Elevator system

Abstract

To provide an elevator system allowing a user to select a destination floor from multiple options even if the user does not perform a registration operation after passing through a security gate.SOLUTION: An elevator system comprises multiple elevators 50, an in-car imaging device 51 capable of capturing an image in a car, a security gate 20 to authenticate a user, a gate imaging device 25 capable of capturing the image of the user passing through the security gate 20, and a control device. The control device performs a face authentication to compare face information included in the in-car image of a first car or a second car called to a specific floor with user face data, and the control device assigns the first destination floor to the first elevator when the face authentication is successful for the in-car image of the first car and assigns the second destination floor to the second elevator when the face authentication is successful for in-car image of the second car.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to elevator systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an elevator system that uses a card reader at a security gate to acquire user information such as an ID number from the user's security card, and authenticates the user by comparing the acquired user information with user information stored in a memory unit or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7379592 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To provide an elevator system that enables a user to select a destination floor from a plurality of candidates after passing through a security gate without performing a registration operation by the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An elevator system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a plurality of elevators each having a car; an in-car imaging device capable of capturing an image of the inside of the car; Security gates are installed on specific floors to authenticate users. a gate imaging device capable of capturing an image of the user passing through the security gate; a control device that, when the personal authentication is successful and a face image of the user is acquired by the gate imaging device, provisionally assigns a first destination floor and a second destination floor associated with face data of the user indicated by the face image to a first elevator and a second elevator among the plurality of elevators, respectively, and calls a first car of the first elevator and a second car of the second elevator to the specific floor; An elevator system comprising: The control device performing face authentication by comparing information indicating a face included in an image of the first car or the second car that has been called to the specific floor with the face data of the user whose personal authentication has been successful; If the face authentication is successful for the image inside the first car, permanently assign the first destination floor to the first elevator; If the facial authentication is successful for the image inside the second car, the second destination floor is permanently assigned to the second elevator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, a user can select a destination floor from a plurality of candidates after passing through a security gate without having to perform a registration operation by the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an equipment layout on a specific floor of a building to which an elevator system according to a first embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] Block diagram illustrating the configuration of an elevator system [Figure 3] A block diagram illustrating the configuration of an elevator control device [Figure 4] Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a security gate [Figure 5] A perspective view illustrating the appearance of a security gate [Figure 6] Block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of a security server [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of the user database configuration [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of the device DB configuration [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of the configuration of the unit DB [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of the tentative allocation list configuration [Figure 11] Flowchart explaining the operation of the security gate [Figure 12] Flowchart explaining the operation of the security server [Figure 13] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an allocation operation and a provisional allocation operation executed by a group management control device. [Figure 14] Flowchart for explaining allocation processing [Figure 15] Flowchart for explaining provisional allocation processing [Figure 16] Flowchart explaining the operation of the gate indicator [Figure 17] A diagram illustrating a gate display screen that displays the first default destination floor and assigned elevator in a single display format. [Figure 18A] A diagram showing an example of a gate display screen in a multiple item display format. [Figure 18B] A diagram showing an example of a gate display screen in a multiple item display format. [Figure 18C] A diagram showing an example of a gate display screen in a multiple item display format. [Figure 19] Flowchart explaining the operation of the elevator control device [Figure 20] Flowchart explaining the operation of the car camera [Figure 21] 1 is a flowchart illustrating the main allocation operation executed by the group management control device 10. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen of a gate indicator in a first modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A security gate-linked destination floor registration system guides users to the elevator assigned to a default destination floor by performing some form of personal authentication. However, there are cases where users wish to go to a floor other than the default destination floor. In such cases, users have to register their destination floor each time using a destination floor registration device installed at the elevator hall.

[0009] For example, suppose that in an office building's destination floor registration system, the 10th floor, where User A's office is located, is registered as User A's default destination floor. User A often goes to the 9th floor, where the smoking room is located, instead of his or her office when going to work, but not every day. In other words, whether User A goes to the 10th floor or the 9th floor may depend on factors such as User A's mood and physical condition on that day, and whether there is time left before work starts. It is difficult for the destination floor registration system to determine the user's mood and physical condition on that day, making it difficult to automatically determine the destination floor.

[0010] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an elevator system that enables a user to select a destination floor from multiple options after passing through a security gate without performing a registration operation by the user, thereby enabling the user to select a destination floor after passing through the security gate and immediately before getting into the elevator car.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) 1. Configuration 1-1. Overview of elevator systems 1 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of equipment on a specific floor of a building to which the elevator system according to Embodiment 1 is applied. The specific floor is, for example, a lobby floor connected to the outside of the building, and building users will travel to other floors via the specific floor.

[0013] The elevator system according to this embodiment includes a plurality of elevators 50 and a group control system that comprehensively controls the operation of the plurality of elevators 50. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the elevator system has six elevators 50 (No. 1 to No. 6).

[0014] On a specific floor, multiple security gates 20 are placed on the route taken by users from the entrance to the elevator hall. Each security gate 20 includes a reader 29 that reads information contained in a card held over the card by the user. At the security gate 20, personal authentication is performed by comparing the information obtained by the reader 29 with pre-registered information.

[0015] If personal authentication is successful, the user can pass through one of the security gates 20 from the entrance side and enter the elevator hall. The elevator hall is located in a specific area. The specific area is an area within the building that can only be entered by passing through the security gate 20 from the entrance side. The specific area includes the elevator hall, the space inside the car of each elevator 50, the space on each floor that can be accessed using the elevator 50, etc.

[0016] The security gate 20 is provided with a gate camera 25 capable of capturing an image of a user passing through the security gate 20. When personal authentication of a user is successful and a facial image of the user is acquired by the gate camera 25, the elevator system provisionally assigns the first and second destination floors pre-assigned to the user to two of the six elevators 50. The elevator system also performs a process of calling the two elevators 50 provisionally assigned with the first and second destination floors to a specific floor (pseudo call, described later). The elevator system is configured to notify the user of information indicating the provisionally assigned elevator (provisionally assigned elevator) and allow the user to board one of the provisionally assigned elevators.

[0017] Each elevator 50 has a car, a hoist (motor), a counterweight, etc. The elevator system includes a car camera 51 capable of capturing images inside the car of each elevator 50. While FIG. 1 shows an example in which the car camera 51 is installed inside the car of each elevator 50, the installation location of the car camera is not limited to inside the car. The car camera only needs to be capable of capturing images of the car stopped at a specific floor, and may be installed, for example, at the elevator hall of each floor.

[0018] The car camera 51 of each elevator 50 captures an image of a subject in a predetermined angle of view area in front of the camera at a predetermined frame rate and a predetermined resolution, generates image data of the captured image (captured image), and outputs the generated image data to the elevator control device 40. The car camera 51 may include a processing unit such as a CPU or MPU including an arithmetic circuit.

[0019] The predetermined angle of view of the car camera 51 is set to a field of view that can capture the faces of all users in the car. The predetermined resolution may be any resolution that allows for appropriate face detection and face matching, such as HD, FHD, or 4K. The frame rate may be any rate, such as 15 fps or 30 fps.

[0020] 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the elevator system 100. The elevator system 100 includes a group management control device 10, a security gate 20, a plurality of elevator control devices 40, and a security server 60.

[0021] The elevator control device 40 controls the elevators 50. In this embodiment, the elevator system 100 includes six elevator control devices 40 corresponding to the first to sixth elevators 50, respectively.

[0022] The group management control device 10 controls the allocation of new calls to each elevator while communicating with the security gate 20 and the elevator control device 40. The devices are connected to each other via a network capable of transmitting information. The network is configured, for example, by a LAN (Local Area Network), and various types of information are sent and received between the devices in accordance with various protocols such as TCP / IP.

[0023] The devices constituting the elevator system 100 may be connected to each other via a network of other signal formats or a dedicated signal network. For example, the group management control device 10 may perform serial communication with each elevator control device 40.

[0024] Each component of the elevator system 100 will be described below.

[0025] 1-2. Group management control device As shown in FIG. 2, the group management control device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and an input / output interface 13.

[0026] The storage unit 12 is configured using, for example, RAM, ROM, HDD, SSD, etc., and stores programs and various data. The programs include programs for realizing various functions of the group management control device 10 of this embodiment. Examples of data stored in the storage unit 12 are a car number database (hereinafter referred to as "car number DB") and a temporary allocation list. The configurations of the car number DB and the temporary allocation list will be described later.

[0027] The control unit 11 is configured using, for example, a CPU, an MPU, etc., which include an arithmetic circuit. The control unit 11 performs arithmetic processing using various data, etc., based on the above-mentioned program read from the storage unit 12, thereby realizing various functions of the group management control device 10.

[0028] The input / output interface 13 is an interface through which the group management control device 10 transmits and receives various signals to and from external devices such as the security gate 20, the security server 60, and the elevator control device 40.

[0029] The input / output interface 13 is an example of an output unit that converts a signal output from the control unit 11 into a signal of a predetermined format and outputs the signal to an external device. The input / output interface 13 is also an example of an input unit that converts a signal received from an external device into a signal of a predetermined format and inputs the signal to the control unit 11. The input / output interface 13 is configured using, for example, a LAN adapter, a serial port, etc.

[0030] 1-3. Elevator control device The elevator control devices 40 control the raising, lowering, stopping, etc. of the cars of the elevators 50 by controlling the operation of the hoists (motors) of the corresponding elevators 50 in accordance with control signals from the group management control device 10. The elevator control devices 40 also detect the car status of the corresponding elevators 50, such as the position, running direction, door opening / closing, load, etc., and output information indicating the detected car status to the group management control device 10.

[0031] 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of elevator control device 40. Elevator control device 40 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, and an input / output interface 43. Control unit 41, storage unit 42, and input / output interface 43 may have the same configurations as control unit 11, storage unit 12, and input / output interface 13 of group management control device 10, respectively.

[0032] The control unit 41 performs arithmetic processing using various data and the like based on a program read from the storage unit 42, thereby realizing various functions of the elevator control device 40.

[0033] 1-4.Security gate The security gate 20 is a device that controls the entry of users into specific areas within a building. Specifically, the security gate 20 is a device that allows authorized users to enter specific areas within a building, while restricting the entry of unauthorized users. An authorized user is a user who is registered in a user database (hereinafter referred to as a "user DB"), and an unauthorized user is a user who is not registered in the user DB. The security gate 20 performs personal authentication by comparing information obtained by the reader 29 with information pre-registered in the user DB. Authorized users who have successfully passed the personal authentication can pass through the security gate 20 and enter the specific area.

[0034] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the security gate 20 in embodiment 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the security gate 20. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the leftmost security gate 20 of the three security gates 20 in Fig. 1.

[0035] 4, the security gate 20 includes a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, and an input / output interface 23. The control unit 21, the memory unit 22, and the input / output interface 23 may have the same configurations as the control unit 11, the memory unit 12, and the input / output interface 13 of the group management control device 10, respectively.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 21, memory unit 22, and input / output interface 23 are arranged in a gate main body 20a, which is the housing of the security gate 20. Furthermore, the gate main body 20a is equipped with a reader 29, a gate flapper 28, and a gate display 70. The gate camera 25 is provided on the exit side of the gate main body 20a. The gate camera 25 may be attached to the gate main body 20a or may be provided independently. The gate camera 25 is an example of a gate imaging device.

[0037] The gate camera 25 captures an image of a subject in a predetermined angle of view area in front of it at a predetermined frame rate and a predetermined resolution, generates image data of the captured image (captured image), and outputs it to the security server 60. The predetermined angle of view area is set to an angle of view that can capture an image of the user's face when the user passes through the security gate 20. The predetermined resolution may be any resolution that can appropriately detect and identify the user's face, and may be, for example, HD, FHD, 4K, or the like. The frame rate may be any rate, and may be, for example, 15 fps or 30 fps.

[0038] The reader 29 is disposed on the entrance side of the upper surface of the gate main body 20a. The reader 29 reads information from an information source held by a user at a position within a predetermined range from the reader 29. One example of such an information source is a QR code (registered trademark). In this case, the reader 29 is an optical reader that optically reads the QR code and transmits a signal including image data of the QR code and the registered device ID (registered device identification information) of the reader 29 to the security server 60. Another example of an information source is an IC chip in an IC card. In this case, the reader 29 may be a contactless card reader using an electromagnetic induction method. Alternatively, the information source may be the user's fingerprint. In this case, the reader 29 reads the fingerprint using a fingerprint sensor.

[0039] The gate flapper 28 is a door that can open and close the path of the user in response to a control signal from the control unit 21. For example, the gate flapper 28 is configured to be closed in the normal state and to open when personal authentication is successful. Alternatively, the gate flapper 28 may be configured to be open in the normal state and to close when personal authentication is not successful.

[0040] The gate display 70 displays a screen according to various display signals output from the group management control device 10. For example, the gate display 70 displays an assigned elevator notification screen for notifying the name of the assigned elevator (assigned elevator) and the like when it receives an assignment result signal, a tentative assignment result signal, or the like output from the group management control device 10. The gate display 70 may include a processing unit such as a CPU or MPU including an arithmetic circuit.

[0041] 1-5.Security Server The security server 60 receives the information read by the reader 29 of the security gate 20 and performs personal authentication processing of the user based on the information to ensure security within the building. For example, the security server 60 performs personal authentication by sequentially comparing (collating) the received information with the data of each user registered in the user database.

[0042] In addition, the security server 60 controls the opening and closing of the security gate 20 according to the result of personal authentication. Furthermore, the security server 60 generates a call information signal including information such as the destination floor of the user, and outputs it to the group management control device 10.

[0043] 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the security server 60. The security server 60 includes a control unit 61, a storage unit 62, and an input / output interface 63. The control unit 61, the storage unit 62, and the input / output interface 63 may have the same configurations as the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the input / output interface 13 of the group management control device 10, respectively.

[0044] The storage unit 62 stores programs and various data. The programs include programs for realizing various functions of the security server 60 of this embodiment. The storage unit 62 stores a user DB and a device database (hereinafter referred to as "device DB") as data. The configurations of the user DB and device DB will be described later.

[0045] 1-6.Data Structure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the user DB stored in the storage unit 62 of the security server 60. The user DB includes information on the user ID and the first and second default destination floors linked to the user ID. Each data item in the user DB is registered, for example, by the building manager.

[0046] The "user ID" in the user DB is identification information set to uniquely identify a building user.

[0047] The "first default destination floor" and "second default destination floor" in the user DB are information indicating the default destination floors of a user identified by the user ID. As the first default destination floor, for example, the numerical value of the floor where the user's workplace is located is set. As the second default destination floor, for example, the numerical value of a floor other than the first default destination floor that the user can use is set. Note that the second default destination floor may not be set depending on the user's wishes, etc. The user DB in Figure 7 shows an example of the symbol "-" indicating that the second default destination floor has not been set.

[0048] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the device DB stored in the storage unit 62 of the security server 60. The device DB stores gate IDs, reader IDs, gate camera IDs, gate display IDs, and installation floors, each associated with the other.

[0049] The "gate ID," "reader ID," "gate camera ID," and "gate display ID" are identification information for identifying the security gate 20, the reader 29, the gate camera 25, and the gate display 70, respectively.

[0050] The "installation floor" is information indicating the floor on which the associated security gate 20, reader 29, gate camera 25, and gate display 70 are installed. The information registered in the "installation floor" is used to indicate the departure floor of the user.

[0051] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the elevator DB stored in the memory unit 12 of the group management control device 10. The elevator DB stores car camera IDs and elevator IDs linked to each other. The "car camera ID" and "elevator ID" are identification information for identifying the car camera 51 and the elevator (cage) of the elevator 50, respectively.

[0052] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the temporary allocation list stored in the storage unit 12. The temporary allocation list stores, in association with each other, a face image acquired by the car camera 51, a first destination floor, a first temporarily assigned car corresponding to the first destination floor, a second destination floor, and a second temporarily assigned car corresponding to the second destination floor.

[0053] 2.Operation 2-1. Overview As described above, the elevator system 100 includes a plurality of elevators 50, a car camera 51 capable of capturing images of the inside of the car of each elevator 50, and a security gate 20.

[0054] If personal authentication of the user is successful and a facial image of the user is acquired by the gate camera 25, the elevator system 100 provisionally assigns the first and second destination floors, which are pre-assigned to the user, to two of the six elevators 50, respectively. The elevator system 100 also performs a process of calling the two elevators 50, to which the first and second destination floors have been provisionally assigned, to a specific floor (a pseudo call, as described below). The elevator system 100 is configured to notify the user of information indicating the provisionally assigned elevator and allow the user to board one of the provisionally assigned elevators. For example, if a user wants to go to the 10th floor, where his or her office is located, he or she boards elevator No. 1, and if he or she wants to go to the 9th floor, where the smoking room is located, he or she boards elevator No. 3.

[0055] When a user boards one of the cars, the car camera 51 acquires the user's facial information. The elevator system 100 can determine which car the user boarded by comparing the facial information acquired when the user passed through the security gate with the facial information acquired inside the car. On the other hand, if the car the user boarded is known, the car the user did not board can also be determined. Therefore, the elevator system 100 permanently assigns the destination floor (provisionally assigned destination floor) corresponding to the car the user boarded to that car, and cancels the provisional assignment to the car the user did not board.

[0056] As described above, the target of "temporary allocation" is multiple elevators, and the elevator system 100 calls all of the multiple elevators that are the target of temporary allocation (temporarily assigned elevators) to a specific floor (pseudo call). An elevator that is called to a specific floor by a pseudo call opens its door, remains at the specific floor, and does not depart for the destination floor. In contrast, "real allocation" is a process performed on one of the multiple provisionally assigned elevators, and can be said to be a process of narrowing down the elevators that depart for the destination floor (first destination floor or second destination floor) to one.

[0057] An example of the operation performed by each component of the elevator system 100 to achieve such an operation will be described below.

[0058] 2-2.Security gate operation 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the security gate 20. The processing of this flowchart is executed by the control unit 21 of the security gate 20, for example.

[0059] The control unit 21 determines whether the reader 29 has acquired a user ID (S1). The control unit 21 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S1 unless it determines that the user ID has been acquired (No in S1).

[0060] When the control unit 21 determines that the reader 29 has acquired a user ID (Yes in S1), it determines whether the gate camera 25 has acquired a first facial image under predetermined conditions (S2). In step S2, for example, the control unit 21 determines whether the gate camera 25 has acquired a first facial image within a predetermined time (e.g., several seconds) after determining that the reader 29 has acquired a user ID. Alternatively, or in addition, the control unit 21 determines whether the gate camera 25 has acquired a first facial image before acquiring the next user ID.

[0061] When the control unit 21 determines that the gate camera 25 has acquired the first facial image (Yes in S2), it transmits to the security server 60 the reader ID that identifies the reader 29 that acquired the user ID, the user ID acquired in step S1, and the first facial image acquired in step S2 (S3).

[0062] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the gate camera 25 has not acquired the first face image (No in S2), the control unit 21 transmits only the reader ID and the user ID to the security server 60 (S4).

[0063] 2-3.Security Server Operation 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the security server 60. The processing of this flowchart is executed by the control unit 61 of the security server 60, for example.

[0064] The control unit 61 determines whether or not data has been received from the security gate 20 (S11). The control unit 61 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S11 unless it determines that data has been received from the security gate 20 (No in S11).

[0065] When the control unit 61 determines that it has received data from the security gate 20 (Yes in S11), it extracts the gate ID, gate display ID, and departure floor linked to the reader ID included in the received data from the equipment DB stored in the memory unit 62 (S12).

[0066] The control unit 61 determines whether the user ID included in the received data is registered in the user DB stored in the storage unit 62 (S13).

[0067] If it is determined that the user ID is not registered in the user DB (No in S13), the control unit 61 transmits only the gate display ID from the data extracted in step S12 to the group management control device 10 (S14). This is an example of a case where personal authentication is not successful. After step S14, the control unit 61 transmits a gate close signal to the security gate 20 corresponding to the gate ID extracted in step S12 (S15). Upon receiving the gate close signal, the control unit 21 of the security gate 20 closes the gate flapper 28 that is in an open state, or keeps the gate flapper 28 that is in a closed state closed.

[0068] In step S13, if it is determined that the user ID is registered in the user DB (Yes in S13), the control unit 61 extracts the first default destination floor and the second default destination floor linked to the user ID from the user DB (S16).

[0069] As illustrated in the user DB in Fig. 7, a second default destination floor may or may not be set by the user. If a second default destination floor linked to the user ID included in the data received in step S11 is set in the user DB (Yes in S17), the control unit 61 determines whether or not a first facial image has been acquired (S18). That is, in step S18, the control unit 61 determines whether or not a first facial image is included in the data received in step S11.

[0070] When it is determined that the first facial image has been acquired (Yes in S18), the control unit 61 transmits the gate indicator ID, the departure floor, the first default destination floor, the second default destination floor, and the first facial image to the group management control device 10 (S19). The gate indicator ID and departure floor transmitted in step S19 are the data extracted in step S12. The first default destination floor and the second default destination floor transmitted in step S19 are the data extracted in step S16. The first facial image transmitted in step S19 is included in the data received in step S11.

[0071] In step S17, if a second default destination floor linked to the user ID has not been set (No in S17), and in step S18, if it is determined that the first facial image has not been acquired (No in S18), the control unit 61 transmits the gate display ID, departure floor, and first default destination floor to the group management control device 10 (S20).

[0072] After step S19 and after step S20, the control unit 61 transmits a gate open signal to the security gate 20 corresponding to the gate ID extracted in step S12 (S21). Upon receiving the gate open signal, the control unit 21 of the security gate 20 opens the gate flapper 28 that is in a closed state, or keeps the gate flapper 28 open that is in an open state. After executing the process of step S21, the control unit 61 returns to step S11. In this manner, the process of FIG. 12 is repeatedly executed.

[0073] 2-4. Allocation and provisional allocation operations by the group management control device 2-4-1. Overall operation 13 is a flowchart illustrating the allocation operation and provisional allocation operation executed by the group management control device 10. The processing of this flowchart is executed by the control unit 11 of the group management control device 10, for example.

[0074] The control unit 11 determines whether or not data has been received from the security server 60 (S31). Unless the control unit 11 determines that data has been received from the security server 60 (No in S31), the control unit 11 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S31.

[0075] When it is determined that data has been received from the security server 60 (Yes in S31), the control unit 11 determines whether or not only the gate indicator ID has been received (S32). When the control unit 11 of the group management control device 10 receives only the gate indicator ID (Yes in S32), this is an example of a case where personal authentication is not successful, as described above. In this case, the control unit 11 transmits information including an error message such as "The user ID is invalid" to the gate indicator 70 corresponding to the received gate indicator ID (S33). This allows the gate indicator 70 that has received the information to display a screen showing the error message.

[0076] In step S32, if it is not determined that only the gate indicator ID has been received (No in S32), for example, if it is determined that the gate indicator ID and data other than the gate indicator ID have been received, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the data received in step S11 includes a second default destination floor (S34). If the control unit 11 determines that the received data does not include the second default destination floor (No in S34), it executes allocation processing S35. If the control unit 11 determines that the received data includes the second default destination floor (Yes in S34), it executes provisional allocation processing S36. Details of the allocation processing S35 and provisional allocation processing S36 will be described later.

[0077] 2-4-2. Allocation process FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the allocation process S35 of FIG.

[0078] The control unit 11 determines an elevator to be assigned based on the departure floor and the first default destination floor received from the security server 60 in step S31 of Fig. 13 (S351). For example, the control unit 11 selects, from among the six elevators 50 (No. 1 to No. 6), the elevator that is optimal for departing from the departure floor and heading toward the first default destination floor, as the elevator to be assigned.

[0079] Next, the control unit 11 adds one to the number of users (allocated number of people) assigned to the assigned machine determined in step S351 (S352). For example, the memory unit 12 stores an assigned number of people list that records the assigned number of people for each machine, and the control unit 11 rewrites the assigned number of people list in step S352 so as to add the assigned number of people.

[0080] The control unit 11 transmits the departure floor and the first default destination floor to the elevator control device 40 that controls the assigned car (S353). This allows the elevator control device 40 to control the assigned car based on the received departure floor and first default destination floor.

[0081] The control unit 11 transmits the first default destination floor and the assigned elevator to the gate indicator 70 corresponding to the gate indicator ID received from the security server 60 in step S31 (S354). The operation of the gate indicator 70 that has received the first default destination floor and the assigned elevator will be described later.

[0082] 2-4-3. Provisional allocation process FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the provisional allocation process S36 of FIG.

[0083] The control unit 11 determines the first provisionally assigned car based on the departure floor and the first default destination floor received from the security server 60 in step S31 of Figure 13 (S361), and adds one person to the assigned number of people of the first provisionally assigned car (S362).

[0084] The control unit 11 determines a second provisionally assigned elevator based on the departure floor and the second default destination floor (S363), and adds one person to the number of people assigned to the second provisionally assigned elevator (S364).

[0085] Next, the control unit 11 transmits a set of the first default destination floor and the first provisionally assigned elevator, and a set of the second default destination floor and the second provisionally assigned elevator to the gate indicator 70 (S365).

[0086] The control unit 11 links the first facial image received from the security server 60 in step S31 of Figure 13 with the set of the first default destination floor and the first provisionally assigned elevator, and the set of the second default destination floor and the second provisionally assigned elevator, and registers them in the provisional assignment list (S366).

[0087] The control unit 11 transmits the departure floor and the first default destination floor as a temporary assignment signal to the elevator control device 40 that controls the first temporarily assigned elevator (S367). Also, the control unit 11 transmits the departure floor and the second default destination floor as a temporary assignment signal to the elevator control device 40 that controls the second temporarily assigned elevator (S368).

[0088] 2-5. Gate indicator operation 16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the gate indicator 70. The gate indicator 70 determines whether or not data has been received from the group management control device 10 (S41). The gate indicator 70 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S41 unless it determines that data has been received from the group management control device 10 (No in S41).

[0089] When the gate display 70 determines that it has received data from the group management control device 10 (Yes in S41), it determines whether it has received an error message from the group management control device 10 (S42). The error message is transmitted by the group management control device 10 in step S33 of FIG. 13. When the gate display 70 determines that it has received an error message (Yes in S42), it displays a screen showing the error message for a predetermined period of time (S43). This makes it possible to notify the user of the cause of the error, such as an invalid user ID.

[0090] If it is determined that an error message has not been received (No in S42), the gate indicator 70 determines whether or not a plurality of provisional allocation signals have been received (S44).

[0091] When the gate display 70 determines that it has not received multiple temporary assignment signals (No in S44), it displays the first default destination floor and assigned elevator number in a single-item display format for a predetermined time (S45). On the other hand, when the gate display 70 determines that it has received multiple temporary assignment signals (Yes in S44), it displays the first default destination floor and first temporary assigned elevator number, and the second default destination floor and second temporary assigned elevator number in a multiple-item display format for a predetermined time (S46).

[0092] Fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the screen of the gate display 70 that displays the first default destination floor and assigned elevator in a single-item display format. In the single-item display format screen of Fig. 17, the text "10th floor, elevator 1" is displayed on the screen of the gate display 70. In the screen of Fig. 17, "10th floor" corresponds to the first default destination floor, and "1st elevator" corresponds to the assigned elevator.

[0093] Figures 18A, 18B, and 18C are diagrams each illustrating an example of a display screen of the gate display device 70 in a multiple-item display format. Figures 18A, 18B, and 18C all show an example in which the first default destination floor is floor 9, the first provisionally assigned car number is car number 6, the second default destination floor is floor 10, and the second provisionally assigned car number is car number 1. The example display screen of Figure 18A shows this information in a table format, while the example display screen of Figure 18B shows it mainly as text.

[0094] The display screen example of Fig. 18C includes a layout diagram that reflects the layout of an elevator hall in an actual building where the elevator system 100 of this embodiment has been installed (see Fig. 1), and a text display that indicates the first default destination floor and the second default destination floor. This allows a user looking at the display screen of the gate indicator 70 to visually grasp the positions of the first provisionally assigned elevator and the second provisionally assigned elevator in accordance with the actual layout of the elevator hall.

[0095] By checking the display screen in the multiple item display format as exemplified in Figures 18A, 18B, and 18C, the user can select to board elevator No. 6 if he / she wants to go to the 9th floor, or elevator No. 1 if he / she wants to go to the 10th floor. Therefore, after passing through security gate 20, the user can select his / her destination right up until he / she gets on the elevator.

[0096] 18A, 18B, and 18C are merely examples, and it is sufficient for the security gate 20 to notify the user of the first default destination floor and its corresponding first provisionally assigned elevator, and the second default destination floor and its corresponding second provisionally assigned elevator. For example, the security gate 20 may be equipped with a speaker and output information indicating the first default destination floor and its corresponding first provisionally assigned elevator, and the second default destination floor and its corresponding second provisionally assigned elevator by voice.

[0097] 2-6. Operation of elevator control device 19 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the elevator control device 40. The processing of this flowchart is executed by the control unit 41 of the elevator control device 40, for example.

[0098] The control unit 41 determines whether or not data has been received from the group management control device 10 (S51). The gate indicator 70 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S51 unless it determines that data has been received from the group management control device 10 (No in S51).

[0099] When the control unit 41 determines that data has been received from the group management control device 10 (Yes in S51), it determines whether or not a provisional allocation signal has been received from the group management control device 10 (S52). The provisional allocation signal is transmitted by the group management control device 10 in steps S367 and S368 of FIG.

[0100] When the control unit 41 determines that it has not received a tentative allocation signal from the group management control device 10 (No in S52), it registers the departure floor and the first default destination floor included in the data received in step S51 (S53). That is, the control unit 41 registers the call from the group management control device 10. This allows the control unit 41 to direct one of the elevators to the departure floor in response to the call, and then move that elevator to the first default destination floor.

[0101] In step S52, when it is determined that a provisional allocation signal has been received from the group management control device 10 (Yes in S52), the control unit 41 registers a pseudo call to the departure floor (S54). The pseudo call is a pseudo call corresponding to the provisional allocation signal being provisional, and has the function of moving the elevators to the departure floor and opening the doors in response to receiving the provisional allocation signal. For example, when the control unit 41 receives the provisional allocation signal transmitted by the group management control device 10 in step S367 or S368 of FIG. 15, it registers a pseudo call to the departure floor, moves the first provisionally assigned elevator and the second provisionally assigned elevator to the departure floor, and opens the doors of the elevators.

[0102] 2-7. Operation of the cage camera 20 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the car camera 51. The processing of this flowchart is executed by the processing unit of the car camera 51, for example.

[0103] The car camera 51 is positioned so as to be able to capture an image of the face of a user inside the car. The car camera 51 determines whether or not the face of a user is detected (S61). The car camera 51 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S61 unless it determines that a face has been detected (No in S61).

[0104] When the car camera 51 determines that a face has been detected (Yes in S61), it transmits its own car camera ID and a second face image showing the face detected in step S61 to the group management control device 10 (S62).

[0105] 2-8. Main allocation operation by group management control device 21 is a flowchart illustrating the allocation operation executed by the group management control device 10. The processing of this flowchart is executed by the control unit 11 of the group management control device 10, for example.

[0106] The control unit 11 determines whether or not data has been received from the car camera 51 (S71). The control unit 11 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S71 unless it determines that data has been received from the car camera 51 (No in S71).

[0107] When the control unit 11 determines that data has been received from the car camera 51 (Yes in S71), it acquires the car ID linked to the car camera ID of the car camera 51 from the car DB and assigns the car ID to a variable X (S72). The variable X is stored in the memory unit 12, for example.

[0108] Next, the control unit 11 extracts data in which the first provisionally assigned car number or the second provisionally assigned car number includes car number X from the provisional assignment list (S73). If such data can be extracted and the number of data items is greater than 0 (Yes in S74), the control unit 11 compares each facial image of all the extracted data with the second facial image received from the car camera 51 (S75).

[0109] The control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a face image that matches the second face image among the face images extracted from the temporary allocation list in step S73 (S76). For example, in step S76, the control unit 11 performs a face feature point detection process on the second face image. When the control unit 11 detects face feature points from the second face image, the control unit 11 sequentially compares (matches) the data of the detected face feature points with the data of the face feature points of each face image extracted from the temporary allocation list to determine a match rate. Then, if the match rate calculated for a face image extracted from the temporary allocation list is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 11 determines that the face image matches the second face image. Note that the face detection process, face feature point detection process, and matching process (authentication process) can be performed using various known methods.

[0110] If the control unit 11 determines that there is no facial image that matches the second facial image (No in S76), it executes step S83, which will be described later. The assigned numbers of the first provisionally assigned car and the second provisionally assigned car, which are added in steps S362 and S364 in Fig. 15, are offset by steps S79 and S82.

[0111] If it is determined in step S76 that there is a facial image that matches the second facial image (Yes in S76), the control unit 11 determines whether the first provisionally assigned car is car X (S77). If it is determined that the first provisionally assigned car is car X (Yes in S77), the control unit 11 transmits the departure floor and the first default destination floor to the elevator control device 40 that controls car X (S78), and reduces the number of people assigned to the second provisionally assigned car by one (S79). Next, the control unit 11 deletes data (authenticated data) corresponding to the facial image that matches the second facial image from the provisional assignment list (S80), and returns to step S71. This cancels the provisional assignment to cars in which no users boarded, allowing the number of people assigned to each car to be accurately managed.

[0112] If it is determined that the first provisionally assigned elevator is not elevator X (No in S77), that is, if it is determined that the second provisionally assigned elevator is elevator X, the control unit 11 transmits the departure floor and the second default destination floor to the elevator control device 40 that controls elevator X (S81), and reduces the number of people assigned to the first provisionally assigned elevator by one (S82). After executing step S82, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S80.

[0113] In step S74, if data in which the first or second provisionally assigned car includes car number X cannot be extracted from the provisional allocation list and the number of data items is 0 (No in S74), the control unit 11 determines whether or not a facial image matching the second facial image is in the provisional allocation list (S83). If a facial image matching the second facial image is in the provisional allocation list (Yes in S83), it means that the user boarded a car that is neither the first nor the second provisionally assigned car. Therefore, the control unit 11 reduces the assigned number of passengers of the first and second provisionally assigned cars by one, and increases the assigned number of passengers of car number X by one (S84). After executing step S84, the process returns to step S71. The assigned number of passengers of the first and second provisionally assigned cars added in steps S362 and S364 of FIG. 15 are offset by step S84.

[0114] By performing the above-described processing, the elevator system 100 provisionally assigns the first default destination floor and the second default destination floor to different cars. The elevator system 100 can acquire facial information of the user in the car using the car camera 51 and determine which car the user boarded. In a situation where a provisional assignment has been made, if facial information of the user in the car can be acquired using the car camera 51, the elevator system 100 can officially assign the destination floor corresponding to the car in which the user boarded to that car, and can cancel the provisional assignment to the car in which the user did not board.

[0115] 3. Effects etc. As described above, the elevator system 100 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of elevators 50 each equipped with a car, a car camera 51 capable of capturing images inside the car, a security gate 20 installed at a specific floor and performing personal authentication of users, a gate camera 25 capable of capturing images of users passing through the security gate, and a group management control device 10 (an example of a control device). When personal authentication is successful and a first facial image of the user is acquired by the gate imaging device, the group management control device 10 provisionally assigns a first destination floor and a second destination floor associated with the facial data of the user indicated by the first facial image to a first elevator and a second elevator among the plurality of elevators, respectively, and calls the first car of the first elevator and the second car of the second elevator to the specific floor (S367, S368). The group management control device 10 then performs facial authentication by comparing information indicating a face included in an image inside the first or second car called to the specific floor with the facial data of the user whose personal authentication was successful (S75). If facial authentication is successful for the image inside the first car (Yes in S77), the group management control device 10 officially assigns the first destination floor to the first elevator (S78).If facial authentication is successful for the image inside the second car (No in S77), the group management control device 10 officially assigns the second destination floor to the second elevator (S81).

[0116] With this configuration, the user can select a destination floor from among a plurality of candidates after passing through the security gate 20 without performing a registration operation.

[0117] In the elevator system 100 of the first embodiment, the group management control device 10 may cancel the temporary allocation of the second destination floor to the second elevator if the facial authentication is successful for the image inside the first car (S79). The group management control device 10 may cancel the temporary allocation of the first destination floor to the first elevator if the facial authentication is successful for the image inside the second car (S82).

[0118] This configuration allows for accurate management of the number of passengers assigned to the first elevator and the second elevator.

[0119] The elevator system 100 of the first embodiment may further include a gate indicator 70 (an example of a display device). The gate indicator 70 displays a first destination floor and a first elevator in association with each other, and a second destination floor and a second elevator in association with each other.

[0120] With this configuration, by looking at the gate display 70, the user can know the possible elevators that the user will board and the destination floors of each elevator.

[0121] In the elevator system 100 of embodiment 1, if personal authentication is successful but the first facial image of the user is not acquired (No in S18 of Figure 12), the group management control device 10 may not make a provisional assignment of the first destination floor and the second destination floor, but may assign the first destination floor to the first elevator and call the first car to a specific floor.

[0122] With this configuration, even if the first face image is not acquired, the user can go to the first destination floor by the first elevator. In this case, the provisional allocation process can be omitted.

[0123] In the elevator system 100 of embodiment 1, if personal authentication by the security gate 20 is successful for a user who is linked to one default destination floor (third destination floor), the elevator system 100 may assign the third destination floor to one of multiple elevators.

[0124] With this configuration, for a user who is linked to one default destination floor, the provisional allocation process is not performed, and the user can quickly head to the third destination floor.

[0125] (Other embodiments) As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology of the present invention. However, the technology of the present invention is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which appropriate modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiments to create new embodiments. Therefore, modifications as other embodiments will be described below.

[0126] (First Modification) As described in the above embodiment, the elevator system 100 can acquire facial information of a user in a car using the car camera 51 and determine which car the user has boarded. In a situation where a provisional assignment has been made, if the facial information of a user in a car can be acquired by the car camera 51, the elevator system 100 can permanently assign the destination floor (provisionally assigned destination floor) corresponding to the car in which the user boarded to that car, and can cancel the provisional assignment to the car in which the user did not board.

[0127] To perform such a permanent allocation process and a temporary allocation cancellation process, the car camera 51 needs to acquire facial information of the passengers inside the car. Therefore, the gate display 70 may display information such as text encouraging passengers to face the car camera 51 on a display screen in a multiple-item display format (see S46 in FIG. 16). FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of such a display screen. The display screen in FIG. 22 displays a message saying, "Please face the camera when inside the elevator."

[0128] Such information encouraging the passenger to turn their face toward the car camera 51 may be displayed on a display installed inside the car, or may be output as audio from a speaker installed inside the car. The display and speaker installed inside the car are examples of an alarm device.

[0129] This allows the elevator system 100 to prompt the passenger to turn their face towards the car camera 51, and allows the final allocation process and the tentative allocation cancellation process to be carried out more reliably.

[0130] (Second Modification) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which gate cameras 25 are installed at all security gates 20. However, it is sufficient that at least one security gate 20 in the elevator system 100 has a gate camera 25 installed, and security gates 20 without a gate camera 25 may also be provided. A user who has only a first default destination floor and does not have a second default destination floor may pass through a security gate 20 without a gate camera 25 installed. This can alleviate congestion at security gates 20 with gate cameras 25 installed, and improve the transportation efficiency of the elevator system 100.

[0131] (Third Modification) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the provisional allocation process S36 is performed for a user who has both a first default destination floor and a second default destination floor, but the present invention is not limited to this. To execute the provisional allocation process S36, it is sufficient for the user to have a first destination floor and a second destination floor registered in advance.

[0132] For example, instead of registering a first default destination floor and a second default destination floor as shown in FIG. 7, the user DB may register default destination floors and permitted floors. The "permitted floor" is information indicating a floor that a user identified by a "user ID" is permitted to enter. For example, a shared floor within a building may be set as the permitted floor. In this case, the above embodiment can also be implemented in a form in which the "second default destination floor" is replaced with the "permitted floor."

[0133] (Fourth Modification) At least one of the group management control device 10, elevator control device 40, and security server 60 in the above embodiment does not have to be installed in the building where the elevator 50 is located. Furthermore, the control unit 21 of the security gate 20 does not have to be installed in the building where the elevator 50 is located. For example, the functions of these devices may be executed by a cloud server. In this case, various signals and information may be exchanged between the cloud server and devices such as the security gate 20 and gate indicator 70 installed in the building where the elevator 50 is located, by communication using an appropriate communication method.

[0134] Furthermore, the group management control device 10, elevator control device 40, security server 60, and control unit 21 of security gate 20 do not need to be separate devices, and the functions of these devices may be performed by one or more information processing devices. Such an information processing device is an example of the "control device" of the present disclosure.

[0135] In each embodiment, a plurality of aspects of the present invention have been described. However, the specific aspects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be combined with the above-described embodiments.

[0136] (Example) The following describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0137] <Aspect 1> a plurality of elevators each having a car; an in-car imaging device capable of capturing an image of the inside of the car; Security gates are installed on specific floors to authenticate users. a gate imaging device capable of capturing an image of the user passing through the security gate; a control device that, when the personal authentication is successful and a face image of the user is acquired by the gate imaging device, provisionally assigns a first destination floor and a second destination floor associated with face data of the user indicated by the face image to a first elevator and a second elevator among the plurality of elevators, respectively, and calls a first car of the first elevator and a second car of the second elevator to the specific floor; An elevator system comprising: The control device performing face authentication by comparing information indicating a face included in an image of the first car or the second car that has been called to the specific floor with the face data of the user whose personal authentication has been successful; If the face authentication is successful for the image inside the first car, permanently assign the first destination floor to the first elevator; If the face authentication is successful for the image inside the second car, the second destination floor is officially assigned to the second elevator. Elevator system.

[0138] <Aspect 2> The control device If the facial authentication is successful for the image inside the first car, cancel the tentative assignment of the second destination floor to the second elevator; If the facial authentication is successful for the image inside the second car, cancel the tentative assignment of the first destination floor to the first elevator. 2. The elevator system of claim 1.

[0139] <Aspect 3> The elevator system according to aspect 1 or 2, further comprising a display device that displays the first destination floor and the first elevator in association with each other, and that displays the second destination floor and the second elevator in association with each other.

[0140] <Aspect 4> 4. The elevator system according to claim 3, wherein the display device displays a message encouraging the passenger to turn their face toward the in-car imaging device.

[0141] <Aspect 5> 5. The elevator system according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein each of the elevator cars further includes a notification device that notifies the user of information prompting the user to turn his or her face toward the in-car imaging device.

[0142] <Aspect 6> An elevator system described in any of aspects 1 to 5, wherein if the personal authentication is successful but a facial image of the user is not acquired, the control device does not make a provisional assignment of the first destination floor and the second destination floor, assigns the first destination floor to the first elevator, and calls the first car to the specific floor.

[0143] <Aspect 7> An elevator system according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein, for a user associated with a third destination floor, if personal authentication by the security gate is successful, the third destination floor is assigned to one of the plurality of elevators. [Explanation of symbols]

[0144] 10 Group management control device 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Input / Output Interface 20 Security Gate 20a Gate body 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Input / Output Interface 25 Gate Camera 28 Gate Flapper 29 Leader 40 Elevator control device 41 Control Unit 42 Storage section 43 Input / Output Interface 50 Elevator 51 Basket Camera 60 Security Server 61 Control Unit 62 Storage section 63 Input / Output Interface 70 Gate Indicator 100 Elevator System

Claims

1. a plurality of elevators each having a car; an in-car imaging device capable of capturing an image of the inside of the car; Security gates are installed on specific floors to authenticate users. a gate imaging device capable of capturing an image of the user passing through the security gate; a control device that, when the personal authentication is successful and a face image of the user is acquired by the gate imaging device, provisionally assigns a first destination floor and a second destination floor associated with face data of the user indicated by the face image to a first elevator and a second elevator among the plurality of elevators, respectively, and calls a first car of the first elevator and a second car of the second elevator to the specific floor; An elevator system comprising: The control device performing face authentication by comparing information indicating a face included in an image of the first car or the second car that has been called to the specific floor with the face data of the user whose personal authentication has been successful; If the face authentication is successful for the image inside the first car, permanently assign the first destination floor to the first elevator; If the facial authentication is successful for the image inside the second car, the second destination floor is officially assigned to the second elevator. Elevator system.

2. The control device If the facial authentication is successful for the image inside the first car, cancel the tentative assignment of the second destination floor to the second elevator; If the facial recognition is successful for the image inside the second car, cancel the tentative assignment of the first destination floor to the first elevator.

10. The elevator system of claim 1.

3. 2. The elevator system according to claim 1, further comprising a display device that displays the first destination floor and the first elevator in association with each other, and that displays the second destination floor and the second elevator in association with each other.

4. The elevator system according to claim 3 , wherein the display device displays a message prompting the passenger to turn his or her face toward the in-car imaging device.

5. The elevator system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the elevator cars further comprises an alarm device that notifies the user of information prompting the user to turn his or her face toward the in-car imaging device.

6. 2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, if the personal authentication is successful but a facial image of the user is not acquired, the control device does not provisionally assign the first destination floor and the second destination floor, assigns the first destination floor to the first elevator, and calls the first car to the specific floor.

7. 2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein, when personal authentication by the security gate is successful for a user associated with a third destination floor, the third destination floor is assigned to one of the plurality of elevators.

Images