Elevator communication system

Abstract

Provided is an elevator communication system capable of communicating with passengers (people) in a car in various languages at multiple locations outside the car with a simple configuration. The elevator communication system includes a control device that controls an elevator and a car interphone device provided inside a car of the elevator. The control device includes a communication unit that causes voice communication data to be communicated between the car interphone device and an external interphone device provided outside the car, and a detection unit that detects whether a mobile interphone device that is movable is located inside the car. The communication unit switches a communication counterpart of the external interphone device from the car interphone device to the mobile interphone device when the detection unit detects that the mobile interphone device is located inside the car. The mobile interphone device includes a translation unit that translates a language used in voice communication between the mobile interphone device and the external interphone device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to elevator communication systems. Background Technology

[0002] A remote monitoring system for an elevator is known, which enables passengers in the car to communicate with an operator at a monitoring center by pressing an emergency call button located inside the car. The remote monitoring system includes: a language recognition unit that recognizes the language of passengers in the car; a translation unit that translates the language of passengers recognized by the language recognition unit into the language used by the operator at the monitoring center; and a voice communication control unit that outputs the translated voice of passengers to an operator terminal, and reversely translates the voice of the operator into the language used by passengers through the translation unit and outputs it to the car (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-190721 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in the elevator communication system shown in Patent Document 1, the process becomes complex because a translation unit is installed in the monitoring center, requiring the recognition of the language of passengers inside the elevator car. Furthermore, it cannot translate conversations with locations where no translation unit is installed, such as the manager's office of a building with an elevator. To translate conversations with the manager's office, a translation unit must also be installed in the manager's office, outside the monitoring center.

[0008] This disclosure was made to solve such a problem. Its purpose is to provide an elevator communication system that enables passengers speaking various languages ​​to communicate from multiple external locations within the elevator car with a simple structure.

[0009] means for solving problems

[0010] The elevator communication system disclosed herein includes: a control device for controlling an elevator; and a car intercom device disposed inside the elevator car. The control device includes: a communication unit for enabling voice call data to be communicated between the car intercom device and an external intercom device disposed outside the car; and a detection unit for detecting that a movable mobile intercom device is located inside the car. If the detection unit detects that the mobile intercom device is located inside the car, the communication unit switches the communication counterpart of the external intercom device from the car intercom device to the mobile intercom device. The mobile intercom device includes a translation unit for translating the language used in the voice call between the mobile intercom device and the external intercom device.

[0011] The effects of the invention

[0012] The elevator communication system disclosed herein achieves the following effect: it enables communication with passengers speaking various languages ​​from multiple external locations within the elevator car using a simple structure. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the structure of the elevator communication system in Implementation Method 1.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the elevator communication system according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator communication system in Implementation 1.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure that implements the function of the elevator control device in Embodiment 1.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0018] 10 Elevator car; 11 Car intercom device; 12 Detection device; 20 Remote monitoring center; 21 Central intercom device; 30 Administrator's room; 31 Administrator intercom device; 40 Elevator control device; 41 Communication department; 42 Switching department; 43 Detection department; 44 Voice broadcasting department; 50 Mobile intercom device; 51 Mobile intercom department; 52 Translation department; 60 Communication network; 70 Autonomous moving body; 101 Processor; 102 Memory; 103 Dedicated hardware. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The elevator communication system for implementing this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical or equivalent parts are labeled with the same reference numerals, and repetitive descriptions are simplified or omitted as appropriate. In the following description, for convenience, the positional relationships of the structures are sometimes shown based on the illustrated states. Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments; free combinations of embodiments, arbitrary modifications to structural elements of each embodiment, or arbitrary omissions of structural elements of each embodiment are possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0020] Implementation Method 1

[0021] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The following describes Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. Figure 1 This is a block diagram representing the structure of an elevator communication system. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the structure of an elevator communication system. Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an elevator communication system. Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a structure that implements the function of an elevator control device.

[0022] The elevator communication system described in this embodiment enables communication (emergency communication) between the inside and outside of the elevator car 10 installed in a building. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the elevator includes a car 10 and an elevator control unit 40. The car 10 is capable of moving up and down within a shaft (not shown) located in a building. The elevator control unit 40 controls the overall movements involved in the operation of the elevator, including the movement of the car 10.

[0023] A car intercom device 11 is installed inside the car 10. The car intercom device 11 is used for communication between people inside the car 10 and the outside. Therefore, the car intercom device 11 includes a microphone (not shown) and a speaker. The car intercom device 11 is, for example, an intercom. The car intercom device 11 is connected to the elevator control device 40 in a communicative manner.

[0024] A remote monitoring center 20 is installed on the exterior of the building where the elevator is located. The remote monitoring center 20 is used to remotely monitor the elevator. A central intercom device 21 is installed in the remote monitoring center 20. The central intercom device 21 is used for communication between the operator (monitor) located in the remote monitoring center 20 and people located inside the elevator car 10. Therefore, the central intercom device 21 includes a microphone (not shown) and a speaker.

[0025] The central intercom device 21 is connected to the elevator control device 40 via a communication network 60 in a communicative manner. The communication network 60 is constructed, for example, using a public telephone line network, an IP communication network 402, etc. An IP communication network is a communication network that uses IP (Internet Protocol) as its communication protocol. Alternatively, the central intercom device 21 and the elevator control device 40 can also be connected via a dedicated communication line without using the communication network 60.

[0026] An administrator's room 30 is provided in the building where the elevator is installed. An administrator is stationed in the administrator's room 30 to manage the equipment of the building, including the elevator. An administrator's intercom device 31 is provided in the administrator's room 30. The administrator's intercom device 31 is used for communication between the administrator in the administrator's room 30 and people inside the elevator car 10. Therefore, the administrator's intercom device 31 includes a microphone (not shown) and a speaker. The administrator's intercom device 31 is connected to the elevator control device 40 in a communicative manner.

[0027] The central intercom device 21 and the administrator intercom device 31 are examples of external intercom devices installed outside the car 10. Furthermore, the external intercom device does not need to be both the central intercom device 21 and the administrator intercom device 31; it can be either one.

[0028] A detection device 12 is installed inside the elevator car 10. The detection device 12 is used to detect the mobile communication device 50. The mobile communication device 50 includes a mobile communication unit 51. The mobile communication unit 51 has the function of communicating with the central communication unit 21 (which serves as an external communication device) and the administrator communication unit 31. The mobile communication unit 51 includes a microphone (not shown) and a speaker. The mobile communication device 50 can communicate with the elevator control unit 40. Wireless communication is used in the communication between the mobile communication device 50 and the elevator control unit 40.

[0029] The mobile communication device 50 can be a dedicated device or integrated into common portable terminal devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Additionally, as... Figure 2 As shown, the mobile communication device 50 can also be installed on an autonomous mobile body 70, such as a mobile robot. When the mobile communication device 50 is installed on a portable terminal device, it can move along with the person holding the portable terminal device. When the mobile communication device 50 is installed on the autonomous mobile body 70, it can move autonomously. Thus, the mobile communication device 50 can move, and therefore, it can exist not only inside the car 10 but also outside the car 10.

[0030] The elevator communication system of this embodiment can detect mobile communication devices 50 located inside the car 10. Detection of the mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10 can be performed, for example, using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). In this case, the mobile communication device 50 has the function of an RFID tag. Furthermore, the detection device 12 is an RFID reader capable of reading the RFID tag of the mobile communication device 50.

[0031] Furthermore, for example, the detection of the mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10 can also be performed using existing wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In this case, the mobile communication device 50 and the detection device 12 function as communication nodes. Moreover, the communication range of the detection device 12 is set to the interior of the car 10. Additionally, in this case, communication between the aforementioned mobile communication device 50 and the elevator control device 40 can also be performed via the detection device 12.

[0032] The detection device 12 can also be a camera that captures images of the interior of the car 10. In this case, by processing the images captured by the camera, the mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10 can be detected. Specifically, for example, if the mobile communication device 50 is installed on the autonomous mobile body 70, a display that can identify the autonomous mobile body 70, such as text, graphics, or a QR code, can be pre-set on the surface of the autonomous mobile body 70. By determining whether such a display exists in the image captured by the camera, the detection device 12 can determine whether the mobile communication device 50 is located inside the car 10.

[0033] The elevator control device 40 includes a communication unit 41, a switching unit 42, and a detection unit 43. The communication unit 41 mediates voice communication between the car intercom device 11 and the central intercom device 21 and the administrator intercom device 31, which serve as external intercom devices, enabling voice communication data to be exchanged between these intercom devices. Specifically, the communication unit 41 sends voice communication data input to the microphone of the car intercom device 11 to the external intercom device. Then, the speaker of the external intercom device outputs the voice communication data sent from the communication unit 41 of the elevator control device 40. Additionally, the external intercom device sends voice communication data input to its microphone to the elevator control device 40. The communication unit 41 of the elevator control device 40 receives the voice communication data sent from the external intercom device. Then, the speaker of the car intercom device 11 outputs the voice communication data received by the communication unit 41.

[0034] The detection unit 43 detects whether the mobile communication device 50 is located inside the car 10 based on the output of the detection device 12 of the car 10. The elevator communication system of this embodiment can detect the mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10. For example, when RFID is used in the detection, the detection unit 43 detects the mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10 by determining whether the detection device 12, which is an RFID reader, has read the RFID tag of the mobile communication device 50. Alternatively, when wireless communication technology is used in the detection, the detection unit 43 detects the mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10 by determining whether the detection device 12 can communicate with the mobile communication device 50. When the detection device 12 is a camera, as described above, the detection unit 43 detects the mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10 by processing the image captured by the detection device 12.

[0035] The switching unit 42 switches the communication counterpart of the external communication device, i.e., the connection destination of the communication unit 41, to either the car communication device 11 or the mobile communication device 50. The switching unit 42 switches the communication counterpart of the external communication device based on the detection result of the detection unit 43. That is, if the detection unit 43 does not detect the mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10, the switching unit 42 sets the communication counterpart of the external communication device to the car communication device 11. Therefore, when the detection unit 43 does not detect the mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10, the communication unit 41 mediates the voice call between the car communication device 11 and the external communication device, enabling voice call data to be communicated between these communication devices.

[0036] Then, when the detection unit 43 detects a mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10, the switching unit 42 switches the communication partner of the external communication device from the car communication device 11 to the mobile communication device 50. Therefore, when the detection unit 43 detects a mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10, the communication unit 41 switches the communication partner of the external communication device to the mobile communication device 50. Thus, during the period when the detection unit 43 detects a mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10, the communication unit 41 mediates the voice call between the external communication device and the mobile communication device 50, enabling voice call data to be communicated between these communication devices.

[0037] In this case, the communication unit 41 sends the voice call data input to the microphone of the mobile communication unit 51 to the external communication device. Then, the speaker of the external communication device outputs the voice call data sent from the communication unit 41 of the elevator control device 40. Additionally, the external communication device sends the voice call data input to its microphone to the elevator control device 40. The communication unit 41 of the elevator control device 40 receives the voice call data sent from the external communication device. Furthermore, the speaker of the mobile communication unit 51 outputs the voice call data received by the communication unit 41.

[0038] The mobile communication device 50 also includes a translation unit 52. The translation unit 52 translates the language used in voice calls between the mobile communication device 50 and an external communication device. This translation can be performed using known methods. Here, the speaker using the mobile communication device 50 is a passenger inside the car 10. It is assumed that the speaker using the mobile communication device 50 uses a first language. Additionally, the speaker using the external communication device is an operator of the remote monitoring center 20 or an administrator of the administrator's room 30. It is assumed that the speaker using the external communication device uses a second language. The second language is a language different from the first language. The first and second languages ​​can be preset in the translation unit 52.

[0039] In this scenario, the translation unit 52 translates the voice call data input to the microphone of the mobile communication unit 51 from the first language to the second language. The communication unit 41 sends the voice call data translated into the second language by the translation unit 52 to the external communication device. Then, the speaker of the external communication device outputs the translated voice call data to the second language. Additionally, the external communication device sends the voice call data input to its microphone to the elevator control device 40. The communication unit 41 of the elevator control device 40 receives the voice call data sent from the external communication device. The translation unit 52 of the mobile communication device translates the voice call data received by the communication unit 41 from the second language to the first language. Then, the speaker of the mobile communication unit 51 outputs the voice call data translated into the first language by the translation unit 52.

[0040] In the elevator communication system configured as described above, foreign passengers board the elevator car 10 while holding a mobile phone device 50. The mobile phone device 50 can be pre-programmed with a language either manually or automatically. The programmed language is equivalent to the aforementioned first language. In emergency situations, such as when a passenger is trapped inside the elevator car 10, for example, when a passenger presses an emergency call button (not shown) located inside the elevator car 10, passengers without a mobile phone device 50 can use the car intercom device 11 and the central intercom device 21 or the administrator intercom device 31 to conduct an emergency call.

[0041] On the other hand, when a passenger possesses a mobile phone device 50, the detection unit 43 detects the mobile phone device 50 located inside the car 10, and the switching unit 42 switches the connection destination of the communication unit 41 to the mobile phone device 50. Therefore, the passenger inside the car 10 can use the mobile phone device 50 to make an emergency call to the remote monitoring center 20 or the administrator's room 30. At this time, the language used in the mobile phone device 51 is translated into a preset language by the translation unit 52 of the mobile phone device 50. Therefore, the passenger inside the car 10 can make an emergency call in the preset language.

[0042] Thus, according to the elevator communication system of this embodiment, there is no need to install translation devices at both the remote monitoring center 20 and the administrator's room 30. Passengers inside the car 10 can communicate with both the remote monitoring center 20 and the administrator's room 30 in their own language. Therefore, it is possible to communicate with passengers speaking various languages ​​inside the car 10 from multiple external locations with a simple structure. That is, through simple modifications to the elevator equipment, passengers inside the car 10 can appropriately communicate with the operator of the remote monitoring center 20 and the administrator of the administrator's room 30 in any language. In addition, if each passenger pre-sets their own language in their mobile communication device 50, there is no need for language recognition processing, and translation can be performed with high accuracy. Furthermore, by switching between the car communication device 11 and the mobile communication device 50, clear listening is possible without multiple voices.

[0043] Furthermore, the number of mobile communication devices 50 used in a call is not limited to one. If the detection unit 43 detects two or more mobile communication devices 50 inside the car 10, the switching unit 42 can also set the connection destination of the communication unit 41 to two or more mobile communication devices 50. In this case, the first language of the translation unit 52 provided on each mobile communication device 50 can also be different. Therefore, even if there are speakers of different languages ​​traveling together in the car 10, it is possible to communicate in the language of each passenger using their own mobile communication device 50 or the mobile communication device 50 provided on the autonomous mobile unit 70.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the elevator control device 40 also includes a voice broadcast unit 44. The voice broadcast unit 44 reproduces preset voice broadcasts using the speaker of the car intercom device 11. Specifically, preset voice broadcasts may include, for example, "A fault signal has been detected. We are notifying the maintenance company." when an elevator malfunction is detected.

[0045] Based on the detection results from the detection unit 43, the switching unit 42 switches the output destination of the voice broadcast to either the car intercom device 11 or the mobile intercom device 50. That is, if the detection unit 43 does not detect the mobile intercom device 50 located inside the car 10, the switching unit 42 sets the output destination of the voice broadcast to the car intercom device 11. Therefore, when the detection unit 43 does not detect the mobile intercom device 50 located inside the car 10, the voice broadcast unit 44 reproduces the voice broadcast using the speaker of the car intercom device 11.

[0046] Then, when the detection unit 43 detects the mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10, the switching unit 42 switches the output destination of the voice broadcast from the car communication device 11 to the mobile communication device 50. Therefore, when the detection unit 43 detects the mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10, the voice broadcast unit 44 switches the output destination of the voice broadcast to the mobile communication device 50. Thus, during the period when the detection unit 43 detects the mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10, the voice broadcast unit 44 reproduces the voice broadcast using the speaker of the mobile communication device 50.

[0047] At this time, the translation unit 52 of the mobile communication device 50 translates the language of the voice broadcast. Then, the speaker of the mobile communication unit 51 plays the voice broadcast translated by the translation unit 52. Therefore, passengers in the car 10 can hear the voice broadcast in a preset language. In this way, voice broadcasts in any language can be reproduced in the car 10.

[0048] Next, refer to Figure 3 The flowchart illustrates an example of the operation of an elevator communication system configured as described above. First, in step S11, the switching unit 42 of the elevator control device 40 checks the detection status of the detection device 12 and the detection unit 43. In the next step S12, the switching unit 42 determines whether the detection status checked in step S11 indicates that a mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10 has been detected. If no mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10 is detected, the elevator control device 40 proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the switching unit 42 selects the car communication device 11 as the communication device to which the external communication device, i.e., the central communication device 21 or the administrator communication device 31, communicates.

[0049] On the other hand, if a mobile communication device 50 located inside the car 10 is detected in step S12, the elevator control device 40 then proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the switching unit 42 selects the mobile communication device 50 as the communication device to which the external communication device, namely the central communication device 21 or the administrator communication device 31, communicates.

[0050] Following steps S13 and S14, the elevator control device 40 proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the communication unit 41 conducts a voice call with the communication device selected in step S13 or S14 and an external communication device. Alternatively, the voice broadcast unit 44 reproduces a voice broadcast using the communication device selected in step S13 or S14. When step S15 is completed, the series of actions ends.

[0051] Alternatively, the switching unit 42 can also set the connection destination of the communication unit 41 to both the car intercom device 11 and the mobile phone device 50. For example, if a passenger with a mobile phone device 50 and a passenger without a mobile phone device 50 share a ride in the car 10, by setting the connection destination of the communication unit 41 to both the car intercom device 11 and the mobile phone device 50, the passenger with the mobile phone device 50 can use their own mobile phone device 50 to make a call, while the passenger without a mobile phone device 50 can use the car intercom device 11 to make a call.

[0052] The determination of whether passengers with mobile communication devices 50 and passengers without mobile communication devices 50 are sharing a ride in the car 10 can be made, for example, by detecting the number of passengers in the car 10 and determining whether the number of passengers exceeds the number of mobile communication devices 50 detected in the car 10. The detection of the number of passengers in the car 10 can be made, for example, by using a camera to photograph the interior of the car 10 or by using a weighing device to measure the weight inside the car 10.

[0053] Alternatively, the mobile communication device 50 may also include a display device such as an LCD screen. In this case, the mobile communication device 50 can also display the voice call data translated by the translation unit 52 and one or both parties in the voice broadcast on the display device. Thus, even in situations where it is difficult to hear the voice inside the car 10, or when the passenger is hearing impaired, the content of the call and the broadcast can still be conveyed.

[0054] in addition, Figure 4 This figure illustrates an example of the structure that implements the function of the elevator control device 40 in this embodiment. The function of the elevator control device 40 is implemented, for example, by a processing circuit. The processing circuit may include a processor 101 and a memory 102. The processing circuit may also be dedicated hardware 103. Alternatively, a portion of the processing circuit may be formed as dedicated hardware 103, and this processing circuit may also include a processor 101 and a memory 102. In the example shown in this figure, a portion of the processing circuit is formed as dedicated hardware 103. Furthermore, in the example shown in this figure, the processing circuit also includes a processor 101 and a memory 102.

[0055] A portion of the processing circuitry consists of at least one dedicated hardware unit 103, such as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmable processor, a parallel programmable processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. When the processing circuitry includes at least one processor 101 and at least one memory 102, the functions of the elevator control device 40 are implemented through software, firmware, or a combination of both.

[0056] Software and firmware are described as programs and stored in memory 102. Processor 101 implements the functions of each part by reading and executing the programs stored in memory 102. Processor 101 is also called CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. Memory 102 is, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, or disk, floppy disk, optical disk, compact disk, mini disk, and DVD.

[0057] In this way, the processing circuit of the elevator control device 40 can implement the various functions of the elevator control device 40 through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, when the processing circuit of the elevator control device 40 includes at least a processor 101 and a memory 102, the processor 101 executes the program stored in the memory 102, and the hardware and software of the elevator control device 40 cooperate to realize the functions of each component of the elevator control device 40.

Claims

1. An elevator communication system, wherein, The elevator communication system has the following features: Control device, which controls the elevator; and A car intercom system is installed inside the elevator car. The control device includes: The communication unit enables voice call data to be communicated between the car intercom device and an external intercom device located outside the car. as well as The detection unit detects whether a movable mobile communication device is located inside the car. When the detection unit detects that the mobile communication device is inside the car, the communication unit switches the voice call recipient of the external communication device from the car communication device to the mobile communication device. The mobile calling device includes a translation unit that translates the language used in voice calls between the mobile calling device and the external calling device.

2. The elevator communication system according to claim 1, wherein, The mobile communication device is installed on the autonomous mobile body.

3. The elevator communication system according to claim 1, wherein, The mobile communication device is located on a portable terminal device.

4. An elevator communication system, wherein, The elevator communication system has the following features: Control device, which controls the elevator; and A car intercom system is installed inside the elevator car. The control device includes: The communication unit enables voice call data to be communicated between the car intercom device and an external intercom device located outside the car. as well as The detection unit detects whether a movable mobile communication device is located inside the car. When the detection unit detects that the mobile communication device is inside the car, the communication unit sets the communication counterparties of the external communication device to both the car communication device and the mobile communication device. The mobile calling device includes a translation unit that translates the language used in voice calls between the mobile calling device and the external calling device.

5. The elevator communication system according to claim 4, wherein, The mobile communication device is installed on the autonomous mobile body.

6. The elevator communication system according to claim 4, wherein, The mobile communication device is located on a portable terminal device.

7. The elevator communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The control device also includes a voice broadcast unit, which enables the car intercom device to reproduce preset voice broadcasts. If the detection unit detects that the mobile communication device is inside the car, the voice broadcasting unit switches the output destination of the voice broadcast from the car intercom device to the mobile communication device. The translation department translates the language of the voice broadcast.

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