Elevator system

Abstract

To provide an elevator system that can grasp a situation of a user by simpler information processing.SOLUTION: An elevator system 1 comprises multiple detectors 14 and an estimation unit 15. Each detector 14 is provided in at least each of multiple floors in a building, a car 7, or a counterweight 8. Each detector 14 can detect radio signals 13 transmitted from a portable device 12 so as to identify the portable device 12. The estimation unit 15 estimates, for each detector 14, congestion information about a location corresponding to each detector 14 on the basis of the number of detected radio signals 13 from the portable device 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to elevator systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an elevator system. In the elevator system, a stereo camera installed in the car captures an image of the area from inside the car to the landing of the floor on which the car has landed, which is visible through the door. An image processing device calculates three-dimensional position information of users getting on and off the car based on the images captured by the stereo camera, and counts the number of users. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-175049 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the elevator system of Patent Document 1, the situation at the hall, such as the number of users at the hall, is grasped by processing images captured by a stereo camera installed inside the car. Therefore, advanced information processing such as image processing is required to grasp the situation of users at the hall.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to solving such problems, and provides an elevator system that can grasp the status of a user through simpler information processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The elevator system according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of detectors, each of which is provided on at least one of a plurality of floors, a car, and a counterweight in a building in which the elevator is provided, and each of which is capable of detecting wireless signals transmitted from a portable device carried by an elevator user in a manner capable of identifying the portable device, and an estimation unit that estimates congestion information for an area corresponding to each of the plurality of detectors based on the number of detections of the wireless signals from the portable device for each of the plurality of detectors. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the elevator system of the present disclosure, the user's situation can be grasped through simpler information processing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the elevator system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of the elevator system according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The embodiments for carrying out the subject of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any component of the embodiment may be modified or omitted within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0011] An elevator system 1 includes one or more elevators 2. In this example, the elevator system 1 includes the multiple elevators 2. Each elevator 2 is applied to a building having multiple floors. A hoistway 3 for the elevator 2 is provided in the building. The hoistway 3 is a long space in the vertical direction that spans the multiple floors. A landing 4 adjacent to the hoistway 3 is provided on each floor of the building. Each elevator 2 includes a hoisting machine 5, a main rope 6, a car 7, a counterweight 8, and a control panel 9.

[0012] The hoisting machine 5 is disposed, for example, at the upper or lower part of the hoistway 3. For example, when a machine room of the elevator 2 is provided above the hoistway 3, the hoisting machine 5 may be disposed in the machine room. The hoisting machine 5 includes a motor and a sheave. The motor of the hoisting machine 5 is a device that generates driving force. The sheave of the hoisting machine 5 is a device that rotates by the driving force generated by the motor of the hoisting machine 5.

[0013] The main ropes 6 are wound around the sheaves of the hoisting machine 5. The main ropes 6 support the load of a car 7 on one side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 5. The main ropes 6 support the load of a counterweight 8 on the other side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 5. The main ropes 6 move such that either side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 5 is wound up by the rotation of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 5.

[0014] The car 7 is a device that transports users of the elevator 2 between multiple floors by traveling up and down the hoistway 3. The car 7 travels up and down the hoistway 3 in conjunction with the movement of the main rope 6 caused by the rotation of the sheave of the hoisting machine 5.

[0015] The counterweight 8 is a device that balances the load acting on both sides of the sheave of the hoisting machine 5 between the car 7 and the counterweight 8. The counterweight 8 travels in the hoistway 3 on the opposite side of the car 7 in the vertical direction in conjunction with the movement of the main rope 6 caused by the rotation of the sheave of the hoisting machine 5.

[0016] The control panel 9 is a device that controls the operation of the elevator 2. The control panel 9 is arranged, for example, at the upper or lower part of the hoistway 3. For example, when a machine room of the elevator 2 is provided above the hoistway 3, the control panel 9 may be arranged in the machine room. The operation of the elevator 2 controlled by the control panel 9 includes the running of the car 7, etc. The running of the car 7 includes the starting, acceleration, constant speed running, deceleration, and stopping of the car 7, etc. For example, the control panel 9 runs the car 7 between a plurality of floors so as to respond to a registered call of a user. At this time, the control panel 9 runs the car 7 to one of the floors in response to the call of the user, stops the car 7, and then restarts the car 7 so as to respond to another call, etc.

[0017] In this example, the elevator system 1 includes a group control device 10. The group control device 10 is a device that manages the operation of the elevators 2 included in the elevator system 1. The group control device 10 includes an allocation unit 11. The allocation unit 11 is a part that has a function of allocating calls to each elevator 2. The allocation unit 11 allocates calls to each elevator 2, for example, so as to improve the operation efficiency of the entire elevator system 1. The allocation unit 11 allocates calls to the elevator 2, for example, depending on the status of users of the elevator 2. Note that the elevator system 1 does not need to include the group control device 10, for example, when the elevator system 1 includes only a single elevator 2.

[0018] In this example, a certain percentage or more of users of the elevator system 1 carry a mobile device 12. The mobile device 12 is a commonly used portable device such as a smartphone, a smart watch, or a wireless earphone. The mobile device 12 is equipped with a wireless communication function having a communication range of, for example, several meters to several tens of meters. The mobile device 12 is equipped with a wireless communication function based on, for example, the IEEE 802.15.1 standard or the IEEE 802.11 standard, or a related standard, lower standard, higher standard, successor standard, compatible standard, or similar standard. When the wireless communication function is enabled, the mobile device 12 transmits a wireless signal 13 that can identify the mobile device 12. The wireless signal 13 includes, for example, identification information of the mobile device 12. The wireless signal 13 is, for example, a radio signal including unique ID information (ID: IDentifier) ​​of the mobile device 12, which is communicated as the first step for establishing two-way communication between devices that perform wireless communication. The wireless signal 13 may be, for example, an advertisement signal. The strength of the wireless signal 13 is attenuated when passing through a wall or floor of the hall 4 or car 7, etc.

[0019] An information collection system that grasps the status of a user is applied to the elevator system 1. The information collection system may be an internal system included in the elevator system 1, or an external system applied to the elevator system 1 from the outside. A part or the whole of the information collection system may be included in the elevator system 1. The information collection system estimates information such as congestion information at the landings 4 and in the cars 7 on each floor as the status of the user, for example.

[0020] The information collection system includes a plurality of detectors. The plurality of detectors include detector 14a, detector 14b, detector 14c1, detector 14c2, detector 14c3, and detector 14c4. Here, when detector 14a, detector 14b, detector 14c1, detector 14c2, detector 14c3, and detector 14c4 are not particularly distinguished from each other, they may be simply referred to as detector 14. Also, when detector 14c1, detector 14c2, detector 14c3, and detector 14c4 are not particularly distinguished from each other, they may be simply referred to as detector 14c. Each detector 14 is provided at a corresponding location in elevator 2. Detector 14a is provided in car 7. Here, detector 14a provided in car 7 may be referred to as car detector. When elevator system 1 includes a plurality of elevators 2, detector 14a may be provided in all cars 7, or may be provided in only some cars 7. The detector 14b is provided on the counterweight 8. Here, the detector 14b provided on the counterweight 8 may be referred to as a counterweight detector. When the elevator system 1 includes a plurality of elevators 2, the detector 14b may be provided on all the counterweights 8, or may be provided on only some of the counterweights 8. The detector 14c1 is provided on the landing 4 on the first floor. The detector 14c2 is provided on the landing 4 on the second floor. The detector 14c3 is provided on the landing 4 on the third floor. The detector 14c4 is provided on the landing 4 on the fourth floor. Here, each of the detectors 14c1, 14c2, 14c3, and 14c4 provided on the landings 4 on each floor of the building may be referred to as a floor detector. Note that the detector 14c may be provided on the landings 4 on all floors in the building, or there may be a floor on which the detector 14c is not provided at the landing 4. The detector 14 is equipped with a wireless communication function so that it can detect a wireless signal 13 emitted from a portable device 12 carried by a user.

[0021] The information collection system includes an estimation unit 15. The estimation unit 15 is mounted on, for example, the group management device 10. In addition, when the elevator 2 includes only a single elevator 2, the estimation unit 15 may be mounted on, for example, the control panel 9 of the elevator 2. In addition, the estimation unit 15 may be mounted on, for example, a server device outside the elevator system 1. The estimation unit 15 is equipped with a function for estimating information on the status of users, such as congestion information. The estimation unit 15 estimates congestion information of the locations corresponding to each detector 14 based on the number of detections of the wireless signal 13 from the mobile device 12. The congestion information may be, for example, the number of users at each location itself, or may be a quantity expressed by a ratio such as the number of users per area, the occupancy rate of each location by users, or the occupancy rate of users in the car 7. The information collection system grasps user information, for example, as follows.

[0022] Each detector 14 detects wireless signals 13 from mobile devices 12, for example, at a certain frequency. The detector 14 that detects a wireless signal 13 outputs detection data including the corresponding location of the detector 14, identification information included in the wireless signal 13, and information on the reception strength of the wireless signal 13 to the estimation unit 15. The detection data output from the detector 14 to the estimation unit 15 may include profile information of the mobile device 12 that the detector 14 reads from the wireless signal 13. The profile information includes information indicating the type of the mobile device 12, such as a smartphone, a smartwatch, or a wireless earphone.

[0023] The estimation unit 15 receives detection data from each detector 14. The estimation unit 15 performs processing for each piece of identification information received from the detector 14. For example, when receiving detection data of the identification information "AAA" from the detector 14c3, receiving detection data of the identification information "AAA", "BBB", and "CCC" from the detector 14c2, and receiving detection data of the identification information "BBB" from the detector 14a, the estimation unit 15 performs processing for the identification information "AAA", "BBB", and "CCC" in order.

[0024] The estimation unit 15 narrows down the location of the portable device 12 identified by the identification information for each piece of identification information. The estimation unit 15 determines the location of each portable device 12 based on the narrowed down result. The estimation unit 15 counts the number of detections of the portable device 12 for each location where the detector 14 is provided. Here, when the detector 14b detects the wireless signal 13 from the portable device 12, the estimation unit 15 may count the number of detections of the portable device 12 by assuming that the portable device 12 is located at the landing 4 of the floor where the counterweight 8 where the detector 14b is provided is currently located. The estimation unit 15 estimates congestion information for each location based on the counted number of detections of the portable devices 12. For example, the estimation unit 15 may use the counted number of detections of the portable devices 12 as an estimate of the number of people at each location as it is, or may use a coefficient set in advance according to the ratio of users carrying the portable device 12 as an estimate of the number of people at each location by multiplying the number of detections by a coefficient set in advance according to the ratio of users carrying the portable device 12. The congestion information estimated in the information collection system is used, for example, for managing operation in the group control device 10, or for controlling the operation of the elevator 2 in the control device. The information collection system estimates information on the situation of users, such as congestion information, using wireless signals 13 from commonly used mobile devices 12, so it can detect an unspecified number of users. The estimation unit 15 narrows down the locations where the mobile devices 12 are located, for example, as follows.

[0025] The estimation unit 15 narrows down the location of the mobile device 12 based on, for example, the reception strength of the wireless signal 13 at each detector 14. The signal strength of the wireless signal 13 generally attenuates the farther it is from the mobile device 12, which is the source, and further attenuates when a wall or floor is between the detector 14 and the mobile device 12. For this reason, it can be estimated that a detector 14 that detects the wireless signal 13 with a stronger reception strength is closer to the mobile device 12 or is located at a position that is not separated by a wall or floor. For example, consider a case where any of the multiple detectors 14 detects the wireless signal 13 from the same mobile device 12. In this case, each of the multiple detectors 14 that detect the wireless signal 13 is an example of a receiving detector. The multiple detectors 14 that detect the wireless signal 13 may be all of the detectors 14 in the information collection system, or may be a part of the detectors 14. The estimation unit 15 estimates congestion information by assuming that the mobile device 12 identified by the wireless signal 13 is located at a location corresponding to the detector 14 that detected the wireless signal 13 with the strongest reception strength among the multiple detectors 14 that detected the wireless signal 13.

[0026] In addition, when the difference between the reception strength in the detector 14 that detected the wireless signal 13 with the strongest reception strength and the reception strength in the other detectors 14 is greater than a preset threshold, the estimation unit 15 may determine that the mobile device 12 identified by the wireless signal 13 is located at a location corresponding to the detector 14 that detected the wireless signal 13 with the strongest reception strength. The other detector 14 may be, for example, the detector 14 that detected the wireless signal 13 with the second strongest reception strength. In this case, when the difference between the reception strength in the detector 14 that detected the wireless signal 13 with the strongest reception strength and the reception strength in the other detectors 14 is equal to or less than a preset threshold, the estimation unit 15 may narrow down the location of the mobile device 12 by another method.

[0027] Alternatively, the estimation unit 15 may narrow down the location of the mobile device 12 based on, for example, the operation of the elevator system 1. For example, the detector 14a provided in the car 7 may include information such as the position of the car 7 in the detection data and output it to the estimation unit 15. The estimation unit 15 may also obtain information such as the position of the car 7 when the detection data is received from any of the detectors 14 from the control panel 9 of the elevator 2. For example, consider a case where the car 7 of the elevator 2 is stopped on the second floor, and the detector 14a and the detector 14c2 detect the wireless signal 13 from the same mobile device 12. In this case, the second floor of the building is an example of the first floor, and the detector 14c2 is an example of the first floor detector. When the car 7 stopped on the second floor starts moving from the second floor, and the floor detector that detects the wireless signal 13 from the portable device 12 moves from the detector 14c2 to another detector 14 provided on another floor, the estimation unit 15 estimates congestion information by assuming that the portable device 12 identified by the wireless signal 13 is in the car 7 corresponding to the detector 14a. At this time, the other floor is an example of the second floor, and the other detector 14 is an example of the second floor detector. In addition, the estimation unit 15 determines that the floor detector that detects the wireless signal 13 moves from the detector 14c2 to the other detector 14 when, for example, the floor detector detects the wireless signal 13 and the floor detector detects the wireless signal 13, another floor detector such as the detector 14c3 or the detector 14c1 detects the wireless signal 13. Alternatively, the estimation unit 15 may determine that the floor detector detecting the wireless signal 13 moves from detector 14c2 to another detector 14 when the reception strength of the wireless signal 13 in another detector 14, such as detector 14c3 or detector 14c1, becomes stronger than the reception strength of the wireless signal 13 in detector 14c2.

[0028] Alternatively, the estimation unit 15 may narrow down the location of the mobile device 12 based on, for example, the arrangement of the detectors 14. For example, consider a case where three or more floor detectors installed on three or more consecutive floors different from each other among the multiple detectors 14 detect the wireless signal 13 from the same mobile device 12. More specifically, consider a case where the detectors 14c2, 14c3, and 14c4 detect the wireless signal 13 from the same mobile device 12. These detectors 14 are installed on the second floor, the third floor, and the fourth floor, respectively. In this case, since the wireless signal 13 from the mobile device 12 is usually emitted isotropically, it can be estimated that the mobile device 12 is likely to be located near the third floor in the center. For this reason, the estimation unit 15 estimates the congestion information by excluding the locations corresponding to the detectors 14 installed on the floors at both ends of the upper and lower ends from the locations where the mobile device 12 is assumed to be located. In this example, the estimation unit 15 excludes the landings 4 on the second and fourth floors where the detectors 14c2 and 14c4 are provided from the locations where the portable device 12 is assumed to be located. Even when four or more floor detectors detect wireless signals 13 from the same portable device 12, the estimation unit 15 may exclude the landings 4 on the upper and lower floors from the locations where the portable device 12 is assumed to be located. In this case, the locations where the portable device 12 is located may be narrowed down by other methods for the multiple detectors 14 provided on multiple floors near the center.

[0029] The estimation unit 15 may determine identification information corresponding to the same user based on profile information included in the detection data. For example, a smartphone and a wireless earphone, which are the mobile devices 12, are generally used simultaneously by the same user. At this time, when a pair of mobile devices 12 detected at the same location is determined to be a smartphone and a wireless earphone, the estimation unit 15 determines that these mobile devices 12 are owned by the same user and estimates congestion information. At this time, the estimation unit 15 may estimate congestion information using the detection result of only one of these mobile devices 12, for example, or may estimate congestion information by multiplying the number of detections of these mobile devices 12 by a coefficient corresponding to the probability that the same user owns them and reducing the result to a positive decimal value smaller than 1. This allows the information collection system to further improve the estimation accuracy of congestion information by taking into account the case where the same user owns multiple mobile devices 12. The estimation unit 15 may perform similar processing on other combinations of mobile devices 12 that are generally used simultaneously by the same user.

[0030] Furthermore, a user carrying the portable device 12 may, for example, stay in a location near the platform 4 or pass through the platform 4 without getting into the car 7. In such a case, the estimation unit 15 may determine that the user will not get into the car 7, and exclude the portable device 12 of the user from the targets for estimating congestion information, for example, as follows.

[0031] For example, when a user gets off the car 7, the estimation unit 15 determines that the user will not re-board the car 7, and excludes the mobile device 12 of the user from the target of congestion information estimation. For example, consider a case where the car 7 of the elevator 2 is stopped at any floor, and the detector 14a provided in the car 7 detects the wireless signal 13 from the mobile device 12. In this case, the floor is an example of the third floor, and the detector 14 provided on the floor is an example of the third floor detector. More specifically, for example, consider a case where the car 7 is stopped at the second floor. When the detector 14 detecting the wireless signal 13 from the mobile device 12 moves from the detector 14a to the detector 14c2 as the car 7 stopped at the second floor starts again from the second floor, the estimation unit 15 determines that the user carrying the mobile device 12 has got off the car 7 and will not re-board. In this case, the estimation unit 15 excludes the mobile device 12 from the target of aggregation in the estimation of congestion information until a preset time has elapsed. Furthermore, the estimation unit 15 determines that the detector 14 detecting the wireless signal 13 moves from the detector 14a to the detector 14c2 when, for example, the detector 14a detects the wireless signal 13 and the detector 14c2 detects the wireless signal 13. Alternatively, the estimation unit 15 may determine that the detector 14 detecting the wireless signal 13 moves from the detector 14a to the other detector 14c2 when the reception strength of the wireless signal 13 in the detector 14c2 becomes stronger than the reception strength of the wireless signal 13 in the detector 14a.

[0032] Alternatively, for example, when a user does not board a car 7 that is available for boarding, the estimation unit 15 may determine that the user has no intention of boarding the car 7, and may exclude the mobile device 12 of the user from the target of congestion information estimation. For example, consider a case where the car 7 stops at either the top floor or the bottom floor due to a call when the boarding rate is lower than a preset threshold, and the detector 14 provided at the landing 4 of the floor detects the wireless signal 13 from the mobile device 12. In this case, the floor is an example of the fourth floor, and the detector 14 provided at the floor is an example of the fourth floor detector. More specifically, for example, consider a case where the car 7 stops at the first floor. The boarding rate of the car 7 may be measured, for example, by a weighing device provided in the car 7, or may be obtained by other methods. In addition, the call may be any of a landing call, a car call, and other calls. When the car 7 stopped at the first floor restarts from the first floor and the detector 14 detecting the wireless signal 13 from the mobile device 12 does not move from the detector 14c1 to the detector 14a, the estimation unit 15 determines that the user will not get into the car 7. At this time, the estimation unit 15 estimates the congestion information excluding the mobile device 12 until a preset time has elapsed.

[0033] The estimation unit 15 may perform the same process on intermediate floors other than the top floor or the bottom floor. For example, consider a case where the car 7 stops at any intermediate floor due to both calls for upper floors and calls for lower floors when the occupancy rate is lower than a preset threshold, and the detector 14 installed at the landing 4 of the intermediate floor detects the wireless signal 13 from the mobile device 12. In this case, the intermediate floor is an example of the fifth floor, and the detector 14 installed at the intermediate floor is an example of the fifth floor detector. More specifically, consider a case where the car 7 stops at the second floor due to calls for both upper floors and calls for lower floors. In a case where the elevator system 1 has multiple cars 7, for example, when a certain car 7 stops at the second floor for the upper floor and another car 7 stops at the second floor for the lower floor, the estimation unit 15 determines that the car 7 stops at the second floor due to calls for both upper floors and calls for lower floors. Also, for example, when a certain car 7 stops at the second floor in an up or down direction and another car 7 stops at the second floor in the opposite running direction before a preset time has elapsed, the estimation unit 15 may determine that the car 7 stops at the second floor due to calls from both the up and down floors. Alternatively, when a certain car 7 stops at the second floor in an up or down direction and the car 7 stops at the second floor in the opposite running direction before a preset time has elapsed, the estimation unit 15 may determine that the car 7 stops at the second floor due to calls from both the up and down floors. Also, when the detector 14 that detects the wireless signal 13 from the mobile device 12 does not move from the detector 14c2 to the detector 14a when the car 7 that stopped at the second floor restarts from the second floor, the estimation unit 15 determines that the user will not get on the car 7. At this time, the estimation unit 15 estimates the congestion information excluding the mobile device 12 until the preset time has elapsed.

[0034] The information collection system may include only the detector 14a or the detector 14b as the multiple detectors 14. For example, when the information collection system includes only the detector 14a provided in the car 7, the estimation unit 15 estimates the congestion information, for example, as follows. The detector 14a can detect the wireless signal 13 from the portable device 12 on each floor when the car 7 passes through a floor of the building and when the car 7 is stopped at a floor of the building. When the detector 14a continues to detect the wireless signal 13 from the portable device 12 after the car 7 that was stopped at any floor transmits from the floor, the estimation unit 15 estimates the congestion information assuming that a user carrying the portable device 12 is in the car 7. In addition, the estimation unit 15 estimates the congestion information assuming that a user carrying the portable device 12 is in the hall 4 of the floor where the car 7 is stopped or traveling when the detector 14a detects the wireless signal 13 from the portable device 12. When the information collection system includes only the detector 14b provided on the counterweight 8, the estimation unit 15 estimates the congestion information in a similar manner.

[0035] Also, the information collection system may include only the multiple detectors 14c provided on each floor as the multiple detectors 14. That is, the information collection system may not include the detectors 14a and 14b. When the detector 14c provided on any floor continues to detect the wireless signal 13 from the portable device 12 while the car 7 is traveling in the vertical direction, the estimation unit 15 estimates the congestion information assuming that the user carrying the portable device 12 is in the hall 4 of the floor. When the detector 14c detecting the wireless signal 13 from the portable device 12 moves with the travel of the car 7 while the car 7 is traveling in the vertical direction, the estimation unit 15 estimates the congestion information assuming that the user carrying the portable device 12 is in the car 7.

[0036] Next, an example of the operation of the elevator system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the elevator system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an example of the process of the elevator system 1 for grasping the situation of a user by the information collecting system.

[0037] In steps S101 to S114, the estimation unit 15 enters an unconditional loop and repeats the processes in steps S102 to S113.

[0038] In step S102, the estimation unit 15 acquires detection data from each detector 14. The detection data may be output in response to an inquiry from the estimation unit 15 to each detector 14, or may be output from each detector 14 at a preset cycle or the like. Thereafter, the process of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S103.

[0039] In steps S103 to S113, the estimation unit 15 enters a loop the total number of times equal to the total number of pieces of identification information detected by each detector 14, and repeats the processes from steps S104 to S112. The estimation unit 15 performs the processes from steps S104 to S112 for each piece of identification information received from the detector 14.

[0040] In step S104, the estimation unit 15 determines whether only one detector 14 has detected the identification information to be processed in the current loop. If only one detector 14 has detected the identification information, the process of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if multiple detectors 14 have detected the identification information, the process of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S106.

[0041] In step S105, the estimation unit 15 performs a process for estimating congestion information, assuming that the mobile terminal identified by the identification information processed in this loop is in a location corresponding to the detector 14 that detected the identification information. The process for estimating congestion information includes, for example, adding the number of users in the location to a total. After that, the process of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S113.

[0042] In step S106, the estimation unit 15 determines whether the difference between the reception strength in the detector 14 that detected the wireless signal 13 with the strongest reception strength and the reception strength in the other detectors 14 is greater than a preset threshold value for the identification information processed in the current loop. If the difference in reception strength is greater than the threshold value, the processing of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if the difference in reception strength is equal to or less than the threshold value, the processing of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S108.

[0043] In step S107, the estimation unit 15 performs processing for estimating congestion information, assuming that the mobile terminal identified by the identification information processed in this loop is located at the location corresponding to the detector 14 that detected the identification information with the maximum reception strength. After that, the processing of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S113.

[0044] In step S108, the estimation unit 15 determines whether the car detector and the floor detector detect the identification information to be processed in the current loop, and whether the floor detector that detects the wireless signal 13 moves as the car 7 starts moving. If the floor detector that detects the wireless signal 13 moves as the car 7 starts moving, the processing of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S109. On the other hand, if the floor detector that detects the wireless signal 13 does not move as the car 7 starts moving, the processing of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S110.

[0045] In step S109, the estimation unit 15 performs processing for estimating congestion information, assuming that the mobile terminal identified by the identification information processed in this loop is in the car 7 in which the car detector is provided. After that, the processing of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S113.

[0046] In step S110, the estimation unit 15 determines whether there are three or more floor detectors that have detected the identification information to be processed in this loop. If there are three or more floor detectors that have detected the identification information, the processing of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S111. On the other hand, if there are two or less floor detectors that have detected the identification information, the processing of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S112.

[0047] In step S111, the estimation unit 15 excludes the highest floor and the lowest floor among the floors corresponding to the three or more floor detectors that have detected the identification information processed in the current loop from the location where the mobile terminal identified by the identification information is located. After that, the process of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S112.

[0048] In step S112, the estimation unit 15 performs processing for estimating congestion information, assuming that the mobile terminal identified by the identification information processed in this loop is located at a position corresponding to the detector 14 that detected the identification information at the maximum reception strength among the non-excluded ones. After that, the processing of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S113.

[0049] In step S113, the process of the estimation unit 15 in the loop for the current identification information ends. The estimation unit 15 selects one of the unprocessed identification information. After that, the process of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S104 as the process of the next loop. If there is no unprocessed identification information, the process of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S114. In step S114, the process of the estimation unit 15 proceeds to step S102 as the process of the next unconditional loop.

[0050] As described above, the elevator system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of detectors 14 and an estimation unit 15. Each detector 14 is provided on at least one of a plurality of floors in a building, the car 7, and the counterweight 8. Each detector 14 is capable of detecting a wireless signal 13 transmitted from the portable device 12 so as to identify the portable device 12. The estimation unit 15 estimates congestion information of a location corresponding to each detector 14 based on the number of detections of the wireless signal 13 from the portable device 12 for each detector 14.

[0051] With this configuration, the elevator system 1 can grasp the user's situation by simple information processing such as tallying up the number of detections of the wireless signal 13 emitted by the mobile device 12 carried by the user. This makes it possible to suppress the required specifications of the device that processes information in the elevator system 1. In addition, since the detector 14 is sufficient as long as it is capable of wireless communication, it can be installed in a size and arrangement that does not affect the design. In this way, since the elevator system 1 does not require a special device such as a stereo camera, it is possible to suppress costs, power consumption, and installation space, and the deterioration of the design of the elevator system 1 is suppressed. In addition, if a signal for establishing communication according to a communication standard such as an advertising signal is used as the wireless signal 13 from the mobile device 12, the operation of the mobile device 12 is not required, so the convenience of the user is not impaired. In addition, there is no need to install a compatible application in advance on the mobile device 12, which requires development costs. Since the elevator system 1 can be operated according to the grasped user's situation, the convenience of the user, such as the movement efficiency, is further improved.

[0052] Furthermore, when multiple detectors 14 detect wireless signals 13 from the same mobile device 12, the estimation unit 15 determines whether the difference between the strongest reception strength and the second strongest reception strength of the wireless signals 13 in each detector 14 is greater than a preset threshold value. If the difference in reception strength is greater than the threshold value, the estimation unit 15 assumes that the mobile device 12 corresponding to the wireless signal 13 is located in the location corresponding to the detector 14 with the strongest reception strength of the wireless signal 13, and estimates congestion information for that location.

[0053] With this configuration, the location of the mobile device 12 can be narrowed down further in estimating congestion information based on the reception strength of the wireless signal 13, so that the congestion information estimation result becomes more accurate.

[0054] Furthermore, the detector 14 provided in the car 7 and the detector 14 provided on the floor where the car 7 is stopped may detect the wireless signal 13 from the same portable device 12. In this case, when the detector 14 detecting the wireless signal 13 moves from the detector 14 on the floor to the detector 14 on another floor as the car 7 starts moving, the estimation unit 15 assumes that the portable device 12 is inside the car 7 and estimates the congestion information of the car 7.

[0055] With this configuration, the location of the mobile device 12 is narrowed down further in the estimation of congestion information according to the operation status of the elevator 2, so that the estimation result of the congestion information becomes more accurate.

[0056] In addition, when three or more floor detectors detect a wireless signal 13 from the same mobile device 12, the estimation unit 15 excludes the highest floor and the lowest floor among the floors on which these floor detectors are installed from the locations where the mobile device 12 is assumed to be located.

[0057] With this configuration, the location of the mobile device 12 can be narrowed down further in estimation of congestion information depending on the arrangement of the detector 14, so that the estimation result of the congestion information becomes more accurate.

[0058] Furthermore, when the car 7 restarts after stopping at any floor and the detector 14 that detects the wireless signal 13 from the user's portable device 12 moves from the detector 14a of the car 7 to the detector 14c of the floor, the estimation unit 15 determines that the user has disembarked from the car 7 and will not reboard. At this time, the estimation unit 15 estimates the congestion information excluding the portable device 12 until a preset time has elapsed.

[0059] With this configuration, the estimation unit 15 can exclude users who are predicted not to reboard the car 7 immediately after disembarking from the estimation of congestion information, thereby making the estimation result of the congestion information as the usage status of the elevator 2 more accurate.

[0060] Also, when the occupancy rate is lower than a preset threshold, the car 7 may stop at the top or bottom floor in response to a call. If the detector 14 that detects the wireless signal 13 from the user's portable device 12 does not move from the detector 14c of the floor to the detector 14a of the car 7 when the car 7 restarts, the estimation unit 15 determines that the user will not board the car 7. At this time, the estimation unit 15 estimates the congestion information excluding the portable device 12 until a preset time has elapsed. Also, when the occupancy rate is lower than a preset threshold, car 7 may stop at an intermediate floor due to calls from both upper and lower floors. If the detector 14 that detects the wireless signal 13 from the user's portable device 12 does not move from the detector 14c of the floor to the detector 14a of car 7 when car 7 restarts, the estimation unit 15 determines that the user will not board car 7. At this time, the estimation unit 15 estimates congestion information excluding the portable device 12 until a preset time has elapsed.

[0061] With this configuration, the estimation unit 15 can exclude users who are predicted to have no intention of boarding the car 7 from the estimation of congestion information, thereby making the estimation result of congestion information as the utilization status of the elevator 2 more accurate.

[0062] Next, an example of a hardware configuration of the elevator system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of the elevator system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0063] Each function of the elevator system 1 may be realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit includes at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. The processing circuit may include at least one dedicated hardware 200 in addition to or in place of the processor 100a and the memory 100b.

[0064] When the processing circuit includes the processor 100a and the memory 100b, each function of the elevator system 1 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. The program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a realizes each function of the elevator system 1 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 100b.

[0065] The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. The memory 100b is composed of a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, or an EEPROM.

[0066] Where the processing circuitry comprises dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuitry may be implemented, for example, as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0067] Each function of the elevator system 1 can be realized by a processing circuit. Alternatively, each function of the elevator system 1 can be realized collectively by a processing circuit. Some of the functions of the elevator system 1 may be realized by dedicated hardware 200, and the other parts may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit realizes each function of the elevator system 1 by dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0068] To summarize the above explanation, possible configurations of the technology according to the present disclosure include the configurations listed below as appendices. (Appendix 1) a plurality of detectors each provided on at least one of a plurality of floors, a car, and a counterweight in a building in which the elevator is provided, each capable of detecting a wireless signal transmitted from a portable device carried by an elevator user so as to identify the portable device; an estimation unit that estimates congestion information of a location corresponding to each of the plurality of detectors based on the number of detections of the wireless signal from the mobile device for each of the plurality of detectors; An elevator system comprising: (Appendix 2) when a plurality of receiving detectors included in the plurality of detectors detect the wireless signal from the same portable device, if a difference between a receiving strength of the wireless signal in a receiving detector having the strongest receiving strength of the wireless signal among the plurality of receiving detectors and a receiving strength of the wireless signal in another receiving detector having the second strongest receiving strength of the wireless signal is greater than a preset threshold, the estimation unit determines that the portable device is located in a location corresponding to the receiving detector having the strongest receiving strength of the wireless signal, and estimates congestion information of the location. 2. The elevator system of claim 1. (Appendix 3) the plurality of detectors include a car detector provided in the car, a first floor detector provided on a first floor among the plurality of floors, and a second floor detector provided on a second floor adjacent to the first floor among the plurality of floors; the estimation unit, when the car detector and the first floor detector detect the wireless signal from the same portable device, assumes that the portable device is inside the car and estimates congestion information of the car if the detector that detects the wireless signal moves from the first floor detector to the second floor detector as the car starts moving; 13. The elevator system of claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The plurality of detectors include three or more floor detectors provided on different floors among the plurality of floors, when each of the three or more floor detectors detects the wireless signal from the same mobile device, the estimation unit excludes a location corresponding to a floor detector provided on the highest floor among the three or more floor detectors and a location corresponding to a floor detector provided on the lowest floor among the three or more floor detectors from locations where the mobile device is assumed to be located, and estimates congestion information. 4. An elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) The plurality of detectors includes a car detector provided in the car, and a third floor detector provided in a third floor among the plurality of floors, when the detector that detects the wireless signal moves from the cage detector to the third floor detector together with the cage restarting after the cage stops at the third floor, the estimation unit determines that the user carrying the portable device has disembarked from the cage and will not reboard, and estimates congestion information while excluding the portable device until a preset time has elapsed. 5. An elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. (Appendix 6) The plurality of detectors include a car detector provided in the car, and a fourth floor detector provided in a fourth floor which is the top floor or the bottom floor of the plurality of floors, the estimation unit, when the elevator car stops at the fourth floor in response to a call with an occupancy rate lower than a preset threshold, and when the detector for detecting the wireless signal does not move from the fourth floor detector to the elevator car detector as the elevator car restarts, determines that a user carrying the portable device will not board the elevator car, and estimates congestion information while excluding the portable device until a preset time has elapsed; 6. An elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) The plurality of detectors include a cage detector provided in the cage, and a fifth floor detector provided in a fifth floor, which is an intermediate floor among the plurality of floors; when the car stops at the fifth floor due to calls for both upper and lower floors with an occupancy rate lower than a preset threshold, and when the detector for detecting the wireless signal does not move from the fifth floor detector to the car detector as the car restarts, the estimation unit determines that a user carrying the portable device will not board the car, and estimates congestion information while excluding the portable device until a preset time has elapsed. 7. The elevator system of claim 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 elevator system, 2 elevator, 3 hoistway, 4 landing, 5 hoisting machine, 6 main rope, 7 cage, 8 counterweight, 9 control panel, 10 group control device, 11 allocation unit, 12 portable device, 13 wireless signal, 14, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14c1, 14c2, 14c3, 14c4 detector, 15 estimation unit, 100a processor, 100b memory, 200 dedicated hardware

Claims

1. a plurality of detectors each provided on at least one of a plurality of floors, a car, and a counterweight in a building in which the elevator is provided, each capable of detecting a wireless signal transmitted from a portable device carried by an elevator user so as to identify the portable device; an estimation unit that estimates congestion information of a location corresponding to each of the plurality of detectors based on the number of detections of the wireless signal from the mobile device for each of the plurality of detectors; An elevator system comprising:

2. when a plurality of receiving detectors included in the plurality of detectors detect the wireless signal from the same portable device, if a difference between a receiving strength of the wireless signal in a receiving detector having the strongest receiving strength of the wireless signal among the plurality of receiving detectors and a receiving strength of the wireless signal in another receiving detector having the second strongest receiving strength of the wireless signal is greater than a preset threshold, the estimation unit determines that the portable device is located in a location corresponding to the receiving detector having the strongest receiving strength of the wireless signal, and estimates congestion information of the location.

2. The elevator system of claim 1.

3. the plurality of detectors include a car detector provided in the car, a first floor detector provided on a first floor among the plurality of floors, and a second floor detector provided on a second floor adjacent to the first floor among the plurality of floors; the estimation unit, when the car detector and the first floor detector detect the wireless signal from the same portable device, assumes that the portable device is inside the car and, if the detector that detects the wireless signal moves from the first floor detector to the second floor detector as the car starts moving, estimates congestion information of the car.

2. The elevator system of claim 1.

4. The plurality of detectors include three or more floor detectors provided on different floors among the plurality of floors, when each of the three or more floor detectors detects the wireless signal from the same mobile device, the estimation unit excludes a location corresponding to a floor detector provided on the highest floor among the three or more floor detectors and a location corresponding to a floor detector provided on the lowest floor among the three or more floor detectors from locations where the mobile device is assumed to be located, and estimates congestion information.

2. The elevator system of claim 1.

5. The plurality of detectors includes a car detector provided in the car, and a third floor detector provided in a third floor among the plurality of floors, when the detector for detecting the wireless signal moves from the cage detector to the third floor detector together with the cage restarting after the cage stops at the third floor, the estimation unit determines that the user carrying the portable device has disembarked from the cage and will not reboard, and estimates congestion information while excluding the portable device until a preset time has elapsed.

2. The elevator system of claim 1.

6. The plurality of detectors include a car detector provided in the car, and a fourth floor detector provided in a fourth floor which is the top floor or the bottom floor of the plurality of floors, the estimation unit, when the elevator car stops at the fourth floor in response to a call with an occupancy rate lower than a preset threshold, and when the detector for detecting the wireless signal does not move from the fourth floor detector to the elevator detector as the elevator car restarts, determines that a user carrying the portable device will not board the elevator car, and estimates congestion information while excluding the portable device until a preset time has elapsed; 2. The elevator system of claim 1.

7. The plurality of detectors include a car detector provided in the car, and a fifth floor detector provided in a fifth floor which is an intermediate floor among the plurality of floors, when the car stops at the fifth floor due to calls for both upper and lower floors with an occupancy rate lower than a preset threshold, and when the detector that detects the wireless signal does not move from the fifth floor detector to the car detector as the car restarts, the estimation unit determines that a user carrying the portable device will not board the car, and estimates congestion information while excluding the portable device until a preset time has elapsed.

2. The elevator system of claim 1.

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