Notification transmission system and control method thereof

Abstract

Notification transmission system and control method thereof. A control device (220) is a device that controls an elevator (1) provided in a building (2) and generates a notification related to an earthquake in the event of an earthquake. A communication device (210) establishes a communication connection with a server system (monitoring system) (300) and transmits the notification generated by the control device (220). When the communication device (210) receives an urgent earthquake report, the control device (220) determines whether an earthquake intensity at a location of the building (2) inferred from the urgent earthquake report is equal to or greater than a threshold value. When the earthquake intensity is determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold value, the communication device (210) establishes the communication connection before transmitting the notification.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a notification sending system and its control methods. Background Technology

[0002] A monitoring system (data center) that monitors multiple elevators located at a remote location is configured to receive notifications from the elevators, including reports of anomalies / malfunctions. In the event of an earthquake, earthquake-related notifications are centrally transmitted from numerous elevators located in the earthquake-affected area.

[0003] In this scenario, the monitoring system's lines are congested, communication fails, and multiple attempts to reconnect from the elevator side are made to issue a notification. It is assumed that elevators in areas with high earthquake intensity will also experience time delays before receiving notifications when the receiving lines are congested. This could potentially delay the elevator maintenance company's earthquake response. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure was made to address the aforementioned issues, and its purpose is to provide a technology that can receive notifications from elevators assumed to be experiencing high earthquake intensity or severe damage as quickly as possible during an earthquake, enabling early earthquake response.

[0005] The notification transmission system disclosed herein includes a control device and a communication device. The control device controls elevators installed in a building and generates earthquake-related notifications in the event of an earthquake. The communication device establishes a communication connection with a monitoring system and sends the notifications generated by the control device. The monitoring system is configured to communicate with the communication devices corresponding to multiple elevators located at remote locations. The communication device is configured to receive emergency earthquake alerts from the monitoring system. When the communication device receives an emergency earthquake alert, the control device determines whether the earthquake intensity at the building's location, derived from the emergency earthquake alert, is above a threshold. If the earthquake intensity is determined to be above the threshold, the communication device establishes a communication connection before issuing the notification.

[0006] The control method of the present invention is a control method for a notification transmission system. The notification transmission system includes a control device and a communication device. The control device controls elevators installed in a building and generates earthquake-related notifications in the event of an earthquake. The communication device establishes a communication connection with a monitoring system and transmits the notifications generated by the control device. The monitoring system is configured to communicate with communication devices corresponding to multiple elevators installed at remote locations. The communication device is configured to receive emergency earthquake alerts from the monitoring system.

[0007] The control method includes the following steps: when the communication device receives an emergency earthquake early warning, the control device determines whether the earthquake intensity of the building location derived from the emergency earthquake early warning is above a threshold; and when it is determined that the earthquake intensity is above the threshold, the communication device establishes a communication connection before issuing a notification.

[0008] The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of this disclosure become clear from the following detailed description, which is understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of a notification transmission system.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a graph used to illustrate the relationship between earthquake intensity and the number of retries.

[0011] Figure 3 It is a diagram used to illustrate communication priorities.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the processing performed by the notification sending system. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals will be used to denote the same components. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions will not be repeated.

[0014] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates an example of the hardware structure of the notification transmission system 100. The notification transmission system 100 includes communication devices 210 installed in buildings 2, 2a, 2b, etc., control devices 220 included in elevator 1, and elevator devices 260.

[0015] In this embodiment, two elevators 1 and 1a are installed in building 2. Elevator 1a also has the same functions as elevator 1, and also includes a control device 220 and an elevator device 260.

[0016] Thus, the notification system 100 can be composed of multiple elevators 1 and 1a and multiple communication devices 210, or it can be composed of a single elevator 1 and a communication device 210. The communication device 210 is provided for each elevator 1. The following explanation illustrates the case where one elevator 1 is installed in the building 2.

[0017] The server system (also known as the "monitoring system") 300 is configured to communicate with communication devices 210 (notification sending system 100) corresponding to multiple elevators 1 located at remote locations. Hereinafter, elevators 1 and 1a are sometimes collectively referred to as elevator 1. The server system 300 includes a REP 310, a REP control server 320, a control server 340, an emergency earthquake rapid reporting receiving server 350, and an emergency earthquake rapid reporting publishing server 360.

[0018] The emergency earthquake early warning receiving server 350 can connect to the meteorological information server 500 to receive emergency earthquake early warnings. The emergency earthquake early warning dissemination server 360 can communicate with the communication devices 210 of multiple elevators 1 located at a distance. The received emergency earthquake early warnings are disseminated to the communication devices 210 of each building via the emergency earthquake early warning dissemination server 360.

[0019] REP310 can communicate with communication devices 210 of multiple elevators 1 located at a distance. This is just one example; multiple REP310s can be configured. REP310 communicates with REP control server 320. Control server 340 communicates with REP control server 320, emergency earthquake rapid reporting server 360, and emergency earthquake rapid reporting receiving server 350.

[0020] Server system 300 is located in the information center 3 (data center) of the maintenance company that performs elevator maintenance. The server system 300, managed by this maintenance company, manages (monitors / controls) multiple elevators 1 located in multiple buildings (buildings 2, 2a, 2b, etc.). Server system 300 is configured to communicate with these multiple elevators 1 via communication device 210. In the event of an earthquake, server system 300 monitors the earthquake occurrence status in each elevator 1 and manages earthquake recovery response measures in each elevator 1.

[0021] If an earthquake actually occurs after an emergency earthquake warning and the earthquake detector (not shown) installed in elevator 1 detects a certain degree of shaking, the elevator car, while in motion, is controlled to move to the nearest floor (operation of controlled operation during an earthquake). When the car reaches the nearest floor, the door opens, allowing the user to disembark. Then, under certain conditions, elevator 1 (the car) can be used again.

[0022] On the other hand, in the event of a large earthquake, or if elevator 1 experiences an anomaly or power outage during an earthquake, the car may sometimes stop between floors. In this situation, users may be trapped inside the car and unable to disembark. If the elevator cannot stop at the nearest floor, elevator maintenance personnel will arrive at the building to move the car to the nearest floor and rescue the users.

[0023] As described above, during earthquake control operations, in the event of entrapment or other abnormalities accompanying the earthquake, the communication device 210 on elevator 1 side notifies (reports) the server system 300 of this information. This notification is received by REP 310 and transmitted to the control server 340 via REP control server 320.

[0024] Control device 220 controls elevator 1 (elevator unit 260) installed in building 2. Elevator unit 260 includes a traction machine, a car, car assembly, and landing assembly (none shown). The traction machine is a motor that drives the elevator car to move up and down. The car assembly includes various devices installed in the car, including destination floor buttons (car call buttons) (not shown). Landing assembly is installed at each floor's landing. Landing assembly includes various devices installed at each floor's landing, including landing call buttons (not shown) for registering landing calls.

[0025] In this embodiment, the case where one elevator 1 is installed in building 2 will be described. However, in the case where two elevators 1 and 1a are installed, the landing device is connected to the control device 220 of elevator 1. Furthermore, the control devices 220 of elevator 1 and 1a are configured to be communicatively connected (capable of sending and receiving mutually maintaining signals). When a landing call is registered at each floor via the landing call button, the control device 220 of elevator 1 assigns a landing call to any car of elevator 1 or 1a. The car assigned the landing call responds to the landing call.

[0026] The control device 220 includes a processor 221, a memory 222, and a communication interface (not shown). They are connected to each other via a bus in a manner that enables them to communicate with each other.

[0027] The processor 221 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 222 may also be configured to include ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage unit. The storage unit is a non-volatile storage device. The storage unit may also be, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.

[0028] The processor 221 reads the program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it to implement various functions of the control device 220. The ROM stores the program that records the processing order of the control device 220. The RAM becomes the working area of ​​the processor 221 when executing the program, temporarily storing the program, data during program execution, etc.

[0029] The control device 220 controls the elevator device 260 (elevator 1). The control device 220 is configured to communicate with the communication device 210 and send various signals output by the elevator device 260 to the communication device 210.

[0030] Server system 300 monitors elevator 1. REP310 of server system 300 communicates with communication device 210 and can obtain signals output by elevator device 260.

[0031] The REP control server 320, like the control device 220, also has a processor 321, a memory 322, and a communication interface (not shown). The control server 340, like the control device 220, also has a processor 341, a memory 342, and a communication interface (not shown). The emergency earthquake rapid reporting server 360, like the control device 220, also has a processor 361, a memory 362, and a communication interface (not shown). Although not shown, the REP 310, the emergency earthquake rapid reporting receiving server 350, and the meteorological information server 500, like the control device 220, also have processors, memory, and communication interfaces.

[0032] The control server 340 obtains information (signals) sent from multiple elevators 1 (communication devices 210) in buildings 2a, 2b, etc., which are managed by the information center 3 via REP 310, and manages the information obtained.

[0033] The meteorological information server 500 is an external server capable of sending emergency earthquake alerts when an earthquake occurs. Emergency earthquake alerts provide information such as the predicted location of the epicenter, the magnitude of the earthquake, the arrival time of strong shaking in various locations, and the earthquake intensity, providing notifications several seconds to tens of seconds before the shaking begins.

[0034] The emergency earthquake early warning receiving server 350 is configured to receive emergency earthquake early warnings from the meteorological information server 500 in real time. The emergency earthquake early warning dissemination server 360 receives the emergency earthquake early warnings from the meteorological information server 500 via the emergency earthquake early warning receiving server 350. The emergency earthquake early warnings are then sent from the emergency earthquake early warning dissemination server 360 to the communication devices 210 of each elevator 1.

[0035] If an earthquake actually occurs after an emergency earthquake early warning, control device 220 generates an earthquake-related notification. Communication device 210 establishes a communication connection with REP310 of server system 300 and sends the notification generated by control device 220.

[0036] REP310 receives notifications from elevator 1 during an earthquake. REP310 sends the notifications received from elevator 1's communication device 210 to the REP control server 320. The notifications are then sent to the control server 340 via the REP control server 320. These notifications also include notifications for disasters such as fires, and other anomalies, but REP310 can also be configured as a dedicated device to receive only notifications during an earthquake.

[0037] In addition, although not shown, a REP (Relay Provider) for transmitting and receiving information other than the aforementioned notifications is also located in the information center 3. This REP receives routine information from the communication device 210 of elevator 1, and the received routine information is sent to the REP device control server (not shown). Routine information includes, for example, monitoring / control signals of elevator 1 that are periodically transmitted and received between elevator 1 and control server 340. The routine information is sent to control server 340 via the REP device control server.

[0038] In the event of an earthquake, notifications from elevator 1 in the earthquake-stricken area are concentrated in a short period. REP310 is unable to respond to communication connection requests from communication device 210, which is simultaneously and frequently experiencing earthquakes, resulting in a communication error (communication connection failure). In this case, communication device 210 repeatedly requests REP310 to reconnect (hereinafter also referred to as "retry").

[0039] Then, as the number of connection requests from communication device 210 decreases, communication device 210 can eventually connect to REP 310. However, in this case, the reporting of high-importance situations such as being trapped may be delayed, and the response to on-site rescue may be slower. Therefore, in this embodiment, communication connection is prioritized for elevator 1, which is assumed to have a higher level of urgency. This will be explained in detail below.

[0040] The emergency earthquake early warning receiving server 350 is configured to receive emergency earthquake early warnings from the meteorological information server 500 that sends them. The emergency earthquake early warning dissemination server 360 sends emergency earthquake early warnings to each communication device 210 via the emergency earthquake early warning receiving server 350. The communication device 210 is configured to receive emergency earthquake early warnings from the server system 300 (emergency earthquake early warning dissemination server 360).

[0041] When communication device 210 receives an emergency earthquake alert, control device 220 determines whether the earthquake intensity at the location of building 2, derived from the emergency earthquake alert, is above earthquake intensity X3 (threshold). Memory 222 stores the location information of building 2 (latitude, longitude, foundation hardness, etc.). When communication device 210 receives an emergency earthquake alert, control device 220 uses the earthquake magnitude and focal location information contained in the emergency earthquake alert, along with the aforementioned location information, to deduce the earthquake intensity. For example, based on the magnitude of the focal location, the distance from the focal location to building 2, and other information, the earthquake intensity at the location of building 2 is deduced. If the deduced earthquake intensity is determined to be above the threshold, communication device 210 establishes a communication connection before issuing a notification.

[0042] In the event of a major earthquake, the likelihood of being trapped or experiencing other accompanying earthquake anomalies increases. Therefore, in the event of a major earthquake exceeding the threshold (earthquake intensity x3), a communication connection is established and maintained before any notification is sent. This allows for the reliable transmission of important notifications regarding subsequent incidents such as being trapped, directly using the established communication connection.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a graph illustrating the relationship between earthquake intensity and the number of retries. In the event of a communication failure between communication device 210 and REP310, communication device 210 repeatedly retryes with REP310. In this embodiment, to prioritize connecting to elevator 1, which has higher importance, an upper limit is set on the number of retries (= maximum number of reconnections).

[0044] exist Figure 2 Table 91 shows the relationship between earthquake intensity and the maximum number of reconnections (the upper limit of the number of retries). As mentioned above, when the derived earthquake intensity is above the threshold (earthquake intensity x 3), a communication connection is established before notification. In this case, no upper limit is set for the number of reconnections (the number of retries is allowed until a connection is established).

[0045] When the communication connection fails and the seismic intensity is less than seismic intensity X1, the communication device 210 allows attempting (retrying) to reconnect to the server system 300 up to N0 times. When the communication connection fails and the seismic intensity is equal to or higher than seismic intensity X1 and less than seismic intensity X2, the communication device 210 allows retrying to the server system 300 up to N1 times. When the communication connection fails and the seismic intensity is equal to or higher than seismic intensity X2 and less than X3, the communication device 210 allows attempting to reconnect to the server system 300 up to N2 times. Here, X3>X2>X1, and N2>N1>N0.

[0046] As described above, the configuration is such that the higher the seismic intensity and the higher the possibility of an important notification, the larger the upper limit value of the number of retries. Accordingly, the configuration enables communication connection to be performed more preferentially when the possibility of an important notification such as entrapment is high.

[0047] Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining communication priority. In Figure 3 , a table 92 showing the relationship between communication priority and standby time is presented. "Standby time" refers to the time that delays the transmission of a notification. Specifically, when the control device 220 generates a notification, the notification is transmitted to the REP 310 after the standby time has elapsed from the generation time of the notification.

[0048] The control device 220 determines the communication priority of the elevator 1 according to the seismic intensity and the content of the notification. The communication device 210 is configured such that when priority Y1 is determined as the communication priority, communication connection can be performed preferentially compared to the case where priority Y2, which is lower than priority Y1, is determined as the communication priority. Further, the communication device 210 is configured such that when priority Y2 is determined as the communication priority, communication connection can be performed preferentially compared to the case where priority Y3, which is lower than priority Y2, is determined as the communication priority.

[0049] Specifically, when the communication priority is priority Y1, the standby time is set to T1 seconds (=0 seconds). When the communication priority is priority Y2, the standby time is set to T2 seconds. When the communication priority is priority Y3, the standby time is set to T3 seconds. Here, the level of communication priority satisfies the relationship Y1>Y2>Y3. Further, T1<T2<T3. That is, the configuration is such that the higher the communication priority, the shorter the standby time (communication connection can be performed preferentially). At priority Y1, which has the highest communication priority, communication connection is performed without standby time.

[0050] For example, the communication priority can be set to priority Y1 when the earthquake intensity is X2 or higher, to priority Y2 when the earthquake intensity is X1 or higher but less than X2, and to priority Y3 when the earthquake intensity is less than X1. However, in cases where high-urgency / importance anomalies such as being trapped are detected, the communication priority can be set to priority Y1 regardless of the earthquake intensity. In this way, the communication priority of elevator 1 is determined based on the earthquake intensity and the content of the notification. Furthermore, if building 2 is an important building such as a hospital, the communication priority can be uniformly set to priority Y1.

[0051] On the other hand, if multiple elevators 1 are installed in building 2, and the communication priority of one elevator 1 is set to priority Y1, the communication priority of the other elevators 1 is also set to priority Y1. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, elevators 1 and 1a are installed in building 2. In this case, when the communication priority of elevator 1 is determined to be priority Y1, the control device 220 of elevator 1a will also determine the communication priority of elevator 1a to priority Y1.

[0052] Within Building 2, due to similar earthquake intensity and elevator configurations, the likelihood of similar incidents (such as being trapped) is high. Therefore, if one elevator in Building 2 has a high priority, the other elevators will also have a high priority.

[0053] Furthermore, if the earthquake intensity derived from the emergency earthquake early warning is less than earthquake intensity X3, an attempt will be made to reconnect with REP310 after the actual earthquake occurs. In this case, when calculating the maximum number of reconnection attempts (refer to...),... Figure 2 ) and when calculating communication priorities (refer to Figure 3 Instead of using the earthquake intensity derived above, the earthquake intensity detected by the earthquake detector (not shown) installed in elevator 1 can be used. This allows for more precise setting of the maximum number of reconnections and standby time.

[0054] The following explanation uses a flowchart. Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the processes performed by the notification transmission system 100. This process includes processes performed by the communication device 210 and the control device 220. These processes can be performed, for example, each time an emergency earthquake early warning is issued. Hereinafter, "step" will also be abbreviated as "S".

[0055] When an earthquake occurs, the emergency earthquake early warning server 360 receives an emergency earthquake early warning from the meteorological information server 500 via the emergency earthquake early warning receiving server 350. At this time, the emergency earthquake early warning server 360 sends the emergency earthquake early warning to the communication device 210. The communication device 210 receives the emergency earthquake early warning in S201.

[0056] In S101, control device 220 derives the seismic intensity at the location of building 2 using the method described above. If the derived seismic intensity is above the threshold X3 (S102: Yes), control device 220 sends a communication connection command to communication device 210 (S103) and initiates processing in S104. On the other hand, if the derived seismic intensity is below the threshold X3 (S102: No), control device 220 directly initiates processing in S104.

[0057] When communication device 210 receives a communication connection command from control device 220 (S202: Yes), it requests a communication connection with REP 310 (S203), causing the process to proceed to S204. This establishes a communication connection between communication device 210 and REP 310. If the communication connection fails, communication device 210 retryes until a connection is established. If a connection is established, it notifies control device 220 of this. Conversely, if communication device 210 does not receive a communication connection command from control device 220 (S202: No), it directly proceeds to S204.

[0058] On the other hand, when a communication connection is established between the communication device 210 and the REP310, the control device 220 performs in-car notification processing (S104). As in-car notification processing, the control device 220 causes the notification unit 261 to notify that a communication connection has been established between the communication device 210 and the REP310.

[0059] Notification unit 261 is a device installed inside the elevator car of elevator 1 to notify passengers inside the car. When the aforementioned communication connection is established, notification unit 261 notifies that the communication connection has been established. For example, it can also display on a display device inside the car that the elevator is connecting to the maintenance company's information center 3. Alternatively, this content can be output via voice broadcast.

[0060] In S105, if the control device 220 detects, as described above, an anomaly in the execution of control operations during an earthquake, the occurrence of entrapment, or other anomalies accompanying the earthquake, it generates a notification to REP310 based on the detection information. These notifications are generated after an emergency earthquake alert has been received and after the actual earthquake has occurred.

[0061] In S106, control device 220 determines the maximum number of reconnection attempts (retry count) based on the earthquake intensity. (If using...) Figure 2 As explained, the higher the earthquake intensity, the greater the maximum number of reconnections. Regarding the aforementioned earthquake intensity, the earthquake intensity derived in S101 can be used, or it can be used if the earthquake intensity is detected by the earthquake detector.

[0062] In step S107, control device 220 determines communication priority based on the earthquake intensity and the content of the notification. (For example, using...) Figure 3 As explained, the communication priority is increased when a notification of a high earthquake intensity or high urgency / importance is generated. Regarding the aforementioned earthquake intensity, the earthquake intensity derived in S101 can be used, or it can be used if the earthquake intensity is detected by an earthquake detector.

[0063] In step S108, control device 220 reflects the communication priority of other elevators 1 within the same building 2 to this elevator. For example, when using... Figure 3 As explained, when there are two elevators 1 and 1a in building 2, when the communication priority of elevator 1a is set to priority Y1, the communication priority of elevator 1 is also set to priority Y1.

[0064] In S109, control device 220 determines the standby time corresponding to the communication priority. For example, using... Figure 3 As explained, when communication priority is high, the standby time is set to be lower.

[0065] In S110, the control device 220 sends to the communication device 210 a notification of the processing decision made in S105 to S109, a notification sending command, a standby time, and a maximum number of reconnection attempts.

[0066] In S111, the control device 220 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the occurrence of the emergency earthquake early warning. If the predetermined time has elapsed (S111: Yes), the control device 220 terminates the processing on its side; if the predetermined time has not elapsed (S111: No), the processing returns to S104.

[0067] Therefore, the processes S104 to S110 are repeated until a predetermined time has elapsed since the occurrence of the emergency earthquake early warning. This predetermined time can be assumed to be the period during which the reports are concentrated since the occurrence of the emergency earthquake early warning. During this period, reports occurring with higher urgency / priority are sent first through the REP310 communication connection.

[0068] On the other hand, in S204, the communication device 210 determines whether there is a notification transmission command from the control device 220 (see S110). If the communication device 210 determines "yes" in the processing of S204, it proceeds to S204A; if the communication device 210 determines "no" in the processing of S204, it proceeds to S208.

[0069] When a standby time is set in S204A, the communication device 210 performs waiting processing for the specified standby time. As a result, the transmission time of low-priority notifications is delayed.

[0070] In step S205, communication device 210 determines whether a communication connection is established with REP 310. If the determination in step S205 is "yes," communication device 210 proceeds to step S206; if the determination in step S205 is "no," it proceeds to step S207. In step S206, communication device 210 sends a notification to REP 310. Furthermore, the configuration is such that if a certain period has elapsed since the establishment of the communication connection, the communication connection is terminated due to timeout.

[0071] In S207, communication device 210 determines whether the maximum number of reconnection attempts has been reached. If the determination in S207 is "yes," communication device 210 terminates its processing; if the determination in S207 is "no," the processing returns to S203. Thus, if the communication connection between communication device 210 and REP310 fails, a communication connection is attempted in S203 until the maximum number of reconnection attempts is reached.

[0072] In step S208, communication device 210 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the occurrence of the emergency earthquake early warning. If the predetermined time has elapsed (S208: Yes), communication device 210 terminates its processing; otherwise, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (S208: No), the processing returns to step S204. This process, from S204 to S207, is repeated until the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0073] Therefore, notifications occurring within the specified time period are sent to the REP310 communication connection first, starting with notifications of higher urgency / priority. Furthermore, notifications after the aforementioned period can be processed in the usual order; however, if an emergency earthquake alert is sent again, the processing outlined in this flowchart will be executed.

[0074] In this embodiment, the processing performed by the notification transmission system 100 is performed by the communication device 210 and the control device 220 as described above. However, it is not limited to this; the control device 220 may perform a part of the processing performed by the communication device 210, the communication device 210 may perform a part of the processing performed by the control device 220, or the entire processing may be performed by a single device.

[0075] In this way, upon receiving an emergency earthquake alert, the elevator 1 side predicts the earthquake intensity. Under the assumption of an earthquake intensity of a certain magnitude or higher, a communication connection is first established with the server system (monitoring system) 300 side, enabling the rapid implementation of the actual notification of elevator 1.

[0076] As described above, the notification sending system 100 includes a control device 220 and a communication device 210. The control device 220 is a device for controlling elevators 1 installed in building 2, and generates earthquake-related notifications in the event of an earthquake. The communication device 210 establishes a communication connection with a server system (monitoring system) 300 and sends the notifications generated by the control device 220. The server system 300 is configured to communicate with the communication devices 210 corresponding to multiple elevators 1 installed at remote locations. The communication device 210 is configured to receive emergency earthquake alerts from the server system 300. When the communication device 210 receives an emergency earthquake alert, the control device 220 determines whether the earthquake intensity at the location of building 2, derived from the emergency earthquake alert, is above a threshold. If the earthquake intensity is determined to be above the threshold, the communication device 210 establishes a communication connection before issuing the notification.

[0077] In the event of an earthquake, notifications from elevator 1 in the earthquake-affected area are concentrated. To handle this concentrated notification volume, it is typically necessary to increase the number of REP310 units installed for receiving notifications. However, this increases the burden of REP310 installation and its costs. On the other hand, if the number of units is insufficient, notifications from elevator 1 may not be received at the appropriate time due to communication errors (communication connection failures), delaying the response to earthquake-related malfunctions.

[0078] In the event of a major earthquake, the likelihood of entrapment and other accompanying earthquake anomalies increases. Therefore, in the event of a major earthquake assumed to be above the threshold (earthquake intensity x3), establishing a communication connection before issuing a formal report and directly using the existing connection ensures reliable transmission of important reports such as those concerning entrapment. This allows for the rapid receipt of reports from elevator 1, which is assumed to have a high earthquake intensity or significant damage, enabling early earthquake response. Furthermore, compared to increasing the number of REP310 units, this approach reduces the burden of REP310 installation and its associated costs.

[0079] A notification unit 261 is installed inside the elevator car of elevator 1 to notify passengers inside the car. The notification unit 261 notifies passengers when a communication connection is established. This provides reassurance to passengers inside the car. For example, even if a malfunction such as being trapped occurs later, passengers will feel reassured that maintenance personnel will be able to rescue them.

[0080] The memory 222 stores the location information of building 2. When the communication device 210 receives an emergency earthquake report, the control device 220 uses the earthquake magnitude, focal location information, and location information contained in the emergency earthquake report to deduce the earthquake intensity. Therefore, it can accurately determine the earthquake intensity at the location of elevator 1 and prioritize reporting from elevator 1 with the highest earthquake intensity.

[0081] In the event of a communication failure and an earthquake intensity of X1, the communication device 210 is allowed to attempt to reconnect to the server system 300 a total of N1 times. In the event of a communication failure and an earthquake intensity of X2, which is greater than X1, the communication device 210 is allowed to attempt to reconnect to the server system 300 a total of N2 times, more than N1 times. Therefore, in situations where communication lines are congested and establishing a connection is difficult, since elevators 1 located in areas with high earthquake intensity are allowed more reconnections, notifications can be prioritized from such elevators 1.

[0082] The control device 220 determines the communication priority of elevator 1 based on the earthquake intensity and the content of the notification. The communication device 210 is configured to prioritize communication connections when priority Y1 is determined as the communication priority, compared to prioritizing communication connections when priority Y2, which is lower than priority Y1, is determined as the communication priority. Therefore, for example, in situations where there is a high probability of important notifications such as elevator 1 being located in a place with high earthquake intensity or being trapped, communication connections can be established with higher priority.

[0083] Elevators 1 and 1a are installed in building 2. When the communication priority of elevator 1 is determined to be priority Y1, the control device 220 of elevator 1a also determines the communication priority of elevator 1a to priority Y1. Within the same building 2, due to the similarity in earthquake intensity and elevator configuration, the probability of similar phenomena (such as being trapped) occurring is high. Therefore, if one elevator in building 2 has a high priority, by also increasing the priority of other elevators, it is possible to receive notifications from elevators that are presumed to have increased damage as quickly as possible.

[0084] [Postscript]

[0085] The above-described implementation methods are specific examples of the following notes.

[0086] (Note 1)

[0087] A notification sending system, the notification sending system having: A control device, which controls elevators installed in a building, generates earthquake-related notifications in the event of an earthquake; and A communication device establishes a communication connection with the monitoring system and sends the notification generated by the control device. The monitoring system is configured to communicate with the communication devices corresponding to the multiple elevators located at a distance. The communication device is configured to receive emergency earthquake reports from the monitoring system. When the communication device receives the emergency earthquake early warning, the control device determines whether the earthquake intensity at the location of the building, derived from the emergency earthquake early warning, is above a threshold. When the earthquake intensity is determined to be above the threshold, the communication device establishes the communication connection before issuing the notification.

[0088] (Note 2)

[0089] According to the notification transmission system described in Appendix 1, wherein, The notification system also includes a notification unit located inside the elevator car to notify passengers inside the car. When the communication connection is established, the notification unit reports that the communication connection has been established.

[0090] (Note 3)

[0091] According to the notification transmission system described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein, The control device also includes a storage unit for storing the location information of the building. When the communication device receives the emergency earthquake report, the control device uses the earthquake's magnitude and focal location information, as well as the location information contained in the emergency earthquake report, to deduce the earthquake intensity.

[0092] (Note 4)

[0093] According to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, the notification transmission system wherein, In the event of a communication connection failure and an earthquake intensity of level 1, the communication device is permitted to attempt to reconnect to the monitoring system a first time. In the event that the communication connection fails and the earthquake intensity is a second earthquake intensity greater than the first earthquake intensity, the communication device is allowed to attempt to reconnect to the monitoring system a second time, more times than the first time.

[0094] (Note 5)

[0095] According to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, the notification transmission system wherein, The control device determines the communication priority of the elevator based on the earthquake intensity and the content of the notification. The communication device is configured such that, when the first priority is determined as the communication priority, the communication connection can be established preferentially compared to when the second priority, which is lower than the first priority, is determined as the communication priority.

[0096] (Note 6)

[0097] According to the notification sending system described in Appendix 5, wherein, Elevator No. 1 and Elevator No. 2 are installed inside the building. When the communication priority of the first elevator is determined to be the first priority, the control device of the second elevator will also determine the communication priority of the second elevator to be the first priority.

[0098] (Note 7)

[0099] A control method for a notification transmission system, wherein, The notification sending system has the following features: A control device, which controls elevators installed in a building, generates earthquake-related notifications in the event of an earthquake; and A communication device establishes a communication connection with the monitoring system and sends the notification generated by the control device. The monitoring system is configured to communicate with the communication devices corresponding to the multiple elevators located at a distance. The communication device is configured to receive emergency earthquake reports from the monitoring system. The control method comprises the following steps: When the communication device receives the emergency earthquake alert, the control device determines whether the earthquake intensity at the location of the building, derived from the emergency earthquake alert, is above a threshold; and When the earthquake intensity is determined to be above the threshold, the communication device establishes the communication connection before issuing the notification.

[0100] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but it should be considered that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects. The scope of the technology shown in this disclosure is defined by the claims and is intended to include all modifications equivalent to and within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A notification sending system, the notification sending system having: A control device, which controls elevators installed in a building, generates earthquake-related notifications in the event of an earthquake; and A communication device establishes a communication connection with the monitoring system and sends the notification generated by the control device. The monitoring system is configured to communicate with the communication devices corresponding to the multiple elevators located at a distance. The communication device is configured to receive emergency earthquake reports from the monitoring system. When the communication device receives the emergency earthquake early warning, the control device determines whether the earthquake intensity at the location of the building, derived from the emergency earthquake early warning, is above a threshold. When the earthquake intensity is determined to be above the threshold, the communication device establishes the communication connection before issuing the notification.

2. The notification sending system according to claim 1, wherein, The notification system also includes a notification unit located inside the elevator car to notify passengers inside the car. When the communication connection is established, the notification unit reports that the communication connection has been established.

3. The notification sending system according to claim 1, wherein, The control device also includes a storage unit for storing the location information of the building. When the communication device receives the emergency earthquake report, the control device uses the earthquake's magnitude and focal location information, as well as the location information contained in the emergency earthquake report, to deduce the earthquake intensity.

4. The notification transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, In the event of a communication connection failure and an earthquake intensity of level 1, the communication device is permitted to attempt to reconnect to the monitoring system a first time. In the event that the communication connection fails and the earthquake intensity is a second earthquake intensity greater than the first earthquake intensity, the communication device is allowed to attempt to reconnect to the monitoring system a second time, more times than the first time.

5. The notification transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The control device determines the communication priority of the elevator based on the earthquake intensity and the content of the notification. The communication device is configured such that, when the first priority is determined as the communication priority, the communication connection can be established preferentially compared to when the second priority, which is lower than the first priority, is determined as the communication priority.

6. The notification sending system according to claim 5, wherein, Elevator No. 1 and Elevator No. 2 are installed inside the building. When the communication priority of the first elevator is determined to be the first priority, the control device of the second elevator will also determine the communication priority of the second elevator to be the first priority.

7. A control method for a notification transmission system, wherein, The notification sending system has the following features: A control device, which controls elevators installed in a building, generates earthquake-related notifications in the event of an earthquake. as well as A communication device establishes a communication connection with the monitoring system and sends the notification generated by the control device. The monitoring system is configured to communicate with the communication devices corresponding to the multiple elevators located at a distance. The communication device is configured to receive emergency earthquake reports from the monitoring system. The control method comprises the following steps: When the communication device receives the emergency earthquake report, the control device determines whether the earthquake intensity of the building's location, derived from the emergency earthquake report, is above a threshold. as well as When the earthquake intensity is determined to be above the threshold, the communication device establishes the communication connection before issuing the notification.

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