Elevator system

Abstract

To provide an elevator system capable of smoothly securing a utilization space for specific users and improving utilization efficiency for each user by making it harder to give inconvenience to general users.SOLUTION: An elevator system comprises a car, an information providing unit, a priority region, an inner car information collection unit, a landing place information collection unit, and a control unit. When the car arrives at a landing place and an opening / closing door of the car is in a door-opening state, if specific users are present in a landing place waiting region of the landing place and non-specific users are present in the priority region inside the car, the control unit executes priority operation mode control that notifies the non-specific users to move out of the priority region through the information providing unit and continues the door opening state while stopping the car until it is detected that the specific users move out of the landing place waiting region of the landing place or a certain period of time passes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, some elevators are equipped with a dedicated car call button that extends the door open period so that special users, such as wheelchair users, who require a larger space than general users, can use the elevator car safely and smoothly. In addition, a technology has been proposed that allows special users to board the elevator by reserving a space for wheelchairs and the like in advance just before the floor where the special users will board. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6529603 [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-51853 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of the above-mentioned technology, when a space for a specific vehicle such as a wheelchair cannot be secured, depending on the situation, the car may have to pass the call floor for the specific user once without stopping and wait until it returns. This may result in problems such as a failure to provide smooth service to the specific user, or a sense of discomfort or inconvenience to general users other than the specific user, since the operation to secure the space for the specific user is performed at a floor other than the call floor for the specific user. Therefore, it would be meaningful to provide an elevator system that can smoothly secure a space for the specific user and is unlikely to cause discomfort or inconvenience to general users, thereby improving the efficiency of use for each user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An elevator system according to an embodiment includes a car, an information providing unit, a priority area, an in-car information collecting unit, a hall information collecting unit, and a control unit. The car moves up and down in a hoistway. The information providing unit is provided in the car and provides information to passengers in the car. The priority area is provided in a part of the floor surface of the car and indicates an area that can be used preferentially by a specific user who uses a specific vehicle. The in-car information collecting unit is provided in the car and collects boarding information for determining whether or not there is a user in the car and whether or not the user is the specific user or a non-specific user. The hall information collecting unit is provided at the halls of each floor and collects boarding waiting information for determining whether or not there is the specific user in a hall waiting area for waiting to board the hall. When the control unit arrives at the platform and the opening and closing door of the platform is opened, if the specific user is present in the platform waiting area of ​​the platform and the non-specific user is present in the priority area inside the platform, the control unit notifies the specific user via the information providing unit to move outside the priority area, and executes priority operation mode control to keep the platform stopped and maintain the door open state until it detects that the specific user has moved outside the platform waiting area of ​​the platform or until a certain period of time has elapsed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an elevator to which an elevator system according to an embodiment can be applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic configuration diagram showing a case where the opening and closing doors are in the open state when the car of the elevator system according to the embodiment arrives at a floor. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic plan view showing the inside of the car of the elevator system according to the embodiment as viewed from the ceiling side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic block diagram illustrating the function of the elevator system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the operation flow of the elevator system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic plan view showing the inside of another car of the elevator system according to the embodiment as viewed from the ceiling side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, an elevator system according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the components in this embodiment include those that are replaceable and easy for a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0008] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an elevator 10 to which an elevator system 100 according to an embodiment can be applied. In the elevator 10, a car 14 ascends and descends in a hoistway 12 installed in a building (such as a building or an apartment building) and moves between landings 18 provided on each floor 16. The elevator 10 is configured as a so-called bucket-type elevator in which the car 14 and a counterweight 20 are connected by a main rope 22.

[0009] The hoistway 12 is provided along the vertical direction of the building in which the elevator 10 is installed, and is provided across multiple floors 16 in the building so that the vertical direction corresponds to the ascent and descent direction. A machine room 32 is provided above the hoistway 12 in the ascent and descent direction in which a hoist 24 (including a motor 26, a main sheave 28, etc.) that moves the car 14 up and down, a deflection sheave 30, etc. are installed. A guide rail (not shown) is provided in the hoistway 12, extending in the ascent and descent direction to guide the car 14 when it ascends and descends.

[0010] At a position of the elevator 12 corresponding to the landing 18 of each floor 16, for example, a rectangular landing opening 12m is provided, and when the car 14 moves to the landing 18 of each floor 16 and stops, the car door 34 (also called an opening and closing door) of the car 14 coincides with the position of the landing opening 12m. At each landing 18, a landing door 36 that can be opened and closed is provided so as to close the landing opening 12m. The landing door 36 is normally in a closed state, and its movement to the open state is restricted by a locking mechanism (not shown). As a result, the landing door 36 normally blocks the space between the landing 18 side and the elevator 12 side. When the car 14 arrives at the destination floor and the car door 34 moves from the closed state to the open state, the landing door 36 is unlocked by the locking mechanism and changes from the closed state to the open state.

[0011] In addition, each landing 18 is provided with a landing operating panel 38 connected to the control panel 42 via a wireless or wired network. This landing operating panel 38 is an input device that a user operates when calling the car 14 to the landing 18 where the user is located. Similarly, the car 14 is provided with an in-car operating panel 40. The in-car operating panel 40 is an input device that a user who has boarded the car 14 uses when specifying a destination floor and opening and closing the car door 34.

[0012] The car 14 is, for example, in a box shape capable of carrying passengers and luggage, and a car opening 14m that allows passengers and luggage to enter and exit is formed between the interior of the car 14 and the landing 18. A car door 34 that can be opened and closed freely is provided to cover the car opening 14m.

[0013] The counterweight 20 is a counterweight connected to the car 14 via a main rope 22, and rises and falls in conjunction with the car 14 within the hoistway 12. The counterweight 20 rises and falls along a weight guide rail (not shown). The weight of this counterweight 20 is set so as to balance with the car 14 across the hoisting machine 24 disposed in the machine room 32 when the car 14 is carrying a predetermined load (for example, about half the maximum load). The main rope 22 is hung around a main sheave 28 or a deflection sheave 30 of the hoisting machine 24 provided at the top of the hoistway 12, and is connected to the car 14 at one end and the counterweight 20 at the other end, thereby connecting the two.

[0014] The hoisting machine 24 has, for example, a motor 26 and a main sheave 28 connected to the motor 26, and winds up the main rope 22 with power generated by the motor 26. The hoisting machine 24 can be driven and controlled by a control panel 42 arranged in the machine room 32.

[0015] The control panel 42 (also referred to as a control unit) includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a predetermined control program and the like are stored in advance, a RAM (Random Access Memory) in which the results of calculations by the CPU are temporarily stored, a backup RAM in which information such as previously prepared reference data and the specifications of the elevator 10 is stored, and a microcomputer having an input / output port device, a drive circuit, and the like. The control panel 42 is electrically connected to various sensors, detectors, and each part of the elevator 10, and centrally controls the operation of each part. Depending on the specifications of the elevator 10, the machine room 32 may not be provided. In this case, the control panel 42 may be installed on the wall surface or three-sided jamb of the hoistway 12. The control panel 42 (control unit) will be described in detail later.

[0016] 2 is an exemplary schematic diagram showing a case where the doors are in an open state when the car 14 of the elevator system 100 (elevator 10) of the embodiment arrives at the landing 18 of the floor 16. The elevator system 100 has an operation mode that takes into consideration a user (hereinafter, referred to as a specific user) who requires a large space when a specific vehicle such as a wheelchair or a stroller gets on the car 14, so that the user can get on smoothly. The elevator system 100 will be described in detail below.

[0017] The box-shaped car 14 includes car side walls 14a, 14b, and 14e, a car floor 14c, and a car ceiling 14d. The car side walls 14a and 14b include an in-car information providing unit 44 that provides information useful for passengers (users) in the car 14 when using the elevator 10. The in-car information providing unit 44 includes, for example, a display device 44a that displays a message image and a speaker 44b that outputs a voice message corresponding to the message image. In the case of FIG. 2, an example is shown in which the speaker 44b is disposed only on the car side wall 14a. The display device 44a and the speaker 44b may output information unrelated to the operation of the elevator 10, such as advertisements and news. The in-car information providing unit 44 may be installed at any position within the car 14, as long as the passengers can recognize the information.

[0018] A priority area 46 is provided in a part of the car floor 14c (for example, the side near the car door at approximately the center in the left-right direction of the car 14) where specific users who use specific vehicles such as wheelchairs and strollers can use (get in) preferentially. The priority area 46 may be displayed on the car floor 14c by painting pictograms or colors, or may be displayed by a light-emitting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The priority area 46 may also be an area projected by a lighting unit 50, which will be described later. As a result, the priority area 46 is visually indicated, making it easier for users of the car 14 to recognize the existence of the priority area 46.

[0019] FIG. 3 is an exemplary and schematic plan view showing the inside of the car 14 as seen from the ceiling side. As shown in FIG. 3, a priority area 46 is provided on the car floor 14c, and for example, it is displayed that the area is available to specific users on a priority basis. As an example, the priority area 46 displays a mark indicating a wheelchair user or a mark indicating a stroller user together with the word "priority". As described above, a display device 44a, which is the car inside information providing unit 44, is installed on the car side walls 14a and 14b. Also, an inside car operation panel 40 is arranged on one side of the car door 34. Note that FIG. 3 shows the car door 34, which can be opened and closed to the left and right, and the landing door 36, which opens and closes in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the car door 34, in a state where the door is closed.

[0020] In addition, in an upper region of the car 14, for example, in a part of the car ceiling 14d, a car interior information collection unit 48 is disposed to collect boarding information for determining whether or not a user is in the car 14 and whether the user is a specific user or a non-specific user (general user). For the car interior information collection unit 48, for example, an imaging device (visible camera, infrared camera, etc.) capable of capturing an image of the entire area inside the car 14 can be used. In addition, the car interior information collection unit 48 may be capable of collecting physical information of the user as the boarding information. The physical information of the user may include, for example, height information of the user. By acquiring the physical information, it can be used to determine whether the user is an adult or a child. In addition, as the physical information, external shape information of the user is acquired, and it can be used to determine, for example, whether or not the user is using crutches or carrying large baggage. As will be described later, the physical information can be used to determine whether or not a specific user can be a target for requesting a user who is present (standing) in the priority area 46 to move outside the priority area 46 or to get off the car in order to use the priority area 46. It should be noted that other sensors may be used as long as they are capable of detecting the presence of a user in the car 14 and identifying the user. The car interior information collection unit 48 may be, for example, a sensor using ultrasonic waves or a radar.

[0021] Furthermore, an illumination unit 50 that illuminates the priority area 46 is disposed at an upper position of the car 14, for example, on the car ceiling 14d. For example, when the car 14 stops at a hall 18 where a specific user is present and a non-specific user (a user requesting to move outside the priority area 46) is present in the priority area 46, the illumination unit 50 changes the illumination mode to alert the non-specific user. For example, the area color of the priority area 46 is changed or a boundary line of the priority area 46 is blinked, thereby encouraging the non-specific user to more clearly recognize that he or she is moving outside the priority area 46.

[0022] A mirror 52 is disposed on the cage side wall 14e of the cage 14. The mirror 52 is installed so that, for example, a wheelchair user riding in the cage 14 can easily grasp the surrounding situation when backing out of the cage.

[0023] At the landing 18 of each floor 16 where the car 14 arrives, a landing waiting area 54 is formed in front of the car opening 14m. The landing waiting area 54 is an area for users waiting for the arrival of the car 14, and is an area for detecting specific users using specific vehicles (wheelchairs, strollers, etc.) and non-specific users (general users) who are not specific users. The size of the landing waiting area 54 is an example, and can be changed as appropriate. As described above, the landing waiting area 54 is an area for detecting whether there are specific users or non-specific users waiting for the car 14 at the landing 18, and the area may be clearly indicated by painting, etc., or may be set as a recognition area in the system without being particularly clearly indicated.

[0024] A landing information collecting unit 56 is disposed above the landing 18 of each floor 16, for example, on the ceiling surface. The landing information collecting unit 56 collects boarding waiting information for determining the presence or absence of users and the presence or absence of specific users in the landing waiting area 54 for waiting to board at the landing 18. The landing information collecting unit 56 can use an imaging device, similar to the car inside information collecting unit 48, and for example, a visible camera or an infrared camera capable of imaging at least the entire landing waiting area 54 at the landing 18 can be used. Note that the landing information collecting unit 56 can also use other sensors as long as it is possible to detect the presence of users in the landing waiting area 54 and to identify users. The landing information collecting unit 56 may be, for example, a sensor using ultrasonic waves or a radar.

[0025] A hall operating panel 38 is disposed on a part of the wall surface of the hall 18 on each floor 16. The hall operating panel 38 includes an up hall call button 38a for non-specific users (general users), a down hall call button 38b, a hall display unit 38c, a hall speaker 38d, an up hall call button 38e for specific users, a down hall call button 38f, and a door close button 38g.

[0026] The up platform call button 38a and the down platform call button 38b are available to non-specific users (general users) and are buttons for calling the car 14 from the platform 18. The up platform call button 38e and the down platform call button 38f are available to specific users and are buttons for calling the car 14 from the platform 18. When the up platform call button 38e or the down platform call button 38f for specific users is operated, the car door 34 of the car 14 that has arrived at the platform 18 and the linked platform door 36 are kept open for a longer period of time than when the up platform call button 38a or the down platform call button 38b for non-specific users is operated, allowing specific users to board and disembark with ease. The up platform call button 38e and the down platform call button 38f are arranged at a lower position than the up platform call button 38a and the down platform call button 38b so that specific users can easily operate them.

[0027] The hall display unit 38c and the hall speaker 38d are examples of hall information providing units. The hall display unit 38c and the hall speaker 38d can output operation information related to the operation status of the car 14 and cooperation information when requesting cooperation from non-specific users so that specific users can board preferentially in the priority area 46. Note that the hall display unit 38c and the hall speaker 38d may output advertising information, etc., in the same manner as the car in-information providing unit 44, when there is little need to output operation information or cooperation information, such as when the car 14 is out of service or when the car 14 is located at a position a predetermined floor away from the floor 16 on which the hall information providing unit is installed.

[0028] The door close button 38g is a button for canceling a control (priority operation mode control) that is being executed when a specific user requests use of the car 14 in the elevator system 100 and a non-specific user in the priority area 46 is prompted to move out of the priority area 46. The door close button 38g is used, for example, when a specific user cancels boarding (declines) for some reason after operating the up-floor call button 38e or the down-floor call button 38f for the specific user. As a result, the priority operation mode control is canceled, the car 14 returns to the normal operation mode control, and normal operation continues.

[0029] FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic block diagram illustrating the functioning of the elevator system 100.

[0030] The CPU included in the control panel 42 (control unit) reads out a program installed and stored in a non-volatile storage unit such as a ROM or SSD, and realizes various modules that function to operate the car 14 according to the program. The CPU realizes modules such as a car information acquisition unit 42a, a hall information acquisition unit 42b, a mode control unit 42c, a body feature detection unit 42d, a provided information control unit 42e, a lighting control unit 42f, a cancellation process execution unit 42g, a door control unit 42h, and an operation control unit 42i. The mode control unit 42c includes, as detailed modules, a normal mode control unit 42c1 and a priority mode control unit 42c2.

[0031] The car inside information acquisition unit 42a sequentially acquires boarding information indicating the status inside the car 14 collected by the car inside information collection unit 48, and provides the acquired boarding information to the mode control unit 42c, the body feature detection unit 42d, etc. The boarding information includes information on whether or not a user is present in the car 14, identification information on whether or not the user is a specific user (e.g., a user of a wheelchair or a stroller) or a non-specific user (general user), boarding position information on whether or not the non-specific user is present in the priority area 46, etc. The presence or absence of a user and the determination of whether or not the user is a specific user or a non-specific user can be performed using, for example, an image recognition technology such as a well-known pattern recognition. In addition, the boarding information includes, for example, height information, and is information used to identify whether the non-specific user is, for example, an adult, a child, injured, carrying large luggage, etc., when the non-specific user is present in the priority area 46 (when standing).

[0032] The platform information acquisition unit 42b sequentially acquires boarding waiting information indicating the status of the platform 18 collected by the platform information collection unit 56, and provides the acquired boarding waiting information to the mode control unit 42c. The boarding waiting information is information for determining the presence or absence of a user and the presence or absence of a specific user in the platform waiting area 54 for waiting to board the car 14 at the platform 18. The determination of the presence or absence of a user and whether the user is a specific user or a non-specific user can be performed using, for example, an image recognition technology such as well-known pattern recognition.

[0033] The mode control unit 42c switches the operation mode of the car 14 according to the car call status of a specific user at the hall 18, the vacancy status of the priority area 46 in the car 14, the current position and running direction of the car 14, etc. The operation modes include a normal operation mode and a priority operation mode. That is, the mode control unit 42c switches between a normal mode control unit 42c1 and a priority mode control unit 42c2 according to the waiting status of the car 14.

[0034] The normal operation mode is executed under the control of the normal mode control unit 42c1. The normal mode control unit 42c1 executes the normal operation mode when the up-floor call button 38e or the down-floor call button 38f for a specific user is not operated on the hall operating panel 38 of the hall 18. The normal operation mode is a mode in which the car 14 is operated to the registered (requested) floor 16 in accordance with the hall call registration by the hall operating panel 38 of the hall 18 or the car call registration by the car in-car operating panel 40 of the car 14.

[0035] On the other hand, the priority operation mode is executed under the control of the priority mode control unit 42c2. The priority mode control unit 42c2 executes the priority operation mode when the up-floor call button 38e or the down-floor call button 38f for a specific user is operated on the hall operating panel 38 of the hall 18. The priority operation mode is a mode that allows a specific user to use the car 14 smoothly and preferentially when the specific user registers a hall call using the hall operating panel 38. In other words, it is an operation mode that requests cooperation from users riding in the car 14 (especially non-specific users standing in the priority area 46) to vacate the priority area 46. Specifically, the priority operation mode is executed when a specific user wishes to use the car 14, when the car 14 arrives at the hall 18 and the opening and closing doors (the car door 34 and the hall door 36) are in the door-open state, and when a specific user is present in the hall waiting area 54 of the hall 18. In this case, if a non-specific user is present in the priority area 46 in the car 14, the non-specific user is notified to move out of the priority area via the car in-information providing unit 44. For example, a cooperation message is sent to the non-specific user to move to an empty area other than the priority area 46 in the car 14 or to get off the car 14. Then, the car 14 is stopped and the door is kept open until it is detected that the specific user has moved out of the boarding waiting area 54 of the boarding hall 18 or until a certain period of time has elapsed. In other words, this is an operation mode in which the operation of the car 14 is temporarily stopped to secure a boarding space for the specific user until the specific user moves to the priority area 46 of the car 14 or declines to board the car 14 and leaves the boarding hall 18.

[0036] The physical feature detection unit 42d detects information on the physical features of the user riding in the car 14 based on the physical information of the user included in the boarding information collected by the car inside information collection unit 48. The physical information includes, for example, the height information of the user, and the actual height of the user can be estimated. By detecting the actual height of the user, it is possible to determine whether the user is, for example, an adult or a child. For example, when the priority driving mode is executed, in order to allow a specific user to use the priority area 46, when a non-specific user is moved from the priority area 46, children can be excluded from the target. The distinction between adults and children can be made by using a predetermined height (for example, 140 cm) as a threshold, and identifying those below the threshold as children and those above the threshold as adults. In addition, the physical feature detection unit 42d may determine, for example, whether the user is using crutches (whether he / she is injured), carrying large luggage, or being elderly, based on the external shape information of the user included in the physical information of the boarding information. When a specific user is allowed to use the priority area 46, the physical information can be used to determine whether or not a non-specific user is likely to be a target for requesting to move outside the priority area 46 or to get off. In other words, children, elderly people, injured people, people carrying large baggage, etc. can be excluded from the targets of the movement request. In this way, when there is a request-excluded person in the priority area 46, there are cases where the specific user is exceptionally asked to wait to board the car 14.

[0037] The provided information control unit 42e controls information output from the car in-information providing unit 44 (display device 44a, speaker 44b) and the landing display unit 38c and landing speaker 38d, which are landing information providing units. For example, the display device 44a in the car 14 displays a message encouraging the specific user to move out of the priority area 46 in order to board. While moving to the floor 16 where the specific user is waiting, a message such as "There is a wheelchair user on the 5th floor. Please cooperate so that the wheelchair user can use the elevator" is displayed. In addition, when the specific user arrives at the floor 16 where the specific user is waiting or just before arriving, a request message such as "A wheelchair user wishes to board. Please move out of the priority area at your feet or get off the elevator and give it to the user" is displayed. In addition, a voice message with the same content is also output from the speaker 44b to make it easier to inform the users in the car 14. In this case, the display device 44a may display the priority area 46 and the requested person. As a result, it is possible to clearly indicate the requested person to be moved out of the priority area 46, which contributes to making it easier to obtain cooperation. The hall display unit 38c displays a message indicating that the elevator 10 (car 14) is in a priority operation mode to prioritize use by specific users. For example, a notification message such as "There are two wheelchair users on the fifth floor. Special operation is being temporarily performed so that wheelchair users can use the elevator" is displayed. A voice message with the same content is also output from the hall speaker 38d to make it easier to inform users at the hall 18.

[0038] The information provision control unit 42e may be configured to output any information, such as advertising information, event information, news, etc., when the cage 14 is operating in normal operation mode and no particular communication regarding operation is required.

[0039] The lighting control unit 42f may control the lighting unit 50 arranged in the car 14 to change the display mode of the priority region 46 to highlight it when encouraging movement outside the priority region 46. For example, the color of the priority region 46 may be changed or the border of the priority region 46 may be blinked, thereby making it possible to visually more clearly distinguish between the inside and outside of the priority region 46. The lighting unit 50 may be composed of an LED or the like and installed on the car floor 14c. In this case, the priority region 46 may be formed on the car floor 14c by emitting light from the LED or the like.

[0040] When the door close button 38g is operated during the execution of the priority operation mode, for example, after the up-floor call button 38e or the down-floor call button 38f for the specific user is operated, the cancellation process execution unit 42g enables the specific user to cancel the boarding. As a result, even if the specific user does not move out of the hall waiting area 54 during the execution of the priority operation mode control, the mode control unit 42c can switch the operation mode to the normal operation mode, close the opening and closing doors (the car door 34, the hall door 36), and operate the car 14 normally according to the call registration. When the cancellation process execution unit 42g is operated, the cancellation process execution unit 42g may announce the return to the normal operation mode to the car 14 or the hall 18 via the provided information control unit 42e. When the door close button 38g is operated, the cancellation process execution unit 42g may provide the hall 18 via the provided information control unit 42e with a confirmation message for confirming whether the operation is by a specific user or not. In this case, for example, the operation may be officially accepted by operating the door close button 38g twice in succession.

[0041] The door control unit 42h operates the door drive unit 58 to open the doors (the car door 34 and the hall door 36) when the car 14 arrives at the landing 18. In addition, it closes the doors when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the doors were opened. If a safety device such as an anti-pinch sensor is activated during the door closing operation, the door control unit 42h stops the door closing operation and performs the door opening operation. Also, if any of the up-floor call buttons 38a, 38e or the down-floor call buttons 38b, 38f is operated during the door closing operation, the door control unit 42h stops the door closing operation and performs the door opening operation. Also, the door control unit 42h can execute the opening and closing operation of the doors when the open button or close button on the in-car operation panel 40 of the car 14 is operated.

[0042] The operation control unit 42i controls the running direction, running speed, running and stopping of the car 14 when the normal operation mode and the priority operation mode are being executed. The operation control unit 42i controls the operation of the car 14 in response to platform call registration by the up platform call buttons 38a, 38e and the down platform call buttons 38b, 38f on the platform operating panel 38 and the car call registration on the in-car operating panel 40.

[0043] The operation flow of the elevator system 100 configured as above will be described with reference to the exemplary flowchart of FIG.

[0044] First, when the elevator system 100 is started, the mode control unit 42c operates the car 14 in the normal operation mode based on the control of the normal mode control unit 42c1 (S100). That is, the operation control unit 42i enables operation control of the running direction, running speed, etc. of the car 14 according to the hall call registration by the up hall call buttons 38a, 38e and the down hall call buttons 38b, 38f of the hall operating panel 38 and the car call registration of the car in-car operating panel 40. Then, the operation control unit 42i monitors whether or not a hall call is registered (S102). If there is no hall call registration (No in S102), the process of S102 is continued and the system is in a standby state. If there is a hall call registration (Yes in S102), it is confirmed whether or not a specific user is present at the call registration floor where the hall call registration is made based on the waiting information collected by the hall information acquisition unit 42b (S104). When the mode control unit 42c detects that a specific user is present at the call registration floor where the hall call registration is performed based on the hall waiting information collected by the hall information acquisition unit 42b (Yes in S104), it judges whether the current traveling direction of the car 14 matches the direction of the hall call floor where the hall call registration is performed (S106). When the current traveling direction of the car 14 does not match the direction of the hall call floor (No in S106), the operation control unit 42i responds to the hall call registration and car call registration already registered in the current traveling direction of the car 14 (S108) to move the car 14 up and down. When the car 14 arrives at the destination floor 16, the door control unit 42h opens and closes the open / close doors (car door 34, hall door 36) to allow the user to board and disembark. Then, the process proceeds to S102, and the car 14 continues to operate. In the process of S104, if there is no specific user at the call registration floor where the hall call registration is performed (No in S104), that is, if only non-specific users (general users) are present at the call registration floor, the process also proceeds to S108. That is, the operation control of the car 14 in the normal operation mode is continued.

[0045] On the other hand, in the processing of S106, if the current traveling direction of the car 14 and the direction of the hall call floor match (Yes in S106), the mode control unit 42c switches the operation mode to the priority operation mode (S110) and performs operation control of the car 14 using the priority mode control unit 42c2.

[0046] When the priority operation mode is switched to, the priority mode control unit 42c2 checks the status of the users in the car 14 and the status of the users at the landing 18 based on the boarding information from the car in-information collection unit 48 acquired by the car in-information acquisition unit 42a and the landing waiting information from the landing information collection unit 56 acquired by the landing information acquisition unit 42b. Then, depending on the status in the car 14 and the status of the landing 18, the provided information control unit 42e notifies the car 14 and the landing call floor of specific use information (S112). The specific use information is, for example, a notification of the presence and number of specific users, a notification indicating that the car 14 has switched to a mode in which specific users are given priority for boarding, etc., via the car in-information provision unit 44 of the car 14 and the landing information provision unit of the landing 18 (the landing display unit 38c, the landing speaker 38d, etc.). By being notified of the specific use information, users of the elevator 10 can easily determine whether to use the car 14 (get on or off) after recognizing the presence of the specific user.

[0047] Then, the operation control unit 42i moves the car 14 to the boarding platform 18 where the specific user is waiting while responding to the registered boarding platform call and car call (S114). Then, the priority mode control unit 42c2 checks whether the stop floor where the car 14 arrives is the boarding floor of the specific user (S116). If the stop floor is not the boarding floor of the specific user (No in S116), the specific use information is notified to the stop floor (S118). For example, the boarding floor and the number of boarding cars of the specific user are notified via the boarding platform display unit 38c or the boarding platform speaker 38d. In this case, non-specific users can board and disembark the car 14 at the stop floor. Then, the process proceeds to S114, and the operation control unit 42i continues to control the movement of the car 14 to the boarding platform 18 where the specific user is waiting.

[0048] In the process of S116, if the stop floor where the car 14 has arrived is the boarding floor of the specific user (Yes in S116), it is confirmed whether or not the specific user has left the hall waiting area 54 (S120). For example, this may be the case when the specific user declines to board the car 14 and moves out of the hall waiting area 54, or when the specific user has boarded the car 14 and moves out of the hall waiting area 54. In this case, the mode control unit 42c ends the priority operation mode (S122), switches from control by the priority mode control unit 42c2 to normal operation mode control by the normal mode control unit 42c1, and once ends this flow. If the elevator system 100 is in an activated state, the process returns to S100 and continues execution of the normal operation mode.

[0049] In the process of S120, if the specific user has not left the landing waiting area 54 (No in S120), that is, if the specific user continues to intend to board the car 14. In this case, the priority mode control unit 42c2 judges whether a non-specific user is present in the priority area 46 of the car 14 based on the boarding information acquired by the car in-information collection unit 48 acquired by the car in-information acquisition unit 42a (S124). If a non-specific user is not present in the priority area 46 (No in S124), that is, if the priority area 46 is vacant and the specific user can board the car. In this case, the process proceeds to S120 and waits for the specific user to board the car 14. On the other hand, if a non-specific user is present in the priority area 46 (Yes in S124), the priority mode control unit 42c2 stops the car 14 at the boarding floor of the specific user while maintaining the door open state of the car 14 by the door control unit 42h and the operation control unit 442i. Also, the priority mode control unit 42c2 outputs a notification from the car information providing unit 44 to the non-specific users in the priority area 46, encouraging them to move out of the priority area 46, by using the provided information control unit 42e. For example, a message such as "A wheelchair user wishes to board the elevator. We are sorry for the inconvenience, but please move out of the priority area at your feet or get off the elevator and give the elevator to the non-specific users" is output from the display device 44a or the speaker 44b. Also, the priority mode control unit 42c2 may highlight the priority area 46 by using the lighting control unit 42f, so that the non-specific users can easily recognize the need for cooperation. Then, the process proceeds to S120, and the priority area 46 becomes available and the specific users are awaited to leave the hall waiting area 54 and board the elevator. When the boarding is completed, the process of S122 (priority operation mode termination process) is executed.

[0050] In the process of S124, if the priority mode control unit 42c2 determines based on the detection result of the physical feature detection unit 42d that the non-specific user in the priority area 46 is a child, an elderly person, an injured person, or a person carrying large baggage, it may provide a message explaining the situation to the specific user waiting to board and ask them to wait until the next car 14 arrives. In this case, the priority mode control unit 42c2 temporarily closes the opening and closing door and operates the car 14 according to the registration. Then, the priority mode control unit 42c2 again controls the operation of the car 14 so that it heads toward the boarding floor of the specific user.

[0051] Also, in the process of S120, if the door close button 38g is operated, the specific user is considered to have declined boarding, and the process proceeds to S122 to end the priority operation mode. That is, even if the car 14 stops at the hall 18 where the specific user is present and a non-specific user is detected to be present in the priority area 46 in the car 14, the cancellation process execution unit 42g acquires door close request information indicating the operation of the door close button 38g. In this case, even if the specific user has not moved outside the hall waiting area 54, the cancellation process execution unit 42g executes a cancellation process to close the opening and closing door and transition to a state in which the car 14 can move up and down. Therefore, the mode control unit 42c may switch control to the normal mode control unit 42c1 to execute normal operation mode control.

[0052] In this way, according to the elevator system 100 of this embodiment, the priority area 46, which is a space available for specific users, is visually indicated, and when a specific user arrives at a landing where the specific user is waiting, an available space in the priority area 46 can be smoothly secured while minimizing the impact on non-specific users waiting at other landings. Furthermore, when securing an available space in the priority area 46, it is possible to improve the efficiency of use by each user by making it difficult for general users, who are non-specific users, to feel uncomfortable or inconvenienced.

[0053] Fig. 6 is an exemplary schematic plan view showing the interior of another car 14 of the elevator system 100 as viewed from the ceiling side. In the example of Fig. 6, the opening and closing doors (car door 34, hall door 36) are in the open state.

[0054] In the case of the car 14 in FIG. 6, a plurality of priority areas 46 (for example, two areas, a first priority area 46a and a second priority area 46b) are set in the large car 14. In this case, when there are a plurality of specific users using the priority area 46, the priority mode control unit 42c2 executes a notification to prompt non-specific users who may be present in the priority area 46 to move out of the priority area 46 so as to secure the number of vacant priority areas 46 according to the number of users. For example, when there is one specific user waiting for the car 14, the priority mode control unit 42c2 requests either the first priority area 46a or the second priority area 46b to cooperate in moving. Note that, when either one of the priority areas 46 is already vacant, the priority mode control unit 42c2 notifies the car in-information providing unit 44 (for example, the speaker 44b) by the provision information control unit 42e that the specific user will be accepted in the vacant priority area 46 without requesting cooperation in moving. Furthermore, when non-specific users exist in both priority areas 46, the priority mode control unit 42c2 selects one of the priority areas 46 according to a predetermined priority order and requests cooperation in moving. In this case, the priority order may be determined in advance or may be determined each time according to the usage state of the priority area 46. For example, based on the detection result of the body feature detection unit 42d, cooperation in moving may be requested for the priority area 46 with a lower movement risk. In this case, the provided information control unit 42e may output a message of a movement cooperation request to the car inside information providing unit 44 (display device 44a) that is closer to the priority area 46 for which cooperation in moving is requested. As a result, it is possible to make the non-specific users easily recognize the need for movement. In this case, the display device 44a may display the priority area 46 of the person who is requested to move and the requested person. In this case, it is possible to clarify the person who is requested to move outside the priority area 46, which contributes to easier cooperation.

[0055] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These 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 of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10... elevator, 14... cage, 14a, 14b, 14e... cage side wall, 14c... cage floor, 14d... cage ceiling, 14m... cage opening, 16... floor, 18... landing, 34... cage door, 36... landing door, 38... landing operation panel, 38g... door closing button, 40... cage operation panel, 42... control panel (control unit), 42a... cage information acquisition unit, 42b... landing information acquisition unit, 42c... mode control unit, 42c1... normal mode mode control unit, 42c2...priority mode control unit, 42d...body feature detection unit, 42e...provided information control unit, 42f...lighting control unit, 42g...cancellation processing execution unit, 42h...door control unit, 42i...operation control unit, 44...in-car information providing unit, 46...priority area, 48...in-car information collection unit, 50...lighting unit, 54...landing waiting area, 56...landing information collection unit, 58...door drive unit, 100...elevator system.

Claims

1. A car that moves up and down inside the elevator. an information providing unit provided in the car and configured to provide information to a passenger in the car; a priority area provided on a part of the floor surface of the car and indicating that the area is an area that can be used preferentially by a specific user who uses a specific car; a car in-information collection unit that is installed in the car and collects boarding information for determining whether a user is in the car and whether the user is a specific user or a non-specific user; a platform information collection unit that is installed at a platform of each floor and collects boarding waiting information for determining whether or not the specific user is present in a platform waiting area for waiting to board the platform; a control unit that, when the specific user is present in the hall waiting area of ​​the hall and the non-specific user is present in the priority area in the car when the car arrives at the hall and the door of the car is in the door open state, notifies the specific user via the information providing unit to move out of the priority area, and executes a priority operation mode control that keeps the car stopped and maintains the door open state until it is detected that the specific user has moved out of the hall waiting area of ​​the hall or until a certain period of time has elapsed; The elevator system may include:

2. A plurality of priority areas are set in the car, 2. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein when the car stops at the hall where the specific user is present, the control unit executes a notification to encourage the non-specific users who may be present in the priority area to move outside the priority area so as to ensure a number of vacant priority areas according to the number of the specific users.

3. A lighting unit is provided at an upper position in the car to illuminate the priority area, 2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein when the car stops at the hall where the specific user is present and a non-specific user is present in the priority area, the control unit changes the lighting mode of the lighting unit to prompt the non-specific user to move outside the priority area.

4. A door closing button is provided at the landing, 2. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein when the car stops at a landing where the specific user is present, and when the control unit acquires door closing request information indicating that the door closing button has been operated, even if the specific user has not moved outside the landing waiting area, the control unit executes a cancellation process to close the opening and closing doors and transition the car to a state where it can move up and down, even if the specific user has not moved outside the landing waiting area.

5. The car in-information collecting unit is capable of collecting physical information of the user as one of the boarding information, 2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit detects that the non-specific user present in the priority area has the specified physical information, the control unit does not execute the priority operation mode control even if the specific user is waiting for the car at the landing.

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