Elevator maintenance support device, maintenance support system, maintenance support method, and maintenance support program

Abstract

To provide an elevator maintenance support device, a maintenance support system, a maintenance support method, and a maintenance support program for enabling efficient information sharing among related parties.SOLUTION: A maintenance support system 1 is a system that supports elevator maintenance by utilizing a messaging application for making it possible to exchange messages between topic members and refer to message history. Each maintenance worker possesses a maintenance terminal device 10 on which the messaging application is installed. A maintenance support device 13 of the maintenance support system 1 includes a management unit 15 and a support unit 16. The management unit 15 manages and updates the current location of each maintenance worker. When an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit 16 selects a maintenance worker based on the distance between the elevator's location and the location of each maintenance worker. The support unit 16 causes the selected maintenance worker to participate as a member in a topic about responding to the alert.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a maintenance support device, a maintenance support system, a maintenance support method, and a maintenance support program for an elevator. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an elevator system, in which, when an abnormality signal is received from an elevator, a monitor at a monitoring center instructs a maintenance worker to go to the elevator and inspect it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-246183 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the elevator system of Patent Document 1, a supervisor instructs a maintenance worker to carry out an inspection via voice communication or the like. When responding to an abnormality such as an elevator breakdown, it may be necessary for multiple parties to share information such as the response status. When maintenance workers and others communicate via voice communication, the level of detail of the information shared between the parties may differ depending on whether or not they have communicated directly. This may result in inefficient information sharing, for example, requiring the same information to be explained multiple times.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to solving such problems. The present disclosure provides an elevator maintenance support device, a maintenance support system, a maintenance support method, and a maintenance support program that enable efficient information sharing among related parties. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The maintenance support device disclosed herein is a maintenance support device for an elevator that uses a messaging application that can refer to the history of messages exchanged between members in a topic in which at least one of a plurality of users is a member, and is equipped with a management unit that manages and updates the current location of a plurality of maintenance personnel, each of whom is included in the plurality of users and carries a portable maintenance terminal device on which the messaging application is installed, and a support unit that, when an alert is received from an elevator, selects at least one of the plurality of maintenance personnel based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the location of each of the plurality of maintenance personnel managed by the management unit, and has the selected maintenance personnel participate as a member in a topic regarding how to respond to the alert.

[0007] The maintenance support system disclosed herein is a maintenance support system for an elevator that uses a messaging application that can refer to the history of messages exchanged between members in a topic in which at least one of a plurality of users is a member, and includes a portable maintenance terminal device on which the messaging application is installed, a management unit that manages and updates the current location of a plurality of maintenance personnel who are each included in the plurality of users and who each carry the maintenance terminal device, and a support unit that, when an alert is received from an elevator, selects at least one of the plurality of maintenance personnel based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the location of each of the plurality of maintenance personnel managed by the management unit, and has the selected maintenance personnel participate as a member in a topic regarding responding to the alert.

[0008] The maintenance support method disclosed herein is a maintenance support method for an elevator that uses a messaging application that can refer to the history of messages exchanged between members in a topic that has at least one of a plurality of users as members, and the method involves a computer managing, while updating the current location of each of a plurality of maintenance personnel that are each included in the plurality of users and each of whom carries a portable maintenance terminal device on which the messaging application is installed; when an alert is received from an elevator, selecting at least one of the plurality of maintenance personnel based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the location of each of the plurality of maintenance personnel being managed; and having the selected maintenance personnel participate as a member in a topic about responding to the alert.

[0009] The maintenance support program disclosed herein is a maintenance support program for an elevator that uses a messaging application that can refer to the history of messages exchanged between members in a topic that has at least one of a plurality of users as members, and causes a computer to perform the following operations: managing, while updating, the current locations of a plurality of maintenance personnel, each of whom is included in the plurality of users and who each carries a portable maintenance terminal device on which the messaging application is installed; when an alert is received from an elevator, selecting at least one of the plurality of maintenance personnel based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the location of each of the plurality of maintenance personnel being managed; and having the selected maintenance personnel participate as a member in a topic about responding to the alert. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the elevator maintenance support device, maintenance support system, maintenance support method, or maintenance support program of the present disclosure, information sharing between related parties becomes more efficient. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a maintenance support system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2]4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the maintenance support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of a maintenance support system according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any component of the embodiments may be modified or omitted within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0013] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a maintenance support system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0014] The maintenance support system 1 is a system that supports maintenance work on elevators. The maintenance work supported by the maintenance support system 1 includes responding to abnormalities such as breakdowns that occur in elevators. An elevator to which the maintenance support system 1 is applied is installed in a building having multiple floors. The elevator is used by building users to move between multiple floors. An elevator to which the maintenance support system 1 is applied is, for example, an elevator 2. The elevator may also be, for example, an escalator.

[0015] In a building to which the elevator 2 is applied, a hoistway, which is a space spanning multiple floors, is provided. In this example, the elevator 2 includes a hoisting machine 3, a main rope 4, a car 5, a counterweight 6, and a control panel 7. The elevator 2 may also be of a hydraulic type, for example.

[0016] The hoisting machine 3 includes a motor that generates driving force and a sheave that rotates by the driving force generated by the motor. The hoisting machine 3 is disposed, for example, at the top or bottom of the hoistway. Alternatively, if a machine room is provided above the hoistway, for example, the hoisting machine 3 may be disposed in the machine room.

[0017] The main ropes 4 are ropes that support the load of the car 5 and counterweight 6 in the hoistway. The main ropes 4 are wound around the sheaves of the hoisting machine 3. The main ropes 4 support the load of the car 5 on one side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 3. The main ropes 4 support the load of the counterweight 6 on the other side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 3.

[0018] The car 5 is a device that travels up and down the hoistway to transport passengers between multiple floors. The counterweight 6 is a device that balances the loads acting on both sides of the sheave of the hoisting machine 3 between the car 5. The car 5 and counterweight 6 travel in opposite directions in the hoistway by the driving force generated by the motor of the hoisting machine 3.

[0019] The control panel 7 is a part that controls the operation of the elevator 2. The operation of the elevator 2 includes, for example, the running of the car 5 in the hoistway. The control panel 7 is disposed, for example, at the top or bottom of the hoistway. Alternatively, if a machine room is provided, for example, above the hoistway, the control panel 7 may be disposed in the machine room.

[0020] The maintenance support system 1 includes a remote monitoring device 8. The remote monitoring device 8 is a device that remotely monitors the status of an elevator such as the elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 8 is installed, for example, in a building in which the elevator is installed. The remote monitoring device 8 may be part of the elevator. The remote monitoring device 8 is connected to elevator equipment such as a control panel 7 so as to acquire information on the elevator's status. The remote monitoring device 8 is connected to a communication network 9 so as to communicate information collected from the elevator. The communication network 9 includes, for example, a wide-area network such as the Internet or a telephone network, or a local network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The remote monitoring device 8 has a function of issuing an alert to the outside via the communication network 9 when, for example, an abnormality such as a malfunction occurs in the elevator. Note that, in this case, an alert issued by the remote monitoring device 8 that monitors the elevator may be referred to as an alert from the elevator.

[0021] The maintenance support system 1 includes a plurality of maintenance terminal devices 10. Each maintenance terminal device 10 is a portable information processing device carried by a maintenance worker. The maintenance terminal device 10 may be, for example, a general-purpose information processing device such as a smartphone or a mobile PC (Personal Computer). The maintenance terminal device 10 is connected to a communication network 9. The maintenance terminal device 10 is equipped with a function for acquiring its current location using, for example, a satellite positioning system such as a GPS (Global Positioning System), an autonomous navigation system, or other systems. The current location of the maintenance terminal device 10 corresponds to the current location of the maintenance worker carrying the maintenance terminal device 10.

[0022] A messaging application is pre-installed in each maintenance terminal device 10. The messaging application has a function for exchanging messages among members in a topic, with some or all of the application's users as members. Messages include, for example, text information, audio information, image information, or other information such as attachments. The messaging application may also be called, for example, an instant messenger, a business chat, a collaboration platform, or a team communication tool. A topic in a messaging application may also be called a talk room, chat room, channel, or thread. In a messaging application, topic members can refer to the history of messages exchanged in that topic. Information about topics in the messaging application, such as the members of each topic and the message history, is managed, for example, by an application server 11. The application server 11 may be, for example, a computer system including one or more computers. The application server 11 may be an external system that can cooperate with the maintenance support system 1, or may be an internal system included in the maintenance support system 1. The application server 11 is connected to a communication network 9. The application server 11 has a function of accepting management or operations such as creating and deleting topics, adding or deleting members to each topic, and posting messages to topics from an external device via the communication network 9, for example.

[0023] Users of the messaging application include people involved in elevator maintenance work. People involved in elevator maintenance work include, for example, maintenance personnel, maintenance personnel's superiors, elevator engineers, elevator maintenance service sales representatives, and elevator monitors. Elevator monitors are personnel who remotely monitor elevators at, for example, an information center. An information center is a base that centrally manages information on multiple elevators in remote locations. Monitors use monitoring terminal device 12 to remotely monitor the status of the elevators, etc. Monitoring terminal device 12 may be, for example, a general-purpose information processing device such as a PC. Monitoring terminal device 12 is connected to communication network 9. A messaging application is pre-installed in monitoring terminal device 12. Users of the messaging application can each use an information processing device on which the messaging application is pre-installed.

[0024] The maintenance support system 1 includes a maintenance support device 13. The maintenance support device 13 is a device that performs functions such as information processing in the maintenance support system 1. The maintenance support device 13 is, for example, a computer system including one or more computers. The maintenance support device 13 is, for example, configured with one or more server devices. Some or all of the server devices that configure the maintenance support device 13 are located, for example, in an information center. Some or all of the functions of the maintenance support device 13 may be implemented by processing or storage resources on a cloud service. The maintenance support device 13 may include some or all of the functions of the application server 11. The maintenance support device 13 is connected to a communication network 9 so that it can collect elevator information, for example, from a remote monitoring device 8. The maintenance support device 13 includes a communication unit 14, a management unit 15, and a support unit 16.

[0025] The communication unit 14 is a part that communicates information with devices or systems external to the maintenance support device 13. The communication unit 14 communicates information with the remote monitoring device 8, the maintenance terminal device 10, the monitoring terminal device 12, and the application server 11, for example, via a communication network 9.

[0026] The management unit 15 is a part that manages information in the maintenance support system 1. The management of information in the management unit 15 includes generating, holding, updating, or deleting the target information. The management unit 15 manages a user DB 17 and an elevator DB 18 as databases (DBs) that store information.

[0027] The user DB 17 is a database that stores information about users of messaging applications who are involved in elevator maintenance work. The user DB 17 stores information such as the user's affiliation, attributes, and expertise, associated with the user's identifier. The user's attributes include, for example, information about the user's type, such as maintenance worker, engineer, or supervisor. The user's expertise includes, for example, information about the model of elevator for which the user has specialized knowledge or experience, and information about elevator abnormalities for which the user has specialized knowledge or experience. The user's expertise may be represented, for example, by a model code indicating the elevator model or an abnormality code indicating an abnormality in the elevator. The user's expertise may include, for example, the user's job title or occupation, the user's authority, and other information. The user DB 17 stores the user's current location associated with the user's identifier. The management unit 15 acquires information about the user's current location by, for example, communicating with the maintenance terminal device 10 carried by the user who is a maintenance worker via the communication unit 14. The management unit 15 manages and updates the information about the user's current location. The management unit 15 manages the information so that it reflects the current situation by, for example, updating information about the current location of the maintenance worker at regular or irregular intervals. The user DB 17 may store information such as a means of transportation available to the user or its travel speed in association with the user's identifier. The user DB 17 may store information about the user's current situation in association with the user's identifier. The user's situation includes, for example, working on site, traveling, waiting, and outside of working hours. The management unit 15 acquires and updates information about the user's current situation by, for example, communicating with the maintenance terminal device 10 carried by the user (maintenance worker) via the communication unit 14.

[0028] The elevator DB 18 is a database that stores information about elevators that are the target of maintenance work. The elevator DB 18 stores information such as the model, location, and current status of the elevator, associated with the elevator's identifier. The elevator model is represented, for example, by a model code. The elevator's location is, for example, a location on a map of the building in which the elevator is installed. The management unit 15 acquires information about the current status of the elevator, for example, by communicating with the remote monitoring device 8 corresponding to the elevator via the communication unit 14. The management unit 15 may acquire information about the status of the elevator monitored by the remote monitoring device 8, for example, by receiving an abnormality report from the remote monitoring device 8. The current status of the elevator may include information such as an abnormality code. The current status of the elevator may include information such as the status of the response to the abnormality. Information such as the status of the response to the abnormality is input to the elevator DB 18 via the maintenance terminal device 10, the monitoring terminal device 12, or the like, by, for example, a maintenance worker or a supervisor who has responded to the abnormality.

[0029] The support unit 16 is a part that processes information regarding support for elevator maintenance work based on information managed by the management unit 15. For example, when an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit 16 supports the maintenance work by managing a topic in a messaging application regarding a response to the alert. The support unit 16 manages the topic in the messaging application by, for example, sending a request to the application server 11 via the communication unit 14.

[0030] Next, an example of the operation of the maintenance support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the maintenance support system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0031] In step S1, the communication unit 14 of the maintenance support device 13 receives a report from an elevator. The remote monitoring device 8 that monitors the elevator transmits the report from the elevator to the maintenance support device 13, for example, when an abnormality occurs in the elevator. The report from the elevator includes information such as the identifier and abnormality code of the elevator. The management unit 15 updates the information in the elevator DB 18 based on the report information received by the communication unit 14. Then, processing in the maintenance support system 1 proceeds to step S2.

[0032] In step S2, the support unit 16 of the maintenance support device 13 identifies the location of the elevator that issued the alert by, for example, referring to the elevator DB 18. The support unit 16 acquires information about the maintenance personnel who are users of the messaging application by, for example, referring to the user DB 17. The support unit 16 calculates the distance between the elevator and each maintenance personnel based on the location of the elevator and the location of each maintenance personnel. The distance between the elevator and each maintenance personnel may be, for example, a straight-line distance on a map, a distance along a travel path on a map, a time distance calculated by dividing the distance along the travel path by the travel speed of the maintenance personnel, or any other value representing the distance between the elevator and each maintenance personnel. The support unit 16 selects one or more maintenance personnel based on the distance between the elevator and each maintenance personnel. The support unit 16 selects a predetermined number of maintenance personnel, for example, in order of shortest distance from the location of the elevator that issued the alert. Alternatively, the support unit 16 may select, for example, all maintenance personnel who are located within a predetermined distance from the location of the elevator that issued the alert. In this example, the support unit 16 selects maintenance personnel based on their distance from the location of the elevator, regardless of whether they are responsible for maintaining the elevator that issued the alert. The support unit 16 may select maintenance personnel after excluding maintenance personnel who are currently unavailable, such as those who are responding to another alert or who are outside of working hours. After that, the processing in the maintenance support system 1 proceeds to step S3.

[0033] In step S3, the support unit 16 of the maintenance support device 13 selects members at the time of generating a topic about responding to the alert received from the elevator. The support unit 16 includes the maintenance personnel selected based on the distance from the elevator's location in the members at the time of generating the topic. The support unit 16 also identifies information such as the attributes of the elevator that issued the alert by, for example, referring to the elevator DB 18. The support unit 16 also acquires information such as the attributes of the alert by, for example, referring to the information included in the alert or the elevator DB 18. The attributes of the alert are, for example, information such as an abnormality code included in the alert. The support unit 16 extracts users with corresponding expertise based on the attributes of the elevator or the attributes of the alert by, for example, referring to the user DB 17. The support unit 16 extracts, for example, users with expertise in the model code of the elevator that issued the alert. The support unit 16 extracts, for example, users with expertise in the identified abnormality code of the alert. The support unit 16 may extract users with expertise corresponding to the elevator or the alert by other methods. The support unit 16 includes the extracted users in the members at the time of generating the topic. For example, the support unit 16 may include the supervisor of the maintenance worker selected based on the distance from the elevator position in the members at the time of generating the topic. After selecting the members at the time of generating the topic, the processing in the maintenance support system 1 proceeds to step S4.

[0034] In step S4, the support unit 16 of the maintenance support device 13 generates a topic regarding a response to the alert received from the elevator. The support unit 16 generates the topic by, for example, sending a request to the application server 11 via the communication unit 14. At this time, the support unit 16 includes information such as the identifiers of each member in the request to the application server 11 so that the selected members at the time of generation can participate. Thereafter, the processing in the maintenance support system 1 proceeds to step S5.

[0035] Here, in response to a request from the maintenance support device 13, the application server 11 notifies the member who created the topic of the topic. Members, such as maintenance personnel, who receive the notification of the topic creation exchange messages about the status of their response to the alert on a messaging application, for example, via the maintenance terminal device 10. The exchanged messages include, for example, reports of dispatch to the alert site, sharing of information about the status of the alert site, sharing of information about the response status with customers or elevator users, such as elevator managers, and reports of lifting after work at the alert site is completed. The exchanged messages may also include confirmations and instructions. The exchanged messages may also include recorded data of the operating sounds of elevator equipment or image data, such as still or moving images, of equipment in the hoistway. The content of the messages may be input via an input device, such as a touch panel, of the maintenance terminal device 10, or may be voice-input content converted into text by voice recognition in the maintenance terminal device 10 or the application server 11. In addition, communication to confirm safety when dispatching to the site of an alarm or withdrawing may be carried out by telephone or voice communication between the maintenance personnel and their superiors.

[0036] In step S5, the support unit 16 of the maintenance support device 13 monitors the status of the response to the alert from the elevator. The support unit 16 monitors the status by, for example, acquiring information such as the response status by referring to the elevator DB 18. The support unit 16 may monitor the status based on information such as a response status code indicating the response status included in the response status information, or may monitor the status by natural language processing of messages exchanged between users. Thereafter, the processing in the maintenance support system 1 proceeds to step S6.

[0037] In step S6, the support unit 16 of the maintenance support device 13 determines whether there has been a change in the status of the response to the alert. If it is determined that there has been no change in the status of the response, the processing in the maintenance support system 1 proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if it is determined that there has been a change in the status of the response, the processing in the maintenance support system 1 proceeds to step S7.

[0038] In step S7, the support unit 16 of the maintenance support device 13 selects additional members for the topic about responding to the alert received from the elevator. For example, if there is a change in an error code, the support unit 16 extracts users who have expertise in the changed error code by referencing the user DB 17. For example, if the response status code changes to a code indicating a situation where parts need to be procured, the support unit 16 extracts users who have expertise in a job that involves procuring parts by referencing the user DB 17. The support unit 16 may also extract users with expertise corresponding to the elevator or alert by other methods. The support unit 16 includes the extracted users as additional members for the topic. The support unit 16 adds the selected members to the topic by, for example, sending a request to the application server 11 via the communication unit 14. At this time, the support unit 16 includes information such as the identifiers of each member in the request to the application server 11 so that the selected additional members can join. After that, the processing in the maintenance support system 1 proceeds to step S5.

[0039] Here, in response to a request from the maintenance support device 13, the application server 11 sends a notification inviting the added member to participate in the topic. The member who receives the notification of the invitation to the topic references the history of messages about the response status to the alert on the messaging application, for example, via the monitoring terminal device 12. The added member can directly reference messages exchanged between members who previously participated in the topic, enabling effective information sharing. The added member exchanges messages about the response status to the alert on the messaging application.

[0040] The support unit 16 may not immediately allow the members selected based on the elevator attributes or the alert attributes to join the topic as members. The support unit 16 may present the selected users to the already participating members through a message for the topic as initial or additional members who can join the topic about responding to the alert. The already participating members may, for example, select one or more of the presented members and invite the selected members to join the topic on a message application. In response to the member's invitation operation, the application server 11 sends a notification inviting the new members to join the topic. The members who receive the notification of the invitation to the topic refer to and exchange messages about the status of responding to the alert on the messaging application.

[0041] It should be noted that the application server 11 may, for example, in response to a request from a user, cause the user to withdraw from the topic membership.

[0042] As described above, the maintenance support system 1 according to the first embodiment is a system that supports elevator maintenance by utilizing a messaging application. The messaging application is an application that enables members to exchange messages and refer to the history of exchanged messages in a topic in which at least one user is a member. The maintenance support system 1 includes a portable maintenance terminal device 10 on which the messaging application is installed and a maintenance support device 13. Each maintenance technician is a user of the messaging application. Each maintenance technician carries the maintenance terminal device 10. The maintenance support device 13 includes a management unit 15 and a support unit 16. The management unit 15 manages the current location of each maintenance technician while updating it. When an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit 16 selects at least one maintenance technician based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the location of each maintenance technician managed by the management unit 15. The support unit 16 causes the selected maintenance technician to participate as a member in a topic about responding to the alert.

[0043] This configuration allows topic members, including maintenance personnel, to view messages exchanged between them as they are, enabling efficient information sharing. Also, maintenance personnel who are close to the elevator that issued the alert are selected as topic members, enabling prompt response to the alert, such as dispatching maintenance personnel.

[0044] Furthermore, the management unit 15 manages the expertise information of each user of the messaging application. When an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit 16 selects at least one user based on at least one of the attributes of the elevator or the attribute of the alert and the expertise information of each user. The support unit 16 either causes the selected user to participate as a member in a topic about responding to the alert, or presents the selected user in the topic about responding to the alert as a member who can participate in the topic.

[0045] With this configuration, users with expertise can be automatically selected to participate in a topic depending on the elevator model, type of abnormality, etc. This makes it possible for messages exchanged in a topic to be more accurate and based on the expertise of the members.

[0046] Furthermore, the support unit 16 monitors the status of responses to the alerts from the elevators. The support unit 16 selects at least one user depending on the status. The support unit 16 either allows the selected user to participate as an additional member in a topic about responses to the alerts, or presents the selected user as an additional member who can participate in the topic about responses to the alerts.

[0047] With this configuration, in response to changes in the corresponding situation, users who can respond to the changed situation can be automatically selected to participate in the topic, thereby making messages exchanged in the topic more efficient and in accordance with the situation.

[0048] Furthermore, when an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit 16 selects a predetermined number of maintenance personnel in ascending order of distance from the location where the elevator is installed. This ensures that there are enough maintenance personnel to participate in the topic as initial members, making it possible to more reliably dispatch maintenance personnel to the site where the alert was issued. Furthermore, when an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit 16 selects all maintenance personnel who are within a predetermined distance from the location where the elevator is installed. This ensures that all maintenance personnel who are able to be dispatched to the site where the alert was issued participate in the topic as initial members, making it possible to more reliably notify maintenance personnel who can be dispatched to the site more quickly. This ensures that maintenance personnel are dispatched to the site more quickly.

[0049] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the maintenance support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the main part of the maintenance support system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0050] Each function of the maintenance support system 1 may be realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit includes at least one processor 100 a and at least one memory 100 b. The processing circuit may include at least one dedicated hardware 200 in addition to or in place of the processor 100 a and the memory 100 b.

[0051] When the processing circuit includes a processor 100a and a memory 100b, each function of the maintenance support system 1 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. The program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a realizes each function of the maintenance support system 1 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 100b.

[0052] The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing device, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 100b is configured by, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.

[0053] Where the processing circuitry comprises dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuitry may be implemented, for example, as a single circuit, multiple circuits, a programmed processor, parallel programmed processors, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0054] Each function of the maintenance support system 1 can be realized by a processing circuit. Alternatively, each function of the maintenance support system 1 can be realized collectively by a processing circuit. Some of the functions of the maintenance support system 1 may be realized by dedicated hardware 200, and the other parts may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit realizes each function of the maintenance support system 1 by dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0055] To summarize the above explanation, possible configurations of the technology according to the present disclosure include the configurations listed below as appendices. (Appendix 1) A maintenance support device for an elevator that uses a messaging application that can refer to a history of messages exchanged among members in a topic in which at least one of a plurality of users is a member, a management unit that manages, while updating, the current location of each of a plurality of maintenance personnel, each of whom is included in the plurality of users and carries a portable maintenance terminal device on which the messaging application is installed; a support unit that, when an alert is issued from an elevator, selects at least one of the plurality of maintenance personnel based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the location of each of the plurality of maintenance personnel managed by the management unit, and causes the selected maintenance personnel to participate as a member in a topic regarding how to respond to the alert; A maintenance support device comprising: (Appendix 2) the management unit manages expertise information of each of the plurality of users; When an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit selects at least one of the plurality of users based on at least one of attributes of the elevator or attributes of the alert and information on the expertise of each of the plurality of users, and presents the selected user in a topic about responding to the alert as a member who can participate in the topic. 2. The maintenance support device according to claim 1. (Appendix 3) the management unit manages expertise information of each of the plurality of users; when an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit selects at least one of the plurality of users based on at least one of attributes of the elevator or attributes of the alert and information on the expertise of each of the plurality of users, and causes the selected user to participate as a member in a topic regarding how to respond to the alert; 2. The maintenance support device according to claim 1. (Appendix 4) the support unit monitors the status of a response to the alert from the elevator, selects at least one of the plurality of users according to the status, and presents the selected user as an additional member who can participate in a topic about the response to the alert in the topic; 4. The maintenance support device according to claim 2 or 3. (Appendix 5) the support unit monitors the status of a response to the alert from the elevator, selects at least one of the plurality of users according to the status, and allows the selected user to additionally participate as a member in a topic about the response to the alert; 4. The maintenance support device according to claim 2 or 3. (Appendix 6) when an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit selects a predetermined number of maintenance personnel in order of shortest distance from the elevator's location based on the distance between the elevator's location and each of the locations of the plurality of maintenance personnel managed by the management unit; 6. A maintenance support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. (Appendix 7) when an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit selects all maintenance personnel who are located within a preset distance from the location of the elevator, based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the locations of the plurality of maintenance personnel managed by the management unit. 6. A maintenance support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. (Appendix 8) An elevator maintenance support system that uses a messaging application that can refer to a history of messages exchanged between members in a topic in which at least one of a plurality of users is a member, a portable maintenance terminal device on which the messaging application is installed; a management unit that manages, while updating, the current locations of a plurality of maintenance personnel each of whom is included in the plurality of users and who each carries the maintenance terminal device; a support unit that, when an alert is issued from an elevator, selects at least one of the plurality of maintenance personnel based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the location of each of the plurality of maintenance personnel managed by the management unit, and causes the selected maintenance personnel to participate as a member in a topic regarding how to respond to the alert; A maintenance support system equipped with: (Appendix 9) A method for supporting maintenance of an elevator using a messaging application that allows reference to a history of messages exchanged among members in a topic in which at least one of a plurality of users is a member, The computer managing, while updating the current location of each of a plurality of maintenance personnel, each of whom is included in the plurality of users and carries a portable maintenance terminal device on which the messaging application is installed; When an alert is issued from an elevator, selecting at least one of the plurality of maintenance personnel based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the location of each of the plurality of maintenance personnel who are managing the elevator; having the selected maintenance personnel participate as members in a topic regarding a response to the alert; A maintenance support method for performing the above. (Appendix 10) A maintenance support program for an elevator that uses a messaging application that can refer to a history of messages exchanged among members in a topic in which at least one of a plurality of users is a member, On the computer, managing, while updating the current location of each of a plurality of maintenance personnel, each of whom is included in the plurality of users and carries a portable maintenance terminal device on which the messaging application is installed; When an alert is issued from an elevator, selecting at least one of the plurality of maintenance personnel based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the location of each of the plurality of maintenance personnel who are managing the elevator; having the selected maintenance personnel participate as members in a topic regarding a response to the alert; A maintenance support program that executes the following: [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Maintenance support system, 2 Elevator, 3 Hoist, 4 Main rope, 5 Cage, 6 Counterweight, 7 Control panel, 8 Remote monitoring device, 9 Communication network, 10 Maintenance terminal device, 11 Application server, 12 Monitoring terminal device, 13 Maintenance support device, 14 Communication unit, 15 Management unit, 16 Support unit, 17 User DB, 18 Elevator DB, 100a Processor, 100b Memory, 200 Dedicated hardware

Claims

1. A maintenance support device for an elevator that uses a messaging application that can refer to a history of messages exchanged among members in a topic in which at least one of a plurality of users is a member, a management unit that manages, while updating, the current location of each of a plurality of maintenance personnel, each of whom is included in the plurality of users and carries a portable maintenance terminal device on which the messaging application is installed; a support unit that, when an alert is issued from an elevator, selects at least one of the plurality of maintenance personnel based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the location of each of the plurality of maintenance personnel managed by the management unit, and causes the selected maintenance personnel to participate as a member in a topic regarding how to respond to the alert; A maintenance support device comprising:

2. the management unit manages expertise information of each of the plurality of users; When an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit selects at least one of the plurality of users based on at least one of attributes of the elevator or attributes of the alert and information on the expertise of each of the plurality of users, and presents the selected user in a topic about responding to the alert as a member who can participate in the topic. The maintenance support device according to claim 1 .

3. the management unit manages expertise information of each of the plurality of users; when an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit selects at least one of the plurality of users based on at least one of attributes of the elevator or attributes of the alert and information on the expertise of each of the plurality of users, and causes the selected user to participate as a member in a topic regarding how to respond to the alert; The maintenance support device according to claim 1 .

4. the support unit monitors the status of a response to the alert from the elevator, selects at least one of the plurality of users according to the status, and presents the selected user as an additional member who can participate in a topic about the response to the alert in the topic; The maintenance support device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. the support unit monitors the status of a response to the alert from the elevator, selects at least one of the plurality of users according to the status, and allows the selected user to additionally participate as a member in a topic about the response to the alert; The maintenance support device according to claim 2 or 3.

6. when an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit selects a predetermined number of maintenance personnel in order of shortest distance from the location where the elevator is installed, based on the distance between the location where the elevator is installed and the locations of the plurality of maintenance personnel managed by the management unit; The maintenance support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. when an alert is issued from an elevator, the support unit selects all maintenance personnel who are located within a preset distance from the location of the elevator, based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the locations of the plurality of maintenance personnel managed by the management unit. The maintenance support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. An elevator maintenance support system that uses a messaging application that can refer to a history of messages exchanged between members in a topic in which at least one of a plurality of users is a member, a portable maintenance terminal device on which the messaging application is installed; a management unit that manages, while updating, the current locations of a plurality of maintenance personnel each of whom is included in the plurality of users and who each carries the maintenance terminal device; a support unit that, when an alert is issued from an elevator, selects at least one of the plurality of maintenance personnel based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the location of each of the plurality of maintenance personnel managed by the management unit, and causes the selected maintenance personnel to participate as a member in a topic regarding how to respond to the alert; A maintenance support system equipped with:

9. A method for supporting maintenance of an elevator using a messaging application that allows reference to a history of messages exchanged among members in a topic in which at least one of a plurality of users is a member, The computer managing, while updating the current location of each of a plurality of maintenance personnel, each of whom is included in the plurality of users and carries a portable maintenance terminal device on which the messaging application is installed; When an alert is issued from an elevator, selecting at least one of the plurality of maintenance personnel based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the location of each of the plurality of maintenance personnel who are managing the elevator; having the selected maintenance personnel participate as members in a topic regarding a response to the alert; A maintenance support method for performing the above.

10. A maintenance support program for an elevator that uses a messaging application that can refer to a history of messages exchanged among members in a topic in which at least one of a plurality of users is a member, On the computer, managing, while updating the current location of each of a plurality of maintenance personnel, each of whom is included in the plurality of users and carries a portable maintenance terminal device on which the messaging application is installed; When an alert is issued from an elevator, selecting at least one of the plurality of maintenance personnel based on the distance between the location of the elevator and the location of each of the plurality of maintenance personnel who are managing the elevator; having the selected maintenance personnel participate as members in a topic regarding a response to the alert; A maintenance support program that executes the following:

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