Elevator control system and control method

Abstract

To further improve convenience of a home delivery box provided in a car of an elevator while securing convenience of the elevator as a moving means.SOLUTION: An elevator control system (100) includes a delivery locker (3) including at least one storage (31) provided in a car (21) of an elevator (2) and configured to store a delivery item, and an operation input unit (32) configured to receive an input of an operation for depositing the delivery item and receiving the delivery item, a delivery locker information manager (112) configured to update delivery locker information (123) indicating a status of use of the delivery locker based on the operation input to the operation input unit, and an elevator controller (113) configured to control the elevator based on the delivery locker information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator control system having a delivery box in the car and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there exist delivery lockers that allow delivery companies to leave parcels when residents are not at home. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which such a delivery locker is installed inside an elevator car. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-308267 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is room for further improvement in the convenience of delivery lockers installed in elevator cars. Furthermore, if delivery lockers are installed in elevator cars, the convenience of the elevator may be reduced because the elevator is used not only to move between different floors but also to deposit and receive deliveries.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention ensures the convenience of elevators as a means of transportation while further improving the convenience of delivery boxes installed inside the elevator cars. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an elevator control system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a delivery box provided in an elevator car and including at least one storage facility capable of storing deliveries, an operation input unit that accepts input of operations for depositing the deliveries in the storage facility and receiving the deliveries from the storage facility, a delivery box information management unit that updates delivery box information indicating the usage status of the delivery box based on the operations input to the operation input unit, and an elevator control unit that can control the elevator based on the delivery box information.

[0007] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a control method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control method for an elevator control system executed by one or more information processing devices, and includes a delivery box information management step of updating delivery box information indicating the usage status of a delivery box provided in an elevator car and having at least one storage compartment capable of storing deliveries and an operation input unit that accepts input of operations for depositing the deliveries in the storage compartment and receiving the deliveries from the storage compartment, based on the operations input to the operation input unit, and an elevator control step of controlling the elevator based on the delivery box information.

[0008] The elevator control system according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by one or more computers. In this case, the control program for the elevator control system that causes the computer to operate as each part (software element) of the elevator control system to realize the elevator control system, and the computer-readable recording medium on which the control program is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to ensure the convenience of elevators as a means of transportation while further improving the convenience of delivery boxes installed inside the elevator cars. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of a delivery box provided in an elevator car. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery box DB. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display displayed on a presentation unit of the hall operating panel. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a display displayed on the presentation unit of the hall operating panel. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a display displayed on the presentation unit of the hall operating panel. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a display displayed on the presentation unit of the hall operating panel. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of elevator information. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of availability information and operation information. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the delivery box control device when a delivery item is deposited. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the delivery box control device when retrieving a delivery item. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a process related to call registration performed by an elevator control device. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow related to management of vacancy information performed by an elevator control device. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow related to call registration performed by an elevator control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [Embodiment 1] <Overview of Elevator Control System 100> An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an elevator control system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The elevator control system 100 according to the present invention is a system that controls an elevator 2 based on operations for depositing a delivery item into a storage 31 of a delivery locker 3 and receiving (removing) the delivery item from the storage 31.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, elevator control system 100 includes elevator control device 1, elevator 2, delivery box 3, and delivery box control device 4. Delivery box 3 is provided in car 21 of elevator 2 and includes at least one storage room 31 capable of storing deliveries, and operation input unit 32 for inputting operations for depositing deliveries in storage room 31 and receiving deliveries from storage room 31. Elevator control system 100 also includes delivery box information management unit 112 that updates delivery box information 123 indicating the usage status of delivery box 3 based on operations input to operation input unit 32, and elevator control unit 113 that can control elevator 2 based on delivery box information 123.

[0013] According to the above configuration, elevator control system 100 can control elevator 2 based on delivery box information 123 that indicates the usage status of delivery box 3 installed in car 21 of elevator 2. As a result, elevator control system 100 can control elevator 2 in accordance with the usage status of delivery box 3 in car 21, and therefore can improve the convenience of delivery box 3 installed in car 21 while ensuring the convenience of elevator 2.

[0014] The elevator control system 100 will be described in detail below. In the following, when there is no need to distinguish between an operation for depositing a delivery item in the storage warehouse 31 (hereinafter referred to as a deposit operation) and an operation for receiving a delivery item from the storage warehouse 31 (hereinafter referred to as a removal operation), they will be referred to as "operations related to the delivery box."

[0015] The following description will be given taking an example where elevator control system 100 is applied to an apartment building. However, elevator control system 100 can be applied not only to apartment buildings with multiple floors, but also to buildings with multiple offices and shops on multiple floors. For example, when elevator control system 100 is applied to an apartment building, the recipient of the delivery item may be a resident of the apartment building. For example, when elevator control system 100 is applied to a building used by multiple businesses, the recipient of the delivery item may be an office staff member or a shop employee who uses the building. Note that the deliverer may be any person who delivers the delivery item to the recipient, and may typically be a delivery company.

[0016] <Delivery Box 3> The delivery box 3 is used for so-called drop-off delivery, where a deliverer can deposit a delivery item and a recipient (e.g., a resident) at the delivery destination can retrieve the delivery item. The delivery box 3 is installed inside the car 21 of the elevator 2. The location where the delivery box 3 is installed is not particularly limited, as long as it is inside the car 21 and allows the deliverer to deposit the delivery item and the recipient to retrieve the delivery item. For example, the delivery box 3 may be installed on any wall surface other than the surface on which the door 22 of the car 21 is installed, or it may be installed under the floor of the car 21 or in the upper space inside the car 21.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery locker 3 provided in the car 21 of the elevator 2. As an example, the delivery locker 3 includes a storage unit 31 capable of storing deliveries, and an operation input unit 32. Each of the multiple storage units 31 is provided with a door that is unlocked or locked under the control of the delivery locker control device 4. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the storage units 31 is assigned a box number for identifying the storage unit 31.

[0018] The delivery locker 3 provided in the basket 21 may have one or more storage compartments 31. The following description will be given taking as an example a configuration in which the delivery locker 3 has multiple storage compartments 31. The multiple storage compartments 31 may include storage compartments 31 of different dimensions. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the delivery locker 3 may include small storage compartments 31 (reference numerals 311-316 in FIG. 2), medium storage compartments 31 (reference numerals 317-318 in FIG. 2), and large storage compartments 31 (reference numerals 319-320 in FIG. 2). All of the multiple storage compartments 31 may have the same dimensions.

[0019] The operation input unit 32 may be an operation panel that accepts input of operations for depositing deliveries in the storage warehouse 31 and receiving deliveries from the storage warehouse 31. The operation input unit 32 transmits a signal indicating the content of the accepted input operation to the delivery box control device 4.

[0020] For example, when a deliverer presses a button on the operation input unit 32 of the delivery box 3 indicating that the delivery item will be deposited, the operation input unit 32 sends a signal indicating that the deposit operation has begun to the delivery box control device 4. This starts the process for depositing the delivery item in the delivery box control device 4. Furthermore, when the operation input unit 32 receives an operation to specify the dimensions of the storage unit 31 to be used, for example, an operation to press a button indicating the desired dimensions, it sends information indicating the specified dimensions to the delivery box control device 4.

[0021] When the operation input unit 32 receives an operation by the deliverer to input the delivery destination of the delivery item (for example, the recipient's room number) into the operation input unit 32, it transmits information indicating the input room number to the delivery box control device 4, along with identification information of the storage facility 31 where the delivery item has been deposited. The recipient's room number is a number indicating the room used by the recipient to receive the delivery item. For example, if the delivery box 3 is installed in an apartment building, the recipient's room number may be the room number of the residence where the recipient lives. Furthermore, for example, if the delivery box 3 is installed in an office building or the like, the recipient's room number may be the room number of the room that the recipient mainly uses.

[0022] When the recipient of the delivery performs an operation to start retrieval of the delivery on the operation input unit 32 of the delivery box 3 (hereinafter referred to as the retrieval start operation), the operation input unit 32 transmits a signal indicating that the retrieval start operation has been performed to the delivery box control device 4. This starts the process of retrieving the delivery in the delivery box control device 4. The retrieval start operation may be, for example, an operation of pressing a predetermined button, or an operation of inputting the recipient's room number (i.e., the delivery destination of the delivery).

[0023] For example, when the operation input unit 32 receives an operation to input the recipient's room number, it transmits information indicating the input room number to the delivery box control device 4. Furthermore, when the operation input unit 32 receives an operation by the recipient to input authentication information for authenticating the recipient, it transmits information indicating the input authentication information to the delivery box control device 4. Here, the authentication information is information that has been notified to each recipient individually in advance, and may be information associated with each recipient's room number. For example, the authentication information may be a personal identification number or the like. Note that if a card associated with the recipient's room number and authentication information has been distributed to each recipient individually in advance, the operation of inputting the recipient's room number and the operation of inputting the authentication information can be replaced by the operation of inserting the card into the operation input unit 32 (see <Modification 1> described below).

[0024] <Delivery Box Control Device 4> The delivery box control device 4 is a device that controls the delivery box 3 based on input operations performed on the delivery box 3. The delivery box control device 4 is also communicably connected to the elevator control device 1, and transmits information indicating the status of operations related to the delivery box 3 to the elevator control device 1.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the delivery box control device 4 includes a control unit 41 and a memory unit 42. The control unit 41 executes various processes performed by the delivery box control device 4. As shown in Fig. 1, the control unit 41 includes an operation control unit 411 and an output unit 412. The memory unit 42 stores various information used in the processes executed by the delivery box control device 4. As shown in Fig. 1, the memory unit 42 stores at least a delivery box DB 422.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the delivery locker DB 422. As shown in FIG. 3, the delivery locker DB 422 stores, for each storage unit 31, identification information (BOX_NO) of the storage unit 31 of the delivery locker 3, information (SIZE) indicating the dimensions of the storage unit 31, and delivery destination information (ROOM_NO) indicating the delivery destination of the delivery item deposited in the storage unit 31, in association with each storage unit 31. As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, the identification information of the storage unit 31 may be a serial number (box number) assigned to each storage unit 31. As another example, as shown in FIG. 3, the delivery destination information is the room number to which the delivery item is to be delivered. Note that if no delivery item is stored in a storage unit 31, the delivery destination information corresponding to the identification information of the storage unit 31 is blank (the delivery destination information is "-" in FIG. 3).

[0027] (Operation control unit 411) The operation control unit 411 controls the operation of the delivery box 3.

[0028] First, we will explain the control that the operation control unit 411 performs when a deliverer who is depositing a delivery performs a deposit operation. When the deliverer presses a button indicating that he or she will deposit a delivery on the operation input unit 32 of the delivery locker 3, the operation control unit 411 receives a signal indicating that the deposit operation has begun from the delivery locker 3. Upon receiving this signal, the operation control unit 411 refers to the delivery locker DB 422 and determines whether or not there is an available storage facility 31.

[0029] If there are any vacant storage units 31, the operation control unit 411 unlocks one of the vacant storage units 31. This allows the deliverer to deposit the delivery in the unlocked storage unit 31. If the dimensions of the storage unit 31 are specified, the operation control unit 411 unlocks the storage unit 31 with the specified dimensions. Note that hereinafter, an vacant storage unit 31, i.e., a storage unit 31 in which no delivery has yet been stored, is also referred to as an "vacant storage unit 31."

[0030] After depositing the delivery item in storage 31, the deliverer operates the operation input unit 32 to input the delivery destination of the delivery item and to lock storage 31. For example, a value indicating the room number of the building in which delivery locker 3 is installed is input as the delivery destination of the delivery item. When the delivery item is deposited in storage 31 and an operation to lock storage 31 is performed, operation control unit 411 locks the storage 31. Thereafter, operation control unit 411 associates the identification information of the storage 31 in which the delivery item has been deposited with the delivery destination information and stores them in delivery locker DB 422. Note that in a configuration in which a PIN is set each time, output unit 412 receives information indicating the set PIN in addition to the identification information of the storage 31 in which the delivery item has been deposited and the delivery destination information, and stores them in delivery locker DB 422.

[0031] In addition, if there is no available storage facility 31 at the time a signal indicating the start of the deposit operation is received, the operation control unit 411 may display an error screen on a display unit (not shown) located near the operation input unit 32 indicating that there is no available storage facility 31.

[0032] Next, the control performed by the operation control unit 411 when the recipient of the delivery performs an operation to remove the delivery from the storage 31 will be described.

[0033] The recipient performs a retrieval start operation on the operation input unit 32. For example, the recipient may perform this operation by pressing a button to start retrieving the delivery, and then inputting recipient information to identify the delivery. Alternatively, the recipient may perform this operation by inputting recipient information into the operation input unit 32, which is in a standby state and not being operated. As an example, when the elevator control system 100 is applied to an apartment building, the recipient information may be numbers or letters indicating the delivery destination of the delivery, i.e., the room number of the recipient of the delivery. The following describes an example configuration in which the room number to which the delivery is to be delivered is already registered as delivery destination information, and the recipient's room number is input as recipient information.

[0034] After an operation to start retrieving a delivery from storage 31 is performed on operation input unit 32, operation control unit 411 receives a signal indicating that the retrieval start operation has been performed, as well as recipient information, from delivery box 3. Based on the received recipient information, operation control unit 411 identifies the delivery to be retrieved and the storage 31 in which the delivery is being deposited.

[0035] When a delivery to be received by a recipient is stored in a storage warehouse 31, delivery destination information that matches the recipient information entered by the recipient is stored in the delivery locker DB 422. Here, the operation control unit 411 determines whether delivery destination information with the recipient information as the delivery destination is registered in the delivery locker DB 422. Specifically, the operation control unit 411 identifies delivery destination information that matches the received recipient information in the delivery locker DB 422. If delivery destination information that matches the received recipient information is registered, the operation control unit 411 identifies the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 that corresponds to the delivery destination information. This allows the operation control unit 411 to identify the storage warehouse 31 that contains the delivery that is destined for the room number indicated by the entered recipient information and that the recipient is scheduled to receive.

[0036] Next, the operation control unit 411 authenticates the recipient using the PIN number. Note that a PIN number corresponding to each delivery destination (room number) may be set in advance and stored in the storage unit 42. Alternatively, a PIN number may be set for each delivery item, and the corresponding PIN number may be linked to each delivery destination information in the delivery box DB 422. In this case, the deliverer enters the PIN number in addition to the delivery destination when depositing the delivery item. The deliverer also writes the set PIN number on the delivery slip to let the recipient know the PIN number.

[0037] When the operation control unit 411 acquires a PIN number for authenticating the recipient that is input by the recipient to the operation input unit 32, it references the memory unit 42 and acquires a PIN number corresponding to the delivery item. If the input PIN number matches the PIN number corresponding to the room number of the delivery destination of the delivery item or the PIN number linked to the delivery destination information, that is, if the correct PIN number is input by the recipient, the operation control unit 411 determines that authentication of the recipient has been successful. If the operation control unit 411 determines that authentication of the recipient has been successful, it unlocks the storage unit 31. This allows the recipient to retrieve the delivery item from the storage unit 31.

[0038] After the recipient removes the delivery from the storage warehouse 31, the recipient operates the operation input unit 32 to lock the storage warehouse 31. When the delivery is removed from the storage warehouse 31 and the operation to lock the storage warehouse 31 is performed, the operation control unit 411 locks the storage warehouse 31. After locking the storage warehouse 31, the operation control unit 411 deletes the delivery destination information corresponding to the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 from which the delivery was removed from the home delivery box DB 422. As a result, the delivery destination information corresponding to the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 from which the delivery was removed becomes blank, and the storage warehouse 31 becomes available for depositing a new delivery.

[0039] If the acquired PIN number does not match the PIN number corresponding to the delivery, the operation control unit 411 determines that authentication of the recipient has failed and does not unlock the storage unit 31. If authentication of the recipient has failed, the operation control unit 411 may cause a display device (not shown) provided in the delivery box 3 to display an error screen indicating that authentication has failed.

[0040] (output unit 412) The output unit 412 transmits information indicating the status of the operation related to the delivery box 3 to the elevator control device 1. The elevator control device 1 controls the elevator 2 based on the information received from the output unit 412.

[0041] During the period when operation input unit 32 of delivery box 3 is accepting an operation, output unit 412 transmits a signal indicating that an operation related to delivery box 3 is being performed to elevator control device 1. The signal is transmitted at predetermined intervals (for example, every second) during the period when operation input unit 32 of delivery box 3 is accepting an operation. Note that, hereinafter, "the period when operation input unit 32 of delivery box 3 is accepting an operation" is also referred to as "the period when an operation related to delivery box 3 is being performed."

[0042] The signal indicating that an operation related to the delivery locker 3 is being performed may be continuously output while the operation input unit 32 of the delivery locker 3 is accepting an operation and while a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting the opening and closing of the door of the storage facility 31 detects that the door of the storage facility 31 is open. Furthermore, the elevator control device 1 may determine that some kind of abnormality (such as an ON failure) has occurred if the state of receiving the above signal continues for a predetermined period of time (e.g., two minutes or more). An example of such an abnormality could be a state in which, even though the deposit of the delivery item has been completed, a malfunction of a sensor or the like causes a false recognition that the door of the storage facility 31 is open, resulting in the signal being continuously output. In this case, the elevator control device 1 switches the operation information 126 (described below) from "in operation" to "not in operation."

[0043] The period during which operations related to delivery box 3 are being performed may include (1) and (2) below. (1) The period from when the operation control unit 411 starts receiving a signal from the home delivery locker 3 indicating that the deposit operation of the delivery item has begun until when the storage unit 31 where the delivery item has been deposited is locked. This period can also be expressed as the period from when the deliverer performs an operation on the operation input unit 32 to begin depositing the delivery item (hereinafter referred to as the deposit start operation) until when the operation to lock the storage unit 31 is performed. (2) The period from when the operation control unit 411 receives a signal from the delivery locker 3 indicating that the removal operation has begun until when the storage unit 31 in which the delivery item is stored is locked. This period can also be expressed as the period from when the recipient performs an input operation on the operation input unit 32 to begin removing the delivery item until when the operation to lock the storage unit 31 is performed.

[0044] When a delivery is deposited in a storage facility 31 and an operation to lock the storage facility 31 is performed, the operation control unit 411 locks the storage facility 31. When the storage facility 31 is locked, the output unit 412 transmits identification information of the storage facility 31 where the delivery has been deposited and delivery destination information of the delivery to the elevator control device 1. As a result, the identification information of the storage facility 31 where the delivery has been deposited and the delivery destination information are stored in association with each other in the elevator control device 1. The identification information is information for identifying the storage facility 31 and may be, for example, a serial number (box number) assigned to each of the multiple storage facilities 31. Note that in a configuration in which a PIN is set each time, the output unit 412 transmits information indicating the set PIN to the elevator control device 1.

[0045] When a delivery is removed from a storage warehouse 31 and an operation to lock the storage warehouse 31 is performed, the operation control unit 411 locks the storage warehouse 31. When the storage warehouse 31 is locked, the output unit 412 transmits the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 from which the delivery was removed to the elevator control device 1. As a result, the elevator control device 1 deletes the delivery destination information corresponding to the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 from which the delivery was removed.

[0046] <Elevator 2> The elevator 2 operates under the control of the elevator control device 1. The elevator 2 also transmits information indicating the received input operation to the elevator control device 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the elevator 2 includes a car 21, a door 22, an in-car operating panel 23, and a hall operating panel 24. The car 21 moves between floors under the control of the elevator control device 1, and the door 22 opens and closes under the control of the elevator control device 1.

[0047] The car operation panel 23 is a control panel that can accept operations for passengers to make car calls. The car operation panel 23 transmits information indicating the accepted input operations, such as operations to instruct the destination floor or to open or close the doors, to the elevator control device 1. This allows users of the elevator 2 to register car calls or open or close the doors 22.

[0048] The hall operating panel 24 is an operating panel that can accept hall call registration operations for users of the elevator 2 to make hall calls. As shown in FIG. 1 , the hall operating panel 24 includes a presentation unit 25 and an input unit 26. The input unit 26 accepts operations for users of the elevator 2 to register hall calls. The input unit 26 transmits information indicating the content of the accepted input operation, for example, an operation to instruct the movement direction of the car 21 to be called by the hall call, to the elevator control device 1. This allows users of the elevator 2 to register hall calls. As an example, the hall operating panel 24 is provided on each floor of a building.

[0049] Presentation unit 25 is, for example, a display device such as a display, and makes predetermined presentations in accordance with instructions from elevator control unit 113. Figs. 4 to 7 are diagrams showing examples of displays displayed on presentation unit 25 of hall operating panel 24. Note that Figs. 4 to 7 show an example of hall operating panel 24 provided on the first floor of a building. When presentation unit 25 receives information indicating the current floor and movement direction of car 21 from elevator control unit 113, it displays this information as shown in Figs. 4 to 7.

[0050] Furthermore, when the presentation unit 25 receives information regarding the availability of the storage compartments 31 of the delivery lockers 3 from the elevator control unit 113, the presentation unit 25 displays the information. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the presentation unit 25 displays information indicating whether or not there is an available storage compartment 31. For example, if there is an available storage compartment 31, "empty" is displayed as shown in Fig. 4, and if there is no available storage compartment 31, "full" is displayed as shown in Fig. 5.

[0051] 6 and 7, the presentation unit 25 may receive the availability of each size of the storage facility 31 and display this information, in addition to the information indicating whether there is an available storage facility 31. In the example shown in FIG. 6, there are three sizes of storage facilities 31, S, M, and L, and it is shown that there are three available units in the S-size storage facility 31, one available unit in the M-size storage facility 31, and two available units in the L-size storage facility 31. In addition, the example shown in FIG. 7 shows that there are no available storage facilities 31 for any of the three sizes, S, M, and L.

[0052] <Elevator control device 1> The elevator control device 1 controls the elevator 2. For example, the elevator control device 1 controls the operation of the car 21 and the door 22 and the display of the hall operating panel 24 based on operations performed on the hall operating panel 24 or the car operating panel 23, or the usage status of the delivery box 3 provided in the car 21.

[0053] 1, the elevator control system 100 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and an input / output interface 13. The input / output interface 13 is a communication module for transmitting and receiving information between the elevator control device 1 and each device included in the elevator control system 100.

[0054] The storage unit 12 stores various information used in the elevator control device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0055] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the elevator information 121. The elevator information 121 is information about the car 21 of the elevator 2, and stores information indicating the current floor and current movement direction of the car 21. The example in FIG. 8 shows that the current floor of the car 21 is the first floor, and that the car 21 is not currently moving either up or down. For example, if the current floor of the car 21 is the third floor and the car 21 is currently moving upward, in FIG. 8 the "current floor" column is "3" and the "movement direction" column is "up." Note that if the elevator 2 has multiple cars 21, the elevator information 121 stores information indicating the current floor and current movement direction of each of the multiple cars 21.

[0056] Delivery box information 123 includes information related to delivery box 3, delivery box DB 124, availability information 125, and operation information 126. Delivery box DB 124 is a database similar to delivery box DB 422 stored in delivery box control device 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0057] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of availability information 125 and operation information 126. If elevator 2 is equipped with multiple cars 21 and each car 21 is provided with a delivery locker 3, storage unit 12 stores delivery locker information 123 corresponding to each of the multiple delivery lockers 3. Availability information 125 can be extracted from delivery locker DB 124 as information related to storage unit 31 whose "ROOM_NO" is "-". Therefore, storage unit 12 may or may not store availability information 125 as information separate from delivery locker DB 124, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0058] 9, the vacancy information 125 is information indicating whether or not there is a storage warehouse 31 that does not contain a delivery item among the storage warehouses 31 of the delivery locker 3. For example, if there is a vacant storage warehouse 31 that can contain a delivery item, the vacancy information 125 is stored as "empty," and if there is no vacant storage warehouse 31 that can contain a delivery item, the vacancy information 125 is stored as "full."

[0059] The vacancy information 125 may include storage facility information that indicates at least one of the dimensions and the number of vacant storage facilities 31. For example, if there are three storage facilities 31 of different sizes, S size, M size, and L size, as shown in Fig. 9, the storage facility information may include information indicating that there are storage facilities 31 of S size, M size, and L size, and the number of vacant storage facilities 31 of each size.

[0060] Operation information 126 is information that indicates whether or not an operation is being performed on delivery box 3, i.e., whether or not the deliverer or recipient is performing an operation on delivery box 3. If an operation is being performed on delivery box 3, "in operation" is stored as operation information 126, and if no operation is being performed on delivery box 3, "not in operation" is stored as operation information 126.

[0061] The control unit 11 executes various controls in the elevator control device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0062] (Reception Department 111) The reception unit 111 receives hall calls and car calls based on operations by users of the elevator 2, and registers the received calls. For example, when the reception unit 111 receives a signal indicating that an operation to make a hall call has been performed on the hall operating panel 24, it registers a hall call whose destination floor is the floor on which the hall operating panel 24 is located. Furthermore, when the reception unit 111 receives a signal indicating that an operation to make a hall call has been performed on the in-car operating panel 23, it registers a car call whose destination floor is the floor specified in the operation on the in-car operating panel 23.

[0063] (Delivery Box Information Management Unit 112) The delivery box information management unit 112 manages the delivery box information 123 stored in the memory unit 12 based on information received from the delivery box control device 4. The delivery box information management unit 112 receives information sent from the delivery box control device 4 based on an operation input to the operation input unit 32, and updates various information included in the delivery box information 123 that indicates the usage status of the delivery box 3 based on the information.

[0064] For example, delivery box information management unit 112 updates operation information 126 based on information received from delivery box control device 4.

[0065] Operation information 126 during a period when no operation is being performed on delivery box 3 indicates "not operating." When operation input unit 32 of delivery box 3 accepts a deposit operation or a removal operation, delivery box information management unit 112 receives a signal from delivery box control device 4 indicating that an operation on delivery box 3 is being performed. Upon receiving this signal, delivery box information management unit 112 switches operation information 126 in memory unit 12 from "not operating" to "operating." This causes elevator control device 1 to start control that is performed during a period when an operation on delivery box 3 is being performed.

[0066] When the operation on the operation input unit 32 of the delivery box 3 is completed, the delivery box information management unit 112 stops receiving a signal from the delivery box control device 4 indicating that an operation related to the delivery box 3 is being performed. If the period during which the signal is not received continues for a predetermined time (e.g., 15 seconds) or more, the delivery box information management unit 112 switches the operation information 126 in the storage unit 12 from "in operation" to "not in operation." If the period during which the signal is not received continues for a predetermined time or more, the delivery box information management unit 112 switches the operation information 126 in the storage unit 12 from "in operation" to "not in operation." This causes the elevator control device 1 to start control that is performed during the period during which no operation related to the delivery box 3 is being performed.

[0067] Furthermore, delivery box information management unit 112 updates delivery box DB 124 based on the information received from delivery box control device 4.

[0068] When a delivery item is deposited in a storage facility 31 and the storage facility 31 is locked, the delivery box information management unit 112 receives, from the output unit 412 of the delivery box control device 4, the identification information of the storage facility 31 where the delivery item has been deposited and the delivery destination information of the delivery item. For example, the delivery box information management unit 112 receives, as identification information, the box number of the storage facility 31 where the delivery item is stored and delivery destination information (for example, information indicating the room number of the delivery destination of the delivery item). Upon receiving this information, the delivery box information management unit 112 identifies, in the delivery box DB 124, the identification information of the storage facility 31 that matches the received box number. The delivery box information management unit 112 then associates the identified identification information with the received delivery destination information, stores the information, and updates the delivery box DB 124.

[0069] Furthermore, when a delivery item is removed from a storage warehouse 31 and the storage warehouse 31 is locked, the delivery box information management unit 112 receives, from the output unit 412 of the delivery box control device 4, the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 from which the delivery item was removed. For example, the delivery box information management unit 112 receives the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 from which the delivery item removed by the recipient was stored. Upon receiving this information, the delivery box information management unit 112 identifies data in the delivery box DB 124 that includes identification information that matches the received identification information. The delivery box information management unit 112 then deletes the delivery destination information linked to the identified data and updates the delivery box DB 124. As a result, the delivery destination information corresponding to the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 from which the delivery item was removed becomes blank in the delivery box DB 124, and the storage warehouse 31 becomes available for depositing the delivery item.

[0070] Furthermore, delivery box information management unit 112 updates vacancy information 125. After updating delivery box DB 124, delivery box information management unit 112 refers to delivery box DB 124 and extracts data for which delivery destination information is not registered in delivery box DB 124 (data for which "ROOM_NO" is "-" in FIG. 3).

[0071] If there is data for which delivery destination information is not registered, i.e., if there is a storage warehouse 31 that does not contain any deliveries, the delivery box information management unit 112 sets the availability information 125 to "empty." If there is no data for which delivery destination information is not registered, i.e., if all storage warehouses 31 contain deliveries, the delivery box information management unit 112 sets the availability information 125 to "full" and "S:0 M:0 L:0."

[0072] Furthermore, the delivery box information management unit 112 tallies the number of vacant storage units 31 and updates the storage unit information included in the vacancy information 125. If there are multiple dimensions for storage units 31, the delivery box information management unit 112 tallies the number of vacant storage units 31 for each dimension and updates the storage unit information based on the number of vacant storage units 31 for each dimension.

[0073] (Elevator control unit 113) Elevator control unit 113 controls the operation of elevator 2. Furthermore, elevator control unit 113 controls elevator 2 based on operation information 126, which is the status of operations related to delivery box 3, included in delivery box information 123. When multiple cars 21 are provided, elevator control unit 113 performs control based on the operation status of delivery box 3 provided inside each car 21. For example, when a delivery box 3 in one car 21 is being operated, elevator control unit 113 performs control only for that car 21 during the period when the operation related to delivery box 3 is being performed.

[0074] When the operation information 126 indicates "not operating," the elevator control unit 113 performs normal elevator control. Specifically, the elevator control unit 113 refers to the elevator information 121 and the call registration DB 122, and controls the movement of the car 21 and the opening and closing of the door 22 based on the registered hall calls and car calls.

[0075] When operation information 126 indicates "in operation", elevator control unit 113 performs control during the period when delivery box 3 is being operated.

[0076] First, the control performed by elevator control unit 113 regarding hall calls during a period in which an operation related to delivery locker 3 is being performed will be described.

[0077] While an operation related to delivery locker 3 is being performed, elevator control unit 113 stops responding to registered hall calls. As a result, elevator 2 will not respond to hall calls while operation information 126 is "in operation." Furthermore, when the operation related to delivery locker 3 is completed, that is, when operation information 126 switches from "in operation" to "not in operation," elevator control unit 113 resumes responding to registered hall calls.

[0078] Furthermore, while an operation related to the delivery locker 3 is being performed, the elevator 2 does not respond to hall calls. However, once the operation related to the delivery locker 3 is completed, the elevator 2 resumes operation in response to the registered hall call. Here, the elevator control unit 113 may resume responding to hall calls a predetermined time (e.g., 20 seconds) after the operation related to the delivery locker 3 is completed. It is generally assumed that the deliverer and the recipient will disembark at the floor where they performed the deposit or retrieval operation or at their residential floor after using the delivery locker 3. Here, by resuming response to hall calls a predetermined time after the operation related to the delivery locker 3 is completed, the car 21 will remain at the floor where the deliverer and the recipient performed their work for a predetermined time after using the delivery locker 3. This allows the deliverer and the recipient to disembark at the floor where they performed their work after using the delivery locker 3, or to register a car call before the elevator 2 responds to a hall call.

[0079] Furthermore, the deliverer or recipient may leave the elevator 2 for reasons such as answering a phone call while performing an operation related to the delivery locker 3. In such a case, if the elevator 2 continues to stop responding to hall calls while an operation related to the delivery locker 3 is being performed, the period during which the elevator 2 is unable to respond to hall calls on other floors will be extended, reducing the convenience of the elevator 2. Here, as described above, the elevator control unit 113 may respond to registered hall calls if an operation related to one storage unit 31 is not completed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation input unit 32 began accepting operations. This reduces the reduction in the convenience of the elevator 2 caused by the period during which the elevator 2 is unable to respond to hall calls on other floors.

[0080] Furthermore, if a registered hall call exists during a period in which an operation related to the delivery locker 3 is being performed, the elevator control unit 113 may respond to the hall call after a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed since the hall call was registered. Furthermore, if the reception unit 111 receives the registration of a new hall call during a period in which an operation related to the delivery locker 3 is being performed, the elevator control unit 113 may also respond to the hall call after a predetermined time has elapsed since the hall call was registered. This reduces the possibility of long waits at the hall. The predetermined time may vary depending on the size of the storage unit 31. For example, the predetermined time may be 20 seconds for an S-sized storage unit 31, 25 seconds for an M-sized storage unit 31, and 30 seconds for an L-sized storage unit 31.

[0081] Next, the control performed by elevator control unit 113 regarding car calls during a period in which an operation related to delivery box 3 is being performed will be described.

[0082] If no elevator 2 car call is registered during an operation related to the delivery locker 3, the elevator control unit 113 maintains the door 22 of the car 21 in an open state at least during the operation. According to the above configuration, the elevator control system 100 maintains the door 22 of the car 21 in an open state during the period when an operation to deposit and receive a delivery item is being performed. By maintaining the door in an open state, the car 21 does not move from the floor where the operation was initiated. This allows the deliverer and recipient to safely deposit and receive a delivery item within the car 21, thereby improving the convenience of the delivery locker 3 installed in the car 21 of the elevator 2.

[0083] If a car call for elevator 2 is registered during a period in which an operation related to delivery box 3 is being performed, elevator control unit 113 instructs to close door 22 of car 21 a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) after the car call is registered. Then, elevator control unit 113 controls the movement of car 21 in accordance with the car call registered during an operation related to delivery box 3.

[0084] While the deliverer and recipient are performing operations to deposit and receive a delivery, they can easily recognize the presence of a fellow passenger who wants to travel using the car 21. It is also considered acceptable for the car 21 to move to a different floor before completing the operations to deposit and receive the delivery. According to the above configuration, the elevator control system 100 closes the door 22 of the car 21 when a car call is registered, even if the operations to deposit and receive the delivery are in progress. Furthermore, once the door 22 is closed, the car 21 can move from the floor where the operation was initiated. This ensures the convenience of the elevator 2 as a means of transportation while improving the convenience of the delivery locker 3 installed in the car 21 of the elevator 2.

[0085] Furthermore, the elevator control unit 113 controls the presentation on the presentation unit 25 of the hall operating panel 24.

[0086] For example, the elevator control unit 113 causes the presentation unit 25 to present information indicating the current floor and moving direction of the car 21 based on the elevator information 121 .

[0087] Furthermore, elevator control unit 113 acquires vacancy information 125 from delivery locker information 123, and causes presentation unit 25 provided on hall operating panel 24 to present the vacancy information 125. Specifically, elevator control unit 113 causes a display serving as presentation unit 25 to display information indicating whether or not there is a vacancy in storage room 31. Note that elevator control unit 113 may acquire vacancy information 125 every time delivery locker information management unit 112 updates the vacancy information 125, and cause presentation unit 25 to present the vacancy information 125. Note that elevator control unit 113 causes presentation unit 25 of at least one hall operating panel 24 to present the vacancy information 125. For example, if the first floor of a building is the entrance floor, elevator control unit 113 may cause only presentation unit 25 of the hall operating panel 24 provided on the first floor to present the vacancy information 125. Furthermore, the elevator control unit 113 may cause each of the display units 25 of the hall operating panels 24 provided on all floors to display the vacancy information 125.

[0088] According to the above configuration, the deliverer can find out whether there is a vacant space in the storage compartment 31 of the delivery locker 3 in the car 21 at a specific landing of the elevator 2. This eliminates the need for the deliverer to register an unnecessary landing call or to board the car 21 when there is no vacant space in the storage compartment 31 of the delivery locker 3, thereby improving the convenience of the delivery locker 3 provided in the car 21 of the elevator 2 while ensuring the convenience of the elevator 2 as a means of transportation.

[0089] If the vacancy information 125 includes storage facility information indicating either the dimensions or the number of vacant storage facilities 31, the elevator control unit 113 may cause the display unit 25 to display the storage facility information in addition to the vacancy information 125 indicating whether or not there is a vacant storage facility 31. Specifically, the elevator control unit 113 may cause the display unit 25 to display either the dimensions of vacant storage facilities 31, the number of vacant storage facilities 31, or the number of vacant storage facilities 31 for each dimension.

[0090] For example, if the delivery item is large, even if there is space in the storage compartment 31 of the delivery locker 3, the dimensions of the storage compartment 31 may be small and the delivery item may not be able to be deposited therein. Here, with the above configuration, the deliverer can, at a specified landing of the elevator 2, ascertain not only whether there is space in the storage compartment 31 of the delivery locker 3 in the car 21, but also at least one of the dimensions and number of available storage compartments 31.

[0091] This allows the deliverer to determine at a specific elevator hall of the elevator 2 whether or not it is possible to deposit the delivery item in the storage space 31 of the delivery box 3. Therefore, the deliverer does not need to register an unnecessary hall call or get into the car, which improves the convenience of the delivery box 3 installed in the car 21 of the elevator 2 while ensuring the convenience of the elevator 2 as a means of transportation.

[0092] Furthermore, while an operation related to delivery locker 3 is being performed, elevator control unit 113 may cause hall operating panel 24, which is provided on a floor other than the floor on which car 21 is located, to display a message indicating that delivery locker 3 is being operated. The message may be, for example, text or a pictogram that enables users of elevator 2 to recognize that delivery locker 3 is being operated. This allows users of elevator 2 on other floors to easily understand why car 21 has not started moving despite having registered a hall call.

[0093] Furthermore, when responding to a registered hall call while an operation related to the delivery locker 3 is being performed, the elevator control unit 113 may cause the car operation panel 23 to display text or a pictogram indicating that the elevator will respond to a hall call from another floor. In such a case, the elevator control unit 113 may also cause a speaker (not shown) in the car 21 to output an audio announcement indicating that the elevator will respond to a hall call from another floor. When a person unfamiliar with operating the delivery locker 3, such as a deliverer or recipient using the delivery locker 3 for the first time, uses the delivery locker 3, the delivery locker 3 may take time to operate and may take more than a predetermined amount of time to operate. Even in such a case, by performing the control described above by the elevator control unit 113, the deliverer or recipient can know that the elevator 2 will respond to the hall call, thereby reducing the likelihood of the delivery person or recipient feeling anxious.

[0094] The elevator control unit 113 may cause all of the hall operating panels 24 to present information indicating the current floor and movement direction of the car 21, vacancy information 125, and storage information. The elevator control unit 113 may cause all of the hall operating panels 24 to present information indicating the current floor and movement direction of the car 21, and may cause only the presentation unit 25 of at least one hall operating panel 24 (for example, the hall operating panel 24 on the first floor) to present the vacancy information 125 and storage information.

[0095] <Processing flow of elevator control system 100> The flow of processing performed by the elevator control system 100 will be described below with reference to Figs. 10 to 13. The processing performed by the elevator control system 100 is executed by one or more information processing devices. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the delivery box control device 4 when a delivery is deposited. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the delivery box control device 4 when a delivery is removed. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing related to call registration performed by the elevator control device 1. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing related to display control of the hall operating panel 24 performed by the elevator control device 1.

[0096] (Processing when depositing delivery items) First, the flow of processing performed by the delivery box control device 4 when a delivery is deposited will be described with reference to FIG.

[0097] When the delivery person presses a button on the operation input unit 32 of the delivery box 3 indicating that they will deposit the delivery item, the operation control unit 411 receives a signal from the delivery box 3 indicating that the deposit operation has begun.

[0098] When the operation control unit 411 receives the signal from the delivery locker 3, i.e., when an operation for depositing is started in the delivery locker 3 (YES in S1), the operation control unit 411 refers to the memory unit 42 and determines whether or not there is an available storage unit 31 (S2). In addition, the output unit 412 starts transmitting a signal indicating that an operation related to the delivery locker 3 is being performed to the elevator control device 1. The output unit 412 transmits the signal at predetermined time intervals.

[0099] When the delivery box information management unit 112 of the elevator control device 1 receives a signal from the delivery box control device 4 indicating that an operation is being performed on the delivery box 3, the delivery box information management unit 112 switches the operation information 126 of the memory unit 12 from "not operating" to "operating."

[0100] If there is a vacant storage unit 31 (YES in S2), the operation control unit 411 unlocks one of the vacant storage units 31 (S3). On the other hand, if there is no vacant storage unit 31 (NO in S2), the operation control unit 411 ends the processing. Also, if NO in S2, the output unit 412 stops sending a signal indicating that an operation related to the delivery box 3 is being performed to the elevator control device 1.

[0101] After S3, the deliverer deposits the delivery item in storage 31, and then operates the operation input unit 32 to input the delivery destination of the delivery item and to lock storage 31. For example, the room number to which the delivery item is to be delivered is input, and a button to lock the storage 31 is pressed. When the delivery item is deposited in storage 31 and an operation to lock storage 31 is performed (YES in S4), the operation control unit 411 locks the storage 31. Thereafter, the operation control unit 411 stores the identification information of the storage 31 where the delivery item has been deposited and the delivery destination information in association with each other in the home delivery locker DB 422.

[0102] If the answer is YES in S4, the operation control unit 411 locks the storage unit 31. When the storage unit 31 is locked, the output unit 412 transmits the identification information of the storage unit 31 in which the delivery item has been deposited and the delivery destination information of the delivery item to the elevator control device 1 (S5). As a result, the elevator control device 1 stores the identification information of the storage unit 31 in which the delivery item has been deposited and the delivery destination information in association with each other.

[0103] Furthermore, after S5, the output unit 412 stops sending the signal indicating that an operation related to the delivery box 3 is being performed to the elevator control device 1. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the delivery box information management unit 112 stopped receiving the signal indicating that an operation related to the delivery box 3 is being performed, the delivery box information management unit 112 switches the operation information 126 in the memory unit 12 from "in operation" to "not in operation."

[0104] (Processing when picking up delivery items) Next, the flow of processing performed by the delivery box control device 4 when picking up a delivery will be described with reference to FIG.

[0105] When a recipient retrieves a delivery from storage 31, the recipient performs a retrieval operation on operation input unit 32 of delivery box 3. For example, the recipient presses a button provided on operation input unit 32 to start retrieving the delivery, and then inputs recipient information to specify the delivery to be received. Alternatively, the recipient inputs recipient information into operation input unit 32 in an unused state. Specifically, the recipient inputs the recipient's room number into operation input unit 32 as recipient information.

[0106] When an operation to remove a delivery from the storage 31 is started on the operation input unit 32 (YES in S11), the operation control unit 411 receives a signal indicating that an operation to remove a delivery from the storage 31 has been started. In addition, the operation control unit 411 acquires recipient information input by the recipient to the operation input unit 32 (S12).

[0107] Based on the received recipient information, the operation control unit 411 determines whether the delivery item identified by the recipient information has been deposited in the storage facility 31 (S13). Specifically, the operation control unit 411 determines whether delivery destination information with the recipient information (room number) input as the delivery destination by the recipient to the operation input unit 32 is registered in the delivery locker DB 422. In addition, the output unit 412 starts transmitting a signal indicating that an operation related to the delivery locker 3 is being performed to the elevator control device 1. The output unit 412 transmits this signal at predetermined time intervals.

[0108] When the delivery box information management unit 112 of the elevator control device 1 receives a signal from the delivery box control device 4 indicating that an operation related to the delivery box 3 is being performed, it switches the operation information 126 in the memory unit 12 from ``not operating'' to ``operating.''

[0109] If delivery destination information having the recipient information input by the recipient to the operation input unit 32 as the delivery destination is registered in the delivery box DB 422 (YES in S13), the operation control unit 411 identifies the identification information of the storage unit 31 corresponding to the delivery destination information. As a result, the operation control unit 411 identifies the storage unit 31 that stores the delivery item that is to be received by the recipient and has the room number indicated by the recipient information as its delivery destination. If YES in S13, the operation control unit 411 may cause the display unit (not shown) of the delivery box 3 to display a message prompting the recipient to enter a PIN number.

[0110] After inputting the recipient information, the recipient inputs a PIN into the operation input unit 32. The operation input unit 32 transmits the input PIN to the operation control unit 411. The operation control unit 411 acquires the PIN transmitted by the operation input unit 32 (S14). Upon acquiring the PIN from the operation input unit 32, the operation control unit 411 uses the PIN to authenticate the recipient. The operation control unit 411 refers to the memory unit 42 and acquires the PIN stored in the memory unit 42 in association with the delivery identified in the case of YES in S13.

[0111] If the PIN acquired from the storage unit 42 matches the PIN acquired from the operation input unit 32, i.e., if the recipient has entered the correct PIN (YES in S15), the operation control unit 411 determines that recipient authentication has been successful. If the operation control unit 411 determines that recipient authentication has been successful, it unlocks the storage unit 31 (S16). This allows the recipient to retrieve the delivery from the storage unit 31. If the acquired PIN does not match the PIN corresponding to the delivery, i.e., if the recipient has entered an incorrect PIN (NO in S15), the operation control unit 411 determines that recipient authentication has failed and does not unlock the storage unit 31. Note that if recipient authentication has failed, the operation control unit 411 may display an error screen indicating that authentication has failed on a display device (not shown) provided in the delivery box 3.

[0112] After the recipient removes the delivery from the storage facility 31, the recipient operates the operation input unit 32 to lock the storage facility 31. When the delivery is removed from the storage facility 31 and the operation input unit 32 receives the operation to lock the storage facility 31 (YES in S17), the operation input unit 32 transmits a signal indicating that the operation to lock the storage facility 31 has been performed to the delivery box control device 4. Upon receiving the signal, the operation control unit 411 locks the storage facility 31. After locking the storage facility 31, the operation control unit 411 deletes the delivery destination information corresponding to the identification information of the storage facility 31 from which the delivery was removed from the delivery box DB 422. As a result, the delivery destination information corresponding to the identification information of the storage facility 31 from which the delivery was removed becomes blank, making the storage facility 31 available for depositing a new delivery. Furthermore, when the storage facility 31 is locked, the output unit 412 transmits the identification information of the storage facility 31 from which the delivery was removed to the elevator control device 1 (S18). As a result, in the elevator control device 1, the delivery destination information corresponding to the identification information of the storage facility 31 from which the delivery was taken out is deleted.

[0113] Furthermore, after S18, the output unit 412 stops sending the signal indicating that an operation related to the delivery box 3 is being performed to the elevator control device 1. When a predetermined time has passed since the delivery box information management unit 112 stopped receiving the signal indicating that an operation related to the delivery box 3 is being performed, the delivery box information management unit 112 switches the operation information 126 in the memory unit 12 from "in operation" to "not in operation."

[0114] (Processing related to call registration) Next, the flow of processing related to call registration will be described with reference to FIG.

[0115] When a deliverer or recipient uses the delivery locker 3, the deliverer or recipient operates the hall operating panel 24 to register a hall call. When the reception unit 111 receives a signal from the hall operating panel 24 indicating that an operation to make a hall call has been performed, the reception unit 111 registers a hall call with the floor on which the hall operating panel 24 is located as the destination floor. The elevator control unit 113 moves the car 21 based on the registered hall call and opens the door. This allows the deliverer or recipient to use the delivery locker 3 in the car 21.

[0116] Next, the deliverer or recipient performs a deposit start operation or a retrieval start operation on the operation input unit 32 of the delivery box 3. When the operation input unit 32 accepts the deposit start operation or the retrieval start operation, the delivery box control device 4 transmits a signal indicating that an operation related to the delivery box 3 is being performed to the delivery box information management unit 112. When the delivery box information management unit 112 begins to receive this signal, that is, when an operation related to the delivery box 3 is started (YES in S21), the delivery box information management unit 112 updates the delivery box information 123. Specifically, the delivery box information management unit 112 switches the operation information 126 included in the delivery box information 123 from "not operating" to "operating" (S22: delivery box information management step). When the operation information 126 is switched from "not operating" to "operating," the elevator control unit 113 stops responding to registered hall calls (S23).

[0117] When the deliverer or recipient deposits or retrieves the delivery, they perform an operation to complete the deposit or retrieval of the delivery item on the operation input unit 32 of the delivery locker 3. Specifically, the deliverer or recipient performs an operation to lock the storage unit 31. This causes the operation control unit 411 of the delivery locker 3 to lock the storage unit 31.

[0118] When the delivery person or recipient completes an operation on the operation input unit 32 of the delivery box 3, the delivery box control device 4 stops sending a signal indicating that an operation related to the delivery box 3 is being performed to the delivery box information management unit 112. If the delivery box information management unit 112 does not receive the signal for a predetermined period of time or longer, that is, when the operation related to the delivery box 3 is completed (YES in S24), the delivery box information management unit 112 updates the delivery box information 123. Specifically, the delivery box information management unit 112 switches the operation information 126 included in the delivery box information 123 from "in operation" to "not in operation" (S25: delivery box information management step). When the operation information 126 switches from "in operation" to "not in operation," that is, when the operation related to the delivery box 3 is completed, the elevator control unit 113 resumes responding to registered hall calls (S26).

[0119] After S23, if the operation related to delivery box 3 is not completed (NO in S24), elevator control unit 113 refers to memory unit 12 and determines whether or not a car call for elevator 2 has been registered (S27). If a car call for elevator 2 has not been registered (NO in S27), elevator control unit 113 extends the door open time (S28: elevator control step). This causes door 22 of car 21 to remain open. On the other hand, if a car call for elevator 2 has been registered (YES in S27), elevator control unit 113 closes door 22 of car 21 a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) after the car call is registered (S29: elevator control step), and responds to the car call (S30: elevator control step).

[0120] (Processing related to vacancy information management) Next, the flow of processing related to the management of vacancy information performed by elevator control system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Note that in the processing shown in Fig. 13, if S31 and S33 are NO, i.e., if delivery box information management unit 112 has not received any information, delivery box information management unit 112 repeats the processing of S31 and S33 until either S31 or S33 is YES.

[0121] When a delivery item is deposited in a storage facility 31 and the storage facility 31 is locked, the delivery box information management unit 112 receives the identification information (box number) of the storage facility 31 where the delivery item has been deposited and the delivery destination information (room number) of the delivery item from the output unit 412. Upon receiving this information (YES in S31), the delivery box information management unit 112 identifies the identification information (BOX_NO) of the storage facility 31 that matches the received identification information in the delivery box DB 124. The delivery box information management unit 112 then stores the delivery destination information received from the output unit 412 in association with the identification information of the identified storage facility 31, and updates the delivery box DB 124 (S32: delivery box information management step).

[0122] Furthermore, when a delivery item is removed from a storage warehouse 31 and the storage warehouse 31 is locked, the delivery box information management unit 112 receives, from the output unit 412 of the delivery box control device 4, the identification information (box number) of the storage warehouse 31 in which the delivery item was stored. When the delivery box information management unit 112 receives only the identification information (NO in S31, YES in S33), it identifies the identification information (BOX_NO) of the storage warehouse 31 that matches the received identification information in the delivery box DB 124. The delivery box information management unit 112 then deletes the delivery destination information associated with the identification information of the identified storage warehouse 31 and updates the delivery box DB 124 (S34: delivery box information management step). As a result, the delivery destination information corresponding to the identification information of the storage warehouse 31 from which the delivery item was removed becomes blank in the delivery box DB 124, and the storage warehouse 31 becomes available for depositing the delivery item.

[0123] After S32 or S34, delivery box information management unit 112 refers to delivery box DB 124 and extracts data for which delivery destination information is not registered in delivery box DB 124 (data for which "ROOM_NO" is "-" in FIG. 3) (S35).

[0124] If there is data for which delivery destination information is not registered (YES in S36), that is, if there is a storage facility 31 that does not contain a delivery, the delivery box information management unit 112 updates the vacancy information 125 to indicate "empty." Furthermore, if the result in S36 is YES, the delivery box information management unit 112 tallies the number of vacant storage facilities 31 for each dimension (SIZE) stored in the delivery box DB (S37) and updates the storage facility information included in the vacancy information 125. Specifically, the delivery box information management unit 112 updates the information indicating the number of vacant storage facilities 31 for each dimension. Next, the elevator control device 1 acquires the vacancy information 125 and storage facility information from the delivery box information 123. Specifically, the elevator control device 1 acquires the vacancy information 125 indicating "empty" and the information indicating the number of vacant storage facilities 31 for each dimension. The elevator control device 1 transmits the acquired information to the hall operating panel 24 (S38: elevator control step).

[0125] If there is no data for which delivery destination information is not registered (NO in S36), that is, if all storage warehouses 31 have deliveries stored therein, the delivery box information management unit 112 updates the vacancy information 125 to "full." The delivery box information management unit 112 also updates the storage warehouse information included in the vacancy information 125, that is, the information indicating the number of vacant storage warehouses 31 for each dimension, to 0. Next, the elevator control device 1 acquires the vacancy information 125 and storage warehouse information from the delivery box information 123. Specifically, the elevator control device 1 acquires the vacancy information 125 indicating "full" and the information indicating that the number of vacant storage warehouses 31 for each dimension is 0. The elevator control device 1 transmits the acquired information to the hall operating panel 24 (S39: elevator control step).

[0126] After S38 or S39, the presentation unit 25 of the hall operating panel 24 presents the received information.

[0127] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0128] In elevator control system 100 according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, operation control unit 411, as in embodiment 1, determines whether delivery destination information having a room number input as the recipient information to operation input unit 32 as the delivery destination is registered in delivery locker DB 422. Specifically, operation control unit 411 identifies delivery destination information in delivery locker DB 422 that matches the room number received as recipient information from delivery locker 3. If any of the delivery destination information input by the delivery person and stored in delivery locker DB 422 matches the recipient information input by the recipient, operation control unit 411 can identify the delivery destination information based on the recipient information.

[0129] If the operation control unit 411 can identify the delivery destination information based on the recipient information, the output unit 412 transmits the recipient information to the elevator control device 1.

[0130] Upon receiving the recipient information, the elevator control unit 113 refers to the delivery locker DB 124 and identifies a floor corresponding to delivery destination information that matches the recipient information. The elevator control unit 113 also registers a car call with the identified floor as the destination floor. For example, if the delivery destination indicated by the delivery destination information is a room on the fifth floor of a building, the elevator control unit 113 registers a car call with the fifth floor as the destination floor. In other words, if the delivery destination information input by the delivery person matches the recipient information input by the recipient, the elevator control unit 113 registers a car call with the floor corresponding to the delivery destination information as the destination floor. The elevator control unit 113 responds to the car call regardless of whether any operation related to the delivery locker 3 is being performed. Therefore, when a car call is registered as described above, the elevator control unit 113 closes the door of the car 21 and responds to the registered car call.

[0131] Fig. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing related to call registration performed by the elevator control system 100. The processing of S41 to S43 in Fig. 14 is similar to the processing of S21 to S23 in Fig. 12, and therefore description thereof will be omitted here.

[0132] After S43, if the operation control unit 411 can identify the delivery destination information based on the recipient information, the elevator control unit 113 receives the recipient information (YES in S44). After receiving the recipient information, the elevator control unit 113 identifies a floor corresponding to the delivery destination information that matches the recipient information (S45). Next, the elevator control unit 113 registers a car call with the identified floor as the destination floor (S46).

[0133] The processing of S47 to S53 in Fig. 14 is the same as the processing of S24 to S30 in Fig. 12, and therefore description thereof will be omitted here. Note that, since a car call is registered in S46, the first time S47 is always YES.

[0134] There are cases where a recipient receives a delivery from the delivery locker 3 in the car 21 of the elevator 2 and then travels directly to the floor where their home is. A configuration that requires the recipient to perform an operation to receive the delivery on the operation input unit 32 of the delivery locker 3 and then an operation to register a car call on the in-car operation panel 23 may be cumbersome for the recipient. Furthermore, with such a configuration, after receiving the delivery, the recipient may have their hands full holding the delivery, making it difficult for them to register a car call.

[0135] According to the above configuration, the recipient information entered during the operation to receive the delivery can be used to register the car call, thereby improving the convenience of the delivery box 3 installed in the car 21 of the elevator 2 while ensuring the convenience of the elevator 2 as a means of transportation.

[0136] <Variation 1> In the first or second embodiment described above, when receiving a delivery, the recipient is required to input a room number and a PIN number as recipient information into the operation input unit 32. Here, the delivery locker 3 may be equipped with a reading unit capable of reading identification information that uniquely identifies the recipient. The recipient may have the reading unit read a barcode (including a QR code (registered trademark)) displayed on a card or mobile information terminal that stores the identification information, or may have the reading unit read the recipient's biometric information, such as the recipient's vein pattern. In this case, the delivery locker control device 4 pre-stores the recipient's identification information and the recipient information of the recipient in association with each other. The operation control unit 411 may identify the recipient information based on the recipient's identification information read by the reading unit and identify the delivery based on the recipient information. Furthermore, when the recipient information is identified in this manner, the recipient's input of a PIN number and the operation control unit 411's authentication of the recipient may be omitted. In this case, the recipient does not need to perform complicated operations such as entering a room number and a PIN number, thereby improving the convenience of the delivery locker 3 for the recipient.

[0137] <Variation 2> In the above-described first or second embodiment, while an operation related to the delivery box 3 is being performed, the output unit 412 transmits a signal indicating that an operation related to the delivery box 3 is being performed to the elevator control device 1 at predetermined time intervals. Here, the output unit 412 may transmit a signal indicating that an operation related to the delivery box 3 has started to the elevator control device 1 when the operation related to the delivery box 3 is started. Furthermore, the output unit 412 may transmit a signal indicating that the operation related to the delivery box 3 has been completed to the elevator control device 1 when the operation related to the delivery box 3 is completed. In this case, the output unit 412 does not need to transmit a signal at predetermined time intervals. When the delivery box information management unit 112 receives a signal indicating that an operation related to the delivery box 3 has started, the output unit 412 switches the operation information 126 from "not operating" to "operating." Furthermore, when the delivery box information management unit 112 receives a signal indicating that the operation related to the delivery box 3 has been completed, the output unit 412 switches the operation information 126 from "operating" to "not operating."

[0138] <Variation 3> In the above-described first or second embodiment, the delivery box control device 4 stores the delivery box DB 422, and the elevator control device 1 stores the delivery box DB 124. Here, the delivery box control device 4 may not store the delivery box DB 422, and only the elevator control device 1 may store the delivery box DB 124. In this case, processes related to unlocking, locking, and authentication are performed on the elevator control device 1 side, and the delivery box control device 4 controls the delivery box 3 based on instructions received from the elevator control device 1. Furthermore, the elevator control system 100 may not include the delivery box control device 4, and the elevator control device 1 may execute all of the processes performed by the delivery box control device 4.

[0139] <Variation 4> In the above-described first or second embodiment, the recipient knows that the delivery has been deposited by the deliverer leaving a delivery notice. Here, when the deliverer deposits the delivery, the elevator control system 100 may send a message indicating that the delivery has been deposited to a contact such as an email address pre-associated with the delivery destination of the delivery. This allows the deliverer to save time spent filling out a delivery notice, and the recipient can immediately know that the delivery has been deposited using their own terminal device or the like.

[0140] <Variation 5> In the above-described embodiment, the presentation unit 25 of the hall operating panel 24 presents the vacancy information 125 and the storage room information, but this is not limited to this. For example, the elevator control unit 113 may transmit the vacancy information 125 and the storage room information to a presentation device (not shown) that is separately installed at the hall of a predetermined floor of the elevator 2 and is connected to the elevator control device 1 so as to be able to communicate with the elevator control device 1, and the presentation device may present this information.

[0141] <Variation 6> In the first or second embodiment described above, when a deliverer deposits a delivery item, the operation control unit 411 unlocks one of the available storage units 31. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the deliverer may specify the storage unit 31 into which the delivery item is to be deposited. Specifically, the operation input unit 32 may receive an operation by the deliverer specifying the identification information (box number) of the storage unit 31. If the storage unit 31 corresponding to the identification information specified by the deliverer is available, the operation control unit 411 may unlock the storage unit 31. Alternatively, the multiple storage units 31 of the delivery locker 3 may each be provided with a corresponding operation panel (not shown), and the operation control unit 411 may unlock the storage unit 31 corresponding to the operation panel operated by the deliverer.

[0142] <Variation 7> Even after the recipient has been successfully authenticated and the storage facility 31 has been unlocked, there may be cases where the recipient locks the storage facility 31 without retrieving the delivery. In such a case, the elevator control system 100 according to the first or second embodiment described above may retain the delivery destination information of the unretrieved delivery from the delivery box DB 124 and the delivery box DB 422 without deleting it.

[0143] For example, each storage unit 31 may be provided with a sensor capable of detecting the status inside the storage unit, and a signal indicating the detection result may be output to delivery box control device 4. The sensor may be, for example, an infrared sensor, a weight sensor, or the like.

[0144] Even after the recipient has been successfully authenticated and the storage unit 31 has been unlocked, if the recipient performs an operation to lock the storage unit 31 without removing the delivery item, the operation control unit 411 locks the storage unit 31. If the recipient has been successfully authenticated and the storage unit 31 has been unlocked, and then the storage unit 31 is locked without the recipient removing the delivery item, the operation control unit 411 retains the delivery destination information for the unremoved delivery item without deleting it from the delivery box DB 422. This allows the operation control unit 411 to authenticate the recipient and unlock the storage unit 31 even if the recipient performs an operation to remove the delivery item again later. The operation control unit 411 determines whether the delivery item has been removed from the storage unit 31 based on the detection results of the sensors provided in each storage unit 31.

[0145] Furthermore, if the recipient is successfully authenticated and the storage room 31 is unlocked, and then the storage room 31 is locked again before the recipient has retrieved the delivery, the output unit 412 does not transmit the delivery destination information to the elevator control device 1. This allows the elevator control device 1 to retain the delivery destination information of the delivery that has not been retrieved from the delivery box DB 124 without deleting it.

[0146] <Variation 8> In the above-described first or second embodiment, the elevator control device 1 may be communicatively connected to an elevator monitoring system that monitors the elevator 2. The elevator control device 1 may also monitor the period for which a delivery has been deposited. If a delivery stored in the storage facility 31 has not been retrieved for a predetermined period (e.g., one week), the elevator control device 1 may transmit information (such as an error code) indicating that the delivery has not been retrieved for the predetermined period to the elevator management company's system via the elevator monitoring system. This allows a user of the elevator management company's system that obtains the information to notify the building manager in which the elevator 2 is installed that the delivery has not been retrieved. By knowing that the delivery has not been retrieved for the predetermined period, the building manager can take action, such as forcibly retrieving the delivery.

[0147] <Variation 9> In the above-described first or second embodiment, if the recipient authentication is successful, the operation control unit 411 unlocks the storage unit 31 identified based on the recipient information. Here, if there are multiple storage units 31 identified based on the recipient information, the operation control unit 411 may identify all storage units 31 in which multiple deliveries addressed to the same recipient are deposited. The case where there are multiple storage units 31 identified based on the recipient information can also be rephrased as the case where multiple deliveries addressed to the same recipient are deposited in different storage units 31.

[0148] In the case where the PIN is fixed and the recipient is successfully authenticated, the operation control unit 411 may unlock all of the identified storage units 31. According to this configuration, when multiple deliveries addressed to the recipient are deposited, the recipient can retrieve the deliveries from all of the storage units 31 in which deliveries addressed to the recipient are deposited by simply entering the PIN once.

[0149] Furthermore, in a configuration in which a PIN is set each time, the operation input unit 32 may accept input of the PIN multiple times, and the operation control unit 411 may authenticate the recipient using the multiple PINs input to the operation input unit 32. The operation control unit 411 performs authentication based on the multiple input PINs and PINs associated with multiple pieces of delivery destination information corresponding to the identification information of each of the specified multiple storage units 31. When the PIN associated with the identification information of one of the specified multiple storage units 31 matches any one of the input PINs, the operation control unit 411 determines that the authentication of the recipient for that storage unit 31 has been successful.

[0150] The operation control unit 411 performs the above-mentioned determination for all of the identified storage units 31 and unlocks the storage units 31 for which authentication has been successful. Alternatively, the operation control unit 411 may unlock the storage units 31 for which authentication has been successful only if authentication has been successful for all of the storage units 31. According to this configuration, if multiple deliveries addressed to the recipient have been deposited, the recipient can retrieve the deliveries from all storage units 31 in which deliveries addressed to the recipient have been deposited by entering the PIN number consecutively, without having to enter the recipient information multiple times.

[0151] [Software implementation example] The functions of the elevator control system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "system") can be realized by a program that causes a computer to function as the system, and a program that causes a computer to function as each control block of the system (particularly each part included in the control units 11, 41).

[0152] In this case, the system includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and storage device execute the program, thereby realizing the functions described in each of the above embodiments.

[0153] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the system. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the system via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0154] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the control blocks can be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of the control blocks can also be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0155] Furthermore, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may run on the control device or on another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0156] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0157] 〔summary〕 The elevator control system of aspect 1 of the present invention comprises a delivery box provided in an elevator car and including at least one storage compartment capable of storing delivery items, an operation input unit that accepts input of operations for depositing the delivery items in the storage compartment and receiving the delivery items from the storage compartment, a delivery box information management unit that updates delivery box information indicating the usage status of the delivery box based on the operations input to the operation input unit, and an elevator control unit that can control the elevator based on the delivery box information.

[0158] In the elevator control system of aspect 2 of the present invention, in aspect 1, the delivery box information includes availability information indicating whether there is a storage facility that does not contain the delivery item, and the elevator control unit may be installed at a landing on a specified floor of the elevator and cause a display unit provided on a landing operation panel for accepting landing call registration operations to display the availability information.

[0159] In the elevator control system of aspect 3 of the present invention, in aspect 2, the delivery box information further includes storage room information regarding at least one of the dimensions and number of storage rooms that do not contain the delivery items, and the elevator control unit may cause the presentation unit to display the availability information and the storage room information.

[0160] In an elevator control system according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 3, the delivery box information includes operation information indicating whether the operation is in progress, and the elevator control unit may maintain the car doors in an open state at least during the period when the operation is in progress if no elevator car call is registered during the period when the operation is in progress.

[0161] An elevator control system according to aspect 5 of the present invention is such that, in any of aspects 1 to 4, the delivery box information includes operation information indicating whether the operation is in progress, and the elevator control unit may close the car doors a predetermined time after the car call is registered if a car call for the elevator is registered during the period when the operation is in progress.

[0162] In an elevator control system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the elevator control unit may register a car call with the floor corresponding to the delivery destination information as the destination floor when delivery destination information indicating the delivery destination of the delivery item to be deposited in the storage warehouse input by the delivery person in the operation matches recipient information input by the recipient who will receive the delivery item from the storage warehouse in the operation.

[0163] A control method according to aspect 7 of the present invention is a control method for an elevator control system executed by one or more information processing devices, and includes a delivery box information management step of updating delivery box information indicating the usage status of a delivery box provided in an elevator car and having at least one storage compartment capable of storing deliveries and an operation input unit that accepts input of operations for depositing the deliveries in the storage compartment and receiving the deliveries from the storage compartment, based on the operations input to the operation input unit, and an elevator control step of controlling the elevator based on the delivery box information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 2. Elevator 21 Basket 22 Door 24 Platform control panel 25 Presentation section 3. Delivery box 31 Containment 32 Operation input section 100 Elevator Control System 112 Delivery Box Information Management Department 113 Elevator control unit 123 Delivery Box Information 125 Vacancy Information 126 Operation information S22, S25, S32, S34 Delivery box information management steps S28~S30, S38, S39 Elevator control steps

Claims

1. a delivery box provided in an elevator car, the delivery box including at least one storage compartment capable of storing delivery items, and an operation input unit that receives input of operations for depositing the delivery items in the storage compartment and receiving the delivery items from the storage compartment; a delivery box information management unit that updates delivery box information indicating the usage status of the delivery box based on the operation input to the operation input unit; an elevator control unit capable of controlling the elevator based on the delivery box information; An elevator control system comprising:

2. The delivery box information includes availability information indicating whether there is a storage facility that does not contain the delivery item, The elevator control unit a display unit provided on a hall operating panel that is installed at a hall of the elevator at a predetermined floor and that receives hall call registration operations, and that displays the vacancy information; 10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

3. The delivery box information further includes storage information regarding at least one of the dimensions and the number of storage boxes in which the delivery items are not stored, The elevator control unit causing the presentation unit to display the vacancy information and the storage facility information; 3. The elevator control system of claim 2.

4. The delivery box information includes operation information indicating whether the operation is being performed, The elevator control unit If no car call is registered for the elevator during the operation, the car door is maintained in an open state at least during the operation.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

5. The delivery box information includes operation information indicating whether the operation is being performed, The elevator control unit If a car call for the elevator is registered during a period during the operation, the car door is closed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the car call was registered.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

6. The elevator control unit When delivery destination information indicating the delivery destination of the delivery item to be deposited in the storage warehouse, which is input by the delivery person in the operation, matches with recipient information input by the recipient who receives the delivery item from the storage warehouse in the operation, a car call is registered with the floor corresponding to the delivery destination information as the destination floor.

10. The elevator control system of claim 1.

7. A control method for an elevator control system executed by one or more information processing devices, comprising: a delivery box information management step of updating delivery box information indicating the usage status of a delivery box provided in an elevator car and including at least one storage compartment capable of storing delivery items and an operation input unit that receives operation inputs for depositing the delivery items in the storage compartment and receiving the delivery items from the storage compartment, based on the operation inputted to the operation input unit; an elevator control step of controlling the elevator based on the delivery box information; A control method comprising:

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