Elevator system and stroller-only operation method

Abstract

To enable stroller users to use elevators safely and stress-free by determining the percentage of people using strollers based on the number of stroller users in a building and the number of people in the building including general users.SOLUTION: An elevator system comprises a stroller usage status determination unit that determines the usage status of strollers by capturing camera images from a building surveillance camera installed in a building, a landing surveillance camera installed at an elevator landing in the building, and an in-car surveillance camera installed in the elevator car, and a travel control unit that determines the number of stroller-only elevators to be dispatched based on the stroller usage status from the stroller usage status determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an elevator system and a stroller dedicated operation method. [Background technology]

[0002] When using elevators, it is advisable to give priority to those with strollers.

[0003] Conventionally, there is known a technique for dispatching an elevator that can accommodate a stroller when a stroller-specific button is pressed and a congestion level sensor in the car determines whether the stroller can be accommodated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-267637 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2010-173825 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, conventional technology does not switch to a stroller-only mode, and can only urge general users to give priority to stroller users through announcements and displays when the train is crowded. This causes problems when stroller users are reluctant to board when a car filled with general users stops. When many general users and stroller users are on board, they give up on boarding, and stroller users are forced to use escalators or other means to move around.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an elevator system and a stroller-only operation method that determines the stroller occupancy rate from the number of stroller users in a building and the number of people in the building including general users, allowing stroller users to use the elevator safely and stress-free. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An embodiment for achieving the above-mentioned objective is an elevator system comprising a stroller usage status determination unit that captures camera images from a building surveillance camera installed in a building, a hall surveillance camera installed at the elevator hall of the building, and an in-cab surveillance camera installed in the elevator car to determine the usage status of strollers, and a travel control unit that determines the number of stroller-only elevators to be dispatched based on the stroller usage status from the stroller usage status determination unit.

[0008] Another embodiment is a stroller-only operation method that captures camera images from a building surveillance camera installed in a building, a landing surveillance camera installed at an elevator landing in the building, and an in-cab surveillance camera installed in the elevator car, calculates a stroller utilization rate from the ratio of stroller users among elevator users, determines the number of stroller-only elevators to be dispatched based on the stroller utilization rate, and, if the stroller utilization rate falls below a certain utilization rate, implements a process to change the number of stroller-only elevators or a process to return to normal operation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an elevator system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the elevator system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing procedure of the embodiment. [Diagram 5]10 is a flowchart showing yet another example of the processing procedure of the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing yet another example of the processing procedure of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hall display when a stroller priority operation elevator is selected. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display of the landing floor surface when an elevator for strollers is set up. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Configuration of the embodiment Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the elevator system within a building.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, there are a number of stroller users 1 and general users 2 in a building 10. In addition, at an elevator hall 20 in the building 10, a number of stroller users 1 and general users 2 are waiting for the elevator to arrive.

[0012] A plurality of building surveillance cameras 11 are installed on each of floors 1F to 3F of building 10, and a plurality of hall surveillance cameras 21 are also installed on each of floors 1F to 3F of elevator hall 20. The building surveillance cameras 11 and hall surveillance cameras 21 are connected to a surveillance camera control device 30 that analyzes and controls the respective surveillance camera images (video). This surveillance camera control device 30 is connected to an elevator control device 40 that controls an elevator car 50.

[0013] Landing place display devices 22A to 22C (see FIG. 7) are installed near the landing doors of the elevator landing 20 on each of the first to third floors. These landing place display devices 22A to 22C display elevator operation information supplied from the elevator control device 40.

[0014] An elevator car 50 controlled by an elevator control device 40 is equipped with an in-car monitoring camera 51 that monitors the inside of the elevator car 50, an in-car display device 52, and an in-car control device 53, and the elevator car 50 is connected to the elevator control device 40 by a tail cord 54.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control portion of the elevator system of FIG.

[0016] The surveillance camera control device 30 includes a camera image input unit 31 and a utilization status determination unit 32 .

[0017] The camera image input unit 31 inputs camera images from the building surveillance camera 11, the hall surveillance camera 21 and the car interior surveillance camera 51.

[0018] The utilization status determination unit 32 measures the number of stroller users 1 and general users 2 in the building 10, elevator hall 20, and elevator car 50 from each of the input camera images, and determines the utilization status. Specifically, it analyzes whether the elevator users are stroller users 1 or general users 2, calculates the stroller utilization rate, and transmits it to the elevator control device 40.

[0019] The elevator control device 40 controls each elevator car and includes a call registration unit 41, a car allocation unit 42, a usage status input unit 43, a running control unit 44, a message output unit 45, a display control unit 46, and a floodlight control unit 47.

[0020] The call registration unit 41 registers hall calls from hall call buttons (hall buttons 23 in FIG. 7) and car calls from car call buttons.

[0021] The car allocation unit 42 determines the car to be allocated based on the call registration information from the call registration unit 41 and the utilization status from the utilization status input unit 43 .

[0022] The usage status input unit 43 inputs the usage status from the usage status determination unit 32 of the surveillance camera control device 30 and supplies it to the car allocation unit 42 and the travel control unit 44.

[0023] The running control unit 44 controls the running of the elevators based on the assigned car information from the car allocation unit 42 and the usage status from the usage status input unit 43.

[0024] The message output unit 45 outputs the driving information from the driving control unit 44 as a voice message to a speaker (not shown).

[0025] The display control unit 46 outputs the travel information from the travel control unit 44 to the hall display devices 22A to 22C and the car interior display device 52 as display image information.

[0026] The floodlight control unit 47 controls the light projection of a floodlight 60 (see FIG. 8) installed at the landing.

[0027] Processing Procedure of the Embodiment In the processing example shown in the flowchart of Fig. 3, first, the usage status determination unit 32 inputs camera images from a surveillance camera (step S1) and determines the usage status of strollers. The car allocation unit 42 determines the number of stroller-only cars based on the usage status. Then, the travel control unit 44 assigns cars to specific floors with high stroller usage rates (step S2). Then, the message output unit 45 and the display control unit 46 notify that the elevator has been changed from a general elevator to a stroller-only elevator (step S3).

[0028] In this case, the hall display devices 22A to 22C notify passengers that the assigned elevator has been changed to an elevator exclusively for strollers. This allows stroller users 1 to use the elevator without worrying about general users 2.

[0029] In the process example shown in the flowchart of Fig. 4, first, the utilization status determination unit 32 inputs a camera image from a surveillance camera (step S11) and determines whether or not there is a change in the stroller utilization rate (step S12). If there is a change, the number of stroller-only spaces is changed according to the stroller utilization rate (step S13).

[0030] For example, the number of dedicated operation vehicles can be varied, such as two if the rate of stroller users in the building is 20% or more, and three if it is 30% or more.

[0031] In addition, the number of stroller-only elevators is changed according to the stroller usage rate, but when the usage rate falls below a certain level, the stroller-only operation is canceled and normal operation is restored. For example, when the stroller usage rate in building 10 is less than 20%, the number of dedicated elevators in operation can be reduced to a minimum of one, or the dedicated operation can be canceled and normal operation can be restored.

[0032] This process allows stroller users to use the elevator safely and stress-free, without compromising service to general users.

[0033] In the processing example shown in the flowchart of Fig. 5, first, the utilization status determination unit 32 inputs a camera image from a surveillance camera (step S21) and determines whether or not there is a specific floor with a high rate of stroller utilization (step S22). If there is a specific floor with a high rate of stroller utilization, the travel control unit 44 stops at the specific floor even if no call is registered (step S23). If there is no specific floor with a high rate of stroller utilization, the vehicle stops in response to a normal call (step S24).

[0034] In this way, if the stroller usage rate of a particular floor is high, the elevator will be automatically dispatched as a stroller-only elevator without the need to press the platform registration button (platform button 23 in FIG. 7). This allows stroller users 1 to use the elevator without worrying about general users 2.

[0035] In the processing example shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, first, the utilization status determination unit 32 inputs a camera image from a surveillance camera (step S31) and obtains the ratio of stroller users 1 to visitors to the building 10. Then, it is determined whether the stroller user 1 at the landing can be transported (step S32). A comparative analysis is performed between the occupancy rate of the car as determined by the surveillance camera 51 inside the car and the number of stroller users as determined by the surveillance camera 21 at the landing, and if the stroller user 1 can be transported, the elevator stops at the floor (step S33). If an elevator that cannot accommodate the stroller user 1 is assigned, the message output unit 45 and the display control unit 46 notify that the elevator is full and will pass through (step S34). Then, the group management control device (not shown) assigns another elevator to the floor (step S35).

[0036] In this case, if the surveillance image from the in-car surveillance camera 51 indicates that the occupancy rate of the car is high with strollers, the platform 20 side may be informed in advance by using images, animations, messages, etc., of the situation inside the car and that operation has been switched to stroller-only operation, but that the car cannot automatically stop at the platform, informing platform users in advance.

[0037] <Display example> As shown in FIG. 7, hall display devices 22A to 22D are installed above the hall doors of elevators A to D, respectively, and an example is shown in which the current operation information of the elevators is displayed on these hall display devices 22A to 22D.

[0038] In the example of Fig. 7, the hall display devices 22A, 22B, and 22C display that the elevators A, B, and C are "operating for general use". The hall display device 22D displays that the elevator D is "operating for stroller priority (exclusive)".

[0039] Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the operation information of the elevator may also be displayed on a hall operating panel display 24 installed above the hall button 23 on the hall operating panel.

[0040] In this way, the elevator operation status is displayed at the landing, so stroller users 1 can use the elevator without worrying about general users 2.

[0041] Fig. 8 shows an example of displaying that an elevator has been changed to an elevator for strollers only. As shown in Fig. 8, a floodlight 60 installed above the landing door displays on the floor that the assigned elevator has been changed to an elevator for strollers only, thereby informing passengers at the elevator landing 20. This allows stroller users 1 to use the elevator without worrying about general users 2.

[0042] As described above, according to this embodiment, the surveillance camera control device 30 analyzes the stroller users 1 in the building and the total number of people in the building from each surveillance camera image, and the analyzed data is received by the elevator control device 40, making it possible to provide users with the optimal stroller-only service.

[0043] Therefore, according to the elevator system of the embodiment, stroller users 1 can use the elevator in commercial facilities and the like without worrying about general users 2. Also, by informing general users 2 that the elevator is now exclusively for strollers, it is possible to encourage them to be considerate of stroller users 1.

[0044] <Modification> In addition, when switching to stroller-only operation, the home landing floor may be automatically switched in accordance with the stroller occupancy rate within building 10, and when the stroller occupancy rate decreases and stroller-only operation is cancelled, the original group management control may be restored.

[0045] The embodiments of the present invention can be applied to improving services according to facilities by analyzing not only baby strollers, but also wheelchairs, shopping carts, and the movements and movement patterns of elderly people.

[0046] 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 novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1...baby stroller user, 2...general user, 10...building, 11...building surveillance camera, 20...elevator landing, 21...landing surveillance camera, 22A-22D...landing display device, 23...landing button, 24...landing operation panel display, 30...surveillance camera control device, 31...camera image input unit, 32...usage status determination unit, 40...elevator control device, 41...call registration unit, 42...cage allocation unit, 43...usage status input unit, 44...travel control unit, 45...message output unit, 46...display control unit, 47...floodlight control unit, 50...elevator car, 51...in-cage surveillance camera, 52...in-cage display device, 53...in-cage control device, 54...tail code, 60...floodlight.

Claims

1. a stroller usage status determination unit that captures camera images from a building surveillance camera installed in a building, an elevator hall surveillance camera installed in an elevator hall of the building, and an elevator car surveillance camera installed in an elevator car to determine the usage status of a stroller; and a travel control unit that inputs the stroller usage status from the stroller usage status determination unit and determines the number of stroller-only elevators to be dispatched.

2. the stroller usage status determination unit calculates a stroller usage rate indicating a ratio of stroller users among elevator users; 2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the travel control unit changes the number of stroller-only elevators among the number of elevators in a building based on the stroller occupancy rate that has been read.

3. 3. The elevator system according to claim 2, wherein the travel control unit, based on the stroller occupancy rate read, stops the elevator at a specific floor in a building when the stroller occupancy rate is high at the specific floor even if the specific floor is not registered as a destination floor or a hall call is not registered at the specific floor.

4. When the stroller usage status determination unit compares and analyzes the stroller occupancy rate in the car as determined by the surveillance camera in the car and the number of stroller users at the platform as determined by the platform surveillance camera for an elevator that has been switched to stroller-only operation, and determines that the elevator cannot transport stroller users at the platform, 2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the travel control unit passes through the scheduled stop floor when it is full without stopping, notifies the hall and the car of the fact that the elevator will pass through when it is full, and instructs the elevator to be assigned to another elevator exclusively for strollers.

5. 2. The elevator system according to claim 1, further comprising a message output unit that, when a dispatched elevator is switched to an elevator exclusively for strollers, notifies an elevator hall in a building that the elevator has become an elevator exclusively for strollers.

6. The elevator system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a display device installed at an elevator hall inside a building that notifies users that the elevator has become an elevator exclusively for strollers on a display screen at the hall, a voice guidance device that provides voice guidance, and a floodlight that projects a message to that effect onto the floor of the hall.

7. 2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein when the elevator is switched to a stroller-only elevator, a display device inside the elevator car displays an image and sounds to notify users inside the elevator car that the elevator has become a stroller-only elevator.

8. The elevator system according to claim 2 , wherein the travel control unit restores normal operation when a stroller occupancy rate falls below a certain occupancy rate.

9. capturing camera images from a building surveillance camera installed in a building, a hall surveillance camera installed in an elevator hall of the building, and a car surveillance camera installed in an elevator car, and calculating a stroller usage rate from the ratio of stroller users among elevator users; Determine the number of stroller-only elevators to be allocated based on the stroller usage rate, This stroller-only operation method performs a process of changing the number of stroller-only elevators or a process of returning to normal operation when the stroller utilization rate falls below a certain utilization rate.

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