Content output system and elevator system

Abstract

The invention provides a content output system of an elevator and an elevator system, which can further facilitate the utilization of optional services imported into the elevator. A content output system (14) is provided with an acquisition unit (22) and a selection unit (23). The acquisition unit (22) acquires the use status of the selectable service for the elevator (1). The optional service is a service relating to the utilization of the elevator (1) provided to a user of the elevator (1). A selection unit (23) selects, as content to be output by an output device (15) provided in the elevator (1), PR content for facilitating use of the selectable service, on the basis of the use status of the selectable service acquired by the acquisition unit (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a content output system and a lift system. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a system for a call registration service for registering calls to an elevator. In this system, a user's portable terminal transmits information on a departure floor and a destination floor. The server registers a call to move from the departure floor to the destination floor in the elevator based on the information received from the portable terminal.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-95439 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the system of Patent Document 1, in order for users of elevators and other lifts to receive the provision of call registration services, it is necessary to perform settings such as installing software corresponding to the portable terminal. On the other hand, users of lifts who do not know about the provision of optional services such as call registration services cannot receive the provision of optional services because they have not performed the necessary settings. Therefore, the optional services introduced into the lift are not fully utilized, and the effects of introducing the optional services may not be fully obtained.

[0008] The present disclosure relates to the solution of such problems. The present disclosure provides a content output system and a lift system for a lift that can further promote the use of optional services introduced into the lift.

[0009] Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The content output system of the present disclosure includes: an acquisition unit that acquires, for a lift, the usage status of optional services related to the use of the lift provided to users of the lift; and a selection unit that selects, based on the usage status of the optional services acquired by the acquisition unit, PR content that promotes the use of the optional services as content to be output by an output device provided in the lift.

[0011] The lift system of the present disclosure includes: a lift provided with an output device for outputting content; and the above content output system.

[0012] The lift system of the present disclosure includes: a lift provided with an output device for outputting content; a portable terminal held by a user of the lift; and the above content output system.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] An output system or a lift system according to the present disclosure can further facilitate the use of optional services introduced into the lift. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the lift in Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the content output system in Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing an example of the PR content of the content output system in Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the content output system in Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the content output system in Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 6 It is a hardware structure diagram of the main part of the content output system in Embodiment 1.

[0021] Figure 7 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the content output system in Embodiment 2.

[0022] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing an example of the PR content of the content output system in Embodiment 2.

[0023] Figure 9 It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the content output system in Embodiment 2.

[0024] Figure 10 It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the content output system in Embodiment 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0025] A mode for implementing the object of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. In addition, the object of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any structural element of the embodiment can be deformed or any structural element of the embodiment can be omitted without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0026] Embodiment 1

[0027] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the lift 1 in Embodiment 1.

[0028] In this example, the lift 1 is an elevator. The lift 1 is applied to a building having multiple floors, for example. A shaft 2 for the lift 1 is provided in the building. The shaft 2 is a long space in the vertical direction that extends over multiple floors. A landing 3 for the lift 1 is provided on each floor of the building. The landing 3 is a place that communicates with the shaft 2. A landing operating panel 4 is provided on the landing 3 on each floor. The landing operating panel 4 is a device for accepting operations of landing calls. The lift 1 has a traction machine 5, a main rope 6, a car 7, a counterweight 8, and a control panel 9.

[0029] The traction machine 5 is disposed, for example, at the top or bottom of the shaft 2. For example, when a machine room of the elevator 1 is provided above the shaft 2, the traction machine 5 may be disposed in the machine room. The traction machine 5 includes a motor that generates a driving force and a sheave that rotates with the driving force generated by the motor.

[0030] The main rope 6 is wound around the sheave of the hoisting machine 5. The main rope 6 supports the load of the car 7 on one side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 5. The main rope 6 supports the load of the counterweight 8 on the other side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 5. The main rope 6 moves in a manner of being wound up by the sheave of the hoisting machine 5 or being sent out from the sheave of the hoisting machine 5 by the driving force generated by the motor of the hoisting machine 5.

[0031] The car 7 is a device for transporting users of the elevator 1 between multiple floors by running in the up-down direction in the hoistway 2. The car 7 has a car operating panel 10. The car operating panel 10 is a device for accepting the operation of the car call. The counterweight 8 is a device for balancing the loads applied to both sides of the sheave of the traction machine 5 between the car 7. The car 7 and the counterweight 8 run in opposite directions to each other in the up-down direction in the hoistway 2 in conjunction with the movement of the main rope 6.

[0032] The control panel 9 is a device for controlling the movement of the elevator 1. The control panel 9 is, for example, arranged at the upper part or the lower part of the shaft 2. For example, when a machine room for the elevator 1 is provided above the shaft 2, the control panel 9 may also be arranged in the machine room. The movement of the elevator 1 controlled by the control panel 9 includes, for example, the travel of the car 7. The control panel 9 is connected to the traction machine 5 and the car 7 so that the control signal of the elevator 1 can be outputted and the status information of the elevator 1 can be obtained.

[0033] A remote monitoring device 11 is applied to the lift 1. The remote monitoring device 11 is a device for remotely monitoring the state of the lift 1. The remote monitoring device 11 is connected to the control panel 9 so that the state information of the lift 1 can be collected, and in addition, a control signal from the outside for the lift 1 can be output. The information collected by the remote monitoring device 11 is sent to the central management device 13 via a communication network 12 such as the Internet or a telephone line. The central management device 13 is a device that collects and manages the state information of the lift 1. The central management device 13 is provided, for example, at a base such as an information center. The central management device 13 is composed of, for example, one or more server devices. Part or all of the functions of the central management device 13 can also be installed through resources such as processing and storage on a cloud service.

[0034] In the lift 1, an optional service is provided to the users of the lift 1. The optional service is an additional service related to the use of the lift 1. In this example, the optional service does not include the conveyance service itself between the floors of the lift 1. The optional service is introduced into the lift 1, for example, by the owner or manager of the building where the lift 1 is applied, etc., for the purpose of improving the convenience of the users of the lift 1 and thus increasing the value of the building, etc., so that the users of the lift 1 can use it.

[0035] A content output system 14 is applied to the lift 1. The content output system 14 is a system that outputs the content provided to the users of the lift 1. The content is, for example, an image, voice, or a combination thereof. The content output system 14 can be an internal system of the lift 1 or an external system applied to the lift 1 from the outside. The content output system 14 can also form a lift system together with the lift 1 and other necessary devices, etc. The content output system 14 has an output device 15 and an output control unit 16. The output device 15 is a device that provides content to the user through an image, voice, etc. In this example, the output device 15 provides content to the user by displaying an image. The output device 15 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. The output device 15 is provided inside the car 7. The output device 15 can also be provided integrally with the car operation panel 10. The output control unit 16 is a part that incorporates the function of controlling the output of the output device 15. The output control unit 16 is, for example, a display controller. The output control unit 16 is connected to the control panel 9 or the remote monitoring device 11, for example.

[0036] One or more transmitters 17 are provided in the lift 1. The transmitter 17 is a device that transmits a wireless signal. The transmitter 17 is, for example, a wireless beacon. The wireless signal transmitted by the transmitter 17 is, for example, a wireless signal for short-range wireless communication. In this example, the transmitter 17 is arranged at the landing 3 of the lift 1 on each floor.

[0037] The user of the elevator 1 holds the portable terminal 18. The portable terminal 18 is, for example, a movable general information processing terminal such as a smartphone. The portable terminal 18 is an example of an information terminal used by the user. The portable terminal 18 is connected to the communication network 12 through wireless communication. The portable terminal 18 may also be equipped with functions such as short-range wireless communication.

[0038] In the elevator 1, a call registration service is provided to the user. The call registration service is an example of an optional service introduced into the elevator 1. The call registration service is a service for registering the call of the user for the elevator 1 through the portable terminal 18 held by the user for the elevator 1 of the elevator 1. The call registration service is realized, for example, as follows.

[0039] In this example, the user registers the usage information of the elevator 1 through the portable terminal 18. The usage information includes, for example, information such as the destination floor of the user. The registered usage information may be stored in the portable terminal 18, and may also be sent from the portable terminal 18 to the central management device 13, etc. together with the identification information for identifying the user. At this time, the usage information is stored in the central management device 13, for example, in association with the identification information for identifying the user. The identification information for identifying the user is stored in the portable terminal 18 in advance. The user can also be identified by the identification information of the portable terminal 18 held by the user.

[0040] When the portable terminal 18 receives a wireless signal from the transmitter 17, for example, it sends request information indicating the call requested by the user holding the portable terminal 18 to the central management device 13. The portable terminal 18 may also send the request information for the call requested by the user to the central management device 13 according to the operation of the user. At this time, the central management device 13 obtains the call information according to the request information. The call information includes, for example, information such as the departure floor and destination floor of the user. The call information may be included in the request information, or may be read from the usage information registered according to the identification information sent together with the portable terminal 18 and the request information. The central management device 13 outputs a control signal for registering the call requested by the registered user to the control panel 9 of the elevator 1 through the remote monitoring device 11 according to the obtained call information. The control panel 9 registers the requested call according to the input control signal. The control panel 9 controls the running of the car 7, etc. to respond to the registered call.

[0041] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the content output system 14 of Embodiment 1.

[0042] The content output system 14 includes a content management unit 19, a user information storage unit 20, an elevator call registration unit 21, an acquisition unit 22, and a selection unit 23. The content management unit 19, the user information storage unit 20, the elevator call registration unit 21, the acquisition unit 22, and the selection unit 23 are mounted on, for example, the central management device 13 or the like.

[0043] The content management unit 19 is a part that mounts a function for managing the content output to the output device 15. The content management unit 19 manages, for example, the information of the content as a content list. In this example, the content management unit 19 manages the information of each content itself on the content list. The content management unit 19 may also manage the information of external resources such as the acquisition destination of each content itself on the content list. The content managed by the content management unit 19 includes PR content (PR: Public Relations). The PR content is content that promotes the use of corresponding optional services.

[0044] The user information storage unit 20 is a part that mounts a function for storing information. The user information storage unit 20 stores, for example, the usage information of the users of the elevator 1 in association with the identification information of the users.

[0045] The elevator call registration unit 21 is a part that mounts a function for outputting a control signal for registering the elevator call requested by the registered user to the control panel 9 of the elevator 1. The elevator call registration unit 21 receives request information indicating the elevator call requested by the user from the portable terminal 18 held by the user. When the elevator call registration unit 21 receives the request information from the portable terminal 18, it acquires the usage information of the user who requested the elevator call indicated by the request information. The elevator call registration unit 21 reads, for example, the identification information included in the request information. The elevator call registration unit 21 uses the read identification information as a keyword and acquires the usage information stored in the user information storage unit 20 in association with the identification information. In addition, when the request information includes the usage information of the user, the elevator call registration unit 21 may also read the usage information from the request information. When the elevator call registration unit 21 receives the request information from the portable terminal 18, it acquires the information of the elevator call indicated by the request information. The elevator call registration unit 21 acquires, for example, the information of the elevator call using the usage information obtained based on the identification information included in the request information. The elevator call registration unit 21 outputs a control signal for registering the elevator call requested by the registered user to the control panel 9 of the elevator 1 through the remote monitoring device 11 based on the acquired information of the elevator call.

[0046] The acquisition unit 22 is a part that is equipped with a function of acquiring the usage status of optional services related to the use of the elevator 1. The usage status of the optional services includes, for example, information such as whether the optional service has been used, the number of times or frequency of use of the optional service, and the success or failure of the provision of the optional service. The usage status of the optional service may also include, for example, the time when the optional service was used and information about the user who used the optional service. The acquisition unit 22 can also acquire, for example, information required for the acquisition of the usage status from the elevator 1 or the like through the remote monitoring device 11.

[0047] The selection unit 23 is a part that is equipped with a function of selecting the content to be output by the output device 15. The selection unit 23 selects the content to be output by the output device 15 from among the multiple contents managed by the content management unit 19. The selection unit 23 selects, as the content to be output by the output device 15, PR content that promotes the use of the optional service based on the usage status of the optional service acquired by the acquisition unit 22. The selection unit 23 sends the selected content to the output control unit 16, thereby causing the output device 15 to output the content.

[0048] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing an example of the PR content of the content output system 14 of Embodiment 1.

[0049] The PR content is output by the output device 15 as an image, for example. The PR content prompts the user, for example, with the outline of the optional service, the usage method of the optional service, the effects obtained through the optional service, etc. The PR content may also prompt the user with the acquisition destination of the software for using the optional service, etc. This software is, for example, an application installed on the portable terminal 18. The acquisition destination of the software can be prompted, for example, by an encoded image such as a QR code obtained by encoding the download URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the software.

[0050] Next, use Figure 4 and Figure 5 to illustrate an example of the operation of the content output system 14.

[0051] Figure 4 and Figure 5 It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the content output system 14 of Embodiment 1.

[0052] In Figure 4shows an example of the operation in which the acquisition unit 22 acquires the usage status of the optional service. In this example, as the usage status of the call registration service, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the request frequency of calls based on the call registration service. The request frequency of calls based on the call registration service is, for example, the number of calls requested through the call registration service within a unit period. The unit period is, for example, a preset period such as one day, one week, or one month. The acquisition unit 22 stores the acquired request frequency of calls based on the call registration service.

[0053] In step S101, the content output system 14 determines whether the call registration unit 21 has received request information from the user's portable terminal 18. If the determination result is "no", the process of the content output system 14 returns to step S101. If the determination result is "yes", the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S102.

[0054] In step S102, the call registration unit 21 outputs a control signal for registering the call requested by the registered user to the control panel 9 of the elevator 1 according to the request information. Then, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S103.

[0055] In step S103, the acquisition unit 22 increments the number of calls requested through the call registration service within the unit period by 1, thereby updating the request frequency of calls. Additionally, the acquisition unit 22 may also update the request frequency of calls after receiving a notification of successful call registration from the control panel 9. At this time, the acquisition unit 22 may not update the request frequency of calls when receiving a notification of failed call registration from the control panel 9. Then, the process of the content output system 14 ends.

[0056] In Figure 5 shows an example of the operation in which the selection unit 23 selects content. In this example, as the usage status of the call registration service, the selection unit 23 selects the content to be output by the output device 15 according to the request frequency of calls based on the call registration service and whether the call registered in the elevator 1 is a call based on the call registration service.

[0057] In step S201, the acquisition unit 22 determines, for example, based on the information obtained from the elevator 1 through the remote monitoring device 11, whether the car 7 has reached any floor in response to the registered call. If the determination result is "no", the process of the content output system 14 returns to step S201. If the determination result is "yes", the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S202.

[0058] In step S202, as the usage status of the call registration service, the acquisition unit 22 determines whether the call registered for the elevator 1 is a call based on the call registration service. For example, when acquiring the category information of the call in response to the car 7 from the elevator 1 through the remote monitoring device 11, the acquisition unit 22 makes a determination based on this information. The category of the call includes, for example, a call based on the call registration service using the portable terminal 18, a landing call based on the landing operation panel 4, or a car call based on the car operation panel 10. In addition, the acquisition unit 22 can also make a determination based on, for example, the information of the call registered for the elevator 1 by the call registration unit 21. When the call in response to the car 7 is the call registered for the elevator 1 by the call registration unit 21, the acquisition unit 22 determines that this call is a call based on the call registration service. On the other hand, when the call in response to the car 7 is not the call registered for the elevator 1 by the call registration unit 21, the acquisition unit 22 determines that this call is not a call based on the call registration service. Here, each call can also be identified by, for example, the unique information of each call. When the acquisition unit 22 determines that the call in response to the car 7 is not a call based on the call registration service, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, when the acquisition unit 22 determines that the call in response to the car 7 is a call based on the call registration service, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S205.

[0059] In step S203, the selection unit 23 determines whether the request frequency of the call based on the call registration service acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is lower than the first threshold. The first threshold is a threshold related to the request frequency preset for the call registration service. When the request frequency acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is lower than the first threshold, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, when the request frequency acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is equal to or higher than the first threshold, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S205.

[0060] In step S204, the selection unit 23 selects PR content that promotes the use of the call registration service as the content to be output by the output device 15. The selection unit 23 sends the selected PR content to the output control unit 16. Then, the process of the content output system 14 ends.

[0061] In step S205, the selection unit 23 selects general content as the content to be output by the output device 15. The general content is, for example, content that has no particular association with optional services. The selection unit 23 sends the selected general content to the output control unit 16. Then, the process of the content output system 14 ends.

[0062] As described above, the elevator system of Embodiment 1 includes an elevator 1, a portable terminal 18, and a content output system 14. The content output system 14 includes an acquisition unit 22 and a selection unit 23. The acquisition unit 22 acquires the usage status of optional services for the elevator 1. The optional services are services related to the use of the elevator 1 provided to the users of the elevator 1. The selection unit 23 selects PR content that promotes the use of the optional services as the content to be output by the output device 15 provided in the elevator 1 based on the usage status of the optional services acquired by the acquisition unit 22.

[0063] According to this configuration, based on the usage status of the optional services introduced into the elevator 1, PR content that promotes the use of the optional services is output from the output device 15 in the elevator 1. Thus, with the help of the PR content, the optional services are more effectively informed to the users, and therefore, the optional services are more likely to be used. As a result, the effect of introducing the optional services is further improved. By using the optional services, the value of the elevator 1 is increased, and thus, the value of the building in which the elevator 1 is applied is further increased. In addition, the PR content is output according to the usage status of the optional services. When the optional services are fully recognized and widely used, the effect of outputting the PR content becomes low. In this case, the selection unit 23 does not select the PR content, and thus, the content output system 14 can provide general content that is more likely to attract the attention of the users. As a result, the users of the elevator 1 can spend the time during the use of the elevator 1 more comfortably.

[0064] In addition, the elevator 1 is, for example, an elevator. At this time, the optional service may also be a call registration service that causes the elevator to register the call indicated by the request information when request information indicating a call of the user is sent from the portable terminal 18 held by the user.

[0065] According to this configuration, the use of the call registration service is further promoted. As a result, the convenience of the users of the elevator 1 is further improved, and the value of the building is further increased.

[0066] In addition, as the usage status of the call registration service, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the request frequency of calls based on the call registration service according to the reception of the request information. When the request frequency of calls based on the call registration service is lower than a preset first threshold, the selection unit 23 selects the PR content as the content to be output by the output device 15.

[0067] According to this configuration, when the request frequency of calls based on the call registration service is low, the PR content is presented to the users. When the call registration service is not frequently used, the users are informed of the information of the service, and thus, the use of the call registration service is further promoted.

[0068] In addition, as the usage status of the call registration service, the acquisition unit 22 acquires whether the call registered for the elevator is a call based on the call registration service. When the call registered for the elevator is not a call based on the call registration service, the selection unit 23 selects the PR content as the content to be output by the output device 15.

[0069] According to this structure, when a call that is not a call based on the call registration service is registered, the PR content is presented to the user. By making the users who have not used the call registration service aware of the information about this service, the utilization of the call registration service is further promoted.

[0070] In addition, the elevator of the lift 1 may also have multiple carriages 7. An output device 15 is provided in each carriage 7. In addition, the call of the user is assigned to an arbitrary carriage 7. The assignment of the call can be performed by, for example, the group management device of the elevator. When the call registered for the elevator is not a call based on the call registration service, the selection unit 23 selects the PR content as the content to be output by the output device 15 provided in the carriage 7 that responds to this call among the multiple carriages 7. The selection unit 23 sends the selected PR content to the output control unit 16 corresponding to the output device 15 of the carriage 7 that responds to this call. The output control unit 16 causes the output device 15 of the carriage 7 to which a call that is not a call based on the call registration service is assigned to output the selected PR content according to the information received from the selection unit 23.

[0071] According to this structure, the users who have not used the call registration service are made aware of the information about this service in the carriage 7 they are riding in, so the utilization of the call registration service is further promoted.

[0072] In addition, for example, the owner or manager of a building that has introduced an optional service can also refer to the usage status of the optional service acquired by the acquisition unit 22 via a communication network 12 from an information terminal such as a personal computer. Thus, the owner or manager can more specifically grasp the effect of introducing the optional service.

[0073] In addition, a part or all of the content management unit 19, user information storage unit 20, call registration unit 21, acquisition unit 22, selection unit 23, etc. in the content output system 14 may also be mounted on the control panel 9, remote monitoring device 11, or other equipment of the lift 1. A part or all of these in the content output system 14 may also be provided integrally with the output control unit 16 or the output device 15.

[0074] Next, Figure 6 An example of the hardware structure of the content output system 14 will be described.

[0075] Figure 6It is a hardware structure diagram of the main part of the content output system 14 of Embodiment 1.

[0076] Each function of the processing in the content output system 14 can be implemented by a processing circuit. The processing circuit has at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. The processing circuit may also have at least one dedicated hardware 200 together with or instead of the processor 100a and the memory 100b.

[0077] When the processing circuit has the processor 100a and the memory 100b, each function of the content output system 14 is implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and the firmware is described as a program. This program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a reads and executes the program stored in the memory 100b, thereby implementing each function of the content output system 14.

[0078] The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. The memory 100b is composed of, for example, non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memories such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM.

[0079] When the processing circuit has the dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuit is implemented, for example, by a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0080] Each function of the processing in the content output system 14 can be implemented separately by the processing circuit. Alternatively, each function of the content output system 14 can also be implemented uniformly by the processing circuit. Regarding each function of the content output system 14, a part can be implemented by the dedicated hardware 200, and the other part can be implemented by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit implements each function of the content output system 14 by the dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0081] Embodiment 2

[0082] In Embodiment 2, the differences from the examples disclosed in Embodiment 1 are described in detail. Regarding the features not described in Embodiment 2, any features of the examples disclosed in Embodiment 1 can be adopted.

[0083] Figure 7 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the content output system 14 of Embodiment 2.

[0084] In the elevator 1, an information prompt service is provided to the user. The information prompt service is an example of an optional service introduced into the elevator 1. The information prompt service is a service that prompts the user about the operating status of the elevator 1. The operating status of the elevator 1 can also be, for example, the rest information of the elevator 1 or the scheduled rest due to maintenance inspections, etc. In this example, the information prompt service is installed, for example, by the operation information management unit 24 mounted on the central management device 13, etc.

[0085] The operation information management unit 24 is a part that manages the operating status of the elevator 1. The operation information management unit 24 obtains, for example, the information required for obtaining the operating status of the elevator 1 from the elevator 1 through the remote monitoring device 11. The operation information management unit 24 stores the obtained operating status. When query information indicating a query about the operating status is sent from the user, the operation information management unit 24 prompts the user about the operating status of the elevator 1. The operation information management unit 24 is installed, for example, through a web server, etc. The query information is sent from an information terminal such as a portable terminal 18 or a personal computer used by the user. The query information includes information identifying the elevator 1 for which the operating status is being queried. When the operation information management unit 24 receives the query information from the information terminal, it returns the information on the operating status of the elevator 1 determined by the query information to the information terminal.

[0086] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing an example of the PR content of the content output system 14 of Embodiment 2.

[0087] The PR content is output, for example, as an image by the output device 15. The PR content prompts the user, for example, about the outline of the optional service, the usage method of the optional service, the effects obtained through the optional service, etc. The PR content can also prompt the user about the access destination for using the optional service, etc. The access destination is, for example, information such as the URL of the web server for accessing the operating status of the elevator 1. The access destination can also be prompted, for example, by a coded image such as a QR code obtained by encoding the URL. In addition, for example, when a sticker indicating the access destination is attached to the landing 3 of the elevator 1, etc., the PR content can also prompt the image of the sticker.

[0088] Next, use Figure 9 and Figure 10 to illustrate an example of the operation of the content output system 14.

[0089] Figure 9 and Figure 10 It is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the content output system 14 of Embodiment 2.

[0090] In Figure 9shows an example of the operation of the acquisition unit 22 for acquiring the usage status of optional services. In this example, as the usage status of the information prompt service, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the query frequency for the information prompt service. The query frequency for the information prompt service is, for example, the number of queries made to the information prompt service within a unit period. The unit period is, for example, a preset period such as one day, one week, or one month. The acquisition unit 22 stores the acquired query frequency for the information prompt service.

[0091] In step S301, the content output system 14 determines whether the operation information management unit 24 has received query information from the user's information terminal. If the determination result is "no", the process of the content output system 14 returns to step S301. If the determination result is "yes", the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S302.

[0092] In step S302, the operation information management unit 24 presents the operation status of the elevator 1 to the information terminal based on the query information from the information terminal. Then, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S303.

[0093] In step S303, the acquisition unit 22 increments the number of queries made to the information prompt service within the unit period by 1, thereby updating the query frequency. Then, the process of the content output system 14 ends.

[0094] In Figure 10 shows an example of the operation of the selection unit 23 for selecting content. In this example, as the usage status of the information prompt service, the selection unit 23 selects the content to be output by the output device 15 based on the query frequency for the information prompt service.

[0095] In step S401, the selection unit 23 determines, for example, based on the information obtained from the elevator 1 through the remote monitoring device 11, whether the car 7 has reached any floor in response to the registered call. If the determination result is "no", the process of the content output system 14 returns to step S401. If the determination result is "yes", the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S402.

[0096] In step S402, the selection unit 23 determines whether the query frequency for the information prompt service acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is lower than the second threshold. The second threshold is a threshold related to the preset query frequency for the information prompt service. If the query frequency acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is lower than the second threshold, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S403. On the other hand, if the query frequency acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is equal to or higher than the second threshold, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S404.

[0097] In step S403, the selection unit 23 selects PR content that promotes the use of the information prompt service as the content to be output by the output device 15. The selection unit 23 sends the selected PR content to the output control unit 16. Then, the processing of the content output system 14 ends.

[0098] In step S404, the selection unit 23 selects general content as the content to be output by the output device 15. The selection unit 23 sends the selected general content to the output control unit 16. Then, the processing of the content output system 14 ends.

[0099] As described above, in the elevator system of the second embodiment, the optional service includes the information prompt service. The information prompt service is a service that prompts the operation status of the elevator 1 to the information terminal when query information indicating a query from the user is sent from the information terminal used by the user.

[0100] According to this structure, the use of the information prompt service is further promoted. As a result, information such as the operation status of the elevator 1 is more reliably prompted to the user. Therefore, the convenience of the user using the elevator 1 is further improved, and the value of the building is further increased.

[0101] In addition, as the usage status of the information prompt service, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the query frequency for the information prompt service based on the reception of the query information. When the query frequency for the information prompt service is lower than a preset second threshold, the selection unit 23 selects PR content as the content to be output by the output device 15.

[0102] According to this structure, when the query frequency for the information prompt service is low, PR content is prompted to the user. When the information prompt service is not frequently used, the information of this service is made known to the user. Therefore, the use of the information prompt service is further promoted.

[0103] In addition, multiple optional services can be introduced into one elevator 1. At this time, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the usage status for each optional service. In addition, the selection unit 23 selects the corresponding PR content according to the usage status of each optional service.

[0104] In addition, the elevator 1 can also be an escalator. At this time, the output device 15 can also be, for example, a display or a speaker arranged adjacent to the path where the user using the escalator moves. The content can also be voice content.

[0105] Industrial applicability

[0106] The elevator system of the present disclosure can be applied to a building with multiple floors. The content output system of the present disclosure can be applied to this elevator system.

[0107] Description of Reference Numerals

[0108] 1: Lift; 2: Hoistway; 3: Landing; 4: Landing operation panel; 5: Traction machine; 6: Main rope; 7: Car; 8: Counterweight; 9: Control panel; 10: Car operation panel; 11: Remote monitoring device; 12: Communication network; 13: Central management device; 14: Content output system; 15: Output device; 16: Output control unit; 17: Transmitter; 18: Portable terminal; 19: Content management unit; 20: User information storage unit; 21: Call registration unit; 22: Acquisition unit; 23: Selection unit; 24: Operation information management unit; 100a: Processor; 100b: Memory; 200: Dedicated hardware.

Claims

1. A content output system, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires, with respect to an elevator, a utilization status of an optional service related to utilization of the elevator and provided to a user of the elevator; and A selection unit selects, based on the utilization status of the optional service acquired by the acquisition unit, PR content that promotes utilization of the optional service as content to be output by an output device provided in the elevator.

2. The content output system according to claim 1, in, The lift is an elevator, The optional service is a call registration service for causing the elevator to register the call indicated by the request information when request information indicating a call of the user is transmitted from a mobile terminal held by the user.

3. The content output system according to claim 2, in, The acquisition unit acquires, as the utilization status of the call registration service, a request frequency of calls using the call registration service in response to reception of request information, The selection unit selects the PR content when the frequency of call requests based on the call registration service is lower than a preset first threshold value.

4. The content output system according to claim 2, in, The acquisition unit acquires, as a utilization status of the call registration service, whether the call registered to the elevator is a call based on the call registration service, The selection unit selects the PR content when the call registered to the elevator is not a call based on the call registration service.

5. The content output system according to claim 4, in, The elevator has a plurality of cars. When the call registered to the elevator is not a call based on the call registration service, the selection unit selects the PR content as content to be output by an output device provided in a car among the plurality of cars that responds to the call.

6. The content output system according to claim 1, in, The optional service is an information presentation service for presenting the operating status of the elevator to the information terminal when inquiry information indicating an inquiry from the user is transmitted from the information terminal used by the user.

7. The content output system according to claim 6, in, The acquisition unit acquires, as the utilization status of the information presentation service, a frequency of inquiries to the information presentation service based on reception of inquiry information, The selection unit selects the PR content when the inquiry frequency for the information presentation service is lower than a preset second threshold value.

8. An elevator system, the elevator system comprising: an elevator provided with an output device for outputting the content; and A content output system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. An elevator system, the elevator system comprising: An elevator provided with an output device for outputting the content; a portable terminal held by a user of the elevator; and A content output system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5.

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