of steps S701 to S710 of the present flowchart at a certain cycle.

[0132] (Input processing in the numeric key input mode)

[0133] Figure 8 and Figure 9is an example of a flowchart showing registration processing of a destination floor by the input processing section 21 and the destination floor registration operation processing section 23 of the control terminal 20 (the first half). Figure 8 is connected to the conjunction A of Figure 9 . This flowchart is an example when the display mode of the destination floor registration area 41a of the display panel 41 Figure 7 ) is the numeric key input mode.

[0134] First, the destination floor registration operation processing section 23 determines whether there is a destination floor being displayed while being input (step S801). That is, the destination floor registration operation processing section 23 determines whether there is a display of an input floor 103 such as the display M14. Figure 6

[0135] In step S801, when there is a destination floor being input displayed (YES in step S801), the destination floor registration operation processing section 23 displays a cancel button 104 Figure 4 ) (step S802).

[0136] Then, in the case where there is no destination floor being input displayed in step S801 (NO in step S801), or after the cancel button 104 is displayed in step S802, the input processing section 21 determines whether the non-contact sensor 43 detects an approach of an object (finger) to the destination floor registration area 41a of the display panel 41 (step S803). In step S801, when an approach of an object to the destination floor registration area 41a is not detected (NO in step S803), the input processing section 21 ends the processing.

[0137] Then, in step S803, when an approach of an object to the destination floor registration area 41a is detected (YES in step S803), the input processing section 21 determines whether the area where the approach of the object is detected is an operation button within the destination floor registration area 41a (step S804). In step S804, in the case where the area where the approach of the object is detected is not an operation button (NO in step S804), the input processing section 21 waits until an approach of an object to an operation button is detected.

[0138] Then, in step S804, in the case where the area where the approach of the object is detected is an operation button (YES in step S804), the input processing section 21 causes the sound device 44 of the operation panel 40 to sound an operation sound via the sound output determination section 25 (step S805). Next, the input processing section 21 determines whether the approach of the object is for a predetermined time or more (step S806).

[0139] ​In addition, the output of the operation sound in step S805 is performed at a stage where the operation has not been determined. That is, the output of the operation sound is performed before the input information transmission section 22 transmits operation information based on the proximity detection to the elevator control device 10.

[0140] In step S806, when the proximity of the object is not for the predetermined time or more (NO in step S806), the input processing section 21 repeatedly performs the determination of step S806.

[0141] In step S806, when the proximity of the object is detected for the predetermined time or more (YES in step S806), the control terminal 20 changes the display brightness or the display color of the operation button so that the operation button selected by the non-contact operation becomes in the lighted state (step S807).

[0142] Next, as shown in Figure 9 step S808, the input processing section 21 determines whether or not the object (finger) is detected to be detached from the infrared rays (detection area) of the non-contact sensor 43. In step S808, when the detachment of the object is not detected (NO in step S808), the input processing section 21 repeatedly performs the detection of the detachment of the object.

[0143] Then, when the detachment of the object is detected in step S808 (YES in step S808), the control terminal 20 restores the light emission brightness or the light emission color of the operation button so that the operation button selected by the non-contact operation becomes in the unlighted state (step S809).

[0144] Then, the input processing section 21 determines whether or not the selected operation button lighted in step S807 is other than the screen switching button (step S810). In step S810, when the selected operation button lighted is other than the screen switching button (YES in step S810), the control terminal 20 displays the floor of the selected operation button in the input floor 103 Figure 4 ) of the destination floor registration area 41a (step S811). Further, the processes of steps S803 to S810 are the same as the processes of steps S701 to S708 of Figure 7

[0145] In addition, in step S810, when the selected operation button is the screen switching button (NO in step S810), the destination floor registration operation processing section 23 switches the display mode of the destination floor registration area 41a to the floor button input mode (step S816). Then, after the screen switching in step S816, the process is ended.

[0146] Further, after the floor of the selected operation button is displayed in step S811, the input processing section 21 determines whether or not the registration button 102 Figure 4 ​The operation (step S812).

[0147] If operation of the registration button 102 is detected in step S812 (Yes in step S812), the input information sending unit 22 sends the information of the selected operation button to the elevator control device 10 (step S813). After that, the control terminal 20 clears the display of the entered floor 103 in the destination floor registration area 41a (step S814) and ends the process.

[0148] Additionally, if no operation of the registration button 102 is detected in step S812 (No in step S812), the input processing unit 21 determines whether the cancel button 104 is detected. Figure 4 If the operation of the cancel button 104 is detected in step S815 ("Yes" in step S815), the process proceeds to step S814, and the control terminal 20 clears the display of the entered floor 103.

[0149] Furthermore, if no operation of the cancel button 104 is detected in step S815 (No in step S815), the control terminal 20 ends the processing.

[0150] After the processing in steps S814 and S816, Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 The processing of the flowchart shown ends, but the input processing unit 21 executes the processing of this flowchart at a certain cycle.

[0151] [Status monitoring of non-contact sensors]

[0152] Next, refer to Figure 10 as well as Figure 11 The status monitoring of a non-contact sensor 43 configured on a display panel 41 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0153] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the monitoring method of the non-contact sensor 43. Figure 10 The text shows the relationship with... Figure 3 The control panel 40 shown has the same structure. That is, the control panel 40 includes a display panel 41 and a non-contact sensor 43 (infrared sensor) that utilizes infrared light. Here, the display mode of the destination floor registration area 41a is the floor button input mode.

[0154] The non-contact sensor 43 is configured of a plurality of light sources (omitted from the drawing) that emit infrared rays and the like and a corresponding plurality of light receivers, and is arranged in the longitudinal direction on the side (for example, the left side) of the display panel 41. The plurality of light sources are arranged at predetermined intervals. Similarly, the plurality of light receivers are also arranged at predetermined intervals. For example, in the case of an infrared ray sensor of the reflection type, around the operation surface, the infrared ray LEDs as the light sources and the light receivers that receive infrared rays reflected by an object are arranged with a thickness in the direction perpendicular to the operation surface.

[0155] The non-contact sensor 43 is provided with a printed board 43s Figure 1 ) on which a circuit that performs drive control of the light sources (output of sensor waves such as infrared rays) and processing of signals from the light receivers is formed. The printed board 43s outputs an output signal including the result of the signal processing to the input processing section 21.

[0156] Here, within the car 50, dust, dirt, and the like sometimes fly around near the operation surface due to the blowing in of wind at the time of door opening, the entry of a person, and the like, and the non-contact sensor 43 temporarily generates a reaction. Therefore, it is preferable to implement processing that invalidates the temporary sensor reaction in the printed board 43s and the input processing section 21. For example, in the case where the printed board 43s or the input processing section 21 receives input from the non-contact sensor 43 at a period of 10 ms, if the sensor input is not on for 40 ms or more continuously, the input data is discarded. In addition, a case where the on state of the sensor input continues due to a temporary failure of the non-contact sensor 43 is also assumed. Therefore, it is preferable that, in the case where the on state of the sensor input continues for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), the input processing section 21 issues a reset command to the non-contact sensor 43, and the non-contact sensor 43 is restarted. However, in the case where an object is placed near the operation surface, and the like, since the restart of the non-contact sensor 43 is repeated, it is preferable that the restart be performed up to a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times continuously).

[0157] In the example of Figure 10 , a plurality of infrared ray LEDs emit infrared rays L from the left side of the display panel 41 toward the right side. The infrared rays L are emitted in parallel with the surface (operation surface) of the display panel 41, and at a predetermined distance of several millimeters to several centimeters or so from the surface. The plurality of infrared rays L emitted from the non-contact sensor 43 are distributed in a planar manner on the upper side of the operation surface of the display panel 41.

[0158] Furthermore, information (sensor input) of the state of detection of non-contact of a user's finger and the like in the non-contact sensor 43 is input to the control terminal 20, respectively. Then, information of the non-contact operation determined by the control terminal 20 is transmitted to the elevator control device 10. The input processing section 21 of the control terminal 20 Figure 1) The coordinates of an object such as a finger on the display panel 41 are detected by processing signals from a plurality of light receivers. The elevator control device 10 sends display information to the control terminal 20 based on operation information of the user received from the control terminal 20. Then, the control terminal 20 performs screen output to the display panel 41 based on the display information received from the elevator control device 10.

[0159] In addition, an example in which an infrared sensor is used in the non-contact sensor 43 is described, but the example is not limited thereto. For example, the non-contact sensor 43 can be configured using an electric wave (an example of an electromagnetic wave) of a millimeter wave band or the like, an ultrasonic wave.

[0160] In the present embodiment, the detection area of the non-contact sensor 43 is divided into a non-contact operation area Al corresponding to the surface (operation surface) of the display panel 41 and a sensor check area A2 for performing state monitoring of the non-contact sensor 43. In the sensor check area A2, a reference object 120 is disposed on the side (right side) opposite to the side (for example, left side) on which the non-contact sensor 43 is disposed, and is disposed in a manner opposite to the non-contact sensor 43 across the sensor check area A2. The reference object 120 is an object that becomes a criterion for judgment in terms of performing state monitoring of the non-contact sensor 43. The reference object 120 is a protrusion formed of a material that reflects a sensor wave (infrared, millimeter wave, or ultrasonic wave, or the like). In addition, since the car 50 of the elevator is a moving object, several millimeters or so of error occur due to vibration at the time of running, departure / arrival, and further due to the installation method of the non-contact sensor 43, deterioration with age, and maintenance conditions. Therefore, it is preferable to perform state monitoring of the non-contact sensor 43 taking the error into consideration.

[0161] The non-contact sensor 43 receives reflected light of infrared indicated by an arrow to detect a finger that is to select a destination floor button 111a displayed in the destination floor registration area 41a by non-contact operation. In addition, the non-contact sensor 43 receives reflected light of infrared projected to the reference object 120 to detect the position (coordinates) of the reference object 120. In Figure 10 In the present embodiment, the horizontal direction of the display panel 41 is set as the X coordinates, and the vertical direction is set as the Y coordinates. Coordinate data of the detected reference object 120 is sent from the non-contact sensor 43 to the input processing section 21 of the control terminal 20. Figure 1

[0162] In the operation of the non-contact sensor 43, the coordinates of the reference object 120 are detected at a certain cycle. If the operation of the non-contact sensor 43 and the relative positional relationship of the non-contact sensor 43 to the display panel 41 (destination floor registration area 41a) are normal, the coordinates of the reference object 120 obtained by the non-contact sensor 43 converge within a range that is assumed in advance. In the present embodiment, the coordinates within the assumed range are referred to as "specific coordinates".​

[0163] The input processing section 21 of the control terminal 20 monitors the state of the non-contact sensor 43 using the coordinates of the reference object 120. If the relative positional relationship (e.g., position, angle, distance) of the non-contact sensor 43 to the reference object 120 changes, the sensor wave (amount of reflected light, etc.) received by the non-contact sensor 43 changes according to the positional relationship. Therefore, the change in the sensor wave is detected by the plurality of light receivers of the non-contact sensor 43. Then, in the case where an abnormality is confirmed in the non-contact sensor 43, the sensor monitoring result transmission section 26 of the control terminal 20 notifies the elevator control device 10 of the occurrence of the abnormality. The elevator control device 10 remotely notifies the maintenance personnel (e.g., a trouble report) and implements early recovery of the non-contact sensor 43 in order to suppress the influence on the operation of the elevator to be small. Hereinafter, examples of the abnormality generated in the non-contact sensor 43 are shown. Figure 1 ) of the control terminal 20 notifies the elevator control device 10 of the occurrence of the abnormality. The elevator control device 10 remotely notifies the maintenance personnel (e.g., a trouble report) and implements early recovery of the non-contact sensor 43 in order to suppress the influence on the operation of the elevator to be small. Hereinafter, examples of the abnormality generated in the non-contact sensor 43 are shown.

[0164] Figure 11 Examples of the monitoring result of the non-contact sensor 43 based on the specific coordinates of the reference object 120 are shown.

[0165] (1) In the case where the specific coordinates of the reference object 120 cannot be detected, it is determined that a "sensor disconnection failure" has occurred. The sensor disconnection failure is a failure in which the sensor remains disconnected although it should be connected.

[0166] (2) In the case where the specific coordinates of the reference object 120 are at a position (out of the assumed range) other than the expected position, it is determined that a "sensor position shift has occurred". For example, in the example of FIG. 10, the position of the non-contact sensor 43 is shifted to the lower side with respect to the display panel 41 (the destination floor registration area 41a), and thus the returning position of the reflected light from the reference object 120 is displaced in the Y direction. Figure 11

[0167] (3) In the case where the specific coordinates of the reference object 120 cannot be detected within the predetermined range (e.g., the sensor check area A2) of the detection area of the non-contact sensor 43, but there is an input from the non-contact operation area Al, it is determined that a "sensor detection abnormality" has occurred.

[0168] Further, in the examples of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the non-contact operation area Al is set on the upper side of the detection area, and the sensor check area A2 is set on the lower side of the detection area, but the configuration of the two areas can be reversed. As in the example of FIG. 11, the non-contact operation area Al can be set on the lower side of the detection area, and the sensor check area A2 can be set on the upper side of the detection area. Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 3 ​​​As shown, the non-contact sensor 43 and the reference object 120 (not shown) are mounted around (inner wall) the recess with a quadrilateral opening formed in the side panel 53 of the door. Therefore, when the sensor inspection area A2 is positioned above the detection area of ​​the non-contact sensor 43, dust and debris are less likely to accumulate on the reference object 120 compared to when it is positioned below the detection area. As a result, the accuracy of the status monitoring of the non-contact sensor 43 can be suppressed.

[0169] [Non-contact sensor setting processing]

[0170] Next, refer to Figure 12 An example of a non-contact sensor setting process according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0171] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a non-contact sensor setting process. This non-contact sensor setting process is preferably performed by a responsible person (e.g., the system designer or the architect of the project) before the elevator system is delivered to the building, i.e., before factory shipment. A PC (Personal Computer) equipped with a setting application is connected to the non-contact sensor 43 (printed substrate 43s) to perform the non-contact sensor setting process. The PC can use... Figure 2 The computer device 30 shown is used. Here, the aforementioned non-contact sensor settings can also be configured to be performed via the elevator control device 10 and the control terminal 20.

[0172] First, the PC's configuration application sets the non-contact operation area A1 and the sensor inspection area A2 based on the X and Y coordinate input of the person in charge. Figure 10 The non-contact sensor 43 is designated as the detection area (step S1201). Next, the setting processing application determines, based on the input setting value, whether there is any overlap between the non-contact operation area A1 and the sensor inspection area A2 (step S1202). In step S1202, if there is overlap between the two areas (step S1202 "No"), the setting processing application displays a warning on the PC's display panel (step S1208), and then proceeds to step S1201.

[0173] In step S1202, if the two regions do not overlap (step S1202 "Yes"), the processing application is set to determine whether the non-contact sensor 43 is in the mode of manually setting the coordinates of the reference object 120 (step S1203). On the printed circuit board 43s of the non-contact sensor 43... Figure 1 A mode switching switch is provided to switch the setting mode. The setting processing application obtains the status of the mode switching switch from the printed circuit board 43s and determines the setting mode.

[0174] In step S1203, in a case where the non-contact sensor 43 is in a mode in which the coordinates of the reference object 120 are manually set (YES in step S1203), the person in charge manually inputs the coordinates of the reference object 120 in the sensor check region A2. The setting processing application sets the coordinates of the reference object 120 in the sensor check region A2 based on the manually input value of the person in charge (step S1204).

[0175] In step S1203, in a case where the non-contact sensor 43 is not in a mode in which the coordinates of the reference object 120 are manually set (NO in step S1203), the setting processing application determines whether the coordinates of a point are detected in the sensor check region A2 (step S1205).

[0176] In step S1205, in a case where the coordinates of a point are detected in the sensor check region A2 (YES in step S1205), the setting processing application sets the detected coordinates as the coordinates of the reference object 120 (step S1206).

[0177] In step S1205, in a case where the coordinates of a point are not detected in the sensor check region A2 (NO in step S1205), the setting processing application performs the warning display processing of step S1208.

[0178] After the processing of step S1204 or after the processing of step S1206, the setting processing application sets the allowable value of the coordinate detection error of the reference object 120 (for example, ±5% or the like) based on the manually input value of the person in charge (S1207), and ends the processing.

[0179] In addition, the above-described non-contact sensor setting processing is implemented before the factory shipment, but it is also possible to implement the setting processing by connecting the maintenance person terminal to the non-contact sensor 43 after the elevator system is delivered to the building.

[0180] [Non-contact sensor monitoring processing]

[0181] Next, an example of the non-contact sensor monitoring processing of an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to Figure 13 An example of the non-contact sensor monitoring processing of an embodiment of the present application will be described.

[0182] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the non-contact sensor monitoring processing. The input processing section 21 of the control terminal 20 executes the processing of the present flowchart at a predetermined cycle (for example, 12 seconds) during the operation of the display panel 41, that is, the non-contact sensor 43.

[0183] First, the input processing section 21 of the control terminal 20 determines whether a point is detected in a predetermined range (for example, the sensor check region A2 (A2) of the non-contact sensor 43 (step S1301). Figure 10(Step S1301) Whether the reference object 120 is detected. If the reference object 120 is detected within a predetermined range of the detection area of ​​the non-contact sensor 43 in step S1301 (Yes in step S1301), the input processing unit 21 determines whether the detection coordinates of the reference object 120 within the sensor inspection area A2 are within the error tolerance range (Step S1302). Here, if the detection coordinates of the reference object 120 are within the error tolerance range (Yes in step S1302), the input processing unit 21 determines that the non-contact sensor 43 is operating normally (Step S1303). However, if the detection coordinates are outside the range of the sensor inspection area A2, the change in coordinates is too large for sensor position offset, and therefore it is not considered as sensor position offset. Here, the reason for setting the error tolerance is that the non-contact sensor 43 is a button selection in the air, so it is preferable to set a structure that allows for, for example, finger shaking.

[0184] Furthermore, in step S1302, if the detection coordinates of the reference object 120 are outside the error tolerance range (No in step S1302), the input processing unit 21 determines that a "sensor position offset" has occurred in the non-contact sensor 43. Figure 11 (2) (Step S1304).

[0185] In step S1301 above, if the reference object 120 is not detected within a predetermined range (sensor inspection area A2) of the detectable area of ​​the non-contact sensor 43 (No in step S1301), the input processing unit 21 determines whether no object from the non-contact operation area A1 is detected. Figure 10 The input from the non-contact operation area A1 is not detected (step S1305). Here, if no input is detected from the non-contact operation area A1 (step S1305 "Yes"), the input processing unit 21 determines that a "sensor disconnection fault" has occurred. Figure 11 Left side (1) (step S1306).

[0186] In step S1305, if input from the non-contact operation area A1 is detected (No in step S1305), the input processing unit 21 determines that a "sensor detection abnormality" has occurred. Figure 11 (3) (step S1307). Although the output of the non-contact sensor 43 is disconnected and the state of the reference object 120 located in the sensor inspection area A2 is not detected, since the input is detected in the non-contact operation area A1, it can be determined that the sensor input / output element or the sensor input detection circuit has malfunctioned. When this determination is made by means of a scale or the like provided in the car 50 when there are no passengers, it is more clear whether the input detection is based on human operation or on malfunction.

[0187] Then, in a case where the "sensor detection abnormality" has occurred, since the input data is generated due to a sensor failure, the input processing section 21 discards the coordinate data of the object input from the non-contact sensor 43 (step S1308). Here, the input detection is set to the range of the non-contact operation region Al, and the range of the sensor check region A2 is not included, in order to be distinguished from the above-described sensor position offset. In addition, the input detected within the range of the non-contact operation region Al can be one coordinate or a plurality of coordinates.

[0188] Next, after the processing of step S1304, step S1306, or step S1308, the sensor monitoring result transmission section 26 notifies the operation control section 15 of the elevator control device 10 of the presence of an abnormality in the non-contact sensor 43 (step S1309). The operation control section 15 transmits the presence of an abnormality in the non-contact sensor 43 to the display information processing section 12. The display information processing section 12 performs display information generation processing, and transmits the information to be displayed on the display panel 41 of the car 50 from the display information transmission section 13 to the control terminal 20. Then, the control terminal 20 displays that an abnormality has occurred in the non-contact sensor 43 on the display panel 41 based on the display information received from the elevator control device 10 (step S1310).

[0189] In addition, in parallel with the display processing of the sensor abnormality of step S1310, the operation control section 15 transmits information of the sensor abnormality to the maintenance personnel terminal, and remotely notifies the maintenance personnel (step S1311). After the processing of step S1303, or after the processing of step S1311, the processing of the present flowchart ends. Here, the object of the remote notification can not only be the maintenance personnel, but also a system manager or a building equipment manager, and the like, and is changed or added according to the usage mode.

[0190] Further, in the above-described step S1309, the operation control section 15 can generate an alarm (draw attention, warning, or the like) of the sensor abnormality, and notify the display information processing section 12 and the maintenance personnel terminal, if the sensor abnormality is detected continuously for a predetermined number of times in the non-contact sensor monitoring processing. In such a case, the maintenance personnel does not need to be called every time the sensor abnormality is detected, and thus the burden on the maintenance personnel can be reduced.

[0191] [Processing at the time of occurrence of non-contact sensor abnormality]

[0192] Next, the processing at the time of occurrence of non-contact sensor abnormality according to the embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to Figure 14 The processing at the time of occurrence of non-contact sensor abnormality according to the embodiment of the present application will be described.

[0193] Figure 14This is a flowchart illustrating an example of how to handle a non-contact sensor malfunction. This non-contact sensor malfunction handling is executed in the input processing unit 21. Figure 13 The process begins after non-contact sensor monitoring and processing.

[0194] First, the input processing unit 21 determines whether an abnormality has been detected in the non-contact sensor 43 (S1401). In step S1401, if an abnormality has been detected in the non-contact sensor 43 (S1401 "Yes"), the input processing unit 21 determines in step S1402 whether the automatic restart setting for the non-contact sensor 43 is valid (S1402). The automatic restart setting information for the non-contact sensor 43 is recorded on the printed circuit board 43s constituting the non-contact sensor 43. For example, the setting information can be stored in a non-volatile memory device (not shown), a CPU register, or the like. For example, in a non-volatile memory device, if a flag "1" is recorded in the sensor automatic restart setting information recording area, the sensor automatic restart setting is valid. The CPU mounted on the printed circuit board 43s reads the sensor automatic restart setting information and confirms whether the setting is valid or invalid.

[0195] If no abnormality is detected in the non-contact sensor 43 in step S1401 ("No" in S1401), or if the automatic restart setting of the non-contact sensor 43 is not valid in step S1402 ("No" in S1402), the process ends.

[0196] In step S1402, if the automatic restart setting of the non-contact sensor 43 is valid (S1402 "Yes"), the input processing unit 21 instructs the non-contact sensor 43 to restart (S1403). The restart instruction is either a restart based on a communication reset or a restart of the sensor itself.

[0197] After the non-contact sensor 43 restarts, the input processing unit 21 executes... Figure 13 The non-contact sensor monitoring process determines whether the non-contact sensor 43 is operating normally (S1404). In step 1404, if the non-contact sensor 43 is operating normally (S1404 "Yes"), the sensor monitoring result sending unit 26 notifies the operation control unit 15 of the elevator control device 10 that the non-contact sensor 43 has resumed normal operation (the abnormality of the non-contact sensor 43 has been cleared). Based on the input information from the elevator control device 10, the control terminal 20 changes the display panel 41 from alarm display to normal display (S1405).

[0198] In step 1404, in a case where the non-contact sensor 43 has not recovered to the normal operation (NO in S1404), the sensor monitoring result transmission part 26 transmits the fact that the non-contact sensor 43 has not recovered to the normal operation to the operation control part 15 of the elevator control device 10 as an error notification (S1406). In addition, in a case where the non-contact sensor 43 has recovered to the normal operation (YES in S1404), the sensor monitoring result transmission part 26 transmits the fact that the non-contact sensor 43 has recovered to the normal operation to the operation control part 15 of the elevator control device 10 as a normal notification (S1408). Figure 13 In step S1309, since the sensor abnormality is notified to the elevator control device 10, the processing of step S1406 can be omitted.

[0199] Then, the operation control part 15 transmits the result of whether the non-contact sensor 43 has recovered to the normal operation to the maintenance staff terminal, and remotely notifies the maintenance staff (step S1407). Thereby, the maintenance staff can grasp whether the non-contact sensor 43 has recovered to the normal operation. After the processing of step S1407, the processing of the present flowchart is ended.

[0200] However, the processing at the time of the non-contact sensor abnormality can also start at the point of time when the input processing part 21 detects the sensor abnormality in step S1304, step S1306, or step S1308. Or, the processing at the time of the non-contact sensor abnormality can also start when the display panel 41 displays the alarm of the sensor abnormality. Or, the processing at the time of the non-contact sensor abnormality can also start when the operation control part 15 of the elevator control device 10 judges that the processing starts in a case where the sensor abnormality is detected continuously for a predetermined number of times. In addition, the processing at the time of the non-contact sensor abnormality can also start when the operation control part 15 judges that the processing starts by analyzing the frequency of the occurrence of the sensor abnormality.

[0201] As described above, the elevator system (control terminal) of the present embodiment is an elevator system provided with an operation panel (for example, the operation panel 40) capable of performing the registration of the destination floor using a non-contact sensor. The operation panel is provided with: a non-contact operation area for performing the operation of the elevator by the non-contact sensor (detecting the non-contact operation); a sensor check area for not performing the operation of the elevator (not detecting the non-contact operation); and an input processing part that detects the coordinates of a reference object provided in the sensor check area by the non-contact sensor, and monitors the non-contact sensor based on the detected coordinates. Also, the input processing part performs the processing of notifying the elevator control device that the non-contact sensor has occurred abnormality in a case where it is judged based on the detected coordinates of the reference object that the non-contact sensor has occurred abnormality.

[0202] In the elevator system (control terminal) of such an embodiment, both the non-contact operation and the sensor monitoring are performed using the non-contact sensor provided in the operation panel for performing the registration of the destination floor. Also, by the sensor monitoring using the non-contact sensor, it is possible to detect the sensor failure (sensor disconnection failure, sensor detection abnormality) and the sensor position deviation.

[0203] In particular, in the past, detection of disconnection failure of the sensor provided in the operation panel has been performed only when a person is operating, and it has been difficult to perform the detection in advance before use of the elevator (operation panel). However, according to the present embodiment, disconnection failure of the non-contact sensor can be detected even when a person is not operating. That is, disconnection failure of the non-contact sensor can be detected without a person even during operation of the elevator.

[0204] In addition, depending on the type of the sensor, the improvement in availability is achieved by the restart instruction for the non-contact sensor, and thus a decrease in convenience can be suppressed.

[0205]

[0206] Further, the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can of course take other various applications and modifications as long as the gist of the present application described in the claims is not deviated from. For example, the above-described embodiments are embodiments in which the structure of the elevator system is described in detail and specifically in order to easily understand the present application, and are not limited to necessarily having all the described structural elements.

[0207] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, an example in which the control terminal functioning as a destination floor control device is applied to the operation panel in the car has been described, but for example, it can be applied to the operation panel (destination floor control device) provided in the landing.

[0208] In addition, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the direction of the scanning line (sensor wave) of infrared rays or the like emitted from the non-contact sensor 43 is horizontal (horizontal direction) with respect to the display panel 41, but can be vertical (vertical direction). Alternatively, the non-contact sensor 43 can be provided on either one of the left side and the right side of the display panel 41, and on either one of the upper side and the lower side, and the direction of the scanning line of infrared rays or the like can be set to both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

[0209] In addition, as the non-contact sensor in which the light source and the light receiver are integrated, the distance measuring unit described in Patent Literature 1 can be used. In this case, for example, the distance measuring unit is provided on the upper side and the lower side of the display panel on which the physical button is provided. Further, the non-contact sensor can be provided corresponding to the physical button. For example, the non-contact sensor can be provided on the surface of the physical button, or the non-contact sensor can be provided beside the physical button.

[0210] In addition, the display examples of the display panel shown in the drawings are also shown as preferred examples, and are not limited to these examples.

[0211] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the non-contact sensor is provided on the display panel, but the present application is not limited to this. For example, the non-contact sensor can be provided on the surface of the physical button. Figure 1 Figure 2 ​​In the illustrated configuration diagram, control lines and information lines are illustrated only for portions considered necessary for explanation, and all control lines and information lines on the product are not necessarily illustrated. In fact, it can be considered that almost all configurations are interconnected.

[0212] In addition, Figures 7-9 and Figures 12-14 The flow of the processing illustrated in the illustrated flowchart is also an example, and if the processing results are the same, a part of the processing order can be changed, or a plurality of processes can be executed simultaneously.

[0213] In addition, in the case where the system described in the present embodiment is configured by a computer or the like information processing device, regarding the program for realizing each processing function, in addition to being prepared in the nonvolatile storage device, the memory in the computer device, it can be placed in an external memory, an IC card, an SD card, an optical disc, or the like recording medium and transmitted.

[0214] In addition, in the present specification, in the case where the terms such as "parallel" and "orthogonal (perpendicular)" are used, each term is not only a term indicating strict "parallel" and "orthogonal", but also includes "approximately parallel" and "approximately orthogonal" within a range in which the function thereof can be exerted.

[0215] Symbol explanation

[0216] 10...elevator control device, 11...initial setting display information holding section, 12...display information processing section, 13...display information transmission section, 14...destination floor registration / cancellation processing section, 15...operation control section, 20...control terminal, 30a...CPU, 30b...main storage section, 30c...nonvolatile storage device, 30d...network interface, 30e...input section, 30f...output section, 21...input processing section, 22...input information transmission section, 23...registered floor registration operation processing section, 24...registered floor display processing section, 25...sound output determination section, 26...sensor monitoring result transmission section, 40...operation panel, 41...display panel, 41a...destination floor display area, 41b...registered floor display area, 43...noncontact sensor, 43s...printed board, 44...sound device, 101...floor input button, 102...registration button, 103...input floor, 104...cancellation button, 105...input guide, 106...screen switching button, 111...destination floor button, 107...registered floor column, 120...reference object, A1...noncontact operation area, A2...sensor check area.

Claims

1. An elevator system provided with an operation panel capable of registering a destination floor using a non-contact sensor, characterized by comprising: a non-contact operation area for operating an elevator by the non-contact sensor; a sensor check area for not operating an elevator by the non-contact sensor; and an input processing section that detects coordinates of a reference object provided in the sensor check area by the non-contact sensor, and monitors the non-contact sensor based on the detected coordinates, wherein the input processing section performs processing for notifying an elevator control device that the non-contact sensor has failed in a case where it is determined based on the detected coordinates of the reference object that the non-contact sensor has failed, and wherein the input processing section performs processing for notifying the elevator control device that the non-contact sensor has a sensor disconnection failure in a case where the coordinates of the reference object are not detected.

2. An elevator system provided with an operation panel capable of registering a destination floor using a non-contact sensor, characterized by comprising: a non-contact operation area for operating an elevator by the non-contact sensor; a sensor check area for not operating an elevator by the non-contact sensor; and an input processing section that detects coordinates of a reference object provided in the sensor check area by the non-contact sensor, and monitors the non-contact sensor based on the detected coordinates, wherein the input processing section performs processing for notifying an elevator control device that the non-contact sensor has failed in a case where it is determined based on the detected coordinates of the reference object that the non-contact sensor has failed, and wherein the input processing section performs processing for notifying the elevator control device that the non-contact sensor has a sensor detection failure in a case where the coordinates of the reference object are not detected within a predetermined range of a detection area of the non-contact sensor, and an input from the non-contact operation area is detected.

3. The elevator system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the input processing section performs processing for notifying the elevator control device that the non-contact sensor has a sensor position shift in a case where the detected coordinates of the reference object exceed an error tolerance value.

4. The elevator system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the input processing section performs processing for notifying the elevator control device that the sensor failure has been eliminated in a case where the non-contact sensor is restarted after it is determined that the non-contact sensor has failed, and the non-contact sensor returns to normal operation.

5. The elevator system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operation panel displays that the non-contact sensor has failed in a case where it is determined by the input processing section that the non-contact sensor has failed.

6. The elevator system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reference object is a protrusion formed of a material that reflects a sensor wave emitted from the non-contact sensor.

7. The elevator system according to claim 6, characterized in that ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The reference object is disposed on the side opposite the side on which the non-contact sensor is disposed, across the sensor inspection region.

8. An elevator control method of an elevator system provided with an operation panel capable of registering a destination floor using a non-contact sensor, characterized by, setting a non-contact operation region in which operation of an elevator is performed by the non-contact sensor and a sensor inspection region in which operation of an elevator is not performed by the non-contact sensor, the elevator control method including: detecting coordinates of a reference object disposed in the sensor inspection region by the non-contact sensor, and monitoring processing of the non-contact sensor based on the detected coordinates; and in a case where it is determined based on the detected coordinates of the reference object that an abnormality has occurred in the non-contact sensor, performing processing of notifying an elevator control device that an abnormality has occurred in the non-contact sensor, in a case where the coordinates of the reference object are not detected, performing processing of notifying the elevator control device that a sensor disconnection failure has occurred in the non-contact sensor.

9. An elevator control method of an elevator system provided with an operation panel capable of registering a destination floor using a non-contact sensor, characterized by, setting a non-contact operation region in which operation of an elevator is performed by the non-contact sensor and a sensor inspection region in which operation of an elevator is not performed by the non-contact sensor, the elevator control method including: detecting coordinates of a reference object disposed in the sensor inspection region by the non-contact sensor, and monitoring processing of the non-contact sensor based on the detected coordinates; and in a case where it is determined based on the detected coordinates of the reference object that an abnormality has occurred in the non-contact sensor, performing processing of notifying an elevator control device that an abnormality has occurred in the non-contact sensor, in a case where the coordinates of the reference object are not detected in a predetermined range of a detection region of the non-contact sensor and input from the non-contact operation region is detected, performing processing of notifying the elevator control device that a sensor detection abnormality has occurred in the non-contact sensor.

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