Elevator group management device and elevator group management method

Abstract

To provide an elevator control device that controls an elevator so that a user who has a target the user wishes to avoid riding an elevator car with can use the elevator while avoiding riding together with this target reliably and easily.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, an elevator control device comprises a first registration information storage unit, a first registration information acquisition unit, a first determination unit, and an operation control unit. The first registration information storage unit stores avoidance information registered for each user in advance, the information indicating a target a user wishes to avoid riding a car with. The first registration information acquisition unit acquires from the first registration information storage unit the avoidance information on the user who has performed landing call registration operation. The first determination unit determines whether or not the target shown in the acquired avoidance information is in the car. Upon determining that the target indicated in the avoidance information is in the car, the operation control unit causes the car to pass through a floor where a landing call is generated and to run.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an elevator control method, an elevator group management method, an elevator control device, and an elevator group management device.

Background Art

[0002] Some elevator users may have a target to avoid sharing the car. For example, while many users understand when an infant cries or a young child makes noise, as concerns about infectious diseases spread, there are also users who want to avoid sharing the car in an enclosed space like an elevator car. In addition, users with allergic diseases related to animals want to avoid sharing the car with pets.

[0003] Therefore, when a user performs an operation to register a landing call and the elevator car doors open in response, if there is a target that the user wants to avoid sharing the car with, such as a crying infant, a noisy child, or a pet, etc. inside the elevator car, this user will not board the car and wait for the departure of this elevator car, and then perform the operation of registering a landing call again to wait for the next arriving elevator car.

[0004] When such a situation occurs, the user has to perform the operation of registering a landing call multiple times, which is inconvenient for the user and also reduces the operating efficiency of the elevator.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In view of this, for example, in order for a user who wants to avoid riding with a pet or a pet companion to efficiently avoid riding with each other, when any of these users operates a dedicated button when using the elevator, there is a technology for controlling the operation of the car so that these users do not ride together.

[0007] However, when using this technology, either the user who wants to avoid riding with the pet or the pet companion has to operate a dedicated button every time they use the elevator, which is troublesome for the user. In addition, there is a problem that if the user forgets to operate the button, they may not be able to avoid riding together.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and controls an elevator so that a user having a target to avoid riding in the elevator car can surely and easily avoid riding with this target and use the elevator, with the aim of providing an elevator control method, an elevator group management method, an elevator control device, and an elevator group management device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] According to an embodiment for achieving the above object, an elevator control device includes a first registration information storage unit, a first registration information acquisition unit, a first determination unit, and an operation control unit. The first registration information storage unit stores avoidance information indicating a target to avoid riding in the car, which is registered in advance for each user. The first registration information acquisition unit acquires the avoidance information of the user who has performed a landing call registration operation from the first registration information storage unit. The first determination unit determines whether the target indicated by the acquired avoidance information is in the car. When it is determined that the target indicated by the avoidance information is in the car, the operation control unit causes the car to travel passing through the floor where the landing call occurred.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] 《First Embodiment》 〈Configuration of an Elevator System Using an Elevator Control Device According to the First Embodiment〉 FIG. 1 is an overall view showing the configuration of an elevator system 1 using an elevator control device according to the present embodiment. The elevator system 1 includes a hoisting machine 11 installed above a hoistway 10-1 in a building, a rope 12 wound around the hoisting machine 11, a car 13 suspended from one end of the rope 12, and an elevator control device 14 installed above the hoistway 10-1. The car 13 and the elevator control device 14 are connected via a tail cord 15. Inside the car 13, a car camera device 131, a car sound collecting device 132, and a car operation panel 133 are installed.

[0012] The car camera device 131 is installed, for example, on a curtain board or ceiling inside the car 13 and photographs the inside of the car 13. The car sound collecting device 132 collects the sound inside the car 13. The car operation panel 133 has a destination floor registration button (not shown) for a user to perform a car call registration operation.

[0013] In addition, the elevator system 1 includes a landing call registration device 21-1 installed at the landing 20-1, a landing camera device 22-1, an image analysis device 23-1, and a wireless communicator 24-1. The landing call registration device 21-1, the image analysis device 23-1, and the wireless communicator 24-1 are respectively connected to the elevator control device 14 via signal lines 25-1, 26-1, and 27-1. Although only one landing 20-1 in the building is shown in FIG. 1, the landings on other floors can be configured in the same manner.

[0014] The landing camera device 22-1 photographs the landing 20-1. The image analysis device 23-1 analyzes the imaging information captured by the landing camera device 22-1 to obtain identification information of the user who performed the landing call registration operation, information indicating the expression, and the like. The wireless communicator 24-1 performs wireless communication with communication devices in the landing 20-1, for example, by short-range wireless communication.

[0015] In addition, the elevator system 1 is wirelessly communicably connected to a user terminal 30-1 carried by a user X1 who uses the elevator system 1 via the wireless communicator 24-1. The user terminal 30-1 is equipped with an application AP for transmitting and receiving information to and from the elevator system 1. The user terminal 30-1 performs a process of registering the avoidance information of the user X1 to the elevator control device 14 based on the operation of the user X1 using this application AP. The user terminal 30-1 also outputs information transmitted from the elevator control device 14.

[0016] The elevator control device 14 includes a call registration unit 141, a first registration information storage unit 142, and a first CPU 143. The call registration unit 141 registers information on the landing call based on the landing call registration operation performed by the user at the landing call registration device 21-1, and information on the car call based on the car call registration operation performed at the car operation panel 133. The first registration information storage unit 142 stores, as user-specific avoidance information, avoidance information indicating a target to avoid sharing the elevator car 13, which is pre-registered for each user of the elevator.

[0017] The first CPU 143 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in a general-purpose microcomputer. By installing and executing a predetermined elevator control program, it constitutes one or more of the following information processing units. The first CPU 143 includes a car information acquisition unit 143a, a first landing information acquisition unit 143b, a first registration information acquisition unit 143c, a first determination unit 143d, an operation control unit 143e, and a first waiting time calculation unit 143f.

[0018] The car information acquisition unit 143a acquires, via the tail code 15, the information obtained by the in-car camera device 131, the in-car sound collection device 132, and the in-car operation panel 133 in the car 13 as in-car information indicating the situation in the car. The first landing information acquisition unit 143b acquires, from the image analysis device 23-1, the identification information of the user who performed the landing call registration operation at the landing 20-1, information indicating the expression, and the like.

[0019] The first registration information acquisition unit 143c acquires, from the first registration information storage unit 142, the avoidance information of the user corresponding to the identification information acquired by the first landing information acquisition unit 143b. The first determination unit 143d determines, based on the in-car information acquired by the car information acquisition unit 143a, whether or not the target indicated by the avoidance information acquired by the first registration information acquisition unit 143c is in the car 13.

[0020] When the first determination unit 143d determines that there is a target indicated by the avoidance information in the car 13, the operation control unit 143e causes the car 13 to travel past the floor where the landing call occurred. The first waiting time calculation unit 143f calculates a predicted value of the waiting time, which is the time from when the landing call occurs until the car 13 lands at the floor where the landing call occurred and the door opens.

[0021] <Operation of the elevator system according to the first embodiment> The operation when user X1 uses the elevator system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the image analysis device 23-1 holds the face information of a user (hereinafter referred to as "registered user") registered in advance as a user of the elevator system 1 in association with the identification information of this registered user. User X1 is a registered user of the elevator system 1.

[0022] User X1 performs an operation of registering avoidance information indicating a target that user X1 wants to avoid boarding the car 13 in the elevator control device 14 by using the application AP on the user terminal 30-1.

[0023] The application AP holds in advance information on "infants" and "toddlers" as information on targets that want to avoid boarding the car 13. Also, the application AP holds information on "crying infants" and "noisy toddlers" as information on avoidance targets in a predetermined status.

[0024] FIG. 2 is an example of a registration operation screen P1 of avoidance information displayed on the user terminal 30-1 by the application AP. The registration operation screen P1 has a selection area 31 for selecting whether to agree (Yes) or avoid (No) boarding with an "infant", and a selection area 32 for selecting whether to agree (Yes) or avoid (No) boarding with a "crying infant" based on the information held in advance. The selection area 31 is always selectable, and the selection area 32 becomes selectable when "Yes" is selected in the selection area 31. Here, "Yes" is selected in the selection area 31 by user X1, and "No" is selected in the selection area 32 that has become selectable as a result. That is, user X1 selects to agree to board with an infant but avoid boarding with a crying infant.

[0025] In addition, the registration operation screen P1 has a selection area 33 for allowing the user to select whether to consent (Yes) or avoid (No) riding with a "toddler" based on the information held in advance, and a selection area 34 for allowing the user to select whether to consent (Yes) or avoid (No) riding with a "noisy toddler". The selection area 33 is always available for selection operations, and the selection area 34 becomes available for selection operations when "Yes" is selected in the selection area 33. Here, "No" is selected in the selection area 33 by the user X1, and as a result, the selection area 34 is not available for selection operations. That is, the user X1 has selected not to consent to riding with a toddler regardless of the status of being a toddler.

[0026] When the user X1 performs an operation to register the information thus selected, this information is stored in the first registration information storage unit 142 as the avoidance information of the user X1.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation when the elevator control device 14 of the elevator system 1 according to the present embodiment executes elevator control using the avoidance information of the registered user. In the initial state, the operation control unit 143e of the elevator control device 14 is set to execute response processing that prioritizes service performance when a landing call or car call is registered in the call registration unit 141. That is, the operation control unit 143e controls the operation of the car 13 so that the waiting time of the waiting users in the landing is as short as possible.

[0028] During the operation of the elevator system 1, the landing camera device 22-1 photographs the landing 20-1, and the image analysis device 23-1 analyzes the imaging information photographed by the landing camera device 22-1 to monitor whether there is a user who has performed a landing call registration operation. The image analysis device 23-1 may recognize the emotion of the user who has performed the landing call registration operation from the imaging information using emotion recognition AI.

[0029] In addition, the car camera device 131 captures images inside the car 13 and transmits the imaging information to the elevator control device 14. Also, the in-car sound collection device 132 collects the sound inside the car 13 and transmits the acquired sound information to the elevator control device 14. In the elevator control device 14, the car information acquisition unit 143a acquires the imaging information transmitted from the in-car camera device 131 and the sound information transmitted from the in-car sound collection device 132. The car information acquisition unit 143a may analyze the imaging information captured by the in-car camera device 131 to predict the age of the person in the car 13, or use emotion recognition AI to recognize the emotions of children, their parents, etc. inside the car 13.

[0030] When user X1 enters the landing 20-1 and performs a landing call registration operation on the landing call registration device 21-1, this operation information is transmitted to the elevator control device 14. In the elevator control device 14, based on the information of the landing call registration operation transmitted from the landing call registration device 21-1, a landing call is registered in the call registration unit 141 (''YES'' in S1).

[0031] Also, when user X1 performs a landing call registration operation, the image analysis device 23-1 detects that there is a user who has performed the landing call registration operation by analyzing the imaging information captured by the landing camera device 22-1. When the image analysis device 23-1 detects that there is a user who has performed the landing call registration operation, it performs face authentication by comparing the image information of the face part of this user with the face information it holds, and determines whether this user is a registered user. Here, the image analysis device 23-1 determines that the user X1 who has performed the landing call registration operation is a registered user, and transmits the identification information of this user X1 to the elevator control device 14.

[0032] In the elevator control device 14, the first landing information acquisition unit 143b acquires the identification information of user X1 transmitted from the image analysis device 23-1 (''YES'' in S2). When the first landing information acquisition unit 143b acquires the identification information of user X1, it recognizes that the landing call registration has been performed by the registered user X1.

[0033] Here, the first landing information acquisition unit 143b determines whether it has acquired the identification information of two or more registered users who have made a landing call registration for the landing 20-1 (S3). Here, the first landing information acquisition unit 143b determines that only the user X1, that is, only the identification information of one registered user has been acquired (''NO'' in S3). When the first landing information acquisition unit 143b determines that only the identification information of one registered user has been acquired, it sends the identification information of this user X1 to the first registration information acquisition unit 143c.

[0034] The first registration information acquisition unit 143c acquires the avoidance information of the user X1 corresponding to the identification information acquired by the first landing information acquisition unit 143b from the first registration information storage unit 142 (S4). Here, the first registration information acquisition unit 143c acquires information indicating that the avoidance targets are ''a crying baby'' and ''a toddler'' (regardless of the status of whether they are making noise) as the avoidance information of the user X1.

[0035] The first determination unit 143d determines whether the avoidance target indicated by the avoidance information acquired by the first registration information acquisition unit 143c exists in the car 13 based on the imaging information and sound information acquired by the car information acquisition unit 143a (S5).

[0036] For example, when the first determination unit 143d analyzes the imaging information in the car 13 and recognizes that there is a baby in the car 13, and recognizes that this baby is crying based on the magnitude (decibel) of the sound information in the car 13, etc., it determines that there is a ''crying baby'' in the car 13. Also, when the first determination unit 143d analyzes the imaging information in the car 13 and recognizes that there is a toddler in the car 13, it determines that there is a ''toddler'' in the car 13. When the first determination unit 143d determines that any of these exists in the car 13, it determines that the avoidance target of the user X1 exists in the car 13 (''YES'' in S5).

[0037] When the first determination unit 143d determines that there is an avoidance target of user X1 in the car 13, if the predicted value of the waiting time when the car 13 passes through the floor where the landing call registration occurred, calculated by the first waiting time calculation unit 143f, is less than the preset threshold value (for example, "1 minute") ( "NO" in S7), the operation control unit 143e causes the car 13 to travel through the floor of the landing 20-1 where the landing call registration occurred (S7). This threshold value may be set in advance by the administrator, or may be set when registering the avoidance information as the waiting time acceptable to each user.

[0038] When the operation control unit 143e causes the car 13 to pass through the floor of the landing 20-1, it transmits, to the user terminal 30-1 via the wireless communicator 24-1, notification information indicating that the car 13 has passed through the landing 20-1 because there is an avoidance target in the car 13 (S8). The user terminal 30-1 outputs the notification information acquired from the elevator control device 14 by display or voice. User X1 can recognize the output notification information and confirm the reason why the car 13 has passed through the landing 20-1.

[0039] Thereafter, returning to step S3, if the identification information of two or more registered users regarding the landing 20-1 has not been acquired, it is determined that the avoidance target indicated by the avoidance information of user X1 does not exist in the car 13 ("NO" in S5), or the process of steps S3 to S8 is repeated until it is determined that the predicted value of the waiting time is equal to or greater than the predetermined value ("YES" in S6).

[0040] In step S2, when the elevator control device 14 fails to acquire the identification information of user X1 from the image analysis device 23-1 ("NO" in S2), the first landing information acquisition unit 143b recognizes that a landing call registration has been made by a user other than the registered user. In this case, the operation control unit 143e executes normal response processing, that is, response processing to the landing call prioritizing service performance (S9).

[0041] Also, in step S3, when the first landing information acquisition unit 143b determines that it has acquired the identification information of two or more registered users who have registered a landing call, for example, when two landing calls, an upward landing call and a downward landing call, are registered at landing 20-1 and both are in an unanswered state, and the identification information of both the registered user who performed the upward landing call registration operation and the registered user who performed the downward landing call registration operation has been acquired, the first determination unit 143d does not perform the determination process as to whether the user to be avoided exists in the car 13.

[0042] When two registered users perform landing call registration operations in different directions, it is difficult for the first landing information acquisition unit 143b to identify from the imaging information which registered user performed the landing call registration operation corresponding to the current traveling direction of the car 13. Therefore, when the contents of the avoidance information of these two people are different, for example, when the avoidance information of one registered user allows riding with a baby and the avoidance information of the other registered user avoids riding with a baby, the first determination unit 143d cannot appropriately determine whether the car 13 should pass through. In such a case, the operation control unit 143e executes normal call response processing for this landing call (S9).

[0043] Also, in step S5, when the first registration information acquisition unit 143c determines that the avoidance target indicated by the acquired avoidance information does not exist in the car 13 (''NO'' in S5), the operation control unit 143e executes normal call response processing for this landing call (S9).

[0044] Also, in step S6, when the first determination unit 143d determines that the predicted value of the waiting time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (''YES'' in S6), the operation control unit 143e executes normal call response processing for this landing call (S9). By performing the processing in this way, it is possible to avoid a significant decrease in the convenience of the user.

[0045] According to the above-described first embodiment, a user who has a target for which sharing the elevator car is to be avoided can use the elevator while reliably and easily avoiding sharing with this target without requiring a special operation when using the elevator. Further, by controlling in this way, the occurrence of unnecessary landing calls can be reduced, and the elevator can be operated efficiently.

[0046] In the above-described first embodiment, the elevator control device 14 may acquire the imaging information captured by the landing camera device 22-1 and perform a face authentication process on the user who has performed the landing call registration operation. In this case, the elevator control device 14 pre-retains the face information of the registered user.

[0047] In the above-described first embodiment, the case where the image analysis device 23-1 analyzes the imaging information captured by the landing camera device 22-1 to acquire the identification information of the user who has performed the landing call registration operation, and the image analysis device 23-1 transmits this identification information to the elevator control device 14 has been described. However, it is not limited to this, and the elevator control device 14 may acquire the identification information of the user from the user terminal carried by the user who has performed the landing call registration operation via a short-range wireless communication device (not shown) installed on the floor where the landing call occurs.

[0048] <<Second Embodiment>> <Configuration of Elevator System Using Elevator Group Management Device According to Second Embodiment> FIG. 4 is an overall view showing the configuration of an elevator system 2 using an elevator group management device according to this embodiment. The elevator system 2 includes an elevator 100A of machine A and an elevator 100B of machine B, which are a plurality of elevators, and an elevator group management device 40 that group-manages the elevators 100A and 100B. In this embodiment, the case where the elevator group management device 40 group-manages two elevators will be described, but it is not limited to this, and three or more elevators may be used.

[0049] The Elevator 100A of Unit A includes a hoisting machine 11A installed at the upper part of the hoistway 10-2 in the building, a rope 12A hung over the hoisting machine 11A, a car 13A suspended at one end of the rope 12A, and a control device 14A of Unit A installed at the upper part of the hoistway 10-2. The car 13A and the control device 14A of Unit A are connected via a tail cord 15A. Inside the car 13A, a in-car camera device 131A, an in-car sound collecting device 132A, and an in-car operation panel 133A are installed.

[0050] The Elevator 100B of Unit B has the same configuration as the Elevator 100A of Unit A.

[0051] In addition, the elevator system 1 includes a landing call registration device 21-2 installed at the landing 20-2, a landing camera device 22-2, an image analysis device 23-2, and a wireless communicator 24-2. The landing call registration device 21-2, the image analysis device 23-2, and the wireless communicator 24-2 are respectively connected to the elevator group management device 40 via signal lines 25-2, 26-2, and 27-2. Also, a passing button 28 is installed near the landing call registration device 21-2. The passing button 28 is connected to the elevator group management device 40 via a signal line 29. In FIG. 4, only one landing 20-2 in the building is shown, but the landings on other floors can be configured in the same way.

[0052] The landing camera device 22-2 photographs the landing 20-2. The image analysis device 23-2 analyzes the imaging information photographed by the landing camera device 22-2 to obtain identification information of the user who performed the landing call registration operation, information indicating the expression, etc. The wireless communicator 24-2 performs wireless communication with communication devices in the landing 20-2, for example, by short-range wireless communication. The passing button 28 is a button for indicating the intention of the user to request the car 13A or 13B to pass through the floor of the landing 20-2.

[0053] In addition, the elevator system 2 is wirelessly communicably connected to a user terminal 30-2 carried by a user X2 who uses the elevator system 2 via a wireless communicator 24-1. The user terminal 30-2 is equipped with an application AP for transmitting and receiving information to and from the elevator system 2. The user terminal 30-2 uses this application AP to perform a process of registering the avoidance information of the user X2 with the elevator group management device 40 based on the operation of the user X2. The user terminal 30-2 also outputs the information transmitted from the elevator group management device 40.

[0054] The elevator group management device 40 includes a landing call registration unit 41, a second registration information storage unit 42, and a second CPU 43. The landing call registration unit 41 registers information on a landing call based on a landing call registration operation performed by a user using the landing call registration device 21-2.

[0055] The second registration information storage unit 42 stores, as user-specific avoidance information, avoidance information indicating a target for which a registered user wishes to avoid sharing the elevator cars 13A and 13B. The second registration information storage unit 42 also stores, regardless of whether the user is a registered user or not, all-user avoidance information indicating a target for which all users of the elevator system 2 wish to avoid sharing the elevator cars 13A and 13B, which is pre-registered. The all-user avoidance information includes targets for which many people generally wish to avoid sharing the elevator car, such as infants, children, pets, etc.

[0056] The second CPU 43 is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit) provided in a general-purpose microcomputer, and by installing and executing a predetermined elevator control program, it constitutes one or more of the following information processing units. The second CPU 43 includes a car information acquisition unit 431, a second landing information acquisition unit 432, a second registration information acquisition unit 433, a second determination unit 434, a second waiting time calculation unit 435, an allocation control unit 436, and an operation instruction unit 437.

[0057] The No. 1 machine information acquisition unit 431 acquires the operation information of the elevator 100A of Machine A from the control device 14A of Machine A and the operation information of the elevator 100B of Machine B from the control device 14B of Machine B. The second landing information acquisition unit 432 acquires, from the image analysis device 23-1, the identification information of the user who has performed the registration operation of the landing call at the landing 20-1, information indicating the expression, and the like.

[0058] The second registration information acquisition unit 433 acquires the avoidance information of the user corresponding to the identification information acquired by the second landing information acquisition unit 432 from the second registration information storage unit 42. Further, when the second registration information acquisition unit 433 detects that the registration operation of the landing call has been performed, it acquires all user avoidance information from the second registration information storage unit 42.

[0059] The second determination unit 434 determines, based on the information of the elevators 100A of Machine A and 100B of Machine B acquired by the machine information acquisition unit 431, whether or not the target indicated by the avoidance information acquired by the second registration information acquisition unit 433 is inside the cars 13A and 13B.

[0060] The second waiting time calculation unit 435 calculates a predicted value of the waiting time, which is the time from the occurrence of the landing call until each of the cars 13A and 13B lands at the floor where the landing call has occurred and the door opens.

[0061] The allocation control unit 436 executes an allocation process of allocating an elevator to respond to the landing call registered in the landing call registration unit 41 based on the information acquired by the machine information acquisition unit 431 and the result determined by the second determination unit 434.

[0062] The operation instruction unit 437 generates notification information for notifying the user based on the information of the elevator allocated by the allocation control unit 436 and transmits it to the user terminal 30-2.

[0063] <Operation of the elevator system according to the second embodiment> The operation of the elevator system 2 according to this embodiment when used by user X2, who is a registered user of the elevator system 2, will be described. In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the image analysis device 23-2 holds the face information of the registered users of the elevator system 2 in association with the identification information of these registered users.

[0064] User X2 uses the application AP on the user terminal 30-2 to perform an operation of registering avoidance information indicating the target that user X2 wants to avoid boarding the cars 13A and 13B in the elevator group management device 40. Since the process of registering the avoidance information is the same as the process described in the first embodiment, a detailed description is omitted.

[0065] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation when the elevator group management device 40 according to this embodiment executes the assignment process using the avoidance information of the registered user. In the initial state, the assignment control unit 436 of the elevator group management device 40 is set to execute an assignment process that prioritizes service performance when a landing call is registered in the landing call registration unit 41. That is, the assignment control unit 436 performs assignment control so that the waiting time of the waiting users in the landing is as short as possible.

[0066] Also, during the operation of the elevator system 2, the landing camera device 22-2 captures the landing 20-2, and the image analysis device 23-2 analyzes the imaging information captured by the landing camera device 22-2 to monitor whether there is a user who has performed a landing call registration operation.

[0067] In addition, the in-car camera devices 131A and 131B capture the interiors of the cars 13A and 13B respectively, and transmit the imaging information to the elevator group management device 40 via the control devices 14A and 14B. Also, the in-car sound collection devices 132A and 132B collect the sounds inside the cars 13A and 13B respectively, and transmit the acquired sound information to the elevator group management device 40 via the control devices 14A and 14B. In the elevator group management device 40, the unit 431 for obtaining car information obtains the imaging information transmitted from the in-car camera devices 131A and 131B and the sound information transmitted from the in-car sound collection devices 132A and 132B.

[0068] When user X2 enters boarding area 20-2 and performs a boarding call registration operation on the boarding call registration device 21-2, this operation information is sent to the elevator group management device 40. Based on the information of the boarding call registration operation sent from the boarding call registration device 21-2, the elevator group management device 40 registers the boarding call in the boarding call registration section 41 ( "YES" in S11).

[0069] Also, when user X2 performs a boarding call registration operation, the image analysis device 23-2 analyzes the imaging information captured by the boarding camera device 22-2 to detect that there is a user who has performed the boarding call registration operation. When the image analysis device 23-2 detects that there is a user who has performed the boarding call registration operation, it performs face authentication in the same manner as in the case described in the first embodiment, determines that the user X2 who has performed the boarding call registration operation is a registered user, and sends the identification information of this user X2 to the elevator group management device 40.

[0070] In the elevator group management device 40, the second boarding information acquisition section 432 acquires the identification information of user X2 sent from the image analysis device 23-2 ( "YES" in S12). When the second boarding information acquisition section 432 acquires the identification information of user X2, it recognizes that the boarding call has been registered by the registered user X2.

[0071] Here, the second boarding information acquisition section 432 determines whether it has acquired the identification information of two or more registered users who have performed the boarding call registration for boarding area 20-2 (S13). Here, the second boarding information acquisition section 432 determines that only user X2, that is, only the identification information of one registered user, has been acquired ( "NO" in S13). When the second boarding information acquisition section 432 determines that only the identification information of one registered user has been acquired, it sends the identification information of this user X2 to the second registration information acquisition section 433.

[0072] The second registration information acquisition unit 433 acquires the avoidance information of user X2 corresponding to the identification information acquired by the second boarding information acquisition unit 432 from the second registration information storage unit 42 (S14). Here, the second registration information acquisition unit 433 acquires, as the avoidance information of user X2, information indicating that the avoidance targets are "a crying baby" and "a toddler" (regardless of the status of whether they are making noise).

[0073] Based on the imaging information and sound information acquired by the car body information acquisition unit 431, the second determination unit 434 determines, for each car body, whether the avoidance target indicated by the avoidance information acquired by the second registration information acquisition unit 433 exists within the carriages 13A and 13B in the same manner as described in the first embodiment (S15).

[0074] Based on the determination result by the second determination unit 434, the allocation control unit 436 determines whether the avoidance target of user X2 exists in all the carriages, that is, both the carriages 13A and 13B (S16). Here, when the avoidance target of user X2 does not exist in at least one of the carriages 13A and 13B ( "NO" in S16), the allocation control unit 436 acquires the predicted value of the waiting time for the car body in which the avoidance target does not exist from the second waiting time calculation unit 435.

[0075] Based on the information acquired from the second waiting time calculation unit 435, the allocation control unit 436 determines whether the predicted values of the waiting times for all the car bodies in which the avoidance target does not exist are equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, "1 minute") (S17). When the allocation control unit 436 determines that there is a car body in which the predicted value of the waiting time is less than the predetermined value among the car bodies in which the avoidance target does not exist ( "NO" in S17), it allocates the car body with the shortest waiting time to the boarding call (S18).

[0076] In step S12, when the elevator group management device 40 fails to acquire the identification information of user X2 from the image analysis device 23-2 (”NO” in S12), the second landing information acquisition unit 432 recognizes that a landing call registration has been made by a user other than a registered user. In this case, the first determination unit 143d does not perform the determination process as to whether or not the user to be avoided exists in the car 13, and the allocation control unit 436 executes normal allocation control, that is, allocation processing to the landing call with priority given to service performance. (S19).

[0077] Also, in step S13, when the second landing information acquisition unit 432 determines that it has acquired the identification information of two or more registered users who have made a landing call registration (”YES” in S13), in step S16, when the allocation control unit 436 determines that the user to be avoided of user X2 exists in both cars 13A and 13B (”YES” in S16), or in step S17, when the allocation control unit 436 determines that the predicted values of the waiting times of all cars without the user to be avoided are equal to or greater than a predetermined value (”YES” in S17), the allocation control unit 436 also executes normal allocation processing (S19).

[0078] Next, as another operation example of the elevator system 2, the operation when executing allocation processing using all user avoidance information will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation when the elevator group management device 40 executes allocation processing using all user avoidance information. This process may be executed in place of the normal allocation process in step S19 when executing allocation processing using the avoidance information of registered users as described above.

[0079] When a user X3 who is not registered in the elevator group management device 40 enters and performs a landing call registration operation on the landing call registration device 21-2, a landing call is registered in the landing call registration unit 41 based on this operation (”YES” in S21).

[0080] In addition, when user X3 performs a boarding call registration operation, the image analysis device 23-2 analyzes the imaging information captured by the boarding camera device 22-2 to detect the presence of the user who has performed the boarding call registration operation. When the image analysis device 23-2 detects the presence of the user who has performed the boarding call registration operation, regardless of whether the user is a registered user or not, it notifies the elevator group management device 40 of the presence of the user who has performed the boarding call registration operation.

[0081] In the elevator group management device 40, the second boarding information acquisition unit 432 acquires the notification transmitted from the image analysis device 23-2 and sends it to the second registration information acquisition unit 433. Based on the acquired notification, the second registration information acquisition unit 433 acquires all user avoidance information from the second registration information storage unit 42.

[0082] Based on the imaging information and sound information acquired by the car information acquisition unit 431, the second determination unit 434 determines for each car whether the avoidance target registered as all user avoidance information exists within car 13A or 13B (S22).

[0083] Based on the determination result by the second determination unit 434, the allocation control unit 436 determines whether the avoidance target related to all users exists within the car of the elevator assigned to this boarding call by normal allocation control (S23). If the avoidance target exists within the car of the elevator assigned to this boarding call (''YES'' in S23), the allocation control unit 436 further determines whether the avoidance target related to all users exists within the cars of all cars, that is, both cars 13A and 13B (S24).

[0084] Here, when the allocation control unit 436 determines that the avoidance target related to all users does not exist in at least one of cars 13A and 13B (''NO'' in S24), it acquires from the second waiting time calculation unit 435 the predicted waiting time of user X3 when the car of the elevator assigned to this boarding call by normal allocation control passes the floor where the boarding call registration occurred.

[0085] The operation instruction unit 437 causes an announcement device (not shown) installed at the landing 20-1 to output announcement information notifying that the car in which the avoidance target exists is scheduled to arrive and the expected waiting time when the passing button 28 is operated (S25).

[0086] When the user X3 presses the passing button 28 after the announcement information is output, the information on this pressing operation is transmitted to the elevator group management device 40. In the elevator group management device 40, the assignment control unit 436 acquires the operation information of the passing button 28.

[0087] When the assignment control unit 436 acquires the operation information of the passing button 28 (「YES」 in S26), it detects that the user X3 has shown the intention to pass the car in order to avoid sharing the ride with the avoidance target, and assigns the car with the shortest waiting time among the cars of the machines where there is no avoidance target for all users to the landing call (S27).

[0088] In step S23, when the assignment control unit 436 determines that there is no avoidance target for all users in the car of the elevator assigned to this landing call by normal assignment control (「NO」 in S23), in step S24, when it is determined that there is an avoidance target for all users in the cars of all machines (「YES」 in S24), or in step S26, when the operation information of the passing button 28 is not acquired within a predetermined time (「NO」 in S26), the assignment control unit 436 executes normal assignment processing (S28).

[0089] The above-described assignment processing using the avoidance information of registered users and the assignment processing using the avoidance information of all users may be executed simultaneously, or the assignment processing using the avoidance information of all users may be performed only when there is no landing call registered by the registered user.

[0090] According to the above-described second embodiment, when a user who has a target for which sharing the elevator car is to be avoided uses any one of a plurality of elevators, the elevator group management can be performed so that the user can surely and easily avoid sharing the elevator with this target without requiring a special operation. Further, by performing such control, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of unnecessary landing calls, and the group management of a plurality of elevators can be efficiently performed. Further, regarding a target for which many people generally want to avoid sharing the elevator car, it is possible to allow a user who is not registered in the elevator group management device 40 to select whether to share the elevator or not.

[0091] In the above-described second embodiment, the elevator group management device 40 may acquire the imaging information captured by the landing camera device 22-2 and perform face authentication processing on the user who has performed the landing call registration operation. In this case, the elevator group management device 40 holds the face information of the registered user in advance.

[0092] Also, in the above-described second embodiment, when the elevator group management device 40 recognizes that the user who has performed the landing call registration operation is in a hurry, the elevator group management device 40 may shorten the door opening / closing time of the elevator car at the landing where this user is located.

[0093] In this case, the second landing information acquisition unit 432 acquires, from the image analysis device 23-2, expression information indicating the expression of the user who has performed the landing call registration operation, and presence / absence information of waiting users other than the user who has performed the landing call registration operation at the landing where the landing call registration operation has been performed. Further, the car call information acquisition unit 431 acquires car call information registered in each of a plurality of elevators.

[0094] Then, based on the facial expression information acquired by the second landing information acquisition unit 432, the operation instruction unit 437 recognizes that the user who has performed the registration operation of the landing call is in a hurry. Based on the information on the presence or absence of waiting users, it determines that there are no waiting users other than the user who has performed the registration operation of the landing call at the landing. And when the elevator assigned by the car call information acquisition unit 431 determines that the floor where the car call occurs is the destination floor or that no car call has been registered, it shortens the door opening time of the car when the car of this assigned elevator lands on the floor where the car call occurs.

[0095] By performing the processing in this way, the car can be operated so that the user in a hurry can move between floors in as short a time as possible.

[0096] Also, in the second embodiment described above, the case where the image analysis device 23-2 analyzes the imaging information captured by the landing camera device 22-2 to obtain the identification information of the user who has performed the landing call registration operation, and the image analysis device 23-2 transmits this identification information to the elevator group management device 40 has been described. However, this is not limited thereto, and the elevator group management device 40 may obtain the identification information of the user from the user terminal carried by the user who has performed the landing call registration operation via a short-range wireless communication device (not shown) installed on the floor where the landing call occurs.

[0097] Also, in the second embodiment described above, the landing call registration device 21-2 may be configured as a landing destination floor registration device in which the user designates the destination floor and performs the landing call registration operation. In this case, even if the second determination unit 434 of the elevator group management device 40 obtains the identification information of two or more registered users, it can determine the destination direction for each user from the operation information of the landing destination floor registration device and the analysis information of the imaging information by the image analysis device 23-2. Therefore, based on the destination direction determined for each user who has performed the landing call registration operation, the allocation control unit 436 allocates an elevator other than the elevator for which it is determined that the corresponding avoidance target is inside the car as the elevator that responds to the corresponding landing call. Thereby, allocation control can be performed so that each user avoids sharing the same car with each avoidance target.

[0098] Further, the landing call registration device 21-2 may be configured as a landing destination floor registration device. When a user uses the elevator, the user holds a user terminal or the like in front of the landing destination floor registration device, and the information on the destination floor held in the user terminal is transmitted to the elevator group management device 40 to register a landing call. In this case, the user terminal may be pre-stored with information on avoidance targets that the user wants to avoid sharing the elevator with, and when the user holds the user terminal in front of the landing destination floor registration device, this information on avoidance targets may also be transmitted to the elevator group management device.

[0099] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0100] 1, 2... elevator system, 10-1, 10-2... elevator shafts, 11, 11A, 11B... hoisting machines, 12, 12A, 12B... ropes, 14, 14A, 14B... elevator control devices, 15, 15A, 15B... tail cords, 20-1, 20-2... landings, 21-1, 21-2... landing call registration devices, 22-1, 22-2... landing camera devices, 23-1, 23-2... image analysis devices, 24-1, 24-2... wireless communicators, 25-1, 25-2, 26-1, 26-2, 27-1, 27-2, 29... signal lines, 28... passing button, 30-1, 30-2... user terminals, 31~34... selection areas, 40... elevator group management device, 41... landing call registration section, 42... second registration information storage section, 43... second CPU, 100A... Elevator A, 100B... Elevator B, 131, 131A, 131B... car interior camera devices, 132, 132A, 132B... car interior sound collection devices, 133, 133A, 133B... car interior operation panels, 141... call registration section, 142... first registration information storage section, 143... first CPU, 143a... car information acquisition section, 143b... first landing information acquisition section, 143c... first registration information acquisition section, 143d... first determination section, 143e... operation control section, 143f... first waiting time calculation section, 431... machine number information acquisition section, 432... second landing information acquisition section, 433... second registration information acquisition section, 434... second determination section, 435... second waiting time calculation section, 436... allocation control section, 437... operation instruction section

Claims

1. An elevator control device including a first registration information storage unit that stores avoidance information indicating a target for which it is desired to avoid sharing an elevator car, registered in advance for each user of the elevator, acquires identification information of a user who has performed a landing call registration operation of the elevator, and acquires the avoidance information of the user corresponding to the acquired identification information from the first registration information storage unit, acquires car interior information indicating the situation inside the elevator car of the elevator, and determines whether or not the target indicated by the acquired avoidance information is inside the elevator car based on the acquired car interior information, When it is determined that the target is inside the elevator car, an elevator control method for causing the elevator car to travel past the floor where the landing call occurred.

2. Group manages a plurality of elevators, An elevator group management device including a second registration information storage unit that stores avoidance information indicating a target for which it is desired to avoid sharing an elevator car, registered in advance for each user, as user-specific avoidance information, When a landing call of the plurality of elevators is registered, acquires identification information of a user who has performed the landing call registration operation, and acquires the avoidance information of the user corresponding to the acquired identification information from the second registration information storage unit, acquires car interior information indicating the situation inside the elevator car for each of the plurality of elevators, and a second determination unit that determines for each of the plurality of elevators whether or not the target indicated by the acquired avoidance information is inside the elevator car based on the acquired car interior information, An elevator group management method for assigning, as an elevator that responds to the landing call, an elevator other than the elevator in which it is determined that the target is inside the elevator car.

3. A first registration information storage unit that stores avoidance information indicating a target for which it is desired to avoid sharing an elevator car, registered in advance for each user of the elevator, A car information acquisition unit that acquires car interior information indicating the situation inside the elevator car of the elevator, A first landing information acquisition unit that acquires identification information of a user who has performed a landing call registration operation of the elevator, A first registration information acquisition unit that acquires, from the first registration information storage unit, avoidance information of a user corresponding to the identification information acquired by the first boarding area information acquisition unit; A first determination unit that determines, based on the car interior information acquired by the car information acquisition unit, whether or not the target indicated by the avoidance information acquired by the first registration information acquisition unit is in the car; An elevator control device comprising: an operation control unit that causes the elevator car to travel through the floor where the car call is generated when the first determination unit determines that the target is in the elevator car.

4. Group manages a plurality of elevators, A second registration information storage unit that stores, as user-specific avoidance information, avoidance information indicating a target for which co-riding in an elevator car is to be avoided, which is registered in advance for each user; A car information acquisition unit that acquires car interior information indicating the situation inside the elevator car for each of the plurality of elevators; A second boarding area information acquisition unit that acquires the identification information of the user who performed the registration operation of the car call when the car call of the plurality of elevators is registered; A second registration information acquisition unit that acquires, from the second registration information storage unit, avoidance information of the user corresponding to the identification information acquired by the second boarding area information acquisition unit; A second determination unit that determines, for each of the plurality of elevators, based on the car interior information acquired by the car information acquisition unit, whether or not the target indicated by the avoidance information acquired by the second registration information acquisition unit is in the elevator car; An allocation control unit that allocates, as an elevator that responds to the car call, an elevator other than the elevator for which the second determination unit determines that the target is in the elevator car; An elevator group management device comprising the above.

5. The second registration information storage unit stores, as information on avoidance targets for each user of the plurality of elevators, information on avoidance targets in a predetermined status; The second registration information acquisition unit acquires, from the second registration information storage unit, information on an avoidance target in a predetermined status corresponding to the identification information of the user acquired by the second landing information acquisition unit. Based on the car interior information acquired by the car body information acquisition unit, the second determination unit determines, for each car of the plurality of elevators, whether or not an avoidance target in a predetermined status corresponding to the information acquired by the second registration information acquisition unit is inside the car. The allocation control unit according to claim 4 allocates, as an elevator that responds to the landing call, an elevator other than the elevator in which the second determination unit determines that an avoidance target in a predetermined status is inside the car.

6. The car body information acquisition unit according to claim 4 acquires, as car interior information for each car of the plurality of elevators, imaging information obtained by photographing the inside of each car and sound information obtained by picking up sound inside each car.

7. Each of the plurality of elevators further includes a waiting time calculation unit that calculates a predicted value of the waiting time from when a landing call occurs until the car lands at the floor where the landing call occurred and the door opens. The allocation control unit according to claim 4 performs allocation control to allocate, as an elevator that responds to the landing call, the elevator with the shortest waiting time among the elevators whose predicted waiting time calculated by the waiting time calculation unit is less than a predetermined value.

8. The second landing information acquisition unit acquires expression information indicating the expression of the user who performed the registration operation of the landing call and presence / absence information of waiting users other than the user who performed the registration operation of the landing call at the landing where the registration operation of the landing call was performed. The car body information acquisition unit acquires information on car calls registered in a plurality of elevators. Based on the facial expression information acquired by the second boarding information acquisition unit, it is recognized that the user who performed the registration operation of the boarding call is in a hurry. Based on the information on the presence or absence of waiting users, it is determined that there are no waiting users other than the user who performed the registration operation of the boarding call at the boarding area. And when the car call information acquisition unit determines that no car call has been registered with the destination floor being the floor where the boarding call occurred in the elevator assigned to the boarding call, it further includes an operation instruction unit for shortening the door opening time of the car when the car of the assigned elevator lands on the floor where the boarding call occurred. The elevator group management device according to claim 4.

9. The second registration information storage unit further stores all-user avoidance information indicating targets for which co-riding in the car is to be avoided, which is pre-registered for all users of the plurality of elevators. Based on the in-car information acquired by the car call information acquisition unit, the second determination unit determines whether there is a target indicated by the all-user avoidance information in the car of the elevator assigned to the boarding call by the assignment control unit. When the assignment control unit detects that the user who performed the registration operation of the boarding call has recognized this determination result and performed an operation indicating an intention to avoid co-riding when the second determination unit determines that there is a target indicated by the all-user avoidance information in the car of the elevator assigned to the boarding call, the elevator group management device according to claim 4 changes the elevator that responds to the boarding call.

10. The second boarding information acquisition unit acquires the identification information of the user who performed the boarding call registration operation based on the information obtained by analyzing the imaging information obtained by photographing the floor where the boarding call occurred, or acquires the identification information of this user from the user terminal carried by the user who performed the boarding call registration operation via a short-range wireless communication device installed on the floor where the boarding call occurred. The elevator group management device according to claim 4.

11. The second determination unit does not execute determination as to whether or not a target indicated by user-specific avoidance information acquired by the second registration information acquisition unit is in the car when there are a plurality of users who have performed a registration operation for a landing call on the floor where the landing call has occurred. The elevator group management device according to claim 4.

12. The landing call is registered together with information on an operation for designating a destination floor executed by a user using a landing destination floor registration device. The second determination unit discriminates the destination direction for each user who has performed the landing call registration operation from the information on the operation executed by the landing destination floor registration device and the identification information acquired by the second landing information acquisition unit. Based on the destination direction discriminated by the second determination unit, the allocation control unit allocates, for each user who has performed the landing call registration operation, an elevator other than the elevator determined to have the respective avoidance target in the car as an elevator to respond to the corresponding landing call. The elevator group management device according to claim 4.

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