Operation control adjustment device for elevator

Abstract

To make it possible to efficiently reduce user's dissatisfaction.SOLUTION: An elevator operation control adjustment device according to an embodiment includes: an image analysis unit that analyzes the number of users of an elevator and emotion of each user from an image of a camera installed in a landing or a car of the elevator; and an operation control adjustment unit that adjusts control applied to an operation of the elevator according to the number of users expressing feeling of dissatisfaction obtained from a result of the analysis or a total of feeling levels of the dissatisfaction of the respective users.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an elevator operation control adjustment device and program. [Background technology]

[0002] Elevators do not always operate in a way that satisfies elevator users. In order to reduce the dissatisfaction of elevator users, for example, the manager or owner of the building (hereinafter referred to as the "manager, etc.") needs to gather the requests of elevator users and decide how to change the control. Alternatively, the manager, etc. may ask the elevator manufacturer or service company to change the control settings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 01-231778 [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-030894 A [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2022 / 091705 [Patent Document 4] Patent Publication No. 2021-080077 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional methods often fail to capture the feelings of actual elevator users or may change settings too late, making it difficult to resolve users' dissatisfaction.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an elevator operation control adjustment device and program that can efficiently reduce user dissatisfaction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The elevator operation control adjustment device of the embodiment includes an image analysis unit that analyzes the number of elevator users and the emotions of each person from images taken by a camera installed at the elevator landing or inside the elevator car, and an operation control adjustment unit that adjusts the control applied to the operation of the elevator depending on the number of people expressing dissatisfaction obtained from the results of the analysis, or the total level of dissatisfaction of each person. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator group control system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a hall. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a portion around an entrance / exit inside a car. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image showing a person's face. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for inputting dissatisfaction information. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the screen for inputting dissatisfaction information. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of association information set and managed by the information management unit 22f. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of priority information set and managed by the information management unit 22f. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of user-control correspondence information set and managed by the information management unit 22f. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the current state information managed by the information management unit 22f. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a specific example of control using priority information. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which the operation control adjustment device 22 is provided independently of the group management control device 20. As shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the basic operation of the operation control adjustment device 22. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a control operation for an elevator user at a landing. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a control operation for an elevator user in the car. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a control operation using priority information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] <Elevator system configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator group control system according to an embodiment.

[0010] The elevator group management system shown in FIG. 1 includes an elevator group management control device 20, elevator control devices 11a-11c and cars 12a-12c that constitute a plurality of elevators, and a hall call registration device 15 and cameras (imaging devices) 16a-16c installed in a hall (elevator hall) 14 on each floor.

[0011] Here, an example is shown in which three elevators, A to C, are managed as a group. The elevators A to C correspond to three elevator control devices 11a to 11c, three cars 12a to 12c, and three cameras 16a to 16c, respectively.

[0012] The elevator control devices 11a to 11c are provided for each of the elevator cars 12a to 12c, and control the operation of the corresponding elevator cars. Specifically, the elevator control devices 11a to 11c control motors (hoists) (not shown) for raising and lowering the elevator cars 12a to 12c, and control the opening and closing of doors. These elevator control devices 11a to 11c are configured using a computer.

[0013] The cars 12a to 12c are driven by motors to move up and down in the elevator shaft. The cars 12a to 12c are provided with load sensors 13a to 13c for detecting the load inside the cars, respectively. Load data detected by the load sensors 13a to 13c is transmitted to the group management control device 20 via the elevator control devices 11a to 11c.

[0014] In addition, cameras (imaging devices) 18a to 18c are installed in the elevator cars 12a to 12c, respectively. The cameras 18a to 18c photograph elevator users in the elevator cars. The images obtained by photographing (photographed images) are transmitted to an operation control adjustment device 22 in a group management control device 20 via the elevator control devices 11a to 11c.

[0015] The group management control device 20 is a device for group management and control of the operation of a plurality of cars 12a to 12c, and is configured using a computer similar to the elevator control devices 11a to 11c. The group management control device 20 is equipped with a call storage unit 21, an operation control adjustment device 22, and an operation control unit 23. Note that, although an example in which the operation control adjustment device 22 is provided inside the group management control device 20 is shown here, the operation control adjustment device 22 may also be provided outside the group management control device 20. A specific example in that case will be described later.

[0016] The call storage unit 21 stores hall calls registered by operating the hall call registration device 15.

[0017] The operation control adjustment device 22 instructs the operation control unit 23 to implement control for reducing the dissatisfaction of the elevator users, using dissatisfaction information indicating the contents of the dissatisfaction of the elevator users transmitted from the information terminal 10B carried by the elevator users, and the number of people expressing dissatisfaction obtained from the captured images collected from the cameras 16a to 16c and the cameras 18a to 18c. Note that instead of using the number of people expressing dissatisfaction, the total of the dissatisfaction levels of each person obtained from the captured images may be used to implement control for reducing the dissatisfaction of the elevator users. For example, if there are three people (people who are dissatisfied) with a dissatisfaction level of level 1 and four people (people who are very dissatisfied) in a certain hall or car, the result of calculating "1 x 3 + 2 x 4", "11", is set as the total of the dissatisfaction levels of each person. Also, the control for reducing the dissatisfaction of the elevator users may be implemented using both the number of people expressing dissatisfaction and the total of the dissatisfaction levels of each person. Details of these will be described later.

[0018] Moreover, the operation control adjustment device 22 is configured to be able to communicate with an information terminal 10A carried by a manager or the like and an information terminal 10B carried by each elevator user via a communication network not shown. The manager or the like can use the information terminal 10A to view and change the content of the information managed by the operation control adjustment device 22. The elevator users can communicate their dissatisfaction to the operation control adjustment device 22 using the information terminal 10B.

[0019] The operation control adjustment device 22 is configured using a computer, and various functions of the operation control adjustment device 22 are realized as programs executed by the computer. The various functions of the operation control adjustment device 22 will be described in detail later.

[0020] The operation control unit 23 controls the operation of multiple elevators through the elevator control devices 11a to 11c. If there is no instruction from the operation control adjustment device 22, the operation control unit 23 performs general group management control, but if the operation control adjustment device 22 instructs the operation control unit 23 to perform a certain control, the operation control unit 23 performs the control with priority.

[0021] When a new hall call is registered, the operation control unit 23 selects an elevator from among the elevators 12a to 12c to which the hall call should be assigned, and causes the elevator to respond to the corresponding hall 14 (causing the elevator to head toward the hall 14 at the floor where the hall call is registered).

[0022] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the hall 14. However, this is just an example, and the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0023] A hall call registration device 15 for registering hall calls is installed at a hall (elevator hall) 14 on each floor. In the example of FIG. 2, a hall call registration device 15 installed on an arbitrary floor is shown for convenience, but in reality, at least one hall call registration device 15 is installed on each floor. The hall call registration device 15 is connected to the group management control device 20 via a transmission cable (not shown). The hall call registration device 15 has a direction button (also called a "hall call button") that allows an elevator user to specify a destination direction (upward / downward).

[0024] Here, a "hall call" is a call signal registered by operating a direction button at a platform, and includes information on the registered floor and destination direction. On the other hand, a "car call" is a call signal registered by operating a destination floor button in a car, and includes information on the car and the destination floor.

[0025] In addition, cameras 16a-16c are installed for each elevator at the landing (elevator hall) 14 on each floor. The cameras 16a-16c are installed near the landing doors 17a-17c, respectively, and capture an image including the faces of multiple elevator users waiting in front of the arrival gates of the cars 12a-12c. The captured image is transmitted to the operation control adjustment device 22 in the group management control device 20.

[0026] Next, one of the cars 12a to 12c will be referred to as the car 12 for convenience, and the internal configuration of the car 12 will be described.

[0027] 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the vicinity of the entrance / exit inside the car 12. However, this is just one example, and the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0028] A car door 40 is provided at the entrance of the car 12 so as to be able to be opened and closed freely. In the example of Fig. 3, a car door 40 of a double-opening type is shown, and two door panels 40a, 40b constituting the car door 40 open and close in opposite directions along the width direction (horizontal direction).

[0029] Entrance pillars 41a, 41b are provided on both sides of the entrance of the car 12. In the example of Fig. 3, when the car door 40 is opened, one door panel 40a is stored in a door pocket 42a provided on the back side of the entrance pillar 41a, and the other door panel 40b is stored in a door pocket 42b provided on the back side of the entrance pillar 41b.

[0030] In addition, a display 43, an operation panel 45 on which a destination floor button 44 and the like are arranged, and a speaker 46 are installed on one or both of the entrance columns 41a and 41b. In the example of FIG. 3, the speaker 46 and a camera 18, which is one of the above-mentioned cameras 18a to 18c, are installed on the entrance column 41a, and the display 43 and the operation panel 45 are installed on the entrance column 41b. When an elevator user who has entered the car 12 presses the destination floor button 44 on the operation panel 45, the destination floor designated by the destination floor button 44 is registered as a car call. The car call registered in the car 12 is sent to the group management control device 20 via the elevator control device 11 corresponding to the car 12.

[0031] <Functional configuration of the operation control adjustment device 22> 1 has, as various functions, an image acquisition unit 22a, an image analysis unit 22b, a call information acquisition unit 22c, a complaint information acquisition unit 22d, a user information acquisition unit 22e, an information management unit 22f, a situation determination unit 22g, and an operation control adjustment unit 22h. These functions will be described below in order.

[0032] Image acquisition unit 22a The image acquisition unit 22a separately collects images taken by the cameras 16a to 16c installed for each car at the boarding area on each floor, and separately collects images taken by the cameras 18a to 18c for each car, and records each of the collected images in a specified memory area.

[0033] ·Image analysis section 22b The image analysis unit 22b has a function of detecting human faces from each image acquired by the image acquisition unit 22a, and analyzing the number of people and the emotion of each person. In this example, this function is used to determine the number of people expressing dissatisfaction, and may also determine the level of dissatisfaction of each person. There are various types of dissatisfaction, such as anger, bad mood, and regret, but here, in order to avoid complicating the explanation, the emotion of anger is the subject of the discussion. In addition, the level of dissatisfaction can be expressed in multiple stages, but here, in order to avoid complicating the explanation, it is expressed in three stages: level 0 (not dissatisfied), level 1 (dissatisfied), and level 2 (very dissatisfied).

[0034] FIG. 4 shows an example of an image showing a person's face.

[0035] In the example of image 50 in FIG. 4, a person with a dissatisfaction emotion level of Level 0 (not dissatisfied) is shown on the right side, and a person with a dissatisfaction emotion level of Level 2 (very dissatisfied) is shown on the left side.

[0036] In addition, AI (Artificial Intelligence) may be applied to the image analysis. In this case, the AI ​​can learn the relationship between various facial expressions and the emotional level of dissatisfaction, thereby making it possible to determine the emotional level of any facial expression with high accuracy. Furthermore, the image analysis unit 22b can identify age and gender from the facial features shown in the image, as well as identify specific individuals. Furthermore, it can also identify specific user groups (seniors, young people, etc.).

[0037] Call information acquisition unit 22c The call information acquisition unit 22c acquires call information stored in the call storage unit 21, which indicates the presence or absence of a hall call at each floor.

[0038] Complaint information acquisition unit 22d The dissatisfaction information acquiring unit 22d displays a screen on the information terminal 10A or the information terminal 10B, in which the dissatisfaction information indicating the contents of the dissatisfaction of the elevator user can be input, in response to a request from the information terminal 10A or the information terminal 10B, and acquires the dissatisfaction information input on the screen. The acquired information is stored in the information management unit 22f described later.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen for inputting dissatisfaction information.

[0040] In the example of screen 51 in FIG. 5, various types of complaints such as "long waiting time," "crowded car," "noisy car," etc. are provided as options on the screen of information terminal 10B owned by the elevator user. When the elevator user selects, for example, "crowded car," he or she checks the check box next to it and presses the send button. As a result, complaint information indicating the selected complaint is transmitted to operation control adjustment device 22 together with information on the date and time (time) at that time. Complaint information acquisition unit 22d acquires the complaint information with information on the time of transmission. An identification number for identifying the elevator user may also be attached to the complaint information.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows another example of a screen for inputting complaint information.

[0042] In the example of screen 52 in FIG. 6, there are no options provided on the screen of information terminal 10B owned by the elevator user, but an input field in which any sentence can be entered is provided. The elevator user enters, for example, "The car is crowded" and presses the send button. As a result, complaint information indicating the entered content of the complaint is transmitted to operation control adjustment device 22 together with information on the date and time at that time. Complaint information acquisition unit 22d acquires the complaint information with information on the time of transmission. In this case, complaint information acquisition unit 22d converts the complaint content "The car is crowded" in the acquired complaint information to the closest complaint content among the above options, "The car is crowded."

[0043] ·User information acquisition unit 22e The user information acquisition unit 22e acquires information (user information) for identifying an elevator user. Specifically, the user information acquisition unit 22e acquires an identification number for identifying an elevator user from the information terminal 10B, and acquires facial feature data of the elevator user from images captured by each camera. The acquired information is stored in the information management unit 22f described later.

[0044] ·Information Management Department 22f The information management unit 22f sets and manages various information obtained by the image acquisition unit 22a, the image analysis unit 22b, the call information acquisition unit 22c, the complaint information acquisition unit 22d, the user information acquisition unit 22e, etc. It also records and manages the elevator operation history (record of the operation status) and the recording history of each camera. These various pieces of information are used by the situation determination unit 22g or the operation control adjustment unit 22h, which will be described later.

[0045] FIG. 7 shows an example of the association information set and managed by the information management unit 22f.

[0046] The association information shown in Fig. 7 is information used for processing in the operation control adjustment unit 22h described later, and is information in which items indicating the contents of various dissatisfaction, various controls for reducing each of the various dissatisfaction, and the range of the number of people expressing dissatisfaction required to implement each of the various controls are associated in advance. Each item may be managed separately for dissatisfaction occurring at the "landing" and dissatisfaction occurring "in the car."

[0047] The range of the number of people expressing dissatisfaction may be replaced with the range of the total dissatisfaction level of each person, as will be described later in detail.

[0048] In the example of FIG. 7, the following rules are set for each item.

[0049] It is indicated that if the number of people dissatisfied with "long waiting times" is 0 to 2, then "no control change" (general group management control will be implemented), if the number is 3 to 4, then the control will be "distributed waiting on the relevant floors," and if the number is 5 or more, then the control will be "allocated two vehicles" and "distributed waiting on the relevant floors."

[0050] It is shown that if the number of people who are dissatisfied with the "crowded car" is 0 to 2, then "no change in control" will be made, if the number is 3 to 4, then "priority allocation will be given to cars with smaller car loads," and if the number is 5 or more, then "lowering the full-occupancy threshold" and "priority allocation will be given to cars with smaller car loads."

[0051] It is indicated that if the number of people who are dissatisfied with the noise inside the car is 0 to 2, "no change in control" will be made, but if the number is 3 or more, "the announcement volume will be lowered by one level."

[0052] It is indicated that if the number of people who are dissatisfied with "the doors closing before they can get in" is 0 to 2, then "no control change" (no change to the current control) will be implemented, but if the number is 3 or more, then "the door opening time will be extended by 1 second."

[0053] It is indicated that if the number of people who are dissatisfied with "the car that is far from the platform call button" is 0 to 2, "no change in control" will be made, but if the number of people is 3 or more, "priority will be given to allocating the car that is closest to the platform button."

[0054] It is indicated that if the number of people who are dissatisfied with "sharing" is 0 to 2, "no change in control" will be made, but if there are 3 or more people, "empty cars will be assigned to the relevant floor."

[0055] It has been indicated that if the number of people who are dissatisfied with having boarded the wrong train car is 0 to 2, "no change in control" will be made, but if the number is 3 or more, "the chime volume will be increased by one level."

[0056] The association information shown in FIG. 7 is an example, and is not limited to this example. The configuration of the association information may be changed as appropriate. For example, the content of each control and the threshold range of the number of people may be changed as appropriate. In addition, the effect of the control that has already been implemented (whether dissatisfaction has been reduced or not) may be observed, and the threshold of the number of people and the content of the control may be changed as appropriate depending on the effect. In addition, such changes to the association information may be automatically updated to be appropriate according to various situations.

[0057] The information management unit 22f sets and manages, in addition to the association information, priority information in which a priority is set for each hall (each floor).

[0058] FIG. 8 shows an example of priority information set and managed by the information management unit 22f.

[0059] The priority information shown in FIG. 8 indicates the priority order (priority) for implementing control for reducing dissatisfaction among elevator users for each landing (each floor), and is updated at regular intervals.

[0060] The priority may be determined based on the number of people expressing dissatisfaction or the total of the dissatisfied emotion levels of each person, or may be determined using an arithmetic expression including both the number of people expressing dissatisfaction and the total of the dissatisfied emotion levels of each person. In this case, an arithmetic expression that adds both is given as an example, but the type of arithmetic expression is not important. A weighting coefficient may be assigned to the number of people expressing dissatisfaction and the total of the dissatisfied emotion levels of each person. The higher the number of people expressing dissatisfaction, the higher the priority, and the higher the total of the dissatisfied emotion levels of each person, the higher the priority.

[0061] In the example of FIG. 8, the highest priority "1" is assigned to floor "2F". The second highest priority "2" is assigned to floor "3F". The third highest priority "3" is assigned to floor "1F". However, the priority information shown in FIG. 8 is merely an example and is not limited to this example. The configuration of the priority information may be changed as appropriate.

[0062] In the priority information shown in Fig. 8, a priority is assigned to "each landing (each floor)", but a similar priority may be assigned to "each car (each car)". In that case, the priority information indicates the priority order (priority) for implementing control for reducing dissatisfaction of elevator users for each car (each car).

[0063] The information management unit 22f also sets and manages user-control correspondence information that indicates the control that should be performed when a specific elevator user is present.

[0064] FIG. 9 shows an example of the user-control correspondence information set and managed by the information management unit 22f.

[0065] The user-control correspondence information shown in FIG. 9 indicates the most effective control content for reducing dissatisfaction for a specific elevator user.

[0066] In the example of FIG. 9, it is shown that control A is implemented for a user with user ID "010001", and control B is implemented for a user with user ID "010002". Each user ID may be an identification number of an elevator user acquired through information terminal 10B, or an identification number of facial feature data of an elevator user acquired from a captured image. In addition, each control may be set or changed by observing the effect of a control already implemented by operation control adjustment unit 22h described later (whether dissatisfaction has been reduced or not) depending on the good or bad effect.

[0067] Moreover, the information management section 22f manages current status information indicating how many people are currently dissatisfied with each item.

[0068] FIG. 10 shows an example of the current state information managed by the information management unit 22f.

[0069] The current situation information shown in FIG. 10 indicates items indicating the content of dissatisfaction and the number of people who are dissatisfied.

[0070] Individual items may be managed separately as dissatisfaction occurring at the "boarding area" and dissatisfaction occurring "in the car."

[0071] The "item" reflects the content of the dissatisfaction input from the screen described in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The "number of people" reflects the number of people expressing dissatisfaction obtained from an image taken in the relevant hall or car during a certain time period to which the dissatisfaction information indicating the content of the dissatisfaction is transmitted from the information terminal 10B or the like. The location of the relevant hall or car can be derived from the elevator operation history recorded in chronological order or the recording history of each camera. In addition, if the transmission time is, for example, 9:00, the certain time period may be a short time period from 8:55 to 9:00, or a long time period from 8:00 to 9:00, or the width of the time period may be changed as appropriate.

[0072] In the example of Figure 10, various types of dissatisfaction information, such as "long waiting time," "the car is crowded," "it is noisy inside the car," etc., are sequentially added in the order in which the dissatisfaction information was transmitted from information terminal 10B, along with the number of people expressing dissatisfaction.

[0073] Situation determination unit 22g The status determination unit 22g monitors the elevator operation status based on the call information acquired by the call information acquisition unit 22c, and determines whether or not the current control should be changed, and if the control should be changed, which control should be implemented, based on various information such as association information managed by the information management unit 22f.

[0074] · Operation control adjustment section 22h The operation control adjustment unit 22h adjusts the control applied to the operation of the elevator based on the results of the analysis performed by the image analysis unit 22b, various information managed by the information management unit 22f, the judgment results of the situation judgment unit 22g, etc.

[0075] For example, the operation control adjustment unit 22h adjusts the control applied to the operation of the elevator depending on the number of people expressing dissatisfaction obtained from the results of analysis by the image analysis unit 22b, or the total level of dissatisfaction of each person.

[0076] Specifically, when the number of people expressing dissatisfaction during a certain time period including the time when the dissatisfaction information acquired by the dissatisfaction information acquisition unit 22d (dissatisfaction information indicating the content of the dissatisfaction transmitted from the information terminal 10B, etc.) was transmitted, or the total level of dissatisfaction of each person, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the driving control adjustment unit 22h decides to implement control that is pre-associated with the dissatisfaction information, and instructs the driving control unit 23 to implement that control.

[0077] In the above determination, instead of using the number of people expressing dissatisfaction or the total of the dissatisfaction levels of each person, both the number of people expressing dissatisfaction and the total of the dissatisfaction levels of each person may be used. For example, when a value obtained from an arithmetic expression including both the number of people expressing dissatisfaction and the total of the dissatisfaction levels of each person is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it may be determined to implement control previously associated with the dissatisfaction information. In this case, an arithmetic expression that adds both is given as an example, but the type of arithmetic expression does not matter. A weighting coefficient may be assigned to each of the number of people expressing dissatisfaction and the total of the dissatisfaction levels of each person.

[0078] In addition to the above, the operation control adjustment unit 22h has a function of determining whether the above-mentioned dissatisfaction information is true or false, based on a record of the elevator operation status recorded at regular intervals.

[0079] To determine the authenticity of the complaint information, it is sufficient to check whether the elevator operation conditions recorded at regular intervals correspond to the conditions indicated by the complaint information (whether there is a certain level of similarity). For example, if it is confirmed that the car was nearly full during the time period in which the complaint information indicating "the car is crowded" was transmitted, the complaint information is determined to be correct and the corresponding control is implemented. If not, the complaint information is determined to be incorrect and the corresponding control is not implemented.

[0080] In addition, the driving control adjustment unit 22h has a function of canceling the implementation of control to reduce dissatisfaction if, after the implementation of control, the number of people expressing dissatisfaction or the total level of dissatisfaction of each person increases.

[0081] In other words, if the implementation of control to reduce dissatisfaction has an adverse effect on elevator users, the implementation of that control is withdrawn, thereby preventing the worsening of dissatisfaction.

[0082] In addition, the driving control adjustment unit 22h has a function of, when a face of a person belonging to a specific user group is detected from the captured image, implementing control that is associated in advance with the specific user group.

[0083] For example, if a particular user group is "seniors," it may be assumed that they are more likely to be dissatisfied with the door closing before they can get in, and control may be implemented to "increase the door opening time by one second" in response to this.

[0084] Furthermore, the operation control adjustment unit 22h has a function of implementing a control associated in advance with a specific elevator user who inputs dissatisfaction information from the information terminal 10B with a frequency equal to or higher than a certain frequency.

[0085] To implement this control, the above-mentioned user-control correspondence information set and managed by the information management unit 22f is used. The user-control correspondence information indicates the control that should be implemented when a specific elevator user is present. For example, the AI ​​may learn the relationship between the contents of multiple complaints that a specific elevator user has input so far and the control that was implemented and raised or lowered the level of dissatisfaction, thereby deriving a control suitable for that specific elevator user.

[0086] By configuring the operation control adjustment device 22 in this manner, it is possible to accurately grasp the feelings of dissatisfaction felt by elevator users at the landing or inside the car, and immediate corresponding control is automatically implemented, thereby making it possible to efficiently reduce user dissatisfaction.

[0087] In the following, a specific example of the control that the operation control adjustment unit 22h performs using the above-mentioned priority information will be described.

[0088] <Specific examples of control using priority information> Next, a specific example of control using the priority information described with reference to FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the conceptual diagram of FIG.

[0089] The conceptual diagram in Figure 11 shows a situation in which four elevators (A, B, C, and D) are group-controlled, with each car 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, in that order, responding to hall calls on the second and third floors and attempting to descend from the upper floors.

[0090] In the center of Fig. 11, three people are trying to get on the elevator at the third floor landing, and three people are trying to get on the elevator at the second floor landing. The people shown in black are expressing dissatisfaction. At this time, there are only two, one, two, and one spaces left in cars 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d, which are descending from the upper floors. In other words, none of the cars can accommodate three people.

[0091] In such a situation, in this embodiment, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 11, the car that can respond to the third floor first is deliberately made to pass the third floor and respond to the second floor first. In other words, the car is controlled so that it arrives early on priority basis at floors where there are many people expressing dissatisfaction.

[0092] In this case, the priority information is set, as shown in FIG. 8, so that the second floor has the highest priority, the third floor has the next highest priority, and the first floor has the next highest priority.

[0093] Therefore, cars are preferentially dispatched to the second floor, which has the highest priority. Since three people are waiting on the second floor, not only car 12a, which has only two vacant seats, but also car 12b, which has only one vacant seat, are controlled to respond to the second floor so that all three people can board. To the third floor, the following cars 12c and 12d are controlled to respond.

[0094] There is a person on the third floor who is expressing dissatisfaction, but even if the car 12b is made to respond to the third floor, that person does not necessarily get on the car 12b first. In this embodiment, priority is given to allocating a car appropriate to the number of people waiting to the boarding hall with a higher priority.

[0095] By having the operation control adjustment unit 22h carry out such control, it is possible to reduce dissatisfaction felt by elevator users efficiently as a whole.

[0096] In addition, when giving priority to allocating an elevator to a higher priority platform in proportion to the number of people waiting, the priority platform may be determined taking into consideration not only the number of people waiting, but also the waiting time, age, number of times elevators have been turned away, and the like.

[0097] In addition to the above, the operation control adjustment unit 22h has a function of adjusting the priority for a hall depending on the standing position of a person expressing dissatisfaction at the hall.

[0098] The standing position at the landing can be confirmed from the image of the camera installed at the landing. For example, if a person expressing dissatisfaction is closer to the landing door than other people, there is a high possibility that he or she will board the arriving elevator car, so by increasing the priority of that landing, the effect of reducing dissatisfaction of elevator users can be further improved.

[0099] In addition, the operation control adjustment unit 22h has a function of causing the elevator car to head to the destination floor without responding to hall calls at intermediate floors when there are a certain number of people in the elevator car whose dissatisfaction level exceeds a certain value.

[0100] In this way, by not responding to hall calls at intermediate floors, the elevator car can be prevented from becoming more crowded. Also, since the elevator car does not stop at intermediate floors, dissatisfied people can be directed quickly to their destination floors. This further enhances the effect of reducing dissatisfaction among elevator users.

[0101] In addition, the operation control adjustment unit 22h has a function of assigning a priority to each elevator car based on the number of people expressing dissatisfaction or the total level of dissatisfaction of each person, and making the elevator car with the higher priority head to the destination floor faster.

[0102] By assigning priorities to the cars in this manner, the dissatisfaction felt by elevator users can also be reduced efficiently.

[0103] <Modification> A modification of the operation control adjustment device 22 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

[0104] The operation control adjustment device 22 may be provided outside the group management control device 20.

[0105] That is, the operation control adjustment device 22 does not necessarily have to be provided inside the group management control device 20 as shown in Fig. 1. The operation control adjustment device 22 may be provided independently at a location separate from the group management control device 20. In that case, all of the functions of the operation control adjustment device 22 may be provided at a location separate from the group management control device 20, or only some of the functions of the operation control adjustment device 22 may be provided at a location separate from the group management control device 20.

[0106] FIG. 12 shows an example of a configuration in which the operation control adjustment device 22 is provided independently of the group management control device 20. In FIG.

[0107] The operation control adjustment device 22 shown in FIG. 12 can communicate with the group management control device 20, and realizes the same functions and operations as the operation control adjustment device 22 in the group management control device 20 described above. That is, the operation control adjustment device 22 shown in FIG. 12 can acquire information stored in the call storage unit 21 described in FIG. 1, acquire images supplied from the cameras 18a to 18c, acquire images supplied from the cameras 16a to 16, transmit and receive information to and from the information terminals 10A and 10B, and the operation control adjustment unit 22h can instruct the operation control unit 23 to perform control. In this case, the images supplied from the cameras 16a to 16 and the images supplied from the cameras 18a to 18c may be configured to be directly acquired by the operation control adjustment device 22 without passing through the group management control device 20. The transmission and reception of information between the operation control adjustment device 22 and the information terminals 10A and 10B may also be configured to be directly performed without passing through the group management control device 20.

[0108] <Operation flow> 13 to 16, some examples of operation by the operational control regulator 22 will now be described.

[0109] ·Basic operations First, an example of the basic operation of the operation control adjustment device 22 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0110] Various conditions are set in advance in the information management unit 22f (step S1). Here, the association information described with reference to FIG.

[0111] Next, the image acquisition unit 22a acquires an image captured by the camera, and the image analysis unit 22b analyzes the image (step S2).

[0112] Next, the call information acquisition unit 22c acquires the call information (step S3).

[0113] Next, the complaint information acquiring unit 22d acquires the complaint information from the information terminal 10B and the like (step S4).

[0114] Next, the presence or absence of user information acquired by the user information acquisition unit 22e is confirmed (step S5).

[0115] Next, the status determination unit 22g monitors the elevator operation status based on the call information, and determines whether the current control should be changed, and if the control should be changed, which control should be implemented, etc., based on various information such as association information managed by the information management unit 22f (step S6).

[0116] Next, the operation control adjustment unit 22h adjusts the control applied to the elevator operation based on the result of the analysis performed by the image analysis unit 22b, various information managed by the information management unit 22f, the judgment result of the situation judgment unit 22g, etc. (Step S7). For example, the control applied to the elevator operation is adjusted according to the number of people expressing dissatisfaction obtained from the analysis result by the image analysis unit 22b, or the total dissatisfaction level of each person. After this, the processing from step S1 is repeated.

[0117] Example of operation (1) An example of the control operation for elevator users at the landing will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Each process shown below is mainly performed by the operation control adjustment unit 22h.

[0118] First, it is determined whether there is a person at the landing and whether there is a call from the relevant floor (step S11). If not, the determination in step S11 is repeated, and if yes, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0119] Next, the emotions and number of people present at the boarding area are determined (step S12).

[0120] It is also determined whether or not there is any complaint information input from the information terminal (step S13). If not, the determination in step S11 is repeated, and if so, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0121] Next, the content and number of people of dissatisfied information are determined (step S14).

[0122] Also, it is determined whether the number of people expressing dissatisfaction (anger) is equal to or greater than a certain level (step S15). If not, the determination in step S11 is repeated, and if yes, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0123] Next, for landings (floors) where the number of people expressing anger is equal to or greater than a certain level, control to reduce anger (for example, dispatching a car to the floor in question quickly) is performed (step S16). After this, the process from step S11 is repeated.

[0124] Example of operation (2) An example of the control operation for an elevator user in the car will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Each process shown below is mainly performed by the operation control adjustment unit 22h.

[0125] First, it is determined whether or not there is a person in the car (step S21). If there is no person in the car, the determination in step S21 is repeated, and if there is a person in the car, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0126] Next, the emotions and number of people in the car are determined (step S22).

[0127] It is also determined whether or not there is any complaint information input from the information terminal (step S23). If not, the determination in step S21 is repeated, and if so, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0128] Next, the content and number of people of dissatisfied information are determined (step S24).

[0129] It is also determined whether the number of people expressing dissatisfaction (anger) is equal to or greater than a certain level (step S25). If this is not the case, the determination in step S21 is repeated, and if this is the case, the process proceeds to step S26.

[0130] Next, control to reduce anger (for example, moving the car to the destination floor quickly) is performed on cars (cars) where the number of people expressing anger is equal to or greater than a certain level (step S26). After this, the process from step S21 is repeated.

[0131] Example of operation (3) An example of a control operation using priority information will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Each process shown below is mainly performed by the operation control adjustment unit 22h.

[0132] First, it is determined whether there is a person at the landing and whether there is a call from the relevant floor (step S31). If not, the determination in step S31 is repeated, and if yes, the process proceeds to step S32.

[0133] Next, the emotions and number of people present at the boarding area are determined (step S32).

[0134] Next, priority is assigned to each hall as priority information (step S33).

[0135] Next, control according to the priority (for example, dispatching cars in the order of priority) is performed using the priority information (step S34). After this, the process from step S21 is repeated.

[0136] As described above in detail, according to the embodiment, user dissatisfaction can be efficiently reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0137] 10A, 10B...information terminal, 11a to 11c...elevator control devices, 12a to 12c...cars, 14...landing (elevator hall), 15...landing call registration device, 16a to 16c...cameras (imaging devices), 17a to 17c...landing doors, 18a to 18c...cameras (imaging devices), 20...group management control device, 21...call memory unit, 22...operation control adjustment device, 22a...image acquisition unit, 22b...image analysis unit, 22c...call information acquisition unit, 22d...complaint information acquisition unit, 22e...user information acquisition unit, 22f...information management unit, 22g...situation determination unit, 22h...operation control adjustment unit, 23...operation control unit.

Claims

1. an image analysis unit that analyzes the number of elevator users and the emotions of each person from images taken by a camera installed at the elevator hall or inside the elevator car; an operation control adjustment unit that adjusts a control applied to the operation of the elevator according to the number of people expressing dissatisfaction obtained from the result of the analysis or the total level of dissatisfaction of each person; An elevator operation control adjustment device comprising:

2. A dissatisfaction information acquisition unit is provided for acquiring dissatisfaction information indicating the contents of the dissatisfaction transmitted from the information terminal, The operation control adjustment unit is determining to implement a control previously associated with the dissatisfaction information when the number of people expressing the dissatisfaction emotion in a certain time period including the time when the dissatisfaction information is transmitted, or the total of the dissatisfaction emotion levels of each person is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; 2. The elevator operation control adjustment device according to claim 1.

3. The system includes an information management unit that manages information in which various types of dissatisfaction, controls for reducing each type of dissatisfaction, and the range of the number of people expressing dissatisfaction required for implementing each type of control or the total range of dissatisfaction levels of each person are associated in advance.

2. The elevator operation control adjustment device according to claim 1.

4. The operation control adjustment unit is determining whether the complaint information is true or false based on a record of the elevator operation status recorded at regular intervals; 3. The elevator operation control adjustment device according to claim 2.

5. The operation control adjustment unit is If the number of people expressing dissatisfaction or the total level of dissatisfaction of each person increases after implementing a control to reduce dissatisfaction, the implementation of the control is withdrawn; 2. The elevator operation control adjustment device according to claim 1.

6. The operation control adjustment unit is When a face of a person belonging to a specific user group is detected from the image, a control that is pre-associated with the specific user group is implemented.

2. The elevator operation control adjustment device according to claim 1.

7. The operation control adjustment unit is For a specific elevator user who inputs the dissatisfaction information from the information terminal at a frequency equal to or higher than a certain frequency, a control corresponding to the specific elevator user is executed.

3. The elevator operation control adjustment device according to claim 2.

8. The operation control adjustment unit is giving each hall a priority based on the number of people expressing dissatisfaction or the total level of dissatisfaction of each person, and making the elevators respond in order of priority; 2. The elevator operation control adjustment device according to claim 1.

9. The operation control adjustment unit is adjusting the priority of the boarding area according to the standing position of the person expressing the dissatisfaction at the boarding area; The elevator operation control adjustment device according to claim 8.

10. The operation control adjustment unit is If there are a certain number of people in the car whose dissatisfaction level exceeds a certain value, the car will not respond to calls from the boarding area on the way to the destination floor, and will instead head to the destination floor.

2. The elevator operation control adjustment device according to claim 1.

11. The operation control adjustment unit is A priority is given to each car based on the number of people expressing dissatisfaction or the total level of dissatisfaction of each person, and the car with a higher priority is made to head to the destination floor earlier.

2. The elevator operation control adjustment device according to claim 1.

12. On the computer, An image analysis function that analyzes the number of elevator users and the emotions of each person from images taken by cameras installed at the elevator hall or inside the car; an operation control adjustment function for adjusting a control applied to the operation of the elevator according to the number of people expressing dissatisfaction obtained from the result of the analysis or the total level of dissatisfaction of each person; A program to achieve this.

Images