Elevator control system and control method

Abstract

To reduce the possibility of an information processing device colliding with an elevator car door.SOLUTION: An elevator control system (100) comprises an acquisition unit (311) that acquires status information (124) indicating whether or not the operating status of a detection device (23) that detects getting on / off of a car (21) of an elevator (2) by users and an autonomously-traveling information processing device (3) is normal, and an output control unit (312) that determines whether or not to output a call registration request of the information processing device to the elevator control device (1) based on the acquired status information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator control system that can be used by a robot and a control method for the elevator control system.

Background Art

[0002] An elevator equipped with a photoelectric device for detecting users getting on and off the elevator car is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an elevator device that includes, in addition to a photoelectric device, a voice guidance means for giving instructions to passengers by voice.

[0003] In recent years, a technology for allowing an autonomously traveling robot to use an elevator has been known. Patent Document 2 describes a system that operates in cooperation with a robot and an elevator by controlling the elevator based on a signal received from the robot.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When the robot gets on and off the car, the robot transmits a signal instructing the elevator control device to keep the door open. If the communication state between the robot and the elevator control device is poor, or if an abnormality has occurred in the communication module, the elevator control device cannot normally receive the signal from the robot.

[0006] Even in such a case, if the optoelectronic device is operating normally, the optoelectronic device can detect a robot getting on or off the elevator car and hold the door of the car in the open state. This avoids the robot colliding with or being pinched by the door.

[0007] However, when an abnormality occurs in the optoelectronic device, it may not be able to detect a robot getting on or off the elevator car, and the door of the car may not be held in the open state. In such a case, an event of the robot colliding with the door may occur, and there is a risk of damage to the robot and / or the elevator.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an elevator control system according to an aspect of the present invention is an elevator control system including an elevator control device that controls an elevator and an information processing device capable of autonomous driving, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires state information indicating whether the operating state of a detection device that detects boarding and alighting of the elevator car by a user and the information processing device is normal, and an output control unit that determines whether to output a call registration request of the information processing device to the elevator control device based on the acquired state information.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, a control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a control method for an elevator control system including an elevator control device that controls an elevator and an information processing device capable of autonomous driving, which is executed by one or more computers, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring state information indicating whether the operating state of a detection device that detects boarding and alighting of the elevator car by a user and the information processing device is normal, and an output control step of determining whether to output a call registration request of the information processing device to the elevator control device based on the acquired state information.

[0010] The elevator control system according to each aspect of the present invention may be implemented by a computer. In this case, a control program of the elevator control system that causes the computer to operate as each part (software element) included in the elevator control system to implement the elevator control system by the computer, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the control program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility of an information processing device colliding with the door of an elevator car.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] 〔Embodiment 1〕 <Overview of Elevator Control System 100> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an elevator control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator control system 100 includes an elevator 2, an elevator control device 1 that controls the elevator 2, and an information processing device 3 capable of autonomous driving. Note that the information processing device 3 is also referred to as a robot.

[0014] In the elevator control system 100, the information processing device 3 acquires state information 124 indicating whether the operating state of a detection device 23 that detects the boarding and alighting of a user and the information processing device 3 on and off the car 21 of the elevator 2 is normal. Further, the information processing device 3 determines whether to output a call registration request to the elevator control device 1 based on the state information 124. Also, in the elevator control system 100, the elevator control device 1 operates the car 21 and the door 22 of the elevator 2 based on the call registration request of the information processing device 3.

[0015] When the operating state of the detection device 23 is abnormal, there is a possibility that users getting on and off the elevator 2 and the information processing device 3 cannot be detected. In this case, even though the information processing device 3 has not completed boarding or alighting, the door 22 of the elevator 2 closes. There is a possibility of accidents such as the information processing device 3 being pinched by the door 22 or colliding with the door 22.

[0016] Here, according to the above configuration, the elevator control system 100 determines whether to output a call registration request of the information processing device 3 to the elevator control device 1 based on the operating state of the detection device 23. For example, in the elevator control system 100, the information processing device 3 determines not to output a call registration request when the operating state of the detection device 23 is not normal.

[0017] Thereby, the elevator control system 100 can reduce the possibility of the information processing device 3 colliding with the door 22 of the car 21 of the elevator 2 whose operating state of the detection device 23 is not normal.

[0018] <Elevator 2> As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator 2 includes a car 21, a door 22, and a detection device 23. Further, the elevator 2 includes, for example, an operation panel (not shown) for users to register a landing call at each floor landing. The elevator 2 also includes an operation panel (not shown) in the car 21 for users to register a car call.

[0019] The car 21 operates based on the control of the car control unit 115 of the elevator control device 1 and moves between floors. The door 22 opens and closes according to the control of the door control unit 114 of the elevator control device 1. Note that the landing door also opens and closes in conjunction with the opening and closing of the door 22 of the car 21.

[0020] The detection device 23 is a device that detects the boarding and alighting of the elevator 2 by the user and the information processing device 3. When the detection device 23 detects the boarding and alighting of the car 21 by the user and the information processing device 3, it transmits a detection signal to the elevator control device 1. For example, the detection device 23 may be a photoelectric device provided in the car 21 that can detect the user and the information processing device 3 passing through the door 22.

[0021] <Elevator control device 1> The elevator control device 1 receives calls from the user and the information processing device 3 and controls the elevator 2 according to the received calls. Further, the elevator control device 1 determines the operating state of the detection signal based on the detection signal from the detection device 23. Further, when the elevator control device 1 receives a use request, which is information indicating a desire to use the elevator 2, from the information processing device 3, it transmits state information 124 indicating the operating state of the detection device 23 to the information processing device 3.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator control device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and an input / output interface 13. The input / output interface 13 is a communication module for communicating between the elevator control device 1, the information processing device 3, and the elevator 2.

[0023] [Storage unit 12] The storage unit 12 stores various information used by the elevator control device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 12 stores elevator information 121, call registration information 122, and detection information 123.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the elevator information 121. The elevator information 121 is information regarding the state of the elevator 2. The elevator information 121 includes the current floor indicating the current position of the car 21, the current moving direction of the car 21, and information indicating the current operation mode of the elevator 2. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the upward arrow "↑" indicates that the moving direction of the car 21 is the upward floor direction.

[0025] The operation modes of the elevator 2 include a normal operation mode and a robot-only operation mode. The normal operation mode is an operation mode in which the elevator 2 is operated in a state where it can receive a landing call and a car call from a user and a landing destination floor call from the information processing device 3. The robot-only operation mode is an operation mode when a call from the information processing device 3 is registered, and in this mode, the elevator 2 is operated in a state where it does not receive a landing call and a car call from a user and only the information processing device 3 can use the elevator 2.

[0026] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the elevator information 121 includes status information 124. The status information 124 is information indicating the operating state of the detection device 23. When the detection device 23 is in a state where it can normally detect users getting on and off the car 21 and the information processing device 3, the status information 124 indicates "normal". On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in the detection device 23 and it is in a state where it cannot detect users getting on and off the car 21 and the information processing device 3, the status information 124 indicates "abnormal".

[0027] The call registration information 122 is information regarding calls made by users and the information processing device 3. The call registration information 122 includes landing call information 125, car call information 126, and robot call information 127.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the landing call information 125. The landing call information 125 is information regarding a landing call made by a user. As shown in FIG. 3, the landing call information 125 includes the floor where the landing call was made (landing call floor), that is, the departure floor of the user, and information indicating the moving direction specified by the landing call. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the car call information 126. The car call information 126 is information regarding a car call made by a user. As shown in FIG. 4, the car call information 126 includes information indicating the destination floor of the user (car call floor).

[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of robot call information 127. The robot call information 127 is information regarding the floor call destination of the landing by the information processing apparatus 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the robot call information 127 includes information indicating the departure floor and the destination floor of the information processing apparatus 3.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of detection information 123. The detection information 123 is information indicating the detection result of the detection device 23. The elevator control device 1 records the detection information 123 for one time for each stop period of the car 21. The one stop period of the car 21 indicates the period from when the car 21 stops at any floor and the door 22 of the car 21 opens until it closes.

[0031] The detection information 123 includes information indicating the time when the door 22 of the car 21 opens, the time when the door 22 of the car 21 closes, and whether or not the detection device 23 has detected a user getting on or off the car 21 or the information processing apparatus 3 during one stop period of the car 21. When the elevator control device 1 receives a detection signal even once during one stop period of the car 21, the detection information 123 records information ( "Yes" in FIG. 6) indicating that the detection device 23 has detected a user getting on or off the car 21 or the information processing apparatus 3. When the elevator control device 1 does not receive a detection signal even once during one stop period of the car 21, the detection information 123 records information ( "No" in FIG. 6) indicating that the detection device 23 has not detected a user getting on or off the car 21 or the information processing apparatus 3.

[0032] [Control Unit 11] The control unit 11 executes each process performed in the elevator control device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 11 includes a determination unit 111, a first reception unit 112, a second reception unit 113, a door control unit 114, a car control unit 115, and a switching unit 116.

[0033] (Determination Unit 111) The determination unit 111 determines the operating state of the detection device 23 based on the detection information 123. The determination unit 111 makes a determination based on the detection results of the past detection device 23. Specifically, the determination unit 111 refers to the storage unit 12 and acquires the detection information 123 during the period when the past car 21 has stopped. The determination unit 111 determines the operating state of the detection device 23 based on the acquired detection information 123.

[0034] For example, the determination unit 111 acquires the detection information 123 during the car 21 stop periods for the past three times and makes a determination. When all of the detection results in the detection information 123 for the three times indicate that no users getting on or off the car 21 and the information processing device 3 have been detected, the determination unit 111 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the detection device 23. When at least one of the detection results in the detection results for the three times indicates that users getting on or off the car 21 and the information processing device 3 have been detected, the determination unit 111 determines that the detection device is operating normally.

[0035] The determination unit 111 stores the determination result regarding the operating state of the detection device 23 in the storage unit 12 as the state information 124. Note that the determination unit 111 may perform the determination of the operating state every time the car 21 stops, or may perform the determination once every time the car 21 stops several times. Also, the determination unit 111 may perform the determination every time a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0036] During the period when the car 21 is stopped, that is, during the period when the car 21 is stopped and the door 22 is open, it is considered that there are users getting on the car 21 or the information processing device 3, or users getting off the car 21 or the information processing device 3. Here, if the detection device 23 does not output a detection signal indicating that it has detected users getting on or off the car 21 even when the car 21 has stopped multiple times, it is considered that some abnormality has occurred in the detection device 23 and it is in a state where detection is not possible.

[0037] Therefore, the determination unit 111 can determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the detection device 23 by referring to information indicating whether the detection device 23 has detected a user or the information processing device 3 getting on or off the car 21 during the stop period of the car 21.

[0038] In addition, when the determination unit 111 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the detection device 23, the determination unit 111 may transmit status information 124 indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the detection device 23 to the information processing device 3.

[0039] (First reception unit 112) The first reception unit 112 receives a usage request from the information processing device 3. When the first reception unit 112 receives a usage request from the information processing device 3, the first reception unit 112 refers to the storage unit 12 to specify the status information 124 of the detection device 23. The first reception unit 112 transmits the specified status information 124 to the information processing device 3. Thereby, the information processing device 3 can acquire the status information 124.

[0040] (Second reception unit 113) The second reception unit 113 receives a call registration request from the user and the information processing device 3. Note that the call registration request from the user can be made using an operation panel (not shown) provided in the landing of the elevator 2 or in the car 21.

[0041] When receiving a call registration request from the user, the second reception unit 113 stores the departure floor and moving direction of the user, or the destination floor of the user, in the call registration information 122 of the storage unit 12, and registers the landing call or car call of the user.

[0042] When the second reception unit 113 receives a call registration request from the information processing device 3, it stores the departure floor and the destination floor of the information processing device 3 in the robot call information 127 of the storage unit 12, and registers the landing destination floor call of the information processing device 3. Also, when registering the landing destination floor call of the information processing device 3, the second reception unit 113 outputs a signal instructing the start of the dedicated robot operation to the switching unit 116. As a result, the dedicated robot operation is started, and the elevator 2 operates in the dedicated robot operation mode. During the dedicated robot operation mode, the second reception unit 113 does not receive a call registration request from the user.

[0043] (Door control unit 114) The door control unit 114 controls the opening and closing of the door 22 of the car 21. When the car 21 arrives at any floor, the door control unit 114 acquires information indicating that the car 21 has stopped from the car control unit 115. When acquiring the information, the door control unit 114 transmits a signal instructing door opening to the door 22 of the elevator 2. As a result, the door 22 of the car 21 opens, and the landing door also opens in conjunction with the door 22 of the car 21. Also, the door control unit 114 transmits a signal instructing door closing to the door 22 after a predetermined time from the door opening (for example, 20 seconds after the door opening is completed). As a result, the door 22 of the car 21 and the landing door close.

[0044] Also, when the door control unit 114 receives a detection signal from the detection device 23 during the period when the door 22 is open, it maintains the door open state. Also, when an opening / closing button or the like in the landing or the car 21 is operated during the period when the door 22 is open, the door control unit 114 extends or shortens the door open time according to the operation content.

[0045] Furthermore, the door control unit 114 refers to the elevator information 121 of the storage unit 12, and when the elevator 2 is operating in the dedicated robot operation mode, transmits information indicating the stop floor of the car 21 and information indicating that the door has been opened to the information processing device 3.

[0046] Further, when the elevator 2 is operating in the robot - dedicated operation mode, if the door control unit 114 receives a door - open holding command from the information processing device 3 during the period when the door 22 is open, it holds the door - open state of the door 22.

[0047] After the door control unit 114 receives a door - open holding command from the information processing device 3, if it receives a boarding completion signal from the information processing device 3 within a predetermined time, it sends a signal instructing door - closing to the door 22. When the door control unit 114 receives a door - open holding command from the information processing device 3 and then receives a boarding completion signal from the information processing device 3 within a predetermined time, the information processing device 3 is in a state where boarding to the car 21 has been completed. Therefore, by instructing door - closing after receiving the boarding completion signal, the door control unit 114 can quickly close the door 22 after the information processing device 3 has completed boarding the car 21.

[0048] Also, after the door control unit 114 receives a door - open holding command from the information processing device 3, if a predetermined time elapses without receiving a boarding completion signal from the information processing device 3, it sends a signal instructing door - closing to the door 22. When the door control unit 114 receives a door - open holding command from the information processing device 3 and a predetermined time elapses without receiving a boarding completion signal from the information processing device 3, it is considered that the information processing device 3 has boarded the car 21 but the boarding completion signal has not been sent normally. Or, although the boarding completion signal has been sent, it is considered that the communication between the information processing device 3 and the elevator control device 1 has been interrupted and the elevator control device 1 has not received the boarding completion signal. Or, it is considered that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 3 and it has not been able to board the car 21 and has not been able to send a boarding completion signal. That is, in such a case, the information processing device 3 may be boarding the car 21. Therefore, the door control unit 114 instructs door - closing while the robot - dedicated operation mode of the elevator 2 continues. Specifically, the door control unit 114 outputs no signal instructing the end of the robot - dedicated operation to the switching unit 116 and instructs the door 22 to close.

[0049] In addition, although the door control unit 114 fails to receive the door open hold command from the information processing device 3, when it receives the boarding completion signal from the information processing device 3, it transmits a signal instructing door closing to the door 22. Even if the door control unit 114 fails to receive the door open hold command from the information processing device 3, if it receives the boarding completion signal from the information processing device 3, it is considered that the information processing device 3 has completed boarding the car 21. Therefore, after receiving the boarding completion signal, the door control unit 114 can promptly close the door 22 by instructing door closing after the information processing device 3 has completed boarding the car 21.

[0050] After the door closing is completed, the door control unit 114 outputs information indicating that the door has been closed to the car control unit 115. When receiving the door open hold command or the boarding completion signal from the information processing device 3, since the elevator 2 is operating in the robot dedicated operation mode, the car 21 moves to the destination floor of the information processing device 3.

[0051] In addition, when a predetermined time has elapsed without the door control unit 114 being able to receive both the door open hold command and the boarding completion signal from the information processing device 3, it ends the robot dedicated operation. Specifically, the door control unit 114 outputs a signal instructing the end of the robot dedicated operation to the switching unit 116.

[0052] When the information processing device 3 can board the car 21, the possibility that the elevator control device 1 cannot transmit both the door open hold command and the boarding completion signal from the information processing device 3 is low. Therefore, when a predetermined time has elapsed without the door control unit 114 being able to receive both the door open hold command and the boarding completion signal from the information processing device 3, it is highly likely that the information processing device 3 cannot board the car 21 due to some reason. Thus, in the above case, the door control unit 114 outputs a signal instructing the end of the robot dedicated operation to the switching unit 116 and transmits a signal instructing door closing to the door 22.

[0053] After the door is fully closed, the door control unit 114 outputs information indicating that the door is closed to the car control unit 115. In this way, when the door control unit 114 cannot receive the door opening hold command or the boarding completion signal from the information processing device 3, the door control unit 114 outputs a signal instructing the end of the robot-only operation to the switching unit 116. Therefore, the operation mode of the elevator 2 is switched by the switching unit 116, and the elevator 2 operates in the normal operation mode.

[0054] Also, regardless of whether the door control unit 114 has received the door opening hold command from the information processing device 3, when the door control unit 114 receives the alighting completion signal from the information processing device 3 within a predetermined time, the robot-only operation ends. Further, when the door control unit 114 cannot receive the alighting completion signal after the door is opened at the destination floor of the information processing device 3, the door control unit 114 outputs a signal instructing the end of the robot-only operation to the switching unit 116 after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0055] When the door control unit 114 receives the alighting completion signal from the information processing device 3, the information processing device 3 has completed alighting from the car 21 at the destination floor. Also, even if the door control unit 114 cannot receive the alighting completion signal from the information processing device 3, if a predetermined time has elapsed after the car 21 has its door opened at the destination floor of the information processing device 3, it is considered that the information processing device 3 has completed alighting from the car 21. Alternatively, after the car 21 has its door opened at the destination floor of the information processing device 3, if the door control unit 114 cannot receive the alighting completion signal from the information processing device 3, there is a possibility that the information processing device 3 did not board the car 21 at the departure floor.

[0056] Therefore, after the car 21 has its door opened at the destination floor of the information processing device 3, when the door control unit 114 receives the alighting completion signal from the information processing device 3 or when a predetermined time has elapsed, it is considered that the possibility of the information processing device 3 existing in the car 21 is low. Thus, after the car 21 has its door opened at the destination floor of the information processing device 3, when the door control unit 114 receives the alighting completion signal from the information processing device 3 or when a predetermined time has elapsed, the door control unit 114 outputs a signal instructing the end of the robot-only operation to the switching unit 116.

[0057] After the door control unit 114 outputs a signal instructing the end of the dedicated robot operation to the switching unit 116, it transmits a signal instructing door closing to the door 22 and outputs information indicating that the door is closed to the car control unit 115.

[0058] After the car 21 opens the door at the departure floor or the destination floor of the information processing device 3, if the door control unit 114 has not received a door open holding command from the information processing device 3, door closing starts after a predetermined time from when the door is opened. Here, when the information processing device 3 uses the elevator 2, since the operating state of the detection device 23 is normal, the detection device 23 can detect the information processing device 3 during boarding and alighting. When the detection device 23 detects the information processing device 3 during boarding and alighting and transmits a detection signal, the door control unit 114 gives an instruction to hold the door open state. Therefore, even if the door control unit 114 cannot receive a door open holding command from the information processing device 3, the possibility of an accident such as the information processing device 3 being pinched by the door 22 or colliding with the door 22 during boarding and alighting is reduced.

[0059] (Car control unit 115) The car control unit 115 moves the car 21 based on the registered landing calls, car calls, and landing destination floor calls by the information processing device 3. When the car 21 arrives at the departure floor of the information processing device 3, the car control unit 115 outputs information indicating the stop floor of the car 21 to the door control unit 114.

[0060] The car control unit 115 determines the destination floor of the car 21 based on the users recorded in the call registration information 122, the departure floor and the destination floor of the information processing device 3, and the operation mode of the elevator 2.

[0061] For example, when the operation mode of the elevator 2 is the normal operation mode, the car control unit 115 refers to the landing call information 125 and the car call information 126 to determine the destination floor of the car 21 and transmits a signal instructing the car 21 to move to the determined floor. Thereby, the car 21 of the elevator 2 moves to the destination floor based on the landing calls and car calls of the users.

[0062] When the operation mode of the elevator 2 is the robot - exclusive operation mode, the car control unit 115 refers to the robot call information 127 to determine the destination floor of the car 21, and transmits a signal instructing the car 21 to move to the determined floor to the car 21. Thereby, the car 21 of the elevator 2 moves to the departure floor and the destination floor based on the landing destination floor call of the information processing device 3.

[0063] When starting the robot - exclusive operation, the car control unit 115 may instruct the elevator 2 to move to the departure floor of the information processing device 3 after responding to the registered car calls. Thereby, before boarding the information processing device 3, the user who was in the car 21 when the robot - exclusive operation started can be made to get off. Also, when starting the robot - exclusive operation, the car control unit 115 may delete the registered landing calls, or may make the elevator 2 respond to the registered landing calls after the robot - exclusive operation ends.

[0064] (Switching unit 116) The switching unit 116 switches the operation mode of the elevator 2. For example, when the second reception unit 113 registers a call from the information processing device 3, it outputs a signal instructing the start of the robot - exclusive operation to the switching unit 116. When receiving the signal, the switching unit 116 switches the operation mode of the elevator 2 stored in the elevator information 121 from the normal operation mode to the robot - exclusive operation mode. Thereby, the robot - exclusive operation of the elevator 2 is started.

[0065] In addition, when the door control unit 114 fails to receive both the door open hold command and the boarding completion signal from the information processing device 3 on the departure floor of the information processing device 3, the door control unit 114 outputs a signal instructing the end of the robot-only operation to the switching unit 116 from the door control unit 114. When the door control unit 114 receives the alighting completion signal after the door is opened on the destination floor of the information processing device 3, or when a predetermined time has elapsed without receiving the alighting completion signal, the door control unit 114 outputs a signal instructing the end of the robot-only operation to the switching unit 116 from the door control unit 114. When the switching unit 116 acquires the signal, it switches the operation mode of the elevator 2 stored in the storage unit 12 from the robot-only operation mode to the normal operation mode. As a result, the robot-only operation of the elevator 2 ends.

[0066] <Information processing device 3> The information processing device 3 is a device capable of autonomous driving and can move between floors using the elevator 2. Although only one information processing device 3 is shown in FIG. 1, the elevator control system 100 may include a plurality of information processing devices 3.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 3 includes a control unit 31 and an operation unit 32. The control unit 31 executes the processing performed in the information processing device 3. The control unit 31 includes an acquisition unit 311, an output control unit 312, and an operation control unit 313. The operation unit 32 operates according to the control of the operation control unit 313 and moves the information processing device 3 to a desired location.

[0068] (Acquisition unit 311) The acquisition unit 311 acquires status information 124 indicating whether the operating state of the detection device 23 is normal. Specifically, when the information processing device 3 needs to use the elevator 2, the acquisition unit 311 transmits a use request to the elevator control device 1. As a result, the status information 124 of the detection device 23 is transmitted from the elevator control device 1 to the information processing device 3, and the acquisition unit 311 can acquire the status information 124. The acquisition unit 311 outputs the acquired status information 124 to the output control unit 312.

[0069] In addition, when the determination unit 111 of the elevator control device 1 is configured to transmit the status information 124 to the information processing device 3 when it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the detection device 23, the control unit 31 of the information processing device 3 may store the status information 124 in a storage unit (not shown). In this case, when it becomes necessary to use the elevator 2 in the information processing device 3, the acquisition unit 311 refers to the storage unit and acquires the status information 124.

[0070] (Output control unit 312) When the output control unit 312 acquires the status information 124 from the acquisition unit 311, it determines whether to output a call registration request of the information processing device 3 to the elevator control device 1 based on the status information 124.

[0071] The output control unit 312 determines whether the operation state indicated by the status information 124 is normal. When the operation state indicated by the status information 124 is normal, the output control unit 312 outputs a call registration request to the elevator control device 1. The call registration request includes information indicating the departure floor and the destination floor of the information processing device 3.

[0072] On the other hand, when the operation state of the detection device 23 is not normal, that is, when the operation state indicated by the status information 124 is abnormal, the output control unit 312 determines not to output a call registration request to the elevator control device 1.

[0073] When the operation state of the detection device 23 is not normal, the detection device 23 may not be able to detect the information processing device 3 when the information processing device 3 gets on or off the car 21, and the door 22 of the car 21 may close during the getting on or off of the information processing device 3, and the information processing device 3 may collide with the door 22. Here, according to the above configuration, when the operation state of the detection device 23 is not normal, the output control unit 312 does not output a call registration request, so the information processing device 3 does not use the elevator 2 in which the operation state of the detection device 23 is not normal. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the information processing device 3 from colliding with the door 22 of the car 21 of the elevator 2.

[0074] (Operation control unit 313) The operation control unit 313 operates the operation unit 32 to move the information processing device 3 to a desired position. For example, the operation control unit 313 operates the operation unit 32 according to the operation state of the elevator 2 that has made a call registration request. When the operation control unit 313 receives information from the elevator control device 1 indicating that the registration of the landing destination floor call has been completed, it operates the operation unit 32. As a result, the information processing device 3 moves to the landing and waits for the elevator 2.

[0075] Also, when the operation control unit 313 receives information from the elevator control device 1 indicating that the door has been opened while the information processing device 3 is waiting for the elevator 2, it determines whether the floor where the information processing device 3 is currently located matches the floor where the car 21 has stopped. If the floor where the information processing device 3 is currently located matches the floor where the car 21 has stopped, the operation control unit 313 sends a door open hold command to the elevator control device 1. Then, by operating the operation unit 32 by the operation control unit 313, the information processing device 3 gets on the car 21. After the boarding operation of the information processing device 3 onto the car 21 is completed, the operation control unit 313 sends a boarding completion signal to the elevator control device 1.

[0076] Also, when the operation control unit 313 receives information from the elevator control device 1 indicating that the door has been opened while the information processing device 3 is on board the car 21, it determines whether the destination floor of the information processing device 3 matches the floor where the car 21 has stopped. If the destination floor of the information processing device 3 matches the floor where the car 21 has stopped, the operation control unit 313 sends a door open hold command to the elevator control device 1. Then, by operating the operation unit 32 by the operation control unit 313, the information processing device 3 gets off the car 21. After the alighting operation of the information processing device 3 from the car 21 is completed, the operation control unit 313 sends an alighting completion signal to the elevator control device 1.

[0077] <Example of the processing flow of the elevator control system 100> Figs. 7 to 9 are a flowchart and a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed in the elevator control system 100. Hereinafter, the flow of processing performed in the elevator control system 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9.

[0078] (Processing at the time of determining the operating state) Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed when the elevator control device 1 determines the operating state of the detection device 23.

[0079] First, when the car 21 of the elevator 2 stops at any floor (YES in S1), the determination unit 111 refers to the storage unit 12 and acquires the past detection information 123 (S2). For example, the determination unit 111 acquires the detection information 123 during the car 21 stop periods for the most recent three times.

[0080] Based on the acquired detection information 123, the determination unit 111 determines whether the detection device 23 has output a detection signal by detecting at least once a user or the information processing device 3 getting on or off the car 21 during the periods when the car 21 has stopped three times in the past (S3).

[0081] If the detection device 23 has not output a detection signal at all during the periods when the car 21 has stopped three times in the past (NO in S3), the determination unit 111 determines that the operating state of the detection device 23 is abnormal (S4). On the other hand, if the detection device 23 has output a detection signal at least once during the periods when the car 21 has stopped three times in the past (YES in S3), the determination unit 111 determines that the operating state of the detection device 23 is normal (S5).

[0082] After step S4 or S5, the determination unit 111 records the determination result in the elevator information 121 (S6). Thereby, the state information 124 of the detection device 23 is stored in the storage unit 12.

[0083] (Processing at the time of call request) Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed by the information processing device 3 and the elevator control device 1.

[0084] When the information processing apparatus 3 needs to use the elevator 2, the acquisition unit 311 generates a usage request (S11) and transmits it to the elevator control apparatus 1. When the first reception unit 112 of the elevator control apparatus 1 receives the usage request (S21), it acquires the status information 124 stored in the storage unit 12 and outputs it to the information processing apparatus 3 (S22). As a result, the acquisition unit 311 acquires the status information 124 (S12: acquisition step).

[0085] When the acquisition unit 311 acquires the status information 124, it outputs the acquired status information 124 to the output control unit 312. The output control unit 312 determines whether the operating state of the detection device 23 indicated by the status information 124 is normal (S13). When the operating state of the detection device 23 is not normal (NO in S13), that is, when an abnormality has occurred in the detection device 23, the output control unit 312 determines not to output a call registration request (S14: output control step) and ends the process.

[0086] When the operating state of the detection device 23 is normal (YES in S13), the output control unit 312 generates a call registration request and outputs it to the elevator control apparatus 1 (S15: output control step). The call registration request includes information indicating the departure floor and the destination floor of the information processing apparatus 3.

[0087] When the second reception unit 113 receives a call registration request from the information processing apparatus 3, it accepts the call registration of the information processing apparatus 3 (S23) and stores the information indicating the departure floor and the destination floor of the information processing apparatus 3 in the robot call information 127. When the registration of the call by the information processing apparatus 3 is completed, the second reception unit 113 outputs a signal instructing the start of the robot-only operation to the switching unit 116. When the switching unit 116 acquires the signal, it switches the operation mode of the elevator 2 stored in the elevator information 121 to the robot-only operation mode. As a result, the robot-only operation is started (S24). Further, the second reception unit 113 may transmit information indicating that the call registration has been completed to the information processing apparatus 3. In this case, when the operation control unit 313 of the information processing apparatus 3 receives the information, it operates the operation unit 32 to move the information processing apparatus 3 to the landing.

[0088] When the dedicated operation for the robot is started, the car control unit 115 refers to the robot call information 127 and moves the car 21 to the departure floor of the information processing device 3. Note that before moving the car 21 to the departure floor of the information processing device 3, the car control unit 115 may refer to the car call information 126 and move the car 21 to the floor designated by the user's car call. When the car 21 arrives at any floor, the car control unit 115 instructs the door 22 to open (S25) and starts measuring the elapsed time after the door is opened (S26). Also, the car control unit 115 transmits information indicating that the car 21 has stopped and information indicating the floor where the car 21 has stopped to the information processing device 3. During the door open period, when a detection signal is received from the detection device 23, the door control unit 114 keeps the door 22 in the open state.

[0089] When the operation control unit 313 of the information processing device 3 receives information indicating that the car 21 has stopped and information indicating the floor where the car 21 has stopped, it determines whether the current floor of the information processing device 3 is the same as the car stop floor (S16). If the current floor of the information processing device 3 is not the same as the car stop floor (NO in S16), the operation control unit 313 repeats the same process until it becomes YES in step S16.

[0090] If the current floor of the information processing device 3 is the same as the car stop floor (YES in S16), that is, when the car 21 stops and the door opens at the departure floor of the information processing device 3, the operation control unit 313 operates the operation unit 32. Thereby, the information processing device 3 starts the boarding operation to the car 21 (S17). When the information processing device 3 starts the boarding operation to the car 21, the operation control unit 313 transmits a door open hold command to the elevator control device 1.

[0091] After step S26, the door control unit 114 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the door was opened (S27). If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the door was opened (NO in S27), the door control unit 114 determines whether or not a door open hold command has been received (S28). If a door open hold command has been received (YES in S28), the door control unit 114 causes the door 22 to maintain the door open state. Further, the door control unit 114 determines whether or not a boarding completion signal has been received (S29). If the boarding completion signal has not been received (NO in S29), the door control unit 114 repeats the process of step S29 until a predetermined time has elapsed since the door was opened (until YES in S30).

[0092] When the boarding operation of the information processing device 3 to the car 21 is completed (S18), the operation control unit 313 transmits a boarding completion signal to the elevator control device 1.

[0093] When the door control unit 114 receives the boarding completion signal (YES in S29), the door control unit 114 instructs the door 22 to close (S31). Also, even if the door control unit 114 does not receive the boarding completion signal (NO in S29) and a predetermined time has elapsed since the door was opened (YES in S30), the door control unit 114 instructs the door 22 to close (S31). Further, even when the door control unit 114 has not received the door open hold command (NO in S28) and has received the boarding completion signal (YES in S32), the door control unit 114 instructs the door 22 to close (S31). In this case, the elevator 2 continues to operate in the robot dedicated operation mode. After the door is closed, the car control unit 115 moves the car 21.

[0094] If the door control unit 114 does not receive the door open hold command and the boarding completion signal (NO in S28 and S32), and a predetermined time has elapsed since the door opened (YES in S27), the door control unit 114 outputs a signal instructing the end of the robot-only operation to the switching unit 116. When receiving the signal, the switching unit 116 switches the operation mode of the elevator 2 stored in the elevator information 121 from the robot-only operation mode to the normal operation mode. Thereby, the robot-only operation ends (S33). Thereafter, the door control unit 114 instructs the door 22 to close (S31). After the door is closed, the car control unit 115 moves the car 21.

[0095] As described above, in the elevator control system 100, based on the state information 124 of the detection device 23, it is determined whether to make a call registration request, and when a call registration request is made, processing related to boarding is performed.

[0096] (Processing at the time of getting off the elevator) FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed in the information processing device 3 and the elevator control device 1 after the information processing device 3 boards the car 21. If the information processing device 3 is not boarding the car 21 (NO in S41), this processing ends.

[0097] When the car 21 stops at any floor, the door control unit 114 instructs the door 22 to open (S51), and transmits information indicating that the door has opened and information indicating the stop floor of the car 21 to the information processing device 3. Also, the door control unit 114 starts measuring the elapsed time since the door opened (S52).

[0098] When the operation control unit 313 of the information processing device 3 receives information indicating that the door has opened and information indicating the stop floor of the car 21 while boarding the car 21 (YES in S41), it determines whether the destination floor of the information processing device 3 is the same as the stop floor of the car 21 (S42). If the destination floor of the information processing device 3 is not the same as the stop floor of the car 21 (NO in S42), the same processing is repeated until S42 becomes YES.

[0099] When the destination floor of the information processing device 3 and the stop floor of the car 21 are the same (YES in S42), the operation control unit 313 controls the operation unit 32 to start the getting-off operation (S43). Also, the operation control unit 313 transmits a door opening hold command to the elevator control device 1.

[0100] After step S52, the door control unit 114 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the door opened (S53). If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the door opened (NO in S53), the door control unit 114 determines whether or not it has received a door opening hold command (S54). If the door control unit 114 has not received a door opening hold command (NO in S54), it further determines whether or not it has received a getting-off completion signal (S57). If the answer in step S54 is NO and the getting-off completion signal has not been received (NO in S57), the door control unit 114 performs the process of step S53 again. When the door opening hold command is received (YES in S54), the door control unit 114 holds the door open state of the door 22. Also, the door control unit 114 determines whether or not it has received a getting-off completion signal (S55). If the getting-off completion signal has not been received (NO in S55), the door control unit 114 repeats the process of step S55 until a predetermined time has elapsed since the door opened (until YES in S56).

[0101] When the getting-off operation of the information processing device 3 to the car 21 is completed (S44), the operation control unit 313 transmits a getting-off completion signal to the elevator control device 1.

[0102] When the door control unit 114 receives the getting-off completion signal (YES in S55), the door control unit 114 outputs a signal instructing the end of the robot-only operation to the switching unit 116, and the switching unit 116 ends the robot-only operation (S58). Also, even when the door control unit 114 has not received the getting-off completion signal (NO in S55) and a predetermined time has elapsed since the door opened (YES in S56), the door control unit 114 outputs a signal instructing the end of the robot-only operation to the switching unit 116. When the switching unit 116 acquires the signal, it ends the robot-only operation (S58).

[0103] Also, when the door control unit 114 receives no door-opening hold command (NO in S54) and receives a getting-off completion signal (YES in S57), the door control unit 114 also ends the robot-only operation (S58). Further, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the door opened (YES in S53) without the door control unit 114 receiving a door-opening hold command and a getting-off completion signal (NO in S54 and S57), the door control unit 114 outputs a signal instructing the end of the robot-only operation to the switching unit 116. When acquiring the signal, the switching unit 116 ends the robot-only operation (S58). After the robot-only operation ends, the door control unit 114 instructs the door 22 to close (S59).

[0104] As described above, in the elevator control system 100, the process related to getting off of the information processing device 3 is performed.

[0105] 〔Embodiment 2〕 Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For the sake of convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0106] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an elevator control system 100A according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the elevator control system 100A is different from the elevator control system 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that it includes an elevator control device 1A and an information processing device 3A.

[0107] The information processing device 3A includes a control unit 31A including an output control unit 312A instead of the output control unit 312. When the output control unit 312A acquires the status information 124 from the acquisition unit 311, it determines to transmit a call registration request regardless of whether the operating state of the detection device 23 is normal. As a result, the landing destination floor call of the information processing device 3A is registered in the elevator control device 1A regardless of whether the operating state of the detection device 23 is normal.

[0108] The elevator control device 1A includes a control unit 11A having a door control unit 114A instead of the door control unit 114. When the operating state indicated by the state information 124 is not normal and the output control unit 312A outputs a call registration request, the door control unit 114A holds the open state of the door 22 for a predetermined period. When the operating state indicated by the state information 124 is not normal and the output control unit 312A outputs a call registration request, in a state where the operating state of the detection device 23 is not normal, the landing destination floor call of the information processing device 3A is registered, and the elevator 2 operates in the robot dedicated operation mode.

[0109] When the elevator 2 is operating in the robot dedicated operation mode and the car 21 stops at any floor, the door control unit 114A acquires the state information 124 and determines whether the operating state indicated by the state information 124 is normal.

[0110] When the operating state indicated by the state information 124 is not normal, the door control unit 114A keeps the door 22 in the open state at the boarding floor of the information processing device 3A until (1) a boarding completion signal indicating that the information processing device 3A has completed boarding the car 21 is received during a first period. Or, when the operating state indicated by the state information 124 is not normal, the door control unit 114A keeps the door 22 in the open state at the boarding floor of the information processing device 3A until (2) a second period elapses for a predetermined time.

[0111] Also, when the operating state indicated by the state information 124 is not normal, the door control unit 114A keeps the door 22 in the open state at the alighting floor of the information processing device 3A that has boarded the car 21 until (1) an alighting completion signal indicating that the information processing device 3A has completed alighting from the car 21 is received during a third period. Or, when the operating state indicated by the state information 124 is not normal, the door control unit 114A keeps the door 22 in the open state at the alighting floor of the information processing device 3A until (2) a fourth period elapses for a predetermined time.

[0112] The predetermined time can be set to a time sufficient for the information processing device 3A to complete boarding and alighting (for example, three minutes).

[0113] According to the above configuration, even when the operating state of the detection device 23 is not normal, a call registration request of the information processing device 3A can be output to the elevator control device 1A. In this case, the elevator control device 1A may receive a call registration request from the information processing device 3A in a situation where an abnormality has occurred in the detection device 23. Here, even if the door control unit 114A cannot detect the information processing device 3A boarding or alighting the car 21, it holds the open state of the door until it receives a boarding completion signal or an alighting completion signal from the information processing device 3A, or until a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0114] Therefore, the open state of the door is maintained until the information processing device 3A completes boarding. Also, even if the elevator control device 1A cannot receive the boarding completion signal and cannot confirm that the information processing device 3A has completed boarding, the open state of the door is maintained until a predetermined time has elapsed since the door was opened. This can reduce the possibility that the information processing device 3A moving from the landing to the car 21 or from the car 21 to the landing collides with the door 22 of the car 21.

[0115] <An example of the processing flow of the elevator control system 100A> FIGS. 11 and 12 are sequence diagrams showing the processing flow performed in the elevator control system 100A.

[0116] (At boarding) FIG. 11 shows the processing flow when a call registration and a boarding operation of the information processing device 3A are performed in the elevator control system 100A. Hereinafter, the processing performed when the operating state of the detection device 23 is abnormal will be described.

[0117] When the information processing apparatus 3A needs to use the elevator 2, the acquisition unit 311 generates a usage request (S61) and transmits it to the elevator control apparatus 1A. When the first reception unit 112 of the elevator control apparatus 1A receives the usage request (S71), it acquires the status information 124 stored in the storage unit 12 and outputs it to the information processing apparatus 3A (S72). As a result, the acquisition unit 311 acquires the status information 124 (S62: acquisition step). The acquisition unit 311 outputs the acquired status information 124 to the output control unit 312A.

[0118] When the output control unit 312A acquires the status information 124, it determines to output a call registration request to the elevator control apparatus 1A regardless of whether the operation state indicated by the status information 124 is normal. The output control unit 312A generates a call registration request and outputs it to the elevator control apparatus 1A (S63: output control step).

[0119] The processes of steps S64 to S66 and S73 to S76 are the processes from when the second reception unit 113 receives a call registration request from the information processing apparatus 3A until the door 22 opens at the departure floor of the information processing apparatus 3A and the information processing apparatus 3A starts the boarding operation. Since these processes are the same as the processes of steps S16 to S18 and S23 to S26 described with reference to FIG. 8 in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

[0120] After step S65, when the information processing apparatus 3A completes the boarding operation (S66), the operation control unit 313 transmits a boarding completion signal to the elevator control apparatus 1A.

[0121] After step S76, the door control unit 114A acquires the status information 124 and determines whether the operation state of the detection device 23 is normal. If the operation state of the detection device 23 is not normal, the door control unit 114A performs the processes after step S77. If the operation state of the detection device 23 is normal, the door control unit 114A may perform the processes after step S77, or may perform the processes after step S27 described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0122] When the operating state of the detection device 23 is not normal, the door control unit 114A determines whether it has received a boarding completion signal (S77). When the door control unit 114A has received a boarding completion signal (YES in S77), it instructs the door 22 to close (S79). In other words, the door control unit 114 keeps the door 22 in the open state during a first period from when the door 22 is opened at the boarding floor of the information processing device 3A until it receives a boarding completion signal indicating that the information processing device 3A has completed boarding the car 21.

[0123] When the door control unit 114A has not received a boarding completion signal (NO in S77), it determines whether a predetermined time, for example, three minutes, has elapsed since the door was opened (S78). When three minutes have not elapsed since the door was opened (NO in S78), the door control unit 114A performs the process of step S77 again.

[0124] When three minutes have elapsed since the door was opened (YES in S78), the door control unit 114A instructs the door 22 to close (S79). In other words, the door control unit 114A keeps the door 22 in the open state during a second period from when the door 22 is opened at the boarding floor of the information processing device 3A until the predetermined time elapses. After closing the door, the car control unit 115 moves the car 21.

[0125] (When getting off the elevator) FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processes performed in the information processing device 3A and the elevator control device 1A after the information processing device 3A boards the car 21. Since the processes of steps S81 to S84 and the processes of steps S91 to S92 are the same as the processes of steps S41 to S44 and steps S51 to S52 described with reference to FIG. 9, the description here is omitted.

[0126] After step S92, the door control unit 114A acquires the status information 124 and determines whether the operating status of the detection device 23 is normal. If the operating status of the detection device 23 is not normal, the door control unit 114A performs the processes after step S93. Note that if the operating status of the detection device 23 is normal, the door control unit 114A may perform the processes after step S93, or may perform the processes after step S53 described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0127] If the operating status of the detection device 23 is not normal, the door control unit 114A determines whether a getting-off completion signal has been received (S93). If the door control unit 114A has received the getting-off completion signal (YES in S93), it outputs a signal instructing the end of the robot-only operation to the switching unit 116. When the switching unit 116 acquires the signal, it ends the robot-only operation (S95). Thereafter, the door control unit 114A instructs the door 22 to close (S96). In other words, the door control unit 114A keeps the door 22 open during a third period from when the door 22 is opened at the getting-off floor of the information processing device 3A that has boarded the car 21 until the getting-off completion signal indicating that the information processing device 3A has completed getting off the car 21 is received.

[0128] If the door control unit 114A has not received the getting-on completion signal (NO in S93), it determines whether a predetermined time, for example, three minutes, has elapsed since the door was opened (S94). If three minutes have not elapsed since the door was opened (NO in S94), the door control unit 114A performs the process of step S93 again.

[0129] If three minutes have elapsed since the door was opened (YES in S94), the door control unit 114A outputs a signal instructing the end of the robot-only operation to the switching unit 116. When the switching unit 116 acquires the signal, it ends the robot-only operation (S95). Thereafter, the door control unit 114A instructs the door 22 to close (S96). In other words, the door control unit 114A keeps the door 22 open during a fourth period from when the door 22 is opened at the getting-off floor of the information processing device 3A until a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0130] [Embodiment 3] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the elevator control system 100B according to Embodiment 3. Hereinafter, the elevator control system 100B will be described with reference to FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 13, the elevator control system 100B includes a plurality of elevator cars 2 provided with detection devices 23. Hereinafter, a configuration in which the elevator control system 100B includes the elevators 2 from car No. 1 to car No. X will be taken as an example. The elevator control device 1 is provided for each of the plurality of cars of the elevator 2 provided with the detection device 23, and the plurality of elevator control devices 1 control the corresponding elevators 2, respectively.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 13, the elevator control system 100B includes an information processing device 3B. The information processing device 3B is different from the information processing device 3 in that it includes a control unit 31B having an acquisition unit 311B and an output control unit 312B instead of the acquisition unit 311 and the output control unit 312.

[0132] When the need to use the elevator 2 arises in the information processing device 3B, the acquisition unit 311B transmits a use request to any one of the plurality of elevator control devices 1. As a result, the acquisition unit 311B receives, from the elevator control device 1, the status information 124 of the detection device 23 provided in the car of the elevator 2 controlled by the elevator control device 1.

[0133] When the received status information 124 indicates that the operating state of the detection device 23 is normal, the acquisition unit 311B outputs the status information 124 and the information indicating the elevator control device 1 that is the transmission source of the status information 124 to the output control unit 312B. When the received status information 124 indicates that the operating state of the detection device 23 is abnormal, the acquisition unit 311B transmits a use request to an elevator control device 1 to which a use request has not yet been transmitted.

[0134] When the acquisition unit 311B receives the status information 124 indicating that the operating state of the detection device 23 is normal from any one of the elevator control devices 1, the acquisition unit 311B outputs the status information 124 and the information indicating the elevator control device 1 which is the transmission source of the status information 124 to the output control unit 312B. On the other hand, when the status information 124 indicating that the operating state of the detection device 23 is abnormal is received from all the elevator control devices 1, the acquisition unit 311B ends the process.

[0135] When the output control unit 312B acquires the status information 124 from the acquisition unit 311B, the output control unit 312B determines whether or not the operating state of the detection device 23 indicated by the status information 124 is abnormal. When the operating state of the detection device 23 is abnormal, the output control unit 312B determines not to output a call registration request to the elevator control device 1 which is the transmission source of the status information 124.

[0136] When the operating state of the detection device 23 is normal, the output control unit 312B transmits a call registration request to the elevator control device 1 which is the transmission source of the status information 124. Thereby, the output control unit 312B outputs a call registration request to the elevator control device 1 that controls the car in which the detection device 23 with a normal operating state indicated by the status information 124 is provided among the plurality of cars of the elevator 2.

[0137] When the output control unit 312B acquires information indicating that the operating state of the detection device 23 is abnormal from all the elevator control devices 1 from the acquisition unit 311B, the output control unit 312B determines not to output a call registration request.

[0138] Hereinafter, a specific example of the processes performed by the acquisition unit 311B and the output control unit 312B will be described. As an example, in an elevator control system 100B including four elevators 2, when it becomes necessary to use the elevator 2 in the information processing device 3B, the acquisition unit 311B transmits a use request to the elevator control device 1 that controls the first car of the elevator 2. When the operating state of the detection device 23 provided in the first car of the elevator 2 is abnormal, the acquisition unit 311B transmits a use request to the elevator control device 1 that controls the second car of the elevator 2 next.

[0139] When the operating state of the detection device 23 provided in the elevator 2 of the No. 2 machine is also abnormal, the acquisition unit 311B then transmits a utilization request to the elevator control device 1 that controls the elevator 2 of the No. 3 machine. When the operating state of the detection device 23 provided in the elevator 2 of the No. 3 machine is normal, the acquisition unit 311B outputs a determination result indicating that the operating state of the detection device 23 provided in the elevator 2 of the No. 3 machine is normal to the output control unit 312B. When the output control unit 312B acquires the determination result, it transmits a call registration request to the elevator control device 1 that controls the elevator 2 of the No. 3 machine.

[0140] When the operating states of the detection devices 23 provided in the elevators 2 of the No. 1 to No. 4 machines are abnormal, the acquisition unit 311B ends the process. In this case, the output control unit 312B does not output a call registration request to the elevator control device 1.

[0141] According to the above configuration, the elevator control system 100B can cause the information processing device 3B to use the machine in which the operating state of the detection device 23 is normal. Thereby, the possibility that the information processing device 3B collides with the door 22 of the car 21 can be reduced.

[0142] <An example of the processing flow of the elevator control system 100B> FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow performed in the elevator control system 100B. Hereinafter, a case will be described by taking as an example the case where the operating states of the detection devices 23 provided in the No. 1 to No. X - 1 machines are abnormal and the operating state of the detection device 23 provided in the No. X machine is normal.

[0143] When it becomes necessary to use the elevator 2 in the information processing apparatus 3B, the output control unit 312B selects the elevator control device 1 of the transmission destination of the use request. In selecting the elevator control device 1, first, the output control unit 312B sets the machine number to be determined as the Car machine number. A numerical value is entered in Car, which corresponds to each of the machine numbers of the elevators 2 included in the elevator control system 100B. For example, when the elevator control system 100B includes elevator machine numbers from 1 to X, when Car = 1, processing related to the first machine is performed, when Car = 2, processing related to the second machine is performed, and when Car = X, processing related to the Xth machine is performed.

[0144] The acquisition unit 311B first substitutes 1 into the variable Car (S101) and generates a use request for acquiring the status information 124 of the detection device 23 of the first machine (S102). Subsequently, the acquisition unit 311B transmits the use request to the elevator control device 1 that controls the first machine. When the first reception unit 112 of the elevator control device 1 receives the use request (S111), it acquires the status information 124 of the first machine and outputs it to the information processing apparatus 3B (S112). Thereby, the acquisition unit 311B acquires the status information 124 of the detection device 23 provided in the elevator 2 of the first machine (S103).

[0145] When the acquisition unit 311B acquires the status information 124, it outputs the acquired status information 124 to the output control unit 312B. When the output control unit 312B acquires the status information 124, it determines whether the operating state of the detection device 23 is normal (S104). When the operating state of the detection device 23 is not normal (NO in S104), the output control unit 312B determines not to output a call registration request (S105: output control step).

[0146] When the operating state of the detection device 23 is not normal, the acquisition unit 311B determines whether the value of the variable Car is greater than or equal to the total number of cars of elevator 2 (S106). If the value of the variable Car is greater than or equal to the total number of cars of elevator 2 (YES in S106), the acquisition unit 311B ends the process. The case of YES in step S106 means that the acquisition unit 311B has sent a usage request to all the elevator control devices 1, and has received the status information 124 indicating that the operating state of the detection device 23 is abnormal from all the elevator control devices 1.

[0147] If the value of the variable Car is less than the total number of cars of elevator 2 (NO in S106), that is, if there is an elevator control device 1 to which a usage request has not been sent yet, the acquisition unit 311B increments the variable Car (S107). For example, when the acquisition unit 311B sends a usage request to the elevator control device 1 that controls car No. 1 and receives the status information 124 indicating that the operating state is abnormal, the second car is set as the next Car number. After step S106, the process returns to the process of step S102.

[0148] When the operating state of the detection device 23 is normal (YES in S104), the output control unit 312B determines to output a call registration request (S108: output control step). Specifically, the output control unit 312B generates a call registration request and sends it to the elevator control device 1 that is the source of the status information 124. Thereby, a call registration request is output to the elevator control device 1 that controls elevator 2 equipped with the detection device 23 whose operating state is normal.

[0149] After step S108, the second reception unit 113 of the elevator control device 1 that controls the elevator 2 including the detection device 23 with a normal operation state receives a call registration (S113). Since the processing after the second reception unit 113 receives the call registration (the processing in steps S109 to S110 and S114 to S123) is the same as the processing in steps S17 to S18 and S24 to S33 described with reference to FIG. 8 in the first embodiment, the description here is omitted. Also, since the processing after the information processing device 3B gets on the car 21 is the same as the processing described with reference to FIG. 9 in the first embodiment, the description here is omitted.

[0150] (Modification example) In the third embodiment, when the operation states of the detection devices 23 provided in all units of the elevator 2 are abnormal, the output control unit 312B determines not to send a call registration request. However, the processing performed by the output control unit 312B is not limited to this. For example, when the operation states of the detection devices 23 provided in all units of the elevator 2 are abnormal, the output control unit 312B may send a call registration request to the elevator control device 1 that controls any one of the units. In this case, the door control unit 114 of the elevator control device 1 that has received the call registration request performs the same processing as the processing described in the second embodiment.

[0151] [Example of realization by software] The functions of the elevator control systems 100, 100A, 100B (hereinafter referred to as "systems") are programs for causing a computer to function as the system, and can be realized by programs for causing a computer to function as each control block of the system (particularly each part included in the control units 11, 11A, 31, 31A, 31B).

[0152] In this case, the system includes a computer having at least one control device (for example, a processor) and at least one storage device (for example, a memory) as hardware for executing the above program. By executing the above program with this control device and storage device, each function described in each of the above embodiments is realized.

[0153] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, rather than temporarily. This recording medium may or may not be provided in the above system. In the latter case, the above program may be supplied to the above system via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0154] Also, part or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can also be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit functioning as each of the above control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition to this, for example, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the above control blocks by a quantum computer.

[0155] Also, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI may operate in the above control device, or may operate in another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server, etc.).

[0156] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0157] 〔Summary〕 An elevator control system according to Aspect 1 of the present invention is an elevator control system including an elevator control device that controls an elevator and an information processing device capable of autonomous driving, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires state information indicating whether or not the operating state of a detection device that detects boarding and alighting of the elevator by a user and the information processing device is normal, and an output control unit that determines whether or not to output a call registration request of the information processing device to the elevator control device based on the acquired state information.

[0158] In the elevator control system according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1, when the operating state indicated by the state information is not normal, the output control unit may not output the call registration request.

[0159] The elevator control system according to aspect 3 of the present invention further includes a door control unit that controls opening and closing of the door of the car in the above aspect 1 or 2. When the operating state indicated by the state information is not normal and the output control unit outputs the call registration request, after opening the door at the boarding floor of the information processing device, (1) until receiving a boarding completion signal indicating that the information processing device has completed boarding the car in the first period, or (2) until a predetermined time elapses in the second period, the open state of the door may be maintained.

[0160] The elevator control system according to aspect 4 of the present invention further includes a door control unit that controls opening and closing of the door of the car in any one of the above aspects 1 to 3. When the operating state indicated by the state information is not normal and the output control unit outputs the call registration request, after opening the door at the alighting floor of the information processing device that has boarded the car, (1) until receiving an alighting completion signal indicating that the information processing device has completed alighting from the car in the third period, or (2) until a predetermined time elapses in the fourth period, the open state of the door may be maintained.

[0161] In the elevator control system according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in any one of the above aspects 1 to 4, the elevator control device is provided for each of a plurality of units of the elevator where the detection device is provided, and the output control unit may output the call registration request to the elevator control device that controls the unit of the elevator where the detection device indicating that the operating state indicated by the state information is normal is provided among the plurality of units.

[0162] A control method for an elevator control system according to aspect 6 of the present invention is a control method for an elevator control system including an elevator control device that controls an elevator and an information processing device capable of autonomous driving, which is executed by one or more computers. The control method includes an acquisition step of acquiring state information indicating whether the operating state of a detection device that detects boarding and alighting of the elevator by a user and the information processing device is normal, and an output control step of determining whether to output a call registration request of the information processing device to the elevator control device based on the acquired state information.

Explanation of Signs

[0163] 1, 1A Elevator control device 2 Elevator 3, 3A, 3B Information processing device 21 Car 22 Door 23 Detection device 100, 100A, 100B Elevator control system 114, 114A Door control unit 124 State information 311, 311B Acquisition unit 312, 312A, 312B Output control unit S12, S62, S103 Acquisition step S14, S15, S63, S105, S108 Output control step

Claims

1. An elevator control system including an elevator control device that controls an elevator and an information processing device capable of autonomous driving, an acquisition unit that acquires state information indicating whether or not the operating state of a detection device that detects boarding and alighting of the elevator by a user and the information processing device is normal; an output control unit that determines whether or not to output a call registration request of the information processing device to the elevator control device based on the acquired state information; and an elevator control system comprising the same.

2. When the operating state indicated by the state information is not normal, the output control unit does not output the call registration request. The elevator control system according to claim 1.

3. further comprising a door control unit that controls opening and closing of the door of the car, and the door control unit, when the operating state indicated by the state information is not normal and the output control unit outputs the call registration request, after opening the door on the boarding floor of the information processing device, (1) until receiving a boarding completion signal indicating that the information processing device has completed boarding the car, or (2) until a predetermined time has elapsed, the open state of the door is maintained. The elevator control system according to claim 1.

4. further comprising a door control unit that controls opening and closing of the door of the car, and the door control unit, when the operating state indicated by the state information is not normal and the output control unit outputs the call registration request, after opening the door on the alighting floor of the information processing device that has boarded the car, (1) until receiving an alighting completion signal indicating that the information processing device has completed alighting from the car, or (2) until a predetermined time has elapsed, the open state of the door is maintained. The elevator control system according to claim 1.

5. The elevator control device is provided for each of a plurality of units of the elevator where the detection device is provided. The output control unit outputs the call registration request to the elevator control device that controls the unit of the elevator where the detection device indicating that the operation state indicated by the state information is normal among the plurality of units. The elevator control system according to claim 1.

6. A control method for an elevator control system including an elevator control device that controls an elevator and an information processing device capable of autonomous driving, which is executed by one or more computers, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring state information indicating whether or not an operation state of a detection device that detects boarding and alighting of a user and the information processing device on a car of the elevator is normal; an output control step of determining whether or not to output a call registration request of the information processing device to the elevator control device based on the acquired state information; A control method including the above.

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