Group management device for elevators

Abstract

The group management device (10) of the present invention includes a registration unit (11b), a calculation unit (11c), and a selection unit (11d). The registration unit (11b) registers the passenger floor, destination floor, and assigned car when a user makes a destination call via the landing destination call device (20, 30). The calculation unit (11c) calculates the user's dwell time in the car for each destination call. If the dwell time in the car of a previous destination call that was assigned a car different from the new destination call is shorter than the dwell time calculated by the calculation unit (11c) for the new destination call, the selection unit (11d) selects the previous destination call as an alternative candidate for registration of the new destination call, wherein the previous destination call is a destination call already registered by the registration unit (11b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a group management device for elevators. Background Technology

[0002] In a group management system for elevators with multiple cars, there is a method where users reserve their destination floor before boarding the elevator. In this group management system, users register their destination at the landing before boarding, thus enabling the allocation of cars based on destination floor information, such as allowing users with the same destination floor to ride in the same car, thereby improving the efficiency of user transport.

[0003] The group management device described in Patent Document 1 simulates the operation of multiple elevator cars based on information indicating the elevator's operating status. When a user makes a call for a destination floor at any floor, it calculates the waiting time until the car arrives at the floor. Then, when the user actually makes a call for a destination floor, the device changes the display of each floor as a candidate destination floor based on the calculated waiting time. Thus, the user can determine their destination floor after considering the waiting time until the car arrives at the floor.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-178564 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] The aforementioned group management device lacks a unit for calculating the user's dwell time in the elevator car when the user travels to the destination floor. Therefore, there is a problem that cars with short dwell times cannot be assigned to destination call elevators.

[0009] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a group management device for elevators that can allocate elevators with short dwell times in the car to elevators calling for destination at the landing.

[0010] Methods for solving problems

[0011] The elevator group management device of the present invention comprises: a registration unit that registers the passenger floor, destination floor, and assigned car when a user makes a destination call via a destination call device; a calculation unit that calculates the user's dwell time in the car for the destination call; and a selection unit that selects the past destination call as an alternative candidate for the new destination call registration if the dwell time in the car of a past destination call that was assigned a different car than the new destination call is shorter than the dwell time in the car calculated by the calculation unit for the new destination call. The new destination call is a new destination call made by the user, and the past destination call is a destination call already registered by the registration unit.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] According to the present invention, a group management device for elevators that can allocate elevators with short dwell times in the car to elevators calling for destination at each floor can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram showing an elevator device having the group management device of Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a front view showing the floor station operation display in Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the control of the group management device in Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing information from the elevator call registration information file in Implementation 1.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram showing an elevator system having the group management device of Embodiment 2.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing information about the user information file in Implementation Method 2.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the control of the group management device in Embodiment 2.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a front view showing the portable terminal in Embodiment 3.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the information in the elevator call registration information file in Implementation Method 3.

[0023] Figure 10This is a flowchart illustrating the control of the group management device when displaying the selection option for output elevator call registration in Embodiment 3.

[0024] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the control of the group management device when receiving the option to register an elevator call in Embodiment 3.

[0025] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing information about the user information file in Implementation 4. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Implementation Method 1

[0027] Hereinafter, an elevator device 100 having the group management device 10 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the same reference numerals in each figure indicate the same or corresponding structures and steps. Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the elevator device 100 in Embodiment 1. First, using... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure of the elevator device 100 is described.

[0028] The elevator system 100 includes a group management device 10, a landing operation display 20 installed at each floor of the elevator, and multiple cars and car drive units (not shown). In this embodiment, the group management device 10 of the elevator system 100 outputs a command to move the car to the car drive unit (not shown) based on the landing destination call made by the user using the landing operation display 20.

[0029] Figure 2 This is the front view of the landing destination call device, namely the landing operation display 20, used by users to call for an elevator at their destination. When a user presses operation button 24, information about the floor on which the landing operation display 20 is located and the destination floor corresponding to the pressed operation button 24 is sent to the group management device 10. The group management device 10 then registers the call by assigning a car based on the received landing destination call information. Call registration refers to storing the destination floor, the floor to be used, and the assigned car in the call registration information file 40, which will be described later.

[0030] Here, a general car allocation based on destination call information from a landing station will be explained. Regardless of whether a destination call system is used, when a user calls a car from a landing station, the group management device 10 calculates an evaluation value for each car and assigns the car with the higher evaluation value to the call. In this evaluation value calculation, adjustments are made, such as adding the evaluation value of the moving car, in addition to the time until the car arrives at the landing station. In particular, in group management devices using destination call systems, adjustments are made based on the evaluation value of the destination floor specified by the user at the landing station. For example, further adjustments are made, such as adding an evaluation value, for cars that are assigned to a call to the same destination floor as the one pressed by the user at the landing station.

[0031] If, during the calculation of the evaluation value as described above, the evaluation value can be adjusted in a way that reduces the user's dwell time in the elevator car, the user's transportation efficiency may be reduced.

[0032] Therefore, in this embodiment, when a user makes a new destination call (i.e., a new destination call), the group management device 10 calculates an evaluation value for that destination call, assuming the user's dwell time in the car during car allocation. Then, it selects a destination call with a shorter dwell time than the new destination call from among the previously registered destination calls, as a replacement candidate. The user then rides the same car with other users who made the replacement candidate call and exits at a floor close to their desired destination. This prevents a decrease in transport efficiency due to registering a new destination call while allocating cars with shorter dwell times. Furthermore, the shorter dwell time improves user comfort and public health, including infectious disease control measures.

[0033] Next, use Figure 1 The structure of the group management device 10 and the floor operation display 20 will be described in more detail.

[0034] The group management device 10 has a processor 11, a storage unit 12 and an interface 13.

[0035] The processor 11 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is connected to the storage unit 12 and the interface 13 to exchange information. The processor 11 has a control unit 11a, a registration unit 11b, an arithmetic unit 11c, and a selection unit 11d.

[0036] The control unit 11a has a software module that controls the registration unit 11b, the calculation unit 11c, and the selection unit 11d, as well as the overall control of the elevator system 100, including multiple cars (not shown) and their drive units. Furthermore, the control unit 11a has a software module that outputs instructions to the display device 23 (described later) for the car and destination floor assigned to the new floor destination call.

[0037] The registration unit 11b has the following software module: when a user makes a call for the elevator to the destination via the landing operation display 20, the floor to be used, the destination floor, and the assigned car call are registered in the call registration information file 40 stored in the storage unit 12, which will be described later.

[0038] The calculation unit 11c has a software module for calculating the dwell time in the elevator car for users calling for new or past destination floors. Furthermore, the calculation unit 11c has a software module for calculating evaluation values ​​used to allocate elevator cars.

[0039] The selection unit 11d has a software module that selects a past destination call as a replacement candidate for a new destination call if the car dwell time of a previously registered destination call is shorter than the car dwell time of a new destination call made by the user. This software module selects replacement candidates from past destination calls registered within a predetermined range of destination and boarding floors. In this embodiment, the boarding floor is the floor where the landing operation display 20 is installed and a new destination call has been made. The destination floor is the floor specified by the new destination call, and the predetermined range refers to a range where the boarding floors are the same and the destination floor is one floor above or below it.

[0040] Storage unit 12 is a storage device that stores the elevator call registration information file 40, which will be described later. In addition, storage unit 12 stores information for processing by processor 11, and stores information generated by the processing of processor 11.

[0041] Interface 13 has terminals for connecting the landing operation display 20 and wires (not shown). Additionally, interface 13 has terminals required for the operation of other elevator components 100, such as the car and its drive unit (not shown). Furthermore, interface 13 can also be used as a wireless communication device for connection to other structures via wireless communication.

[0042] The floor operation display 20 includes a processor 21, a communication unit 22, a display device 23, and operation buttons 24. The processor 21 is the CPU of the floor operation display 20 control device, and it exchanges information with the communication unit 22, the display device 23, and the operation buttons 24. The communication unit 22 is a terminal for wired communication with the interface 13 of the group management device 10 via a wire.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, when a user makes a call for the elevator to their destination floor, the display device 23 displays the car assigned to that floor (in...). Figure 2 The middle one is F aircraft) and the destination floor (in Figure 2 (The middle section has 16 floors). Figure 2 As shown, operation button 24 is a press button corresponding to each floor, pressed by the user. Furthermore, the destination floor displayed on display device 23 does not necessarily correspond to the operation button 24 pressed by the user. That is, when the selection unit 11d selects an alternative candidate for a new floor destination call, the destination floor of the previous floor destination call that was the alternative candidate is displayed, prompting the user who made the new floor destination call to exit the elevator at the displayed floor.

[0044] Next, use Figure 3 and Figure 4 This explains the operation of this implementation method. Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the control of the group management device 10 when a user makes a call for an elevator to a new floor.

[0045] Control unit 11a begins when a user makes a call for the elevator to a new floor. Figure 3 The processing is as follows: Specifically, when a user presses the operation button 24 of the landing operation display 20, the landing operation display 20 sends information about the floor where the landing operation display 20 is located and information about the floor corresponding to the pressed operation button 24 via the communication unit 22, as elevator call information. Then, when the elevator call information is received via the interface 13, the control unit 11a begins processing. In this embodiment, the floor where the landing operation display 20 is located is the floor where the user made a new destination call, and the floor corresponding to the pressed operation button 24 is the user's desired destination floor.

[0046] In step S11, the calculation unit 11c calculates the evaluation value for the new floor destination call, and the process proceeds to step S12. Specifically, similar to the existing group management device that uses floor destination calls, the calculation unit 11c calculates the evaluation value for the multiple cars equipped by the elevator device 100 based on the call information, the information of past floor destination calls stored in the call registration information file 40, and the current car position.

[0047] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of the elevator call registration information file 40. The elevator call registration information file 40 is a data file containing elevator call registration information stored by the registration unit 11b through the processing in step S15, which will be described later. Based on the elevator call registration information stored in the elevator call registration information file 40, the control unit 11a outputs instructions to the drive unit of the car, thereby performing group management of the elevator unit 100.

[0048] The elevator call registration information file 40 includes registration number information 40a (as consecutive numbers), floor information 40b, destination floor information 40c, assigned car information 40d, allowed passenger information 40e, and car dwell time information 40f. Floor information 40b indicates the floor the user took, and in this embodiment, it represents the floor where the floor operation display 20 that sent the call information is located. Destination floor information 40c indicates the floor the car, which moved according to the elevator call registration information, stops at. Assigned car information 40d indicates the car assigned to each registered call. In the following description, the elevator device 100 of this embodiment has three cars: F, G, and H. Allowed passenger information 40e indicates how many additional passengers can ride in the cars assigned to each registered call. Car dwell time information 40f indicates the time the user spends inside the car from the floor calculated by the calculation unit 11c to the destination floor.

[0049] In step S12, the calculation unit 11c calculates the dwell time in the car of the user who has been assigned a car based on the evaluation value calculated in step S11 and has registered a new floor destination call, and then the process proceeds to step S13.

[0050] Specifically, the calculation unit 11c assigns the car with the highest evaluation value to the destination call elevator at the new floor. Assuming call registration has been completed, it calculates the predicted time the user will spend in the car. This calculation is performed as follows: referring to the call registration information file 40, considering the number of stops and floors, the time taken for the journey is calculated based on the car's speed along the journey path, or the dwell time at each floor is added to this time. This is because the elevator car of the elevator unit 100 accelerates, operates at maximum speed, and decelerates from the start of the journey until it stops; therefore, the total dwell time in the car varies not only based on the number of stops but also on the floors visited.

[0051] Alternatively, this calculation can be performed by simulating the movement of the elevator car each time a new floor destination call is made, or it can be performed by storing predicted values ​​based on the distance between floors and the floors to which the elevator stops along the way in the storage unit 12 and referring to those values. Furthermore, in this invention, the calculation also includes referring to such values ​​pre-stored in the storage unit 12.

[0052] In addition, other factors can be considered when calculating the dwell time inside the elevator car. For example, on floors with a large number of passengers, the time spent getting on and off the train can be added to the dwell time inside the elevator car.

[0053] In step S13, the selection unit 11d determines whether there is a past floor destination call in the elevator call registration information file 40 where the allowed number of people 40e is one or more and is similar to the new floor destination call. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S14; if it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0054] Similar to a new destination call, a past destination call refers to a past destination call where the passenger floor information 40b and destination floor information 40c are within a predetermined range. In this embodiment, the predetermined range refers to the range of floors within one floor above and below the floor where the passenger floor is the same as the floor where the new destination call was made, and the destination floor is the floor specified by the new destination call. Therefore, the selection unit 11d determines whether there is a past destination call in the call registration information file 40 that meets the conditions of passenger floor information 40b, destination floor information 40c, and allowed number of passengers information 40e. Furthermore, the selection unit 11d extracts the past destination calls that meet the conditions and temporarily stores the registration number information 40a in the storage unit 12.

[0055] In step S14, the selection unit 11d determines whether there exists a past destination call in the past floor destination call list temporarily stored in step S13 whose car dwell time information 40f is shorter than the car dwell time of the new destination call calculated in step S12. If such a call exists, the process proceeds to step S17; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S15. Specifically, referring to the registration number information 40a stored in the storage unit 12 in step S13, the past destination call is extracted from the call registration information file 40, and the car dwell time information 40f is compared with the car dwell time of the new destination call.

[0056] In step S15, the registration unit 11b registers the new destination call for the elevator, causing the process to proceed to step S16. Specifically, the registration unit 11b adds a new registration number 40a and associates it with the previously added registration number 40a. The information indicating the floor where the floor operation display 20 is set and the information corresponding to the operation button 24, contained in the new destination call information, are stored in the passenger floor information 40b and destination floor information 40c, respectively. Furthermore, the registration unit 11b designates the car with the highest evaluation value calculated in step S11 as the assigned car and stores it in the assigned car information 40d. The registration unit 11b calculates the allowed number of passengers based on the difference between the rated load capacity of the assigned car and the total load capacity calculated based on other past destination calls, and stores this information in the allowed number of passengers information 40e. Then, the dwell time in the car calculated by the calculation unit 11c in step S12 is stored in the dwell time in the car information 40f.

[0057] Furthermore, since a new destination call for a new floor has been added to the elevator call registration information file 40 as a past destination call, the calculation unit 11c updates the car dwell time information 40f for the past destination calls that have recently made an intermediate stop, which are stored in the elevator call registration information file 40. Specifically, the calculation and update are performed using the same method as the calculation for the new destination call in step S12.

[0058] In step S16, the control unit 11a outputs a signal that causes the display device 23 of the landing operation display 20 to display the car assigned to the destination call at the new landing and the destination floor information corresponding to the operation button 24, which is the destination floor input by the user. Specifically, the output information displays the destination floor information 40c and car assignment information 40d stored in the call registration information file 40 in step S15, as well as the car assignment information.

[0059] On the other hand, in step S17, the selection unit 11d selects the past floor destination call elevator with the shortest car dwell time as an alternative candidate for the call registration of the new floor destination elevator, and the process proceeds to step S18. Specifically, the past floor destination call elevator with the smallest value of the car dwell time information 40f among the qualified past floor destination call elevators temporarily stored in the storage unit 12 in step S13 is selected as an alternative candidate, and the registration number information 40a is stored in the storage unit 12. That is, even if a past floor destination call elevator was assigned to a different car than the car assigned to the new floor destination elevator in step S12, it is still selected as an alternative candidate if the value of the car dwell time information 40f is the smallest.

[0060] In step S18, the registration unit 11b replaces the elevator call registration for the new floor destination elevator in step S15 by subtracting one person from the allowed passenger information 40e of the car assigned to the past floor destination elevator selected as a replacement candidate in step S17. Specifically, in step S17, referring to the registration number information 40a of the replacement candidate stored in the storage unit 12, the assigned car information 40d corresponding to the registration number information 40a is determined from the elevator call registration information file 40. Then, one person is subtracted from the allowed passenger information 40e of the past floor destination elevator with the same assigned car information 40d.

[0061] In step S19, the control unit 11a outputs a signal that causes the display device 23 of the landing operation display 20 to display information about the assigned car and destination floor of the past landing destination call selected as alternative candidates in step S17. Specifically, in step S17, referring to the registration number information 40a stored in the storage unit 12, the assigned car information 40d and destination floor information 40c corresponding to the registration number information 40a are determined from the call registration information file 40. Then, a signal is output that displays the assigned car information and destination floor information corresponding to the determined assigned car information 40d and destination floor information 40c.

[0062] Then, the control unit 11a drives the car while referring to the call registration information file 40. Therefore, when a new call for a new destination elevator is registered in step S15, the control unit stops the car with the highest evaluation value calculated in step S11 at the destination elevator. On the other hand, when an alternative candidate is selected in step S17, the control unit 11a stops the car assigned to the previous destination elevator as an alternative candidate at the user's floor, moving the car to the destination floor of the previous destination elevator.

[0063] According to this embodiment, a group management device 10 can be provided that can assign elevators with short dwell times to elevators for users making new destination calls. Furthermore, by having users who have made new destination calls ride in the same elevators assigned to previously registered destination calls, overall passenger transport efficiency can be maintained.

[0064] The elevator car of the elevator unit 100 is an enclosed space, which becomes a dense space depending on the number of passengers. According to the present invention, the elevator call is assigned to a car with a short dwell time, thereby providing users with a lower risk of infection for movement between floors.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the selection unit 11d selects an alternative candidate, the car assigned to that alternative candidate is automatically assigned to the destination call elevator at the new floor. Therefore, compared to other embodiments described later, it saves the user the effort of selecting a car.

[0066] Implementation Method 2

[0067] In step S13 of Embodiment 1, when the selection unit 11d determines whether there is a past destination call similar to the new destination call, it uses the same predetermined range for all users to determine whether there is a similar past destination call. This embodiment uses a predetermined range, i.e., an allowable value, set individually by the user to determine whether there is a past destination call similar to the new destination call. Hereinafter, the differences from Embodiment 1 will be explained.

[0068] First, use Figure 5 and Figure 6 The structure of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, similar to Embodiment 1, the elevator device 100 includes a group management device 10 and a landing operation display 20. Furthermore, the elevator device 100 communicates with the landing destination call device (i.e., portable terminal 30) carried by the user, thereby forming the elevator system 200.

[0069] In this embodiment, as a floor destination call device, the elevator system 200 also has a portable terminal 30 in addition to the floor operation display 20. Users can also specify the floor to take the elevator and the destination floor from their own portable terminal 30 to make a floor destination call.

[0070] The portable terminal 30 includes a processor 31, a communication unit 32, and a touch panel 33. The processor 31 is the CPU that serves as the control device of the portable terminal 30, and it is connected to the communication unit 32 and the touch panel 33 to exchange information.

[0071] The communication unit 32 is a transmitter / receiver that communicates wirelessly with the group management device 10 via the interface 13. The touch panel 33 is an operation panel for the user to operate the portable terminal 30 and a display for showing information to the user.

[0072] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, the interface 13 has terminals for connecting wires. In this embodiment, in addition to the structure present in Embodiment 1, the interface 13 also has a transmitting and receiving device for communicating with the communication unit 32 of the portable terminal 30.

[0073] In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 stores... Figure 6The user information file 50 is shown. When selecting alternative candidates for calling the elevator to a new destination floor, the user information file 50 stores the allowed floor distance from the user's desired floor as an allowable value for each user.

[0074] The permitted values ​​stored in the user information file 50 can be set separately for the floor to which the user intends to go and the floor to which the user intends to go. Furthermore, these permitted values ​​can be set separately for floors above or below the floor the user desires. That is, the user information file 50 contains the name information 50a of each user, and for each name information 50a, it contains permitted values ​​50b (upward direction to destination), 50c (downward direction to destination), 50d (upward direction to elevator), and 50e (downward direction to elevator).

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 11a has a software module that updates the user information file 50 based on input from the portable terminal 30. Additionally, the control unit 11a has a software module that outputs instructions to the touch panel 33 of the portable terminal 30 to display the floor to be used, in addition to the car and destination floor assigned to the new destination call.

[0076] Furthermore, the selection unit 11d of this embodiment has the following software module: referring to the information of allowable values ​​stored in the user information file 50, if the dwell time in the car of the past destination elevator call is shorter than the dwell time in the car of the user's new destination elevator call within the allowable value range, the past destination elevator call is selected as an alternative candidate for the new destination elevator call.

[0077] For example, according to Figure 6 The following situation is shown: A is able to allow the destination floor within the range of 2 floors above and 1 floor below the desired floor, and is able to allow the elevator floors within the range of 1 floor above and 2 floors below the desired floor.

[0078] Users can send permission information to group management device 10 in advance using portable terminal 30 and update user information file 50, thereby enabling them to pre-determine the range of alternative candidates to be selected when making a destination call for a floor station.

[0079] Next, use Figure 7 The operation of this embodiment will be explained. Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the control process when a user makes a new floor destination call using the portable terminal 30. Furthermore, when a user makes a new floor destination call using the floor operation display 20, the same control process as in Embodiment 1 is performed.

[0080] In Embodiment 1, the control unit 11a begins processing upon receiving an elevator call message sent from the floor operation display 20. In this embodiment, processing also begins when the user sends an elevator call message using the portable terminal 30. The elevator call message sent from the portable terminal 30 includes the user's name, the user's desired floor, and the destination floor, which serve as information to identify the user.

[0081] In Implementation 1, in step S13, for all users using the same predetermined range, it is determined whether there are similar past destination calls for elevators. In this implementation, in step S13a, the selection unit 11d refers to the user information file 50 to determine whether there are past destination calls for elevators within the predetermined range made by users who have made new destination calls for elevators.

[0082] Specifically, the selection unit 11d uses the name information contained in the elevator call information to retrieve the name information 50a from the user information file 50, and temporarily stores the allowed value information in the storage unit 12. Then, the selection unit 11d determines whether there is a past floor destination elevator call in the elevator call registration information file 40 that meets the conditions of elevator floor information 40b, destination floor information 40c, and allowed number of people information 40e. At this time, the conditions for elevator floor information 40b and destination floor information 40c are that the elevator floor information and destination floor information contained in the call information of the new floor destination elevator are within the allowed value range. In addition, similar to Embodiment 1, the condition for allowed number of people information 40e is one or more people. Then, similar to Embodiment 1, the past floor destination elevator call that meets the conditions is extracted, and the registration number information 40a is temporarily stored in the storage unit 12.

[0083] In steps S16a and S19a, the control unit 11a outputs an instruction to make the portable terminal 30 display information about the destination floor, the elevator floor, and the assigned car.

[0084] According to this embodiment, a selection range of alternative candidates can be set for each user. In this way, users can study the risk of infectious diseases and the load of using stairs to move between floors, and pre-set a selection range suitable for themselves as the selection range of alternative candidates, thereby making more comfortable use of the elevator device 100.

[0085] Implementation Method 3

[0086] In embodiments 1 and 2, the group management device 10 selects alternative candidates for a new floor destination call based solely on the dwell time in the car, and automatically allocates a car to the called elevator. This embodiment utilizes multiple criteria for selecting alternative candidates by the selection unit 11d of the group management device 10, and after selecting multiple alternative candidates, prompts the user with a selection option. The following description focuses on the differences from embodiment 2. First, the structure of this embodiment will be explained.

[0087] In Embodiment 2, the calculation unit 11c includes a software module for calculating the evaluation value and the dwell time in the car. In this embodiment, the calculation unit 11c also includes a software module for calculating the congestion level of the car, a risk index indicating the level of infectious disease transmission risk, the waiting time at the landing until the car arrives at the landing, and the total waiting time, which is the sum of the waiting time at the landing and the dwell time in the car, until the user arrives at the destination floor.

[0088] Crowding volume is a measure of the population density within the elevator car. In this embodiment, the elevator system 100 has multiple cars with the same floor area, therefore, the ratio of crowding volume to the number of passengers is consistent. Furthermore, the risk index is an index calculated based on crowding volume and dwell time within the car; in this embodiment, it is calculated based on the product of crowding volume and dwell time within the car.

[0089] In Embodiment 2, the selection unit 11d selects past floor destination call elevators with short dwell times in the car as alternative candidates for new floor destination call elevators. In this embodiment, the selection unit 11d selects past floor destination call elevators that meet predetermined selection criteria. Specifically, the selection unit 11d has a software module that selects past floor destination call elevators with low risk indices and short total waiting times, in addition to cars with short dwell times in the car, as alternative candidates.

[0090] In Embodiment 2, the control unit 11a outputs an instruction to the display device 23 to display the car and destination floor assigned to the new destination elevator call. In this embodiment, the control unit 11a has a software module that, for the selection of elevator call registration options including the alternative candidates selected by the selection unit 11d, causes the portable terminal 30, which is a destination elevator call device, to display the destination floor and the dwell time in the car.

[0091] Specifically, the software module outputs instructions for new floor destination calls and past floor destination calls selected by the selection unit 11d with the shortest car dwell time, the lowest risk index, and the shortest total waiting time, displaying the floor taken, the destination floor, the assigned car, the car dwell time, the risk index, and the total waiting time. Figure 8 This is a diagram showing a portable terminal 30 with options displayed on the touch panel 33.

[0092] In Embodiment 2, when a user makes a call for an elevator to their destination floor, the registration unit 11b automatically determines the destination floor, the floor to be taken, and the assigned elevator car in the elevator call registration information file 40. In this embodiment, the registration unit 11b has a software module that registers elevator calls in the elevator call registration information file 40 based on the user's selected options.

[0093] In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 has Figure 9 The elevator call registration information file 41 shown replaces the elevator call registration information file 40. In addition to registration number information 40a, floor information 40b, destination floor information 40c, assigned car information 40d, allowed number of passengers information 40e, and car dwell time information 40f, the elevator call registration information file 41 also includes congestion information 40g, index information 40h, floor waiting time information 40i, and total time information 40j. The congestion information 40g, index information 40h, floor waiting time information 40i, and total time information 40j respectively represent the congestion level, risk index, floor waiting time, and total waiting time calculated by the calculation unit 11c. The total waiting time is the sum of the car dwell time and the floor waiting time.

[0094] Next, use Figure 10 and Figure 11 This explains the operation of this implementation method. Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the control process when selecting options for outputting elevator call registration. Additionally, Figure 10 Terminal A in Figure 11 Terminal A is the same in all of them. These terminals A indicate that... Figure 10 After step S21, proceed to step S31.

[0095] and Figure 7 Similarly, in Embodiment 2 described herein, the control begins when a destination call for an elevator is made from the portable terminal 30. When a destination call for an elevator is made from the landing operation display 20, the call registration is performed using the same control as in Embodiment 1.

[0096] In step S12b, the calculation unit 11c calculates various times, etc. Specifically, the calculation unit 11c assumes that the car with the highest evaluation value calculated in step S11 is assigned to the destination elevator at the new floor and the elevator call is registered, and calculates the dwell time in the car, the congestion level, the risk index, the waiting time at the floor, and the total waiting time.

[0097] Furthermore, in the calculation of step S12b, the calculation unit 11c, similarly to step S12 in Embodiment 2, assumes that the car with the highest evaluation value is assigned to the destination elevator at the new floor and elevator call registration is performed, and calculates the user, various times, etc. This calculation is, of course, performed by the calculation unit 11c with reference to the elevator call registration information file 41 and taking into account the number of intermediate stops, etc.

[0098] In step S14b, the selection unit 11d determines whether there is a past destination call that meets the predetermined selection criteria from the past destination calls temporarily stored in step S13a. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S17b; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S15b. Similar to step S14 in Embodiment 2, the selection unit 11d refers to the registration number information 40a stored in the storage unit 12 in step S13a, thereby extracting the past destination call to be considered from the call registration information file 40 and determining whether it meets the predetermined selection criteria.

[0099] In this embodiment, the predetermined selection criteria are the following three: First, the car dwell time information 40f is shorter than the car dwell time of the new floor destination call calculated in step S12b. Second, the index information 40h is lower than the risk index of the new floor destination call calculated in step S12b. Third, the total time information 40j is shorter than the total waiting time of the new floor destination call calculated in step S12b.

[0100] In step S15b, the registration unit 11b registers the elevator call for the new floor destination, causing the process to proceed to step S16a. Specifically, in step S15b, in addition to the same processing as step S15 in Embodiment 2, the registration unit 11b also stores the congestion information 40g, index information 40h, floor waiting time information 40i, and total time information 40j in the elevator call registration information file 41.

[0101] In addition, at this time, the calculation unit 11c updates the car dwell time information 40f, congestion information 40g, index information 40h, floor waiting time information 40i, and total time information 40j for new past floor destination calls that have stopped midway, which are stored in the call registration information file 41.

[0102] In step S17b, the selection unit 11d selects alternative candidates for destination elevator calls at new floors, causing the process to proceed to step S21. Specifically, as alternative candidates, the selection unit 11d selects the elevator call with the shortest car dwell time, the elevator call with the lowest risk index, and the elevator call with the shortest total waiting time from the past destination elevator calls temporarily stored in the storage unit 12 in step S13a, and temporarily stores them in the storage unit 12.

[0103] In step S21, the control unit 11a outputs an instruction to make the portable terminal 30 display the elevator call registration options, causing the process to proceed to step S31. The elevator call registration options refer to the new floor destination call and the past floor destination call selected as alternative candidates by the selection unit 11d in step S17b. Specifically, for the new floor destination call, the control unit 11a outputs the following instruction: to make the portable terminal 30 display the user's desired elevator floor and destination floor information contained in the elevator call information sent by the user from the portable terminal 30, the car with the highest evaluation value calculated by the calculation unit 11c in step S11, and the car dwell time, risk index, and total waiting time calculated by the calculation unit 11c in step S12b. In addition, for the alternative candidates, the control unit 11a outputs the following instruction: to make the portable terminal 30 display elevator floor information 40b, destination floor information 40c, assigned car information 40d, car dwell time information 40f, index information 40h, and total time information 40j.

[0104] exist Figure 11 In step S31, the control unit 11a waits for information about the selection chosen by the user to be sent from the portable terminal 30. When the control unit 11a receives the information about the selection chosen by the user via the interface 13, the process proceeds to step S32.

[0105] In step S32, the control unit 11a determines whether the option selected by the user is an alternative candidate. If it is an alternative candidate, the process proceeds to step S18. On the other hand, if the option selected by the user is a call for a new floor destination elevator, the process proceeds to step S15b.

[0106] As described above, according to this embodiment, similarly to Embodiments 1 and 2, a group management device 10 can be provided that can allocate cars with short dwell times in the car to destination calls at different landings. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, if a user wishes to select another car based on other criteria, a previous destination call can be selected as an alternative candidate based on those criteria. Moreover, when alternative candidates are selected based on criteria other than dwell time in the car, since they are selected from previous destination calls in the same manner as in Embodiments 1 and 2, the overall transport efficiency for the user can also be maintained.

[0107] Implementation Method 4

[0108] In step S14b of Embodiment 3, when the selection unit 11d determines whether there is a past floor destination call that meets the selection criteria, it uses the same selection criteria for all users to determine whether there is a past floor destination call that meets the selection criteria. Hereinafter, the differences from Embodiment 3 will be explained. First, the structure of this embodiment will be explained.

[0109] In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 stores a user information file 51 instead of the user information file 50 in embodiment 3. In addition to the allowed value information stored in the user information file 50, the user information file 51 also has selection option reference information 50f according to each name information 50a.

[0110] The selection criteria information is set by the user using the portable terminal 30. In addition to the selection criteria used in step S14b of embodiment 3, for example, "past floor destination call with a dwell time in the car that is more than 10 seconds shorter than the destination call of the new floor" can also be set as the selection criteria.

[0111] In this embodiment, the control unit 11a also includes a software module that updates the user information file 51 based on input from the portable terminal 30. Furthermore, the selection unit 11d includes a software module that determines the selections displayed on the portable terminal 30 based on the selection criteria chosen by the user.

[0112] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

[0113] In step S14b of this embodiment, the selection unit 11d refers to the user information file 51 and determines whether there is a past destination call that meets the predetermined selection criteria among the past destination calls temporarily stored in step S13a. Specifically, similar to step S13a, the selection unit 11d uses the name information included in the call information to retrieve the name information 50a from the user information file 51 and temporarily stores the selection criteria information 50f in the storage unit 12. Then, the selection unit 11d determines whether there is a past destination call that meets the selection criteria in the call registration information file 41.

[0114] Furthermore, in step S17b of this embodiment, as alternative candidates, the selection unit 11d selects past floor destination call elevators that meet the selection criteria set by the user and temporarily stores them in the storage unit 12.

[0115] As described above, according to this embodiment, similarly to Embodiment 3, a group management device 10 can be provided that can allocate cars with short dwell times in the car to the destination call at each floor. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the user can set selection criteria, thus offering the advantage that the user can easily select the options for elevator call registration.

[0116] The embodiments have been described above; however, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The following are modified examples.

[0117] In this implementation, the selection unit 11d compares the dwell time in the car of a new floor destination call with the dwell time information 40f stored in the call registration information files 40 and 41. However, it is also possible not to store the dwell time information 40f in the call registration information files 40 and 41, and instead, if a new floor destination call exists, the calculation unit 11c will also perform calculations for past floor destination calls. The same applies to the congestion information 40g and the total time information 40j.

[0118] In embodiments 2 to 4, when a destination elevator call is made from the landing operation display 20, the group management device 10 registers the call using the same process as in embodiment 1. However, if the landing operation display 20 has a structure capable of recognizing the user, then, similar to the case in embodiments 2 to 4 where a destination elevator call is made from the portable terminal 30, the selection unit 11d can also select alternative candidates based on each user's allowed value. A structure capable of recognizing the user is, for example, a card reader.

[0119] Furthermore, if the landing operation display 20 has a structure that displays selection options and accepts user selections, then the selection options can be output to the landing operation display 20 in the same way as in embodiment 3 or 4, where a landing destination call is made from the portable terminal 30. The structure that displays selection options and accepts user selections is, for example, a touch panel.

[0120] In this implementation, the selection unit 11d refers to the allowed passenger information 40e to determine whether there are similar past destination calls for elevators with an allowed passenger capacity of one or more people. However, this determination may also consider whether there are other similar past destination calls for more than one person. For example, past destination calls for elevators with an allocated car's allowed passenger capacity of less than a predetermined number (e.g., 5 people) may not be included in the selection options. In this way, by allowing a leeway in the allowed passenger capacity, it is possible to prevent situations where, during the user's selection process, other users make destination calls exceeding the allowed passenger capacity, thus preventing users from riding together.

[0121] Label Explanation

[0122] 10: Group management device; 11: Processor; 11a: Control unit; 11b: Registration unit; 11c: Calculation unit; 11d: Selection unit; 12: Storage unit; 13: Interface; 20: Floor operation display; 21: Processor; 22: Communication unit; 23: Display device; 24: Operation button; 30: Portable terminal; 31: Processor; 32: Communication unit; 33: Touch panel; 40, 41: Elevator call registration information file; 40a: Registration number information; 40b: Elevator floor information; 40c: Destination floor information; 40 d: Car allocation information; 40e: Allowed passenger information; 40f: Car dwell time information; 40g: Crowding information; 40h: Index information; 40i: Floor waiting time information; 40j: Total time information; 50, 51: User information files; 50a: Name information; 50b: Permitted value for upward travel to destination; 50c: Permitted value for downward travel to destination; 50d: Permitted value for upward travel; 50e: Permitted value for downward travel; 50f: Selection basis information; 100: Elevator device; 200: Elevator system.

Claims

1. A group management device for elevators, the group management device for elevators comprising: The registration department registers the elevator call information, including the floor used, the destination floor, and the assigned car, when a user makes a call to the elevator for their destination using the destination elevator call device. The calculation unit calculates the user's dwell time in the elevator car for the destination call at the floor station. as well as The selection unit selects a past destination elevator as an alternative candidate for registration of the new destination elevator if the dwell time in the car of a past destination elevator, which was assigned a different car than the new destination elevator, is shorter than the dwell time calculated by the calculation unit for the new destination elevator. The new destination elevator is a new destination call made by the user, and the past destination elevator is a destination call already registered by the registration unit. The selection unit selects the alternative candidate from the past destination calls that are registered within a predetermined range of destination floors and elevator floors from the destination floor and elevator floor of the new destination call.

2. The elevator group management device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The predetermined range used by the selection unit in selecting the alternative candidates is set by the user.

3. The elevator group management device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The selection unit selects the destination call elevator of the past floor with the shortest dwell time in the car as the alternative candidate.

4. The elevator group management device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The elevator group management device also has a control unit. When the selection unit selects the alternative candidate, the control unit outputs an instruction to the destination call device that displays information about the destination floor and the assigned car of the previous destination call as the alternative candidate. When the alternative candidate is not selected, the control unit outputs an instruction to the destination call device that displays information about the car assigned to the new destination call and the destination floor input by the user.

5. The elevator group management device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The elevator group management device also has a control unit. When the selection unit selects the alternative candidate, the control unit outputs an instruction to the destination call device that displays information about the destination floor and the assigned car of the previous destination call as the alternative candidate. When the alternative candidate is not selected, the control unit outputs an instruction to the destination call device that displays information about the car assigned to the new destination call and the destination floor input by the user.

6. The elevator group management device according to claim 4, characterized in that, If the selection unit selects the alternative candidate, the control unit stops the car of the past floor destination call elevator, which was assigned as the alternative candidate, at the user's elevator floor.

7. The elevator group management device according to claim 5, characterized in that, If the selection unit selects the alternative candidate, the control unit stops the car of the past floor destination call elevator, which was assigned as the alternative candidate, at the user's elevator floor.

8. The elevator group management device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The elevator group management device also has a control unit that outputs an instruction to cause the landing destination call device to display multiple options, including the new landing destination call and the alternative candidate, along with the destination floor and the dwell time in the car for each of these options.

9. The elevator group management device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The elevator group management device also has a control unit that outputs an instruction to cause the landing destination call device to display multiple options, including the new landing destination call and the alternative candidate, along with the destination floor and the dwell time in the car for each of these options.

10. The elevator group management device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The selection section does not include past floor destination call options for cars with an assigned passenger capacity below a predetermined number.

11. The elevator group management device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The selection section does not include past floor destination call options for cars with an assigned passenger capacity below a predetermined number.

12. The elevator group management device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The selection unit determines the selection item to be displayed on the destination call device of the floor based on the selection criteria set by the user.

13. The elevator group management device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The selection unit determines the selection item to be displayed on the destination call device of the floor based on the selection criteria set by the user.

14. The elevator group management device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The selection unit determines the selection item to be displayed on the destination call device of the floor based on the selection criteria set by the user.

15. The elevator group management device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The selection unit determines the selection item to be displayed on the destination call device of the floor based on the selection criteria set by the user.

16. The elevator group management device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The control unit outputs an instruction to cause the destination call device at each floor to display an index calculated based on the crowding level of the car and the dwell time inside the car for the selected option.

17. The elevator group management device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The control unit outputs an instruction to cause the destination call device at each floor to display an index calculated based on the crowding level of the car and the dwell time inside the car for the selected option.

18. The elevator group management device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The control unit outputs an instruction to cause the destination call device at each floor to display an index calculated based on the crowding level of the car and the dwell time inside the car for the selected option.

19. The elevator group management device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The control unit outputs an instruction to cause the destination call device at each floor to display an index calculated based on the crowding level of the car and the dwell time inside the car for the selected option.

20. The elevator group management device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The control unit outputs an instruction to cause the destination call device at each floor to display an index calculated based on the crowding level of the car and the dwell time inside the car for the selected option.

21. The elevator group management device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The control unit outputs an instruction to cause the destination call device at each floor to display an index calculated based on the crowding level of the car and the dwell time inside the car for the selected option.

22. The elevator group management device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The control unit outputs an instruction to cause the destination call device at each floor to display an index calculated based on the crowding level of the car and the dwell time inside the car for the selected option.

23. The elevator group management device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The control unit outputs an instruction to cause the destination call device at each floor to display an index calculated based on the crowding level of the car and the dwell time inside the car for the selected option.

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