Elevator control system and elevator control method

Abstract

To provide an elevator control system and an elevator control method which can improve convenience of an elevator.SOLUTION: An elevator control system includes a car side camera, a control device, a car side image analysis part, and a hall side image analysis part. The car side image analysis part detects presence / absence of a passenger and a support needed person (wheel chair) in a car from an image imaged by the car side camera. The hall side image analysis part detects presence / absence of a person getting on the car and a support needed person (wheelchair) getting on the car from an image imaged by a camera installed in an elevator hall. The control device inquires the car side image analysis part and the hall side image analysis part of a detection result at door opening time of the car door, and makes timing to close the car door later than usual, when the support needed person exists in the car or the support needed person getting on the car exists in the elevator hall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator control system and an elevator control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, there is a known technology that detects people from images or videos captured by a camera and measures the degree of congestion in the elevator. When an elevator that uses this technology detects that the elevator is full, it operates in a way that does not respond to calls from the hall. Also, when it detects that the elevator is empty and no one is getting on or off, the elevator operates by closing the elevator door earlier.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an elevator control system that uses a passenger detection camera. In the elevator control system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a passenger detection camera and a security camera are installed in the elevator car. The passenger detection camera captures the area around the door. The security camera has a wider capture range than the passenger detection camera.

[0004] The elevator control system disclosed in Patent Document 1 creates a composite image by combining footage from a passenger detection camera and footage from a security camera, calculates the passenger occupancy area from the composite image, and determines whether the car is full based on the remaining area obtained by subtracting the passenger occupancy area from the floor area of ​​the car. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-85253 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the elevator control system described in Patent Document 1 detects passengers based on video images inside the car. Therefore, if the system determines that the car is unoccupied and closes the car door earlier than usual, passengers attempting to board the car from the elevator hall may be unable to get on.

[0007] In consideration of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an elevator control system and an elevator control method that can improve the convenience of elevators. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object of the present invention, an elevator control system embodying one aspect of the present invention includes a car-side camera installed in a car and a control device that controls elevator operation, including raising and lowering the car and opening and closing the car door. The elevator control system also includes a car-side image analysis unit and a hall-side image analysis unit. The car-side image analysis unit detects the presence or absence of passengers and persons requiring assistance in the car from images captured by the car-side camera. The hall-side image analysis unit detects the presence or absence of people riding in the car and persons requiring assistance from images captured by a camera installed in the elevator hall. When the car door opens, the control device queries the car-side image analysis unit and the hall-side image analysis unit for the detection results, and delays the timing of closing the car door compared to normal if there is a person requiring assistance in the car or if there is a person requiring assistance riding in the car in the elevator hall.

[0009] In an elevator control method embodying one aspect of the present invention, a car-side image analysis unit detects the presence or absence of passengers and persons requiring assistance inside the car from images captured by a camera installed in the car. A hall-side image analysis unit detects the presence or absence of people riding in the car and persons requiring assistance inside the car from images captured by a camera installed in the elevator hall. When the car door opens, the control device queries the car-side image analysis unit and the hall-side image analysis unit for the detection results, and if there is a person requiring assistance inside the car or if there is a person requiring assistance riding in the car in the elevator hall, the control device closes the car door later than usual. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the elevator control system and elevator control method configured as described above, the convenience of elevators can be improved. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become clear from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an elevator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an elevator control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a car-side image analysis device according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control matrix of the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between a control device and an image analyzing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing a car operation process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a car-side image analysis device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control matrix of a control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between a control device and an image analyzing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a car operation process according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 1. First embodiment An elevator control system and an elevator control method according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Note that common parts in the figures are given the same reference numerals.

[0013] [Elevator configuration] First, the configuration of the elevator according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an elevator according to a first embodiment.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, elevator 1 is installed in a hoistway 110 formed within a building structure. Elevator 1 moves up and down within hoistway 110 and includes a car 120 for carrying passengers and cargo, ropes 130, a counterweight 140, a hoisting machine 100, and a control device 190. A machine room 160 is provided at the top of hoistway 110.

[0015] The hoist 100 is disposed in a machine room 160, and raises and lowers the car 120 by winding a rope 130 around it. A deflection sheave 150 is disposed near the hoist 100. The rope 130 is attached to the deflection sheave 150.

[0016] The car 120 is attached to one axial end of the rope 130. The counterweight 140 is attached to the other axial end of the rope 130. Therefore, the car 120 is connected to the counterweight 140 via the rope 130. When the hoisting machine 100 is driven, the car 120 and the counterweight 140 move up and down.

[0017] The elevator car 120 has a car chamber 121 and a car door 122 (see FIG. 2). The car chamber 121 is formed in a hollow, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. One side of the car chamber 121 is formed with an entrance / exit for people and luggage to enter and exit. The car door 122 opens and closes the entrance / exit of the car chamber 121.

[0018] The control device 190 corresponds to the control unit according to the present invention. The control device 190 is installed, for example, in the machine room 160. The control device 190 controls the operation of the elevator 1. For example, the control device 190 controls the driving of the hoisting machine 100, the opening and closing of the car door 122 (see FIG. 2) of the car 120, etc. The elevator 1 also has a passenger detection system that detects passengers in the car 120.

[0019] A hall call button (not shown) is installed at the hall of each floor in the building structure. A passenger who wishes to board the elevator 1 presses the hall call button at the hall. The hall call button transmits call information including the floor number for which the hall call button was pressed to the control device 190. The control device 190 registers the hall call in accordance with the call information. The control device 190 then controls the driving of the hoisting machine 100 to move the car 2 to the registered hall floor.

[0020] [Elevator control system] Next, an elevator control system that controls the elevator 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the elevator control system according to the first embodiment.

[0021] 2, the elevator control system is composed of a car interior monitoring camera 125, a car-side image analyzer 200, a hall-side image analyzer 300, and a control device 190. The car interior monitoring camera 125 corresponds to the car-side camera according to the present invention. The car-side image analyzer 200 corresponds to the car-side image analyzer according to the present invention, and the hall-side image analyzer 300 corresponds to the hall-side image analyzer according to the present invention.

[0022] The car interior monitoring camera 125 is installed inside the passenger car 120. The car interior monitoring camera 125 is located on the side wall of the car room 121 opposite the side wall to which the car door 122 is attached. The objective lens of the car interior monitoring camera 125 faces the car door 122. The car interior monitoring camera 125 sends the captured images to the car side image analysis device 200. Note that the images according to the present invention include video that is a plurality of images that are taken successively at a constant speed.

[0023] An in-car destination floor registration button 126 is installed inside the car room 121 (car 120). The in-car destination floor registration button 126 is a button that a passenger presses when inputting a destination floor. The in-car destination floor registration button 126 transmits the input destination floor to the control device 190. The control device 190 registers the input destination floor. The control device 190 then controls the drive of the hoisting machine 100 to move the car 2 to the destination floor.

[0024] The car-side image analysis device 200 is disposed on the outside of the upper part of the car room 121. The car-side image analysis device 200 detects passengers inside the car 120 from images captured by the car interior monitoring camera 125. The car-side image analysis device 200 transmits the detection results to the control device 190. The control device 190 controls the raising and lowering operation of the car 120 and the opening and closing operation of the car door 122 according to the detection results of the car-side image analysis device 200.

[0025] The hall-side image analysis device 300 is placed in a building structure. Hall monitoring cameras 106 are installed on each floor of the building structure to capture images of the halls. FIG. 2 shows hall monitoring cameras 106A to 106C installed at the halls on the first to third floors. The hall-side image analysis device 300 detects people at or approaching the halls from images captured by the hall monitoring cameras 106A to 106C. The hall-side image analysis device 300 transmits the detection results to the control device 190. The control device 190 controls the raising and lowering operation of the car 120 and the opening and closing operation of the car doors 122 according to the detection results of the hall-side image analysis device 300.

[0026] [Control device functional configuration] Next, the functional configuration of the control device 190 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device 190.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 190 has a communication unit 191, an elevator operation control unit 192, a call registration unit 194, a destination floor registration unit 195, an elevation control unit 196, a door opening / closing control unit 197, and a door opening / closing detection unit 198.

[0028] The communication unit 191 receives various types of information sent from the car-side image analysis device 200, the hall-side image analysis device 300, the car 120, the hoisting machine 100, etc. Examples of the various types of information include the detection results of the image analysis devices 200 and 300, car door open / close information, destination floor information, call information, and the rotation speed of the hoisting machine 100. The communication unit 191 sends the received various types of information to the elevator operation control unit 192.

[0029] The elevator operation control unit 192 controls the operation of the elevator 1. The elevator operation control unit 192 performs various calculations to control the overall operation of the elevator 1, including the ascent and descent speed of the car 120 and the opening and closing operation of the car doors. The elevator operation control unit 192 sends the calculation results to the call registration unit 194, the destination floor registration unit 195, the elevation control unit 196, and the door opening and closing control unit 197.

[0030] The call registration unit 194 registers a platform call based on the call information sent from the platform call button. Platform call registration is not limited to being based on pressing a platform call button, but may be based on information sent from an external device such as a mobile terminal carried by a passenger. The call registration unit 194 sends the platform floor registered in the platform call registration to the elevator operation control unit 192.

[0031] The destination floor registration unit 195 registers the destination floor based on information sent from the in-car destination floor registration button 126. Note that the registration of the destination floor is not limited to being based on pressing the in-car destination floor registration button 126, but may also be based on information sent from an external device such as a mobile terminal carried by a passenger. The destination floor registration unit 195 sends the registered destination floor to the elevator operation control unit 192.

[0032] The elevator operation control unit 192 generates a drive command for the hoisting machine 100 in accordance with the registered destination floor and landing floor. Then, the elevator operation control unit 192 sends the drive command for the hoisting machine 100 to the lifting / lowering control unit 196. The lifting / lowering control unit 196 controls the drive of the hoisting machine 100 in accordance with the drive command for the hoisting machine 100 sent from the elevator operation control unit 192. As a result, the car 2 moves to the landing floor or destination floor.

[0033] The door open / close detection unit 198 detects whether the door of the car 2 is fully open or fully closed based on the detection result of an open / close sensor (or open / close switch) provided in the car 2. The door open / close detection unit 198 sends the detection result to the elevator operation control unit 192. The elevator operation control unit 192 generates a drive command for the car door 122 in accordance with the detection result of the door open / close detection unit 198.

[0034] The door opening / closing control unit 197 controls the opening and closing of the car door 122 in response to a drive command for the car door 122 sent from the elevator operation control unit 192. The landing doors on each floor in the building structure open and close in conjunction with the car door 122. The door opening / closing control unit 197 opens the car door 122 of the car 120 that has arrived at the landing floor, the destination floor, or both. The door opening / closing control unit 197 closes the car door 122 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the car door 122 was opened.

[0035] [Functional configuration of image analysis device] Next, the functional configuration of the car-side image analysis device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the car-side image analyzing device 200. As shown in FIG.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the car-side image analysis device 200 has an image acquisition unit 201, a request signal acquisition unit 202, a detection result response unit 203, a person detection unit 204, a person detection model storage unit 205, and a detection area coordinate storage unit 206.

[0037] The image acquisition unit 201 acquires images (video) captured by the car interior monitoring camera 125. The image acquisition unit 201 sends the acquired images to the person detection unit 204. The request signal acquisition unit 202 acquires a request signal sent by the control device 190. The request signal is a signal transmitted by the control device 190 when requesting a detection result. The request signal acquisition unit 202 sends the acquired request signal to the person detection unit 204. The detection result response unit 203 sends the detection result of the person detection unit 204 to the control device 190.

[0038] A person detection model and parameter values ​​(configuration) used for the person detection model are stored in the person detection model storage unit 205. A person detection model is a machine learning model that detects a person appearing in a specific area of ​​an image, video, or the like.

[0039] The detection area coordinate storage unit 206 stores coordinates of an area in which people and wheelchairs are detected. In this embodiment, people are detected in the entire area of ​​the image captured by the car interior monitoring camera 125. Note that the area in which people are detected according to the present invention may be set to a specific area in the image captured by the car interior monitoring camera 125.

[0040] The human detection unit 204 uses the human detection model and parameter values ​​to detect people within the entire area of ​​the image captured by the car interior monitoring camera 125. Then, the human detection unit 204 sends the detection result to the detection result response unit 203.

[0041] The functional configuration of the hall-side image analyzing device 300 is the same as that of the car-side image analyzing device 200. The person detection unit of the hall-side image analyzing device 300 uses a person detection model and parameter values ​​to detect people within the entire area or a specific area of ​​the images captured by the hall monitoring cameras 106A to 106C (see FIG. 2).

[0042] [Cage door operation control] Next, the operation control of the car door 122 performed by the control device 190 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a control matrix related to the operation of the car door of the control device 190 according to the first embodiment.

[0043] 5, the control device 190 controls the opening and closing operation of the car door 122 depending on the state of the car door 122, the presence or absence of passengers in the car 120, and the presence or absence of people at the landing. For example, when the car door 122 is opened, if there is a person inside at least one of the car 120 and the landing (stop floor hall) of the floor where the car 120 is stopped, the control device 190 operates the car door 122 normally.

[0044] The normal operation of the car door 122 when the door is opened is to close the car door 122 after the timer expires. The timer is set to a predetermined time. Therefore, the car door 122 starts to close after the predetermined time has elapsed since it was opened. As shown in FIG. 5, if there are people inside the car 120 or in the hall at the stop floor, it is necessary to wait for the people to get on or off. Therefore, the control device 190 closes the car door 122 after the timer expires.

[0045] On the other hand, when the car door 122 is opened, if there is no one inside the car 120 or in the stopping floor hall, the control device 190 closes the car door 122 without waiting for the timer to expire. If there is no one inside the car 120 or in the stopping floor hall, there is no need to wait for people to get on or off. Therefore, the control device 190 closes the car door 122 at an earlier timing than normal operation, without waiting for the timer to expire.

[0046] When the car door 122 is closed, the control device 190 operates the car door 122 normally, regardless of whether there are people inside the car 120 or in the stopping floor hall. The normal operation of the car door 122 when the door is closed is an operation to maintain the car door 122 in a closed state. When the car door 122 is closed, the car 120 is raised or lowered. Therefore, the control device 190 maintains the car door 122 in a closed state.

[0047] [Communication between the control device and the image analyzer] Next, communication between the control device 190 and the image analysis devices 200 and 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the control device 190 and the image analysis devices 200 and 300.

[0048] 6, when the elevator car 120 arrives at the landing of the destination floor, the control device 190 opens the car door 122. Then, the control device 190 transmits a request signal to the car-side image analysis device 200B.

[0049] The car-side image analysis device 200B constantly detects people inside the car 120. When the car-side image analysis device 200 receives a request signal from the control device 190, it creates a response corresponding to the detection result and transmits the created response to the control device 190. Note that the car-side image analysis device 200 may also perform person detection inside the car 120 at predetermined intervals (intermittently).

[0050] The hall-side image analysis device 300 constantly detects people at the landings on each floor. When the hall-side image analysis device 300 receives a request signal from the control device 190, it creates a response corresponding to the detection results and sends the created response to the control device 190. The request signal sent to the hall-side image analysis device 300 includes information indicating the floor number on which the car 120 is stopped. Furthermore, if multiple elevators are installed in a building structure, the request signal also includes information indicating the type of elevator (e.g., elevator number).

[0051] The hall-side image analysis device 300 may perform person detection at the landing of each floor at predetermined intervals (intermittently). The predetermined interval may be set to the same period as that of the car-side image analysis device 200, or may be a different period from that of the car-side image analysis device 200.

[0052] The control device 190 determines whether or not there is a person inside the car 120 from the response of the car-side image analysis device 200. The control device 190 determines whether or not there is a person at the landing of the floor where the car 120 is stopped from the response of the hall-side image analysis device 300. The control device 190 controls the operation of the car door 122 depending on whether or not there is a person inside the car 120 and at the landing of the floor where the car 120 is stopped.

[0053] [Car operation processing] Next, the car operation processing performed by the control device 190 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the car operation process performed by the control device 190.

[0054] First, the control device 190 checks the open / closed state of the car door 122 based on the detection result of the door open / close detection unit 198 (S1). Next, the control device 190 determines whether the car door 122 is open or not (S2).

[0055] In step S2, when it is determined that the car door 122 is not open (the door is closed) (if S2 is determined as NO), the control device 190 keeps the car door 122 closed and stops the car 120 at the landing floor corresponding to the call registration (S3). That is, the control device 190 determines to stop the car 120 at a call-registered landing floor between the car 122 and the next destination floor. After processing step S3, the control device 190 ends the car operation processing.

[0056] In step S2, when it is determined that the car door 122 is open (if S2 is determined as YES), the control device 190 inquires about the presence or absence of a person in the car 120 (S4). In step S4, the control device 190 transmits a request signal to the car-side image analysis device 200.

[0057] Next, the control device 190 inquires whether there is a person in the landing (elevator hall) where the car 120 has stopped (S5). In step S5, the control device 190 transmits a request signal to the hall-side image analysis device 300. Next, the control device 190 determines whether there is a person inside the car 120 or at the landing where the car 120 has stopped (S6).

[0058] In step S6, when it is determined that there are no people inside the car 120 or at the landing where the car 120 has stopped (if S6 is determined to be YES), the control device 190 closes the car door 122 (S7). In step S7, the control device 190 closes the car door 122 at an earlier timing than usual without waiting for the timer to expire. After processing step S7, the control device 190 ends the car operation processing.

[0059] In step S6, when it is determined that there is no person inside the car 120 or at the landing where the car 120 has stopped (if S6 is determined to be NO), the control device 190 closes the car door 122 after the timer expires (S8). In step S8, the control device 190 closes the car door 122 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the car door 122 opened. After processing step S8, the control device 190 ends the car operation processing.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, when there are no people inside the car 120 or at the landing where the car 120 has stopped, the car door 122 is closed earlier than usual. This reduces unnecessary waiting time and allows the car 120 to quickly move to the floor corresponding to the next destination floor registration or call registration. Furthermore, when there are passengers getting on or off the car 120, the car door 122 is not closed earlier than usual.

[0061] Furthermore, if there is a person inside the car 120 or at the landing where the car 120 has stopped, the car door 122 is closed at the normal timing. This allows passengers time to get on and off the car 120. As a result, the elevator 1 can prevent a situation in which passengers are unable to get on and off the car 120. Therefore, the elevator control system according to the first embodiment can improve the convenience of the elevator.

[0062] 2. Second embodiment Next, an elevator control system and an elevator control method according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 11. Note that common parts in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0063] The elevator control system according to the second embodiment differs from the elevator control system according to the first embodiment in the car-side image analyzer, hall-side image analyzer, and car door operation control (operation processing). Therefore, here, the car-side image analyzer, hall-side image analyzer, and car door operation control (operation processing) according to the second embodiment will be described, and a description of the configuration that overlaps with the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0064] [Functional configuration of image analysis device] First, the functional configuration of the car-side image analyzing device 200B will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the car-side image analyzing device 200B.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 8, the car-side image analysis device 200B has an image acquisition unit 201, a detection result response unit 203, a person detection unit 204, a person / wheelchair detection model storage unit 207, and a detection area coordinate storage unit 206.

[0066] The person / wheelchair detection model storage unit 207 stores a person / wheelchair detection model and parameter values ​​(configuration) used for the person / wheelchair detection model. The person / wheelchair detection model is a machine learning model that detects people and wheelchairs that appear in specific areas of an image, video, etc. The wheelchair may or may not have a person in it. A person using a wheelchair corresponds to a person requiring assistance according to the present invention.

[0067] The person detection unit 204 uses the person / wheelchair detection model and parameter values ​​to detect people and wheelchairs within the entire area of ​​the image captured by the car interior monitoring camera 125. Then, the person detection unit 204 sends the detection result to the detection result response unit 203.

[0068] The functional configuration of the hall-side image analyzing device 300B (see FIG. 10) according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the car-side image analyzing device 200B. The person detection unit of the hall-side image analyzing device 300B according to the second embodiment uses a person / wheelchair detection model and parameter values ​​to detect people and wheelchairs within the entire area or a specific area of ​​each image captured by the hall monitoring cameras 106A to 106C (see FIG. 2).

[0069] [Cage door operation control] Next, the operation control of the car door 122 performed by the control device 190 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a control matrix related to the operation of the car door of the control device 190 according to the second embodiment.

[0070] 9, the control device 190 controls the opening and closing operation of the car door 122 depending on the state of the car door 122, the presence or absence of a passenger in the car 120, the presence or absence of a wheelchair in the car 120, the presence or absence of a person at the landing, and the presence or absence of a wheelchair at the landing. For example, when the car door 122 is opened, if there is a wheelchair in at least one of the car 120 and the landing (stop floor hall) of the floor where the car 120 is stopped, the control device 190 extends the door open time of the car door 122.

[0071] To extend the door open time, for example, after a timer set to a predetermined time has expired, an extension timer set to a specific time is activated. Then, the control device 190 closes the car door 122 after the extension timer has expired. The specific time may be a preset value, or may be determined based on the number and positions of wheelchairs. Alternatively, the door open time may be extended by other methods, such as using a timer set to a predetermined time twice or resetting the timer to the predetermined time.

[0072] If there is a person using a wheelchair inside the car 120 or in the hall of the stop floor, it is necessary to wait for the person using the wheelchair to get on or off. Therefore, the control device 190 extends the door open time. This ensures that the door is open long enough for the person using the wheelchair to get on or off safely.

[0073] When the car door 122 is opened, if there is an occupant inside at least one of the car 120 and the stopping floor hall, the control device 190 operates the car door 122 normally. On the other hand, when the car door 122 is opened, if there is no occupant inside the car 120 or the stopping floor hall, the control device 190 closes the car door 122 without waiting for the timer to expire.

[0074] When the car door 122 is closed and there is no wheelchair, the control device 190 operates the car door 122 normally, regardless of whether there is a person inside the car 120 or in the stop floor hall. On the other hand, when the car door 122 is closed and there is a wheelchair, the control device 190 determines that the car will pass through when full. Passing through when full means that the car 120 will pass through the call-registered landing floors on the way to the next destination floor. This allows a person using a wheelchair to be transported smoothly to the destination floor, and also allows the person using a wheelchair to exit the car 120 smoothly.

[0075] [Communication between the control device and the image analyzer] Next, communication between the control device 190 and the image analysis devices 200B and 300B will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the control device 190 and the image analyzing devices 200B and 300B.

[0076] 10, when the elevator car 120 arrives at the landing of the destination floor, the control device 190 opens the elevator car door 122. Then, the control device 190 transmits a request signal to the elevator car side image analysis device 200.

[0077] The car-side image analysis device 200B constantly detects people and wheelchairs inside the car 120. When the car-side image analysis device 200B receives a request signal from the control device 190, it creates a response corresponding to the detection result and transmits the created response to the control device 190. Note that the car-side image analysis device 200B may also detect people and wheelchairs inside the car 120 at predetermined intervals (intermittently).

[0078] The hall-side image analysis device 300B constantly detects people and wheelchairs at the landings on each floor. When the hall-side image analysis device 300B receives a request signal from the control device 190, it creates a response corresponding to the detection results and sends the created response to the control device 190. The request signal sent to the hall-side image analysis device 300B includes information indicating the floor number on which the car 120 is stopped. Furthermore, if multiple elevators are installed in a building structure, information indicating the type of elevator (e.g., elevator number) is also included.

[0079] The hall-side image analysis device 300B may detect people and wheelchairs at the landings on each floor at predetermined intervals (intermittently). The predetermined intervals may be set to the same period as that of the car-side image analysis device 200B, or may be different from that of the car-side image analysis device 200B.

[0080] The control device 190 determines the presence or absence of a person and a wheelchair inside the car 120 from the response of the car-side image analysis device 200B. The control device 190 determines the presence or absence of a person and a wheelchair at the landing of the floor where the car 120 is stopped from the response of the hall-side image analysis device 300B. The control device 190 controls the operation of the car door 122 depending on the presence or absence of a person and a wheelchair inside the car 120 and at the landing of the floor where the car 120 is stopped.

[0081] [Car operation processing] Next, the car operation processing performed by the control device 190 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the car operation process performed by the control device 190 according to the second embodiment.

[0082] First, the control device 190 checks the open / closed state of the car door 122 based on the detection result of the door open / close detection unit 198 (S11). Next, the control device 190 determines whether the car door 122 is open or not (S12).

[0083] In step S12, when it is determined that the car door 122 is open (if S12 is determined as YES), the control device 190 inquires about the presence or absence of a person and a wheelchair in the car 120 (S13). In step S13, the control device 190 transmits a request signal to the car-side image analysis device 200B.

[0084] Next, the control device 190 inquires about the presence or absence of people and wheelchairs at the landing (elevator hall) where the car 120 has stopped (S14). In step S14, the control device 190 transmits a request signal to the hall-side image analysis device 300B. Next, the control device 190 determines whether or not there are any wheelchairs inside the car 120 and at the landing where the car 120 has stopped (S15).

[0085] In step S15, when it is determined that there is no wheelchair inside the car 120 or at the landing where the car 120 has stopped (if S15 is determined to be NO), the control device 190 extends the door open time (S16). After processing step S16, the control device 190 ends the car operation processing.

[0086] In step S15, when it is determined that there is no wheelchair inside the elevator 120 or at the platform where the elevator 120 has stopped (if S15 is determined as YES), the control device 190 determines whether there is anyone inside the elevator 120 or at the platform where the elevator 120 has stopped (S17).

[0087] In step S17, when it is determined that there are no people inside the car 120 or at the landing where the car 120 has stopped (if S17 is determined to be YES), the control device 190 closes the car door 122 (S18). In step S18, the control device 190 closes the car door 122 at an earlier timing than usual without waiting for the timer to expire. After processing step S18, the control device 190 ends the car operation processing.

[0088] In step S17, when it is determined that there is no person inside the car 120 or at the landing where the car 120 has stopped (if S17 is determined to be NO), the control device 190 closes the car door 122 after the timer expires (S19). In step S19, the control device 190 closes the car door 122 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the car door 122 opened. After processing step S19, the control device 190 ends the car operation processing.

[0089] In step S12, when it is determined that the car door 122 is not open (the door is closed) (if S12 is determined as NO), the control device 190 inquires about the presence or absence of a person and a wheelchair in the car 120 (S20). In step S20, the control device 190 transmits a request signal to the car-side image analysis device 200B. Next, the control device 190 determines whether or not a wheelchair is present in the car 120 (S21).

[0090] In step S21, when it is determined that there is a wheelchair in the car 120 (when S21 is determined as YES), the control device 190 determines that the car 120 will pass through when full (S22). In step S22, the control device 190 causes the car 120 to pass through call-registered landing floors on the way to the next destination floor. After processing step S22, the control device 190 ends the car operation processing.

[0091] In step S21, when it is determined that there is no wheelchair in the car 120 (when S21 is determined as NO), the control device 190 keeps the car door 122 closed and stops the car 120 at the landing floor corresponding to the call registration (S23). That is, the control device 190 determines to stop the car 120 at a call-registered landing floor between the car 120 and the next destination floor. After processing step S23, the control device 190 ends the car operation processing.

[0092] As described above, in the second embodiment, when the car door 122 is opened, if there is a wheelchair inside the car 120 or at least in the landing where the car 120 is stopped, the door open time is extended. This ensures a door open time that allows a person using a wheelchair (a person requiring assistance) to safely get on and off the elevator. As a result, the elevator control system according to the second embodiment can improve the convenience of elevators when used by a person using a wheelchair.

[0093] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, when the car door 122 is closed, if there is a wheelchair inside the car 120, the car 120 is made to pass through the call-registered landing floors on the way to the next destination floor. This allows the person using a wheelchair (person requiring assistance) to be transported smoothly to the destination floor. Furthermore, since no more passengers will board the car 120, the person using a wheelchair can smoothly exit the car 120. As a result, the elevator control system according to the second embodiment can improve the convenience of elevators when used by people using wheelchairs.

[0094] In the second embodiment, when the car door 122 is closed and there is a wheelchair inside the car 120, the car 120 is made to pass through the call-registered landing floors on the way to the next destination floor. However, the control device according to the present invention may also be configured to make the car 120 pass through the call-registered landing floors on the way to the next destination floor if there is only a person using a wheelchair (a person requiring assistance) inside the car 120 when the car door is closed. This allows the person using a wheelchair to be transported quickly to the destination floor. As a result, the elevator control system according to the second embodiment can improve the convenience of elevators when used by people using wheelchairs.

[0095] The above describes embodiments of an elevator control system and an elevator control method, including their effects. However, the elevator control system and elevator control method of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to systems having all of the described configurations.

[0096] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the configurations described. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

[0097] The persons requiring assistance according to the present invention are not limited to people in wheelchairs, but may also include, for example, people using crutches, people who are visually impaired, etc. In such cases, it is advisable to use a person detection model that can detect crutches or white canes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1...Elevator, 100...Hoisting machine, 106, 106A, 106B, 106C...Hall monitoring camera, 110...Hoistway, 121...Cab room, 122...Cab door, 125...Inside-cab monitoring camera (cab side camera), 126...Internal destination floor registration button, 130...Rope, 140...Balance weight, 150...Bearing wheel, 160...Machine room, 190...Control device (control unit), 200, 200B...Cab side image analysis device (cab side image analysis unit), 201...Image acquisition unit, 202...Request signal acquisition unit, 203...Detection result response unit, 204...Person detection unit, 205...Person detection model storage unit, 206...Detection area coordinate storage unit, 207...Person / wheelchair detection model storage unit, 300, 300B...Hall-side image analysis device (Hall-side image analysis unit)

Claims

1. An elevator control system comprising: a car-side camera installed in a car; and a control device that controls elevator operation including raising and lowering the car and opening and closing a car door of the car, a car-side image analysis unit that detects the presence or absence of passengers and persons requiring assistance in the car from the image captured by the car-side camera; and a hall-side image analysis unit that detects whether or not a person in need of assistance is riding in the elevator car from an image captured by a camera installed in the elevator hall, When the car door is opened, the control device inquires of the car-side image analysis unit and the hall-side image analysis unit about the detection results, and when there is a person requiring assistance in the car or when there is a person requiring assistance in the car in the elevator hall, the control device closes the car door later than usual. Elevator control system.

2. When the car door is closed, the control device inquires of the car-side image analysis unit about the detection result, and if there is a person requiring assistance in the car, causes the car to pass through a floor for which a call is registered.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

3. When the car door is closed, the control device inquires of the car-side image analysis unit about the detection result, and if only the person requiring assistance is present in the car, the control device does not stop the car at other floors until the car reaches the destination floor of the person requiring assistance.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

4. When the door is opened, the control device inquires of the car-side image analysis unit and the hall-side image analysis unit about the detection results, and when there are no passengers in the car and no one getting on the car, closes the car door earlier than usual.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

5. The car-side image analysis unit detects the presence or absence of passengers and persons requiring assistance in the car from images captured by a camera installed in the car, The hall-side image analysis unit detects whether or not there are people riding in the elevator car and whether or not there are people requiring assistance riding in the elevator car from images captured by a camera installed in the elevator hall, When the car door is opened, the control device inquires of the car-side image analysis unit and the hall-side image analysis unit about the detection results, and when there is a person requiring assistance inside the car or when there is a person requiring assistance in the car in the elevator hall, the control device closes the car door later than usual. Elevator control method.

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