Elevator system and elevator system maintenance method

Abstract

To provide an elevator system and an elevator system maintenance method that can restore EPROM data when an abnormality occurs in the EPROM data of an elevator control device.SOLUTION: An elevator system 1 comprises an elevator control device 3 that controls elevator operation, and a monitoring device 4 that communicates with the elevator control device 3 and monitors the elevator operation status. The elevator control device 3 includes an EPROM 33 that stores elevator control programs and data. The monitoring device 4 includes communication means 44 that communicates with a cloud 7 via a network 5, inspection means 42 that compares the data stored in the EPROM 33 with backup data 71 of the EPROM 33 saved in the cloud 7 and inspects whether or not there is an abnormality in the data in the EPROM 33, and data recovery means 43 that recovers the data in the EPROM 33 when the inspection means 42 detects an abnormality in the data in the EPROM 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Elevator operation is controlled by an elevator control device. The elevator control device is composed of a computer and has an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) that stores the programs and data that control elevator operation. The elevator control device is connected to a monitoring device outside the elevator. The monitoring device sends information about the elevator's operating status and whether there are any abnormalities to a control center, and then sends control commands and information from the control center to the elevator control device, which controls the elevator's operation.

[0003] The data retention life of the EPROM installed in an elevator control device is approximately 10 years, which will expire within the useful life of the elevator. Furthermore, the data in the EPROM may be overwritten due to factors in the operating environment, such as power supply noise or static electricity. If the EPROM data is overwritten, the elevator control device will no longer function properly, causing the elevator to stop. In this invention, a state in which the EPROM data differs from the initial data due to the EPROM's data retention life or the operating environment is referred to as an EPROM data abnormality.

[0004] When an EPROM data error occurs, it takes several days to prepare a replacement EPROM, and considering that a worker must go to the site to replace the EPROM, the elevator will be stopped for a long time. To avoid long elevator downtime, the EPROM is replaced before the data retention life of the EPROM expires.

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes a maintenance method for an elevator control device, in which elevator control software is transmitted from a management computer having built-in elevator control software to a microcomputer of the elevator control device via a public line, and the transmitted elevator control software is updated and stored in memory in the elevator control device, and its soundness is inspected before being used to control the operation of the elevator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-020052 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The maintenance method for elevator control devices described in Patent Document 1 involves installing modified software when there are changes to the elevator control software or specifications, but does not take into account the data retention life of the EPROM in the elevator control device, and does not determine data abnormalities in the EPROM in the elevator control device.

[0008] When a data abnormality occurs in the EPROM of an elevator control device, it is necessary to quickly restore the EPROM data.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an elevator system and an elevator system maintenance method that are capable of restoring EPROM data when an abnormality occurs in the EPROM data of an elevator control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The elevator system of the present invention is an elevator system comprising an elevator control device that controls the operation of the elevator, and a monitoring device that communicates with the elevator control device and monitors the operating status of the elevator, wherein the elevator control device comprises an EPROM that stores elevator control programs and data, and the monitoring device comprises a communication means for communicating with the cloud via a network, a data inspection means that compares the data stored in the EPROM with the EPROM backup data saved in the cloud and checks for any data abnormalities in the EPROM, and a data recovery means that recovers the data in the EPROM if the data inspection means detects a data abnormality in the EPROM.

[0011] According to the above configuration, by providing the data recovery means, the elevator system can be quickly restored.

[0012] Here, it is preferable that the data inspection means compares data in a portion of the data stored in the EPROM with data corresponding to said portion in the backup data, and changes the area to be inspected each time an inspection is performed to check for data abnormalities in the EPROM.

[0013] According to the above configuration, it is possible to inspect the entire data area by inspecting the data multiple times without requiring a long time for one inspection of the data.

[0014] Here, it is preferable that the data inspection means calculates a first inspection value, which is a checksum of the data in the area of ​​the EPROM to be inspected, and a second inspection value, which is a checksum of the data corresponding to the area of ​​the backup data to be inspected, and determines that there is an abnormality in the EPROM data when the first inspection value and the second inspection value are different.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the time required for data inspection can be reduced by comparing checksums.

[0016] In the elevator system, the data recovery means is preferably configured to retrieve backup data stored in the cloud via the communication means and write the retrieved backup data to the EPROM, thereby recovering the data in the EPROM.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the data in the EPROM can be restored without preparing a replacement EPROM.

[0018] In addition, the elevator control device has a backup EPROM that stores the same data as the backup data saved in the cloud, and the data recovery means has an EPROM socket connected to the elevator control device and a changeover switch configured to be able to connect either the EPROM or the backup EPROM to the EPROM socket, and when the data inspection means detects a data abnormality in the EPROM, the changeover switch switches the EPROM connected to the EPROM socket to the backup EPROM.

[0019] According to the above configuration, since a backup EPROM is provided, if there is a data abnormality in the EPROM, there is no need to prepare a replacement EPROM, and the EPROM can be restored in a short time.

[0020] The elevator system maintenance method of the present invention is a maintenance method for an elevator system comprising an elevator control device that controls elevator operation, and a monitoring device that communicates with the elevator control device, monitors the elevator operation status, and is capable of communicating with the cloud via a network, wherein the elevator control device has an EPROM that stores elevator control programs and data, and is characterized by having the steps of: acquiring data stored in the EPROM; acquiring EPROM backup data stored in the cloud; comparing the acquired EPROM data with the EPROM backup data and checking for any abnormalities in the EPROM data; and restoring the EPROM data if an abnormality in the EPROM data is detected.

[0021] According to the above configuration, even if an abnormality occurs in the EPROM data, the elevator system can be quickly restored. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the elevator system and the elevator system maintenance method of the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in the EPROM data of the elevator control device, it is possible to restore the EPROM data. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator control device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a configuration diagram of a monitoring device according to the present invention; [Figure 4A] 10 is a flowchart of a data inspection process according to the present invention. [Figure 4B] 10 is a flowchart of a data recovery process according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a data inspection means and a data recovery means in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing the data structure of the EPROM and backup data of the present invention, where FIG. 6A shows the data structure of the EPROM and FIG. 6B shows the data structure of the backup data. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a data inspection means and a data recovery means in a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, specific shapes, directions, numerical values, etc. are examples for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and can be appropriately changed according to the application, purpose, specifications, etc. Furthermore, it is originally anticipated that the components of the embodiments and modified examples described below can be selectively combined.

[0025] First Embodiment An elevator system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of the elevator system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0026] The elevator system 1 comprises an elevator control device 3 and a monitoring device 4 installed in a building 2. The elevator control device 3 is connected to a car control device 8. The car control device 8 receives an operation control signal from the elevator control device 3 and controls the operation of a car 9. The monitoring device 4 monitors the car control device 8, car 9, etc. via the elevator control device 3 and collects operation information. The monitoring device 4 communicates the operation information via a network 5 to a management center 6 located outside the building 2. The monitoring device 4 is further connected to a cloud 7 via the network 5. The cloud 7 stores the initial data of the EPROM (see FIG. 2) provided in the elevator control device 3 as backup data 71.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the elevator control device 3 provided in the elevator system 1. The elevator control device 3 is composed of a computer. The elevator control device 3 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, RAM (Random access memory) 32, EPROM 33, backup EPROM 34, communication interface 35, input / output circuit 36, peripheral circuit 37, etc., and each part exchanges data via a bus 38. The functions of the elevator control device 3 are realized by the programs and data stored in EPROM 33. If the data in EPROM 33 is rewritten, the programs will no longer operate normally, and the elevator system 1 will stop. Note that the backup EPROM 34 is not a required component and is normally disconnected from the elevator control device 3.

[0028] 3 is a configuration diagram of the monitoring device 4 provided in the elevator system 1. The monitoring device 4 has an elevator monitoring unit 41 that monitors elevator operation, a data inspection unit 42 that inspects data in the EPROM 33 provided in the elevator control device 3, a data recovery unit 43 that recovers data from the EPROM 33, and a communication interface 44 that is connected to the elevator control device 3 and the network 5. The monitoring device 4 is made up of a computer and includes memories such as a CPU, RAM, and ROM (not shown). The CPU loads programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes them to realize the various functions of the monitoring device 4.

[0029] The monitoring device 4 collects elevator operation information such as the car control unit 8 and car 9 from the elevator control device 3 via the communication interface 44 using the elevator monitoring unit 41, and communicates the collected elevator operation information to the management center 6 via the network 5.

[0030] The monitoring device 4 inspects the data in the EPROM 33, and if it detects a data abnormality in the EPROM 33, it performs data recovery in the EPROM 33. The operation of inspecting the data in the EPROM 33 and recovering the data in the EPROM 33 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figures 4A and 4B. Figure 4A is a flowchart of the data inspection process, and Figure 4B is a flowchart of the data recovery process.

[0031] The data inspection unit 42 operates as a data inspection means for inspecting whether the data stored in the EPROM 33 matches the data stored in the EPROM backup data 71 stored in the cloud 7. The data inspection unit 42 acquires the data from the EPROM 33 via the communication interface 44 (S1). The data inspection unit 42 acquires the data from the cloud 7 via the communication interface 44 and the network 5 (S2). The data inspection unit 42 compares the acquired data and determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the data from the EPROM 33 (S3). If no abnormality in the data from the EPROM 33 is detected (S3: No), the data inspection unit 42 ends the data inspection.

[0032] When the data inspection unit 42 detects a data abnormality in the EPROM 33 (S3: Yes), the data recovery unit 43 operates as a data recovery means for recovering the data in the EPROM 33 (S4). The data recovery unit 43 acquires the backup data 71 in the cloud 7 via the communication interface 44 and the network 5 (S41). The data recovery unit 43 writes the acquired data to the EPROM 33 via the communication interface 44 (S42). As a result, the data in the EPROM 33 is recovered.

[0033] The monitoring device 4 periodically checks the data in the EPROM 33 and is configured to complete the check of all data areas within a certain period of time. The monitoring device 4 has the function of monitoring the operation status of the elevator and transmitting the operation status of each part of the elevator to the control center 6, so the monitoring device 4 may be configured to check the data in the EPROM 33 in accordance with the timing of monitoring the elevator operation status.

[0034] <eprom> The EPROM 33 in the present invention stores various data necessary for elevator operation control and programs and data for executing functions required for operation services. While EPROMs generally include UV-EPROM (Ultra-Violet Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory, also referred to as E2PROM), EEPROM is preferred as the EPROM 33 in the present invention. With UV-EPROM, erasing data requires exposure to ultraviolet light for a certain period of time, and rewriting data takes time. On the other hand, EEPROM allows data to be electrically erased and rewritten, enabling data recovery in a short period of time.

[0035] <Cloud> The cloud 7 in the present invention refers to a cloud server constructed on the Internet. In the cloud 7, the initial data of the EPROM 33 is stored as backup data 71. In the first embodiment, data recovery of the EPROM 33 is performed by downloading the backup data 71 from the cloud 7 via the monitoring device 4 and writing it to the EPROM 33. Note that the cloud is a well-known technology, and therefore a description of the configuration of the cloud 7 and a method for saving the backup data 71 in the cloud 7 will be omitted.

[0036] The elevator system 1 of the present invention includes an elevator control device 3 that controls elevator operation, and a monitoring device 4 that communicates with the elevator control device 3 and monitors the elevator operation status. The elevator control device 3 includes an EPROM 33 that stores elevator control programs and data. The monitoring device 4 includes communication means (communication interface 44) that communicates with a cloud 7 via a network 5, data inspection means (data inspection unit 42) that compares the data stored in the EPROM 33 with backup data 71 of the EPROM 33 saved in the cloud 7 and inspects whether or not there is an abnormality in the data in the EPROM 33, and data recovery means (data recovery unit 43) that recovers the data in the EPROM 33 when the data inspection means detects an abnormality in the data in the EPROM 33.

[0037] According to the above configuration, the data inspection means can detect data abnormalities in the EPROM 13, and by providing the data recovery means, when a data abnormality in the EPROM 13 is detected, the elevator system can be quickly restored.

[0038] Next, the data inspection and data recovery operations of the EPROM 13 of the first embodiment will be further described with reference to FIGS.

[0039] 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data inspection means and data recovery means in the first embodiment. The monitoring device 4 is connected to a ROM writer 46. The ROM writer 46 is connected to an IC clip 45, and the IC clip 45 is connected to each terminal of the EPROM 33. The monitoring device 4 is connected to each terminal of the EPROM 33 via the ROM writer 46 and the IC clip 45 so as to be able to read and write data. The monitoring device 4 operates as the data inspection means and data recovery means of the EPROM 33 in cooperation with the ROM writer 46.

[0040] The data inspection unit 42 operates as a data inspection means together with the ROM writer 46. The data inspection unit 42 acquires data from the EPROM 33 via the ROM writer 46, and acquires data from the backup data 71 in the cloud 7 via the network 5. The data inspection unit 42 inspects whether the acquired data from the EPROM 33 matches the data from the backup data 71, and detects whether there is an abnormality in the data from the EPROM 33.

[0041] The data recovery unit 43 operates as a data recovery means together with the ROM writer 46. When the data inspection unit 42 detects a data abnormality in the EPROM 33, the data recovery unit 43 retrieves the backup data 71 from the cloud 7 via the network 5 and writes the retrieved backup data 71 to the EPROM 33 via the ROM writer 46, thereby recovering the data.

[0042] Next, FIG. 6 shows the data structures of EPROM 33 and backup data 71. FIG. 6(A) shows the structure of data 131 of EPROM 33, and FIG. 6(B) shows the structure of data 711 of backup data 71. Data 131 of EPROM 33 and data 711 of backup data 71 have the same structure. Each of data 131 and 711 is divided into data areas D1 to D16. Each of data areas D1 to D16 corresponds to a data area acquired and compared in one data inspection. If the data stored in data areas D1 to D16 of data 131 differs from the data stored in the data area of ​​the same number in data 711, a data abnormality has occurred in EPROM 33. FIG. 6 shows a case where the data in data area D3 of data 131, shown in gray, differs from the data in data area D3 of data 711.

[0043] The data inspection unit 42 acquires data from one of the data areas D1 to D16 of the data 131 as data to be inspected, and then acquires and compares the data from the data 711 corresponding to the acquired data. The data inspection unit 42 changes the data area to be acquired each time a data inspection is performed. By changing the data area to be inspected, the data inspection unit 42 can inspect all data without requiring a long time for one data inspection. In the case of the data structure shown in FIG. 6, the data inspection unit 42 can inspect all data in the data 131 by sequentially comparing the data in the data areas D1 to D16 and inspecting them 16 times, which is the number of data areas.

[0044] The data inspection unit 42 detects a data abnormality in the data area D3 of the EPROM 33 by comparing the data area D3 of the data 131 with the data area D3 of the data 711. When the data inspection unit 42 detects a data abnormality, the data recovery unit 43 obtains the data in the data area D3 of the data 711, writes the obtained data to the data area D3 of the data 131, and recovers the data in the EPROM 33.

[0045] The details of the data inspection by the data inspection unit 42 are not particularly limited, but it is possible to sequentially compare the data obtained from the EPROM 33 and the backup data 71 on a byte-by-byte basis. If it takes a long time to inspect the entire data area on a byte-by-byte basis, the checksums of the data in the data area to be inspected may be compared. For example, the data inspection unit 42 may calculate a first inspection value, which is the checksum of the data in the inspection area of ​​the EPROM 33, and a second inspection value, which is the checksum of the data corresponding to the inspection area in the backup data 71, compare the first inspection value with the second inspection value, and if the two values ​​differ, determine that the data in the EPROM 33 is abnormal. Calculating and comparing checksums for data inspection can shorten the time required for data inspection. Note that the data inspection method is not limited to these methods, and various data error detection techniques can be applied.

[0046] In the data recovery method described above, inspection is performed on each partial data area, and if a data abnormality is detected, the inspected data area is restored. In this case, it is unknown whether or not there is a data abnormality in the areas that have not been inspected. Therefore, if a partial data abnormality is detected, all data, including the uninspected areas, may be rewritten.

[0047] In the elevator system 1, it may be necessary to replace the EPROM 33 due to changes in elevator control, addition of functions, etc. In this case, it is possible to rewrite the EPROM 33 by preparing rewrite data in the cloud 7 and applying the data recovery method of this embodiment.

[0048] Restoring data from the EPROM 33 in the present invention involves not only recovering the data by acquiring the backup data 71 from the cloud 7 and writing it to the EPROM 33, but also switching the EPROM 33 to the backup EPROM 34. Next, a second embodiment will be described in detail.

[0049] Second Embodiment Next, an elevator system 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data inspection means and data recovery means in the second embodiment. The data inspection means in this embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment shown in Fig. 5, and the same reference numerals are used and detailed description will be omitted.

[0050] In the elevator system 1 of the second embodiment, the elevator control device 3 has a backup EPROM 34 that stores the same data as the backup data 71 saved in the cloud 7. The data recovery means has an EPROM socket 47 connected to the elevator control device 3 and a changeover switch 48 configured to connect either the EPROM 33 or the backup EPROM 34 to the EPROM socket 47. In the initial state, the changeover switch 48 is in a state where the EPROM 33 is connected to the EPROM socket 47. When the data inspection means detects a data abnormality in the EPROM 33, the data recovery means performs data recovery by switching the EPROM 33 connected to the EPROM socket 47 to the backup EPROM 34 using the changeover switch 48.

[0051] In this embodiment, the changeover switch 48 is configured to switch the EPROM 33 connected to the EPROM socket 47 to the backup EPROM 34 upon receiving a signal from the monitoring device 4. When the data inspection unit 42 detects a data abnormality in the EPROM 33, the data recovery unit 43 operates the changeover switch 48 to switch the EPROM 33 connected to the EPROM socket 47 to the backup EPROM 34. In this case, the monitoring device 4 issues a command to stop elevator operation to the elevator control device 3, thereby halting elevator operation. Once the changeover to the backup EPROM 34 is complete, the monitoring device 4 issues a command to resume elevator operation to the elevator control device 3. Note that the backup EPROM 34 may be configured so that each terminal is connected to an IC clip 45A and is connected to the ROM writer 46 via the IC clip 45A so as to be readable and writable. Data identical to the backup data 71 stored in the cloud 7 can be written to the backup EPROM 34 without having to prepare a backup EPROM 34 with data written to it in advance.

[0052] According to the second embodiment, a signal is sent from the monitoring device 4 and the changeover switch 48 switches the EPROM 33 connected to the EPROM socket 47 to the backup EPROM 34. Therefore, if there is a data abnormality in the EPROM 33, there is no need for a worker to go to the site to replace the EPROM 33, and the EPROM can be restored in a short time.

[0053] The EPROM switching configuration described above in the second embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The changeover switch 48 may be configured to be manually operable.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the monitoring device 4 has been described as a device separate from the elevator control device 3, but the monitoring device 4 may be incorporated into the elevator control device 3. For example, a computer in the elevator control device 3 may have the functions of the monitoring device 4. Alternatively, a computer in the management center 6 may have the functions of the monitoring device 4, and the computer in the management center 6 and the elevator control device 3 may be configured to communicate with each other via a network 5.

[0055] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its modifications, and various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 elevator system, 2 building, 3 elevator control device, 4 monitoring device, 5 network, 6 management center, 7 cloud, 8 car control unit, 9 car, 31 CPU, 32 RAM, 33 EPROM, 34 backup EPROM, 35 communication interface, 36 input / output circuit, 37 peripheral circuit, 38 bus, 41 elevator monitoring unit, 42 data inspection unit, 43 data recovery unit, 44 communication interface, 45, 45A IC clip, 46 ROM writer, 47 EPROM socket, 48 changeover switch, 71 backup data< / eprom>

Claims

1. an elevator control device that controls the operation of the elevator; a monitoring device that communicates with the elevator control device and monitors the operation status of the elevator; An elevator system comprising: the elevator control device includes an EPROM storing elevator control programs and data; The monitoring device a communication means for communicating with the cloud via a network; a data inspection means for comparing the data stored in the EPROM with the backup data of the EPROM stored in the cloud to inspect whether or not there is an abnormality in the data of the EPROM; data recovery means for recovering the data in the EPROM when the data inspection means detects an abnormality in the data in the EPROM; An elevator system having:

2. the data inspection means compares data in a partial area of ​​the data stored in the EPROM with data corresponding to the partial area in the backup data, and changes the partial area each time an inspection is performed to check for data abnormalities in the EPROM; 10. The elevator system of claim 1.

3. The data inspection means Furthermore, a first inspection value which is a checksum of the data in the area of ​​the EPROM and a second inspection value which is a checksum of the data corresponding to the area in the backup data are calculated, and when the first inspection value and the second inspection value are different, it is determined that the data in the EPROM is abnormal.

3. The elevator system of claim 2.

4. The data recovery means The backup data stored in the cloud is acquired via the communication means, and the acquired backup data is written to the EPROM, thereby restoring the data in the EPROM. An elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The elevator control device has a backup EPROM that stores the same data as the backup data stored in the cloud, The data recovery means an EPROM socket connected to the elevator controller; a selector switch configured to connect either the EPROM or the backup EPROM to the EPROM socket; When the data checking means detects a data abnormality in the EPROM, the changeover switch switches the EPROM connected to the EPROM socket to the backup EPROM. An elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. A maintenance method for an elevator system comprising an elevator control device that controls elevator operation, and a monitoring device that communicates with the elevator control device, monitors the elevator operation status, and is capable of communicating with a cloud via a network, wherein the elevator control device comprises an EPROM that stores elevator control programs and data, obtaining data stored in the EPROM; acquiring backup data of the EPROM stored in the cloud; a step of comparing the acquired EPROM data with the backup data of the EPROM and inspecting whether or not there is an abnormality in the EPROM data; a step of recovering the data in the EPROM when an abnormality in the data in the EPROM is detected; A maintenance method for an elevator system having:

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