Destination floor registration device for elevator

Abstract

To provide a destination floor registration device for an elevator that can be accurately operated.SOLUTION: The destination floor registration device for the elevator includes: a destination floor input unit that includes a plurality of unit input parts capable of inputting a destination floor corresponding to a unit floor and is capable of inputting one destination floor by operating the unit input part one or a plurality of times; and a notification unit that notifies a user of an elapse of an allowable time during which reception of a subsequent operation is allowed after a previous operation on the unit input part is received in a case where one destination floor is input by operating the unit input part a plurality of times in the destination floor input unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator destination floor registration device that registers destination floors with two or more digits at a landing or car. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a destination floor registration device that uses a numeric keypad to register one-digit and two-digit destination floors for elevator destination floors (Patent Document 1). This destination floor registration device, for example, calls and registers the "1st" floor as the destination floor when the "1" button on the numeric keypad is pressed and held. Furthermore, the destination floor registration device calls and registers the "1st floor" as the destination floor when the "1" button on the numeric keypad is pressed without being pressed and a predetermined input waiting time has elapsed. On the other hand, the destination floor registration device calls and registers the "10th floor" as the destination floor when the "0" button on the numeric keypad is pressed during the predetermined input waiting time after the "1" button on the numeric keypad is pressed and held without being pressed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2012 / 035600 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the above-mentioned destination floor registration device, the user cannot know how much waiting time has passed after first pressing a button on the numeric keypad, so even if the user wants to enter a two-digit destination floor, they may not be able to perform the necessary operation within the waiting time, resulting in poor operability.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an elevator destination floor registration device that can be operated accurately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The elevator destination floor registration device of the present invention is a destination floor input unit including a plurality of unit input units capable of inputting destination floors corresponding to the unit floors, and capable of inputting one destination floor by operating the unit input units once or a plurality of times; When one destination floor is input by operating the unit input unit multiple times in the destination floor input unit, a notification unit is provided which notifies the user of the passage of an allowable time for allowing a subsequent operation to be accepted after an earlier operation on the unit input unit is accepted.

[0007] According to this configuration, the lapse of the allowable time is notified, so that the subsequent operation can be performed while knowing the lapse of the allowable time after the previous operation, thereby enabling accurate operation and improving operability.

[0008] In the elevator destination floor registration device, The notification unit may notify the passage of time using at least one of an image, a sound, and a vibration.

[0009] According to this configuration, the user is notified using at least one of the senses of sight, hearing, and touch, so that the passage of time can be reliably conveyed.

[0010] In the elevator destination floor registration device, The length of the permissible time varies depending on the time of day, The notification unit may notify the user of the elapsed time of the changed permissible time.

[0011] According to this configuration, the allowable time can be changed depending on the time of day, such as morning, afternoon, or evening, allowing settings to be made according to the elevator's usage status, improving convenience.

[0012] The elevator destination floor registration device a user input unit for inputting user information relating to a user; the length of the permissible time is changed based on the user information input from the user input unit, The notification unit may notify the user of the elapsed time of the changed permissible time.

[0013] According to this configuration, the allowable time can be set to suit the user, improving convenience.

[0014] The elevator destination floor registration device a change input unit for inputting change information for changing the permissible time, the length of the permissible time is changed based on the change information input from the change input unit, The notification unit may notify the user of the elapsed time of the changed permissible time.

[0015] According to this configuration, the user can select whether or not to change the allowable time, improving convenience.

[0016] In the elevator destination floor registration device, the permissible time is changed in length based on an operation time from the first operation to the next operation when the unit input unit is operated multiple times, The notification unit may notify the user of the elapsed time of the changed permissible time.

[0017] According to this configuration, the allowable time can be determined based on the past operation time, which improves convenience. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an elevator destination floor registration device that can be operated accurately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a destination floor registration system including an elevator destination floor registration device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processes in the destination floor registration system. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a display when a destination floor is registered by operating a unit input section multiple times in the destination floor registration device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a display when a destination floor is registered by one operation of a unit input section in the destination floor registration device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a destination floor registration system including an elevator destination floor registration device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processes in the destination floor registration system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a destination floor registration system including an elevator destination floor registration device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processes in the destination floor registration system. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a destination floor registration system including an elevator destination floor registration device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processes in the destination floor registration system. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a destination floor registration system including an elevator destination floor registration device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processes in the destination floor registration system. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes in a destination floor registration system including an elevator destination floor registration device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the series of processes. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a display when a destination floor is registered by one operation of a unit input section in the destination floor registration device. [Figure 16]FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a display when a destination floor is registered by operating the unit input section multiple times in the destination floor registration device. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes in a destination floor registration system including an elevator destination floor registration device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a display when canceling without performing subsequent operations on the unit input section in the destination floor registration device. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram showing the display of the passage of time in an elevator destination floor registration device according to a modified example, where (a) shows a progress circle that gets longer as time passes, (b) shows a continuous progress bar, (c) shows a discrete progress bar, and (d) shows an image showing the number of seconds remaining in the allowed time. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing auxiliary displays of an elevator destination floor registration device according to a modified example, where (a) is a grayed-out display, and (b) is a display of text that provides assistance for subsequent operations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, an elevator destination floor registration system 1 includes an elevator destination floor registration device 2 and control means 3 that controls the operation of elevator cars. In this embodiment, the destination floor registration system 1 is provided with a plurality of cars, specifically, three cars corresponding to cars A, B, and C. Note that the destination floor registration system 1 may also be provided with only one car. In this destination floor registration system 1, the car can ascend and descend between the second basement floor and the thirteenth floor, and can stop at each floor from the second basement floor to the thirteenth floor.

[0022] In this destination floor registration system 1, a user can register a destination floor by performing an input operation on a destination floor registration device 2 provided at the elevator landing. In addition, the destination floor registration system 1 is provided with one destination floor registration device 2 per floor, but multiple destination floor registration devices 2 may be provided per floor.

[0023] The destination floor registration device 2 is a device for registering a destination floor (making a hall call) through an input operation by a user. The destination floor registration device 2 also includes a destination floor input unit 4 and a notification unit 5 for making various notifications to users.

[0024] In this embodiment, the destination floor registration device 2 includes a touch panel, which is a physical display that detects contact with a user's hand, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The hand (fingers) in Figures 3 and 4 indicate the movement of the user's hand. This touch panel also serves as the destination floor input unit 4 and the notification unit 5.

[0025] The destination floor input unit 4 receives an input operation by detecting the user's hand. When an input operation is performed, the destination floor registration device 2 outputs an input operation signal to the control means 3.

[0026] Furthermore, the destination floor input unit 4 includes a plurality of unit input units 40 that can input destination floors corresponding to unit floors. In this embodiment, the destination floor input unit 4 can input one destination floor by operating the unit input unit 40 once or twice, but in addition to this, it may also be possible to input one destination floor by operating the unit input unit 40 three or more times.

[0027] The destination floor input unit 4 is a part of the touch panel that displays a numeric keypad that can input unit floors. In this destination floor registration device 2, an input operation to the destination floor input unit 4 is an operation in which the user's hand touches the numeric keypad on the touch panel. The unit input unit 40 is each key included in the numeric keypad. This numeric keypad includes, for example, keys that indicate the numbers "0" to "9," a "-" key that indicates the basement, and a "☆" key that indicates an emergency floor.

[0028] In this embodiment, the destination floor input unit 4 accepts each floor from the second basement floor to the thirteenth floor as a destination floor. The destination floor input unit 4 also accepts "0" to "9" and "-" as unit floors. The destination floor input unit 4 can also accept a subsequent unit floor within a predetermined time after accepting a previous unit floor. In this embodiment, the allowable time for accepting a subsequent operation after accepting a previous operation is a fixed value (for example, 3 seconds). The allowable time is set to any time between 0.5 seconds and 10 seconds.

[0029] To input "1st floor" as the destination floor, for example, the user simply touches the "1" key with a finger or the like. To input "13th floor" as the destination floor, the user simply touches the "1" key with a finger or the like, and then touches the "3" key within the allowed time. To input "2nd basement floor" as the destination floor, the user simply touches the "-" key with a finger or the like, and then touches the "2" key within the allowed time.

[0030] The notification unit 5 notifies various information such as the input result after the input operation and the destination floor registration result. In this embodiment, the notification unit 5 is configured as the entire touch panel. The notification unit 5 also displays a numeric keypad indicating the destination floor input unit 4.

[0031] The notification unit 5 also displays information (for example, a message such as "Please enter destination") that prompts the user to input the destination floor. Furthermore, the notification unit 5 displays information (for example, "1") related to the unit floor input in the previous input operation. The notification unit 5 also displays destination floor information (for example, "Floor 13" or "Floor 1") indicating the determined destination floor. In this embodiment, in addition to the destination floor information, the notification unit 5 also displays unit number information (for example, "A") indicating the assigned unit number assigned when the destination floor is determined, but it is not necessary to display unit number information.

[0032] Furthermore, the notification unit 5 notifies the user of the lapse of the allowable time when one destination floor is input by operating the unit input unit 40 of the destination floor input unit 4 once or multiple times. In this embodiment, when a two-digit destination floor and an underground destination floor are input, the notification unit 5 notifies the user of the lapse of the allowable time during which a subsequent operation on the unit input unit 40 is permitted to be accepted after an earlier operation on the unit input unit 40 has been accepted.

[0033] The notification unit 5 notifies the passage of time using an image. In this embodiment, the notification unit 5 displays the passage of time using a progress circle in which a circular line becomes shorter in the circumferential direction as time passes. This progress circle is circular immediately after a previous operation on the unit input unit 40, becomes a broken circular (arc-shaped) circle until the allowable time has elapsed since the previous input, and disappears when the allowable time has elapsed since the previous input. The notification unit 5 may also notify the passage of time using a graphic, or, for example, may notify the passage of time using a combination of graphics drawn by software that look similar to a single piece of image data.

[0034] The control means 3 includes a control device 30 that performs various controls (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the control device 30 includes a floor control unit 31 that controls the determination of the destination floor, and an operation control unit 32 that controls the operation of the car. The control device 30 also controls all three cars corresponding to elevators A, B, and C.

[0035] The floor control unit 31 determines the destination floor in response to an operation of the unit input unit 40 of the destination floor registration device 2. In this embodiment, the floor control unit 31 includes a measurement unit 33 and a destination floor determination unit .

[0036] The measurement unit 33 measures the time that has elapsed since the previous operation was received on the unit input unit 40. In this embodiment, the measurement unit 33 is provided with a timer 330 for measuring the elapsed time.

[0037] The destination floor determination unit 34 stores permitted floor information, which is information indicating permitted floors at which the car can stop. In this embodiment, when a destination floor input to the destination floor input unit 4 is a permitted floor, the destination floor determination unit 34 determines the input destination floor as the destination floor of the car. In addition, when the input destination floor is not a permitted floor, the destination floor determination unit 34 rejects the input destination floor. In this embodiment, the destination floor determination unit 34 stores "-2", "-1", and "1" to "12" as permitted floor information.

[0038] The operation control unit 32 performs group management control such as assigning hall calls to each car. In this group management, when a destination floor is determined by the destination floor determination unit 34 as a result of input operation of the unit input unit 40 of the destination floor registration device 2 at a specified floor hall, the operation control unit 32 selects a car suitable for the determined destination floor from among the cars of multiple cars so as to increase the transport efficiency of passengers, etc. Furthermore, the operation control unit 32 directs this selected car to the hall where the operated destination floor registration device 2 is located, and then directs it to the determined destination floor. This destination floor registration system 1 is provided with one operation control unit 32.

[0039] In this destination floor registration system 1, the destination floor registration device 2 is configured to output, when an input operation is performed on the unit input unit 40, unit floor information indicating the unit floor input by the input operation as an input operation signal to the control device 30. In other words, the destination floor registration device 2 is configured to output unit floor information as an input operation signal to the control device 30 when an earlier input operation is performed on the unit input unit 40 and when a later input operation is performed on the unit input unit.

[0040] When unit floor information is output from the destination floor registration device 2, the control device 30 associates the unit floor information with device identification information that identifies the destination floor registration device 2 from which the unit floor information was output and stores the unit floor information. Furthermore, when unit floor information is output from the destination floor registration device 2, if the control device 30 does not store unit floor information corresponding to this destination floor registration device 2, the control device 30 is configured to store the output unit floor information and output measurement start information that instructs the measurement unit 33 to measure elapsed time from the time of the previous input operation as a starting point, and device identification information that identifies the destination floor registration device 2 from which the unit floor information was output. Furthermore, when unit floor information is output from the destination floor registration device 2, the control device 30 is configured to output notification start information that instructs the notification unit 5 of this destination floor registration device 2 to notify that the allowable time has elapsed.

[0041] Furthermore, when unit floor information is output from the destination floor registration device 2, if the control device 30 has stored unit floor information corresponding to this destination floor registration device 2, the control device 30 is configured to output, to the destination floor determination unit 34 of the floor control unit 31, destination floor information indicating one destination floor determined by multiple operations of the unit input unit 40, and device identification information corresponding to this destination floor registration device. Specifically, in this case, the control device 30 is configured to combine the just-output unit floor information, which is unit floor information determined by a later input operation to the unit input unit 40, with the stored unit floor information, which is unit floor information determined by a previous input operation to the unit input unit 40, and output this as destination floor information indicating one destination floor, and to output the device identification information. In this case, the control device 30 is also configured to output, to the measurement unit 33, measurement end information instructing the measurement unit 33 to end measurement of the elapsed time from the time of the previous input operation, and the device identification information of the corresponding destination floor registration device 2, and to erase the stored unit floor information.

[0042] The control device 30 is configured to output, to the destination floor determination unit 34, destination floor information indicating one destination floor determined by one operation of the unit input unit 40, and device identification information corresponding to this destination floor registration device, when the allowable time has elapsed since the previous input operation without a subsequent input operation being performed on the unit input unit 40. Specifically, the control device 30 is configured to output the stored unit floor information and device identification information to the destination floor determination unit 34 at this time. Furthermore, the control device 30 is configured to output, to the notification unit 5 of the corresponding destination floor registration device 2, notification end information instructing the notification unit 5 to end the notification that the allowable time has elapsed, and to erase the stored unit floor information.

[0043] The measurement unit 33 is configured to output elapsed time information indicating the elapsed time from the previous input operation on the unit input unit 40 to the notification unit 5 of the corresponding destination floor registration device from the time the notification start information is output until the time the notification end information is output.

[0044] The destination floor determination unit 34 is configured to output destination floor information and device identification information to the operation control unit 32 when the destination floor indicated in the destination floor information output from the control device 30 is a permitted floor. Furthermore, the destination floor determination unit 34 is configured to output acceptance cancellation information that instructs the notification unit 5 to cancel acceptance of the destination floor when the input destination floor is not a permitted floor. Furthermore, when the destination floor determination unit 34 receives unit number information and device identification information from the operation control unit 32 as described below, it is configured to output unit number information to the notification unit 5 of the destination floor registration device 2 that corresponds to this device identification information.

[0045] The operation control unit 32 is configured to, when allocating a locomotive by group management, output to the destination floor determination unit 34 locomotive number information and device identification information indicating the allocated locomotive number.

[0046] A series of processes in the elevator destination floor registration system 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0047] When the destination floor registration system 1 is started (step S01), the control device 30 determines whether there is input operation information from the destination floor registration device 2, thereby determining whether there is a previous input operation to the unit input unit 40 (step S02). When no previous input operation has been performed to the unit input unit 40, the notification unit 5 performs a default display (see FIG. 3). In the default display, the notification unit 5 displays input assistance information (a message such as "Please enter destination") and the numeric keypad that constitutes the destination floor input unit 4.

[0048] When there is no input operation to the unit input unit 40 (No in step S02), the control device 30 repeats the determination (step S02) as to whether there is a previous input operation to the unit input unit 40 (see FIG. 2).

[0049] When a previous input operation has been performed on the unit input unit 40 (Yes in step S02), the control device 30 outputs measurement start information to the measurement unit 33 of the floor control unit 31, and the measurement unit 33 starts measuring the elapsed time since the previous input operation on the unit input unit 40 (step S03). For example, when the control device 30 has not stored unit floor information and a previous input operation has been performed on the unit input unit 40, resulting in unit floor information "1" being input from the destination floor registration device 2, the control device 30 stores the unit floor information "1".

[0050] Furthermore, the control device 30 outputs measurement start information and device identification information to the measurement unit 33, and outputs notification start information to the notification unit 5 of the destination floor registration device 2 to which the unit floor information "1" was output. The measurement unit 33 also outputs elapsed time information indicating the time elapsed since the previous input operation on the unit input unit 40 to the notification unit 5. As a result, the notification unit 5 notifies the elapsed time of the allowable time using an image (step S04). In this embodiment, the notification unit 5 displays the elapsed time of the allowable time starting from the time of the previous input operation using a progress circle.

[0051] In this embodiment, the control device 30 outputs unit floor information in addition to the notification start information to the notification unit 5. Using this unit floor information, the notification unit 5 performs a post-input operation display indicating the previous input operation on the unit input unit 40 while notifying the passage of time (see FIG. 3).

[0052] In the display after the input operation, the notification unit 5 displays the portion of the destination floor input unit 4 corresponding to the next input operation so as to be distinguishable from the portion of the destination floor input unit 4 where no input operation has been performed. Specifically, in the display after the input operation, the notification unit 5 displays the "1" key, which is the portion of the numeric keypad that the hand touched during the previous input operation, so as to be distinguishable from the keys other than the "1" key, which are the portion of the numeric keypad that the hand did not touch during the previous input operation. In this embodiment, as a display to distinguish the portion of the destination floor input unit 4 corresponding to the next input operation, the key on which the input operation has been performed is displayed in a different color. Note that such a distinguishing display may be a display in which the key corresponding to the input operation flashes, a display in which the thickness of the number written on this key is changed, a display in which this key is displayed larger, or the like.

[0053] Next, the control device 30 determines whether there is a subsequent input operation to the unit input unit 40 by determining whether there is input operation information from the destination floor registration device 2 (step S05 in FIG. 2). If there is no subsequent input operation to the unit input unit 40 (No in step S05), the control device 30 determines whether the time elapsed since the previous input operation has exceeded the allowable time (step S06). If the time elapsed since the previous input operation has not exceeded the allowable time (No in step S06), the process returns to determining whether there is a subsequent input operation to the unit input unit 40 (step S05).

[0054] When a subsequent input operation is performed on the unit input unit 40 (Yes in step S05), the control device 30 accepts the input of one destination floor through multiple operations on the unit input unit 40 and outputs destination floor information related to one destination floor through multiple operations on the unit input unit 40 and device identification information identifying the destination floor registration device 2 to the destination floor determination unit 34 of the floor control unit 31 (step S07). In the example of FIG. 3, the input of the destination floor "13" through operation of the "1" key and operation of the "3" key is accepted. At this time, the control device 30 outputs measurement end information and device identification information to the measurement unit 33, causing the measurement unit 33 to end measurement of the elapsed time since the first input operation. Furthermore, the control device 30 outputs notification end information to the notification unit 5, causing the notification unit 5 to end displaying the elapsed time of the allowable time starting from the time when the notification start information was acquired using the progress circle. The control device 30 also erases the stored unit floor information.

[0055] Next, the destination floor determination unit 34 compares the destination floor information output from the destination floor registration device 2 with the stored permitted floor information, and determines whether the input destination floor is a permitted floor (step S08 in FIG. 2).

[0056] If the input destination floor is a permitted floor (Yes in step S08), the destination floor determination unit 34 determines the destination floor (step S09). Specifically, the destination floor determination unit 34 outputs the destination floor information and device identification information to the operation control unit 32. As a result, the operation control unit 32 selects a car suitable for the destination floor information from the cars of multiple cars by group management, directs this selected car to the hall where the destination floor registration device 2 indicated by the device identification information is installed, and then directs it to the determined destination floor.

[0057] Furthermore, the operation control unit 32 outputs unit number information (e.g., "A") and device identification information relating to the assigned unit to be assigned to the destination floor determination unit 34, and the destination floor determination unit 34 outputs the unit number information to the notification unit 5 of the destination floor registration device 2 indicated by the device identification information. As a result, the notification unit 5 displays the unit number information (e.g., "A") and destination floor information relating to the destination floor (e.g., "Floor 13") as a registration result display, and then ends the process (see FIG. 3).

[0058] If the input destination floor is not a permitted floor (No in step S08 in FIG. 2), the destination floor determination unit 34 cancels the acceptance of the destination floor (step S10). Specifically, the destination floor determination unit 34 outputs acceptance cancellation information to the notification unit 5 instructing the notification unit 5 to cancel the acceptance of the destination floor, and the notification unit 5 notifies the notification unit 5 that the acceptance of the destination floor has been canceled (step S11). Specifically, the notification unit 5 displays "The input floor cannot be accepted" and ends the process.

[0059] If the elapsed time since the previous input operation has exceeded the allowable time without a subsequent input operation being performed on the unit input unit 40 (Yes in step S06), the control device 30 accepts the input of one destination floor through a single operation of the unit input unit 40, and outputs destination floor information and device information related to the one destination floor through a single operation of the unit input unit 40 to the destination floor determination unit 34 of the floor control unit 31 (step S07). In the example of FIG. 4, the input of the destination floor "1" through the operation of the "1" key is accepted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S08 in FIG. 2 to determine whether the input destination floor is a permitted floor. If the input destination floor is a permitted floor (Yes in step S08), the process performs the destination floor determination process in step S09 and ends. If the input destination floor is not a permitted floor (No in step S08), the process sequentially performs the process of canceling the acceptance of the destination floor input in step S10 and the process of notifying the cancellation of the acceptance in step S11 and ends.

[0060] According to the above-described destination floor registration device 2, the notification unit 5 notifies the user of the lapse of the allowable time, so that the user can perform the subsequent operation before the allowable time has elapsed while knowing the lapse of the allowable time after the previous operation, thereby enabling accurate operation and providing good operability.

[0061] According to the destination floor registration device 2 of this embodiment, the notification unit 5 uses an image (for example, a progress circle) to visually notify the user of the passage of the allowable time, so that the passage of time can be reliably conveyed.

[0062] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 5 and 6. In the first embodiment, the permissible time is a fixed value, but it may be variable. In this embodiment, the permissible time is changed according to the time, and the notification unit 5 notifies the passage of time of the changed permissible time.

[0063] In this embodiment, the allowable time is changed to a time different from the default time during some time periods. Specifically, during time periods when the elevator is frequently used, the allowable time is changed to a time (e.g., 1 second) shorter than the default time (e.g., 3 seconds). More specifically, when the elevator is installed in an office building, the allowable time is changed to a time (e.g., 1 second) shorter than the default time (e.g., 3 seconds) during the morning rush hour (e.g., 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM), lunch time (e.g., 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM), and finishing time (e.g., 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM). Note that the allowable time may also be changed to a time longer than the default time during some time periods.

[0064] In this embodiment, the configuration of the destination floor registration device 2 is the same as that in the first embodiment (see FIG. 5). The floor control unit 31 of the control means 3 includes a measurement unit 33, a destination floor determination unit 34, and a time setting unit 35 that sets the allowable time. The time setting unit 35 is provided with a database that stores the time of day and the changed allowable time in association with each other. This database stores, for example, 7:00 to 9:00, 12:00 to 13:00, and 17:00 to 19:00, and stores the changed allowable time of 1 second in association with each other. Furthermore, the time setting unit 35 is configured to output changed allowable time information indicating the changed allowable time and device identification information to the measurement unit 33 when the changed allowable time corresponding to the current time is in this database.

[0065] In this embodiment, a time setting process is added immediately after starting up the destination floor registration system 1. The time setting process will be specifically described below with reference to FIG.

[0066] When the destination floor registration system 1 is started (step S21), the time setting unit 35 of the control means 3 acquires the current time (step S22). Next, the time setting unit 35 determines whether or not the changed allowable time corresponding to the current time is present in a database that associates the time with the changed allowable time (step S23).

[0067] If the changed allowable time corresponding to the current time is in the database (Yes in step S23), the time setting unit 35 sets the allowable time to the changed allowable time (step S24). Specifically, the time setting unit 35 outputs changed allowable time information indicating the changed allowable time and the device identification information to the measurement unit 33, and proceeds to step S02 in the flowchart of Fig. 2. In this embodiment, when the current time is between 7:00 and 9:00, 12:00 and 13:00, or 17:00 and 19:00, the allowable time is set to the changed allowable time (for example, 1 second).

[0068] If the changed allowable time corresponding to the current time is not found in the database (No in step S23), the process proceeds to step S02 and subsequent steps in the flowchart of Fig. 2. In this embodiment, if the current time is not between 7:00 and 9:00, 12:00 and 13:00, or 17:00 and 19:00, the allowable time remains at the default time (e.g., 3 seconds).

[0069] In this configuration, the allowable time can be changed depending on the time of day, such as morning, noon, or evening, allowing for settings to be made according to the elevator's usage status, improving convenience. Specifically, the allowable time can be set according to the elevator's usage status, depending on the congestion level of elevator users, improving convenience.

[0070] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. In this embodiment, the destination floor registration device 2 includes a user input unit 6 for inputting user information about a user, in addition to the destination floor input unit 4 and the notification unit 5. In addition to the control device 30, it also includes an authentication server 36 for authenticating the user information.

[0071] In this embodiment, for a user who inputs predetermined user information, the allowable time is changed to a time (e.g., 5 seconds) longer than the default time (e.g., 3 seconds). Note that for a user who inputs predetermined user information, the allowable time may also be changed to a time (e.g., 1 second) shorter than the default time (e.g., 3 seconds). In this way, the allowable time is changed based on the user information input from the user input unit 6. Furthermore, the notification unit 5 notifies the user of the elapsed time of the changed allowable time.

[0072] The user input unit 6 is a card reader that reads user information from an ID card. Note that the card reader as the user input unit 6 may be provided in the destination floor registration device 2, or may be provided in a security gate at the entrance of a building where an elevator is installed. The user input unit 6 is configured to output user information and device identification information to the authentication server 36 when there is user input.

[0073] The ID card held over the user input unit 6 is an ID card for entering the building where the elevator is installed (a security authentication card for entering the building). This ID card is configured, for example, as an IC card with a built-in IC tag. In this embodiment, dedicated ID cards are always lent to employees of tenants in the building, managers, and elevator system maintenance personnel. The ID card is an example of a medium for inputting user information, and instead of an ID card, a user's smartphone with information recorded thereon, such as a QR code (registered trademark), may be used.

[0074] When the user information and device identification information are output from the user input unit 6, the authentication server 36 refers to the authentication database to determine whether the user information has been authenticated. When the user information has been authenticated, the authentication server 36 is configured to output the user information and device identification information to the time setting unit 35.

[0075] In this embodiment, a time setting process is added immediately after starting up the destination floor registration system 1. The time setting process will be specifically described below with reference to FIG.

[0076] When the destination floor registration system 1 is started (step S31), the authentication server 36 determines whether or not there is user input (step S32). Specifically, the authentication server 36 determines whether or not there is output of user information and device identification information by holding an ID card over the user input unit 6. If there is user input (Yes in step S32), the authentication server 36 refers to the authentication database and determines whether or not the user information output from the user input unit 6 has been authenticated (step S33).

[0077] If the authentication is OK (Yes in step S33), the authentication server 36 outputs the user information and device identification information to the time setting unit 35, and the time setting unit 35 determines whether the changed allowable time corresponding to the user information is available in a database that associates the user information with the changed allowable time (step S34).

[0078] If there is a changed allowable time according to the user information (Yes in step S34), the time setting unit 35 sets the allowable time to the changed allowable time (step S35). Specifically, the time setting unit 35 outputs changed allowable time information indicating the changed allowable time and the device identification information to the measurement unit 33, and proceeds to step S02 in the flowchart of Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the allowable time for a specific user is set to the changed allowable time (for example, 5 seconds).

[0079] If there is no user input (No in step S32), if authentication is not successful (No in step S33), or if there is no allowable time after the change according to the user information (No in step S34), the process proceeds to step S02 in the flowchart of Fig. 2. In this case, the allowable time remains the default time (e.g., 3 seconds).

[0080] In this configuration, the allowable time can be set to suit the user according to the user information in the user input unit 6, improving convenience. For example, by inputting user information indicating a long allowable time into the user input unit 6, a wheelchair user or a VIP user can perform a previous input operation on the unit input unit 40 and then perform a subsequent input operation with ample time to do so. Note that in a configuration in which a user who does not use the basement floor or floors 10 to 12 inputs user information indicating a short allowable time into the user input unit 6, this user can quickly input the destination floor into the destination floor registration device 2.

[0081] In this embodiment, the user input unit 6 directly exchanges information with the authentication server 36, but this is not limiting. For example, the user input unit 6 may exchange information with the authentication server 36 via the control device 30. In addition, in this embodiment, the authentication server 36 is configured separately from the destination floor registration device 2, but the authentication server 36 and the destination floor registration device 2 may form a single terminal.

[0082] Furthermore, when the control means 3 includes an authentication server 36, the authentication server 36 may store permitted floor information, for example, the authentication server 36 may store permitted floor information for each user information. In this case, a configuration can be adopted in which only specific users or VIP users are permitted to register specific destination floors.

[0083] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. In this embodiment, a destination floor registration device 2 includes a destination floor input unit 4, a notification unit 5, and a change input unit 7 that inputs change information for changing the allowable time.

[0084] In this embodiment, the allowable time is changed to a time (e.g., 5 seconds) longer than the default time (e.g., 3 seconds) in response to the input of change information. Note that the allowable time may also be changed to a time (e.g., 1 second) shorter than the default time (e.g., 3 seconds) in response to the input of change information.

[0085] The change input unit 7 is, for example, a push button that indicates a wheelchair user and is provided on the destination floor registration device 2. When a change is input to the change input unit 7, the control device 30 is configured to output time change instruction information and device identification information to the time setting unit 35. The length of the allowable time is changed based on the change information input from the change input unit 7. The notification unit 5 notifies the user of the elapsed time of the changed allowable time.

[0086] In this embodiment as well, a time setting process is added immediately after starting up the destination floor registration system 1. The time setting process will be specifically described below with reference to FIG.

[0087] When the destination floor registration system 1 is started (step S41), the control device 30 determines whether or not there is a change input (step S42). Specifically, the control device 30 determines whether or not change information has been output as a result of pressing the wheelchair user button serving as the change input unit 7. When there is a change input to the change input unit 7 (Yes in step S42), the control device 30 outputs time change instruction information and device identification information to the time setting unit 35, and the time setting unit 35 sets the allowable time to the changed allowable time (step S43). Specifically, the time setting unit 35 outputs changed allowable time information indicating the changed allowable time and device identification information to the measurement unit 33, and the process proceeds to step S02 in the flowchart of FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the allowable time is set to the changed allowable time (for example, 5 seconds).

[0088] If no change input is made to the change input unit 7 (No in step S42), the process proceeds to step S02 in the flowchart of Fig. 2. At this time, the allowable time remains at the default time (for example, 3 seconds).

[0089] This configuration allows the user to select whether or not to change the allowable time, improving convenience. For example, by pressing the wheelchair user button, the allowable time for subsequent inputs after a previous input to the unit input unit 40 can be increased, improving convenience.

[0090] In the second, third, and fourth embodiments, the allowable time can be changed from the default time to one different allowable time, but it may also be changed to two or more different allowable times. For example, in the second embodiment, the allowable time in a first time period may be changed to a time shorter than the default time, and the allowable time in a second time period may be changed to a time longer than the default time.

[0091] A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 11 and 12. In this embodiment, the floor control unit 31 of the control means 3 includes an operation input analysis unit 37 that calculates the length of the changed allowable time, in addition to a measurement unit 33, a destination floor determination unit 34, and a time setting unit 35. The operation input analysis unit 37 includes an operation time acquisition unit 370 and an analysis unit 371.

[0092] In this embodiment, the length of the allowable time is changed based on the operation time from an earlier operation to a later operation when the unit input unit 40 is operated multiple times. Specifically, the length of the allowable time is changed based on the average value of the operation time from an earlier operation to a later operation when the unit input unit 40 is operated multiple times. This average value of the operation time from an earlier operation to a later operation is periodically calculated and updated by the operation input analysis unit 37. Furthermore, the notification unit 5 notifies the passage of time of the changed allowable time.

[0093] The operation time acquisition unit 370 acquires the operation time from a previous operation to a subsequent operation when the unit input unit 40 is operated multiple times. The operation time acquisition unit 370 also has an operation time storage unit that stores the acquired operation time from the previous operation to the subsequent operation in association with the acquisition time. In this embodiment, the operation time storage unit stores the acquired operation time from the previous operation to the subsequent operation, the acquisition time, and holiday information indicating whether or not it is a holiday in association with each other.

[0094] The analysis unit 371 calculates, once a day, the average operation time from an earlier operation to a later operation from the operation time from an earlier operation to a later operation stored in the operation time storage unit. Specifically, the analysis unit 371 calculates the average operation time from an earlier operation to a later operation by adding up the operation times from an earlier operation to a later operation for one day stored in the operation time storage unit and dividing this total value by the number of operations for one day. In this embodiment, if today is a weekday, the analysis unit 371 calculates the average operation time from an earlier operation to a later operation on the most recent weekday. Furthermore, if today is a holiday, the analysis unit 371 calculates the average operation time from an earlier operation to a later operation on the most recent holiday.

[0095] The analysis unit 371 is configured to calculate the average operation time from the earlier operation to the later operation, and then output time change instruction information and device identification information indicating the calculated average time to the time setting unit 35.

[0096] The analysis unit 371 may calculate the average operation time from a previous operation to a subsequent operation once every predetermined time (for example, every two hours or every week), or may calculate the average operation time from a previous operation to a subsequent operation once every predetermined number of input operations on the unit input unit 40 (for example, every 100 previous input operations on the unit input unit 40).

[0097] In this embodiment as well, a time setting process is added immediately after starting up the destination floor registration system 1. The time setting process will be specifically described below with reference to FIG.

[0098] When the destination floor registration system 1 is started (step S51), the operation input analysis unit 37 determines whether to update the allowable time based on the average operation time from the previous operation to the subsequent operation (step S52). In this embodiment, the operation input analysis unit 37 updates the allowable time based on the average operation time from the previous operation to the subsequent operation at a predetermined timing once a day.

[0099] When updating the allowable time (Yes in step S52), the analysis unit 371 calculates the average operation time from the earlier operation to the later operation, and outputs time change instruction information and device identification information indicating the calculated average time to the time setting unit 35, and the time setting unit 35 sets the changed allowable time to a time obtained by adding a margin time (for example, 1 second) to the average time (step S53). Specifically, the time setting unit 35 outputs changed allowable time information and device identification information indicating the changed allowable time to the measurement unit 33, and proceeds to step S02 in the flowchart of FIG. 2.

[0100] If the allowable time is not to be updated (No in step S52), the process proceeds to step S02 in the flowchart of FIG.

[0101] According to this configuration, the allowable time can be set based on the past operation time, improving convenience. For example, in an elevator where many users operate the unit input unit 40 with a short operation time between previous operations, the allowable time can be shortened, improving convenience.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the analysis unit 371 calculates the average operation time from an earlier operation to a later operation at a predetermined timing (every day, every predetermined time, or every predetermined number of times), and outputs time change instruction information and device identification information indicating the calculated average time to the time setting unit 35. However, this is not limiting. For example, the analysis unit 371 may calculate, at a predetermined timing, a median time indicating an operation time during which 70% to 80% of the centrally distributed operation is possible among the operation times from an earlier operation to a later operation stored in the operation time storage unit, and output time change instruction information and device identification information indicating the calculated median time to the time setting unit 35. Furthermore, the analysis unit 371 may calculate, at a predetermined timing, the longest operation time from an earlier operation to a later operation, and output time change instruction information and device identification information indicating the calculated longest time to the time setting unit 35. Furthermore, the analysis unit 371 may calculate, at a predetermined timing, the time that is distributed within 50% of the shortest time among the operation times from the previous operation to the subsequent operation, and output time change instruction information and device identification information indicating this calculated time to the time setting unit 35.

[0103] A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 13 to 16. In the first embodiment, once measurement of the elapsed time from the previous input operation to the unit input unit 40 and notification of the elapse of the allowed time were started, they continued until a subsequent input operation was performed or the allowed time elapsed, but in this embodiment, these can be stopped by a user's input. In this embodiment, the block diagram of the destination floor registration system 1 is the same as that in Fig. 1.

[0104] The control device 30 is configured to output measurement stop information and device identification information to the measurement unit 33 when an operation to stop measuring the elapsed time is performed after a previous input operation to the unit input unit 40. Furthermore, the control device 30 is configured to output notification stop information of the elapsed time to the notification unit 5 when this stop operation is performed.

[0105] Furthermore, when a destination floor determination operation is performed after a previous input operation to the unit input unit 40, the control device 30 accepts input of one destination floor through one operation of the unit input unit 40. Specifically, when a destination floor determination operation is performed after a previous input operation to the unit input unit 40, the control device 30 is configured to output, to the destination floor determination unit 34 of the floor control unit 31, destination floor information related to one destination floor through one operation of the unit input unit 40 and device identification information that identifies the destination floor registration device 2.

[0106] In addition, the control device 30 is configured to output measurement restart information and device identification information to the measurement unit 33, instructing the measurement unit 33 to restart measuring the elapsed time, when an operation to cancel the measurement stop is performed after an operation to stop measuring the elapsed time.

[0107] In this embodiment, the measurement unit 33 can stop measuring the elapsed time from the previous input operation on the unit input unit 40. The notification unit 5 can also stop displaying the elapsed time from the point in time when the previous input operation was performed. Furthermore, when stopping the display of the elapsed time, the notification unit 5 displays a confirmation key to confirm the input of the destination floor.

[0108] Furthermore, the measurement unit 33 can stop measuring the elapsed time from the previous input operation and then resume measuring the elapsed time from the previous input operation. Furthermore, the notification unit 5 can stop displaying the elapsed time and then resume displaying the elapsed time from the time when the previous input operation was performed.

[0109] A series of processes in the elevator destination floor registration system 1 will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 13 and 14. The processes from step S61 to step S63 are the same as the processes from step S01 to step S03 in the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted, and the processes from step S64 onwards will be described.

[0110] The notification unit 5 notifies the user of the passage of time using an image (step S64). In this embodiment, the notification unit 5 displays the passage of time from the point at which the previous input operation was performed using a progress circle, as shown in FIG. 15. The notification unit 5 also displays a stop key for stopping the passage of time near the display of the passage of time. The stop key is, for example, a key on which an icon indicating a temporary stop is displayed.

[0111] Next, the control device 30 determines whether there is a subsequent input operation to the unit input unit 40 (step S65 in FIG. 13). If there is no subsequent input operation to the unit input unit 40 (No in step S65), the control device 30 determines whether the time elapsed since the previous input operation has exceeded the allowable time (step S66). If the time elapsed since the previous input operation has not exceeded the allowable time (No in step S66), the control device 30 determines whether there is a stop operation (operation of the stop key in this embodiment) (step S67). If there is no stop operation (No in step S67), the process returns to determining whether there is a subsequent input operation to the unit input unit 40 (step S65).

[0112] When a subsequent input operation is performed on the unit input unit 40 (Yes in step S65), the control device 30 accepts the input of one destination floor through multiple operations on the unit input unit 40, and outputs destination floor information related to one destination floor through multiple operations on the unit input unit 40 and device identification information that identifies the destination floor registration device 2 to the destination floor determination unit 34 of the floor control unit 31 (step S68). At this time, the control device 30 outputs measurement end information and device identification information to the measurement unit 33, causing the measurement unit 33 to end measurement of the elapsed time from the previous input operation. Furthermore, the control device 30 outputs notification end information of the elapsed time to the notification unit 5, causing the notification unit 5 to end displaying the elapsed time using the progress circle from the time when the notification start information was acquired.

[0113] Next, the destination floor determination unit 34 compares the destination floor information output from the control device 30 with the stored permitted floor information and determines whether the input destination floor is a permitted floor (step S69).If the input destination floor is a permitted floor (Yes in step S69), the destination floor determination unit 34 determines the destination floor (step S70).

[0114] If the input destination floor is not a permitted floor (No in step S69), the destination floor determination unit 34 cancels the acceptance of the destination floor (step S71). Specifically, the destination floor determination unit 34 outputs acceptance cancellation information instructing the notification unit 5 to cancel the acceptance of the destination floor, and the notification unit 5 notifies the cancellation of the acceptance of the destination floor (step S72).

[0115] If the time elapsed since the previous input operation exceeds the allowed time (Yes in step S66), the control device 30 accepts the input of one destination floor through a single operation of the unit input unit 40, and outputs the destination floor information and device information related to the one destination floor through a single operation of the unit input unit 40 to the destination floor determination unit 34 of the floor control unit 31 (step S68). Thereafter, the process proceeds to determining whether the input destination floor is a permitted floor in step S69, and if it is a permitted floor (Yes in step S69), the process performs the destination floor determination process in step S70 and ends. If it is not a permitted floor (No in step S69), the process sequentially performs the process of canceling the acceptance of the destination floor input in step S71 and the process of notifying the cancellation of acceptance in step S72 and ends.

[0116] When a stop operation is performed (Yes in step S67), the control device 30 outputs measurement stop information and device identification information to the measurement unit 33, causing the measurement unit 33 to stop measuring the elapsed time since the first input operation (step S73 in FIG. 14). Furthermore, the control device 30 outputs elapsed time notification stop information to the notification unit 5, causing the notification unit 5 to stop displaying the elapsed time from the point in time when the previous input operation using the progress circle was performed (step S74). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the notification unit 5 erases the display of the elapsed time in the progress circle. In addition, in this embodiment, after erasing the display of the elapsed time in the progress circle, the notification unit 5 displays a confirmation key to confirm the input of the destination floor. Next, the control device 30 determines whether a confirmation operation is performed (step S75).

[0117] If a confirmation operation is performed (Yes in step S75), the process proceeds to step S68 in Fig. 13, where the control device 30 accepts the input of one destination floor through a single operation of the unit input unit 40, and outputs to the destination floor determination unit 34 of the floor control unit 31 the destination floor information related to the one destination floor through a single operation of the unit input unit 40, and device identification information that identifies the destination floor registration device 2. Thereafter, the process proceeds to determining in step S69 whether the input destination floor is a permitted floor, and if it is a permitted floor (Yes in step S69), the process performs the destination floor determination process in step S70 and ends. If it is not a permitted floor (No in step S69), the process sequentially performs the process of canceling the acceptance of the destination floor input in step S71 and the process of notifying the cancellation of acceptance in step S72 and ends.

[0118] Furthermore, if there is no confirmation operation (No in step S75 of FIG. 14), the control device 30 determines whether or not there is a release instruction (step S76). In this embodiment, the release instruction is given when a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) has elapsed since the stop operation, but it may also be a release operation in which a release key displayed on the touch panel is touched.

[0119] If there is a cancellation instruction (Yes in step S76), the control device 30 outputs measurement restart information and device identification information to the measurement unit 33, causing the measurement unit 33 to restart measuring the elapsed time since the previous input operation (step S77). Then, the process returns to the determination of whether or not there is a subsequent input operation to the unit input unit 40 (step S65 in FIG. 13).

[0120] If there is no cancellation instruction (No in step S76 of FIG. 14), it is determined whether there is a subsequent input operation to the unit input section 40 (step S78). In this state, if there is no subsequent input operation to the unit input section 40 (No in step S78), the process returns to the determination of whether there is a decision operation in step S75.

[0121] If there is a subsequent input operation to the unit input unit 40 (Yes in step S78), the process proceeds to step S68 in FIG. 13, where the control device 30 accepts the input of one destination floor through multiple operations of the unit input unit 40, and outputs to the destination floor determination unit 34 of the floor control unit 31 destination floor information related to one destination floor through multiple operations of the unit input unit 40 and device identification information for identifying the destination floor registration device 2. Thereafter, the process proceeds to determining whether the input destination floor is a permitted floor in step S69, and if it is a permitted floor (Yes in step S69), the process performs destination floor determination processing in step S70 and ends. As a result, the notification unit 5 displays the display shown in FIG. 15. If it is not a permitted floor (No in step S69 in FIG. 13), the process sequentially performs processing to cancel acceptance of the destination floor input in step S71 and processing to notify the cancellation of acceptance in step S72, and ends.

[0122] In this embodiment, the user can pause the passage of the allowable time between a previous input operation on the unit input section 40 and a subsequent operation by performing a stop operation, so that the user can take their time to perform the subsequent input operation as needed, thereby improving convenience.

[0123] A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 17 and 18. In this embodiment, the measurement of the elapsed time from the previous input operation on the unit input unit 40 and the notification of the lapse of the allowed time can be canceled by a user's input. In this embodiment, the block diagram of the destination floor registration system 1 is the same as that shown in Fig. 1.

[0124] The destination floor registration device 2 is configured to output cancellation information to the control device 30 when a cancellation operation is performed. Furthermore, the control device 30 is configured to output measurement end information and device identification information to the measurement unit 33 when the cancellation information is output. Furthermore, the control device 30 is configured to cause the destination floor registration device 2 to output elapsed time notification end information to the notification unit 5 when a cancellation operation is performed. The cancellation operation is, for example, an operation of touching the notification unit 5 (touch panel) multiple times in succession or an operation of pressing and holding it. The cancellation operation may also be an operation of touching a cancel key displayed on the touch panel.

[0125] In this embodiment, the measurement unit 33 can cancel the measurement of the elapsed time from the previous input operation. Also, the notification unit 5 can cancel the display of the elapsed time from the time when notification start information is acquired using a progress circle.

[0126] A series of processes in the elevator destination floor registration system 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 17. The processes from step S81 to step S83 are the same as the processes from step S01 to step S03 in the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted, and the processes from step S84 onwards will be described.

[0127] The notification unit 5 notifies the user of the passage of the allowable time using an image (step S84). In this embodiment, the notification unit 5 displays the passage of time from the point in time when the previous input operation was performed using a progress circle, as shown in FIG.

[0128] Next, the control device 30 determines whether there is a subsequent input operation to the unit input unit 40 (step S85 in FIG. 17). If there is no subsequent input operation to the unit input unit 40 (No in step S85), the control device 30 determines whether the time elapsed since the previous input operation has exceeded the allowable time (step S86). If the time elapsed since the previous input operation has not exceeded the allowable time (No in step S86), the control device 30 determines whether there is a cancel operation (step S87). If there is no cancel operation (No in step S87), the process returns to determining whether there is a subsequent input operation to the unit input unit 40 (step S85).

[0129] When a subsequent input operation is performed on the unit input section 40 (Yes in step S85), the process proceeds to steps S88 to S92. The processes of steps S88 to S92 are the same as the processes of steps S68 to S72 in the sixth embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0130] When the elapsed time since the previous input operation exceeds the allowed time (Yes in step S86), the control device 30 accepts the input of one destination floor by one operation of the unit input unit 40 (step S88). The subsequent processing of steps S89 to S92 is the same as the processing of steps S69 to S72 in the sixth embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0131] If a cancel operation is performed (Yes in step S87), the control device 30 cancels the input of the destination floor (step S93). Specifically, the control device 30 outputs measurement end information and device identification information to the measurement unit 33, which causes the measurement unit 33 to end measurement of the elapsed time from the previous input operation. Furthermore, the control device 30 outputs notification end information of the elapsed time to the notification unit 5, which causes the notification unit 5 to end displaying the elapsed time using the progress circle from the time when the notification start information was obtained, perform a default display, and end the series of processes.

[0132] In this embodiment, the user can cancel the previous erroneous input operation made to the unit input unit 40 by performing a cancel operation, so that unnecessary hall calls can be suppressed, improving convenience.

[0133] The elevator destination floor registration device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, or part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted.

[0134] For example, the first embodiment may be combined with some of the second to seventh embodiments, or the first embodiment may be combined with all of the second to seventh embodiments.

[0135] Specifically, it is conceivable to combine the first, third and fifth embodiments, which allows the length of the allowable time to be changed according to both the time and the user information.

[0136] In this configuration, for example, the operation time storage unit may store the acquired operation time from the previous operation to the subsequent operation, the acquisition time, and user information in association with each other. Furthermore, the analysis unit 371 may calculate the average operation time from the previous operation to the subsequent operation once a day, both when the specific user information is available and when the specific user information is not available. As a result, the length of the allowable time is changed for a user who inputs specific user information based on the average operation time from the previous operation to the subsequent operation when the user who inputs the specific user information operates the unit input unit 40 multiple times. Furthermore, the length of the allowable time is changed for a user who does not input specific user information based on the average operation time from the previous operation to the subsequent operation when the user who does not input the specific user information operates the unit input unit 40 multiple times.

[0137] In the above embodiment, the notification unit 5 displayed the passage of time using a progress circle in which a circular line shrinks in the circumferential direction as time passes. However, as shown in FIGS. 19(a) to 19(d), the passage of time may be displayed using a different image. The image displaying the passage of time may be, for example, a progress circle that lengthens in the circumferential direction as time passes, a progress bar whose straight line shortens as time passes, or a progress bar whose straight line lengthens as time passes. These progress circles and progress bars may extend continuously or may extend discretely with gaps in the extension direction. Furthermore, the image displaying the passage of time may be a number indicating the number of seconds remaining in the allowed time, as shown in FIG. 19(d). This number image may be used together with the progress circle or progress bar, or may be used instead of the progress circle or progress bar.

[0138] The notification unit 5 may notify the passage of time not only by an image but also by a sound such as a buzzer, a melody, or an announcement voice, or by vibration, etc. That is, the notification unit 5 may notify the passage of time by using at least one of an image, a sound, and a vibration.

[0139] When notifying the user of the passage of time, the notification unit 5 may provide an auxiliary notification to assist the user in inputting information. For example, as shown in FIG. 20(a), when the notification unit 5 displays the passage of time using an image, only keys selectable as unit floors (keys "1" and "2") may be displayed normally, and keys that cannot be selected as unit floors may be displayed differently from the normal display (for example, grayed out). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 20(b), the notification unit 5 may display a sentence that provides assistance with subsequent operations as an auxiliary notification. The notification unit 5 may provide an auxiliary notification by sound, or by a voice announcement such as "Leave the first floor as is, touch 1 for the eleventh floor, and touch 2 for the twelfth floor." The notification unit 5 may provide the auxiliary notification simultaneously with the start of the notification of the passage of time, or may provide the auxiliary notification when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the notification of the passage of time, or when a key that cannot be selected as a unit floor is operated.

[0140] In the above embodiment, the destination floor determination unit 34 of the control means 3 determines whether the determined destination floor is a permitted floor. Specifically, after receiving the input of a destination floor through one or more input operations of the unit input unit 40, the destination floor determination unit 34 of the control means 3 compares the destination floor information output from the destination floor registration device 2 with the stored permitted floor information to determine whether the input destination floor is a permitted floor, but the destination floor determination unit 34 may also make this determination at the time of input operation of the unit floor.

[0141] For example, when an input operation is performed on the unit input unit 40, the destination floor registration device 2 may output unit floor information and device identification information to the destination floor determination unit 34, and the destination floor determination unit 34 may determine whether the input unit floor is an permitted floor. In this case, the destination floor determination unit 34 outputs a permission signal to the unit floor input unit when the input unit floor is an permitted floor, and outputs a release signal to the unit floor input unit when the input unit floor is not an permitted floor. As a result, the unit input unit 40 can be configured to only accept inputs made with keys that can be selected as unit floors (specifically, keys "1" and "2") and not accept inputs made with keys that cannot be selected as unit floors (specifically, keys other than "1" and "2") while the alarm unit 5 is notifying that the permitted time has elapsed. This configuration prevents the input of destination floors that cannot be selected at the time of inputting unit floors, thereby shortening the time required to determine the destination floor.

[0142] In the above embodiment, the destination floor input unit 4 accepts single-digit numbers such as "0" and "1" to "9" as unit floors, but may also accept two-digit numbers such as "10" and "20" as unit floors. For example, when the destination floor input unit 4 is configured to accept "1" to "10" as unit floors, if a user wishes to input "the 13th floor" as the destination floor, the user may touch the "10" and "3" keys with a finger or the like.

[0143] The numeric keypad of the destination floor registration device 2 may include an enter key. In this configuration, a hand is detected on a key indicating a unit floor, and when a hand is detected on the enter key within a predetermined time after the hand is no longer detected, the destination floor can be input.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the destination floor registration device 2 is provided at the landing, but it may be provided at at least one of the elevator landing and the car. Also, in the above embodiment, the destination floor registration device 2 is provided at the landing of each floor, but it may be provided only at the landings of some floors (for example, entrance floors) among the floors of the building where the elevator destination floor registration device 2 is provided. In this case, normal landing call buttons (a landing call button for calling an ascending car and a landing call button for calling a descending car) may be provided at the landings of floors where the destination floor registration device 2 is not provided.

[0145] In the above embodiment, the destination floor input unit 4 was a numeric keypad type, but it may also be a type that displays a list of unit floors that can be registered and allows the user to input the destination floor by selecting one of them. The destination floor input unit 4 may also be an aerial touch display that forms an image in the air (space). This aerial touch display may be configured to include, for example, a light source that emits light to generate an aerial image, an optical element that reflects and transmits the light from the light source to form the aerial image in a predetermined space, and a detection unit that detects a user's input operation on the aerial image.

[0146] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the destination floor input unit 4 is a touch panel, but it may also be a detection unit that allows for contactless input of destination floors using an infrared sensor or the like. In this case, the destination floor input unit 4 may be a combination of a detection unit and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display. Note that the unit input unit 40 of the destination floor input unit 4 may be configured with destination floor buttons that can be pressed to input unit floors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 1...Elevator destination floor registration system, 2...Destination floor registration device, 3...Control means, 4...Destination floor input unit, 5...Notification unit, 6...User input unit, 7...Change input unit, 30...Control device, 31...Floor control unit, 32...Operation control unit, 33...Measurement unit, 34...Destination floor determination unit, 35...Time setting unit, 36...Authentication server, 37...Operation input analysis unit, 40...Unit input unit, 330...Timer, 370...Operation time acquisition unit, 371...Analysis unit,

Claims

1. a destination floor input unit including a plurality of unit input units capable of inputting destination floors corresponding to the unit floors, and capable of inputting one destination floor by operating the unit input units once or a plurality of times; An elevator destination floor registration device comprising: a notification unit that, when one destination floor is input by operating the unit input unit multiple times in the destination floor input unit, notifies a user of the passage of an allowable time for allowing a subsequent operation to be accepted after accepting a previous operation on the unit input unit.

2. The elevator destination floor registration device according to claim 1 , wherein the notification unit notifies the user of the passage of time using at least one of an image, a sound, and a vibration.

3. The length of the permissible time varies depending on the time of day, The elevator destination floor registration device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of the lapse of the changed permissible time.

4. a user input unit for inputting user information relating to a user; the length of the permissible time is changed based on the user information input from the user input unit, The elevator destination floor registration device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of the lapse of the changed permissible time.

5. a change input unit for inputting change information for changing the permissible time, the length of the permissible time is changed based on the change information input from the change input unit, The elevator destination floor registration device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of the lapse of the changed permissible time.

6. the permissible time is changed in length based on an operation time from the first operation to the next operation when the unit input unit is operated multiple times, The elevator destination floor registration device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of the lapse of the changed permissible time.

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