Elevator control system

Abstract

To use effectively an elevator installation space.SOLUTION: An elevator control system of the present embodiment comprises a group management control device to perform the group management control of multiple elevator car operations, and a reservation management device to accept the reservation for using at least one of the multiple cars as a simple office and to manage it. The mode control part of the group management control device refers to reservation control information obtained from the reservation control device when the off-peak hour during decreasing number of elevator users comes, makes at least one car wait at the landing on the predetermined floor if a reservation is registered, switches to a simple office mode if the control panel in at least one car in a standby state is operated, and deploys the desk set stored in at least one car to an available state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE An embodiment of the present invention relates to an elevator control system. [Background technology]

[0002] The elevator group management control device controls the elevators according to demand by performing high-frequency operation during busy times such as when people are commuting to and from work, and by performing special operation such as distributing multiple cars to different floors and waiting or suspending some of the cars during quiet times.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, elevator dispatch times and floors are reserved in advance according to the time periods when users are most likely to be in high numbers, and elevators are dispatched accordingly. In addition, in Patent Document 2, for example, information on factors that impede elevator operation and congestion levels are accumulated, and this information is displayed in real time.

[0004] Also, for example, Patent Document 3 proposes a method of installing a folding chair inside the car to enable support for elderly and physically disabled users. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-066513 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2020-066493 A [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-058575 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As described above, various methods of appropriate control using group management control devices and the like have been proposed, but during off-peak hours, elevator cars remain unused space, and the space inside the building in which the elevator is installed cannot be effectively utilized. For example, if elevator cars waiting on a specific floor during off-peak hours could be diverted to other purposes, this problem could be solved. Patent documents 1 and 2 are technologies for efficiently operating elevators during busy hours, but do not effectively utilize the elevator installation space during quiet hours. Patent document 3 is a technology for improving convenience for elevator users such as the elderly, but does not aim to repurpose the elevator car for other purposes.

[0007] The problem to be solved by this embodiment is to provide an elevator control system that can effectively utilize the installation space of the elevator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An elevator control system according to an embodiment includes a group management control device that performs group management and control of the operation of a plurality of elevator cars, and a reservation management device that accepts and registers a reservation for using at least one of the plurality of cars as a simple office. The group management control device includes a mode control unit that switches between a normal operation mode in which the at least one car operates normally and a simple office mode in which the at least one car is used as the simple office. When a low-speed period in which the number of users of the elevator decreases approaches, the mode control unit refers to reservation registration information obtained from the reservation management device, and if the reservation is registered, causes the at least one car to wait at a landing at a predetermined specified floor, and when an operation panel inside the at least one waiting car is operated, the mode control unit switches to the simple office mode and deploys a desk set stored in the at least one car into a usable state. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of an elevator according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the elevator control system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a desk set provided in the elevator car according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reservation registration process for a simple office by the reservation management device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an example of a procedure for processing the use of the car 40 as a simple office by the group management control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an elevator hall according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an elevator control system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reservation registration process for a simple office by the reservation management device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an elevator control system according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reservation registration process for a simple office by the reservation management device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for processing the use of a car as a simple office by the group management control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator control system according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for processing the use of a car as a simple office by the group management control device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14]FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator control system according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for processing the use of a car as a simple office by the group management control device according to the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (Example of elevator schematic configuration) 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of an elevator according to embodiment 1. The elevator is installed, for example, in a building 80 having a plurality of floors, and transports users from one floor to another.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, a building 80 in which an elevator is installed is provided with a vertically extending hoistway 82. In the hoistway 82, there are provided a car 40, rails 45 provided along the hoistway 82, a rope 46 passing through the rails 45, a counterweight 47 attached to the rope 46, a hoist 48 that winds up the rope 46, and an elevator control device 30. It is assumed that the elevator of the first embodiment is provided with a plurality of cars 40.

[0013] However, a machine room (not shown) may be provided at the upper end of the elevator shaft 82, in which case the hoist 48 and the elevator control device 30 may be installed in the machine room.

[0014] The car 40 is connected to a counterweight 47 via a rope 46. The rope 46 is sent by driving a hoist 48, so that the car 40 ascends and descends in the hoistway 82 while maintaining balance with the counterweight 47. The elevator control device 30 constitutes a part of an elevator control system to be described later, and controls the operation of each part of the elevator.

[0015] The car 40 is provided with an operation panel 41, a desk set 401, a monitoring sensor 405a, a load sensor 405b, and the like.

[0016] The operation panel 41 has a destination floor call button, a display unit, etc., and is provided inside the car 40. An elevator user can make a destination floor call to make the car 40 move to a desired destination floor by pressing the destination floor call button on the operation panel 41. The display unit of the operation panel 41 displays various information related to the operation of the elevator.

[0017] The desk set 401 has a foldable desk, chair, etc., and is provided on a side panel, etc., of the car 40. The desk set 401 is stored in the side panel, etc., during normal operation of the car 40, and is deployed from the side panel and deployed inside the car 40 so as to be usable after the start of a simplified office mode, which will be described later.

[0018] The monitoring sensor 405a is provided in the car 40 and optically detects users in the car using infrared rays or the like. The monitoring sensor 405a may be a monitoring camera or the like. The load sensor 405b is provided, for example, under the floor of the car 40 and detects the load of the car 40 including the users in the car 40.

[0019] The vicinity of the elevator shaft 82 on each floor of the building 80 serves as an elevator landing 81. In the example of Fig. 1, landings 81a to 81e are provided on each of the first to fifth floors. The landings 81 on each floor are provided with an operation panel 51 (51a to 51e), doors (doors) 501 (501a to 501e), surveillance cameras 505 (505a to 505e), etc.

[0020] The operation panel 51 is provided with hall call buttons for specifying upper and lower floors, etc. An elevator user can make a hall call by pressing a hall call button on the operation panel 51 to call a car 40 heading in a desired direction, either up or down, to the hall 81.

[0021] The doors 501 are provided at the stopping positions of the car 40 on each floor, and allow users to get on and off the car 40. The car 40 is also provided with a car door (not shown), and the door 501 provided at the landing 81 opens and closes in conjunction with the door of the car 40.

[0022] The surveillance camera 505 is provided, for example, near the boarding and alighting entrance of the car 40, and is configured to be able to detect users and the like present at the platform 81.

[0023] (Example of elevator control system configuration) Next, a configuration example of the elevator control system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the elevator control system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0024] The elevator control system 1 of embodiment 1 is configured, by the configuration described below, to operate an elevator including multiple cars 40 normally during times when there are many elevator users, and to convert at least one car 40 into a makeshift office during off-peak times when there are few elevator users.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the elevator control system 1 includes a reservation management device 10, a group management control device 20, an elevator control device 30, a car 40, and a door 501 and a hall call button 502 provided at a hall 81, etc.

[0026] The terminal 100 is a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet, personal computer, etc., owned by a user who wishes to use the car 40 as a simple office. The user can access the reservation management device 10 described below from such a terminal 100 and input the date and time of use of the simple office, the number of hours of use, etc. However, the terminal 100 may be any terminal that the user can use, and does not necessarily have to be a terminal owned by the user.

[0027] The reservation management device 10, the group management control device 20, and the elevator control device 30 are configured as computers or the like equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. (not shown). Each of the functional parts of the reservation management device 10, the group management control device 20, and the elevator control device 30 described below is realized, for example, by the CPU reading out a control program stored in the ROM or the like, expanding it in the RAM, and executing it.

[0028] The reservation management device 10, the group management control device 20, and the elevator control device 30 are connected by wire or wirelessly so that they can send and receive information to each other. Of the reservation management device 10, the group management control device 20, and the elevator control device 30, the elevator control device 30 is provided, for example, in the hoistway 82 of the car 40, as described above. The reservation management device 10 and the group management control device 20 can be installed in a location away from the location shown in FIG. 1 above.

[0029] The reservation management device 10 is configured to be connectable to a terminal 100 of a user who wishes to use an elevator car 40 as a simple office via a network NT such as the Internet, and accepts reservations for the simple office from the terminal 100. In more detail, the reservation management device 10 has a reception unit 101, a reservation management unit 102, a communication unit 103, and a storage unit 104 as functional units.

[0030] The reception unit 101 receives reservations for simple offices made from the user's terminal 100. At this time, the reception unit 101 does not receive reservations outside of the off-hours when the simple office is available, and does not receive reservations that exceed the number of available elevators 40. The off-hours and the number of elevators 40 available as simple offices are set in advance in consideration of, for example, the operating conditions at the location where the elevator is installed.

[0031] The reservation management unit 102 registers the reservations accepted by the acceptance unit 101. The reservation management unit 102 registers the reservations by generating reservation registration information and storing it in a registration database 104a of the storage unit 104. The reservation registration information includes various information on the users, such as the name of the user, the number of users, and terminal information, as well as information such as the date and time of use of the simple office and the number of hours of use.

[0032] The communication unit 103 exchanges various information with the user's terminal 100 and the elevator group management control device 20. For example, the communication unit 103 receives a reservation application transmitted from the terminal 100 via the network NT. The communication unit 103 also receives a request for reservation registration information from the group management control device 20. In response to the request, the communication unit 103 transmits the reservation registration information that the reservation management unit 102 reads from the storage unit 104 to the group management control device 20.

[0033] The memory unit 104 stores, in addition to the above-mentioned registration database 104a, setting information for predetermined off-peak hours and information on the number of elevators 40 that can be used as simple offices, as well as control programs and various parameters necessary for the operation of the reservation management device 10.

[0034] As described above, the group management control device 20 is configured to operate the elevators normally and provide the cars 40 as simple offices for users during off-peak hours. More specifically, the group management control device 20 includes a communication unit 201, a determination unit 202, a mode control unit 203, and a storage unit 204 as functional units.

[0035] The communication unit 201 transmits and receives various information to and from the reservation management device 10 and the elevator control device 30.

[0036] For example, the communication unit 201 transmits an instruction requesting reservation registration information to the reservation management device 10. Furthermore, the communication unit 201 receives reservation registration information transmitted from the reservation management device 10 in response to the request.

[0037] The communication unit 201 also receives information indicating the status of each part of the elevator including the multiple cars 40 from the elevator control device 30. The communication unit 201 also transmits various instructions to the elevator control device 30. These instructions are generated by the group management control device 20 based on the information of each part of the elevator received from the elevator control device 30 or based on the reservation registration information received from the reservation management device 10.

[0038] The determination unit 202 determines whether or not the start time of an off-time period has arrived during normal elevator operation. After the off-time period has arrived, the determination unit 202 determines whether or not the end time of the off-time period has arrived. Such off-time periods are set in advance, for example, according to the situation of the location where the elevator is installed, and are stored, for example, in the storage unit 204.

[0039] However, the determination unit 202 may determine whether or not to start the off-peak time slot depending on the elevator operation status at each time. That is, the determination unit 202 can appropriately determine whether or not to start the off-peak time slot based on the operation frequency of each car 40, the number of operations on the operation panels 41, 51 (see FIG. 1) of the car 40 and the landing 81, respectively, and the number of users of the car 40 and the landing 81. At this time, the number of users of the car 40 and the landing 81 can be calculated from the detection results of the above-mentioned monitoring sensor 405a, load sensor 405b, and monitoring camera 505 (see FIG. 1), for example.

[0040] Based on the result of the determination by the determination unit 202, the mode control unit 203 switches the elevator 40 between a normal operation mode and a simplified office mode.

[0041] More specifically, the mode control unit 203 applies the normal operation mode to all the cars 40 until the determination unit 202 determines that the off-peak time period has started. In the normal operation mode, the cars 40 operate as normal elevators that transport passengers from one floor to another.

[0042] When the determination unit 202 determines that the off-peak time period has started, the mode control unit 203 requests reservation registration information for that time period from the reservation management device 10. If a reservation for a simple office has been made during that time period and reservation registration information exists, the mode control unit 203 applies the simple office mode to the elevators 40, the number of which corresponds to the number of reservations. In the simple office mode, those elevators 40 stay on a predetermined floor for a predetermined time and are used as simple offices.

[0043] The specified floor for using the elevator car 40 as a makeshift office is determined based on, for example, the number of floors in the building 80 in which the elevator is installed, the usage status of each floor, whether or not there are any floors with security settings, etc.

[0044] The memory unit 204 stores the setting information for the off-peak hours mentioned above and the setting information for the floor at which the elevator 40 stops in the simple office mode, as well as control programs and various parameters necessary for the operation of the group management control device 20.

[0045] As described above, the elevator control device 30 controls the operation of each part of the elevator including the car 40. These controls by the elevator control device 30 are performed according to instructions from the group management control device 20. The elevator control device 30 includes a communication unit 301, a command unit 302, and a memory unit 304 as functional units.

[0046] The communication unit 301 transmits and receives various types of information to and from the group management control device 20 .

[0047] For example, the communication unit 301 receives an instruction from the group management control device 20 to switch a specific car 40 between the normal operation mode and the simple office mode.

[0048] When the operation panel 41, 51 of the car 40 or the platform 81 is operated, the communication unit 301 transmits the information to the group management control device 20. In addition, the communication unit 301 receives instructions based on the operation information of the operation panel 41, 51 from the group management control device 20.

[0049] The command unit 302 transmits commands to each part of the elevator, such as the car 40, to control each part of the elevator in response to various commands received from the group management control device 20.

[0050] In the normal operation mode, the command unit 302 moves a specific car 40 to a floor where a hall call was made and also to a floor designated by a destination floor call, in accordance with instructions from the group management control device 20 based on operation information from the operation panels 41 and 51. At that time, the command unit 302 appropriately opens and closes the door 501 of the hall 81 and the door of the car 40 in response to passengers getting on and off the car 40.

[0051] When using the cars 40 as simple offices, the command unit 302 makes the number of cars 40 corresponding to the number of reservations wait at a preset floor according to instructions from the group management control device 20. The user operates any destination floor call button 402 on the operation panel 41 in the target car 40, or a specific destination floor call button 402 that has been determined in advance. This notifies the group management control device 20 that the user has arrived at the car 40, and the group management control device 20 transmits an instruction to switch to the simple office mode to the elevator control device 30.

[0052] In response to an instruction from the group management control device 20 to start the simple office mode, the command unit 302 unfolds the desk set 401 stored in the car 40 and closes the door 501 of the landing 81 and the door of the car 40, making the simple office available for use.

[0053] When the group management control device 20 again instructs the car 40 to switch to normal operation mode, the command unit 302 opens the door 501 of the platform 81 and the door of the car 40, and stores the desk set 401 again, thereby restoring the car 40 to a state in which it can operate normally.

[0054] The memory unit 304 stores a control program and various parameters necessary for the operation of the elevator control device 30.

[0055] The car 40 is equipped with a foldable desk set 401, a destination floor call button 402, etc. Note that Fig. 2 mainly shows the configuration required when the car 40 is used as a simple office. Therefore, the above-mentioned monitoring sensor 405a and load sensor 405b, etc. are omitted, and the car 40 may also include other configurations not shown.

[0056] As described above, the desk set 401 is arranged so as to be storable in the side panel of the car 40 or the like.

[0057] As described above, the destination floor call button 402 is a button that allows a user in the car 40 to specify a desired destination floor, and is provided on the above-mentioned operation panel 41. The destination floor call button 402 is also used when a user starts using the simple office. However, other buttons such as a door opening / closing button are also provided on the operation panel 41, and a button other than the destination floor call button 402 may be used to start using the simple office.

[0058] The landing 81 is provided with a door 501, a landing call button 502, etc. Note that Fig. 2 shows only some of the various components installed at the landing 81.

[0059] As described above, the door 501 of the landing 81 is provided at the stopping position of the car 40, and is opened and closed in conjunction with the door of the car 40.

[0060] As described above, the platform call button 502 is a button used by a user of the platform 81 to call a car 40 at that platform 81, and is provided on the operation panel 51 described above.

[0061] Here, the detailed configuration of the foldable desk set 401 provided in the car 40 will be described below.

[0062] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a desk set 401 provided in the elevator car 40 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3(a) shows a state in which the desk set 401 is stored, and Fig. 3(b) shows a state in which the desk set 401 is deployed. Note that Fig. 3 is a view of the inside of the car 40 seen diagonally rearward from the vicinity of the entrance / exit of the car 40, and shows a side panel 40a on one side of the car 40, a back surface 40b, and a floor 40c.

[0063] 3, the desk set 401 includes a desk 411, a chair 412, and a motor 413, and is provided on one side panel 40a of the car 40. The side panel 40a of the car 40 is provided with a storage space 414 for storing the desk 411 and the chair 412.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 3(a), during normal operation of the elevator car 40, the desk 411 and the chair 412 are folded up and stored in the storage space 414 of the side panel 40a.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 3(b), when the command unit 302 of the elevator control device 30 receives an instruction to start the simple office mode from the group management control device 20, it drives the motor 413 of the desk set 401 to fold out the desk 411 and chair 412 into a usable state.

[0066] Similarly, when an instruction to end the simple office mode is received from the group management control device 20, the command unit 302 drives the motor 413 of the desk set 401 to store the desk 411 and chair 412 back into the storage space 414 of the side panel 40a.

[0067] Incidentally, while the motor 413 is being driven to unfold or retract the desk set 401, an alarm may be sounded from a speaker (not shown) or the like provided in the car 40 to urge the user to move away from the vicinity of the desk set 401. In addition, while the desk set 401 is in operation, the position of the user may be monitored by the above-mentioned monitoring sensor 405a (see FIG. 1) or the like provided in the car 40, and if the user is within the operating range of the desk set 401, the operation of the desk set 401 may be temporarily stopped.

[0068] (Example of elevator control system processing) Next, a processing example of the elevator control system 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The following mainly describes a processing example related to simple office use among the processing of the elevator control system 1.

[0069] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an example of a procedure of reservation registration processing for a simple office by the reservation management device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0070] 4, the reception unit 101 of the reservation management device 10 waits for a reservation request to be transmitted from the user terminal 100 (step S101). While no reservation request is received (step S101: No), the reception unit 101 waits.

[0071] A user who wishes to use the car 40 as a simple office accesses the reservation management device 10 via the network NT, for example, from a terminal 100 owned by the user. The user can also make a reservation request for the simple office by following various instructions provided on the web or displayed on the terminal 100 using an application installed on the terminal 100. At this time, the user inputs, for example, the user's name, number of users, and terminal information, as well as the date and time and number of hours the simple office will be used, on the terminal 100.

[0072] When a reservation request is received from the terminal 100 (step S101: Yes), the reception unit 101 determines whether the reservation request specifies a time period during which the reservation can be accepted (step S102). The time period during which the reservation can be accepted is, for example, a preset off-peak time period, as described above.

[0073] If the contents of the reservation request specify a time period during which the reservation can be accepted (step S102: Yes), the accepting unit 101 judges whether the number of reservations exceeds the number that can be accepted during that time period (step S103). The number of reservations that can be accepted during that time period is equal to or less than the number of elevator cars 40 that can be used as simple offices during that time period. The number of elevator cars 40 that can be used as simple offices is set in advance, for example, as described above.

[0074] If the number of reservations that can be accepted during that time period has not yet been reached (step S103: Yes), the accepting unit 101 accepts the reservation (step S104).

[0075] If the reservation request received from the terminal 100 is outside the acceptable time period (step S102: No), or if the number of reservations that can be accepted for that time period has already been exceeded (step S103: No), the acceptance unit 101 ends the process without accepting the reservation.

[0076] When a reservation is accepted from the terminal 100 (step S104), the reservation management unit 102 generates reservation registration information based on the reservation application contents and stores it in the registration database 104a of the storage unit 104, thereby registering the reservation (step S106).

[0077] This completes the reservation registration process for the simple office by the reservation management device 10 of the first embodiment.

[0078] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an example of a procedure for processing the use of the car 40 as a simple office by the group management control device 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0079] 5, while all the cars 40 are operating in the normal operation mode, the judgment unit 202 of the group management control device 20 waits for the off-time period to come while referring to the setting information of the off-time period stored in the memory unit 204 (step S201). Outside the off-time period (step S201: No), the judgment unit 202 stands by.

[0080] However, instead of setting off-peak hours in advance as described above, the determination unit 202 may determine the number of users, for example, from the elevator operation status, and appropriately determine the start of the off-peak hours when the number of users falls below a predetermined number.

[0081] When the determination unit 202 determines that it is an off-peak time period (step S201: Yes), the mode control unit 203 determines whether or not a reservation for that time period has been registered in the reservation management device 10 (step S202). More specifically, as described above, the mode control unit 203 requests reservation registration information for that time period from the reservation management device 10 via the communication unit 201, and determines whether or not there is a reservation for that time period.

[0082] If there is no reservation registered for that time period (step S202: No), the group management control device 20 ends the process.

[0083] If there is a reservation for that time period (step S202: Yes), the mode control unit 203 causes the command unit 302 of the elevator control device 30 to move the number of cars 40 corresponding to the number of reservations to a predetermined floor set in advance (step S203), and makes them wait at that floor with the doors open (step S204). More specifically, the mode control unit 203 transmits these operation instructions to the elevator control device 30 via the communication unit 201, and the command unit 302 of the elevator control device 30 controls each part of the elevator to perform the above operations.

[0084] When a predetermined number of cars 40 are in a door-open standby state, the mode control unit 203 of the group management control device 20 waits for the destination floor call button 402 or the like provided on the operation panel 41 in the car 40 to be operated (step S205). While the operation panel 41 is not operated (step S205: No), the mode control unit 203 waits until a predetermined time has elapsed (step S208b).

[0085] If a predetermined time has elapsed (step S208b: Yes) without the operation of the operation panel 41 (step S205: No), the mode control unit 203 notifies the reservation management device 10 via the communication unit 201 that the reservation will be canceled (step S209), and then terminates the processing.

[0086] If a user arrives at a car 40 whose doors are waiting to open before a predetermined time has elapsed (step S208b: No) and operates the destination floor call button 402 or the like on the operation panel 41 (step S205: Yes), the mode control unit 203 starts the simple office mode for that car 40 (step S206).

[0087] At this time, as described above, the mode control unit 203 may start the simple office mode when any one of the multiple destination floor call buttons 402 is operated, or the mode control unit 203 may start the simple office mode when a specific destination floor call button 402 is operated. Alternatively, the mode control unit 203 may be configured to start the simple office mode when another button provided on the operation panel 41 is operated instead of the destination floor call button 402.

[0088] The mode control unit 203 closes the car 40 in the simple office mode and unfolds the foldable desk set 401 to make it usable as a simple office (step S207). More specifically, the mode control unit 203 transmits these operation instructions together with an instruction to start the simple office mode to the elevator control device 30 via the communication unit 201, and the command unit 302 of the elevator control device 30 controls each part of the elevator to perform the above operations.

[0089] In the above operation, the door closing operation of the car 40 and the unfolding operation of the desk set 401 may be performed in any order, or may be performed in parallel.

[0090] When a certain car 40 is in the simple office mode, the mode control unit 203 refers to the reservation registration information acquired from the reservation management device 10 and monitors whether the reservation end time has arrived (step S208a). Until the reservation end time arrives (step S208a: No), the mode control unit 203 causes the car 40 to continue in the simple office mode.

[0091] When the reservation end time arrives (step S208a: Yes), the mode control unit 203 opens the door of the car 40 and stows the foldable desk set 401 (step S210), and ends the simple office mode (step S211).

[0092] More specifically, the mode control unit 203 sends instructions to end the simple office mode, as well as instructions to open the doors and store the desk set 401, to the elevator control device 30 via the communication unit 201, and the command unit 302 of the elevator control device 30 controls each part of the elevator to perform the above operations.

[0093] In the above operation, it is preferable that the door opening operation of the car 40 is performed prior to the unfolding operation of the desk set 401. This makes it possible to encourage users to exit the car 40. Alternatively, the door opening operation of the car 40 and the unfolding operation of the desk set 401 may be performed in parallel.

[0094] This ends the process of using the elevator car 40 as a simple office by the group management control device 20 of the first embodiment.

[0095] (Overview) During off-peak hours when the number of elevator users is reduced, elevator cars are, for example, waiting with the doors open at a specific floor. In this way, the elevator cars during off-peak hours become unused space, and the building space cannot be used effectively.

[0096] On the other hand, temporary offices are sometimes permanently installed in public places such as stations and commercial facilities. These temporary offices also always occupy a certain amount of space, whether they are unused or not.

[0097] According to the elevator control system 1 of the first embodiment, during off-peak hours when the number of elevator users decreases, the reservation registration information acquired from the reservation management device 10 is referenced, and if a reservation is registered, at least one car 40 is made to wait at a landing at a predetermined floor. Also, when the operation panel 41 in a waiting car 40 is operated, the mode is switched to simple office mode, and the desk set 401 stored in the car 40 is deployed so that it can be used.

[0098] This allows the elevator car 40 to be used as a temporary office during off-peak hours, making effective use of the elevator installation space. It also eliminates the need to install a separate temporary office in the elevator installation location, preventing the temporary office from becoming dead space during unused hours.

[0099] According to the elevator control system 1 of the first embodiment, when the car 40 to be used as a simple office is made to wait at the landing 81 on a specified floor, the door is opened, and when the operation panel 41 inside the car 40 is operated, the desk set 401 is deployed and the door is closed. This makes it easier to grasp the situation inside the car 40 from the landing 81 while waiting for the user to arrive at the car 40, while at the same time ensuring the user's privacy after the user starts using the car 40.

[0100] (Modification) Next, a configuration example of an elevator according to a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The elevator according to the modification is different from the first embodiment in that it includes a glass door 501g in addition to the door 501 of the hall 81 that is normally used.

[0101] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an elevator hall 81 according to a modified example of the first embodiment. Fig. 6(a) shows the hall 81 at a specific floor where the car 40 is waiting until a user of the simple office arrives. Fig. 6(b) shows the hall 81 at a specific floor when a user is using the car 40 as a simple office.

[0102] In FIG. 6, the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0103] As shown in Fig. 6, a hall 81 on a predetermined floor is provided with a glass door 501g in addition to the door 501 used when the car 40 is in normal operation. The glass door 501g is installed, for example, closer to the car 40 than the door 501 of the hall 81. In other words, the glass door 501g may be installed between the door 501 of the hall 81 and a door (not shown) of the car 40.

[0104] The glass door 501g installed at the landing 81 on a predetermined floor has, for example, a dimming function. The glass door 501g with the dimming function is configured by sandwiching, for example, a liquid crystal film containing liquid crystal molecules between transparent electrodes, and further sandwiching the film between glass plates.

[0105] 6(a), by applying a voltage to the transparent electrodes, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal film becomes uniform, allowing light to pass through, and increasing the transparency of the glass door 501g. When the car 40 is on standby, the glass door 501g can be made transparent or semi-transparent and closed, allowing the situation inside the car 40 to be seen from the platform 81, making it easy to know, for example, that the car 40 is not in use.

[0106] As shown in Fig. 6(b), when no voltage is applied to the transparent electrodes, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal film becomes random, scattering transmitted light and reducing the transparency of the glass door 501g. When the car 40 is being used as a makeshift office, for example, by making the glass door 501g opaque and keeping it closed, it is not possible to clearly see into the car 40 from the platform 81, ensuring the privacy of users using the makeshift office.

[0107] According to the modified elevator control system, when a car 40 to be used as a simple office is made to wait at a landing 81 on a specified floor, a dimmable glass door 501g provided separately from the door 501 used during normal elevator operation is closed to make it transparent or translucent. When the operation panel 41 inside the waiting car 40 is operated, the desk set 401 is deployed and the closed glass door 501g is made opaque.

[0108] This type of glass door 501g also makes it easier for passengers to grasp the situation inside the car 40 from the landing 81 while waiting for the passenger to arrive at the car 40, while at the same time ensuring the privacy of the passenger after the passenger begins using the car 40.

[0109] Also, unlike the case where the door 501 of the landing 81 is closed because it is entirely painted and does not transmit any light, when the glass door 501g is made opaque, the user can see the situation outside the car 40, although it is unclear. Therefore, the sense of claustrophobia felt by the user inside the car 40 is reduced.

[0110] In addition, the elevator control system of this modification provides the same effects as those of the elevator control system 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0111] [Embodiment 2] Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The elevator control system of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the number of cars that can be used as simple offices is determined based on the number of users during off-peak hours.

[0112] In the following drawings, the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0113] (Example of elevator control system configuration) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an elevator control system 2 according to the second embodiment.

[0114] As shown in Fig. 7, an elevator control system 2 of the second embodiment includes a reservation management device 110 instead of the reservation management device 10 of the first embodiment. The reservation management device 110 of the second embodiment is also configured as a computer including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, like the reservation management device 10 of the first embodiment. Other configurations of the elevator control system 2 are similar to those of the elevator control system 1 of the first embodiment.

[0115] The reservation management device 110 of the second embodiment accumulates information on the number of users during off-peak hours, and determines the number of elevator cars 40 that can be used as temporary offices based on the information. In more detail, the reservation management device 110 includes, as functional units, a storage unit 115 and a calculation unit 116 in addition to the above-mentioned reception unit 101, reservation management unit 102, and communication unit 103, and also includes a storage unit 114 instead of the above-mentioned storage unit 104.

[0116] The accumulation unit 115 appropriately acquires information on the number of elevator users in different time periods from the group management control device 20 via the communication unit 103, and stores the information in a user number database 114b of the storage unit 114. The number of elevator users in each time period can be determined from, for example, the operation frequency of each car 40, the number of operations on the operation panels 41, 51 of the car 40 and the landing 81, respectively, and the number of users detected by the monitoring sensor 405a, the load sensor 405b, and the monitoring camera 505 of the car 40 and the landing 81.

[0117] As described below, among the information on the number of users stored in the user number database 114b, the number of users during off-hours is mainly referred to by the calculation unit 116. Therefore, the storage unit 115 may collect user number information limited to off-hours, instead of collecting information for all hours.

[0118] The calculation unit 116 calculates the number of elevator cars 40 available for use in the temporary office during off-peak hours based on the information on the number of users accumulated in the user number database 114b by the accumulation unit 115. That is, the fewer the number of elevator users during off-peak hours, the greater the number of available elevator cars 40 that is calculated.

[0119] It is preferable that the calculation unit 116 updates the number of available elevator cars 40 on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis based on the information accumulated up to that point. Also, the calculation unit 116 may calculate a plurality of different numbers as the number of available elevator cars 40 for each day of the week or each month based on the fluctuation in the number of users on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

[0120] The number of available cars 40 calculated by the calculation unit 116 is referred to when the reception unit 101 accepts reservations. That is, the reception unit 101 accepts reservations with the number of available cars 40 calculated by the calculation unit 116 as the upper limit.

[0121] The storage unit 114, like the storage unit 104 in the first embodiment described above, stores the registration database 104a, setting information for off-peak hours, and a control program and various parameters required for the operation of the reservation management device 110.

[0122] In addition, the storage unit 114 stores the user number database 114b and the number information of the elevator cars 40 that can be used as temporary offices, calculated by the calculation unit 116, as described above.

[0123] (Example of elevator control system processing) Next, an example of processing by the reservation management device 110 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flow diagram showing an example of a procedure of reservation registration processing for a simple office by the reservation management device 110 according to the second embodiment.

[0124] 8, the accumulation unit 115 of the reservation management device 110 acquires information on the number of elevator users at least during off-peak hours from the group management control device 20 via the communication unit 103 (step S301). The accumulation unit 115 also stores the acquired information on the number of users in the user number database 114b of the storage unit 114 (step S302).

[0125] The processes of steps S301 and S302 may be repeated periodically or irregularly. In this way, information on the number of elevator users at least during off-peak hours is accumulated in the user number database 114b.

[0126] The calculation unit 116 calculates the number of elevator cars 40 that can be used as temporary offices during the off-peak hours based on the number of users during the off-peak hours stored in the user number database 114b (step S303). As described above, it is desirable that the number of available elevator cars 40 calculated by the calculation unit 116 is updated periodically or irregularly.

[0127] The subsequent processing of steps S311 to S316 is substantially the same as the processing of steps S101 to S106 in FIG. 4 of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0128] That is, when a reservation request is made from the user terminal 100 (step S311: Yes), the reception unit 101 accepts the reservation (step S314) if the reservation request specifies a time period during which the reservation can be accepted (step S312: Yes) and the number of reservations does not exceed the number that can be accepted in that time period (step S313: Yes).

[0129] If the contents of the reservation request do not satisfy any of these conditions (step S312: No or step S313: No), the reservation is not accepted and the process ends.

[0130] The number of available passenger cars 40 that the reception unit 101 refers to in the process of step S313 is the number of available passenger cars 40 that are available during the off-peak time period, calculated by the calculation unit 116.

[0131] The reservation management unit 102 generates reservation registration information based on the reservation application content accepted by the acceptance unit 101, and stores the information in the registration database 104a of the storage unit 114, thereby registering the reservation (step S316).

[0132] This completes the reservation registration process for the simple office by the reservation management device 110 of the second embodiment.

[0133] (Overview) According to the elevator control system 2 of embodiment 2, based on information on the number of elevator users obtained and accumulated from the group management control device 20, the number of elevator cars 40 that can be used as simple offices during off-peak hours is calculated among the multiple elevator cars 40.

[0134] This allows the number of elevator cars 40 that can be used as temporary offices to be set in accordance with the actual elevator usage conditions, allowing the elevator cars 40 to be used without excess or deficiency.

[0135] According to the elevator control system 2 of the second embodiment, reservations are accepted up to a maximum number of reservations equal to the calculated number of cars 40. This makes it possible to prevent reservations from being registered in excess of the number of available cars 40.

[0136] According to the elevator control system 2 of the second embodiment, during off-peak hours, the same number of cars 40 as the number of accepted reservations are kept waiting at the landing 81 of a specific floor. This makes it possible to keep the number of cars 40 waiting just right for the number of reservations.

[0137] In addition, the elevator control system 2 of the second embodiment has the same effects as the elevator control system 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0138] In the above-mentioned embodiment 2, the reservation management device 110 obtains information related to the actual usage status of the elevators from the group management control device 20, and statistically calculates the number of elevator cars 40 that can be converted into temporary offices during off-peak hours.

[0139] However, in cases where an event or the like that will attract a large number of people is planned at the location where the elevator is installed, in addition to the above, such information may be input to the reservation management device 110. In this case, the reservation management device 110 may perform the statistical analysis as described above and also take into account one-off event information and the like, and calculate the number of elevator cars 40 that can be converted into temporary offices.

[0140] [Embodiment 3] Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The elevator control system of the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the user is required to input a password when starting to use the simple office.

[0141] In the following drawings, the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0142] (Example of elevator control system configuration) FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator control system 3 according to the third embodiment.

[0143] 9, an elevator control system 3 of the third embodiment includes a reservation management device 120 and a group management control device 220 instead of the reservation management device 10 and the group management control device 20 of the first embodiment described above. The reservation management device 120 and the group management control device 220 of the third embodiment are also configured as a computer including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, like the reservation management device 10 and the group management control device 20 of the first embodiment described above. Other configurations of the elevator control system 3 are the same as those of the elevator control system 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0144] When the reservation management device 120 of the third embodiment accepts a reservation from the user terminal 100, it issues a password to the terminal 100. In more detail, the reservation management device 120 includes, as functional units, an issuing unit 127 and an authentication unit 128 in addition to the above-mentioned acceptance unit 101, reservation management unit 102, and communication unit 103, and also includes a memory unit 124 instead of the above-mentioned memory unit 104.

[0145] The issuing unit 127 generates a password when the accepting unit 101 accepts a reservation from the terminal 100. The password is composed of, for example, a multi-digit number. The issuing unit 127 transmits the generated password to the terminal 100 of the user via the communication unit 103, thereby issuing the password to the user.

[0146] The issuing unit 127 also links the password issued to the user to reservation registration information related to the reservation applied for by the user. The reservation management unit 102 registers the reservation registration information linked to the password in the storage unit 124.

[0147] After receiving the password on his / her terminal 100, when the user starts to use the simple office, he / she inputs the password, for example, by using the destination floor call button 402 on the operation panel 41 in the elevator 40 that he / she plans to use as the simple office.

[0148] That is, for example, by pressing the destination floor call button 402 with the same floor number as the password consisting of multiple digits, it is possible to input the password from the operation panel 41. As an example, if the issued password is "1 12 3 15 16", the destination floor call buttons 402 indicating the 1st floor, 12th floor, 3rd floor, 15th floor, and 16th floor are pressed in order.

[0149] The password entered by the user is transmitted to the reservation management device 120 via the elevator control device 30 and the group management control device 220.

[0150] The authentication unit 128 performs authentication using a password that is input by the user from the operation panel 41 in the car 40 and that the communication unit 103 obtains from the group management control device 220. That is, the authentication unit 128 reads the target reservation registration information from the storage unit 114, and determines whether or not the password linked to the reservation registration information matches the password input by the user. If the passwords match, the authentication unit 128 authenticates the user as a legitimate user. If the passwords do not match, an authentication error occurs.

[0151] The authentication results by the authentication unit 128 are transmitted to the group management control device 220 via the communication unit 103 .

[0152] The memory unit 124, like the memory unit 104 in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, stores setting information for off-peak hours, information on the number of elevators 40 that can be used as simple offices, as well as control programs and various parameters necessary for the operation of the reservation management device 120.

[0153] Moreover, the storage unit 124 stores a registration database 124a in which reservation registration information associated with a password is stored, instead of the registration database 104a in the above-described first embodiment.

[0154] The group management control device 220 of the third embodiment starts using the elevator car 40 waiting at a specific floor as a temporary office when the user inputs a correct password. In more detail, the group management control device 220 includes, as functional units, the above-mentioned communication unit 201, judgment unit 202, and storage unit 204, and also includes a mode control unit 223 instead of the above-mentioned mode control unit 203.

[0155] When a user enters a password using the destination floor call button 402 on the operation panel 41 while inside a car 40 waiting at a specific floor, the mode control unit 223 obtains the password information via the elevator control device 30 and further transmits it to the reservation management device 120 via the communication unit 201.

[0156] Furthermore, the mode control unit 223 acquires the authentication result for that password by the authentication unit 128 of the reservation management device 120 via the communication unit 201. If the authentication unit 128 obtains the authentication result that the authentication was successful, the mode control unit 223 switches the car 40 to the simple office mode and starts using it as a simple office. If the authentication unit 128 obtains the authentication result that the authentication was unsuccessful, the mode control unit 223 transmits the authentication result to the elevator control device 30 without switching the car 40 to the simple office mode.

[0157] (Example of elevator control system processing) Next, a processing example of the elevator control system 3 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

[0158] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of reservation registration processing for a simple office by the reservation management device 120 according to the third embodiment.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 10, the processes in steps S401 to S406 are substantially the same as the processes in steps S101 to S106 in FIG. 4 of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0160] That is, when a reservation request is made from the user terminal 100 (step S401: Yes), the reception unit 101 accepts the reservation (step S404) if the reservation request specifies a time period during which the reservation can be accepted (step S402: Yes) and the number of reservations does not exceed the number that can be accepted in that time period (step S403: Yes).

[0161] If the contents of the reservation request do not satisfy any of these conditions (step S402: No or step S403: No), the reservation is not accepted and the process ends.

[0162] The reservation management unit 102 generates reservation registration information based on the reservation application content accepted by the acceptance unit 101, and registers the reservation (step S406).

[0163] When the reception unit 101 receives a reservation, the issuing unit 127 generates a password linked to the reservation registration information generated by the reservation management unit 102, and issues the password by transmitting the generated password to the user terminal 100 via the communication unit 103 (step S411). The reservation registration information linked to the password is stored in the registration database 124a of the storage unit 124.

[0164] This completes the reservation registration process for the simple office by the reservation management device 120 of the third embodiment.

[0165] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing an example of a procedure for processing the use of the car 40 as a simple office by the group management control device 220 according to the third embodiment.

[0166] As shown in FIG. 11, the processes in steps S501 to S505, S518b, and S519 are substantially the same as the processes in steps S201 to S205, S208b, and S209 in FIG. 5 of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0167] That is, when the elevator enters a quiet time period (step S501: Yes) and a reservation has been registered in the reservation management device 120 (step S502: Yes), the mode control unit 223 moves the number of elevator cars 40 corresponding to the number of reservations to a specified floor (step S503) and has them wait at that floor with the doors open (step S504).

[0168] Furthermore, the mode control unit 223 waits for the destination floor call button 402 or the like on the operation panel 41 to be operated (step S505: Yes) until the predetermined time has elapsed (step S518b: No). However, this operation is assumed to be a password input using the destination floor call button 402 or the like.

[0169] If a predetermined time has elapsed (step S518b: Yes) without the operation of the operation panel 41 (step S505: No), the mode control unit 223 notifies the reservation management device 120 of the reservation cancellation (step S519) and terminates the processing.

[0170] If a password is entered using the destination floor call button 402 on the operation panel 41 or the like (step S505: Yes) before a predetermined time has elapsed (step S518b: No), the mode control unit 223 obtains password information via the elevator control device 30, transmits it to the reservation management device 120 via the communication unit 201, and determines whether the user has been authenticated by the authentication unit 128 of the reservation management device 120 (step S511).

[0171] If the authentication by the authentication unit 128 fails (step S511: No), the mode control unit 223 repeats the processing of steps S505 and S511 until the number of errors reaches a predetermined number (step S512: No). If the number of errors exceeds a predetermined number (step S512: Yes), the mode control unit 223 notifies the reservation management device 120 of the reservation cancellation (step S513) without starting to use the elevator 40 as a makeshift office, and ends the process with an error (step S514).

[0172] If the authentication by authentication unit 128 is successful (step S511: Yes), the processes of subsequent steps S516 to S518a, S520, and S521 are substantially the same as the processes of steps S206 to S208a, S210, and S211 in FIG. 5 of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0173] That is, if password authentication is successful (step S511: Yes), the mode control unit 223 switches the elevator 40 to the simple office mode (step S516), closes the door of the elevator 40, and unfolds the desk set 401 so that it can be used as a simple office (step S517).

[0174] Thereafter, when the reservation end time arrives (step S518a: Yes), the mode control unit 223 opens the door of the car 40 and stores the desk set 401 (step S520), and ends the simple office mode (step S521).

[0175] This ends the process of using the elevator 40 as a simple office by the group management control device 220 of the third embodiment.

[0176] (Overview) According to the elevator control system 3 of the third embodiment, a password is issued in association with the reservation registration information generated by the reservation management unit, and when the password is entered from the operation panel 41 inside the waiting car 40, the desk set 401 inside the car 40 is deployed to make it possible to start using the simple office. This makes it possible to improve security when using the car 40 as a simple office.

[0177] In addition, the elevator control system 3 of the third embodiment has the same effects as the elevator control system 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0178] [Embodiment 4] Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The elevator control system of the fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, while the car 40 is being used as a simple office, if the number of elevator users increases, the system stops providing the simple office.

[0179] In the following drawings, the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0180] (Example of elevator control system configuration) FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an elevator control system 4 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0181] 12, an elevator control system 4 of the fourth embodiment includes a group management control device 230 instead of the group management control device 20 of the first embodiment. The group management control device 230 of the fourth embodiment is also configured as a computer including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, similar to the group management control device 20 of the first embodiment. Other configurations of the elevator control system 4 are similar to those of the elevator control system 1 of the first embodiment.

[0182] The group management control device 230 of the fourth embodiment switches the car 40 to a normal operation mode when elevator demand increases, even if the car 40 is being used as a simple office. In more detail, the group management control device 230 includes, as functional units, the above-mentioned communication unit 201 and storage unit 204, and also includes a determination unit 232 and a mode control unit 233 instead of the above-mentioned determination unit 202 and mode control unit 203.

[0183] The determination unit 232 monitors the increase or decrease in the number of elevator users while the car 40 is being used as a temporary office, and determines whether the number of users has reached a predetermined number or more. As described above, the increase or decrease in the number of users can be determined from, for example, the operating frequency of each car 40, the number of operations on the control panels 41, 51 of the car 40 and the landing 81, and the number of users detected by the monitoring sensor 405a, the load sensor 405b, and the monitoring camera 505 of the car 40 and the landing 81.

[0184] The mode control unit 233 terminates the simple office mode not only when the reserved time has ended, but also when the determination unit 232 determines that the number of users has reached a predetermined number or more. When terminating the simple office mode before the end of the reserved time due to an increase in the number of elevator users, the mode control unit 233 issues a notice to the passenger in the car 40 that the use of the simple office will be discontinued.

[0185] The operation panel 41 in the car 40 is provided with a destination floor call button 402 and the like as well as a display unit 403. The above notification to the user can be made, for example, by using the display unit 403 of the operation panel 41. However, instead of or in addition to the display unit 403, the above notification may be made by voice using a speaker (not shown) or the like provided in the car 40.

[0186] In response to the notification, the mode control unit 233 ends the simple office mode after the user exits the car 40. The user's exit from the car 40 can be detected by at least one of the monitoring sensor 405a, the load sensor 405b, and the monitoring camera 505, for example.

[0187] In other words, the exit of a user can be detected by the fact that the user is no longer detected by the monitoring sensor 405a inside the car 40, that the load applied to the load sensor 405b under the floor of the car 40 is reduced, or that the monitoring camera 505 at the platform 81 captures the user exiting the car 40.

[0188] Here, the monitoring sensor 405a, the load sensor 405b, and the monitoring camera 505 are an example of a detection unit that detects the exit of a user from the car 40.

[0189] (Example of elevator control system processing) Next, a processing example by the group management control device 230 of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flow diagram showing an example of a processing procedure for using the car 40 as a simple office by the group management control device 230 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0190] As shown in FIG. 13, the processes in steps S601 to S607, S618b, and S619 are substantially the same as the processes in steps S201 to S207, S208b, and S209 in FIG. 5 of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0191] That is, when the elevator enters a quiet time period (step S601: Yes) and a reservation has been registered in the reservation management device 10 (step S602: Yes), the mode control unit 233 moves the number of elevator cars 40 corresponding to the number of reservations to a specified floor (step S603) and has them wait at that floor with the doors open (step S604).

[0192] Furthermore, if the operation panel 41 is not operated (step S605: No) and the number of elevator users does not exceed a predetermined number (step S611b: No) and a predetermined time has elapsed (step S618b: Yes), the mode control unit 233 notifies the reservation management device 10 of the reservation cancellation (step S619) and terminates the processing.

[0193] If the destination floor call button 402 or the like on the operation panel 41 is operated (step S605: Yes) before a predetermined time has elapsed (step S618b: No), the mode control unit 233 switches the car 40 to the simple office mode (step S606), closes the door of the car 40, and unfolds the desk set 401, making it usable as a simple office (step S607).

[0194] When the car 40 starts to be used as a simple office, the determination unit 232 acquires information on each part of the elevator from the elevator control device 30 and determines whether the number of elevator users is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (step S611a). If the number of elevator users is less than the predetermined number (step S611a: No), the determination unit 232 continues to monitor the number of elevator users until the end of the reservation (step S618a: No).

[0195] When the number of elevator users does not reach the predetermined number (step S611a: No) and the reservation end time arrives, the processes of steps S620a, S620b, and S621 are the same as the processes of steps S210 and S211 in FIG. 5 of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0196] Here, if the operation panel 41 is not operated (step S605: No) and the number of elevator users reaches or exceeds a predetermined number (step S611b: Yes), the mode control unit 233 notifies the reservation management device 10 of the reservation cancellation (step S619) even before the predetermined time has elapsed, and terminates the processing.

[0197] Furthermore, if the number of elevator users reaches or exceeds a predetermined number after the car 40 has started to be used as a simple office (step S611a: Yes), the mode control unit 233 opens the door of the car 40 and issues a notification inside the car 40 that the provision of the simple office will be terminated using the display unit 403 of the operation panel 41 provided inside the car 40 or a speaker (not shown) inside the car 40 (step S612).

[0198] After starting the above-mentioned notification, the mode control unit 233 judges whether or not the user has exited the car 40 based on at least one of the detection results of the monitoring sensor 405a, the load sensor 405b, and the monitoring camera 505 (step S613). The mode control unit 233 waits until the user exits (step S613: No).

[0199] When the user exits the car 40 (step S613: Yes), the mode control unit 233 stores the desk set 401 (step S620b) and ends the simple office mode (step S621).

[0200] This ends the process of using the elevator 40 as a simple office by the group management control device 230 of the fourth embodiment.

[0201] (Overview) According to the elevator control system 4 of the fourth embodiment, when the car 40 is waiting at the landing 81 of a predetermined floor or in the simple office mode, if the current number of users of the elevator reaches or exceeds a predetermined number, the waiting state or simple office mode of the car 40 is ended even before the end of the reservation. This makes it possible to prevent the original purpose of the elevator from being hindered even if the number of users of the elevator suddenly increases during quiet hours.

[0202] According to the elevator control system 4 of embodiment 4, when the simple office mode is to be terminated while the car 40 is being used as a simple office, a notification of the termination of the simple office mode is sent to the car 40, and the simple office mode of the car 40 is terminated after the user exits.

[0203] This allows the user to be notified that the user is about to leave the temporary office, and encourages the user to leave. In addition, after the user leaves the temporary office, the elevator car 40 is returned to a state in which it can be normally operated, so that the impact on the user of the temporary office can be reduced.

[0204] Other than that, the elevator control system 4 of the fourth embodiment provides the same effects as the elevator control system 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0205] [Embodiment 5] Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The elevator control system of the fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, while the elevator car 40 is being used as a simple office, if an emergency occurs, the elevator control system stops using the simple office.

[0206] In the following drawings, the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0207] (Example of elevator control system configuration) FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator control system 5 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0208] 14, an elevator control system 5 of the fifth embodiment includes a group management control device 240 instead of the group management control device 20 of the first embodiment. The group management control device 240 of the fifth embodiment is also configured as a computer including, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, similar to the group management control device 20 of the first embodiment. Other configurations of the elevator control system 5 are similar to those of the elevator control system 1 of the first embodiment.

[0209] In the case where an emergency occurs in the building 80 in which the elevator is installed while the elevator car 40 is being used as a temporary office, the group management control device 240 of the fifth embodiment stops providing the temporary office. Here, an emergency is a situation that requires evacuation from the location where the elevator is installed, and examples of such emergency include disasters such as fire, earthquake, and flood.

[0210] In order to grasp the occurrence of such an emergency, the group management control device 240 is connected, for example, to a building management system 60 so as to be able to send and receive information via wired or wireless communication. The building management system 60 is a system that monitors a building 80 in which an elevator is installed.

[0211] In order to realize the above functions, the group management control device 220 has, as functional units, the above-mentioned communication unit 201 and memory unit 204, and also has a judgment unit 242 and a mode control unit 243 instead of the above-mentioned judgment unit 202 and mode control unit 203.

[0212] While the elevator 40 is being used as a makeshift office, the judgment unit 242 acquires information from the building management system 60 and monitors whether any emergency situation has occurred that could cause serious damage to the building 80.

[0213] The mode control unit 243 terminates the simple office mode not only when the reserved time has ended, but also when the determination unit 242 determines that an emergency has occurred at the installation location of the elevator. Furthermore, before terminating the simple office mode before the end of the reserved time due to the occurrence of an emergency, the mode control unit 243 issues a notice to the passenger in the car 40 that the use of the simple office will be suspended.

[0214] The above notification to the user can be made, for example, by using the display unit 403 of the operation panel 41. However, instead of or in addition to the display unit 403, the above notification may be made by voice using a speaker or the like (not shown) provided in the car 40.

[0215] After performing the above-mentioned notification for a predetermined period of time, the mode control unit 243 ends the simple office mode and switches to controlled operation. Controlled operation is for operating the elevator appropriately according to the contents and circumstances of an emergency or the like when it occurs.

[0216] When the controlled operation starts, the elevator goes into automatic operation according to a preset program. In the case of controlled operation during an earthquake, for example, when an earthquake is detected, the elevator stops the moving car 40 at the nearest floor and opens the doors. In the case of controlled operation during a fire, the elevator stops the car 40 at a floor where quick evacuation is possible, such as the ground floor, and opens the doors. In the case of controlled operation during a power outage, the elevator switches to a private power source or a battery to maintain the power supply to the elevator. In the case of controlled operation during a flood, the elevator stops the car 40 at a floor above the flooded floor and opens the doors.

[0217] (Example of elevator control system processing) Next, a processing example by the group management control device 240 of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a flow diagram showing an example of a processing procedure for using the car 40 as a simple office by the group management control device 240 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0218] As shown in FIG. 15, the processes in steps S701 to S707, S718b, and S719 are substantially the same as the processes in steps S201 to S207, S208b, and S209 in FIG. 5 of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0219] That is, when the elevator enters a quiet time period (step S701: Yes) and a reservation has been registered in the reservation management device 10 (step S702: Yes), the mode control unit 243 moves the number of elevator cars 40 corresponding to the number of reservations to a specified floor (step S703) and has them wait at that floor with the doors open (step S704).

[0220] Furthermore, if the operation panel 41 is not operated (step S705: No) and no abnormality occurs in the elevator installation location (step S711b: No), and a predetermined time has elapsed (step S718b: Yes), the mode control unit 243 notifies the reservation management device 10 of the reservation cancellation (step S719) and terminates the processing.

[0221] If the destination floor call button 402 or the like on the operation panel 41 is operated (step S705: Yes) before a predetermined time has elapsed (step S718b: No), the mode control unit 243 switches the car 40 to the simple office mode (step S706), closes the door of the car 40, and unfolds the desk set 401, making it usable as a simple office (step S707).

[0222] When the elevator 40 starts to be used as a temporary office, the determination unit 242 acquires information from the building management system 60 and determines whether an emergency has occurred in the building 80 where the elevator is installed (step S711a). If no abnormality has occurred in the building 80 (step S711a: No), the determination unit 242 continues to monitor the building 80 for abnormalities until the end of the reservation (step S718a: No).

[0223] When no abnormality occurs in the elevator installation location (step S711a: No) and the reservation end time arrives, the processes of steps S720a, S720b, and S721 are the same as the processes of steps S210 and S211 in FIG. 5 of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0224] Here, if the operation panel 41 is not operated (step S705: No) and an emergency occurs at the elevator installation location (step S711b: Yes), the mode control unit 243 notifies the reservation management device 10 of the reservation cancellation (step S719) even before the specified time has elapsed, and terminates the processing.

[0225] Furthermore, if an emergency occurs at the location where the elevator is installed after the elevator 40 has started to be used as a simple office (step S711a: Yes), the mode control unit 243 opens the door of the elevator 40 and issues a notification inside the elevator 40 that the provision of the simple office will be terminated using the display unit 403 of the operation panel 41 installed inside the elevator 40 or a speaker (not shown) inside the elevator 40 (step S712).

[0226] After the notification is started, the mode control unit 243 determines whether or not a predetermined period has elapsed (step S713). The mode control unit 243 continues the notification until the predetermined period has elapsed (step S713: No). When the predetermined period has elapsed after the notification is started (step S713: Yes), the mode control unit 243 stores the desk set 401 (step S720b) ​​and ends the simple office mode (step S721).

[0227] This ends the process of using the elevator 40 as a simple office by the group management control device 240 of the fifth embodiment.

[0228] (Overview) According to the elevator control system 5 of the fifth embodiment, when the car 40 is waiting at the landing 81 of a specific floor or in the simple office mode, if a signal is received notifying that an abnormality has occurred at the elevator installation location, the waiting state or simple office mode of the car 40 is ended even before the end of the reservation. This makes it possible to encourage users who are about to use the simple office or who are currently using it to evacuate from the building 80, etc.

[0229] According to the elevator control system 5 of embodiment 5, when the simple office mode is terminated while the car 40 is being used as a simple office, a notification of the end of the simple office mode is sent inside the car 40 for a predetermined period of time, and then the standby state or simple office mode of the car 40 is terminated.

[0230] This makes it possible to notify the user that use of the simple office will end, and to more strongly urge the user to leave. Also, instead of waiting for the user to leave as in the above-mentioned fourth embodiment, the simple office mode is forcibly ended after a predetermined time has elapsed, so that the user can be more reliably evacuated.

[0231] In addition, the elevator control system 5 of the fifth embodiment has the same effects as the elevator control system 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0232] [Other embodiments] In the above-described first to fifth embodiments and the modified example, the desk set 401 is provided so as to be storable in the side panel of the car 40. However, the desk set 401 may be provided so as to be storable in a place other than the side panel, such as the back surface of the car 40 or under the floor.

[0233] In the above-mentioned first to fifth embodiments and the modified examples, the reservation management device 10 is installed, for example, at a location away from the elevator. However, the reservation management device may be provided with an input / output device and installed at the elevator hall 81 or the like. In this case, when making a reservation for a simple office, instead of or in addition to the method of accessing from the terminal 100 described above, the user can make a reservation by directly operating the input / output device of the reservation management device from the elevator hall 81.

[0234] At this time, when the off-peak hours arrive, a predetermined number of cars 40 can be kept waiting with their doors open at the landing 81 on a predetermined floor, regardless of whether or not a reservation has been registered. In this case, a user who has not made a reservation in advance can check the availability of cars 40 on the spot and use an available car 40 as a makeshift office. In this case, by using the glass door 501g of the above-mentioned modified example, it becomes even easier to check the usage status of the car 40.

[0235] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0236] 1 to 5... elevator control system, 10, 110, 120... reservation management device, 20, 220, 230, 240... group management control device, 30... elevator control device, 40... car, 41, 51... operation panel, 60... building management system, 80... building, 81... landing, 101... reception unit, 102... reservation management unit, 115... accumulation unit, 116... calculation unit, 127... issuance unit, 128... authentication unit, 202, 232, 242... judgment unit, 203, 233, 243... mode control unit, 401... desk set, 402... destination floor call button, 403... display unit, 405a... monitoring sensor, 405b... load sensor, 501... door, 501g... glass door, 502... landing call button, 505... monitoring camera.

Claims

1. A group management control device that performs group management control of the operation of a plurality of elevator cars; a reservation management device that receives and registers a reservation for using at least one of the plurality of elevator cars as a temporary office, The group management control device includes: a mode control unit that switches between a normal operation mode in which the at least one car is normally operated and a simple office mode in which the at least one car is used as the simple office, The mode control unit is When it is a quiet time period when the number of users of the elevator decreases, referring to the reservation registration information acquired from the reservation management device, if the reservation is registered, making the at least one elevator car wait at a landing at a predetermined floor, When an operation panel in the at least one waiting car is operated, the mode is switched to the simple office mode, and a desk set stored in the at least one waiting car is deployed to a usable state. Elevator control system.

2. The mode control unit is When the at least one car is to wait at the landing, the door is opened; When the operation panel is operated, the desk set is unfolded and the door is closed.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

3. The mode control unit is When the at least one car is made to wait at the landing, a light-adjustable glass door provided separately from a door used during normal operation of the elevator is closed to make the door transparent or translucent; When the operation panel is operated, the desk set is unfolded and the closed glass door is made opaque.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

4. The off-peak time period is preset.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

5. The elevator further includes a determination unit that determines that the off-peak time period has arrived when the number of users of the elevator is equal to or less than a predetermined number.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

6. The reservation management device includes: A reception unit that receives the reservation; a storage unit that stores information on the number of users acquired from the group management control device; A calculation unit that calculates the number of elevator cars that can be used as the simple office during the off-peak time period based on the accumulated information, The reception unit is Accepting the reservations with a maximum number of reservations equal to the number of cars calculated by the calculation unit; The mode control unit is When the off-peak time period arrives, a number of elevator cars equal to the number of reservations accepted by the acceptance unit are made to wait at the landing of the specified floor.

6. The elevator control system of claim 5.

7. The reservation management device includes: A reception unit that receives the reservation; a reservation management unit that registers the reservations accepted by the accepting unit and generates reservation registration information; an issuing unit that issues a password in association with the reservation registration information generated by the reservation management unit, The mode control unit is When the password is input from the operation panel in the at least one waiting car, the desk set in the at least one waiting car is unfolded to make the temporary office available for use.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

8. The mode control unit is When the at least one car is waiting at the landing or in the simple office mode, if the number of users of the elevator reaches a predetermined number or more, the waiting state or the simple office mode of the at least one car is ended even before the end time of the reservation, When the simple office mode is to be terminated while the at least one car is being used as the simple office, a notification of the termination of the simple office mode is given to the at least one car, and the simple office mode is terminated after a user who has been using the simple office has left the car.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

9. The elevator control system further includes a determination unit that determines whether the number of users of the elevator has reached the predetermined number or more based on a number of operations performed on the elevator having reached a predetermined number or more.

9. The elevator control system of claim 8.

10. The mode control unit is When the at least one car is waiting at the landing or in the simple office mode, if a signal is received notifying that an abnormality has occurred at the installation location of the elevator, the at least one car is terminated from the waiting state or the simple office mode and transitioned to a controlled operation even before the end time of the reservation; When the simple office mode is to be terminated while the at least one car is being used as the simple office, a notification of the termination of the simple office mode is given to the at least one car for a predetermined period of time, and then the simple office mode is terminated and a transition is made to a controlled operation.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

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