Information providing system

Abstract

An information providing system capable of providing useful information to a wheelchair user in the event of an earthquake and the wheelchair user having exited a car. The information providing system (1) has a control device (6) and a position management device (3). The position management device (3) has a position detection section (21), a determination section (22), a decision section (23), and an announcement control section (24). When it is determined by the determination section (22) that the wheelchair user has exited to a refuge floor, the decision section (23) decides information to be provided to the wheelchair user based on operation information from the control device (6). The announcement control section (24) causes a terminal (8) of the wheelchair user to announce the information decided by the decision section (23).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to information provision systems. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a system for assisting in the restoration of an elevator. In the system described in Patent Document 1, when the elevator stops because a person in difficulty seeking refuge is on an upper floor, maintenance personnel are notified so that the restoration of the elevator can be prioritized.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-1555

[0004] If an earthquake occurs while a wheelchair user is in the elevator car, the user is forced to exit the car. In existing elevators, because no information is provided to the wheelchair user upon exiting the car, there is a problem that the user may feel confused or confused during the subsequent process. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure was made to address the aforementioned problems. The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an information provision system that can provide useful information to a wheelchair user in the event of an earthquake after the user has disembarked from the elevator car.

[0006] The information providing system disclosed herein includes an elevator control device and a position management device capable of communicating with the control device. The control device includes: an operation control unit that controls automatic operation of the first car in response to a call, earthquake-controlled operation that stops the first car at a refuge floor during an earthquake, and diagnostic operation performed under certain conditions after earthquake-controlled operation; and a communication unit that sends first information indicating the operating status of the first car to the position management device after an earthquake. The position management device includes: a position detection unit that detects the position of a terminal held by a wheelchair user; a determination unit that, based on the first information from the control device and the position of the terminal detected by the position detection unit, determines whether the wheelchair user has descended from the first car to the refuge floor through earthquake-controlled operation; a decision unit that, when the decision unit determines that the wheelchair user has descended to the refuge floor, determines the information to be provided to the wheelchair user based on the first information from the control device; and a notification control unit that causes the terminal to notify the information determined by the decision unit.

[0007] If it is the information providing system disclosed herein, it can provide useful information to the wheelchair user in the event of an earthquake and after the wheelchair user has been removed from the elevator car. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the information providing system in Implementation 1.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control device.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation of the control device.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of a location management device.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware resources of a location management device.

[0013] Figure 6 This is another example of the hardware resources of a location management device.

[0014] Label Explanation

[0015] 1: Information providing system; 2: Elevator device; 3: Position management device; 4: Receiving device; 5: Car; 6: Control device; 7: Seismic sensor; 8: Terminal; 9: Display; 11: Operation control unit; 12: Communication unit; 13: Judgment unit; 20: Storage unit; 21: Position detection unit; 22: Judgment unit; 23: Decision unit; 24: Notification control unit; 25: Request unit; 30: Processing circuit; 31: Processor; 32: Memory; 33: Dedicated hardware. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The following is a detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Repetitive descriptions have been simplified or omitted as appropriate. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts.

[0017] Implementation Method 1

[0018] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of an information providing system 1 in Embodiment 1. The information providing system 1 includes an elevator unit 2, a location management device 3, and a receiving device 4. The elevator unit 2 includes a car 5, a control device 6, and an earthquake sensor 7.

[0019] The elevator car 5 stops at multiple floors within the building. Users can use the elevator car 5 to move to their desired floor. When a preset acceleration is detected, the earthquake sensor 7 outputs a detection signal. The detection signal from the earthquake sensor 7 is input to the control device 6. The control device 6 controls the operation of the elevator car 5. The control device 6 includes, for example, an operation control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a decision unit 13.

[0020] The operation control unit 11 controls various operations, including automatic operation, earthquake control operation, and diagnostic operation. Automatic operation involves the car 5 responding sequentially to registered calls. Earthquake control operation stops the car 5 at a refuge floor during an earthquake to allow passengers to evacuate. The refuge floor is preset. Preferably, the refuge floor is the nearest floor. Earthquake control operation is performed immediately after an earthquake. Diagnostic operation is an automatic diagnostic operation performed after an earthquake to return the car 5 to the automatic operation state. During diagnostic operation, the presence or absence of abnormalities is determined. Diagnostic operation is performed under certain conditions after earthquake control operation.

[0021] The communication unit 12 manages the communication functions of the control device 6. The control device 6 communicates with the position management device 3 via the communication unit 12. The determination unit 13 determines the presence or absence of abnormalities during diagnostic operation.

[0022] Preferably, the location management device 3 is capable of bidirectional communication with the control device 6. As an example, the location management device 3 is installed in a building equipped with an elevator device 2. The location management device 3 can also be installed at a location outside the building. The location management device 3 can be implemented by a single server device or by multiple server devices. The location management device 3 can also be implemented by a cloud server. The location management device 3, for example, includes a storage unit 20, a location detection unit 21, a determination unit 22, a decision unit 23, and a notification control unit 24.

[0023] This information provides information about a user of System 1 holding terminal 8. Terminal 8 can be any type of device. As an example, terminal 8 is a smartphone. Terminal 8 has a display 9. Display 9 is an example of a transmitter. Terminal 8 may also have transmitters other than display 9. For example, terminal 8 has a built-in UWB (Ultra-Wide Band) tag. This tag stores identification information for identifying terminal 8, that is, identification information for identifying the user holding terminal 8.

[0024] The receiving device 4 wirelessly receives information transmitted by the terminal 8. This information includes identification information. For example, the receiving device 4 is a UWB reader. Preferably, the receiving device 4 is configured to receive information transmitted by the terminal 8 regardless of where the terminal 8 is located in the building where the elevator device 2 is installed. Alternatively, it is also possible that the receiving device 4 cannot receive information transmitted by the terminal 8 if the terminal 8 is located in a part of the building. In this case, preferably, the receiving device 4 can also receive information transmitted by the terminal 8 if the terminal 8 is located at a floor where the elevator car 5 can stop. The information received by the receiving device 4 is sent to the location management device 3.

[0025] The location detection unit 21 of the location management device 3 detects the location of the terminal 8, i.e., the user's location, based on the information received by the receiving device 4. For example, the storage unit 20 stores, in association, identification information of the terminal 8 and attribute information representing the user's attributes for each user. In the case where the user is using a wheelchair, the wheelchair user's intention is stored as attribute information in the storage unit 20. The location detection unit 21 can detect the location of the terminal 8 held by the wheelchair user based on the information stored in the storage unit 20. In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish the terminal 8 held by the wheelchair user from the terminal 8 held by other users, it will be referred to as "terminal 8W".

[0026] The following also refers to Figures 2-4 The functions of information provision system 1 are described in detail. Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of control device 6. Figure 2 This demonstrates an example of how the earthquake sensor 7 can detect building acceleration in three stages.

[0027] In the control device 6, the operation control unit 11 operates automatically (S101). During the automatic operation, the control device 6 determines whether an earthquake has occurred (S102).

[0028] As mentioned above, Figure 2 This example illustrates how an earthquake sensor 7 detects building acceleration in three stages. Upon detecting acceleration of level 1, the earthquake sensor 7 outputs a first detection signal. Upon detecting acceleration of level 2, which is greater than level 1, the earthquake sensor 7 outputs a second detection signal. Upon detecting acceleration of level 3, which is greater than level 2, the earthquake sensor 7 outputs a third detection signal. The acceleration levels 1, 2, and 3 are preset.

[0029] The control device 6 can determine whether an earthquake has occurred using any method. For example, when the first detection signal is input from the earthquake sensor 7, the control device 6 determines that an earthquake has occurred. That is, it determines "yes" in S102. When it determines "yes" in S102, the operation control unit 11 performs earthquake control operation (S103). During earthquake control operation, the car 5 stops at, for example, the nearest floor. When the car 5 stops at the nearest floor, the door opens. Alternatively, if the determination in S102 is "yes" when the unoccupied car 5 stops at a floor, earthquake control operation may not be performed.

[0030] After earthquake control operations are initiated, the control device 6 determines the detection signal input from the earthquake sensor 7. First, it determines whether a third detection signal has been input (S104). If a third detection signal has been input, it is determined as "yes" in S104. If no third detection signal has been input, it is determined as "no" in S104. When it is determined as "no" in S104, it determines whether a second detection signal has been input (S105). If a second detection signal has been input, it is determined as "yes" in S105. If no second detection signal has been input, it is determined as "no" in S105. When it is determined as "no" in S105, it determines whether a first detection signal has been input (S106). In S106, it is generally determined as "yes".

[0031] When the condition is determined to be "yes" in S104, the car 5 stops and does not return to automatic operation (S107). If the condition is determined to be "yes" in S104, the elevator maintenance personnel need to perform an inspection to return the car 5 to automatic operation. If no abnormalities are found during the inspection, the maintenance personnel manually return the car 5 to automatic operation.

[0032] When the determination in S105 is "yes", the operation control unit 11 performs a diagnostic operation (S108). Various data are acquired during the diagnostic operation. The determination unit 13 determines the presence or absence of an abnormality based on the acquired data (S109). If an abnormality is found in the data acquired during the diagnostic operation, it is determined to be "yes" in S109. When the determination in S109 is "yes", the car 5 stops and does not return to automatic operation (S107).

[0033] If the diagnostic operation ends without detecting any abnormality, the result is "No" in S109. When the result is "No" in S109, the operation control unit 11 restarts automatic operation (S110). In addition, after the automatic operation restarts in S110, maintenance personnel can also perform a verification operation.

[0034] When the condition is "yes" in S106, it is determined whether a certain amount of time has elapsed (S111). For example, if a certain amount of time has elapsed since the end of the earthquake control operation, it is determined to be "yes" in S111. When the condition is "yes" in S111, the operation control unit 11 restarts automatic operation (S112).

[0035] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating another example of the operation of control device 6. Figure 3 The processing shown in S201 and Figure 2 The process shown in S102 is the same. When it is determined to be "yes" in S201, the communication unit 12 sends operation information (first information) indicating the operation status of the car 5 to the position management device 3 (S202).

[0036] Once earthquake control operation begins in S103, the operation status can include earthquake control operation in progress, car 5 moving towards the nearest floor during earthquake control operation, or car 5 currently stopped at the nearest floor during earthquake control operation. If S104 determines "yes," the operation status can also include car 5 being at rest, i.e., not restarting automatic operation. If S105 determines "yes," the operation status can also include diagnostic operation in progress, restarting automatic operation if no abnormality is detected during diagnostic operation, not restarting automatic operation because an abnormality is detected during diagnostic operation, or ending diagnostic operation if no abnormality is detected. If S106 determines "yes," the operation status can also include restarting automatic operation without performing diagnostic operation. Examples of operation statuses are not limited to these.

[0037] Figure 3 This illustrates a preferred example where operational information is sent to the location management device 3 after an earthquake has occurred. As another example, operational information can also be sent to the location management device 3 while automatic operation is in progress.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the location management device 3.

[0039] The position management device 3 determines whether it has received operation information from the control device 6 of the elevator device 2 (S301). When the position management device 3 receives the operation information sent by the communication unit 12 in S202, it determines "yes" in S301.

[0040] When the determination is "yes" in S301, the determination unit 22 determines whether the wheelchair user has descended from the elevator car 5 to the refuge floor through earthquake control operation (S302). When the determination unit 22 determines that the wheelchair user has descended from the elevator car 5 to the refuge floor through earthquake control operation, it determines "yes" in S302. The determination unit 22 makes the determination in S302 based on the operation information received from the control device 6 and the position of the terminal 8W detected by the position detection unit 21. For example, when the control device 6 receives operation information that the elevator car 5 has stopped at the nearest floor during earthquake control operation, and the position detection unit 21 detects that the terminal 8W has moved from the elevator car 5 to the landing of that nearest floor, the determination unit 22 determines "yes" in S302.

[0041] When the determination is "yes" in S302, the decision unit 23 decides on the information to be provided to the wheelchair user (S303). Hereinafter, this information will also be referred to as the information provided. In S303, the decision unit 23 decides on the information to be provided based on the operation information received from the control device 6.

[0042] For example, if the operation information includes information indicating that it is determined to be "yes" in S104, the decision unit 23 may also include in the information provided that the elevator cannot be used because the car 5 is stopped.

[0043] If the operation information includes information indicating that diagnostic operation has started, the decision unit 23 may also include in the provided information that diagnostic operation is about to start. If the operation information includes information indicating that diagnostic operation has started, the decision unit 23 may also include in the provided information that diagnostic operation is currently in progress and that the elevator can be used if no abnormality is detected during the diagnostic operation.

[0044] If the operation information includes information indicating that an abnormality was detected during diagnostic operation, the decision unit 23 may also include in the information provided that the elevator cannot be used due to the detected abnormality. If the operation information includes information indicating that the diagnostic operation has ended without detecting an abnormality, the decision unit 23 may also include in the information provided that the elevator will soon be usable because it has been confirmed to be functioning normally.

[0045] If the operation information includes information indicating that the decision in S106 is "yes", the decision unit 23 may also include information indicating that the elevator can be used in a few minutes. Preferably, the decision unit 23 determines information useful for determining the subsequent actions of wheelchair users who are forcibly disembarked from the car 5 through earthquake control operation as the provided information.

[0046] The notification control unit 24 processes the information provided by the decision unit 23 in S303 to notify the wheelchair user who has been moved to the refuge floor through earthquake control procedures to the terminal 8W (S304). For example, the notification control unit 24 sends the information determined by the decision unit 23 to the terminal 8W. The information is then displayed on the display 9 of the terminal 8W. The wheelchair user can then determine their future actions by looking at the information displayed on the display 9 of the terminal 8W.

[0047] For example, if display 9 shows "Elevator will be available soon," the wheelchair user can safely wait on their current floor. Furthermore, if display 9 shows "Elevator available if no abnormalities are detected during diagnostic operation," the wheelchair user can wait where they are or seek assistance from others if needed. If display 9 shows "Elevator unavailable due to detected abnormality," the wheelchair user can seek assistance from others or contact someone they know.

[0048] In the example shown in this embodiment, useful information can be provided to the wheelchair user in the event of an earthquake and after the user has disembarked from the car 5. Specifically, in the example shown in this embodiment, information corresponding to the operating status of the car 5 can be displayed on the display 9 of the terminal 8W.

[0049] The following describes other functions that this information providing system 1 can employ. If possible, the information providing system 1 may also combine multiple functions described below.

[0050] In S303, the decision unit 23 can also determine the information to be provided to the wheelchair user based on the operation information received from the control device 6 and the position of the terminal 8W detected by the position detection unit 21. In this example, information corresponding to the operation status of the car 5 and the current position of the wheelchair user can be displayed on the display 9 of the terminal 8W and transmitted to the user.

[0051] For example, if the operation information includes a diagnosis indicating that the operation has ended without any abnormalities being detected, and the wheelchair user is near a floor, the decision unit 23 may also include information indicating that the elevator will soon be available. On the other hand, if the wheelchair user leaves a floor, in addition to the above, the decision unit 23 may also include a guide map to the elevator floor in the provided information.

[0052] As another function, the information provided by the decision unit 23 in S303 may also include the anticipated time until the car 5 returns to automatic operation. In this example, the wheelchair user can grasp the approximate time until automatic operation restarts, thus making it easier to determine future actions.

[0053] As another function, the location management device 3 may also include a request unit 25. When the car 5 returns to automatic operation, the request unit 25 sends a first call request to the control device 6 to call the car 5 to the floor where the wheelchair user is located, i.e., the refuge floor under earthquake control operation. Based on the operation information received from the control device 6, it can determine whether the automatic operation, which was temporarily stopped due to the determination of "yes" in S102, can be restarted.

[0054] Upon receiving the first elevator call request, the control unit 6, during the restart of automatic operation, performs control corresponding to the first elevator call request. That is, the operation control unit 11 stops the elevator car 5 at a floor designated as a refuge floor and opens the door. Thus, the wheelchair user can use the elevator car 5 to move to their destination floor. In this example, the wheelchair user's elevator call to the destination floor can also be automatically registered. The wheelchair user's destination floor can be determined based on the elevator calls registered prior to earthquake control operation.

[0055] In this embodiment, an example of control device 6 controlling one car 5 is described. As another example, control device 6 may also have group management functionality. That is, control device 6 can also control multiple cars 5. As an example, consider the simplest example where control device 6 controls the operation of car 5A and car 5B. In this case, regarding car 5A and car 5B respectively... Figures 2-4 The action flow is shown.

[0056] Furthermore, if a wheelchair user has already descended from car 5A to the refuge floor via earthquake-controlled operation, in S303, the decision unit 23 can also determine the information to provide to the wheelchair user based on the operation information of car 5A and car 5B received from the control device 6. For example, if car 5B can stop at the refuge floor and returns to automatic operation earlier than car 5A, the information provided to the wheelchair user can also include guidance to board car 5B. In this case, the request unit 25 can also send a second call request to the control device 6 to call car 5B to the refuge floor. Thus, the wheelchair user can board car 5B to move to the destination floor. Additionally, even if car 5B does not have wheelchair user equipment, the operation control unit 11 can control car 5B for wheelchair users by responding to the second call request. Wheelchair user control can include extending the door opening time or slowing down the door opening and closing speed.

[0057] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates an example of the hardware resources of the location management device 3. As hardware resources, the location management device 3 has a processing circuit 30 that includes a processor 31 and a memory 32. The processing circuit 30 may also include multiple processors 31. The processing circuit 30 may also include multiple memories 32.

[0058] In this embodiment, the parts indicated by reference numerals 20 to 25 represent the functions of the location management device 3. The functions of the storage unit 20 are implemented by the memory 32. The functions of the parts indicated by reference numerals 21 to 25 can be implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware described as programs. This program is stored in the memory 32. The location management device 3 implements the functions of the parts indicated by reference numerals 21 to 25 by the processor 31 (computer) executing the program stored in the memory 32.

[0059] The processor 31 is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 32 can also be a semiconductor memory.

[0060] Figure 6 This is another example of the hardware resources of the location management device 3. Figure 6 In the example shown, the location management device 3 has a processing circuit 30 that includes a processor 31, a memory 32, and dedicated hardware 33. Figure 6 An example is shown where a portion of the functions of the location management device 3 are implemented using dedicated hardware 33. All the functions of the location management device 3 can also be implemented using dedicated hardware 33.

[0061] Hardware resources of control device 6 and Figure 5 or Figure 6 The example shown is the same. As a hardware resource, the control device 6 has a processing circuit including a processor and memory. This processing circuit may also include multiple processors. This processing circuit may also include multiple memories. The control device 6 implements the functions of the parts shown in reference numerals 11-13 by having the processor (computer) execute programs stored in the memory. As a hardware resource, the control device 6 may also have a processing circuit including a processor, memory, and dedicated hardware. Some or all of the functions of the control device 6 may also be implemented using dedicated hardware.

[0062] The following are examples, as appendices, of the ways in which this disclosure may contain information.

[0063] [Postscript 1]

[0064] An information providing system, the information providing system having:

[0065] The elevator control device; and

[0066] A location management device that can communicate with the control device.

[0067] The control device has:

[0068] The operation control unit controls the automatic operation of the first car in response to an elevator call, the earthquake control operation that stops the first car at a refuge floor during an earthquake, and the diagnostic operation performed under certain conditions after the earthquake control operation; and...

[0069] The communications unit, after an earthquake, sends first information indicating the operational status of the first car to the location management device.

[0070] The location management device has:

[0071] The location detection unit detects the position of the terminal held by the wheelchair user;

[0072] The determination unit, based on the first information from the control device and the position of the terminal detected by the position detection unit, determines whether the wheelchair user has descended from the first car to the refuge floor through earthquake-controlled operation;

[0073] The decision unit, when the determination unit determines that the wheelchair user has descended to the refuge level, determines the information to be provided to the wheelchair user based on the first information from the control device; and

[0074] The notification control unit causes the terminal to report the information determined by the decision unit.

[0075] [Postscript 2]

[0076] According to the information provision system described in Appendix 1, wherein,

[0077] When the determination unit determines that the wheelchair user has descended to the refuge floor, the decision unit determines the information to be provided to the wheelchair user based on the first information from the control device and the position of the terminal detected by the position detection unit.

[0078] [Postscript 3]

[0079] According to the information provision system described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein,

[0080] The information provided to the wheelchair user includes the anticipated time until the first car returns to automatic operation.

[0081] [Postscript 4]

[0082] The information provision system according to any one of notes 1 to 3, wherein...

[0083] The location management device also includes a request unit that, when the first car returns to automatic operation, sends a first call request to the control device to call the first car to the refuge floor.

[0084] [Postscript 5]

[0085] The information provision system according to any one of notes 1 to 4, wherein,

[0086] The control device controls the operation of the second car, which is able to dock at the refuge floor.

[0087] If the second car returns to automatic operation earlier than the first car, the information provided to the wheelchair user includes guidance to board the second car.

[0088] [Postscript 6]

[0089] According to the information provision system described in Appendix 5, wherein...

[0090] The location management device also includes a request unit that, in the event that the second car returns to automatic operation earlier than the first car, sends a second call request to the control device to call the second car to the refuge floor.

[0091] [Postscript 7]

[0092] The information provision system according to any one of notes 1 to 6, wherein,

[0093] As for the operating status of the first car, the first information includes restarting automatic operation without performing diagnostic operation, restarting automatic operation if no abnormality is detected during diagnostic operation, and not restarting automatic operation because an abnormality is detected during diagnostic operation.

Claims

1. An information providing system, the information providing system having: The elevator control device; and A location management device that can communicate with the control device. The control device has: The operation control unit controls the automatic operation of the first car in response to the call, the earthquake control operation that stops the first car at the refuge floor during an earthquake, and the diagnostic operation performed under certain conditions after the earthquake control operation. as well as The communications unit, after an earthquake, sends first information indicating the operational status of the first car to the location management device. The location management device has: The location detection unit detects the position of the terminal held by the wheelchair user; The determination unit, based on the first information from the control device and the position of the terminal detected by the position detection unit, determines whether the wheelchair user has descended from the first car to the refuge floor through earthquake-controlled operation; The decision unit, when the determination unit determines that the wheelchair user has descended to the refuge floor, determines the information to be provided to the wheelchair user based on the first information from the control device; as well as The notification control unit causes the terminal to report the information determined by the decision unit.

2. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein, When the determination unit determines that the wheelchair user has descended to the refuge floor, the decision unit determines the information to be provided to the wheelchair user based on the first information from the control device and the position of the terminal detected by the position detection unit.

3. The information providing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The information provided to the wheelchair user includes the anticipated time until the first car returns to automatic operation.

4. The information providing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The location management device also includes a request unit that, when the first car returns to automatic operation, sends a first call request to the control device to call the first car to the refuge floor.

5. The information providing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The control device controls the operation of the second car, which is able to dock at the refuge floor. If the second car returns to automatic operation earlier than the first car, the information provided to the wheelchair user includes guidance to board the second car.

6. The information providing system according to claim 5, wherein, The location management device also includes a request unit that, in the event that the second car returns to automatic operation earlier than the first car, sends a second call request to the control device to call the second car to the refuge floor.

7. The information providing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, As for the operating status of the first car, the first information includes restarting automatic operation without performing diagnostic operation, restarting automatic operation if no abnormality is detected during diagnostic operation, and not restarting automatic operation because an abnormality is detected during diagnostic operation.

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