Device system, device control device, device control method, and device control program

Abstract

The invention provides an equipment system, an equipment control device, an equipment control method, and an equipment control program, which can restrain reduction of utilization efficiency of general users of an elevator and enable specific users to take a car more easily. In the equipment system (1), under the condition that the moving body (4) is independently carried in the elevator car (16), the space in the elevator car (16) is reserved, and the space in the elevator car (16) can be occupied by other users (3). The plant control device (24) has an acquisition unit (26) and a command unit (29). When a priority call by a specific user is registered, the acquisition unit (26) acquires operation information including the position of the car in response to the priority call. The command unit (29) outputs, on the basis of the operation information, an elevator taking command for causing the moving body to take the elevator car on a floor other than a departure floor before the elevator car reaches the departure floor on which the specific user wants to take the elevator. The command unit retains the output of a descending command for causing the moving body to descend from the car until the car reaches the departure floor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a device system, a device control device, a device control method, and a device control program. BACKGROUND

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses an example of an elevator system. In this system, a sensor that detects whether or not a specific user such as a user using a wheelchair is present at a landing is provided. When registration of a priority call that enables a specific user to use a car preferentially is present, a control device of an elevator implements priority operation that gives priority to the specific user in a case where the specific user is detected at a landing of a departure floor by the sensor.

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-51853

[0004] However, in the system of Patent Literature 1, when priority operation is implemented, call registration from a current floor of a car to a departure floor of a specific user becomes invalid. Therefore, sometimes, utilization efficiency of general users of an elevator is reduced. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application relates to a solution to such a problem. The present application provides a device system, a device control device, a device control method, and a device control program that suppress reduction in utilization efficiency of general users of an elevator and make it easier for a specific user to board a car.

[0006] The device system of the present application has: an acquisition section that acquires operation information including a position of a car in response to a priority call of a specific user registered to use an elevator preferentially; one or more moving bodies that occupy a space in the car at least leaving a space in which other users can board the car in a case where the one or more moving bodies board the car individually; and an instruction section that, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition section, outputs a boarding instruction that causes at least any one of the one or more moving bodies to board the car as a securing moving body at a floor other than a departure floor at which the specific user is to board the car before the car arrives at the departure floor, and holds output of an alighting instruction that causes the securing moving body to alight from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor.

[0007] The device control apparatus of the present application has: an acquisition section that acquires operation information including a position of a car in response to a priority call of a specific user registered to have priority use of an elevator; and an instruction section that, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition section, outputs a boarding instruction to cause at least any one of one or more moving bodies to board the car as a securing moving body on a floor other than a departure floor at which the specific user is to board the car before the car reaches the departure floor, and holds output of a disembarking instruction to cause the securing moving body to disembark from the car until the car reaches the departure floor, wherein the one or more moving bodies, in a case where the one or more moving bodies board the car individually, occupy a space in the car while leaving a space in which other users can board.

[0008] In the device control method of the present application, a computer performs the following actions: acquires operation information including a position of a car in response to a priority call of a specific user registered to have priority use of an elevator; based on the acquired operation information, outputs a boarding instruction to cause at least any one of one or more moving bodies to board the car as a securing moving body on a floor other than a departure floor at which the specific user is to board the car before the car reaches the departure floor, wherein the one or more moving bodies, in a case where the one or more moving bodies board the car individually, occupy a space in the car while leaving a space in which other users can board; and holds output of a disembarking instruction to cause the securing moving body to disembark from the car until the car reaches the departure floor.

[0009] The device control program of the present application causes a computer to perform the following actions: acquires operation information including a position of a car in response to a priority call of a specific user registered to have priority use of an elevator; based on the acquired operation information, outputs a boarding instruction to cause at least any one of one or more moving bodies to board the car as a securing moving body on a floor other than a departure floor at which the specific user is to board the car before the car reaches the departure floor, wherein the one or more moving bodies, in a case where the one or more moving bodies board the car individually, occupy a space in the car while leaving a space in which other users can board; and holds output of a disembarking instruction to cause the securing moving body to disembark from the car until the car reaches the departure floor.

[0010] According to the device system, the device control apparatus, the device control method, or the device control program of the present application, the use efficiency of general users of an elevator is suppressed from decreasing, and a specific user is more easily able to board a car. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of the device system of Embodiment 1.

[0012] Figure 2 is an appearance view of a landing that ensures a midway stop floor where a mobile body is to board an elevator in the device system of Embodiment 1.

[0013] Figure 3 is an appearance view of a landing that ensures a midway stop floor where a mobile body is to board an elevator in the device system of Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 4 is a plan view of a car of the elevator of Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 5 is an appearance view of a landing that ensures a departure floor where a specific user is to board an elevator in the device system of Embodiment 1.

[0016] Figure 6 is an appearance view of a landing that ensures a departure floor where a specific user is to board an elevator in the device system of Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 7 is a plan view of a car of the elevator of Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the device system of Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 9 is a hardware configuration view of main parts of the device system of Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the device system of Embodiment 2.

[0021] Figure 11 is an appearance view of a landing that ensures a midway stop floor where a mobile body is to board an elevator in the device system of Embodiment 3.

[0022] Figure 12 is an appearance view of a landing that ensures a midway stop floor where a mobile body is to board an elevator in the device system of Embodiment 4.

[0023] Figure 13 is a configuration view of the device system of Embodiment 5.

[0024] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0025] 1: facility system; 2: facility; 3: user; 4: mobile body; 5: elevator; 6: communication network; 7: hoistway; 8: landing; 9: landing door; 10: landing operation panel; 11: landing camera; 12: landing speaker; 13: unit; 14: traction machine; 15: main rope; 16: car; 17: counterweight; 18: control panel; 19: car door; 20: car camera; 21: car speaker; 22: group management device; 23: remote monitoring device; 24: facility control device; 25: storage; 26: acquisition unit; 27: arithmetic unit; 28: selection unit; 29: instruction unit; 30: notification unit; 31: determination unit; 32: mobile body DB; 33: main body; 34: cover; 35: user DB; 36: portable device; 100a: processor; 100b: memory; 200: dedicated hardware. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] A mode for embodying the object of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description is appropriately simplified or omitted. In addition, the object of the present application is not limited to the following embodiments, and any structural element of the embodiments can be modified or omitted without departing from the gist of the present application.

[0027] Embodiment 1

[0028] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of the facility system 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0029] The facility system 1 is a system for providing service to a user 3 of a facility 2 by a device working in the facility 2. The facility 2 includes one or a plurality of buildings, for example. The facility 2 can also be a part or all of a building. The facility 2 can include one or both of an outdoor portion and an indoor portion of a building. The facility 2 can also be a commercial facility, an office building, a lodging facility, a residential facility, a public facility, or other facility, or a composite facility thereof, for example. As the device working in the facility 2, the facility system 1 includes one or a plurality of mobile bodies 4 and an elevator 5, for example. In this example, the facility system 1 includes a plurality of mobile bodies 4. In addition, the facility system 1 can include a single mobile body 4.

[0030] Each mobile body 4 is a device that is movable within the facility 2. The mobile body 4 is, for example, an autonomous mobile body that moves autonomously within the facility 2 or the like. The mobile body 4 can also be, for example, a robot, an automatic traveling vehicle, or other movable device or the like. Each mobile body 4 is equipped with a function of wireless communication, so that communication of information with an external device or the like is possible. Each mobile body 4 communicates with an external device directly or indirectly via a communication network 6 or the like. The communication network 6 includes, for example, the Internet, a telephone line network, an optical communication line network, or the like. The communication network 6 can also include a local network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) within the facility 2, and can also include an industrial communication such as close-range wireless communication. The communication network 6 can also include an intranet or the like in a wired or wireless manner. Some or all of the mobile bodies 4 that work in the facility 2 can be devices within the system of the device system 1, or can be devices outside the system that cooperate with the device system 1. Some or all of the mobile bodies 4 that work in the facility 2 can also be controlled by a mobile body control device or the like that is a device outside the mobile bodies 4. The mobile body control device is, for example, one or a plurality of server devices or the like.

[0031] The elevator 5 is a device that transports the user 3 who uses the elevator 5 between a plurality of floors. In the facility 2, a hoistway 7 of the elevator 5 is provided. The hoistway 7 is a space that is long in the up-and-down direction throughout a plurality of floors. A landing 8 of the elevator 5 is provided at each floor of the facility 2. The landing 8 is a place that communicates with the hoistway 7. A landing door 9, a landing operation panel 10, a landing camera 11, and a landing speaker 12 are provided at each landing 8. The landing door 9 is a door that divides the landing 8 and the hoistway 7. The landing operation panel 10 is a device that receives a call registration operation of the elevator 5 at the landing 8. The landing camera 11 is a device that photographs an image of the landing 8. The landing speaker 12 is a device that notifies the user 3 of the elevator 5 who is located at the landing 8 of information by voice. The landing speaker 12 is an example of a notification device.

[0032] The elevator 5 includes one or more units 13. In this example, the elevator 5 includes a plurality of units 13. Alternatively, the elevator 5 can include a single unit 13. Each unit 13 has a hoisting machine 14, a main rope 15, a car 16, a counterweight 17, and a control panel 18. The hoisting machine 14 includes a motor that generates a drive torque, and a sheave that rotates by the drive torque generated by the motor. The hoisting machine 14 is disposed, for example, at an upper portion or a lower portion of the hoistway 7, or the like. The main rope 15 is wound around the sheave of the hoisting machine 14. The main rope 15 supports the weight of the car 16 on one side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 14. The main rope 15 supports the weight of the counterweight 17 on the other side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 14. The main rope 15 moves in a manner that it is wound around either side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 14 as the sheave of the hoisting machine 14 rotates. The car 16 and the counterweight 17 are disposed in the hoistway 7. As the main rope 15 moves by the hoisting machine 14, the car 16 and the counterweight 17 travel in opposite directions from each other in the up-and-down direction. The car 16 travels in the up-and-down direction in the hoistway 7, thereby transporting the passenger 3 who is boarding between a plurality of floors. The car 16 has a car door 19, a car camera 20, and a car speaker 21. The car door 19 is a door that divides the inside and the outside of the car 16. The car door 19 causes the landing door 9 of the landing 8 provided at an arbitrary floor to open and close in conjunction with each other when the car 16 reaches the arbitrary floor, so that the passenger 3 can board and alight. The car camera 20 is a device that captures an image of the inside of the car 16. The car speaker 21 is a device that notifies the passenger 3 who is in the car 16 of information by voice. The car speaker 21 is an example of a notification device. The control panel 18 is a device that controls the travel of the car 16 by the control of the hoisting machine 14, or the like. The control panel 18 is connected to the hoisting machine 14, the car 16, and the like, so that operation information including the position of the car 16, or the like, can be obtained. The control panel 18 is disposed, for example, at an upper portion or a lower portion of the hoistway 7, or the like. When a machine room or the like of the elevator 5 is provided above the hoistway 7, the hoisting machine 14 and the control panel 18 can also be disposed in the machine room.

[0033] The elevator 5 has a group management device 22. The group management device 22 is a device that manages the operation of each unit 13 of the elevator 5. The group management device 22 is connected to the control panel 18 of each unit 13 so that information on the position of the car 16 and the like can be collected. The group management device 22 is connected to each device such as the hall operation panel 10, the hall camera 11, and the hall speaker 12 provided in the hall 8 so that communication of information used in the operation management of the elevator 5 can be performed. The group management device 22 receives a call registration from the hall operation panel 10 and the like, for example. The group management device 22 assigns the call to an arbitrary unit 13. The group management device 22 notifies the control panel 18 of the assigned unit 13 of information on the call. The control panel 18 controls the travel of the car 16 so as to respond to the call. In addition, the elevator 5 can not have the group management device 22 in the case where the elevator 5 includes a single unit 13 and the like.

[0034] A remote monitoring device 23 is applied in the elevator 5. The remote monitoring device 23 is a device that collects information on the elevator 5 so that the condition of the elevator 5 can be monitored from a remote place and the like. The remote monitoring device 23 is connected directly or indirectly to the group management device 22 and the control panel 18 of each unit 13 and the like so that operation information and the like can be collected. The remote monitoring device 23 is connected to the communication network 6 so that communication of the collected information can be performed. The remote monitoring device 23 transmits the collected information to an information center that manages information on the elevator 5 and the like, for example.

[0035] A part of the users 3 of the elevator 5 is a specific user. The specific user is a user 3 who cannot or hardly moves between floors from a departure floor to a destination floor if not using the elevator 5, for example. The specific user is a user 3 who needs to use the elevator 5 to move between floors due to use of a moving assistance tool or a transport assistance tool, for example. The moving assistance tool is a tool that assists the specific user to move. The moving assistance tool includes a tool having wheels such as a wheelchair or a baby carriage, for example. The transport assistance tool is a tool that assists the specific user to carry baggage and the like. The transport assistance tool includes a tool having wheels such as a shopping cart, a hand luggage cart, or another trolley. The specific user can also include an assistant who moves a wheelchair or a baby carriage and the like. The specific user boards the car 16 together with the moving assistance tool or the transport assistance tool being used, and in addition, it is difficult to make a small turn in moving compared to other general users 3, and thus, a wider space in the car 16 is needed. Therefore, even in the case where the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user, the specific user sometimes misses the boarding of the car 16 due to insufficient space in the car 16. In view of this, a function of a priority call is incorporated in the elevator 5 to enable the specific user to use the elevator 5 preferentially.

[0036] For example, the registration of the priority call is performed by the operation of the dedicated button of the priority call of the hall operation panel 10 provided at the floor from which the specific user departs, or the like. The group management device 22 allocates the call to an arbitrary unit 13 when the registration of the priority call is accepted. The group management device 22 notifies the control panel 18 of the allocated unit 13 of the information of the call. The control panel 18 controls the travel of the car 16 so as to be responsive to the call. Here, the movement body 4 that boards the car 16 is caused to act so as to secure the space in the car 16 until the car 16 responsive to the priority call reaches the floor from which the specific user departs. Here, the movement body 4 that boards the car 16 to secure the space in the car 16 in accordance with the priority call of the specific user is sometimes referred to as a securing movement body. In the equipment system 1, the equipment control device 24 is provided so that the cooperation of such an elevator 5 and the movement body 4 can be achieved.

[0037] In the equipment control device 24, the function of causing the movement body 4 and the elevator 5 that operate as equipment in the facility 2 to cooperate is mounted. The equipment control device 24 communicates with the devices outside via the communication network 6 or the like. Part or all of the equipment control device 24 can be a device within the system of the equipment system 1, or a device outside the system that cooperates with the equipment system 1. The equipment control device 24 is, for example, a computer system constituted by one or a plurality of server devices or the like, or a device including such a system or the like. Here, the computer system constituted by one or a plurality of devices is sometimes simply referred to as a computer. The plurality of server devices that constitute the equipment control device 24 can also be arranged at different places from each other. At this time, the plurality of server devices communicate information with each other, for example, through the communication network 6. Part or all of the equipment control device 24 can be arranged in the facility 2, or outside the facility 2. Part or all of the functions of the equipment control device 24 can be installed on a virtual machine on a cloud service, or by a resource of processing or storage on a cloud service, or the like. Part or all of the functions of the equipment control device 24 can also be mounted on the devices of the elevator 5 such as the group management device 22 or the control panel 18. The equipment control device 24 can also include the devices of the elevator 5 such as the group management device 22 or the control panel 18. The equipment control device 24 has a storage section 25, an acquisition section 26, a calculation section 27, a selection section 28, an instruction section 29, a notification section 30, and a determination section 31.

[0038] The storage section 25 is a portion provided with a function of storing information. The storage section 25 stores, for example, a DB (DB: Data Base) or the like, and thereby stores information used in cooperation between the elevator 5 and the mobile body 4. The mobile body DB 32 is stored in the storage section 25. The mobile body DB 32 is a DB storing information of the mobile body 4 operating in the facility 2. The mobile body DB 32 stores, for example, an identifier, a current floor, a current position in the floor, a moving speed, a size, a weight, and other information, or the like, with respect to each mobile body 4. Here, the weight of each mobile body 4 is a weight capable of boarding the car 16. Further, each mobile body 4 occupies a space in the car 16 corresponding to the size of the mobile body 4 in a case where the mobile body 4 boards the car 16 alone. The space occupied by each mobile body 4 can be, for example, a range including the mobile body 4 set in advance according to a turning radius or the like of the mobile body 4. Each mobile body 4 does not occupy the entire space in the car 16. Each mobile body 4 can board the car 16 together with other users 3. That is, each mobile body 4 occupies a space in the car 16 leaving at least a space in which other users 3 can board the car 16 in a case where the mobile body 4 boards the car 16 alone.

[0039] The acquisition section 26 is a portion provided with a function of acquiring operation information of the elevator 5. For example, when a priority call of a specific user is registered, the acquisition section 26 acquires the operation information from the group management device 22, the control panel 18, or the like. The operation information acquired by the acquisition section 26 includes information specifying a car 16 responding to the priority call, and information of a position such as a floor of the car 16. When the priority call is registered, the acquisition section 26 can also receive a notification from the remote monitoring device 23 or the like. At this time, the acquisition section 26 can acquire the operation information through the remote monitoring device 23 or the like.

[0040] The calculation section 27 is a portion provided with a function of calculating a size of a space in the car 16 required when a specific user boards the car 16, that is, a required size. The required size of the specific user includes, for example, information of an area, a shape, or a length of a space required by the specific user. The calculation section 27 calculates the required size of the specific user, for example, from an image of the specific user in the hall 8 at a departure floor captured by the hall camera 11. When the priority call is registered, the calculation section 27 can also receive a notification from the remote monitoring device 23 or the like. At this time, the acquisition section 26 can acquire an image of the hall 8 at the departure floor of the specific user for which the priority call is registered, through the remote monitoring device 23 or the like.

[0041] The selection section 28 is a section in which a function of selecting a securing mobile body is mounted. For example, when the required size of the specific user is calculated by the calculation section 27, the selection section 28 receives the output of the required size from the calculation section 27. At this time, the selection section 28 selects a securing mobile body to be mounted in the car 16 in order to secure the space in the car 16 in accordance with the required size of the specific user calculated by the calculation section 27. At this time, the selection section 28 selects the securing mobile body from the mobile bodies 4 operating in the facility 2, for example, by referring to the mobile body DB 32 or the like. The selection section 28 selects the mobile body 4 occupying a space of the same degree or more of the required size as the securing mobile body, for example. The selection section 28 can also select the securing mobile body in accordance with the floor on which the mobile body 4 is currently located. For example, in the case where there is an intermediate stop floor at which the car 16 stops before arriving at the departure floor of the specific user in response to the priority call of the specific user, the selection section 28 selects the securing mobile body from the mobile bodies 4 located at the intermediate stop floor. The intermediate stop floor is, for example, the departure floor or the destination floor of the other user 3 at which the car 16 stops in response to the call of the user 3. In the case where there are a plurality of intermediate stop floors at which the car 16 stops before arriving at the departure floor, the selection section 28 can also select the mobile body 4 located at a floor farther from the departure floor with higher priority. The intermediate stop floor can also be a floor at the upper end or the lower end of the lift travel of the car 16. Here, the floor at the upper end and the lower end of the lift travel is sometimes referred to as the endmost floor. The endmost floor includes, for example, the lowermost floor, the uppermost floor, and the intermediate transfer floor of the facility 2, and the like.

[0042] The instruction section 29 is a section that has a function of outputting an instruction to the mobile body 4. The instruction section 29 outputs an instruction to the mobile body 4, for example, through the communication network 6 or the like. In a case where the mobile body 4 is controlled to act by a mobile body control device or the like, the instruction section 29 can also output an instruction to the mobile body 4 through the mobile body control device. The instruction section 29 outputs a boarding instruction to cause the mobile body 4 to board the car 16, and a deboarding instruction to cause the mobile body 4 to deboard from the car 16. For example, when the selection section 28 selects a secured mobile body, the instruction section 29 receives the result information of the selection from the selection section 28. Further, the instruction section 29 refers to the operation information of the elevator 5 acquired by the acquisition section 26. For example, before the car 16 that responds to a priority call of a specific user arrives at a departure floor at which the specific user is to board, the instruction section 29 outputs a boarding instruction to cause the selected secured mobile body to board the car 16 at an intermediate stop floor. Then, the instruction section 29 does not output a deboarding instruction to the secured mobile body that has boarded the car 16 and holds it until the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user. Thus, the instruction section 29 does not cause the secured mobile body that has boarded the car 16 to deboard and causes it to continue boarding until the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user. In this example, when the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user, the instruction section 29 outputs a deboarding instruction to the secured mobile body to cause it to deboard from the car 16.

[0043] The notification section 30 is a section that has a function of causing a notification device such as the hall speaker 12 and the car speaker 21 to notify information. The notification section 30 causes the notification device to notify information by outputting the information to be notified. In this example, the notification section 30 causes the notification device to notify information that the secured mobile body has secured a space in the car 16 to enable the specific user to board. The notification section 30 causes the notification device to notify the information at least at an arbitrary timing during a period from when the secured mobile body boards the car 16 to when the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user. For example, when the secured mobile body boards the car 16 at an intermediate stop floor, that is, when the car 16 arrives at the intermediate stop floor, the notification section 30 causes the hall speaker 12 at the intermediate stop floor and the car speaker 21 of the car 16 and the like to notify the information. For example, when the secured mobile body deboards from the car 16 at the departure floor of the specific user, that is, when the car 16 arrives at the departure floor, the notification section 30 causes the hall speaker 12 at the departure floor and the car speaker 21 of the car 16 and the like to notify the information.

[0044] The determination section 31 is a section in which a function of determining in relation to a range in which the specific user is present is mounted. The determination section 31 determines, for example, whether the specific user is present in a boardable range. The boardable range is, for example, a range in which the car 16 responding to the priority call of the specific user can be boarded from the departure floor of the specific user when the car 16 reaches the departure floor. In a case where the specific user performs a registration operation of the priority call from the hall panel 10 of the departure floor, the boardable range is, for example, the hall 8 of the departure floor or the like. The determination section 31 determines, for example, whether the specific user is present in the boardable range, that is, the hall 8 of the departure floor, on the basis of an image of the hall 8 of the departure floor captured by the hall camera 11 or the like. The determination section 31 can also receive a notification from the remote monitoring device 23 or the like when the priority call is registered. At this time, the determination section 31 can also acquire the image of the hall 8 of the departure floor through the remote monitoring device 23 or the like. Further, the determination section 31 can refer to the operation information of the elevator 5 acquired by the acquisition section 26. The determination section 31 can continuously determine whether the specific user is present in the boardable range until the car 16 responding to the priority call of the specific user reaches the departure floor of the specific user. The determination section 31 outputs the determination result to, for example, the instruction section 29 in a case where it is determined that the specific user is not present in the boardable range.

[0045] The instruction section 29 can cancel the output of the boarding instruction for the mobile body when the determination section 31 determines that the specific user is not present in the boardable range before the selected mobile body boards the car 16. At this time, the instruction section 29 can cancel the output by not outputting the boarding instruction itself, and can also cancel the output by outputting a cancel instruction in a case where the boarding instruction has already been output, or the like. Further, the instruction section 29 can output a disembarking instruction for causing the selected mobile body to disembark at an intermediate landing floor before reaching the departure floor when the determination section 31 determines that the specific user is not present in the boardable range after the selected mobile body boards the car 16 and before the car 16 reaches the departure floor of the specific user.

[0046] Next, the use of the elevator 5 and the mobile body 4 in the device system 1 will be described. Figures 2-7 An example of cooperation between the elevator 5 and the mobile body 4 in the device system 1 will be described.

[0047] Figure 2 and Figure 3 is an appearance view of the hall 8 of the intermediate landing floor at which the mobile body is to board the car 16 in the device system 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0048] Figure 4 is a plan view of the car 16 of the elevator 5 of Embodiment 1.

[0049] Figure 5 and Figure 6is an appearance view of the hall 8 of the departure floor on which the specific user is to board the elevator in the device system 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0050] Figure 7 is a plan view of the car 16 of the elevator 5 of Embodiment 1.

[0051] In this example, the specific user sets a floor other than the most end floor as the departure floor, and uses the elevator 5 to the destination floor. In this example, the specific user moves to the destination floor above the departure floor. At this time, the departure floor is a floor above the most lower floor of the hoisting range of the elevator 5. Also, in the case where the specific user moves to the destination floor below the departure floor, the cooperation of the elevator 5 and the mobile body 4 is also similarly performed. The specific user operates the hall operation panel 10 at the hall 8 of the departure floor to perform the registration of the priority call. At this time, the group management device 22 assigns the priority call to an arbitrary unit 13. The control panel 18 of the unit 13 to which the priority call is assigned causes the car 16 to travel upward from the lower side of the departure floor of the specific user to cause the car 16 to respond to the priority call. The control panel 18 can also cause the car 16 to stop at an intermediate stop floor until the car 16 travels from the most lower floor to the departure floor, in accordance with other calls that have been registered and new other calls, and the like. Also, the intermediate stop floor can include the most lower floor. After the mobile body 4 boards the car 16 at the intermediate stop floor, the control panel 18 can also cause the car 16 to stop at another intermediate stop floor in accordance with other calls.

[0052] The acquisition section 26 acquires the operation information of the elevator 5, for example, through the remote monitoring device 23 or the like. The calculation section 27 calculates the required size of the specific user in accordance with the image of the hall camera 11 at the departure floor or the like. The selection section 28 selects the securing mobile body that secures a space in which the specific user can board the car 16 in accordance with the required size calculated by the calculation section 27 and the information of the mobile body DB 32 or the like. The selection section 28 can also use the information of the intermediate stop floor of the car 16 of the unit 13 to which the priority call is assigned in the selection of the securing mobile body, for example, with reference to the operation information acquired by the acquisition section 26 or the like. The selection section 28 outputs the identifier of the selected securing mobile body and the information of the intermediate stop floor to be boarded or the like to the instruction section 29, for example. The selection section 28 can also output the information of the intermediate stop floor or the like to the notification section 30.

[0053] Then, as shown in Figure 2 , the mobile body 4 selected as the securing mobile body moves to the hall 8 to wait. In this example, the intermediate stop floor to be boarded by the mobile body 4 is a floor on which the car 16 stops in accordance with a normal call registered by another user 3 through the hall operation panel 10 or the like. This other user 3 waits for the arrival of the car 16 at the hall 8.

[0054] When the elevator car 16 stops at an intermediate floor, the notification unit 30 uses notification devices such as the landing speaker 12 and the car speaker 21 at the intermediate floor to notify the moving body 4 to ensure space within the elevator car 16 so that a specific user can use the elevator. For example, the notification unit 30 may display a message such as, "Dedicated elevator space secured. Please be aware of the robot boarding." The notification unit 30 may also display the message before the landing door 9 opens.

[0055] Then, as Figure 3 As shown, when the car 16 arrives at an intermediate stop, the landing door 9 and the car door 19 open in conjunction. At this time, similar to before the landing door 9 opens, the notification unit 30 notifies the moving body 4 via the landing speaker 12 and car speaker 21 at the intermediate stop to ensure sufficient space inside the car 16 for the designated user to board. The command unit 29 detects the arrival of the car 16, for example, based on operational information obtained by the acquisition unit 26. When the car 16 arrives at an intermediate stop, the command unit 29 sends a boarding command to the moving body 4. The moving body 4, having received the boarding command, boards the arrived car 16. Users 3 waiting for the car 16 to arrive can also board the arrived car 16 together with the moving body 4. Then, the car 16 travels upwards towards the floor above the designated user's departure floor.

[0056] exist Figure 4 The diagram shows the situation inside the elevator car 16 when the mobile body 4 is riding the elevator. The command unit 29 does not output a disembarkation command for the mobile body 4 already riding in the elevator car 16, but instead holds it in place until the elevator car 16 reaches the departure floor of the specific user. Thus, the mobile body 4 continues riding the elevator without disembarking until the elevator car 16 reaches the departure floor of the specific user. During this period, other users 3 can also ride in and out of the elevator car 16 while the mobile body 4 is riding. Since the mobile body 4 is riding inside the elevator car 16, the required space is ensured within the elevator car 16 for the specific user. Furthermore, the mobile body 4 does not occupy any extra space, so other users 3 can also ride in the elevator car 16.

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown, a specific user 3a who has registered for priority call waits at the departure floor's landing 8 for the arrival of the elevator car 16.

[0058] When the elevator car 16 stops at the departure floor of a specific user, the notification unit 30 uses notification devices such as the landing speaker 12 and the car speaker 21 at the departure floor to notify the moving body 4 that space has been secured inside the elevator car 16 so that the specific user 3a can board the elevator. The notification unit 30 may, for example, announce a message such as, "Dedicated elevator space has been secured. Please be aware that the robot is disembarking." The notification unit 30 may also announce the message before the landing door 9 opens.

[0059] Then, as shown in Figure 6 the car 16 reaches the departure floor of the specific user 3a, the landing door 9 is opened in conjunction with the opening of the car door 19. At this time, as with the opening of the landing door 9, the notification section 30 causes the notification devices such as the landing speaker 12 of the landing 8 of the departure floor and the car speaker 21 of the car 16 to notify the mobile body 4 that the space in the car 16 is secured to enable the specific user to board the car. The instruction section 29 detects the arrival of the car 16, for example, based on the operation information obtained by the obtaining section 26. Upon the arrival of the car 16 at the departure floor, the instruction section 29 outputs a boarding instruction to the mobile body 4. The mobile body 4 that has received the boarding instruction boards the car 16 that has arrived.

[0060] In Figure 7 , the state in the car 16 after the mobile body 4 boards is shown. The mobile body 4 boards, and thus the space of the required size in the car 16 that has been secured by the mobile body 4 is vacated. Therefore, the specific user 3a can board the car 16 that has arrived without missing. After the specific user 3a boards the car 16 at the departure floor, the car 16 travels upward to the destination floor of the specific user 3a. After the specific user 3a boards the car 16 at the departure floor, the control panel 18 can also cause the car 16 to stop at other floors before the destination floor, based on other calls that have been registered and newly registered other calls.

[0061] Next, an example of the operation of the equipment system 1 will be described. Figure 8

[0062] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the equipment system 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0063] In Figure 8 , an example of the operation related to one mobile body 4 is shown. In addition, in the case where this one mobile body 4 is referred to specifically in distinction from other mobile bodies 4, this one mobile body 4 is sometimes referred to as mobile body 4a. In the case where the equipment system 1 includes a plurality of mobile bodies 4, for example, with respect to each mobile body 4, the operation shown in Figure 8 may also be executed in parallel.

[0064] In step S101, the equipment control device 24 determines whether or not the registration of the priority call of the specific user exists, for example, based on the operation information obtained by the obtaining section 26. In the case where the registration of the priority call exists, the equipment control device 24 selects the mobile body that secures the car 16 in response to the priority call, through the arithmetic section 27 and the selection section 28, and the like. In the case where the mobile body 4a is selected as the mobile body that secures the priority call, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, in the case where the registration of the priority call does not exist or the mobile body 4a is not selected as the mobile body that secures the priority call, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S101 again. ​

[0065] In step S102, the instruction section 29 of the equipment control device 24 outputs a boarding instruction for the mobile body 4a to board the car 16 at the intermediate stop floor. Then, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S103.

[0066] In step S103, when the car 16 arrives at the intermediate stop floor where the mobile body 4a is waiting, the mobile body 4a boards the arrived car 16. Then, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S104. Here, after the mobile body 4a boards the car 16, the instruction section 29 of the equipment control device 24 keeps the output of the alighting instruction until the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user.

[0067] In step S104, the determination section 31 of the equipment control device 24 determines whether the car 16 is about to arrive at the departure floor of the specific user, for example, based on the operation information obtained by the obtaining section 26. For example, when the control panel 18 decides to stop at the departure floor, the determination section 31 determines that the car 16 is about to arrive. The timing at which the control panel 18 decides to stop at the departure floor is, for example, the timing at which the deceleration to stop the car 16 at the departure floor is started, or the like. When the car 16 is about to arrive at the departure floor, the determination section 31 determines whether the specific user is located at the landing 8 of the departure floor, which is the boarding range. When the car 16 is about to arrive at the departure floor and the specific user is not located in the boarding range, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, when the car 16 is not about to arrive at the departure floor or the specific user is located in the boarding range, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S106.

[0068] In step S105, the mobile body 4a that is boarding the car 16 ends the action of securing a space for the specific user to board the car 16, and shifts to a standby action. The standby action performed by the mobile body 4a is set in advance, for example, by the manager of the facility 2 or the like. Information of the setting is stored in advance in the storage section 25 or the like, for example. The standby action performed by the mobile body 4a is, for example, an action of alighting at a floor where the car 16 stops and directly standing by, or the like. Alternatively, the standby action performed by the mobile body 4a is, for example, an action of continuing to board the car 16 until the car 16 reaches an endmost floor and standing by after alighting at the endmost floor, or the like. Here, the endmost floor where the mobile body 4a alights can be, for example, a floor set in advance among the uppermost floor or the lowermost floor, a floor closer to the car 16 at the point in time when the shift to the standby action is made among the uppermost floor or the lowermost floor, or a floor located in front of the direction of travel of the car 16 at the point in time when the shift to the standby action is made among the uppermost floor or the lowermost floor. The mobile body 4a waits for the next boarding instruction at the floor where the mobile body 4a alights from the car 16, for example. Then, the processing of the equipment system 1 ends. In addition, in a case where there is a registration of a new priority call, the selection section 28 can also directly select the mobile body 4a that has boarded the car 16 in order to move to the endmost floor in the standby action as the mobile body that secures. At this time, the mobile body 4a boards the car 16 until the departure floor of the specific user of the new priority call is reached, secures a space inside the car 16 so that the specific user can board the car 16. In this case, the processing of the equipment system 1 can also proceed to step S104, for example.

[0069] In step S106, the equipment control device 24 determines whether the car 16 has reached the departure floor of the specific user, for example, based on the operation information or the like acquired by the acquisition section 26. In a case where the car 16 has not reached the departure floor, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, in a case where the car 16 has reached the departure floor, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S107.

[0070] In step S107, the instruction section 29 of the equipment control device 24 determines whether there is a sufficient space inside the car 16 in which the mobile body 4a is boarding, for example, based on the image captured by the car camera 20 of the car 16 or the like. For example, in a case where there is a space equivalent to the required size of the specific user inside the car 16 even if the mobile body 4a does not alight, the instruction section 29 determines that there is a sufficient space inside the car 16. When there is a sufficient space inside the car 16, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, when there is no sufficient space inside the car 16, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S108.

[0071] In step S108, the instruction section 29 of the equipment control device 24 outputs a disembarkation instruction to cause the mobile body 4a that is boarding the car 16 to disembark from the car 16. The mobile body 4 disembarks from the car 16 to the lobby 8 in accordance with the disembarkation instruction. Then, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S109.

[0072] In step S109, the mobile body 4a ends the action of securing the space for the specific user to board the car and shifts to a standby action. The instruction section 29 of the equipment control device 24 determines whether to cause the mobile body 4a to move to the endmost floor to stand by, for example, on the basis of the setting information based on the manager of the facility 2 that is stored in advance in the storage section 25 or the like. In the case where it is set not to move to the endmost floor to stand by, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, in the case where it is set to move to the endmost floor to stand by, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S111.

[0073] In step S110, the mobile body 4a waits for the next boarding instruction at the floor where the mobile body 4a has disembarked from the car 16. Then, the processing of the equipment system 1 ends.

[0074] In step S111, the instruction section 29 of the equipment control device 24 outputs a boarding instruction to cause the mobile body 4a to board the car 16 that arrives at the floor where the mobile body 4a has disembarked from the car 16 thereafter. The car 16 that arrives at the floor thereafter can be the car 16 of the same unit 13 as the car 16 that has arrived at the floor first and caused the mobile body 4 to disembark, or can be a car 16 of another unit 13. Then, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S112.

[0075] In step S112, when the car 16 that the mobile body 4a can board arrives at the floor where the mobile body 4a has disembarked, the mobile body 4a boards the car 16 that has arrived. Then, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S113.

[0076] In step S113, the equipment control device 24 determines whether there is a registration of a new priority call, for example, on the basis of the operation information that the acquisition section 26 has acquired or the like. In the case where there is a registration of a priority call, the equipment control device 24 selects a securing mobile body through the arithmetic section 27 and the selection section 28 or the like. In the case where the mobile body 4a is selected as the securing mobile body of the new priority call, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, in the case where there is no registration of a new priority call or the mobile body 4a is not selected as the securing mobile body of the priority call, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S114.

[0077] In step S114, the device control device 24 determines whether the car 16 has reached the endmost floor, for example, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition section 26. In the case where the car 16 has not reached the endmost floor, the processing of the device system 1 proceeds to step S113. On the other hand, in the case where the car 16 has reached the endmost floor, the processing of the device system 1 proceeds to step S115.

[0078] In step S115, the instruction section 29 of the device control device 24 outputs a disembarkation instruction that causes the mobile body 4a that is riding the car 16 to disembark from the car 16. The mobile body 4a disembarks from the car 16 to the lobby 8 based on the disembarkation instruction. The mobile body 4a waits for a next boarding instruction at the floor where it has disembarked from the car 16. Then, the processing of the device system 1 ends.

[0079] As described above, the device system 1 of Embodiment 1 has the device control device 24 and one or more mobile bodies 4. Each mobile body 4 occupies a space within the car 16 in a case where the car 16 is separately boarded by the elevator 5, leaving at least a space in which the other users 3 can board. The device control device 24 has the acquisition section 26 and the instruction section 29. In a case where a priority call for a specific user is registered, the acquisition section 26 acquires operation information that includes a position of the car 16 that responds to the priority call. The instruction section 29 outputs a boarding instruction that causes an arbitrary mobile body 4 to board the car 16 as a mobile body that ensures boarding of the car 16 at a floor other than a departure floor, before the car 16 reaches the departure floor, based on the operation information. The instruction section 29 holds output of a disembarkation instruction that causes the mobile body 4 to disembark from the car 16 until the car 16 reaches the departure floor.

[0080] According to this structure, a space within the car 16 is ensured by the mobile body 4 before the specific user boards. Therefore, the specific user does not miss the car 16 that reaches the departure floor, and is more likely to board the car 16. In addition, the mobile body 4 does not occupy more than a necessary space, and therefore, the other users 3 can also board the car 16 to use the elevator 5 during the period in which the mobile body 4 ensures the space within the car 16. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the use efficiency of the elevator 5 by the general users 3.

[0081] Further, when the car 16 reaches the departure floor, the instruction section 29 outputs a down command that causes the securing mobile body to descend the departure floor. The mobile body 4 descends the departure floor at the departure floor of the specific user, and thus the space in the car 16 secured by the mobile body 4 is vacated. Thus, the specific user is more easily able to board the car 16. In addition, when there is sufficient space in the car 16, the instruction section 29 can also not output the down command, and can cause the mobile body 4 to continue to board the car 16. Thus, the time in which the mobile body 4 needs to descend is not required, and thus the specific user is able to board the car 16 more quickly. At this time, the mobile body 4 can also descend at the terminal floor or another floor thereafter.

[0082] Further, the facility control device 24 has a calculation section 27 and a selection section 28. The calculation section 27 calculates the required size when the specific user boards the car 16. The selection section 28 selects a securing mobile body from among the mobile bodies 4 that are operating in the facility 2, based on the required size calculated by the calculation section 27. The instruction section 29 outputs a boarding command that causes the securing mobile body selected by the selection section 28 to board the car 16 at a floor other than the departure floor. According to this structure, the required space is secured according to the specific user, and thus the specific user is more easily able to board the car 16. Further, the required space can be secured by the mobile body 4, and thus the decrease in the utilization efficiency of the general users 3 of the elevator 5 can be further suppressed.

[0083] Further, the facility control device 24 has an informing section 30. The informing section 30 causes an informing device to inform that the securing mobile body will secure the space in the car 16 to enable the specific user to board, or that the securing mobile body has secured the space in the car 16 to enable the specific user to board. The timing at which the informing section 30 performs this informing is at least any one of the period from when the securing mobile body boards the car 16 to when the securing mobile body descends from the car 16. According to this structure, the user 3 easily recognizes that the securing mobile body boards and descends the car 16, and thus is able to board and descend the car 16 more smoothly. Further, it is prevented that other users 3 board the car 16 before the specific user, and the like, without being aware of the space secured by the securing mobile body. Thus, the specific user is more easily able to board the car 16.

[0084] Further, the device control device 24 has a determination section 31. The determination section 31 determines whether the specific user is located in a boarding range from which the user can board the car 16 at the time when the car 16 arrives at the departure floor. At this time, when the determination section 31 determines that the specific user is not located in the boarding range before the mobile body boards the car 16, the instruction section 29 can cancel the output of the boarding instruction for the mobile body. Further, when the determination section 31 determines that the specific user is not located in the boarding range after the mobile body boards the car 16 and before the car 16 arrives at the departure floor, the instruction section 29 can output a dismounting instruction for the mobile body to dismount at a floor other than the departure floor. According to this configuration, in the case where the specific user does not board the car 16, the mobile body 4 does not occupy more space in the car 16 than necessary, and thus, the decrease in the utilization efficiency of the elevator 5 by the general users 3 can be further suppressed.

[0085] Further, the specific user is, for example, a user 3 who needs to move between floors using the elevator 5 because of use of a moving aid or a conveyance aid. In addition, the specific user can also be a user 3 who cannot or hardly moves between floors without using the elevator 5 because of other situations. In the device system 1, necessary services are provided to the necessary users 3 according to the situations or conditions of the users 3, and the like.

[0086] Further, when the priority call is not registered, the instruction section 29 causes a part or all of the mobile bodies 4 to wait at a floor at the upper end or the lower end of the hoisting way of the car 16. In general, the users 3 who board the car 16 at the end floor dismount at the end floor. Therefore, the mobile bodies 4 as the mobile bodies for ensuring can more reliably board the car 16. Thus, the space required by the specific user is more reliably ensured, and thus, the specific user can more easily board the car 16.

[0087] In addition, the elevator 5 is not limited to the traction type elevator exemplified here. The elevator 5 can be, for example, a hydraulic type elevator in which the car 16 is driven by a hydraulic mechanism, and can also be an elevator of another type. Further, the notification device by which the notification section 30 performs notification can be, for example, a device that performs notification of information such as image or character information by a sign or the like.

[0088] Next, the use of the device system 1 will be described. Figure 9 An example of the hardware configuration of the device system 1 will be described.

[0089] Figure 9 is a hardware configuration diagram of the main part of the device system 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0090] Each function of part or all of the device system 1 can be implemented by the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry has at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. The processing circuitry can also have at least one dedicated hardware 200 together with or instead of the processor 100a and the memory 100b.

[0091] In a case where the processing circuitry has the processor 100a and the memory 100b, each function of the device system 1 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 device system 1. The program can also be a program package, etc. including a plurality of sub-programs, modules, or libraries, etc. The program is sometimes also referred to as a program product.

[0092] The processor 100a is also referred to as 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 non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, an EEPROM, etc.

[0093] In a case where the processing circuitry has the dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuitry 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.

[0094] Each function of the device system 1 can be implemented by the processing circuitry, respectively. Alternatively, each function of the device system 1 can also be implemented by the processing circuitry collectively. As for each function of the device system 1, a part thereof can also be implemented by the dedicated hardware 200 and the other part thereof can be implemented by the software or the firmware. In this way, the processing circuitry implements each function of the device system 1 by the dedicated hardware 200, the software, the firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0095] Embodiment 2

[0096] In Embodiment 2, differences from the example disclosed in Embodiment 1 are described in detail. The features not described in Embodiment 2 can adopt any of the features of the example disclosed in Embodiment 1.

[0097] In Embodiment 2, the mobile body 4 waits for the instruction of the instruction unit 29 while being carried in the car 16.

[0098] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the device system 1 of Embodiment 2.

[0099] In Figure 10In the present embodiment, an example of the operation related to one mobile body 4 is shown. In addition, in a case where this one mobile body 4 is referred to specifically in distinction from other mobile bodies 4, this one mobile body 4 is sometimes denoted as mobile body 4a. In a case where the equipment system 1 includes a plurality of mobile bodies 4, for example, with respect to each mobile body 4, the operation shown in FIG. 8 can also be performed in parallel. Figure 10 In this example, the mobile body 4a is boarding in the car 16.

[0100] In step S201, the equipment control device 24 determines whether there is a registration of a priority call of a specific user, for example, on the basis of the operation information and the like acquired by the acquisition section 26. In a case where there is a registration of a priority call, the equipment control device 24 selects, through the calculation section 27 and the selection section 28 and the like, a mobile body that secures a space for boarding of the specific user in a car 16 that responds to the priority call. For example, in a case where the mobile body 4a is boarding in a car 16 that responds to a priority call, the selection section 28 selects the mobile body 4a as a securing mobile body. In a case where there is no registration of a priority call or the mobile body 4a is not selected as a securing mobile body of a priority call, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, in a case where the mobile body 4a is selected as a securing mobile body of a priority call, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S203.

[0101] In step S202, the mobile body 4a continues to board in the car 16. The instruction section 29 does not output a floor call instruction of the car 16 to the mobile body 4a. Then, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S201.

[0102] In step S203, the determination section 31 of the equipment control device 24 determines whether the car 16 is about to arrive at a departure floor of the specific user, for example, on the basis of the operation information and the like acquired by the acquisition section 26. In a case where the car 16 is about to arrive at the departure floor, the determination section 31 determines whether the specific user is located in the landing 8 that is a boarding range of the departure floor. In a case where the car 16 is about to arrive at the departure floor and the specific user is not located in the boarding range, the mobile body 4a ends the operation of securing a space for boarding of the specific user and shifts to a standby operation. Then, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, in a case where the car 16 is not about to arrive at the departure floor or the specific user is located in the boarding range, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S204. At this time, the instruction section 29 of the equipment control device 24 holds output of a floor call instruction to the mobile body 4a until the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user.

[0103] In step S204, the device control device 24 determines whether the car 16 has reached the departure floor of the specific user, for example, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition section 26. In the case where the car 16 has not reached the departure floor, the processing of the device system 1 proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, in the case where the car 16 has reached the departure floor, the processing of the device system 1 proceeds to step S205.

[0104] In step S205, the instruction section 29 of the device control device 24 determines whether there is sufficient space in the car 16 in which the mobile body 4a is currently riding, for example, based on the image captured by the car camera 20 of the car 16 in which the mobile body 4a is currently riding. For example, in the case where there is space in the car 16 equivalent to the required size of the specific user even if the mobile body 4a does not alight, the instruction section 29 determines that there is sufficient space in the car 16. When there is sufficient space in the car 16, the mobile body 4a ends the action of securing space for the specific user to board the car and shifts to the standby action. Then, the processing of the device system 1 proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, when there is no sufficient space in the car 16, the processing of the device system 1 proceeds to step S206.

[0105] In step S206, the instruction section 29 of the device control device 24 outputs an alighting instruction that causes the mobile body 4a currently riding the car 16 to alight from the car 16. The mobile body 4 alights from the car 16 to the lobby 8 based on the alighting instruction. Then, the processing of the device system 1 proceeds to step S207.

[0106] In step S207, the instruction section 29 of the device control device 24 outputs a boarding instruction that causes the mobile body 4a to board the car 16 that arrives at the floor from which the mobile body 4a alighted from the car 16. The car 16 that arrives at the floor after the car 16 that caused the mobile body 4 to alight can be the car 16 of the same unit 13 as the car 16 that caused the mobile body 4 to alight, or can be a car 16 of another unit 13. Then, the processing of the device system 1 proceeds to step S208.

[0107] In step S208, when the car 16 in which the mobile body 4a can board arrives at the floor from which the mobile body 4a alighted, the mobile body 4a boards the car 16 that has arrived. Then, the processing of the device system 1 proceeds to step S201.

[0108] As explained above, the instruction section 29 of the device system 1 of Embodiment 2 causes at least a part of the mobile body 4 to wait in the car 16 at the time of non-registration of the priority call. According to this configuration, the mobile body 4 waits in a state where the space in the car 16 is secured, and therefore, the specific user is more likely to board the car 16. In addition, the mobile body 4 does not occupy more than necessary space, and therefore, the other users 3 are also able to board the car 16 to use the elevator 5. Therefore, the use efficiency of the elevator 5 by the general users 3 can be suppressed from decreasing. In addition, the space in the car 16 is secured by the mobile body 4, and therefore, when there is not sufficient space in the car 16, the mobile body 4 can be caused to get off to use the space in the car 16. Thus, the use efficiency of the elevator 5 can be suppressed from decreasing.

[0109] Embodiment 3

[0110] In Embodiment 3, differences from the examples disclosed in Embodiments 1 and 2 are explained in particular detail. The features not explained in Embodiment 3 can adopt any of the features of the examples disclosed in Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0111] Figure 11 Fig. 3 is an appearance view of the landing 8 where the mobile body is to get on the elevator in the device system 1 of Embodiment 3.

[0112] The selection section 28 selects a plurality of securing mobile bodies in accordance with the required size calculated by the calculation section 27. The selection section 28, for example, selects a combination of a plurality of mobile bodies 4 whose total of the sizes of the spaces occupied by the respective mobile bodies 4 is the same degree as or more than the required size as the plurality of securing mobile bodies. At this time, the instruction section 29 outputs a boarding instruction to cause each of the securing mobile bodies selected by the selection section 28 to board the car 16 in response to the priority call. Then, the instruction section 29 does not output and holds a getting-off instruction to each of the securing mobile bodies that have boarded the car 16 until the car 16 reaches the departure floor of the specific user. In addition, the selection section 28 can select a combination of the mobile bodies 4 waiting at different floors as the plurality of securing mobile bodies.

[0113] According to this configuration, in a case where it is not possible to use the mobile body 4 that can secure the required size alone, or the like, it is also possible to secure the required size of the specific user by the plurality of securing mobile bodies. Thus, the degree of freedom of use of the mobile body 4 is further improved.

[0114] Embodiment 4

[0115] In Embodiment 4, differences from the examples disclosed in Embodiments 1 to 3 are explained in particular detail. The features not explained in Embodiment 4 can adopt any of the features of the examples disclosed in Embodiments 1 to 3.

[0116] Figure 12 Fig. 8 is an appearance view of the landing 8 of the midway stop floor where the mobile body is to board the elevator car, in the device system 1 of Embodiment 4.

[0117] A part or all of the mobile bodies 4 working in the facility 2 have a docking mechanism. The mobile body 4 having the docking mechanism has a main body portion 33 and a plurality of cover portions 34 different in size from each other. In this example, the main body portion 33 is a portion where a function of wireless communication and a moving function of the mobile body 4 itself are mounted. The docking mechanism of the mobile body 4 is a mechanism that docks the main body portion 33 and the cover portion 34 in a detachable manner. The mobile body 4 selectively docks the cover portion 34 different in size from the main body portion 33 by the docking mechanism, thereby changing the size of the space occupied by the mobile body 4. The docking mechanism is an example of a scaling mechanism that changes the size of the space occupied by the mobile body 4 in the car 16. In addition, the plurality of cover portions 34 can be shared among the plurality of mobile bodies 4. The plurality of cover portions 34 are arranged, for example, at the floor where the mobile body 4 performs standby operation and the like.

[0118] A part or all of the mobile bodies 4 working in the facility 2 can also have a mechanism different from the docking mechanism as the scaling mechanism. The mobile body 4 can also have, for example, a deformation mechanism that changes the size of the space occupied by the mobile body 4 in the car 16 by an extendable arm or other portion as the scaling mechanism.

[0119] When the mobile body is ensured to have the scaling mechanism, the command portion 29 outputs a command to change the size of the space occupied in the car 16 according to the required size calculated by the calculation portion 27, to the mobile body. The command can also be output together with the boarding command for the car 16. The mobile body 4 having the docking mechanism as the scaling mechanism selects the cover portion 34 to be docked with the main body portion 33 according to the command of the command portion 29. The mobile body 4 having the deformation mechanism as the scaling mechanism deforms the arm or other portion according to the command of the command portion 29. In this example, the mobile body 4 boards the car 16 according to the boarding command after changing the size of the occupied space by the scaling mechanism.

[0120] According to this structure, the size of the space occupied by the mobile body 4 can be adjusted according to the required size, and therefore, the space corresponding to the required size is ensured not to be excessive or insufficient. Thus, it is easier for the specific user to board the car 16, and reduction in the utilization efficiency of the general users 3 of the elevator 5 can be suppressed.

[0121] Embodiment 5

[0122] In Embodiment 5, differences from the examples disclosed in Embodiments 1 to 4 are described in particular detail. The features not described in Embodiment 5 can adopt any of the features of the examples disclosed in Embodiments 1 to 4.

[0123] Figure 13 is a configuration diagram of the device system 1 of Embodiment 5.

[0124] The user DB 35 is stored in the storage section 25 of the device control device 24. The user DB 35 is a DB that stores information of the user 3 who uses the elevator 5 in the facility 2. The user DB 35 stores, for example, an identifier, a current floor, a current position in the floor, a required size at the time of boarding the car 16 of the elevator 5, attributes, and other information, with respect to each user 3.

[0125] The user 3 who uses the elevator 5 holds the portable device 36. The portable device 36 is a mobile information processing device that is equipped with a wireless communication function. The portable device 36 is connected to the communication network 6 through wireless communication. The portable device 36 can be, for example, a general-purpose device such as a smartphone, or a dedicated device such as a wireless tag. The portable device 36 can be owned by the user 3, or can be lent to the user 3 from a manager of the facility 2 or the like. The portable device 36 can be a device within the system of the device system 1, or can be a device outside the system that cooperates with the device system 1. In the portable device 36, a function of acquiring a current position can also be equipped. For example, when the user 3 is in the facility 2, the portable device 36 can also provide information of a current floor and a current position of the user 3 to the device control device 24.

[0126] The user 3 can also perform a call registration operation through the portable device 36. At this time, information of the call is input to the group management device 22 or the like through the communication network 6 or the like. The group management device 22 assigns the call accepted from the portable device 36 to an arbitrary unit 13.

[0127] In this example, registration of a priority call is performed, for example, by an operation of the portable device 36 held by a specific user. The portable device 36 outputs information of the call with information indicating that it is a priority call attached thereto. The portable device 36 can also attach an identifier of the user 3 who is the specific user to the information of the call. The group management device 22 assigns the call accepted at the time of registration of the priority call to an arbitrary unit 13. The calculation section 27 refers to the user DB 35 or the like with the identifier included in the information of the call as a key, thereby calculating a required size of the specific user. The selection section 28 performs selection of a moving body in accordance with the required size calculated by the calculation section 27. In this way, by referring to the user DB 35 set in advance to calculate the required size of the user 3, a space in the car 16 required by the user 3 is more reliably secured.

[0128] When the above description is summarized, structures that the technology of the present application can take include each structure or the like shown as the following addenda.

[0129] (Addenda 1)

[0130] An apparatus system has:

[0131] an acquisition unit that acquires operation information including a position of a car in response to a priority call of a specific user registered for priority use of an elevator;

[0132] one or more moving bodies that, in a case where the specific user alone boards the car, occupy a space in the car while leaving a space in which other users can board the car;

[0133] an instruction unit that, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit, outputs a boarding instruction for at least any one of the one or more moving bodies to board the car at a floor other than a departure floor at which the specific user is to board the car before the car arrives at the departure floor, and holds output of an alighting instruction for the moving body to alight from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor.

[0134] (Addendum 2)

[0135] The apparatus system according to Addendum 1, wherein

[0136] the instruction unit outputs the alighting instruction for the moving body to alight from the car at the departure floor when the car arrives at the departure floor.

[0137] (Addendum 3)

[0138] The apparatus system according to Addendum 1 or 2, wherein

[0139] The apparatus system has:

[0140] an operation unit that operates a required size when the specific user boards the car; and

[0141] a selection unit that selects the moving body from the one or more moving bodies based on the required size operated by the operation unit,

[0142] the instruction unit outputs the boarding instruction for the moving body to board the car at a floor other than the departure floor with respect to the moving body selected by the selection unit.

[0143] (Addendum 4)

[0144] The apparatus system according to Addendum 3, wherein

[0145] the one or more moving bodies include a plurality of moving bodies,

[0146] the selection unit selects a plurality of the moving bodies based on the required size operated by the operation unit.

[0147] (Paragraph 5)

[0148] The device system according to any one of Paragraphs 1 or 2, wherein

[0149] The device system has an operation section that operates a required size when the specific user boards the car,

[0150] At least any one of the one or more moving bodies has a scaling mechanism that changes the size of the space occupied in the car,

[0151] When the securing moving body has the scaling mechanism, the instruction section outputs an instruction to change the size of the space occupied in the car in accordance with the required size operated by the operation section, with respect to the securing moving body.

[0152] (Paragraph 6)

[0153] The device system according to any one of Paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein

[0154] The device system has an informing section that causes an informing device to inform that the securing moving body will secure the space in the car so that the specific user can board the car, or that the securing moving body has secured the space in the car so that the specific user can board the car, at least any one time during a period from when the securing moving body boards the car to when the securing moving body gets off the car.

[0155] (Paragraph 7)

[0156] The device system according to any one of Paragraphs 1 to 6, wherein

[0157] The device system has a determination section that determines whether the specific user is located in a boardable range that can board the car from the departure floor when the car arrives at the departure floor,

[0158] When the determination section determines that the specific user is not located in the boardable range before the securing moving body boards the car, the instruction section cancels the output of the boarding instruction with respect to the securing moving body.

[0159] (Paragraph 8)

[0160] The device system according to any one of Paragraphs 1 to 6, wherein

[0161] The device system has a determination section that determines whether the specific user is located in a boardable range that can board the car from the departure floor when the car arrives at the departure floor,

[0162] When the determination unit determines that the specific user is not located in the boardable range before the mobile body is ensured to board the car and before the car reaches the departure floor, the instruction unit outputs a dismount instruction for the mobile body to dismount from the car at a floor other than the departure floor.

[0163] (Addendum 9)

[0164] The device system according to any one of Addenda 1 to 8, wherein

[0165] The specific user is a user who needs to move between floors using an elevator due to use of a movement assistance tool or a conveyance assistance tool.

[0166] (Addendum 10)

[0167] The device system according to any one of Addenda 1 to 9, wherein

[0168] When the priority call is not registered, the instruction unit causes a part or all of the one or more mobile bodies to wait at a floor at an upper end or a lower end of a hoisting run of the car.

[0169] (Addendum 11)

[0170] The device system according to any one of Addenda 1 to 9, wherein

[0171] When the priority call is not registered, the instruction unit causes a part or all of the one or more mobile bodies to wait in the car.

[0172] (Addendum 12)

[0173] A device control device, the device control device having:

[0174] a retrieval unit that, when a priority call of a specific user who is registered to have priority use of an elevator is registered, retrieves operation information including a position of a car in response to the priority call; and

[0175] an instruction unit that, based on the operation information retrieved by the retrieval unit, outputs a boarding instruction for at least any one of one or more mobile bodies to board the car as an ensured mobile body at a floor other than a departure floor at which the specific user is to board the car before the car reaches the departure floor, and holds output of a dismount instruction for the ensured mobile body to dismount from the car until the car reaches the departure floor, wherein the one or more mobile bodies, in a case where the one or more mobile bodies board the car individually, occupy a space in the car while leaving a space in which other users are able to board.

[0176] (Addendum 13)

[0177] A device control method in which,

[0178] A computer performs the following actions:

[0179] When a priority call of a specific user registered to have priority in using an elevator is made, operation information including a position of a car responding to the priority call is acquired;

[0180] Based on the acquired operation information, before the car reaches a departure floor at which the specific user is to board, a boarding instruction is output to cause at least any one of one or more moving bodies to board the car at a floor other than the departure floor as a securing moving body, wherein the one or more moving bodies, in a case where they board the car individually, occupy a space in the car while leaving a space in which other users can board; and

[0181] The output of a disembarking instruction to cause the securing moving body to disembark from the car is held until the car reaches the departure floor.

[0182] (Addendum 14)

[0183] A device control program that causes a computer to perform the following actions:

[0184] When a priority call of a specific user registered to have priority in using an elevator is made, operation information including a position of a car responding to the priority call is acquired;

[0185] Based on the acquired operation information, before the car reaches a departure floor at which the specific user is to board, a boarding instruction is output to cause at least any one of one or more moving bodies to board the car at a floor other than the departure floor as a securing moving body, wherein the one or more moving bodies, in a case where they board the car individually, occupy a space in the car while leaving a space in which other users can board; and

[0186] The output of a disembarking instruction to cause the securing moving body to disembark from the car is held until the car reaches the departure floor.

Claims

1. An apparatus system, the apparatus system having: an acquisition unit that acquires operation information including a position of a car in response to a priority call of a specific user registered to have priority use of an elevator; one or more moving bodies that, in a case where the one or more moving bodies individually board the car, occupy a space in the car while leaving a space in which other users can board the car; and an instruction unit that, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit, outputs boarding instructions for at least any one of the one or more moving bodies to board the car at a floor other than a departure floor at which the specific user is to board the car before the car arrives at the departure floor, and holds output of alighting instructions for the at least any one of the one or more moving bodies to alight from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor.

2. The apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit outputs alighting instructions for the at least any one of the one or more moving bodies to alight from the car at the departure floor when the car arrives at the departure floor.

3. The apparatus system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus system has: a calculation unit that calculates a required size when the specific user boards the car; and a selection unit that selects the at least any one of the one or more moving bodies as the at least any one of the one or more moving bodies based on the required size calculated by the calculation unit, the instruction unit outputs the boarding instructions for the at least any one of the one or more moving bodies to board the car at a floor other than the departure floor.

4. The apparatus system according to claim 3, wherein the one or more moving bodies include a plurality of moving bodies, the selection unit selects a plurality of the at least any one of the one or more moving bodies based on the required size calculated by the calculation unit.

5. The apparatus system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus system has a calculation unit that calculates a required size when the specific user boards the car, at least any one of the one or more moving bodies has a scaling mechanism that changes a size of a space occupied in the car, when the at least any one of the one or more moving bodies has the scaling mechanism, the instruction unit outputs instructions for the at least any one of the one or more moving bodies to change the size of the space occupied in the car based on the required size calculated by the calculation unit.

6. The apparatus system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus system has an informing unit that causes an informing device to inform that the at least any one of the one or more moving bodies will secure a space in the car to enable the specific user to board the car or that the at least any one of the one or more moving bodies has secured the space in the car to enable the specific user to board the car at least at any one of a time period from when the at least any one of the one or more moving bodies boards the car to when the at least any one of the one or more moving bodies alights from the car.

7. The apparatus system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus system has a determination unit that determines whether the specific user is located in a boardable range from which the specific user can board the car when the car arrives at a departure floor, and the instruction unit outputs the boarding instructions for the at least any one of the one or more moving bodies to board the car at a floor other than the departure floor when the determination unit determines that the specific user is not located in the boardable range. When the determination unit determines that the specific user is not located in the boardable range before the ensured moving body boards the car, the instruction unit cancels output of the boarding instruction for the ensured moving body.

8. The device system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The device system has a determination unit that determines whether the specific user is located in a boardable range in which the car can be boarded from the departure floor when the car arrives at the departure floor, When the determination unit determines that the specific user is not located in the boardable range after the ensured moving body boards the car and before the car arrives at the departure floor, the instruction unit outputs a disembarking instruction that causes the ensured moving body to disembark at a floor other than the departure floor.

9. The device system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The specific user is a user who needs to move between floors using an elevator due to use of a movement assistance tool or a conveyance assistance tool.

10. The device system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein When the priority call is not registered, the instruction unit causes a part or all of the one or more moving bodies to wait at a floor at an upper end or a lower end of a hoisting run of the car.

11. The device system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein When the priority call is not registered, the instruction unit causes a part or all of the one or more moving bodies to wait in the car.

12. An apparatus control device, comprising: a retrieval unit that, when a priority call of a specific user who is registered to have priority use of an elevator is registered, retrieves operation information including a position of a car that responds to the priority call; and an instruction section that, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition section, outputs a boarding instruction for at least any one of the one or more mobile bodies to board the car at a floor other than the departure floor of the securing mobile body before the car reaches the departure floor of the specific user who is to board the car, and holds output of an alighting instruction for the securing mobile body to alight from the car until the car reaches the departure floor, wherein The one or more moving bodies, in a case where the one or more moving bodies board the car individually, occupy a space in the car while leaving a space in which other users can board.

13. An apparatus control method, wherein A computer performs the following actions: When a priority call of a specific user who is registered to have priority use of an elevator is registered, operation information including a position of a car that responds to the priority call is retrieved; Based on the retrieved operation information, before the car arrives at a departure floor at which the specific user is to board, a boarding instruction is output that causes at least any one of one or more moving bodies to board the car as an ensured moving body at a floor other than the departure floor, the one or more moving bodies, in a case where the one or more moving bodies board the car individually, occupying a space in the car while leaving a space in which other users can board; and Output of a disembarking instruction that causes the ensured moving body to disembark from the car is reserved until the car arrives at the departure floor.

14. An apparatus control program that causes a computer to perform the following actions: When a priority call of a specific user who is registered to have priority use of an elevator is registered, operation information including a position of a car that responds to the priority call is retrieved; According to the acquired operation information, before the car reaches a departure floor at which the specific user is to board, a boarding instruction is output to cause at least any one of one or more moving bodies to board the car on a floor other than the departure floor as a securing moving body, wherein The one or more moving bodies, in a case where the one or more moving bodies board the car individually, occupy a space in the car while leaving a space in which other users can board; and The output of the instruction to get off the car is held until the car reaches the departure floor.

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