Content output system and elevator system

Abstract

A content output system and an elevator system that provide an elevator are capable of further promoting utilization of an optional service introduced to the elevator. The content output system (14) has an acquisition section (22) and a selection section (23). The acquisition section (22) acquires a utilization status of an optional service with respect to an elevator (1). The optional service is a service related to utilization of the elevator (1) that is provided to a user of the elevator (1). The selection section (23) selects, as a content to be output by an output device (15) provided to the elevator (1), a PR content that promotes utilization of the optional service, based on the utilization status of the optional service acquired by the acquisition section (22).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a content output system and an elevator system. BACKGROUND

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses an example of a system of a call registration service that registers a call of an elevator. In the system, a portable terminal of a user transmits information of a departure floor and a destination floor. A server registers a call of an elevator that moves from the departure floor to the destination floor, based on the information received from the portable terminal.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-95439 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] In the system of Patent Literature 1, in order for a user of an elevator or the like to receive provision of the call registration service, installation of software corresponding to the portable terminal or the like setting is required. On the other hand, a user of an elevator who does not receive provision of the optional service such as the call registration service cannot receive provision of the optional service because the necessary setting is not performed. Therefore, the optional service introduced to the elevator is not sufficiently utilized, and an effect of introducing the optional service can not be sufficiently obtained.

[0008] The present disclosure relates to the solution of such a problem. The present disclosure provides a content output system and an elevator system that can further promote an elevator that utilizes an optional service introduced to the elevator.

[0009] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0010] The content output system of the present disclosure has: an acquisition unit that acquires, with respect to an elevator, a utilization status of an optional service related to utilization of the elevator that is provided to a user of the elevator; and a selection unit that selects, as a content to be output by an output device provided to the elevator, a PR content that promotes utilization of the optional service, based on the utilization status of the optional service acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0011] The elevator system of the present disclosure has: an elevator provided with an output device that outputs a content; and the above-described content output system.

[0012] The elevator system of the present disclosure has: an elevator provided with an output device that outputs a content; a portable terminal held by a user of the elevator; and the above-described content output system.

[0013] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0014] According to the content output system or the elevator system of the present disclosure, utilization of optional services introduced to the elevator can be further promoted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of the elevator of Embodiment 1.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0025] Embodiments of the object for implementing the present disclosure are described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description is 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 embodiments can be modified or omitted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] Embodiment 1

[0027] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of the elevator 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0028] In this example, the elevator 1 is an electric elevator. The elevator 1 is applied to a building having a plurality of floors, for example. A hoistway 2 in which the elevator 1 is provided is provided in the building. The hoistway 2 is a space that is long in an up-and-down direction throughout the plurality of floors. Landings 3 at which the elevator 1 is provided are provided at each floor of the building. The landing 3 is a place that communicates with the hoistway 2. Landing operation panels 4 are provided at the landing 3 at each floor. The landing operation panel 4 is a device that receives an operation of a landing call. The elevator 1 has a hoisting machine 5, a main rope 6, a car 7, a counterweight 8, and a control panel 9.

[0029] The hoisting machine 5 is disposed in the upper portion or the lower portion of the hoistway 2, for example. The hoisting machine 5 can also be disposed in a machine room provided above the hoistway 2 or the like, for example, in the case where the machine room is provided. The hoisting machine 5 has a motor that generates a driving force and a sheave that rotates by 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 in a manner of 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 that transports a user or the like of the elevator 1 between the plurality of floors by traveling in the up-and-down direction in the hoistway 2. The car 7 has a car operation panel 10. The car operation panel 10 is a device that receives an operation of a car call. The counterweight 8 is a device that achieves a balance of loads applied to both sides of the sheave of the hoisting machine 5 between the car 7 and the counterweight 8. The car 7 and the counterweight 8 travel in the up-and-down direction in the hoistway 2 in opposite directions to each other in conjunction with the movement of the main rope 6.

[0032] The control panel 9 is a device that controls the operation of the elevator 1. The control panel 9 is disposed in the upper portion or the lower portion of the hoistway 2, for example. The control panel 9 can also be disposed in a machine room provided above the hoistway 2 or the like, for example, in the case where the machine room is provided. The operation of the elevator 1 controlled by the control panel 9 includes the traveling of the car 7, for example. The control panel 9 is connected to the hoisting machine 5 and the car 7 so that a control signal of the elevator 1 can be output and, in addition, so that status information of the elevator 1 can be acquired.

[0033] The remote monitoring device 11 is applied in the elevator 1. The remote monitoring device 11 is a device for remote monitoring of the state of the elevator 1. The remote monitoring device 11 is connected with the control panel 9 so that it is possible to collect the state information of the elevator 1, and in addition, it is possible to output a control signal from the outside for the elevator 1. The information collected by the remote monitoring device 11 is transmitted to the central management device 13 through 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 elevator 1. The central management device 13 is provided, for example, at a site such as an information center. The central management device 13 is constituted, for example, by one or a plurality of server devices. Part or all of the functions of the central management device 13 can also be installed by resources of processing and storage on a cloud service or the like.

[0034] In the elevator 1, an optional service is provided to the user of the elevator 1. The optional service is an additional service related to the use of the elevator 1. In this example, the optional service does not include the transportation service itself between the floors based on the elevator 1. The optional service is introduced to the elevator 1, for example, by the owner or the manager of the building in which the elevator 1 is applied, for the purpose of improving the convenience of the user of the elevator 1 and thus increasing the value of the building, and the like, so that the user of the elevator 1 can use it.

[0035] In the elevator 1, the content output system 14 is applied. The content output system 14 is a system that outputs content provided to the user of the elevator 1. The content is, for example, an image or a voice or a combination thereof or the like. The content output system 14 can be an internal system of the elevator 1, or an external system applied to the elevator 1 from the outside. The content output system 14 can also be constituted as an elevator system together with the elevator 1 and other necessary equipment or the like, for example. The content output system 14 has an output device 15 and an output control section 16. The output device 15 is, for example, a device that provides content to the user by an image and a voice or the like. 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 or the like. The output device 15 is provided inside the car 7. The output device 15 can also be provided integrally with the car operating panel 10. The output control section 16 is a portion that mounts a function of controlling the output of the output device 15. The output control section 16 is, for example, a display controller. The output control section 16 is connected with the control panel 9 or the remote monitoring device 11, for example.

[0036] One or a plurality of transmitters 17 are provided in the elevator 1. The transmitter 17 is a device that transmits a wireless signal. The transmitter 17 is, for example, a wireless beacon or the like. The wireless signal transmitted by the transmitter 17 is, for example, a wireless signal of near field wireless communication or the like. In this example, the transmitter 17 is disposed at the landing 3 of the elevator 1 on each floor.

[0037] The user of the elevator 1 holds the portable terminal 18. The portable terminal 18 is, for example, a mobile general-purpose information processing terminal such as a smartphone or the like. 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 can also be equipped with a function of near distance wireless communication or the like.

[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 to the elevator 1. The call registration service is a service in which, with respect to an elevator as the elevator 1, the elevator 1 is caused to register a call of the user by the portable terminal 18 held by the user. The call registration service is realized, for example, as follows.

[0039] In this example, the user registers user information of the elevator 1 by the portable terminal 18. The user information contains, for example, information of a destination floor of the user or the like. The registered user information can be stored in the portable terminal 18, and can also be transmitted from the portable terminal 18 to the central management device 13 or the like together with identification information that identifies the user. At this time, the user information is stored in the central management device 13, for example, in association with the identification information that identifies the user. The identification information that identifies the user is stored in the portable terminal 18 in advance, for example. The user can also be identified by the identification information of the portable terminal 18 held by the user.

[0040] The portable terminal 18 transmits request information indicating a call requested by the user holding the portable terminal 18 to the central management device 13, for example, when receiving a wireless signal from the transmitter 17. The portable terminal 18 can also transmit the request information of the call requested by the user to the central management device 13 according to an operation of the user, for example. At this time, the central management device 13 acquires information of the call according to the request information. The information of the call contains, for example, information of a departure floor and a destination floor of the user or the like. The information of the call can be contained in the request information, or can be read from the user information registered from the identification information transmitted together with the request information by the portable terminal 18. The central management device 13 outputs a control signal that registers the call requested by the user to the control panel 9 of the elevator 1 through the remote monitoring device 11 according to the acquired information of the call. The control panel 9 registers the requested call according to the input control signal. The control panel 9 controls the travel of the car 7 or the like so as to respond to the registered call.

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

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

[0043] The content management section 19 is a section in which a function of managing contents output to the output device 15 is mounted. The content management section 19 manages information of contents as a content list, for example. In this example, the content management section 19 manages information of each content itself on the content list. The content management section 19 can also manage information of an external resource such as an acquisition destination of each content itself on the content list. The contents managed by the content management section 19 include PR contents (PR: Public Relations). The PR contents are contents for promoting use of corresponding selectable services.

[0044] The user information storage section 20 is a section in which a function of storing information is mounted. The user information storage section 20 stores user information of a user of the elevator 1 in association with identification information of the user, for example.

[0045] The call registration section 21 is a section in which a function of outputting a control signal to register a call requested by a user to the control panel 9 of the elevator 1 is mounted. The call registration section 21 receives request information indicating a call requested by a user from the portable terminal 18 held by the user. The call registration section 21 acquires user information of a user who requested the call indicated by the request information when receiving the request information from the portable terminal 18. The call registration section 21 reads identification information included in the request information, for example. The call registration section 21 acquires the user information stored in the user information storage section 20 in association with the read identification information as a key. In addition, the call registration section 21 can also read the user information from the request information in a case where the request information includes the user information. The call registration section 21 acquires information of the call indicated by the request information when receiving the request information from the portable terminal 18. The call registration section 21 acquires the information of the call using the user information acquired on the basis of the identification information included in the request information, for example. The call registration section 21 outputs a control signal to register the call requested by the user to the control panel 9 of the elevator 1 through the remote monitoring device 11 on the basis of the acquired information of the call.

[0046] The acquisition unit 22 is a portion in which a function of acquiring a use status of an optional service related to the use of the elevator 1 is mounted. The use status of the optional service includes, for example, information of whether or not the optional service is used, the number of times or frequency of use of the optional service, and success or failure of provision of the optional service. The use status of the optional service can also include, for example, information of a time at which the optional service is used and a user who uses the optional service. The acquisition unit 22 can acquire information necessary for acquisition of the use status from the elevator 1 or the like by the remote monitoring device 11, for example.

[0047] The selection unit 23 is a portion in which a function of selecting content to be output by the output device 15 is mounted. The selection unit 23 selects content to be output by the output device 15 from among a plurality of contents managed by the content management unit 19. The selection unit 23 selects, as the content to be output by the output device 15, a PR content that promotes use of the optional service, in accordance with the use status of the optional service acquired by the acquisition unit 22. The selection unit 23 transmits the selected content to the output control unit 16, thereby causing the output device 15 to output the content.

[0048] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating 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, for example, an image. The PR content prompts, for example, a user of an outline of the optional service, a method of use of the optional service, an effect obtained by the optional service, and the like. The PR content can also prompt, to the user, an acquisition destination of software for use of the optional service or the like. The software is, for example, an application or the like installed in the portable terminal 18. The acquisition destination of the software can be prompted by, for example, an encoded image such as a two-dimensional code that is encoded by encoding a download URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the software.

[0050] Next, an example of an operation of the content output system 14 will be described with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5

[0051] Figure 4 and Figure 5 are flowcharts illustrating an example of an operation of the content output system 14 of Embodiment 1.

[0052] In Figure 4 ​In the present embodiment, an example of an action of the acquisition unit 22 acquiring the utilization status of the optional service is shown. In this example, as the utilization status of the call registration service, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the request frequency of the call based on the call registration service. The request frequency of the call based on the call registration service is, for example, the number of calls requested by the call registration service within a unit period or the like. The unit period is, for example, a period set in advance such as one day, one week, or one month. The acquisition unit 22 stores the acquired request frequency of the call based on the call registration service.

[0053] In step S101, the content output system 14 determines whether the call registration unit 21 has accepted the request information from the portable terminal 18 of the user. In the case where the determination result is "No", the processing of the content output system 14 again proceeds to step S101. In the case where the determination result is "Yes", the processing of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S102.

[0054] In step S102, the call registration unit 21 outputs, to the control panel 9 of the elevator 1, a control signal to register the call requested by the user in accordance with the request information. Then, the processing of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S103.

[0055] In step S103, the acquisition unit 22 updates the request frequency of the call by adding 1 to the number of calls requested by the call registration service within a unit period. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 22 can update the request frequency of the call upon receiving a notification of success of registration of the call from the control panel 9. At this time, the acquisition unit 22 can not update the request frequency of the call upon receiving a notification of failure of registration of the call from the control panel 9. Then, the processing of the content output system 14 ends.

[0056] In Figure 5 In the present embodiment, an example of an action of the selection unit 23 selecting the content is shown. In this example, as the utilization status of the call registration service, the selection unit 23 selects the content to be output by the output device 15 in accordance with the request frequency of the call based on the call registration service and whether the call registered with the elevator 1 is a call based on the call registration service.

[0057] In step S201, the acquisition unit 22 determines whether the car 7 has arrived at an arbitrary floor in response to the registered call, for example, based on information acquired from the elevator 1 by the remote monitoring device 11 or the like. In the case where the determination result is "No", the processing of the content output system 14 again proceeds to step S201. In the case where the determination result is "Yes", the processing of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S202.

[0058] In step S202, the acquisition unit 22 determines whether the call registered with the elevator 1 is a call based on the call registration service, as the use status of the call registration service. For example, in a case where the category information of the call responded by the car 7 is acquired from the elevator 1 through the remote monitoring device 11, the acquisition unit 22 determines based on the information. The category of the call includes, for example, a call based on the call registration service by means of the portable terminal 18, a hall call based on the hall operation panel 4, or a car call based on the car operation panel 10, and the like. Further, the acquisition unit 22 can also determine based on the information of the call registered with the elevator 1 by the call registration unit 21, for example. In a case where the call responded by the car 7 is the call registered with the elevator 1 by the call registration unit 21, the acquisition unit 22 determines that the call is a call based on the call registration service. On the other hand, in a case where the call responded by the car 7 is not the call registered with the elevator 1 by the call registration unit 21, the acquisition unit 22 determines that the call is not a call based on the call registration service. Here, each call can be identified by information unique to each call, or the like. In a case where the acquisition unit 22 determines that the call responded by 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, in a case where the acquisition unit 22 determines that the call responded by 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 a first threshold value. The first threshold value is a threshold value related to the request frequency set in advance with respect to the call registration service. In a case where the request frequency acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is lower than the first threshold value, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, in a case where the request frequency acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is the first threshold value or more, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S205.

[0060] In step S204, the selection unit 23 selects a 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 transmits 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 a general content as the content to be output by the output device 15. The general content is, for example, a content that is not particularly associated with the selectable service, or the like. The selection unit 23 transmits the selected general content to the output control unit 16. Then, the process of the content output system 14 ends.

[0062] As explained above, the elevator system of Embodiment 1 has the elevator 1, the portable terminal 18, and the content output system 14. The content output system 14 has the acquisition section 22 and the selection section 23. The acquisition section 22 acquires, with respect to the elevator 1, a utilization status of a selectable service. The selectable service is a service provided to a user of the elevator 1 in relation to the use of the elevator 1. The selection section 23 selects, as a content to be caused to be output by the output device 15 provided to the elevator 1, a PR content that promotes the use of the selectable service, in accordance with the utilization status of the selectable service acquired by the acquisition section 22.

[0063] According to this structure, in accordance with the utilization status of the selectable service introduced to the elevator 1, the PR content that promotes the use of the selectable service is output from the output device 15 in the elevator 1. Thereby, the selectable service is more effectively known to the user by means of the PR content, and thus, the selectable service is more likely to be used. Thereby, the effect of introducing the selectable service is further improved. By using the selectable service, the value of the elevator 1 is improved, and thus, the value of the building in which the elevator 1 is applied is further improved. Further, the PR content is output in accordance with the utilization status of the selectable service. In a case where the selectable service is sufficiently recognized and has been widely used, the effect of outputting the PR content becomes low. In this case, the selection section 23 does not select the PR content, and thus, the content output system 14 can provide a general content that is more likely to attract the attention of the user. Thereby, the user of the elevator 1 can more comfortably spend the time during the use of the elevator 1 and the like.

[0064] Further, the elevator 1 is, for example, an elevator. At this time, the selectable service can also be a call registration service that causes the elevator to register a call indicated by request information transmitted from the portable terminal 18 held by the user when the request information indicates the call.

[0065] According to this structure, the use of the call registration service is further promoted. Thereby, the convenience of the user using the elevator 1 is further improved, and the value of the building is further improved.

[0066] Further, as the utilization status of the call registration service, the acquisition section 22 acquires, from the reception of the request information, a request frequency of a call based on the call registration service. In a case where the request frequency of the call based on the call registration service is lower than a first threshold value set in advance, the selection section 23 selects the PR content as the content to be caused to be output by the output device 15.

[0067] According to this structure, in a case where the request frequency of the call based on the call registration service is low, the PR content is prompted to the user. In a case where the call registration service is not much used, the user is made aware of the service, and thus, the use of the call registration service is further promoted.

[0068] Further, as the use status of the elevator registration service, the acquisition unit 22 acquires whether the elevator registration is an elevator based on the elevator registration service. In a case where the elevator registration is not an elevator based on the elevator 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, in a case where the elevator registration is not an elevator based on the elevator registration service, the PR content is prompted to the user. The user who does not use the elevator registration service is informed of the service, and thus, the use of the elevator registration service is further promoted.

[0070] In addition, the elevators of the elevator 1 can also have a plurality of cars 7. The output device 15 is provided in each car 7. Further, the elevator registration of the user is assigned to an arbitrary car 7. The assignment of the elevator registration can be performed by a group management device of the elevators or the like, for example. In a case where the elevator registration is not an elevator based on the elevator registration service, the selection unit 23 selects the PR content as the content to be output by the output device 15 provided in the car 7 that responds to the elevator registration among the plurality of cars 7. The selection unit 23 transmits the selected PR content to the output control unit 16 corresponding to the output device 15 of the car 7 that responds to the elevator registration. The output control unit 16 causes the output device 15 of the car 7 to which the elevator registration that is not based on the elevator registration service is assigned to output the selected PR content, based on the information received from the selection unit 23.

[0071] According to this structure, the user who does not use the elevator registration service is informed of the service in the car 7 in which the user rides, and thus, the use of the elevator registration service is further promoted.

[0072] Further, the owner or the manager of the building in which the optional service is introduced or the like can also be able to refer to the use status of the optional service acquired by the acquisition unit 22 from the information terminal or the like such as a personal computer through the communication network 12, for example. Thereby, the owner or the manager or the like can more specifically grasp the effect of the introduction of the optional service.

[0073] Further, a part or all of the content management unit 19, the user information storage unit 20, the elevator registration unit 21, the acquisition unit 22, and the selection unit 23 or the like of the content output system 14 can also be mounted on the control panel 9, the remote monitoring device 11, or the equipment of the other elevator 1 or the like. These parts or all of the content output system 14 can also be provided integrally with the output control unit 16 or the output device 15.

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

[0075] Figure 6is a hardware configuration diagram of a 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 can also have at least one dedicated hardware 200 together with or instead of the processor 100a and the memory 100b.

[0077] In a case where 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. The program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a reads out 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, a DSP. The memory 100b is constituted by, for example, a nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or the like.

[0079] In a case where the processing circuit has the dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuit is implemented by, for example, 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 by the processing circuit, respectively. Alternatively, each function of the content output system 14 can also be implemented by the processing circuit collectively. As for each function of the content output system 14, a part thereof can be implemented by the dedicated hardware 200, and the other part thereof can be implemented by software or firmware. Thus, the processing circuit implements each function of the content output system 14 by the dedicated hardware 200, the software, the firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0081] Embodiment 2

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

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

[0084] In the elevator 1, an information presentation service is provided to the user. The information presentation service is an example of an optional service introduced to the elevator 1. The information presentation service is a service that presents the user with the operation status of the elevator 1. The operation status of the elevator 1 can be, for example, a standstill information or a standstill reservation due to a point inspection or the like of the maintenance of the elevator 1. In this example, the information presentation service is installed by, for example, the operation information management section 24 mounted on the central management device 13 or the like.

[0085] The operation information management section 24 is a section that manages the operation status of the elevator 1. The operation information management section 24 acquires information necessary for acquiring the operation status of the elevator 1 from the elevator 1 by the remote monitoring device 11, for example. The operation information management section 24 stores the acquired operation status. When the user sends inquiry information indicating an inquiry of the operation status, the operation information management section 24 presents the user with the operation status of the elevator 1. The operation information management section 24 is installed by, for example, a web server or the like. The inquiry information is sent from an information terminal such as the portable terminal 18 or the personal computer used by the user. The inquiry information contains information that specifies the elevator 1 of which the operation status is inquired. When the inquiry information is received from the information terminal, the operation information management section 24 returns information of the operation status of the elevator 1 specified by the inquiry information to the information terminal.

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

[0087] The PR content is output by the output device 15 as, for example, a video. The PR content presents the user with, for example, a summary of the optional service, a method of using the optional service, an effect obtained by the optional service, or the like. The PR content can also present the user with an access destination for using the optional service or the like. The access destination is, for example, information such as a URL of a web server that presents the operation status of the elevator 1. The access destination can also be presented by, for example, an encoded image such as a two-dimensional code that is encoded from the URL. Further, for example, in a case where a sticker indicating the access destination is attached to the landing 3 of the elevator 1 or the like, the PR content can also present an image video of the sticker.

[0088] Next, an example of the operation of the content output system 14 will be described. Figure 9 and Figure 10 Next, an example of the operation of the content output system 14 will be described.

[0089] Figure 9 and Figure 10 Next, an example of the operation of the content output system 14 will be described.

[0090] In Figure 9In the example shown in FIG. 6, an example of an operation in which the acquisition unit 22 acquires the utilization status of the selectable service is shown. In this example, as the utilization status of the information presentation service, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the query frequency for the information presentation service. The query frequency for the information presentation service is, for example, the number of queries made to the information presentation service within a unit period or the like. The unit period is, for example, a period set in advance such as one day, one week, or one month. The acquisition unit 22 stores the acquired query frequency for the information presentation service.

[0091] In step S301, the content output system 14 determines whether the operation information management unit 24 has received a query for information from the information terminal of the user. In the case where the determination result is "No", the processing of the content output system 14 again proceeds to step S301. In the case where the determination result is "Yes", the processing 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 in accordance with the query for information from the information terminal. Then, the processing of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S303.

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

[0094] In Figure 10 In the example shown in FIG. 6, an example of an operation in which the acquisition unit 22 acquires the utilization status of the selectable service is shown. In this example, as the utilization status of the information presentation service, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the query frequency for the information presentation service. The query frequency for the information presentation service is, for example, the number of queries made to the information presentation service within a unit period or the like. The unit period is, for example, a period set in advance such as one day, one week, or one month. The acquisition unit 22 stores the acquired query frequency for the information presentation service.

[0095] In step S401, the selection unit 23 determines whether the car 7 has arrived at an arbitrary floor in response to a registered call, for example, in accordance with information acquired by the remote monitoring device 11 from the elevator 1. In the case where the determination result is "No", the processing of the content output system 14 again proceeds to step S401. In the case where the determination result is "Yes", the processing 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 presentation service acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is lower than a second threshold value. The second threshold value is a threshold value related to the query frequency for the information presentation service set in advance. In the case where the query frequency acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is lower than the second threshold value, the processing of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S403. On the other hand, in the case where the query frequency acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is the second threshold value or more, the processing of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S404.

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

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

[0099] As explained above, in the elevator system of Embodiment 2, the selectable service includes the information prompting service. The information prompting service is a service that prompts the operation status of the elevator 1 to the information terminal from which the inquiry information indicating the inquiry from the user is transmitted, when the inquiry information is transmitted from the information terminal used by the user.

[0100] According to this structure, the use of the information prompting service is further promoted. Thereby, the information such as the operation status of the elevator 1 is more reliably prompted to the user, and thus, the convenience of the user using the elevator 1 is further improved, and the value of the building is further improved.

[0101] Further, as the use status of the information prompting service, the acquisition section 22 acquires the inquiry frequency for the information prompting service, based on the reception of the inquiry information. In a case where the inquiry frequency for the information prompting service is lower than a second threshold value set in advance, the selection section 23 selects the PR content as the content to be output by the output device 15.

[0102] According to this structure, in a case where the inquiry frequency for the information prompting service is low, the PR content is prompted to the user. In a case where the information prompting service is not much used, the information of the service is known by the user, and thus, the use of the information prompting service is further promoted.

[0103] In addition, a plurality of selectable services can also be introduced to one elevator 1. At this time, the acquisition section 22 acquires the use status for each selectable service. Further, the selection section 23 selects the corresponding PR content based on the use status of each selectable service.

[0104] Further, 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 or the like disposed adjacent to the path in which the user using the escalator moves. The content can also be a voice content.

[0105] Industrial Applicability

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

[0107] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0108] 1: elevator; 2: shaft; 3: landing; 4: landing operation panel; 5: hoisting 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 section; 17: transmitter; 18: portable terminal; 19: content management section; 20: user information storage section; 21: call registration section; 22: acquisition section; 23: selection section; 24: operation information management section; 100a: processor; 100b: memory; 200: dedicated hardware.

Claims

1. A content output system, the content output system having: The acquisition unit, for the purpose of the elevator, acquires the utilization status of optional services introduced to the elevator in relation to the use of the elevator, provided to the users of the elevator; and The selection unit, based on the utilization status of the optional services obtained by the acquisition unit, selects public relations content that promotes the utilization of the optional services as the content to be output by the output device installed in the elevator. The lift mentioned is an elevator. The optional service is an elevator call registration service that registers the elevator call indicated by the user's request information when the user sends such information from their portable terminal. As a measure of the utilization of the elevator call registration service, the acquisition unit obtains the frequency of elevator call requests based on the received request information. If the frequency of elevator calls based on the elevator call registration service is lower than a preset first threshold, the selection unit selects the public relations content.

2. A content output system, the content output system having: The acquisition unit, for the purpose of the elevator, acquires the utilization status of optional services introduced to the elevator in relation to the use of the elevator, provided to the users of the elevator; and The selection unit, based on the utilization status of the optional services obtained by the acquisition unit, selects public relations content that promotes the utilization of the optional services as the content to be output by the output device installed in the elevator. The lift mentioned is an elevator. The optional service is an elevator call registration service that registers the elevator call indicated by the user's request information when the user sends such information from their portable terminal. As to the utilization status of the elevator call registration service, the acquisition unit obtains whether the elevator call registered for the elevator is a call based on the elevator call registration service. If the elevator call registered for the elevator is not based on the elevator call registration service, the selection unit selects the public relations content.

3. The content output system according to claim 2, wherein, The elevator has multiple cars. If the elevator call registered for the elevator is not based on the elevator call registration service, the selection unit selects the public relations content as the content to be output by the output device installed in the car that responded to the elevator call among the plurality of cars.

4. A content output system, the content output system having: The acquisition unit, for the purpose of the elevator, acquires the utilization status of optional services introduced to the elevator in relation to the use of the elevator, provided to the users of the elevator; and The selection unit, based on the utilization status of the optional services obtained by the acquisition unit, selects public relations content that promotes the utilization of the optional services as the content to be output by the output device installed in the elevator. The optional service is an information notification service that prompts the information terminal with the operating status of the elevator when the user sends query information representing a query from the user. in, As a measure of the utilization of the information notification service, the acquisition unit obtains the query frequency for the information notification service based on the received query information. If the frequency of queries for the information prompt service is lower than a pre-set second threshold, the selection unit selects the public relations content.

5. A lifting system, the lifting system comprising: An elevator, which is equipped with an output device for outputting content; and The content output system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A lifting system, the lifting system comprising: An elevator, which is equipped with an output device for outputting content; A portable terminal, held by the user of the elevator; and The content output system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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