Elevator system

Abstract

According to the elevator system, cleaning personnel can easily clean a landing operation board and an elevator car. This elevator system is provided with: a display control unit that controls the content displayed on a touch panel-type operation panel that is provided at a landing for cleaning a floor and receives a call operation; an operation control unit that controls the operation of the car; the display control unit sets the operation panel to an operation panel cleaning mode in which operation is not accepted when the display control unit detects that the operation panel is being cleaned, and the operation control unit sets the operation panel to an operation panel cleaning mode in which operation is not accepted when the operation panel is in the operation panel cleaning mode. The elevator car is set to be in a car cleaning mode in which the elevator car moves to a cleaning floor and is standby, and the operation control part releases the car cleaning mode and restores the elevator car to normal operation under the condition that the elevator detection part detects that the elevator car in the car cleaning mode is not carried by people.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to elevator systems. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an elevator system. According to this elevator system, the car can operate in a cleaning mode. In cleaning mode, since the car door remains open, cleaning personnel can easily clean the car.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-162347

[0004] However, the elevator system described in Patent Document 1 requires special operations to start and end the cleaning mode. On the other hand, the cleaning personnel who clean the elevator floors are sometimes the same general cleaning personnel who clean the entire building. Therefore, the cleaning personnel need to be familiar with the method of transferring the elevator car to the cleaning mode. Furthermore, the cleaning personnel also clean the floor control panel simultaneously. When the floor control panel is a touch panel type, the cleaning personnel need to be careful during cleaning to avoid malfunctions and increase the workload. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure was made to solve the aforementioned problems. The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an elevator system in which cleaning personnel can easily clean the landing control panel and the elevator car.

[0006] The elevator system disclosed herein includes: a display control unit that controls the content displayed on a touch panel-type control panel located at the cleaning floor and accepting elevator call operations; an operation control unit that controls the operation of the car; and a passenger detection unit that detects when no one is riding in the car. When the display control unit detects that the control panel is being cleaned, it sets the control panel to a cleaning mode where no operations are accepted. When the control panel is in the cleaning mode, the operation control unit sets the car to a cleaning mode where it moves to the cleaning floor and waits. When the passenger detection unit detects that no one is riding in the car in the cleaning mode, the operation control unit deactivates the cleaning mode and restores the car to normal operation.

[0007] According to this disclosure, the landing control panel is switched to the control panel cleaning mode. Furthermore, the car cleaning mode starts and ends automatically. Therefore, cleaning personnel can easily clean both the landing control panel and the car. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a building using the elevator system in Implementation Method 1.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the main parts of the elevator system's landings in Embodiment 1.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the screen of the floor control panel of the elevator system in Embodiment 1.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram of the elevator system in Implementation Method 1.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator system in Implementation 1.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the building using the elevator system in implementation method 2.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator system in Embodiment 2.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a top view of the elevator system's landings in Implementation Method 3.

[0016] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator system in Embodiment 3.

[0017] Figure 10 This is a hardware structure diagram of the control panel of the elevator system in embodiments 1 to 3.

[0018] Label Explanation

[0019] 1: Elevator system; 2: Shaft; 3: Landing; 4: Traction machine; 5, 5a, 5c, 5d, 5e: Car; 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e: Landing control panel; 7: Landing camera; 10: Control panel; 11: Operation control unit; 12: Display control unit; 13: Cleaning and detection unit; 14: Ride detection unit; 15: Recording unit; 51: Car control panel; 52: Car camera; 53: Weighing device; 54: Car door; 61: Reception unit; 62: Control panel camera; 100a: Processor; 100b: Memory; 200: Hardware; B: Building. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The accompanying drawings illustrate the methods used to implement this disclosure. Furthermore, in the various figures, the same or corresponding parts are labeled with the same reference numerals. Repetitive descriptions of these parts have been appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0021] Implementation method 1.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a building using the elevator system in Implementation Method 1. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the main parts of the landing of the elevator system according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the screen of the landing control panel of the elevator system according to Embodiment 1. Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram of the elevator system in Implementation Method 1.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in elevator system 1, the shaft 2 runs through all floors of building B. Multiple stops 3 are located on each floor of building B. The traction machine 4 is located in the machine room above the shaft 2. The car 5 is located inside the shaft 2. The car 5 is suspended by the main rope wound around the traction machine 4. The traction machine 4 is driven, thereby enabling the car 5 to move up and down inside the shaft 2 via the main rope.

[0024] The car 5 is equipped with a car control panel 51, a car camera 52, and a weighing device 53. The car control panel 51 handles calls for the car, including those to the destination floor. The car camera 52 captures images of the interior of the car 5. The weighing device 53 measures the weight of objects inside the car 5. A car door 54 is located at the entrance and exit of the car 5. The car door 54 is opened and closed by a drive mechanism.

[0025] Multiple landing control panels 6 are provided at multiple landing stations 3. Each landing control panel 6 accepts calls for elevators that include at least the departure floor. The landing control panel 6 can also accept calls specifying the destination floor, acting as a landing call. Furthermore, the multiple landing control panels 6 can all have the same structure or different structures.

[0026] In Implementation Method 1, the installation in multiple floors is described. Figure 1 The lowest floor, i.e., the cleaning floor, has a landing control panel 6. In other words, hereinafter, landing control panel 6 refers to the landing control panel 6 installed on the cleaning floor. The landing control panel 6 is a touch panel type device that displays information and also serves as buttons for handling operations. For example, the landing control panel 6 can also be a tablet computer that performs the functions of a dedicated control panel for the elevator system 1.

[0027] A floor station camera 7 is installed at the floor cleaning station 3. The floor station camera 7 captures images of the area around the floor station control panel 6 in the floor cleaning station 3.

[0028] The control panel 10 of elevator system 1 is located in the machine room. The control panel 10 can communicate with various devices in elevator system 1. The control panel 10 controls the traction machine 4, thereby controlling the operation of the car 5. For example, during normal operation, the control panel 10 moves the car 5 up and down according to car calls or landing calls. The control panel 10 controls the opening and closing of the car doors 54.

[0029] like Figure 3As shown, the landing control panel 6 has a reception unit 61 for handling elevator call operations and a control panel camera 62. The reception unit 61 also serves as a display for information. The control panel camera 62 is capable of capturing images of objects located in front of the reception unit 61.

[0030] The cleaning staff of Building B clean all floors of Building B daily. Sometimes, the cleaning staff clean the equipment of Elevator System 1 within a movable area. When the cleaning staff wipes the receiving section 61 of the landing control panel 6 with a cloth, the landing control panel 6 may receive input due to the cleaning staff's fingers or cloth. In this case, an unwanted landing call may be generated, or the system may return to the home screen and no longer display the application that functions as the control panel.

[0031] In addition, cleaning staff sometimes clean the interior of car 5. At this time, the cleaning staff sometimes clean while placing items against the safety touch plate of car door 54, so that car door 54 is not closed.

[0032] Elevator system 1 can detect when cleaning personnel are cleaning the floor control panel 6. When cleaning is detected, elevator system 1 switches the floor control panel 6 to a non-operable cleaning mode. Additionally, control panel 10 moves the car 5 to the floor being cleaned and sets it to car cleaning mode. In car cleaning mode, cleaning personnel do not need to perform any actions to keep the car door 54 open. No new calls are registered to car 5 in car cleaning mode. When cleaning is completed and the cleaning personnel leave car 5, elevator system 1 automatically deactivates car cleaning mode.

[0033] Next, use Figure 4 The functions of the control panel 10 are explained below. Functionally, the control panel 10 includes an operation control unit 11, a display control unit 12, a cleaning detection unit 13, a passenger detection unit 14, and a recording unit 15. Alternatively, the floor operation panel 6 may also include the functions of the display control unit 12 and the cleaning detection unit 13.

[0034] The operation control unit 11 controls the operation of the car 5 as a whole. For example, the operation control unit 11 switches the operation mode of the car 5 between normal operation and car cleaning mode. The operation control unit 11 controls the car 5 and the various devices of the elevator system 1 according to the operation mode.

[0035] When car 5 is in car cleaning mode, no call is registered to car 5. Car door 54 remains open. Car control panel 51 can also be set to not accept operations. A notice can also be given to general users via a speaker (not shown) or the display on the landing 3 to prevent them from entering car 5. Thus, in car cleaning mode, controls are implemented to make it easier for cleaning personnel to clean the interior of car 5.

[0036] Additionally, when the car 5 is in car cleaning mode, the car door 54 can be temporarily opened and then closed again. The car door 54 can also remain closed. Then, the car door 54 can be opened under any circumstances, such as after a certain period of time or by operating the car control panel 51.

[0037] The display control unit 12 controls the content displayed on the landing operation panel 6. When certain conditions are met, the display control unit 12 switches the landing operation panel 6 to the operation panel cleaning mode. In the operation panel cleaning mode, the screen of the landing operation panel 6 can be locked to prevent operations from being accepted, or it can respond to certain operations but prevent the landing operation panel 6 from generating landing calls. Hereinafter, it will be assumed that the landing operation panel 6 in operation panel cleaning mode does not accept operations. The operation panel cleaning mode can also be applied to non-touch panel landing operation panels 6 that are not used for cleaning floors.

[0038] The cleaning detection unit 13 detects when cleaning is being performed on the floor control panel 6. For example, it may detect cleaning of the floor control panel 6 when it detects actions such as sliding up and down or left and right on the screen of the reception unit 61, the appearance of a cloth-like object at a size greater than a specified detection range in the image captured by the control panel camera 62, or the appearance of a person with a specific appearance, such as a cleaning worker's uniform, in the image of the control panel camera 62. Alternatively, it may detect cleaning of the floor control panel 6 when it detects specific actions such as touch operations performed in a certain sequence and location on the reception unit 61, or the appearance of a dedicated QR code image in the control panel camera 62. For example, if a person with a specific appearance, such as a cleaning worker's uniform, is present near the floor control panel 6 based on the image from the floor camera 7, and performs a specific operation on the floor control panel 6, the cleaning detection unit 13 will detect that the floor control panel 6 is being cleaned.

[0039] The passenger detection unit 14 detects whether there are passengers or not inside the elevator car 5. For example, the passenger detection unit 14 detects whether all passengers have disembarked from the elevator car 5 based on images captured by the elevator car camera 52, meaning no one boarded the elevator car 5. For example, the passenger detection unit 14 detects whether all passengers have disembarked from the elevator car 5 based on measurements taken by the weighing device 53, meaning no one boarded the elevator car 5.

[0040] The recording unit 15 records the cleaning record. The cleaning record includes the date and time when multiple floors 3 were cleaned, the date and time when multiple floor control panels 6 were cleaned, and the date and time when the car 5 was cleaned. When the recording unit 15 detects that a floor control panel 6 is being cleaned, it records the detected date and time as the cleaning record.

[0041] Cleaning records can be confirmed from the floor control panel 6, other terminals, etc. For example, cleaning staff can formulate a cleaning plan for the day based on the cleaning records up to the previous day.

[0042] Next, use Figure 5 This describes the operation of elevator system 1.

[0043] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator system in Implementation 1.

[0044] Figure 5 The flowchart, for example, begins when car 5 starts its normal operation. The following describes the situation where cleaning is performed by cleaning personnel on the cleaning floors.

[0045] In step S01, the cleaning detection unit 13 determines whether the floor control panel 6 is being cleaned. If no cleaning is detected in step S01, the operation of step S01 is repeated.

[0046] If cleaning of the floor station operation panel 6 is detected in step S01, the display control unit 12 sets the floor station operation panel 6 to operation panel cleaning mode in step S02.

[0047] Then, in step S03, the operation control unit 11 moves the car 5 to the floor 3 of the cleaning floor.

[0048] Then, in step S04, the operation control unit 11 sets the car 5 to car cleaning mode. Alternatively, step S03 can be performed after step S04. In this case, the car 5 moves to the cleaning floor while in car cleaning mode.

[0049] Then, in step S05, the operation control unit 11 waits for a predetermined standby time. The standby time can be set by estimating the time required until the cleaning personnel finish cleaning the floor operation panel 6 and board the elevator car 5.

[0050] Then, in step S06, the operation control unit 11 determines the end condition of the car cleaning mode, i.e., whether there is a person inside the car 5, based on the detection result of the passenger detection unit 14. If there is a person inside the car 5 in step S06, that is, if the passenger detection unit 14 has not yet detected that there is no person inside the car 5, the operation of step S06 is repeated.

[0051] If it is determined in step S06 that there is no person inside the car 5, in step S07, the operation control unit 11 restores the car 5 from the car cleaning mode to normal operation.

[0052] Then, in step S08, the recording unit 15 records the date and time when it detects that the floor cleaning operation panel 6 is being cleaned as the date and time when cleaning was performed on the floor being cleaned and the floor cleaning operation panel 6 of the floor being cleaned. The recording unit 15 records the date and time when the car cleaning mode is deactivated and the car 5 returns to normal operation as the date and time when the car 5 is cleaned.

[0053] Then, the flowchart's actions end.

[0054] Furthermore, the display control unit 12 terminates the operation panel cleaning mode of the landing operation panel 6 when any condition is met, such as when a predetermined time has elapsed since entering the operation panel cleaning mode or when a predetermined operation has been performed on the landing operation panel 6. Additionally, the display control unit 12 can also terminate the operation panel cleaning mode of the landing operation panel 6 when the car 5 returns from the car cleaning mode to normal operation.

[0055] According to Embodiment 1 described above, in elevator system 1, the landing control panel 6, which serves as the operating panel, is a touch panel type and is installed at the landing 3 of the floor being cleaned. Elevator system 1 includes an operation control unit 11, a display control unit 12, and a passenger detection unit 14. Although cleaning personnel may disconnect the power to the landing control panel 6 before cleaning, in this case, restarting may take time, or the dedicated application may not start correctly after restarting. In this embodiment, when cleaning of the landing control panel 6 is detected, the display control unit 12 sets the landing control panel 6 to the operation panel cleaning mode. Therefore, even though it is a touch panel type, cleaning personnel can easily clean the landing control panel 6 without noticing.

[0056] Furthermore, without any special operation from the cleaning personnel, car 5 automatically switches to car cleaning mode. And when the cleaning personnel finish cleaning car 5 and leave, the operating mode of car 5 automatically returns to normal operation. Thus, no special operation is required when the cleaning personnel are cleaning car 5 in car cleaning mode. As described above, because the car cleaning mode starts and ends automatically, the cleaning personnel can easily clean both the landing control panel 6 and car 5.

[0057] In addition, elevator system 1 also includes a cleaning detection unit 13. The cleaning detection unit 13 detects cleaning when a specific operation is performed on the landing control panel 6. Alternatively, the cleaning detection unit 13 detects cleaning based on the image reflected in the image captured by the control panel camera 62. Or, the cleaning detection unit 13 detects cleaning based on both the image captured by the landing camera 7 and the operation performed on the landing control panel 6. Therefore, the cleaning detection unit 13 can detect with high precision whether cleaning personnel are cleaning the landing control panel 6.

[0058] In addition, the cleaning of floor 3 can be carried out not only by general cleaning personnel, but also by operators dispatched by the company that performs the maintenance and management of elevator system 1.

[0059] In addition, the operation of Implementation 1 can be applied to the touch panel type floor station operation panel 6 installed in the floor station 3, except for cleaning floors.

[0060] Implementation method 2.

[0061] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the building using the elevator system in implementation method 2. Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator system in Embodiment 2. Furthermore, parts that are identical or corresponding to those in Embodiment 1 are labeled with the same reference numerals. Descriptions of these parts are omitted.

[0062] In embodiment 2, the floor station operation panel 6 of the plurality of floor station operation panels 6 is designated as floor station operation panel 6a for the floor station 3 located on the cleaning floor, and the floor station operation panel 6b for the floor station 3 located on a different floor than the cleaning floor. The floor station operation panel 6b can be a touch panel or a panel with only buttons indicating up and down directions.

[0063] In implementation method 2, after cleaning the landing 3 and car 5 of the cleaned floor, the cleaning personnel move to another floor to continue cleaning. Figure 7 In the flowchart, in steps S01 to S05, the process is performed with... Figure 5 The steps S01 to S05 of the flowchart are the same actions.

[0064] After step S05, in step S11, the operation control unit 11 determines whether the elevator has been called to another floor via the car operation panel 51.

[0065] If an elevator call to another floor is made in step S11, in step S12, the operation control unit 11 maintains the car cleaning mode and moves the car 5 to the other floor that was called.

[0066] Then, in step S13, the display control unit 12 disables the landing operation panel 6b of that other floor. For example, the display control unit 12 can set the landing operation panel 6b to operation panel cleaning mode, or it can prevent the registration of landing calls using the landing operation panel 6b.

[0067] Then, in step S14, the operation control unit 11 determines the end condition of the car cleaning mode, i.e., whether there is a person inside the car 5, based on the detection result of the passenger detection unit 14. If there is a person inside the car 5 in step S14, the operation of step S14 is repeated.

[0068] If it is determined in step S14 that there is no person inside the car 5, in step S15, the operation control unit 11 restores the car 5 from the car cleaning mode to normal operation.

[0069] Then, in step S16, the recording unit 15 records the date and time when it detects that the floor cleaning operation panel 6a is being cleaned as the date and time when cleaning was performed on the floor being cleaned and the floor cleaning operation panel 6a of the floor being cleaned. The recording unit 15 also records the date and time when the car 5 in the car cleaning mode is moved to another floor as the date and time when the car 5 is cleaned, the date and time when cleaning was performed on another floor, and the date and time when the floor cleaning operation panel 6b of another floor is cleaned.

[0070] Then, the flowchart's actions end.

[0071] If no call to another floor is made in step S11, in step S17, the operation control unit 11 determines whether there is a person inside the car 5. If it is determined in step S17 that there is a person inside the car 5, the actions after step S11 are performed. If it is determined in step S17 that there is no person inside the car 5, the actions after step S15 are performed. However, in step S16, after the transition from step S11 to step S15, the actions are performed in accordance with... Figure 5 The same action as step S08 in the flowchart.

[0072] Furthermore, if, before step S15, the elevator is called to another floor using the car control panel 51 within a specified time, the actions following step S12 can also be performed on that other floor. That is, the car cleaning mode of the car 5 can be maintained while the cleaning personnel are cleaning each floor's landing 3 in sequence.

[0073] According to Embodiment 2 described above, when a call for an elevator to another floor is received from the car operation panel 51 in car cleaning mode, the operation control unit 11 maintains the car cleaning mode and moves the car 5 to the other floor. At this time, the display control unit 12 prevents the landing operation panel 6b located on the other floor from accepting any operations. Furthermore, even if the landing operation panel 6b is not a touch panel, it will not automatically accept any operations. Therefore, cleaning personnel can easily clean the landing operation panel 6b after moving to another floor.

[0074] Furthermore, after moving to another floor, the operation control unit 11, upon detecting that no one is riding in the car 5, deactivates the car cleaning mode and restores the car 5 to normal operation. Therefore, even on other floors, cleaning personnel do not need to perform a special operation to deactivate the car cleaning mode. This allows cleaning personnel to easily perform cleaning tasks.

[0075] In addition, the elevator system 1 also has a recording unit 15. When the car 5 in car cleaning mode moves to another floor, the recording unit 15 records a cleaning record indicating that the other floor has been cleaned. Therefore, even if the landing control panel 6b on another floor is not a touch panel, the recording unit 15 can reliably record the cleaning record.

[0076] Implementation method 3.

[0077] Figure 8 This is a top view of the elevator system's landings in Implementation Method 3. Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the elevator system in Embodiment 3. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are identical or equivalent to those in Embodiments 1 or 2. Descriptions of these parts are omitted.

[0078] In embodiment 3, multiple cars 5 are provided in the elevator system 1. Multiple landing operation panels 6 are provided at the landings 3 of the floors being cleaned. The display control unit 12 controls the display content of the multiple landing operation panels 6. Hereinafter, a certain landing operation panel 6 of the floors being cleaned will be referred to as landing operation panel 6a, and the others will be referred to as landing operation panels 6c, 6d, and 6e.

[0079] For example, car 5, which is closest to the landing control panel 6a, is designated as target car 5a. Car 5, which is closest to the landing control panel 6c, is designated as target car 5c. Car 5, which is closest to the landing control panel 6d, is designated as target car 5d. Car 5, which is closest to the landing control panel 6e, is designated as target car 5e.

[0080] In implementation method 3, cleaning personnel sequentially clean multiple floor station operation panels 6 at floor station 3 of the cleaning floor. Figure 9 The flowchart starts at any time.

[0081] In step S21, the display control unit 12 determines whether cleaning is detected in any of the multiple floor operation panels 6. If no cleaning is detected in step S21, the operation of step S21 is repeated.

[0082] If cleaning is detected in any of the multiple floor station operation panels 6 on the floor being cleaned in step S21, then step S22 is performed. Furthermore, the following explanation addresses the case where cleaning is being performed on floor station operation panel 6a. In step S22, the display control unit 12 sets floor station operation panel 6a to operation panel cleaning mode.

[0083] Then, in step S23, the display control unit 12 sequentially sets floor operation panels 6c, 6d, and 6e to operation panel cleaning modes according to a predetermined order or based on the detection results of the cleaning detection unit 13. When a later floor operation panel 6 enters the operation panel cleaning mode, the operation panel cleaning mode of the earlier floor operation panel 6 is deactivated. For example, after a predetermined cleaning time has elapsed, the order of operation panel cleaning modes can be transferred to other floor operation panels 6. For example, when a certain floor operation panel 6 enters the operation panel cleaning mode, it can be detected that another floor operation panel 6 is being cleaned, and that other floor operation panel 6 enters the operation panel cleaning mode.

[0084] Then, in step S24, the operation control unit 11 determines whether there is a history of multiple floor station operation panels 6 being in operation panel cleaning mode within a specified time. That is, it determines whether all of the multiple floor station operation panels 6 have been cleaned.

[0085] If, in step S24, any floor station operation panel 6 does not enter operation panel cleaning mode within a specified time, the actions following step S23 are performed.

[0086] In step S24, if there is a history of all floor operation panels 6 being in operation panel cleaning mode, in step S25, the operation control unit 11 moves the target car 5c corresponding to the floor operation panel 6c that was last in operation panel cleaning mode to the cleaning floor.

[0087] Then, in step S26, the operation control unit 11 sets the target car 5c to the car cleaning mode.

[0088] Then, in steps S05 to S08, the target car 5c is subjected to... Figure 5 The same actions are performed in steps S05 to S08 of the flowchart. Then, the actions in the flowchart end.

[0089] According to Embodiment 3 described above, when the display control unit 12 detects cleaning in one floor operation panel 6, it sequentially sets multiple floor operation panels 6 to operation panel cleaning mode. When the operation control unit 11 has a history of all floor operation panels 6 being in operation panel cleaning mode within a specified time, it moves the car 5 to the cleaning floor and sets it to car cleaning mode. Therefore, even when multiple floor operation panels 6 exist at a floor 3, cleaning personnel can easily clean both the multiple floor operation panels 6 and the car 5.

[0090] Alternatively, after step S05, the same operation as in Embodiment 2 can be performed. That is, the object car 5c can be moved to another floor.

[0091] Next, use Figure 10 This illustrates an example of the hardware that constitutes the control panel 10.

[0092] Figure 10 This is a hardware structure diagram of the control panel of the elevator system in embodiments 1 to 3.

[0093] The functions of the control panel 10 can be implemented by a processing circuit. For example, the processing circuit has at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. For example, the processing circuit has at least one piece of dedicated hardware 200.

[0094] When the processing circuit has at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b, the functions of the control panel 10 are implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is described as a program. At least one of the software and firmware is stored in at least one memory 100b. The at least one processor 100a implements the functions of the control panel 10 by reading and executing the program stored in the at least one memory 100b.

[0095] When the processing circuit has at least one dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuit is implemented, for example, by a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmable processor, a parallel programmable processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. For example, each function of the control panel 10 is implemented by a separate processing circuit. For example, each function of the control panel 10 is implemented uniformly by a processing circuit.

[0096] Regarding the various functions of the control panel 10, some can be implemented by dedicated hardware 200, while others can be implemented by software or firmware. For example, the function of normal operation of the car 5 can be implemented by the processing circuitry as dedicated hardware 200, while the functions other than normal operation of the car 5 can be implemented by at least one processor 100a reading and executing programs stored in at least one memory 100b.

[0097] In this way, the processing circuit implements the various functions of the control panel 10 through hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0098] Although not shown, the functions of the landing operation panel 6 can be implemented using the same processing circuitry that implements the functions of the control panel 10. Furthermore, at least one of the functions of the control panel 10—the display control unit 12, the cleaning detection unit 13, the passenger detection unit 14, and the recording unit 15—can be provided in devices other than the control panel 10 in the elevator system 1, such as the landing operation panel 6. Additionally, if the elevator system 1 uses a group management system that controls multiple cars, at least one of the functions of the control panel 10 can be provided in the group management device.

[0099] Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the control panel 10 can also be implemented on a cloud server. In this case, the processing circuitry consists of multiple circuit components. These multiple processing circuit components are respectively located in multiple devices constituting the cloud server. The multiple devices constituting the cloud server can also be located in different buildings.

[0100] In summary, the preferred structures of this disclosure include the structures shown below as appendices.

[0101] (Postscript 1)

[0102] An elevator system, wherein the elevator system has:

[0103] The display control unit controls the content displayed on a touch panel-type control panel located at the floor cleaning station and handling elevator call operations.

[0104] The operation control unit controls the operation of the car; and

[0105] The passenger detection department checks if the elevator car is unoccupied.

[0106] When the display control unit detects that the operation panel is being cleaned, it sets the operation panel to an operation panel cleaning mode that does not accept operations.

[0107] When the operation panel is in the operation panel cleaning mode, the operation control unit sets the car to a car cleaning mode in which it moves to the floor to be cleaned and stands by.

[0108] If the passenger detection unit detects that no one is riding in the car during the car cleaning mode, the operation control unit cancels the car cleaning mode and restores the car to normal operation.

[0109] (Postscript 2)

[0110] According to the elevator system described in Appendix 1, wherein,

[0111] When the operation control unit receives a call from the car operation panel located in the car for a floor different from the floor being cleaned during the car cleaning mode, it moves the car in the car cleaning mode to the different floor.

[0112] When the car moves to the different floors in the car cleaning mode, the display control unit causes the operation panels of other floors that accept elevator calls located on the different floors to not accept operations.

[0113] (Note 3)

[0114] According to the elevator system described in Appendix 2, wherein,

[0115] After the car moves to the different floor, if the passenger detection unit detects that no one is in the car, the operation control unit cancels the car cleaning mode and restores the car to normal operation.

[0116] (Postscript 4)

[0117] According to the elevator system described in Appendix 2 or 3, wherein,

[0118] The elevator system also has a recording unit that records cleaning records indicating that the different floors have been cleaned when the car moves to the different floors in the car cleaning mode.

[0119] (Note 5)

[0120] According to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, the elevator system wherein,

[0121] When the display control unit detects that cleaning is being performed on any one of a plurality of touch panel-type floor station operation panels that include the operation panel, are located on the floor being cleaned, and handle elevator call operations, the plurality of floor station operation panels are sequentially set to the operation panel cleaning mode.

[0122] When the operation control unit has a history of all of the multiple floor operation panels being in the operation panel cleaning mode within a specified time, it moves the car to the cleaning floor and sets it to the car cleaning mode.

[0123] (Note 6)

[0124] According to any one of the appendices 1 to 5, the elevator system wherein,

[0125] The elevator system also includes a cleaning detection unit, which detects whether the control panel is being cleaned when a specific operation is performed on the control panel.

[0126] (Note 7)

[0127] According to any one of the appendices 1 to 6, the elevator system wherein,

[0128] The elevator system also includes a cleaning detection unit, which detects whether the control panel is being cleaned based on the image captured by the control panel camera located on the control panel.

[0129] (Note 8)

[0130] According to any one of the appendices 1 to 7, the elevator system wherein,

[0131] The elevator system also has a cleaning detection unit, which detects when cleaning is being performed on the control panel if a cleaning worker performs a specific operation on the control panel in an image captured by a floor camera and the control panel is visible around the control panel.

Claims

1. An elevator system, wherein, This elevator system has the following features: The display control unit controls the content displayed on a touch panel-type control panel located at the floor cleaning station and handling elevator call operations. The operation control unit controls the operation of the car; and The passenger detection department checks if the elevator car is unoccupied. When the display control unit detects that the operation panel is being cleaned, it sets the operation panel to an operation panel cleaning mode that does not accept operations. When the operation panel is in the operation panel cleaning mode, the operation control unit sets the car to a car cleaning mode in which it moves to the floor to be cleaned and stands by. If the passenger detection unit detects that no one is riding in the car during the car cleaning mode, the operation control unit cancels the car cleaning mode and restores the car to normal operation.

2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, When the operation control unit receives a call from the car operation panel located in the car for a floor different from the floor being cleaned during the car cleaning mode, it moves the car in the car cleaning mode to the different floor. When the car moves to the different floors in the car cleaning mode, the display control unit causes the operation panels of other floors that accept elevator calls located on the different floors to not accept operations.

3. The elevator system according to claim 2, wherein, After the car moves to the different floor, if the passenger detection unit detects that no one is in the car, the operation control unit cancels the car cleaning mode and restores the car to normal operation.

4. The elevator system according to claim 2, wherein, The elevator system also has a recording unit that records cleaning records indicating that the different floors have been cleaned when the car moves to the different floors in the car cleaning mode.

5. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, When the display control unit detects that cleaning is being performed on any one of a plurality of touch panel-type floor station operation panels that include the operation panel, are located on the floor being cleaned, and handle elevator call operations, the plurality of floor station operation panels are sequentially set to the operation panel cleaning mode. When the operation control unit has a history of all of the multiple floor operation panels being in the operation panel cleaning mode within a specified time, it moves the car to the cleaning floor and sets it to the car cleaning mode.

6. The elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The elevator system also includes a cleaning detection unit, which detects whether the control panel is being cleaned when a specific operation is performed on the control panel.

7. The elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The elevator system also includes a cleaning detection unit, which detects whether the control panel is being cleaned based on the image captured by the control panel camera located on the control panel.

8. The elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The elevator system also has a cleaning detection unit, which detects when cleaning is being performed on the control panel if a cleaning worker performs a specific operation on the control panel in an image captured by a floor camera and the control panel is visible around the control panel.

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