Elevator system

Abstract

The elevator system is capable of efficient cleaning management using a cleaning robot. The elevator system (1) includes a time measurement unit (13), a robot control unit (12), multiple cars (2), a time measurement unit (14), and an operation control unit (11). The time measurement unit (13) measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning for each of the multiple floors. The robot control unit (12) determines the destination floor of the robot (3) from the multiple floors. The time measurement unit (14) measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning for each of the multiple cars (2). The operation control unit (11) determines the car to be assigned to in response to the destination floor determined by the robot control unit (12) from the multiple cars (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an elevator system. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an elevator control system. The system described in Patent Document 1 includes multiple elevator cars. In this system, predetermined cars respond to call signals from a cleaning robot.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-147675 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the system described in Patent Document 1, a pre-set work schedule for the cleaning robot is included. Furthermore, in this system, a pre-defined elevator car responds to a call signal from the cleaning robot. Therefore, there is a problem that the cleaning performed by the robot cannot be carried out efficiently.

[0007] This invention was made to solve the aforementioned problems. The object of this invention is to provide an elevator system capable of efficient cleaning management using a cleaning robot.

[0008] The elevator system of the present invention is an elevator system capable of allowing a cleaning robot to move to multiple floors. The system includes: a first time measuring unit that measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning for each of the multiple floors; a robot control unit that determines the destination floor of the robot from the multiple floors based on the elapsed time measured by the first time measuring unit; multiple elevator cars; a second time measuring unit that measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning for each of the multiple elevator cars; and an operation control unit that determines, based on the elapsed time measured by the second time measuring unit, an allocation car from the multiple elevator cars for responding to the destination floor determined by the robot control unit.

[0009] The elevator system of the present invention is an elevator system capable of allowing a cleaning robot to move to multiple floors. The system includes: a first time measuring unit that measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning for each of the multiple floors; a robot control unit that determines the robot's destination floor from the multiple floors based on the elapsed time measured by the first time measuring unit; multiple elevator cars; a number of users measuring the number of users in each of the multiple elevator cars since the last cleaning; and an operation control unit that determines, based on the number of users measured by the number of users, an allocation car from the multiple elevator cars for responding to the destination floor determined by the robot control unit.

[0010] Invention Effects

[0011] According to the elevator system of the present invention, efficient cleaning management using a cleaning robot is possible. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of an elevator system according to Embodiment 1.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator system according to Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the robot's control unit's actions.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the operation control unit.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware resources of an elevator system.

[0017] Figure 6 This is another example of the hardware resources of an elevator system.

[0018] Label Explanation

[0019] 1: Elevator system; 2: Car; 3: Robot; 10: Storage unit; 11: Operation control unit; 12: Robot control unit; 13: Time measurement unit; 14: Time measurement unit; 15: Number of people measurement unit; 20: Processing circuit; 21: Processor; 22: Memory; 23: Dedicated hardware. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The following is a detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Repetitive descriptions have been simplified or omitted where appropriate. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or equivalent parts.

[0021] Implementation Method 1

[0022] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates an example of elevator system 1 according to embodiment 1. Elevator system 1 includes multiple cars 2. In the following description, an example of elevator system 1 having three cars 2 will be given. For example, elevator system 1 includes car 2 of unit A, car 2 of unit B, and car 2 of unit C. Alternatively, elevator system 1 may have only two cars 2. Elevator system 1 may also have four or more cars 2.

[0023] Each car 2 stops at multiple floors within the building. Figure 1 Examples of car 2 stopping at various floors from floor 1 to floor 9 are shown. Users can use car 2 to move to their desired floor.

[0024] Elevator system 1 is equipped with a cleaning robot 3. As a simple example... Figure 1 An example is shown where elevator system 1 includes one robot 3. Elevator system 1 may also include multiple robots 3. Robot 3 is able to travel to different floors within a building using car 2. In the example shown in this embodiment, robot 3 is able to travel to different floors from floor 1 to floor 9 using car 2.

[0025] Robot 3 cleans the floors and landings on each floor. For example, landing cleaning includes disinfecting the control panel and removing dirt from the floor and handrails. The control panel can be a button-type device or a touch panel-type device. Furthermore, Robot 3 cleans the elevator car 2 while the robot is in use.

[0026] The elevator system 1 also includes a storage unit 10, an operation control unit 11, a robot control unit 12, a time measurement unit 13, a time measurement unit 14, and a people measurement unit 15.

[0027] The operation control unit 11 receives elevator call requests from users. Additionally, the operation control unit 11 receives elevator call requests for the robot 3. The elevator call request includes departure floor information and destination floor information. The operation control unit 11 determines the car 2 that will respond to the received request from among the multiple cars 2 provided in the elevator system 1. In the following text, the car 2 that responds to the elevator call request, i.e., the car 2 assigned to the request, is also referred to as the assigned car.

[0028] Elevator call requests from users are made by the user operating the control panel located at the landing. Elevator call requests can also be made from a portable terminal held by the user. When the operation control unit 11 receives an elevator call request from a user, it determines the car allocation for the request in a manner that does not degrade the overall efficiency of the system. The car allocation decision made by the operation control unit 11 is based on the user's destination floor, the current position and direction of movement of each car 2, and the registered elevator calls.

[0029] On the other hand, the elevator call request for robot 3 is handled by robot control unit 12. The actions of operation control unit 11 when it receives the elevator call request for robot 3 will be described later.

[0030] The robot control unit 12 performs control related to the robot 3. For example, the robot control unit 12 issues cleaning instructions to the robot 3. The robot 3 cleans the car 2 and each floor according to the cleaning instructions from the robot control unit 12.

[0031] Furthermore, the robot control unit 12 makes an elevator call request for the robot 3 to travel in car 2 to the destination floor. The operation control unit 11 determines which car to allocate based on the elevator call request made by the robot control unit 12. After the operation control unit 11 determines the car allocation, the robot control unit 12 issues an action instruction aimed at enabling the robot 3 to travel in the allocated car to the destination floor. The robot 3 enters or exits car 2 according to the action instruction from the robot control unit 12.

[0032] In this way, robot 3 moves autonomously within the building to perform cleaning operations by receiving instructions from robot control unit 12.

[0033] The storage unit 10 stores information necessary for the operation control unit 11 to allocate a car in response to an elevator call request from the robot control unit 12. Furthermore, the storage unit 10 stores information necessary for the robot control unit 12 to make an elevator call request, i.e., information necessary to determine the destination floor of the robot 3. Table 1 shows an example of the information stored in the storage unit 10.

[0034] [Table 1]

[0035] Reference time t1 30 minutes Base number of people n1 10 people Reference time t2 2 hours Reference time t3 10 seconds

[0036] The reference time t1 represents the time interval used as a reference for cleaning car 2. For example, priority is given to cleaning cars 2 that have not been cleaned for more than the reference time t1. That is, if there is a car 2 that has not been cleaned for more than 30 minutes, then the cleaning of that car 2 is given priority.

[0037] The baseline number of users n1 represents the cumulative number of users used as a baseline for cleaning car 2. For example, priority is given to cleaning car 2 whose number of users during the period when cleaning is not carried out is greater than or equal to the baseline number of users n1. That is, if there is a car 2 with 10 or more users when the last cleaning is carried out, then the cleaning of that car 2 is given priority.

[0038] The reference time t2 represents the time interval used as a baseline for cleaning each floor. For example, floors that have not been cleaned for more than the reference time t2 are cleaned first. That is, if there is a floor that has not been cleaned for more than two hours, that floor is cleaned first.

[0039] The reference time t3 represents the time spent by robot 3 cleaning car 2. In the example shown in Table 1, robot 3 takes 10 seconds to clean car 2.

[0040] The baseline time t1, baseline number of people n1, baseline time t2, and baseline time t3 are preset.

[0041] The time measurement unit 13 measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning for each floor that the robot 3 can move on. Figure 1 In the example shown, the time measurement unit 13 measures the elapsed time from the last cleaning by robot 3 for each floor from floor 1 to floor 9. Figure 1 An example is shown where a time measuring unit 13 is provided for each floor from floor 1 to floor 9. The method by which the time measuring unit 13 measures elapsed time can be any method.

[0042] The time measurement unit 14 measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning for each car 2 in the elevator system 1. In the example shown in this embodiment, the time measurement unit 14 measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning by the robot 3 for each of the three cars 2. Figure 1 An example is shown where each car 2 is equipped with a time measuring unit 14. The time measuring unit 14 can measure the elapsed time using any method.

[0043] The number of users measured by the number of passengers in each car 2 of the elevator system 1 since the last cleaning. In the example shown in this embodiment, the number of passengers measured by the number of passengers in each of the three cars 2 since the last cleaning by the robot 3. Figure 1 An example is shown where each car 2 is equipped with a passenger measurement unit 15.

[0044] The number of people measured by the occupancy measurement unit 15 can be any method. For example, the occupancy measurement unit 15 can measure the number of people based on images from a camera device installed in the car 2 or signals from sensors. The occupancy measurement unit 15 can also measure the number of people based on elevator call requests from users. In this case, the request contains occupancy information. The occupancy measurement unit 15 can also measure the number of people based on the number of registered elevator calls.

[0045] Next, also refer to Figures 2 to 4 The operation of this elevator system 1 will be described. Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of elevator system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The following description details the operation after robot 3 has just completed cleaning the first floor.

[0046] When robot 3 completes cleaning the first floor, the process for determining the next destination floor for robot 3 begins in elevator system 1 (S101). The next destination floor for robot 3 is the floor that robot 3 will clean next. The determination of the destination floor for robot 3 is made by robot control unit 12.

[0047] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the robot control unit 12. Figure 3 The process performed in S101 is shown. In principle, the robot control unit 12 determines the next destination floor of the robot 3 from among the multiple floors that the robot 3 can move to, based on the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit 13.

[0048] In the example shown in this embodiment, the robot control unit 12 determines the destination floor of the robot 3 by updating the list L1 in accordance with the conditions. First, the robot control unit 12 adds all the floors that the robot 3 can move to as candidates for the destination floor of the robot 3 to the list L1 (S201). That is, the list L1 in S201 is [1F, 2F, 3F, 4F, 5F, 6F, 7F, 8F, 9F].

[0049] Next, the robot control unit 12 sorts the floors in list L1 in descending order of elapsed time since the last cleaning (S202). The robot control unit 12 performs the sorting in S202 based on the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit 13. Table 2 shows an example of the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit 13.

[0050] [Table 2]

[0051] floor Time elapsed after cleaning 9th floor 2 hours 8 floors 1 hour 40 minutes 7th floor 10 minutes 6 floors 1 hour 20 minutes 5 floors 50 minutes 4 floors 1 hour 3 floors 30 minutes 2nd floor 2 hours and 30 minutes 1st floor 0 minutes

[0052] If the measurement results shown in Table 2 are obtained after robot 3 has just finished cleaning the first floor, then list L1 in S202 is [2F, 9F, 8F, 6F, 4F, 5F, 3F, 7F, 1F].

[0053] Next, the robot control unit 12 determines whether there are any floors that have not been cleaned since the reference time t2 (S203). The determination in S203 is based on the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit 13. In the example shown in Table 1, the reference time t2 is 2 hours. In the example shown in Table 2, the elapsed time for floor 2, measured by the time measuring unit 13, is 2 hours and 30 minutes. The elapsed time for floor 9, measured by the time measuring unit 13, is 2 hours. Therefore, the determination in S203 is "yes".

[0054] When the determination is "yes" in S203, the robot control unit 12 excludes floors whose elapsed time, as measured by the time measurement unit 13, is shorter than the reference time t2 from list L1. That is, the robot control unit 12 only keeps floors whose elapsed time, as measured by the time measurement unit 13, is greater than or equal to the reference time t2 in list L1 (S204). Therefore, list L1 in S204 becomes [2F, 9F].

[0055] Additionally, when the result is "no" in S203, the robot control unit 12 does not update list L1.

[0056] Next, the robot control unit 12 determines whether there are any floors in the list L1 where the elevator travel time is above the base time t3 when the robot 3 moves in the car 2 (S205). Table 3 shows an example of the elevator travel time when the robot 3 moves from the 1st floor in the car 2.

[0057] [Table 3]

[0058] floor Elevator travel time from the 1st floor 9th floor 19 seconds 8 floors 17 seconds 7th floor 15 seconds 6 floors 13 seconds 5 floors 11 seconds 4 floors 9 seconds 3 floors 7 seconds 2nd floor 5 seconds 1st floor -

[0059] In the example shown in Table 1, the baseline time t3 is 10 seconds. In the example shown in Table 3, when robot 3 moves from floor 1 to any floor above floor 5, the elevator travel time is longer than 10 seconds. Since list L1 contains 9 floors, it is determined as "yes" in S205.

[0060] When the determination is "yes" in S205, the robot control unit 12 will exclude floors from list L1 where the time taken by robot 3 to travel in car 2 is shorter than the reference time t3. That is, the robot control unit 12 will only keep floors in list L1 where the time taken by robot 3 to travel in car 2 is greater than or equal to the reference time t3 (S206). Therefore, list L1 in S206 becomes [9F].

[0061] Additionally, when the result is "no" in S205, the robot control unit 12 does not update list L1.

[0062] The robot control unit 12 determines the floor at the beginning of list L1 as the destination floor of robot 3 (S207). That is, the robot control unit 12 determines floor 9 as the destination floor of robot 3. When the robot control unit 12 determines the destination floor of robot 3 in S207, it outputs a call request for elevator based on that destination floor to the operation control unit 11.

[0063] When the destination floor of robot 3 is determined in S101, the process for determining the car allocation begins in elevator system 1 (S102). The car allocation is for car 2 used in response to the destination floor determined by robot control unit 12. The decision on car allocation is made by operation control unit 11.

[0064] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the operation control unit 11. Figure 4 The series of processes performed in S102 is shown. In principle, the operation control unit 11 determines the allocation of cars from the multiple cars 2 of the elevator system 1 based on the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit 14.

[0065] In the example shown in this embodiment, the operation control unit 11 determines the car allocation by updating list L2 according to the conditions. First, the operation control unit 11 adds all the cars 2 of the elevator system 1 as candidates for car allocation to list L2 (S301). That is, list L2 in S301 is [A, B, C]. In list L2, [A] represents car 2 of machine A, [B] represents car 2 of machine B, and [C] represents car 2 of machine C.

[0066] Next, the operation control unit 11 sorts the cars 2 included in list L2 in descending order of elapsed time since the last cleaning (S302). The operation control unit 11 performs the sorting in S302 based on the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit 14. Table 4 shows an example of the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit 14.

[0067] [Table 4]

[0068] Car Time elapsed after cleaning A 10 minutes B 50 minutes C 30 minutes

[0069] If the measurement results shown in Table 4 are obtained after robot 3 has just finished cleaning the first floor, then list L2 in S302 is [B, C, A].

[0070] Next, the operation control unit 11 determines whether there is a car 2 that has not been cleaned for more than a reference time t1 (S303). The determination in S303 is based on the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit 14. In the example shown in Table 1, the reference time t1 is 30 minutes. In the example shown in Table 4, the elapsed time of car 2 of machine B, measured by the time measuring unit 14, is 50 minutes. The elapsed time of car 2 of machine C, measured by the time measuring unit 14, is 30 minutes. Therefore, the determination in S303 is "yes".

[0071] When the determination in S303 is "yes", the operation control unit 11 removes cars 2 whose elapsed time, as measured by the time measuring unit 14, is shorter than the reference time t1 from list L2. That is, the operation control unit 11 only keeps cars 2 whose elapsed time, as measured by the time measuring unit 14, is greater than or equal to the reference time t1 in list L2 (S304). Therefore, list L2 in S304 is [B, C].

[0072] In addition, when the result is "no" in S303, the operation control unit 11 does not update list L2.

[0073] Next, the operation control unit 11 determines whether there is a car 2 in the list L2 that has been used by a number of people n1 or more since the last cleaning (S305). The determination in S305 is based on the number of people measured by the people measuring unit 15. Table 5 shows an example of the number of people measured by the people measuring unit 15.

[0074] [Table 5]

[0075] Car Number of elevator passengers after cleaning A 10 people B 18 people C 5 people

[0076] In the example shown in Table 1, the baseline number of people, n1, is 10. In the example shown in Table 5, the number of people who rode in car 2 of machine B after the final cleaning was 18. Therefore, the determination in S305 is "yes".

[0077] When the operation control unit 11 determines "yes" in S305, it removes cars 2 whose number of passengers measured by the passenger measurement unit 15 is less than the reference number n1 from list L2. That is, the operation control unit 11 only keeps cars 2 whose number of passengers measured by the passenger measurement unit 15 is greater than or equal to the reference number n1 in list L2 (S306). Therefore, list L2 in S306 is [B].

[0078] In addition, when the result is "no" in S305, the operation control unit 11 does not update list L2.

[0079] Next, the operation control unit 11 determines whether there is a car 2 in the list L2 that does not respond to the user's call request in the elevator section of the robot 3 (S307). Table 6 shows an example of the allocation status for users in the elevator section of the robot 3.

[0080] [Table 6]

[0081] Car Response to user requests A none B have C have

[0082] In the example shown in Table 6, car 2 of elevator B responds to the user's call request in the elevator travel section of robot 3, that is, the section from the 1st floor to the 9th floor. Therefore, it is determined as "No" in S307. When it is determined as "No" in S307, the operation control unit 11 does not update list L2. Therefore, list L2 remains in the state of [B].

[0083] On the other hand, when the determination is "yes" in S307, the operation control unit 11 will remove the car 2 that responds to the user's call request in the elevator section of the robot 3 from the list L2. That is, the operation control unit 11 will only keep the car 2 that does not respond to the user's call request in the elevator section of the robot 3 in the list L2 (S308).

[0084] In S309, the operation control unit 11 determines that car 2, located at the beginning of list L2, is the allocation car for robot 3 to ride in (S309). That is, the operation control unit 11 determines car 2 of machine B as the allocation car.

[0085] When the car allocation is determined in S309, the elevator system 1 begins the process of responding to the car allocation and the cleaning of the robot 3. In this process, the control of the car allocation is performed by the operation control unit 11. The control of the robot 3 is performed by the robot control unit 12.

[0086] Specifically, the robot control unit 12 determines whether the assigned car, i.e., car 2 of machine B, has arrived at the departure floor (S103). The operation control unit 11 first causes the assigned car to respond to all requests from the user so that the user will not ride in car 2 when the robot 3 is riding in car 2. Then, the operation control unit 11 causes the assigned car to respond to requests from the robot control unit 12. When the assigned car arrives at the departure floor, i.e., the floor 1, it is determined as "yes" in S103.

[0087] After completing cleaning on the first floor, robot 3 waits at the landing station for the dispatch car to arrive. When the dispatch car arrives on the first floor, robot 3 rides in it (S104). If there are users who will be disembarking from the dispatch car on the first floor, robot 3 waits for all users to disembark. While robot 3 is riding in the dispatch car in S104, the dispatch car is unoccupied. After robot 3 rides in the dispatch car, the operation control unit 11 prevents the dispatch car from responding to other elevator calls until the dispatch car reaches its destination floor, the 9th floor. This prevents robot 3 and users from riding in the dispatch car together.

[0088] After the robot 3 rides the dispatch car, it cleans the dispatch car after the door is completely closed (S105). If the robot 3 finishes cleaning before the dispatch car reaches the 9th floor, it waits in front of the door.

[0089] Then, it is determined whether the dispatch car has reached the destination floor, i.e., the next floor to be cleaned (S106). As described above, after the operation control unit 11 causes the robot 3 to board the dispatch car on the 1st floor, it causes the dispatch car to travel straight to the 9th floor. When the dispatch car arrives at the 9th floor, it is determined to be "yes" in S106. When the dispatch car arrives at the 9th floor, the robot 3 disembarks from the dispatch car (S107). After disembarking from the dispatch car, the robot 3 begins cleaning the floor it descended from (S108).

[0090] After robot 3 completes cleaning 9 floors, the same process as described above is repeated. That is, the next floor to be cleaned by robot 3 is determined, and the designated elevator car for robot 3 to travel to that floor is selected. Then, robot 3 performs cleaning of the designated elevator car and cleaning of that floor.

[0091] In elevator system 1, the destination floor of robot 3 is determined based on the elapsed time measured by time measuring unit 13. Furthermore, the allocation of a car to respond to that destination floor is determined based on the elapsed time measured by time measuring unit 14. Therefore, in elevator system 1, efficient cleaning management using cleaning robot 3 is possible.

[0092] In the example shown in this embodiment, if there is a floor whose elapsed time, as measured by the time measuring unit 13, is greater than or equal to the reference time t2, then that floor is left in list L1. That is, the robot control unit 12 prioritizes that floor as the destination floor for the robot 3. Therefore, the robot 3 can prioritize cleaning floors that have not been cleaned since the last cleaning and have not been cleaned since the reference time t2.

[0093] In the example shown in this embodiment, if there is a floor where the robot 3's travel time from its current floor to the elevator car 2 is greater than or equal to the base time t3, that floor is left in list L1. That is, the robot control unit 12 prioritizes that floor as the robot 3's destination floor. Therefore, the robot can complete the cleaning of the elevator car 2 while traveling in it.

[0094] In the example shown in this embodiment, if there is a car 2 whose elapsed time, as measured by the time measuring unit 14, is greater than or equal to the reference time t1, then that car 2 is left in list L2. That is, the operation control unit 11 preferentially determines that car 2 as the assigned car for the robot 3 to ride in. Therefore, the robot 3 can preferentially clean cars 2 that have not been cleaned since the last cleaning and for more than the reference time t1.

[0095] In the example shown in this embodiment, if there is a car 2 whose number of passengers, as measured by the passenger measurement unit 15, is greater than or equal to the baseline number n1, then that car 2 is left in the list L2. That is, the operation control unit 11 prioritizes that car 2 as the assigned car for the robot 3. Therefore, the robot 3 can prioritize cleaning cars 2 that have been used by passengers with a baseline number n1 or greater since the last cleaning.

[0096] In elevator system 1, the cleaning time for each floor by robot 3 can be predetermined. In this case, the next destination floor can be determined when robot 3 arrives at a certain floor for cleaning, and the assigned car for traveling to that next destination floor can also be determined. When robot 3 finishes cleaning the floor it has arrived at, it can move to the next destination floor in the pre-reserved car without waiting at the landing.

[0097] In this embodiment, an example of an elevator system 1 having one robot 3 is described. When the elevator system 1 has multiple robots 3, the following applies to each robot 3: Figures 2 to 4 The actions shown are as follows. In this case, the elapsed time shown in Table 2, the elapsed time shown in Table 4, and the elevator travel time shown in Table 5 can be used by all robots 3. Furthermore, when the elevator system 1 has multiple robots 3, the allocation of the car can be determined in a way that not only avoids the user riding with a robot 3, but also avoids the robots 3 riding with each other.

[0098] In this embodiment, an example with a pre-set elevator travel time as shown in Table 3 is described. The elevator travel time shown in Table 3 can also be a value calculated based on the conditions at the time.

[0099] In this embodiment, Figure 3 The preferred action flow for determining the destination floor of robot 3 is shown. As another example, robot control unit 12 may also omit the decision processing shown in S203. Robot control unit 12 may also omit the decision processing shown in S205.

[0100] In this embodiment, Figure 4 The preferred operation flow for determining the allocation of the car is shown. As another example, the operation control unit 11 may not perform the decision processing shown in S303. The operation control unit 11 may also not perform the decision processing shown in S305. The operation control unit 11 may also not perform the decision processing shown in S307.

[0101] In addition, when deciding on the allocation of cars, the operation control unit 11 may also consider the waiting time of users and the waiting time of robot 3, so as not to deteriorate the overall efficiency of the system.

[0102] In this embodiment, an example is described where the operation control unit 11 determines the allocation of a car from the multiple cars 2 provided in the elevator system 1 based on the elapsed time measured by the time measuring unit 14. As another example, the operation control unit 11 may also determine the allocation of a car from the multiple cars 2 provided in the elevator system 1 based on the number of people measured by the people measuring unit 15.

[0103] In this case, in S302, the operation control unit 11 sorts the elevator cars 2 in list L2 according to the cumulative number of users since the last cleaning, from most to least. If the measurement results shown in Table 5 are obtained after the robot 3 has just finished cleaning the first floor, then list L2 in S302 is [B, A, C]. Then, the operation control unit 11 can perform the processing shown in S303 and later as needed.

[0104] Some of the functions of elevator system 1 can also be housed on a server inside the building or on a server outside the building. For example, the operation control unit 11 is located on the elevator's control panel. The robot control unit 12 is located on a server, which is a different device from the elevator's control panel. In this case, communication between the control panel and the server can be conducted using a specific network within the building, or via the Internet, etc.

[0105] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates an example of the hardware resources of elevator system 1. Elevator system 1 includes a processing circuit 20 comprising a processor 21 and a memory 22 as hardware resources. Alternatively, the processing circuit 20 may include multiple processors 21. Alternatively, the processing circuit 20 may include multiple memories 22.

[0106] In this embodiment, the parts indicated by reference numerals 10 to 15 illustrate the functions of the elevator system 1. The functions of the storage unit 10 are implemented by the memory 22. The functions of the parts indicated by reference numerals 11 to 15 can be implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware described as programs. This program is stored in the memory 22. The elevator system 1 implements the functions of the parts indicated by reference numerals 11 to 15 by the processor 21 (computer) executing the program stored in the memory 22.

[0107] The processor 21 is also referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 22 can also be a semiconductor memory, disk, floppy disk, optical disk, CD (compact disk), mini disc, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). Suitable semiconductor memories include RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory).

[0108] Figure 6 This is another diagram illustrating the hardware resources of elevator system 1. Figure 6 In the example shown, elevator system 1 has a processing circuit 20 that includes a processor 21, a memory 22 and dedicated hardware 23. Figure 6 An example is shown of a portion of the functions of the elevator system 1 implemented using dedicated hardware 23. All the functions of the elevator system 1 can also be implemented using dedicated hardware 23. The dedicated hardware 23 can be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programming processor, a parallel programming processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0109] Hereinafter, examples of the modes that may be included in this invention are recorded as appendices.

[0110] [Postscript 1]

[0111] An elevator system is provided that enables a cleaning robot to move to multiple floors, wherein the elevator system comprises:

[0112] The first time measurement unit measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning for each of the multiple floors.

[0113] The robot control unit determines the destination floor of the robot from the plurality of floors based on the elapsed time measured by the first time measuring unit.

[0114] Multiple car cabins;

[0115] The second time measurement unit measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning for each of the plurality of cars; and

[0116] The operation control unit determines, from among the multiple cars, the assigned car to respond to the destination floor determined by the robot control unit, based on the elapsed time measured by the second time measurement unit.

[0117] [Postscript 2]

[0118] According to the elevator system described in Appendix 1, wherein,

[0119] The elevator system also has a storage unit for storing the first reference time.

[0120] If there is a car whose elapsed time, as determined by the second time measuring unit, is greater than or equal to the first reference time, the operation control unit will preferentially select that car as the assigned car.

[0121] [Postscript 3]

[0122] According to the elevator system described in Appendix 1 or 2, the elevator system further comprises:

[0123] The occupancy measurement unit measures the number of users in each of the multiple car models since the last cleaning; and

[0124] Storage department for storing baseline number of users

[0125] If there is a car whose number of passengers, as determined by the passenger measurement unit, is greater than or equal to the baseline number, the operation control unit will prioritize that car as the assigned car.

[0126] [Postscript 4]

[0127] An elevator system is provided that allows a cleaning robot to move to multiple floors, wherein...

[0128] The elevator system has the following features:

[0129] The first time measurement unit measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning for each of the multiple floors.

[0130] The robot control unit determines the destination floor of the robot from the plurality of floors based on the elapsed time measured by the first time measuring unit.

[0131] Multiple car cabins;

[0132] The occupancy measurement unit measures the number of users in each of the multiple car models since the last cleaning; and

[0133] The operation control unit determines, from among the multiple cars, the assigned car to respond to the destination floor determined by the robot control unit, based on the number of people measured by the people measurement unit.

[0134] [Postscript 5]

[0135] According to the elevator system described in Appendix 4, wherein...

[0136] The elevator system also has a storage unit for storing a base number of passengers.

[0137] If there is a car whose number of passengers, as determined by the passenger measurement unit, is greater than or equal to the baseline number, the operation control unit will prioritize that car as the assigned car.

[0138] [Postscript 6]

[0139] According to any one of the appendices 1 to 5, the elevator system wherein,

[0140] The elevator system also has a storage unit for storing the second reference time.

[0141] If there is a floor whose elapsed time, as determined by the first time measurement unit, is greater than or equal to the second reference time, the robot control unit will preferentially determine that floor as the destination floor.

[0142] [Postscript 7]

[0143] According to any one of the appendices 1 to 6, the elevator system wherein,

[0144] The elevator system also has a storage unit for storing the third reference time.

[0145] If there is a floor where the robot's elevator travel time from its current floor is greater than or equal to the third reference time, the robot control unit will prioritize that floor as the destination floor.

[0146] [Postscript 8]

[0147] According to any one of the appendices 1 to 7, the elevator system wherein,

[0148] The assigned car was unoccupied when the robot was riding in it.

[0149] The operation control unit prevents the assigned elevator car from responding to other elevator call requests after the robot rides in the assigned car until the assigned car reaches the destination floor.

Claims

1. An elevator system capable of allowing a cleaning robot to move to multiple floors, wherein, The elevator system has the following features: The first time measurement unit measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning for each of the multiple floors. The robot control unit determines the destination floor of the robot from the plurality of floors based on the elapsed time measured by the first time measuring unit. Multiple car cabins; The second time measurement unit measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning for each of the multiple cars. as well as The operation control unit determines, from among the multiple cars, the assigned car to respond to the destination floor determined by the robot control unit, based on the elapsed time measured by the second time measurement unit.

2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, The elevator system also has a storage unit for storing the first reference time. If there is a car whose elapsed time, as determined by the second time measuring unit, is greater than or equal to the first reference time, the operation control unit will preferentially select that car as the assigned car.

3. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, The elevator system also features: The occupancy measurement unit measures the number of users in each of the multiple car models since the last cleaning; and Storage department for storing baseline number of users If there is a car whose number of passengers, as determined by the passenger measurement unit, is greater than or equal to the baseline number, the operation control unit will prioritize that car as the assigned car.

4. An elevator system capable of allowing a cleaning robot to move to multiple floors, wherein, The elevator system has the following features: The first time measurement unit measures the elapsed time since the last cleaning for each of the multiple floors. The robot control unit determines the destination floor of the robot from the plurality of floors based on the elapsed time measured by the first time measuring unit. Multiple car cabins; The number of users is measured for each of the multiple elevator cars since the last cleaning. as well as The operation control unit determines, from among the multiple cars, the assigned car to respond to the destination floor determined by the robot control unit, based on the number of people measured by the people measurement unit.

5. The elevator system according to claim 4, wherein, The elevator system also has a storage unit for storing a base number of passengers. If there is a car whose number of passengers, as determined by the passenger measurement unit, is greater than or equal to the baseline number, the operation control unit will prioritize that car as the assigned car.

6. The elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The elevator system also has a storage unit for storing the second reference time. If there is a car whose elapsed time, as determined by the first time measuring unit, is greater than or equal to the second reference time, the robot control unit will preferentially determine that floor as the destination floor.

7. The elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The elevator system also has a storage unit for storing the third reference time. If there is a floor where the robot's elevator travel time from its current floor is greater than or equal to the third reference time, the robot control unit will prioritize that floor as the destination floor.

8. The elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The assigned car was unoccupied when the robot was riding in it. The operation control unit prevents the assigned elevator car from responding to other elevator call requests after the robot rides in the assigned car until the assigned car reaches the destination floor.

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