Call management device, elevator system, call management method, and storage medium

Abstract

A call management device, an elevator system, a call management method, and a storage medium. It is possible to mitigate the influence on users caused by a mobile body using an elevator. In a call management device (10) of an elevator system, a first communication section (13) receives a call request including information of a departure floor and a target floor from a mobile body (9). A second communication section (14) collects information of calls to be responded by each car from an elevator (2). A proximity opportunity calculation section (16) calculates, for each car, a proximity opportunity index value indicating a degree of a proximity opportunity of a user to the mobile body (9) in a movement section between the departure floor and the target floor of the mobile body (9) based on the information of the calls collected by the second communication section (14). An allocation decision section (17) decides to which car the call of the mobile body (9) is allocated based on the proximity opportunity index value calculated by the proximity opportunity calculation section (16) for each car.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an elevator call management device, an elevator system, an elevator call management method, and a storage medium storing an elevator call management program. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an elevator system. In this elevator system, it is permissible for a moving body and a user to ride together. When a moving body is riding in the elevator car and there are users calling the elevator from the same direction as the moving body's target floor, these users' calls are given priority over the moving body's calls.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-114763 Summary of the Invention

[0005] However, in the elevator system described in Patent Document 1, the call to the elevator is cancelled after the passenger enters the car. Here, even if the passenger's call is cancelled, the passenger does not disembark but continues to ride the elevator. Therefore, this may increase the chances of close proximity between the passenger riding in the car and the user riding in that car. Furthermore, the decision on whether the passenger can ride the elevator is based on whether there is space in the car when it arrives. In this case, a situation may occur where the passenger rides the elevator because there is space, even though that car is the one most frequently used by people. When the chances of close proximity between the passenger and the user in the car increase, it may sometimes affect the user's comfort.

[0006] This invention was proposed to address such a problem. This invention provides an elevator call management device, elevator system, elevator call management method, and elevator call management program that can mitigate the impact on users caused by the use of elevators by moving bodies.

[0007] The elevator call management device of the present invention comprises: a mobile body communication unit that receives an elevator call request from a mobile body or a mobile body control device that controls the mobile body, wherein the mobile body moves within a facility and is capable of riding in each of a plurality of cars of an elevator provided in the facility, and the elevator call request of the mobile body includes information about the mobile body's departure floor and destination floor; an elevator call information collection unit that collects elevator call information to be responded to by each of the plurality of cars from the elevator; an proximity opportunity calculation unit that calculates a proximity opportunity index value for each of the plurality of cars based on the elevator call information collected by the elevator call information collection unit, the proximity opportunity index value being an index value representing the degree of proximity opportunity between the user and the mobile body in the mobile body movement interval between the mobile body's departure floor and the mobile body's destination floor; and an allocation decision unit that determines which of the plurality of cars to allocate the elevator call of the mobile body to based on the proximity opportunity index value calculated by the proximity opportunity calculation unit for each of the plurality of cars. The proximity opportunity calculation unit excludes elevator call information from other mobile bodies besides the mobile body when calculating the proximity opportunity index value of the mobile body within the mobile body's movement range.

[0008] The elevator system of the present invention comprises: a plurality of cars disposed in a facility and traveling between a plurality of floors of the facility; a mobile body communication unit that receives a call request from a mobile body or a mobile body control device that controls the mobile body, wherein the mobile body moves in the facility and is capable of riding in each of the plurality of cars, and the call request of the mobile body includes information about the mobile body's departure floor and destination floor; a call information collection unit that collects call information to be responded to by each of the plurality of cars; an approach opportunity calculation unit that calculates an approach opportunity index value for each of the plurality of cars based on the call information collected by the call information collection unit, the approach opportunity index value being an index value representing the degree of approach opportunity between the user and the mobile body in the mobile body travel interval between the mobile body's departure floor and the mobile body's destination floor; and an allocation decision unit that determines which of the plurality of cars to allocate the mobile body's call to based on the approach opportunity index value calculated by the approach opportunity calculation unit for each of the plurality of cars. The proximity opportunity calculation unit excludes elevator call information from other mobile bodies besides the mobile body when calculating the proximity opportunity index value of the mobile body within the mobile body's movement range.

[0009] The elevator call management method of the present invention includes: a receiving step, wherein a computer receives an elevator call request from a mobile body or a mobile body control device controlling the mobile body, wherein the mobile body moves within a facility and is capable of taking each of the multiple cars of an elevator installed in the facility, and the elevator call request of the mobile body includes information about the mobile body's departure floor and destination floor; an elevator call information collection step, wherein the computer collects elevator call information to be responded to by each of the multiple cars from the elevator; an approach opportunity calculation step, wherein the computer calculates an approach opportunity index value for each of the multiple cars based on the elevator call information collected in the elevator call information collection step, the approach opportunity index value being an index value representing the degree of approach opportunity between the user and the mobile body in the mobile body movement interval between the mobile body's departure floor and the mobile body's destination floor; and an allocation decision step, wherein the computer determines which of the multiple cars to allocate the elevator call of the mobile body to based on the approach opportunity index value calculated for each of the multiple cars in the approach opportunity calculation step. In the proximity opportunity calculation step, information on elevator calls from other mobile bodies besides the mobile body is excluded when calculating the proximity opportunity index value within the mobile body's movement range.

[0010] The storage medium of the present invention stores an elevator call management program that causes a computer to perform the following steps: a receiving step, receiving an elevator call request from a mobile body or a mobile body control device controlling the mobile body, wherein the mobile body moves within a facility and is capable of riding in each of a plurality of elevator cars provided in the facility, the elevator call request of the mobile body containing information about the mobile body's departure floor and destination floor; an elevator call information collection step, collecting elevator call information to be responded to by each of the plurality of cars from the elevator; an approach opportunity calculation step, calculating an approach opportunity index value for each of the plurality of cars based on the elevator call information collected in the elevator call information collection step, the approach opportunity index value being an index value representing the degree of approach opportunity between the user and the mobile body in the mobile body movement interval between the mobile body's departure floor and the mobile body's destination floor; and an allocation decision step, determining which of the plurality of cars to allocate the mobile body's elevator call to based on the approach opportunity index value calculated for each of the plurality of cars in the approach opportunity calculation step. In the proximity opportunity calculation step, information on elevator calls from other mobile bodies besides the mobile body is excluded when calculating the proximity opportunity index value within the mobile body's movement range.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] The elevator call management device, elevator system, elevator call management method, or elevator call management procedure according to the present invention can mitigate the impact on users caused by the use of elevators by moving bodies. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the elevator system according to Implementation Method 1.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the structure of the elevator call management device according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator call management device according to Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a hardware structure diagram of the main parts of the elevator system in Implementation Method 1.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing the structure of the elevator management device according to Embodiment 2.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator call management device according to Embodiment 2.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the distance between the user's departure floor and the departure floor of the moving body in the elevator system of Embodiment 3.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the distance between the user's target floor and the target floor of the moving body in the elevator system of Embodiment 3.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator call management device according to Embodiment 3.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the overlap between the user's movement zone and the moving body's movement zone in the elevator system of Embodiment 4.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator call management device according to Embodiment 4.

[0024] Label Explanation

[0025] 1: Elevator system; 2: Elevator; 3: Floor control panel; 4: Car; 5: Car control panel; 6: Weighing device; 7: Control device; 8: Remote monitoring device; 9: Moving body; 10: Call management device; 11: Communication unit; 12: Management and processing unit; 13: First communication unit; 14: Second communication unit; 15: Movement interval determination unit; 16: Approach opportunity calculation unit; 17: Allocation decision unit; 18: Passenger number calculation unit; 100a: Processor; 100b: Memory; 200: Dedicated hardware. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical or equivalent parts are labeled with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are simplified or omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments; any modifications to the constituent elements of the embodiments or the omission of any constituent elements of the embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0027] Implementation method 1.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of elevator system 1 according to implementation method 1.

[0029] Elevator system 1 includes elevator 2. Elevator 2 is installed in a facility. The facility may be an indoor facility, an outdoor facility, or a combination of indoor and outdoor facilities. The facility may consist of one or more buildings. The facility may also be part of a building. The facility has multiple floors. The facility has a shaft (not shown). The shaft is a space spanning multiple floors with vertical direction as its length. Elevator 2 is used by users to move between multiple floors in the facility. In the facility, each floor has a station (not shown) for elevator 2. The station is a location connected to the shaft. Each station has a station control panel 3. The station control panel 3 is a device for receiving operations from users located at the station.

[0030] Elevator 2 has multiple cars 4. Each car 4 is a device that transports users, etc., inside the car 4 between multiple floors of the facility by traveling vertically in a hoistway. Each car 4 travels vertically in the hoistway, for example, by a traction motor (not shown) pulling a rope (not shown) that supports the load of the car 4. Each car 4 has a car operation panel 5 and a weighing device 6. The car operation panel 5 is located inside the car 4. The car operation panel 5 is a device that receives operations from users located inside the car 4. The weighing device 6 is a device that measures the load carried by users, etc., located inside the car 4.

[0031] Elevator 2 is equipped with a control device 7. The control device 7 can be a device consisting of multiple devices, such as a group management panel and multiple control panels corresponding to each car 4, or it can be a single device. The control device 7 controls the movement of elevator 2. The control of elevator 2's movement by the control device 7 includes, for example, managing the calls to each car 4. Elevator 2's calls include calls to the user's departure floor and calls to the user's target floor. Calls to the user's departure floor are, for example, floor calls. Floor calls are operated, for example, at the user's departure floor via the floor operation panel 3. The control device 7 assigns floor calls (calls to the user's departure floor) to any car 4. Calls to the user's target floor are, for example, car calls. Car calls are operated, for example, in the car 4 the user is riding in via the car operation panel 5. The control device 7 registers car calls to that car 4 that will be used to call to the user's target floor. The control device 7 controls the operation of the elevator 2, for example, by moving each car 4 toward the user's departure floor and destination floor in response to a floor call assigned to that car 4 and a car call registered to that car 4.

[0032] Elevator system 1 includes a remote monitoring device 8. The remote monitoring device 8 is installed, for example, in a facility using elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 8 has the function of notifying an external information center or similar entity of information such as the status of elevator 2 collected from elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 8 also has the function of outputting control information, such as commands received from an external entity, to elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 8 is connected to a control device 7 so that it can collect information from elevator 2 and output control information to elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 8 is connected to a communication network such as the Internet so that it can notify external entities of elevator 2 information and receive commands for elevator 2 from external entities.

[0033] Elevator 2 is also used by mobile bodies 9 operating within the facility. Mobile body 9 is a device such as a robot or mobility device that moves autonomously within the facility. Furthermore, mobile body 9 can also be remotely controlled by a mobile body control device (not shown). The mobile body control device may be, for example, a server device that manages the movement of mobile body 9 and the services provided by mobile body 9. Mobile body 9 can be a device that forms part of elevator system 1 or an external device to elevator system 1. Mobile body 9 moves between floors within the facility using elevator 2.

[0034] Elevator system 1 includes a call management device 10. The call management device 10 is equipped with the function of managing the calls made by the mobile body 9 when using elevator 2. The call management device 10 is connected to a communication network such as the Internet, enabling communication with the control panel of elevator 2 or a remote monitoring device 8, and also enabling communication with the mobile body 9 regarding call information. Furthermore, when the mobile body 9 is remotely controlled by a mobile body control device, the call management device 10 may communicate with the mobile body control device regarding call information.

[0035] The elevator call management device 10 may be, for example, one or more server computers. Some or all of the functions of the elevator call management device 10 may also be mounted on one or more devices configured in or remotely within a facility using the elevator 2. Some or all of the functions of the elevator call management device 10 may also be mounted on hardware shared with other devices. Some or all of the functions of the elevator call management device 10 may be installed on a virtual machine on a cloud service, or installed using storage or processing resources on a cloud service. The elevator call management device 10 may, for example, read a program recorded in a recording medium and execute the various functions according to the program. The recording medium for recording the program may be, for example, a recording medium built into an internal device constituting the elevator call management device 10, or a recording medium connected to that internal device, or a recording medium through which information is read by an external device communicating with the elevator call management device 10. The program may also be a software package containing multiple software programs running on each of the multiple internal devices constituting the elevator call management device 10.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the structure of the elevator call management device 10 according to Embodiment 1.

[0037] The elevator call management device 10 includes a communication unit 11 and a management processing unit 12. The communication unit 11 is equipped with functions for communication between the elevator call management device 10 and external devices, etc. The communication unit 11 includes a first communication unit 13 and a second communication unit 14. The management processing unit 12 is equipped with functions for information processing related to elevator call management, etc. The management processing unit 12 includes a movement range determination unit 15, an approach opportunity calculation unit 16, and an allocation decision unit 17.

[0038] The first communication unit 13 is equipped with the function of communicating with the mobile body 9. The first communication unit 13 receives, for example, elevator call request information from the mobile body 9 or a mobile body control device that remotely controls the mobile body 9. The elevator call request from the mobile body 9 includes information about the floor from which the mobile body 9 enters the car 4 (the departure floor) and the floor from which the mobile body 9 exits the car 4 (the destination floor). The first communication unit 13 is an example of a mobile body communication unit.

[0039] The second communication unit 14 is equipped with the function of communicating with devices on the elevator 2 side, such as the control device 7 or the remote monitoring device 8. For example, the second communication unit 14 collects elevator call information from each car 4 that needs to be responded to. The elevator call information collected by the second communication unit 14 includes the user's floor call information and the user's car call information. The second communication unit 14 is an example of an elevator call information collection unit.

[0040] The movement interval determination unit 15 is equipped with a function to determine the movement interval of the car 4 traveling due to the elevator call request of the moving body 9, that is, the movement interval of the moving body from the departure floor to the target floor of the moving body. The movement interval determination unit 15 determines the movement interval of the moving body based, for example, on the elevator call request of the moving body 9 received by the first communication unit 13.

[0041] The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 is equipped with a function to calculate the proximity opportunity index value within the movement range of the mobile body. The proximity opportunity index value represents information such as the likelihood of a user approaching the mobile body 9 while riding in the car 4. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the proximity opportunity index value, for example, based on elevator call information collected by the second communication unit 14 and the movement range of the mobile body determined by the movement range determination unit 15. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates, for example, the number of floors stopped within the movement range of the mobile body as the proximity opportunity index value. The number of floors stopped is calculated, for example, based on the number of elevator calls to the user's departure floor and target floor, i.e., the number of floor calls made by the user and the number of car calls.

[0042] The allocation decision unit 17 is equipped with a function to determine which car 4 to assign the call of the moving body 9 to. The allocation decision unit 17 determines the allocation of the call of the moving body 9 based, for example, on the proximity opportunity index value calculated by the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16. In this example, the allocation decision unit 17 prioritizes assigning the call of the moving body 9 to the car 4 with the lower proximity opportunity index value, that is, the car 4 with fewer stops in the moving body's travel interval. For example, the allocation decision unit 17 assigns the call of the moving body 9 to the car 4 with the fewest stops in the moving body's travel interval. The allocation decision unit 17 outputs the control signal for making the determined allocation to the control device 7 via, for example, the second communication unit 14. The allocation decision unit 17 can also output the control signal to the control device 7 via the remote monitoring device 8.

[0043] The control device 7, which receives the control signal from the allocation decision unit 17, allocates the call button of the car 4 of the moving body 9 to the corresponding car 4 according to the allocation indicated by the control signal.

[0044] Next, use Figure 3 This describes an example of the operation of the elevator call management device 10.

[0045] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator call management device 10 according to Embodiment 1.

[0046] In step S101, the first communication unit 13 receives an elevator call request from the mobile body 9. Afterwards, the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S102.

[0047] In step S102, the second communication unit 14 collects information on the call requests from each car 4 from the elevator 2, for example, via a remote monitoring device 8. Afterwards, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S103.

[0048] In step S103, the movement range determination unit 15 determines the movement range of the moving body 9. Afterwards, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S104.

[0049] In step S104, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 selects the car 4 from the plurality of cars 4 of the elevator 2 that has not undergone proximity opportunity index value calculation. Afterwards, the processing of the call management device 10 proceeds to step S105.

[0050] In step S105, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the total number of landing calls and car calls within the moving section of the selected car 4 as the number of floors stopped. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 uses the total number of floors stopped as the proximity opportunity index value for that car 4. Afterwards, the processing of the call management device 10 proceeds to step S106.

[0051] In step S106, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 determines whether there are any cars 4 for which proximity opportunity index values ​​have not yet been calculated. If there are any cars 4 for which proximity opportunity index values ​​have not yet been calculated, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if the proximity opportunity index values ​​have been calculated for all cars 4, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S107.

[0052] In step S107, the allocation decision unit 17 allocates a call for the elevator 9 to the car 4 with the fewest stops in the moving section of the elevator body. The allocation decision unit 17 outputs control information indicating the determined allocation to, for example, the control device 7 of the elevator 2. The allocation decision unit 17 notifies the elevator 9 or the elevator control device that remotely controls the elevator 9 of the determined allocation information. After that, the processing of the call management device 10 ends.

[0053] As described above, the elevator system 1 of Embodiment 1 includes a call management device 10 and an elevator 2 comprising multiple cars 4. The call management device 10 includes a first communication unit 13, a second communication unit 14, an approach opportunity calculation unit 16, and an allocation decision unit 17. The first communication unit 13 receives a call request from the moving body 9 or a moving body control device that controls the moving body 9, which includes information about the departure floor and the target floor of the moving body 9. The second communication unit 14 collects information from the elevator 2 about the call requests to be responded to by each car 4. The approach opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates an approach opportunity index value for each car 4 in the moving body movement interval between the departure floor and the target floor of the moving body based on the call information collected by the second communication unit 14. The allocation decision unit 17 determines which car 4 to allocate the call of the moving body 9 to based on the approach opportunity index value for each car 4 calculated by the approach opportunity calculation unit 16.

[0054] Based on this structure, the elevator car 4 assigned to the mobile body 9 is determined according to the proximity opportunity caused by the mobile body 9 riding in the same car 4. Therefore, the proximity opportunity caused by the mobile body 9 using the elevator 2 can be suppressed. As a result, the user can use the elevator 2 more safely and comfortably, and the impact on the user caused by the mobile body 9 using the elevator 2 can be mitigated.

[0055] Furthermore, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the proximity opportunity index value for each car 4 using the number of floors stopped in the moving section of the elevator body. The allocation decision unit 17 prioritizes assigning calls from the moving body 9 to cars 4 with lower proximity opportunity index values. Therefore, cars 4 with fewer floors stopped in the moving section of the elevator body are assigned calls from the moving body 9, thus not hindering the operation of the moving body 9 and reducing the proximity opportunity to users. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the proximity opportunity index value based on information obtainable using the basic structure of the elevator 2, therefore no additional equipment is needed for this function.

[0056] Furthermore, the second communication unit 14 may also include information capable of distinguishing between a user's call and a call from a mobile vehicle 9, and collect information related to the calls to be responded to by each car 4. In this case, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 may also exclude call information from other mobile vehicles 9 besides the mobile vehicle 9 when calculating the proximity opportunity index value within the mobile vehicle 9's movement range. For example, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 may calculate the proximity opportunity index value for each car 4 based on the number of floors stopped by the user's call within the mobile vehicle's movement range. In this case, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 does not aggregate the number of floors stopped by the user's call. Therefore, in situations where multiple mobile vehicles 9 are traveling together, the proximity opportunity with the user is not affected, and the operation of the mobile vehicle 9 is less likely to be disrupted.

[0057] Furthermore, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 can also update the calculated proximity opportunity index value. For example, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 updates the proximity opportunity index value at preset intervals. Additionally, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 can update the proximity opportunity index value when the second communication unit 14 collects new elevator call information, or for example, when a user makes a new floor call or car call. The allocation decision unit 17 updates the elevator call allocation for the mobile body 9 when the proximity opportunity index value is updated. The allocation decision unit 17 can either output control information to the control device 7 each time the elevator call allocation is updated, or it can postpone the output of control information to the control device 7 until the mobile body 9 is about to board. For example, the allocation decision unit 17 can also postpone the output of control information to the control device 7 when the mobile body 9 arrives at a floor of the elevator 2. Therefore, by allocating elevator calls for the mobile body 9 based on more up-to-date information, the impact on the user caused by the mobile body 9 using the elevator 2 can be mitigated more effectively.

[0058] In addition, the floor control panel 3 can also accept floor calls specifying the user's target floor. Furthermore, elevator calls can also be made by the user using their smartphone or other portable information terminal. In this case, the user's call information is input to the elevator 2's control device 7 or remote monitoring device 8 via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0059] Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the elevator call management device 10 can be integrated into the control device 7 or remote monitoring device 8 of the elevator 2. In this case, the elevator call management device 10 can also be a system composed of multiple devices, including the control device 7 or remote monitoring device 8 of the elevator 2.

[0060] Next, use Figure 4 An example of the hardware structure of elevator system 1 will be provided.

[0061] Figure 4 This is a hardware structure diagram of the main parts of the elevator system 1 in Implementation Method 1.

[0062] The various functions of elevator system 1 can be implemented by processing circuitry. Processing circuitry includes at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. Processing circuitry may also include at least one dedicated hardware 200 together with processor 100a and memory 100b, or at least one dedicated hardware 200 may be included as an alternative to processor 100a and memory 100b.

[0063] When the processing circuit includes a processor 100a and a memory 100b, the functions of the elevator system 1 are implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is described as a program. The program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a implements the functions of the elevator system 1 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 100b.

[0064] The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing device, arithmetic device, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 100b is composed of, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM.

[0065] When the processing circuit has dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuit is implemented, for example, by a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programming processor, a parallel programming processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0066] Each function of elevator system 1 can be implemented separately through processing circuits. Alternatively, each function of elevator system 1 can also be implemented uniformly through processing circuits. Regarding each function of elevator system 1, some can be implemented through dedicated hardware 200, while others can be implemented through software or firmware. Thus, the processing circuits implement each function of elevator system 1 through dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0067] Implementation Method 2

[0068] In Embodiment 2, the differences from the example disclosed in Embodiment 1 are described in detail. Any feature from the example disclosed in Embodiment 1 may be used for features not described in Embodiment 2.

[0069] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing the structure of the elevator call management device 10 according to Embodiment 2.

[0070] In this example, the control device 7 accepts elevator calls from each user. For instance, when the floor control panel 3 receives a call for a floor specified by a user, the operation is performed for each user. In this case, the control device 7 accepts the call information for each user. Furthermore, when a user makes a call using a portable information terminal or similar device, the control device 7 accepts the call information for each user.

[0071] The management processing unit 12 of the elevator call management device 10 includes a passenger / passenger counting unit 18. The passenger / passenger counting unit 18 is equipped with a function to calculate the number of users who enter the elevator car 4 from a floor, i.e., the number of passengers. The passenger / passenger counting unit 18 is an example of a passenger / passenger counting unit. The passenger / passenger counting unit 18 is also equipped with a function to calculate the number of users who descend from the elevator car 4 to a floor, i.e., the number of passengers descending. The passenger / passenger counting unit 18 is an example of a passenger / passenger counting unit. Here, the number of passengers and the number of passengers descending are sometimes collectively referred to as the passenger / passenger count. In this example, the passenger / passenger counting unit 18 calculates the passenger / passenger count based on the elevator call information received by each user. For example, the passenger / passenger counting unit 18 calculates the number of passengers on a floor based on the number of elevator calls, such as those from a floor. For example, the passenger / passenger counting unit 18 calculates the number of passengers descending on a floor based on the number of elevator calls, such as those from a floor.

[0072] The approach opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates, for each car 4, the weight of the monotonically increasing number of passengers (calculated by the passenger occupancy calculation unit 18) for each floor stopped in the moving section of the mobile body. The approach opportunity calculation unit 16 sums the weights calculated for each car 4 to obtain the approach opportunity index value. Here, the weight of the monotonically increasing number of passengers can be, for example, the number of passengers themselves, a value proportional to the number of passengers, or a value given by other monotonically increasing functions that increase with the number of passengers. For example, the approach opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the weight of the monotonically increasing number of passengers (calculated by the passenger occupancy calculation unit 18) for each departure floor of the user in the moving section of the mobile body. Additionally, the approach opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the weight of the monotonically increasing number of disembarking passengers (calculated by the passenger occupancy calculation unit 18) for each target floor of the user in the moving section of the mobile body. The approach opportunity calculation unit 16 sums the weights calculated in this way to obtain the approach opportunity index value.

[0073] The allocation decision unit 17 prioritizes assigning calls from the moving body 9 to the car 4 with the lower proximity chance index value. For example, the allocation decision unit 17 assigns calls from the moving body 9 to the car 4 with the lowest proximity chance index value within the moving body's travel range. The allocation decision unit 17 outputs the control signal determining the allocation to the control device 7, for example, via the second communication unit 14. The allocation decision unit 17 can also output the control signal to the control device 7 via the remote monitoring device 8.

[0074] Next, use Figure 6 This describes an example of the operation of the elevator call management device 10.

[0075] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator call management device 10 according to Embodiment 2.

[0076] In step S201, the first communication unit 13 receives an elevator call request from the mobile body 9. Afterwards, the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S202.

[0077] In step S202, the second communication unit 14 collects information on the call requests from each car 4 from the elevator 2, for example, via a remote monitoring device 8. Afterwards, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S203.

[0078] In step S203, the movement range determination unit 15 determines the movement range of the moving body 9. Afterwards, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S204.

[0079] In step S204, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 selects from the plurality of cars 4 of the elevator 2 the car 4 for which the proximity opportunity index value has not yet been calculated. Afterwards, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S205.

[0080] In step S205, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 selects a stop floor in the moving body's movement interval that has not yet undergone weight calculation for the selected car 4. Afterwards, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S206.

[0081] In step S206, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 determines whether the selected stop floor is the user's departure floor or target floor. For example, if the stop floor is a stop floor based on a landing call, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 determines that the stop floor is the user's departure floor. If the stop floor is a stop floor based on a car call, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 determines that the stop floor is the user's target floor. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 may also determine that the stop floor is the user's target floor if the stop floor is a target floor specified in the landing operation panel 3, etc. If the stop floor is determined to be the user's departure floor, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S207. If the stop floor is determined to be the user's target floor, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S209.

[0082] In step S207, the passenger count unit 18 calculates the number of passengers based on the floor selected by the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16. Afterwards, the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S208.

[0083] In step S208, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates a weight value based on the number of passengers. Afterwards, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S211.

[0084] In step S209, the passenger / passenger calculation unit 18 calculates the number of passengers disembarking based on the stop floor selected by the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16. Afterwards, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S210.

[0085] In step S210, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates a weight value based on the number of people exiting the elevator. Afterwards, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S211.

[0086] In step S211, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 determines, for the selected car 4, whether there are any stops in the moving body's travel interval that have not yet been weighted. If there are any stops that have not yet been calculated, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if the weights have been calculated for all stops in the moving body's travel interval, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S212.

[0087] In step S212, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 sums up the calculated weight values ​​for the selected car 4. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the proximity opportunity index for the car 4 by summing the total weights. After that, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S213.

[0088] In step S213, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 determines whether there are any cars 4 for which proximity opportunity index values ​​have not yet been calculated. If there are any cars 4 for which calculations have not yet been performed, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if proximity opportunity index values ​​have been calculated for all cars 4, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S214.

[0089] In step S214, the allocation decision unit 17 allocates a call from the moving body 9 to the car 4, which has the smallest total weight value calculated within the moving body's travel interval. The allocation decision unit 17 outputs control information indicating the determined allocation to, for example, the control device 7 of the elevator 2. The allocation decision unit 17 then notifies the moving body 9 or the moving body control device that remotely controls the moving body 9 of the determined allocation information. Afterwards, the processing of the call management device 10 ends.

[0090] As explained above, the elevator call management device 10 in Embodiment 2 includes a passenger / passenger calculation unit 18. The passenger / passenger calculation unit 18 calculates the number of passengers / passengers between each car 4 and a landing. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates, for each car 4, a weight for the monotonically increasing number of passengers / passengers calculated by the passenger / passenger calculation unit 18, based on each floor in the movement interval of the mobile body. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates a proximity opportunity index value using the sum of the weights calculated for each car 4. The allocation decision unit 17 prioritizes allocating elevator calls from the mobile body 9 to cars 4 with smaller proximity opportunity index values. Thus, by determining the allocation of elevator calls from the mobile body 9 to cars 4 based on the number of passengers / passengers, the proximity opportunity between the mobile body 9 and users can be reduced more effectively. Furthermore, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 can also calculate the proximity opportunity index value based solely on either the number of passengers or the number of passengers alighting.

[0091] Additionally, in facilities using elevator 2, camera devices for capturing images of users can be installed. These camera devices can be part of the elevator system 1 or external to the elevator system 1. For example, camera devices can be installed at each floor level of the facility. For example, camera devices can be installed inside each car 4. Images captured by the camera devices are collected, for example, by a second communication unit 14. Images captured by the camera devices can also be collected by the second communication unit 14 via a remote monitoring device 8. In this case, the passenger count unit 18 can estimate the number of passengers based on images from the camera devices installed at the floors or in the cars 4. In this situation, the control device 7 may not handle elevator calls for each user individually. Furthermore, the passenger count unit 18 can also estimate the number of passengers based on the load measured by the weighing device 6 installed in the car 4.

[0092] Implementation Method 3

[0093] In Embodiment 3, the differences from the examples disclosed in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 are described in particular detail. Any feature not described in Embodiment 3 may be used from the examples disclosed in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2.

[0094] In this example, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the proximity opportunity index value based on one or both of the distance between the user's departure floor and the mobile vehicle's departure floor, or the distance between the user's target floor and the mobile vehicle's target floor.

[0095] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the distance between the user's departure floor and the departure floor of the moving body in elevator system 1 of embodiment 3.

[0096] Elevator 2 includes car 4 of unit A and car 4 of unit B. In this example, the moving body 9 moves from its departure floor X to its target floor Y above it. Car 4 of unit A is assigned a call to its departure floor A. Car 4 of unit B is assigned a call to its departure floor B, which is above floor A. Additionally, car calls are registered for both car 4 of unit A and car 4 of unit B. These car calls are for the same floor T as each other, with the same destination floor T.

[0097] At this time, the distance dA between the departure floor A of the user of car 4 of machine A and the departure floor X of the moving body is represented, for example, by their floor difference. Similarly, the distance dB between the departure floor B of the user of car 4 of machine B and the departure floor X of the moving body is represented, for example, by their floor difference. In this example, distance dA is shorter than distance dB. That is, the distance between the departure floor A of the user of car 4 of machine A and the departure floor X of the moving body is closer than the distance between the departure floor B of the user of car 4 of machine B and the departure floor X of the moving body. At this time, even if the number of passengers in car 4 of machines A and B are the same, the approach opportunity in car 4 of machine A may be greater than that in car 4 of machine B due to the length of the section where the moving body 9 and the user travel together. Therefore, the approach opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the weights, for example, in such a way that the weight of car 4 of machine A is greater than the weight of car 4 of machine B.

[0098] The approach opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates, for each car 4, a positive weight for the monotonically decreasing distance from the departure floor of the mobile body for each departing floor of the user within the mobile body's travel interval. The approach opportunity calculation unit 16 sums the weights calculated for each car 4 to obtain the approach opportunity index value. Here, the weight for the monotonically decreasing distance from the departure floor can be, for example, a value inversely proportional to the distance to the departure floor plus a certain deviation, or a value inversely proportional to the distance itself, or a value given by other monotonically decreasing functions that decrease as the distance increases. For example, the approach opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the weight for the monotonically decreasing distance between each stopping floor in the mobile body's travel interval due to a floor call. The approach opportunity calculation unit 16 sums the weights calculated in this way to obtain the approach opportunity index value.

[0099] The allocation decision unit 17 prioritizes assigning calls from the moving body 9 to the car 4 with the lower proximity chance index value. For example, the allocation decision unit 17 assigns calls from the moving body 9 to the car 4 with the lowest proximity chance index value within the moving body's travel range. The allocation decision unit 17 outputs the control signal determining the allocation to the control device 7, for example, via the second communication unit 14. The allocation decision unit 17 can also output the control signal to the control device 7 via the remote monitoring device 8.

[0100] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the distance between the user's target floor and the target floor of the moving body in elevator system 1 of embodiment 3.

[0101] In this example, mobile unit 9 moves from its starting floor X to its target floor Y above it. Car 4 of machine A is registered with a call for a destination floor A. Car 4 of machine B is registered with a call for a destination floor B, which is below destination floor A. Additionally, both car 4 of machine A and car 4 of machine B are assigned landing calls. These landing calls originate from the same floor S.

[0102] At this time, the distance dA between the target floor A of the user in car 4 of machine A and the target floor Y of the moving body is represented, for example, by their floor difference. Similarly, the distance dB between the target floor B of the user in car 4 of machine B and the target floor Y of the moving body is represented, for example, by their floor difference. In this example, distance dA is shorter than distance dB. That is, the distance between the target floor A of the user in car 4 of machine A and the target floor Y of the moving body is closer than the distance between the target floor B of the user in car 4 of machine B and the target floor Y of the moving body. At this time, even if the number of people alighting from car 4 in both machine A and machine B is the same, the approach opportunity in car 4 of machine A may be greater than that in car 4 of machine B due to the length of the section where the moving body 9 and the user travel together. Therefore, the approach opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the weights, for example, in such a way that the weight of car 4 of machine A is greater than the weight of car 4 of machine B.

[0103] The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates, for each car 4, a positive weight for the monotonically decreasing distance to the target floor for each user within the moving body's travel interval. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 sums the weights calculated for each car 4 to obtain the proximity opportunity index value. Here, the weight for the monotonically decreasing distance to the target floor can be, for example, a value inversely proportional to the distance to the target floor plus a certain deviation, or a value inversely proportional to the distance itself, or a value given by other monotonically decreasing functions that decrease as the distance increases. For example, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the weight for the monotonically decreasing distance between each floor stopped at due to a car call within the moving body's travel interval. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 sums the weights calculated in this way to obtain the proximity opportunity index value.

[0104] The allocation decision unit 17 prioritizes assigning calls from the moving body 9 to the car 4 with the lower proximity chance index value. For example, the allocation decision unit 17 assigns calls from the moving body 9 to the car 4 with the lowest proximity chance index value within the moving body's travel range. The allocation decision unit 17 outputs the control signal determining the allocation to the control device 7, for example, via the second communication unit 14. The allocation decision unit 17 can also output the control signal to the control device 7 via the remote monitoring device 8.

[0105] Next, use Figure 9 Explain the operation of the elevator call management device 10.

[0106] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator call management device 10 according to Embodiment 3.

[0107] In step S301, the first communication unit 13 receives an elevator call request from the mobile body 9. Afterwards, the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S302.

[0108] In step S302, the second communication unit 14 collects information on the call requests from each car 4 from the elevator 2, for example, via a remote monitoring device 8. Afterwards, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S303.

[0109] In step S303, the movement range determination unit 15 determines the movement range of the moving body 9. Afterwards, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S304.

[0110] In step S304, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 selects a car 4 from the plurality of cars 4 of the elevator 2 that has not yet undergone proximity opportunity index value calculation. Afterwards, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S305.

[0111] In step S305, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 selects the floor to stop for the selected car 4 that has not been weighted in the moving body's movement interval. Afterwards, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S306.

[0112] In step S306, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 determines whether the selected stop floor is the user's departure floor or target floor. For example, if the stop floor is a stop floor based on a landing call, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 determines that the stop floor is the user's departure floor. If the stop floor is a stop floor based on a car call, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 determines that the stop floor is the user's target floor. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 may also determine that the stop floor is the user's target floor if the stop floor is a target floor specified in the landing operation panel 3, etc. If the stop floor is determined to be the user's departure floor, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S307. If the stop floor is determined to be the user's target floor, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S308.

[0113] In step S307, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the distance from the selected stop floor (i.e., the user's departure floor) to the departure floor of the moving vehicle. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 then calculates a weight value based on the calculated distance. Afterwards, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S309.

[0114] In step S308, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the distance to the target floor of the moving vehicle, based on the selected stopping floor, i.e., the user's target floor. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 then calculates a weight value based on the calculated distance. Afterwards, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S309.

[0115] In step S309, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 determines, for the selected car 4, whether there are any stops in the moving body's travel interval that have not yet been weighted. If there are any stops that have not yet been weighted, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, if weights have been calculated for all stops in the moving body's travel interval, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S310.

[0116] In step S310, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 sums the weight values ​​calculated for the selected car 4. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the proximity opportunity index for the car 4 as the sum of the total weights. After that, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S311.

[0117] In step S311, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 determines whether there are any cars 4 for which proximity opportunity index values ​​have not yet been calculated. If there are any cars 4 for which the calculation has not yet been performed, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S304. On the other hand, if the proximity opportunity index values ​​have been calculated for all cars 4, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S312.

[0118] In step S312, the allocation decision unit 17 allocates a call from the moving body 9 to the car 4 with the smallest sum of weights calculated within the moving body's travel interval. The allocation decision unit 17 outputs control information indicating the determined allocation to, for example, the control device 7 of the elevator 2. The allocation decision unit 17 then notifies the moving body 9 or the moving body control device that remotely controls the moving body 9 of the determined allocation information. Afterwards, the processing of the call management device 10 ends.

[0119] As explained above, in Embodiment 3, the approach opportunity calculation unit 16 of the elevator call management device 10 calculates a weight for each car 4 based on the monotonically decreasing distance to the user's departure floor within the moving body's movement interval. Additionally, for each car 4, the approach opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates a weight for each car 4 based on the monotonically decreasing distance to the user's target floor within the moving body's movement interval. The approach opportunity calculation unit 16 uses the sum of the weights calculated for each car 4 to calculate an approach opportunity index value. The allocation decision unit 17 prioritizes allocating elevator calls from the moving body 9 to cars 4 with lower approach opportunity index values. Thus, by considering the length of the interval between the moving body 9 and the user before the user rides or alights, the allocation of elevator calls from the moving body 9 to cars 4 can be determined more effectively, thereby reducing the approach opportunities between the moving body 9 and the user.

[0120] Furthermore, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 can also combine weights based on the number of passengers boarding and alighting to calculate the proximity opportunity index value. For example, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 can also calculate weights for a monotonically increasing number of passengers boarding and alighting and a monotonically decreasing distance between the user's departure floor and the vehicle's departure floor. Similarly, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 can also calculate weights for a monotonically increasing number of passengers boarding and alighting and a monotonically decreasing distance between the user's target floor and the vehicle's target floor. Such weights can be, for example, represented by the product or sum of weights based on the number of passengers boarding and alighting and weights based on the distance between floors. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 uses the sum of these weights to calculate the proximity opportunity index value.

[0121] Implementation Method 4

[0122] In Embodiment 4, the differences from the examples disclosed in Embodiments 1 to 3 are described in particular detail. Any feature from the examples disclosed in Embodiments 1 to 3 may be used for features not described in Embodiment 4.

[0123] In this example, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the proximity opportunity index value based on the user's movement interval and the repeated intervals of the moving body movement interval for each user. The user's movement interval is the interval from the user's starting floor to the user's target floor. The user's movement interval is determined, for example, by the movement interval determination unit 15.

[0124] In this example, the control device 7 processes each user's call to elevator 2 as a group containing the departure floor and the destination floor. For example, when the landing control panel 3 receives a call for an elevator to a floor specifying the user's destination floor, the operation is performed for each user. In this case, the control device 7 processes the call information for each user. Furthermore, when a user makes a call using a portable information terminal or similar device, the control device 7 processes the call information for each user.

[0125] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the overlap between the user's movement zone and the moving body's movement zone in the elevator system 1 of embodiment 4.

[0126] Elevator 2 includes car 4 of unit A and car 4 of unit B. In this example, the moving body 9 moves from its departure floor X to its target floor Y above it. Calls are assigned to car 4 of unit A by users whose departure floor is A1 (a floor below the departure floor X) and whose target floor is A2 (a floor above the target floor Y). Calls are assigned to car 4 of unit B by users whose departure floor is B1 (a floor above the departure floor X) and whose target floor is B2 (a floor below the target floor Y and above B1).

[0127] At this time, the section where the user's movement interval and the moving body's movement interval overlap for users of machine A becomes the interval from the starting floor X of the moving body to the target floor Y of the moving body. The length LA of this interval is represented, for example, by the floor difference between these floors. Similarly, the section where the user's movement interval and the moving body's movement interval overlap for users of machine B becomes the interval from the stopping floor B1 to the stopping floor B2. The length LB of this interval is represented, for example, by the floor difference between these floors. In this example, the length LA is longer than the length LB. That is, the interval where the user's movement interval and the moving body's movement interval overlap for users of machine A is longer than the interval where the user's movement interval and the moving body's movement interval overlap for users of machine B. Therefore, even if the number of passengers in car 4 is the same in both machine A and machine B, the approach opportunity in car 4 of machine A may be increased than that in car 4 of machine B due to the length of the interval where the moving body 9 and the user ride together. Therefore, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the weights in such a way as to make the weight of car 4 of machine A greater than the weight of car 4 of machine B.

[0128] For each car 4, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates a positive weight that monotonically increases with respect to the length of the repeated interval for each user whose user movement interval overlaps with the movement interval of the moving body. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 then sums the weights calculated for that car 4 to obtain the proximity opportunity index value. Here, the weight that monotonically increases with respect to the length of the repeated interval can be, for example, a value proportional to the length of the interval, the length of the interval itself, or a value given by other monotonically increasing functions that increase with the length of the interval. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 then sums the weights calculated in this way to obtain the proximity opportunity index value.

[0129] The allocation decision unit 17 prioritizes assigning calls from the moving body 9 to the car 4 with the lower proximity chance index value. For example, the allocation decision unit 17 assigns calls from the moving body 9 to the car 4 with the lowest proximity chance index value within the moving body's travel range. The allocation decision unit 17 outputs the control signal determining the allocation to the control device 7, for example, via the second communication unit 14. The allocation decision unit 17 can also output the control signal to the control device 7 via the remote monitoring device 8.

[0130] Next, use Figure 11 This describes an example of the operation of the elevator call management device 10.

[0131] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator call management device 10 according to Embodiment 4.

[0132] In step S401, the first communication unit 13 receives an elevator call request from the mobile body 9. Afterwards, the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S402.

[0133] In step S402, the second communication unit 14 collects information on the call requests from each car 4 from the elevator 2, for example, via a remote monitoring device 8. Afterwards, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S403.

[0134] In step S403, the movement interval determination unit 15 determines the movement interval of the moving body 9. The movement interval determination unit 15 determines the user's movement interval for each user's call. After that, the processing of the call management device 10 proceeds to step S404.

[0135] In step S404, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 selects from the plurality of cars 4 of the elevator 2 the car 4 for which the proximity opportunity index value has not yet been calculated. Afterwards, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S405.

[0136] In step S405, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 selects the elevator calls of users who have been assigned to the selected car 4, and whose users' movement range overlaps with the movement range of the moving body, and which have not yet undergone weight calculation. Afterwards, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S406.

[0137] In step S406, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the length of the overlapping interval between the user's movement interval and the movement interval of the moving body for the selected elevator call. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the weight value based on the calculated interval length. After that, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S407.

[0138] In step S407, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 determines whether there are any calls among the calls of users who have been assigned to the selected car 4 and whose user movement range overlaps with the body movement range that have not yet been weighted. If there are any calls that have not yet been weighted, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S405. On the other hand, if the weights have been calculated for all calls of users whose user movement range overlaps with the body movement range due to calls assigned to the selected car 4, the call management device 10 proceeds to step S408.

[0139] In step S408, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 sums the weight values ​​calculated for the selected car 4. The proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 calculates the proximity opportunity index value for the car 4 as the sum of the total weights. After that, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S409.

[0140] In step S409, the proximity opportunity calculation unit 16 determines whether there are any cars 4 for which proximity opportunity index values ​​have not yet been calculated. If there are any cars 4 for which the calculation has not yet been performed, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S404. On the other hand, if the proximity opportunity index values ​​have been calculated for all cars 4, the processing of the elevator call management device 10 proceeds to step S410.

[0141] In step S410, the allocation decision unit 17 allocates a call from the moving body 9 to the car 4 with the smallest sum of weights calculated within the moving body's travel interval. The allocation decision unit 17 outputs control information indicating the determined allocation to, for example, the control device 7 of the elevator 2. The allocation decision unit 17 notifies the moving body 9 or the moving body control device that remotely controls the moving body 9 of the determined allocation information. Afterwards, the processing of the call management device 10 ends.

[0142] As explained above, the approach opportunity calculation unit 16 of the elevator call management device 10 in Embodiment 4 calculates a monotonically decreasing weight for each call from a user whose user movement interval overlaps with the user's movement interval for each car 4. The approach opportunity calculation unit 16 uses the sum of the weights calculated for that car 4 to calculate an approach opportunity index value. The allocation decision unit 17 prioritizes allocating elevator calls from the user to cars 4 with lower approach opportunity index values. In this way, by considering the length of the interval between the user's elevator ride and the user's ride before the user alights, the allocation of elevator calls from the user to cars 4 can be determined more effectively, thus reducing the approach opportunity between the user and the user.

[0143] In summary, the structures that can be adopted by the technology of the present invention include the following structures shown as appendices.

[0144] (Postscript 1)

[0145] An elevator call management device, wherein the elevator call management device comprises:

[0146] A mobile communication unit receives elevator call requests from a mobile body or a mobile control device that controls the mobile body, wherein the mobile body moves within the facility and is able to ride in various cars of an elevator provided in the facility, and the elevator call request of the mobile body includes information about the mobile body's departure floor and destination floor.

[0147] The elevator call information collection unit collects elevator call information from the elevator, which is to be responded to by each of the multiple cars.

[0148] The proximity opportunity calculation unit calculates a proximity opportunity index value for each of the plurality of cars based on the elevator call information collected by the elevator call information collection unit. This proximity opportunity index value represents the degree of proximity opportunity between the user and the mobile vehicle within the mobile vehicle's movement interval between the departure floor and the target floor.

[0149] The allocation decision unit determines which of the plurality of cars to allocate the caller of the moving body to based on the proximity opportunity index value calculated by the proximity opportunity calculation unit for each of the plurality of cars.

[0150] (Postscript 2)

[0151] According to the elevator call management device described in Appendix 1, wherein,

[0152] The proximity opportunity calculation unit calculates the number of floors that the mobile body stops at in the movement range for each of the plurality of cars, as the proximity opportunity index value.

[0153] The allocation decision unit prioritizes assigning the call function of the moving body to cars with lower proximity chance index values.

[0154] (Note 3)

[0155] According to the elevator call management device described in Appendix 1, wherein,

[0156] The elevator call management device includes an elevator passenger counting unit, which calculates the number of passengers entering the elevator from each of the plurality of elevator cars at each landing.

[0157] The proximity opportunity calculation unit calculates, for each of the plurality of cars, a weight for the monotonically increasing number of passengers calculated by the passenger count calculation unit, according to each floor stopped in the movement range of the moving body. The sum of these weights calculated for each car is then used to calculate the proximity opportunity index value.

[0158] The allocation decision unit prioritizes assigning the call function of the moving body to cars with lower proximity chance index values.

[0159] (Note 4)

[0160] According to the elevator call management device described in Appendix 1, wherein,

[0161] The elevator call management device includes an elevator fare calculation unit, which calculates the number of passengers disembarking from each of the plurality of elevator cars.

[0162] The proximity opportunity calculation unit, for each of the plurality of cars, calculates the weight of the monotonically increasing number of people disembarking as calculated by the disembarking personnel calculation unit for each floor stopped in the movement range of the moving body, and uses the sum of the weights calculated for that car to calculate the proximity opportunity index value.

[0163] The allocation decision unit prioritizes assigning the call function of the moving body to cars with lower proximity chance index values.

[0164] (Note 5)

[0165] According to the elevator call management device described in Appendix 1, wherein,

[0166] The proximity opportunity calculation unit calculates a weight for each of the plurality of cars, based on the user's departure floor within the movement range of the mobile vehicle, with respect to the monotonically decreasing distance from the departure floor of the mobile vehicle. This weight increases monotonically with respect to the co-ride distance between the user and the mobile vehicle. The unit then uses the sum of the weights calculated for each car to calculate the proximity opportunity index value.

[0167] The allocation decision unit prioritizes assigning the call function of the moving body to cars with lower proximity chance index values.

[0168] (Note 6)

[0169] According to the elevator call management device described in Appendix 1, wherein,

[0170] The proximity opportunity calculation unit calculates, for each of the plurality of cars, a weight that monotonically decreases with respect to the distance to the target floor of the mobile vehicle for each target floor within the user's travel range, such that this weight monotonically increases with respect to the co-travel distance between the user and the mobile vehicle. The unit then uses the sum of the weights calculated for each car to calculate the proximity opportunity index value.

[0171] The allocation decision unit prioritizes assigning the call function of the moving body to cars with lower proximity chance index values.

[0172] (Note 7)

[0173] According to the elevator call management device described in Appendix 1, wherein,

[0174] The proximity opportunity calculation unit, for each of the plurality of cars, calculates a monotonically decreasing weight for the length of the overlapping user movement interval and the moving body movement interval for each caller whose user movement interval between the departure floor and the target floor overlaps with the moving body movement interval. The unit then uses the sum of the weights calculated for that car to calculate the proximity opportunity index value.

[0175] The allocation decision unit prioritizes assigning the call function of the moving body to cars with lower proximity chance index values.

[0176] (Postscript 8)

[0177] According to any one of Appendices 1 to 7, the elevator call management device, wherein,

[0178] The proximity opportunity calculation unit excludes elevator call information from other mobile bodies besides the mobile body when calculating the proximity opportunity index value of the mobile body within the mobile body's movement range.

[0179] (Note 9)

[0180] According to any one of Appendices 1 to 7, the elevator call management device, wherein,

[0181] The proximity opportunity calculation unit updates the proximity opportunity index value of the mobile body within the mobile body's movement range at preset time intervals.

[0182] The allocation decision unit updates the elevator allocation for the mobile body when the proximity chance index value is updated.

[0183] (Postscript 10)

[0184] According to any one of Appendices 1 to 8, the elevator call management device, wherein,

[0185] When the elevator call information collection unit collects new elevator call information, the proximity opportunity calculation unit updates the proximity opportunity index value in the movement range of the moving body.

[0186] The allocation decision unit updates the elevator allocation for the mobile body when the proximity chance index value is updated.

[0187] (Postscript 11)

[0188] An elevator system, wherein the elevator system comprises:

[0189] Multiple cars are installed in the facility and travel between multiple floors of the facility;

[0190] A mobile communication unit receives an elevator call request from the mobile body or a mobile control device that controls the mobile body, wherein the mobile body moves in the facility and is able to ride in each of the plurality of cars, and the elevator call request of the mobile body includes information about the mobile body's departure floor and the mobile body's destination floor;

[0191] The elevator call information collection unit collects the elevator call information to be responded to by each of the multiple elevator cars;

[0192] The proximity opportunity calculation unit calculates a proximity opportunity index value for each of the plurality of cars based on the elevator call information collected by the elevator call information collection unit. This proximity opportunity index value represents the degree of proximity opportunity between the user and the mobile vehicle within the mobile vehicle's movement interval between the departure floor and the target floor.

[0193] The allocation decision unit determines which of the plurality of cars to allocate the caller of the moving body to based on the proximity opportunity index value calculated by the proximity opportunity calculation unit for each of the plurality of cars.

[0194] (Postscript 12)

[0195] An elevator call management method, wherein the elevator call management method includes:

[0196] In the receiving step, the computer receives an elevator call request from the mobile body or a mobile body control device that controls the mobile body, wherein the mobile body moves within the facility and is able to ride in each of the multiple elevator cars provided in the facility, and the elevator call request of the mobile body includes information about the mobile body's departure floor and the mobile body's destination floor.

[0197] The elevator call information collection step involves the computer collecting elevator call information from each of the multiple elevator cars that needs to respond.

[0198] In the proximity opportunity calculation step, the computer calculates a proximity opportunity index value for each of the plurality of cars based on the elevator call information collected in the elevator call information collection step. This proximity opportunity index value represents the degree of proximity opportunity between the user and the mobile vehicle within the mobile vehicle's movement interval between the departure floor and the target floor.

[0199] In the allocation decision step, the computer determines which of the plurality of cars to assign the caller to based on the proximity chance index value calculated in the proximity chance calculation step for each of the plurality of cars.

[0200] (Postscript 13)

[0201] An elevator call management program, wherein the elevator call management program causes a computer to perform the following steps:

[0202] The receiving step involves receiving an elevator call request from the mobile body or a mobile body control device that controls the mobile body, wherein the mobile body moves within the facility and is able to ride in each of the multiple elevator cars provided in the facility, and the elevator call request of the mobile body includes information about the mobile body's departure floor and the mobile body's destination floor.

[0203] The elevator call information collection step involves collecting elevator call information from the elevator car to be responded to by each of the multiple cars.

[0204] The proximity opportunity calculation step, based on the elevator call information collected in the elevator call information collection step, calculates a proximity opportunity index value for each of the plurality of elevator cars. This proximity opportunity index value is an indicator of the degree of proximity opportunity between the user and the mobile vehicle within the mobile vehicle's movement interval between the departure floor and the target floor.

[0205] The allocation decision step determines which of the plurality of cars the caller will be assigned to, based on the proximity opportunity index value calculated in the proximity opportunity calculation step for each of the plurality of cars.

Claims

1. An elevator call management device, wherein, The elevator call management device includes: A mobile communication unit receives elevator call requests from a mobile body or a mobile control device that controls the mobile body, wherein the mobile body moves within the facility and is able to ride in various cars of an elevator provided in the facility, and the elevator call request of the mobile body includes information about the mobile body's departure floor and destination floor. The elevator call information collection unit collects elevator call information from the elevator, which is to be responded to by each of the multiple cars. The proximity opportunity calculation unit calculates a proximity opportunity index value for each of the plurality of cars based on the elevator call information collected by the elevator call information collection unit. This proximity opportunity index value represents the degree of proximity opportunity between the user and the mobile vehicle within the mobile vehicle's movement interval between the departure floor and the target floor. The allocation decision unit determines which of the plurality of cars to assign the caller to based on the proximity opportunity index value calculated by the proximity opportunity calculation unit for each of the plurality of cars. The proximity opportunity calculation unit excludes elevator call information from other mobile bodies besides the mobile body when calculating the proximity opportunity index value of the mobile body within the mobile body's movement range.

2. The elevator call management device according to claim 1, wherein, The proximity opportunity calculation unit calculates the number of floors that the mobile body stops at in the movement range for each of the plurality of cars, as the proximity opportunity index value. The allocation decision unit prioritizes assigning the call function of the moving body to cars with lower proximity chance index values.

3. The elevator call management device according to claim 1, wherein, The elevator call management device includes an elevator passenger counting unit, which calculates the number of passengers entering the elevator from each of the plurality of elevator cars at each landing. The proximity opportunity calculation unit calculates, for each of the plurality of cars, a weight for the monotonically increasing number of passengers calculated by the passenger count calculation unit, according to each floor stopped in the movement range of the moving body. The sum of these weights calculated for each car is then used to calculate the proximity opportunity index value. The allocation decision unit prioritizes assigning the call function of the moving body to cars with lower proximity chance index values.

4. The elevator call management device according to claim 1, wherein, The elevator call management device includes an elevator fare calculation unit, which calculates the number of passengers disembarking from each of the plurality of elevator cars. The proximity opportunity calculation unit, for each of the plurality of cars, calculates the weight of the monotonically increasing number of people disembarking as calculated by the disembarking personnel calculation unit for each floor stopped in the movement range of the moving body, and uses the sum of the weights calculated for that car to calculate the proximity opportunity index value. The allocation decision unit prioritizes assigning the call function of the moving body to cars with lower proximity chance index values.

5. The elevator call management device according to claim 1, wherein, The proximity opportunity calculation unit calculates a weight for each of the plurality of cars, based on the user's departure floor within the movement range of the mobile vehicle, with respect to the monotonically decreasing distance from the departure floor of the mobile vehicle. This weight increases monotonically with respect to the co-ride distance between the user and the mobile vehicle. The unit then uses the sum of the weights calculated for each car to calculate the proximity opportunity index value. The allocation decision unit prioritizes assigning the call function of the moving body to cars with lower proximity chance index values.

6. The elevator call management device according to claim 1, wherein, The proximity opportunity calculation unit calculates, for each of the plurality of cars, a weight that monotonically decreases with respect to the distance to the target floor of the mobile vehicle for each target floor within the user's travel range, such that this weight monotonically increases with respect to the co-travel distance between the user and the mobile vehicle. The unit then uses the sum of the weights calculated for each car to calculate the proximity opportunity index value. The allocation decision unit prioritizes assigning the call function of the moving body to cars with lower proximity chance index values.

7. The elevator call management device according to claim 1, wherein, The proximity opportunity calculation unit, for each of the plurality of cars, calculates a monotonically increasing weight for the length of the overlapping user movement interval and the moving body movement interval for each caller whose user movement interval between the departure floor and the target floor overlaps with the moving body movement interval. The unit then uses the sum of the weights calculated for that car to calculate the proximity opportunity index value. The allocation decision unit prioritizes assigning the call function of the moving body to cars with lower proximity chance index values.

8. The elevator call management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The proximity opportunity calculation unit updates the proximity opportunity index value of the mobile body within the mobile body's movement range at preset time intervals. The allocation decision unit updates the elevator allocation for the mobile body when the proximity chance index value is updated.

9. The elevator call management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, When the elevator call information collection unit collects new elevator call information, the proximity opportunity calculation unit updates the proximity opportunity index value in the movement range of the moving body. The allocation decision unit updates the elevator allocation for the mobile body when the proximity chance index value is updated.

10. An elevator system, wherein, This elevator system has the following features: Multiple cars are installed in the facility and travel between multiple floors of the facility; A mobile communication unit receives an elevator call request from the mobile body or a mobile control device that controls the mobile body, wherein the mobile body moves in the facility and is able to ride in each of the plurality of cars, and the elevator call request of the mobile body includes information about the mobile body's departure floor and the mobile body's destination floor; The elevator call information collection unit collects the elevator call information to be responded to by each of the multiple elevator cars; The proximity opportunity calculation unit calculates a proximity opportunity index value for each of the plurality of cars based on the elevator call information collected by the elevator call information collection unit. This proximity opportunity index value represents the degree of proximity opportunity between the user and the mobile vehicle within the mobile vehicle's movement interval between the departure floor and the target floor. The allocation decision unit determines which of the plurality of cars to assign the caller to based on the proximity opportunity index value calculated by the proximity opportunity calculation unit for each of the plurality of cars. The proximity opportunity calculation unit excludes elevator call information from other mobile bodies besides the mobile body when calculating the proximity opportunity index value of the mobile body within the mobile body's movement range.

11. An elevator call management method, wherein, The elevator call management method includes: In the receiving step, the computer receives an elevator call request from the mobile body or a mobile body control device that controls the mobile body, wherein the mobile body moves within the facility and is able to ride in each of the multiple elevator cars provided in the facility, and the elevator call request of the mobile body includes information about the mobile body's departure floor and the mobile body's destination floor. The elevator call information collection step involves the computer collecting elevator call information from each of the multiple elevator cars that needs to respond. In the proximity opportunity calculation step, the computer calculates a proximity opportunity index value for each of the plurality of cars based on the elevator call information collected in the elevator call information collection step. This proximity opportunity index value represents the degree of proximity opportunity between the user and the mobile vehicle within the mobile vehicle's movement interval between the departure floor and the target floor. In the allocation decision step, the computer determines which of the plurality of cars to assign the caller's elevator to, based on the proximity chance index value calculated in the proximity chance calculation step for each of the plurality of cars. In the proximity opportunity calculation step, information on elevator calls from other mobile bodies besides the mobile body is excluded when calculating the proximity opportunity index value within the mobile body's movement range.

12. A storage medium storing an elevator call management program, wherein, The elevator call management program causes the computer to perform the following steps: The receiving step involves receiving an elevator call request from the mobile body or a mobile body control device that controls the mobile body, wherein the mobile body moves within the facility and is able to ride in each of the multiple elevator cars provided in the facility, and the elevator call request of the mobile body includes information about the mobile body's departure floor and the mobile body's destination floor. The elevator call information collection step involves collecting elevator call information from the elevator car to be responded to by each of the multiple cars. The proximity opportunity calculation step, based on the elevator call information collected in the elevator call information collection step, calculates a proximity opportunity index value for each of the plurality of elevator cars. This proximity opportunity index value is an indicator of the degree of proximity opportunity between the user and the mobile vehicle within the mobile vehicle's movement interval between the departure floor and the target floor. The allocation decision step, based on the proximity opportunity index value calculated in the proximity opportunity calculation step for each of the plurality of cars, determines which of the plurality of cars the moving body's call will be allocated to. In the proximity opportunity calculation step, information on elevator calls from other mobile bodies besides the mobile body is excluded when calculating the proximity opportunity index value within the mobile body's movement range.

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