Elevator and destination floor registration device for the same

Abstract

To provide an elevator which enables inputting of a destination floor in a short time, and a destination floor registration device for the same.SOLUTION: The elevator and the destination floor registration device for the same comprise an input unit that accepts input of a destination floor. When an input from the input unit reaches a prescribed digit number and the input is a prescribed pattern corresponding to the destination floor, the input is registered or output as the destination floor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator and an elevator destination floor registration device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, elevators equipped with a destination floor registration device that allows users to input a destination floor have been known (see Patent Document 1). In this elevator, when a user inputs (registers) a destination floor, for example, the 12th floor, into the destination floor registration device, after the first number (1) has been input, there is a waiting time before the second number (2) can be input. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 098620 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above elevator, even when entering (registering), for example, the third floor as a destination floor into the destination floor registration device, after the first digit (3) is entered, a predetermined waiting time for the second digit occurs, and the registration of the destination floor is delayed by this predetermined waiting time, thereby reducing the comfort of the user.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an elevator and an elevator destination floor registration device that allow the input of a destination floor in a short time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The elevator of the present invention comprises: An input unit for inputting the destination floor is provided, When the input from the input unit reaches a predetermined number of digits and the input is in a predetermined pattern corresponding to a destination floor, the input is registered as a destination floor.

[0007] According to this configuration, by inputting a specified number of digits from the input unit so as to form a predetermined pattern, the destination floor can be input without waiting for input, i.e., the destination floor can be input in a short time.

[0008] In the elevator, The number of digits specified is two or more, The predetermined pattern may be such that, when a destination floor with a number of digits smaller than the specified number of digits is registered, 0 is entered in the digits larger than the alphanumeric characters that correspond to the destination floor number in the specified number of digits, so that the alphanumeric characters that correspond to the destination floor number are entered in the specified number of digits in the end-justified manner.

[0009] According to this configuration, even when entering a destination floor with fewer digits than the specified number of digits, the destination floor can be entered without waiting for input by entering 0 in the digits larger than the floor number to be entered (the digits that are entered earlier in the input order).

[0010] In addition, in the elevator, The number of digits specified is two or more, The destination floor corresponding to the predetermined pattern may be a single digit alphanumeric character when the same single digit alphanumeric character is entered for all digits.

[0011] According to this configuration, when the specified number of digits is two or more and a destination floor is a single digit, the destination floor can be input without waiting for input by inputting the same alphanumeric character for the specified number of digits.

[0012] Further, the elevator destination floor registration device of the present invention is An input unit for inputting the destination floor is provided, When the input from the input unit reaches a specified number of digits and the input is in a predetermined pattern corresponding to a destination floor, information about the input destination floor is output.

[0013] According to this configuration, by inputting a specified number of digits from the input unit so as to form a predetermined pattern, it is possible to input the destination floor without waiting for input, i.e., it is possible to input the destination floor in a short time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an elevator and an elevator destination floor registration device that allow the input of a destination floor in a short time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an elevator according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of the registration device control unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the display on the touch panel when an input corresponding to a predetermined pattern is made to the destination floor input unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a display on the touch panel when an input that does not correspond to a predetermined pattern is made to the destination floor input unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the registration device control unit according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, the elevator 1 of this embodiment includes a destination floor registration device 2 for the elevator 1 and an elevator control unit 3 that controls the operation of a car 5 of the elevator 1. In this elevator 1, a user performs a predetermined input operation (input) to the destination floor registration device 2 installed at the landing or the destination floor registration device 2 installed in the car 5, thereby registering the destination floor of the car 5. The elevator 1 of this embodiment includes multiple cars 5 (for example, car A, car B, and car C), and each car 5 can ascend and descend between the first and twentieth floors of a building, for example, and can stop at each floor (landing at each floor). Note that the elevator 1 may be configured to include only one car 5.

[0018] The elevator control unit 3 allocates cars 5 to hall calls and the like, and controls the ascent and descent (operation) of each car 5. When the elevator control unit 3 of this embodiment receives a destination floor signal (information about the input destination floor) from a destination floor registration device 2 installed at the hall, for example, it determines whether the content of the destination floor signal is appropriate (whether the car 5 can stop at the floor), and if appropriate, registers the destination floor.

[0019] In addition, when the elevator control unit 3 registers this destination floor, it assigns a car 5 to the call and controls the raising and lowering of the car 5 of the car number (for example, car number A) assigned to the landing where the destination floor registration device 2 that output the destination floor signal is installed.

[0020] In addition, the elevator control unit 3 transmits information about the assigned car 5 (car number A, B, C) along with the contents of the destination floor signal (the number corresponding to the destination floor) to the destination floor registration device 2 to which the destination floor signal has been output.

[0021] On the other hand, if the contents of the received destination floor signal are inappropriate, the elevator control unit 3 does not register the destination floor or assign the car 5, but instead sends information to the destination floor registration device 2 that output the destination floor signal, along with the contents of the destination floor signal, that the input contents are inappropriate (such as a prohibition mark or a display indicating that input is not possible).

[0022] Furthermore, if the destination floor registration device 2 that output the destination floor signal is installed in a car 5, when the elevator control unit 3 receives the destination floor signal, it does not assign a car 5, but instead determines whether the content of the received destination floor signal is appropriate, registers the destination floor, and controls the lifting and lowering of the car 5 in which the destination floor registration device 2 that output the destination floor signal is installed.

[0023] The destination floor registration device 2 is a device for inputting a destination floor by a user's input operation (for making a hall call or a car call), and is installed at the hall and car 5 of each floor. That is, the elevator 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a plurality of destination floor registration devices 2. When a destination floor is input by a user's input operation, this destination floor registration device 2 transmits (outputs) information about the input destination floor (destination floor signal) to the elevator control unit 3.

[0024] 3, the destination floor registration device 2 has a destination floor input unit (input unit) 21, a notification unit 22 that notifies the user of information, and a registration device control unit 23. The destination floor registration device 2 of this embodiment has a touch panel P, which serves as both the destination floor input unit 21 and the notification unit 22.

[0025] The destination floor input unit 21 is a portion of the touch panel P where a numeric keypad is displayed. This numeric keypad is made up of, for example, keys "0" to "9," "-," and "☆," and the user can input the numbers corresponding to each key by pressing (touching) each key. If the building has a basement floor or a rooftop floor, the "B" key indicating the basement floor and the "R" key indicating the rooftop floor may be placed instead of the "-" key and the "☆" key.

[0026] The notification unit 22 displays the content (input content) input by an input operation to the destination floor input unit 21, information about the input destination floor (destination floor information), etc. The notification unit 22 also displays car number information indicating the car (assigned car numbers A, B, C) assigned when the destination floor is registered (see (c) of FIG. 3).

[0027] When the input from the destination floor input unit 21 reaches a specified number of digits and the input is in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the destination floor, the registration device control unit 23 transmits a destination floor signal (information about the input destination floor) to the elevator control unit 3. The registration device control unit 23 of this embodiment also outputs a destination floor signal to the elevator control unit 3 when the input from the destination floor input unit 21 does not match the predetermined pattern. The specific operation of this registration device control unit 23 will be described below with reference to Figs. 2 to 4.

[0028] When the registration device control unit 23 detects an input of a destination floor by an input operation to the destination floor input unit 21 (step S1), it determines whether the input has reached a specified number of digits (two digits in the example of this embodiment) (step S2). At this time, the registration device control unit 23 causes the notification unit 22 to display the input content for each input to the destination floor input unit 21 (see Figures 3(a) and 3(b)).

[0029] For example, when "03" is input as the destination floor from the destination floor input unit 21, in other words, when the input reaches the specified number of digits by inputting "0" and "3" in sequence (step S2: Yes), the registration device control unit 23 determines whether the input matches a predetermined pattern (step S3).

[0030] Here, the predetermined pattern is, for example, when the destination floor is a single-digit floor (a number of digits smaller than the default number of digits) such as the 3rd or 8th floor, a number corresponding to the destination floor number is entered by adding 0 to the digits larger than the last digit (for example, "03" or "08") within the default number of digits. That is, when the default number of digits is two, the predetermined pattern is as described above. However, when the default number of digits is three, for example, the predetermined pattern becomes "003" or "008" when a single-digit floor is entered as the destination floor, and becomes "012" or "018" when a two-digit floor is entered as the destination floor. Note that the predetermined pattern does not include numbers corresponding to floors where the car 5 cannot stop (for example, floors where stopping is prohibited by settings, etc.). In addition, if the building has a basement floor and a rooftop floor, the specified number of digits is two, and, for example, the rooftop floor is entered as the destination floor, the specified pattern is "0R." If the specified number of digits is three, and, for example, the rooftop floor or the second basement floor is entered as the destination floor, the specified pattern is "00R" or "0B2."

[0031] Furthermore, the predetermined pattern in this embodiment also includes cases where the same single digit is entered in all digits (for example, "33" or "88") when the destination floor is a single-digit floor (a number of digits smaller than the default number of digits) such as the 3rd or 8th floor. That is, if a user wants to register the 3rd floor as a destination floor, for example, they can enter "03," or they can enter "33" by repeatedly pressing "3" on the numeric keypad until the default number of digits is reached. Furthermore, if the building has a rooftop floor and the rooftop floor is to be entered as the destination floor, the predetermined pattern is "RR."

[0032] In this embodiment, the registration device control unit 23 is set to prioritize numbers (floor numbers) corresponding to actual floors, and the predetermined patterns do not include "11." That is, even if a user inputs "11" when wanting to register the first floor as the destination floor, the building in which the elevator 1 is installed has an 11th floor, so the destination floor signal output from the registration device control unit 23 is "11 (a signal corresponding to the 11th floor)."

[0033] Returning to the flow of Fig. 2, if the input from the destination floor input unit 21 matches a predetermined pattern (step S3: Yes), the registration device control unit 23 outputs (transmits) a destination floor signal with the floor corresponding to the predetermined pattern as the destination floor (step S4). Note that when the input is "03" or "08", the registration device control unit 23 processes these numbers ("03" or "08") and outputs "3" or "8" as the destination floor signal.

[0034] At this time, the elevator control unit 3 that has received the destination floor signal registers the destination floor and assigns a car 5 as described above, and transmits the content of the destination floor signal (the number corresponding to the destination floor) as well as information about the assigned car 5 (car number A, B, C) to the destination floor registration device 2 that output the destination floor signal. Then, upon receiving the content of this destination floor signal (for example, "3") and the information about the assigned car 5 (for example, car number A), the registration device control unit 23 displays these contents on the notification unit 22 (see (c) of FIG. 3).

[0035] On the other hand, if the input from the destination floor input unit 21 does not match the predetermined pattern, such as when an actual floor that is not included in a predetermined pattern such as "12" or "18" is input, or when input is made using the "☆" key on the numeric keypad (step S3: No), the registration device control unit 23 outputs a signal corresponding to the number input from the destination floor input unit 21 (for example, "12" or "18") or input made using the "☆" key as a destination floor signal (step S5). In this case, the notification unit 22 displays the input content as is, along with information about the assigned car 5.

[0036] Furthermore, even if the registration device control unit 23 detects an input for a destination floor by an input operation from the destination floor input unit 21 (step S1), if the input from the destination floor input unit 21 has not reached a specified number of digits (step S2: No), the registration device control unit 23 continues to wait for a new input from the destination floor input unit 21 (step S7: No) as long as a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) has not elapsed since the last input (step S6: No).If a new input is received from the destination floor input unit 21 before the specified time has elapsed since the last input (i.e., while waiting for input) (step S7: Yes) and the input has reached a specified number of digits (step S2: Yes), the registration device control unit 23 proceeds to step S3.

[0037] On the other hand, if there is no new input from the destination floor input unit 21 until a predetermined time has elapsed since the last input (step S6: Yes), the registration device control unit 23 proceeds to step S5. At this time, if only a single digit has been input, the registration device control unit 23 outputs a floor signal with that digit as the destination floor (step S5), and the elevator control unit 3 receiving this registers the floor corresponding to the floor signal as the destination floor, and also assigns a car 5 and controls the raising and lowering of the car 5.

[0038] The above elevator 1 is equipped with a destination floor input unit (input unit) 21 that inputs a destination floor, and when the input from the destination floor input unit 21 reaches a specified number of digits and the input is in a specified pattern corresponding to a destination floor, the input is registered as a destination floor. More specifically, the destination floor registration device 2 of the elevator 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a destination floor input unit (input unit) 21 that inputs a destination floor, and when the input from the destination floor input unit 21 reaches a specified number of digits and the input is in a specified pattern corresponding to a destination floor, it outputs a destination floor signal (information about the inputted destination floor).

[0039] In this way, by inputting a specified number of digits from the destination floor input unit 21 so as to form a predetermined pattern, the destination floor can be input without waiting for input, that is, the destination floor can be input in a short time.

[0040] Furthermore, in the elevator 1 of this embodiment, the specified number of digits input to the destination floor registration device 2 is two digits, and the specified pattern is such that when registering a destination floor with a number of digits smaller than the specified number of digits, 0s are input in digits larger than the alphanumeric characters that are rearranged so that the alphanumeric characters corresponding to the destination floor number are input rearranged in the specified number of digits. In this way, even when inputting a destination floor with a number of digits smaller than the specified number of digits, by inputting 0s in digits larger than the floor number to be input (the first digits in the input order), the destination floor can be input without waiting for input.

[0041] In addition, in the elevator 1 of this embodiment, the predetermined number of digits input to the destination floor registration device 2 is two digits, and the destination floor corresponding to the predetermined pattern is the one-digit alphanumeric character when the same one-digit alphanumeric character is input for all digits. In this way, when the predetermined number of digits is two or more and a one-digit destination floor is input, the destination floor can be input without input waiting time by inputting the same alphanumeric character for the predetermined number of digits.

[0042] The elevator and elevator destination floor registration device of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, or part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted.

[0043] In the elevator of the above embodiment, the input to the destination floor input unit (input unit) 21 is only numbers, but the input is not limited to this configuration. The input to the destination floor input unit 21 may be alphanumeric characters (English and numbers).

[0044] Furthermore, the predetermined pattern determined by the registration device control unit 23 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. If the destination floor has fewer digits than the specified number of digits, it may be composed of the destination floor number (number) and symbols other than numbers. For example, if the specified number of digits is three digits and the destination floor is a one-digit floor (e.g., the second floor), the predetermined pattern may be "--2," "2--," "-2-," "☆☆2," "2☆-," etc. Even in such cases, the destination floor can be entered without waiting for input by entering the specified number of digits.

[0045] Furthermore, if the predetermined pattern includes consecutive identical digits starting from the highest digit (the earliest digit in input order), the floor number corresponding to the pattern may be the floor number in which the consecutive digits are regarded as a single digit. For example, if the specified number of digits is three, when "118" is input, the consecutive identical digits starting from the highest digit, "11," are regarded as "1," and "18" is output as the destination floor signal, and when "442" is input, the consecutive identical digits, "44," are regarded as "4," and "42" is output as the destination floor signal.

[0046] Furthermore, in the elevator 1 of the above embodiment, the destination floor input unit (input unit) 21 is a numeric keypad on the touch panel P, but is not limited to this configuration. The destination floor input unit 21 may be a numeric keypad made up of physical keys (physical buttons). The destination floor input unit 21 may also be a numeric keypad made up of keys that can be input by bringing a finger or the like close to the keys within a predetermined distance (i.e., can be operated without contact). For example, specifically, sensors may be installed corresponding to 0 to 9, and the number corresponding to the blocked sensor may be input.

[0047] In addition, in the elevator 1 of the above embodiment, the destination floor registration device 2 is installed at each landing and each car 5, but this configuration is not limited to this. The destination floor registration device 2 may be installed only at the landing or only in the car 5.

[0048] Furthermore, in the elevator 1 of the above embodiment, the timing at which the count of the input waiting time in step S6 in the operation flow of the registration device control unit 23 starts is the timing at which the last input is made, but it may also be the timing at which the first input is made.

[0049] Furthermore, in the elevator 1 of the above embodiment, the elevator control unit 3 determines whether the input content from the destination floor input unit 21 (i.e., the floor number input from the destination floor input unit 21) can be registered as a destination floor, but this configuration is not limited to this. The registration device control unit 23 may be configured to determine whether the input content can be registered as a destination floor. In this case, the registration device control unit 23 operates, for example, as shown in the flow chart in FIG. 5. This will be described in detail below. In the following description using the flow chart, the predetermined pattern and the number of floors of the building in which the elevator 1 is installed are assumed to be the same as those in the above embodiment.

[0050] When the registration device control unit 23 detects an input about a destination floor by an input operation to the destination floor input unit 21 (step S11), it determines whether the input has reached a specified number of digits (two digits in the example of this embodiment) (step S12). At this time, the registration device control unit 23 causes the notification unit 22 to display the input content every time an input is made to the destination floor input unit 21, as in the above embodiment (see (a) and (b) of FIG. 3).

[0051] When the input from the destination floor input unit 21 reaches the specified number of digits (step S12: Yes), the registration device control unit 23 determines whether the input content (number of the specified number of digits) can be registered as a destination floor (in other words, whether it is a floor that does not exist in the building in which the elevator 1 is installed, or a floor where stopping of the car 5 is prohibited, etc.) (step S13).

[0052] If the inputted content can be registered as a destination floor (step S13: Yes), the registration device control unit 23 outputs (transmits) the inputted number as a destination floor signal to the elevator control unit 3 (step S14). As a result, the elevator control unit 3, which has received this destination floor signal, registers the floor number corresponding to the destination floor signal as a destination floor.

[0053] On the other hand, if the input content cannot be registered as a destination floor (step S13: No), the registration device control unit 23 determines whether the input content matches a predetermined pattern (step S15).

[0054] If the input content is, for example, "33," registration device control unit 23 determines that the input content matches a predetermined pattern (step S15: Yes), and outputs a floor number corresponding to this predetermined pattern (for example, "3") as a destination floor signal to elevator control unit 3 (step S16). As a result, elevator control unit 3, which has received the destination floor signal, registers the floor number corresponding to the destination floor signal ("3" in the above example) as a destination floor.

[0055] On the other hand, if the input content is, for example, "35," the registration device control unit 23 determines that the input content does not match the predetermined pattern (step S15: No), and causes the notification unit 22 to display, together with the input content, a message indicating that the destination floor cannot be registered (such as a prohibition mark or a display indicating that registration is not possible) (step S17: see Figure 4).

[0056] Furthermore, even if the registration device control unit 23 detects an input for a destination floor through an input operation from the destination floor input unit 21 (step S11), if the input from the destination floor input unit 21 does not reach the specified number of digits (step S12: No), the registration device control unit 23 continues to wait for new input from the destination floor input unit 21 (step S19: No) until a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) has elapsed since the last input (step S18: No).

[0057] If a new input is received from the destination floor input unit 21 (step S19: Yes) before a predetermined time has elapsed since the last input (i.e., while waiting for input), and the input reaches the specified number of digits (step S12: Yes), the registration device control unit 23 proceeds to step S13.

[0058] On the other hand, if there is no new input from the destination floor input unit 21 until a predetermined time has elapsed since the last input (step S18: Yes), the registration device control unit 23 determines whether an input (numbers, etc.) that does not reach the specified number of digits can be registered as a destination floor (in other words, whether it is a floor that does not exist in the building in which the elevator 1 is installed, or a floor where stopping of the car 5 is prohibited, etc.) (step S20).

[0059] If the inputted content can be registered as a destination floor (step S20: Yes), the registration device control unit 23 outputs (transmits) the inputted number as a destination floor signal to the elevator control unit 3 (step S14). As a result, the elevator control unit 3, which has received this destination floor signal, registers the floor number corresponding to the destination floor signal as a destination floor.

[0060] On the other hand, if the input content (for example, "☆" or "-") cannot be registered as a destination floor (step S20: No), the registration device control unit 23 causes the notification unit 22 to display, together with the input content, a message indicating that the destination floor cannot be registered (such as a prohibition mark or a display indicating that registration is not possible) (step S17: see (c) of Figure 4).

[0061] Furthermore, in the elevator 1, the destination floor registration device 2 may be configured to transmit the contents (numbers, etc.) input from the destination floor input unit (input unit) 21 to the elevator control unit 3, and to display the information transmitted from the elevator control unit 3 (information about the registered floor, information about the assigned elevators A, B, C, etc.) on the notification unit 22, so that the elevator control unit 3 performs the operations shown in the flow of Figure 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1... elevator, 2... destination floor registration device, 21... destination floor input unit (input unit), 22... notification unit, 23... registration device control unit, 3... elevator control unit, 5... car, A, B, C... car number, P... touch panel

Claims

1. An input unit for inputting the destination floor is provided, When the input from the input unit reaches a predetermined number of digits and is in a predetermined pattern corresponding to a destination floor, the input is registered as a destination floor.

2. The number of digits specified is two or more, 2. The elevator according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined pattern is such that, when a destination floor having a number of digits smaller than the specified number of digits is registered, 0 is input into digits larger than the alphanumeric characters that are rear-filled so that alphanumeric characters corresponding to the destination floor number are input rear-filled into the specified number of digits.

3. The number of digits specified is two or more, 3. The elevator according to claim 1, wherein the destination floor corresponding to the predetermined pattern is a single-digit alphanumeric character when the same single-digit alphanumeric character is input for all digits.

4. An input unit for inputting the destination floor is provided, An elevator destination floor registration device that outputs information about the input destination floor when the input from the input unit reaches a specified number of digits and the input is a predetermined pattern corresponding to the destination floor.

Images