Elevator control device, elevator control method, and elevator control system

Abstract

To reduce discomfort of a user.SOLUTION: An elevator control device according to an embodiment includes an assignment control unit configured to assign a first car from a plurality of cars based on a hall call designating a departure floor, a predicted arrival time calculation unit configured to calculate a predicted arrival time at which each of a plurality of users using an elevator arrives at a hall from a distance from a security gate to the hall and an attribute of the user when each of the plurality of users passes through the security gate installed on an entrance side of the hall of the plurality of cars, and a control unit configured to control an operation of the first car based on a result of the determination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator control device, an elevator control method, and an elevator control system. [Background technology]

[0002] Previously, systems have been proposed that photograph passengers boarding an elevator and assign a car that the passenger can board based on the passenger's destination floor and the elevator's occupied area (for example, Patent Document 1), and systems that photograph the car and landing and register additional calls depending on whether there are any passengers who were unable to board the car (for example, Patent Document 2).

[0003] However, in the technologies of Patent Documents 1 and 2, individual users do not register platform calls, so it is not possible to evaluate the waiting time from when an individual user arrives at a platform until they board a car. Therefore, a system has been proposed that grasps the arrival timing of each user at a platform and assigns a car according to that timing (for example, Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-009902 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-167186 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 5684307 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the technology of Patent Document 3, if it is determined that a passenger cannot board the currently assigned car, another car is assigned. Increasing the number of floors that the cars stop at increases the waiting time, which can make some passengers feel uncomfortable.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an elevator control device, an elevator control method, and an elevator control system that can reduce discomfort felt by users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An elevator control device of an embodiment of the present invention is an elevator control device that controls an elevator having a plurality of cars, and includes: an allocation control unit that allocates a first car from the plurality of cars based on a hall call that specifies a departure floor; a predicted arrival time calculation unit that calculates a predicted arrival time at the hall when each of a plurality of users using the elevator passes through a security gate installed on the entrance side of the hall of the plurality of cars, based on the distance from the security gate to the hall and the attributes of the user; an arrival determination unit that compares the door opening start time at which the first car starts opening the doors at the hall with the predicted arrival time of a first user among the plurality of users, and determines whether the first user will be able to arrive at the hall before the doors of the first car start opening; and a control unit that controls the operation of the first car based on the result of the determination so that the first user can board the first car. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a building to which the elevator control system of the first embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the elevator control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management table stored in the elevator control device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of an authentication database stored in the elevator control device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4B]FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of an attribute database stored in the elevator control device of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the correlation between the predicted arrival time of a user and whether or not the user can board a car. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the car control process in the elevator control device of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the elevator control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the car control process in the elevator control device of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the elevator control device of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the elevator control device of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Embodiment 1] The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a building 1 to which the elevator control system of the first embodiment is applied.

[0011] For example, consider a building 1 that requires security measures, such as an apartment building. An elevator 2 and a security gate 11 are installed inside the building 1. The security gate 11 is installed at the entrance side of a hall 3 for the elevator 2. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the security gate 11 and the hall 3 for the elevator 2 are approximately 40 m apart.

[0012] The elevator 2 has multiple cars. For example, in the example of Fig. 1, three cars are installed: car A, car B, and car C. Cars A to C are connected to an elevator control device 21 that controls the entire elevator 2 via a control panel (Fig. 2).

[0013] In addition, imaging devices 23a to 23c are provided in each of cars A to C. The imaging devices 23a to 23c are provided near the ceiling of each car, and are configured to be able to capture images of substantially the entire interior of the car. Each of the imaging devices 23a to 23c transmits the captured images to the elevator control device 21. The captured images are used to calculate the occupancy rates of cars A to C.

[0014] The security gate 11 is provided with an auto-locking door 12 and a gate operating device 13 for unlocking the door 12.

[0015] The gate operating device 13 is a so-called ID reading device. The gate operating device 13 is configured to be able to read information from security cards 33a to 33n held by users Ma to Mn (n is an arbitrary integer equal to or greater than 1), respectively.

[0016] Each of the security cards 33a to 33n includes authentication information such as a multi-digit ID number and a password for identifying each of the users Ma to Mn.

[0017] When passing through security gate 11, users Ma to Mn each hold their security card 33a to 33n over gate operating device 13. Gate operating device 13 reads the ID number and authentication information recorded on security cards 33a to 33n in a contactless manner.

[0018] The read ID numbers and authentication information are used to authenticate users Ma to Mn using an authentication database, which will be described later. Once users Ma to Mn are authenticated, door 12 opens, allowing users Ma to Mn to proceed to hall 3. Furthermore, if users Ma to Mn are successfully authenticated, hall calls for elevator 2, which will be described later, can be registered.

[0019] Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the users Ma to Mn, they may be collectively referred to as user M.

[0020] Next, an example of the functional configuration of the elevator control system SS according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the elevator control system SS according to the first embodiment.

[0022] The elevator control system SS of the first embodiment has a configuration in which the above-mentioned security gate 11 and elevator control device 21 are connected via a network.

[0023] The security gate 11 includes a gate control device 14 in addition to the door 12 and gate operating device 13 shown in FIG.

[0024] The gate control device 14 controls the opening and closing of the door 12, etc. Specifically, the gate control device 14 transmits the ID number and authentication information acquired via the gate operating device 13 to the elevator control device 21. When the authentication of the user M is successful, the gate control device 14 opens the door 12 and generates a hall call, which is transmitted to the elevator control device 21. This causes the hall call to be registered. A hall call is a request made to have one of the cars A to C heading in either the up or down direction arrive at the hall 3. The floor from which the hall call was made (i.e., the departure floor) is specified in the hall call.

[0025] The elevator control device 21 controls the operation of the cars A to C based on the authentication information received from the gate control device 14. In this embodiment, the elevator control device 21 includes, as functional components, an allocation control unit 211, a storage unit 212, a predicted arrival time calculation unit 213, a waiting time calculation unit 214, a congestion determination unit 215, an arrival determination unit 216, and a control unit 217.

[0026] The allocation control unit 211 allocates, for example, car A as a first car from among a plurality of cars based on the registered hall call. In this embodiment, it is assumed that car A is allocated to the hall call registered when user Ma, of users Ma to Mn, passes through the security gate 11. A known method is used for allocating cars. An example of such a known method is group management control, which allocates a car that can arrive at the departure floor from which the hall call was made in the shortest time based on operation information that specifies the current positions and operation directions of each of cars A to C.

[0027] In this embodiment, car A is assigned to the hall call, but this is not limitative. For example, car B or car C may be assigned.

[0028] The storage unit 212 stores a management table 300, an authentication database 400, and an attribute database 500. The management table 300 is a table that manages information based on hall calls that are registered when each of users Ma to Mn passes through the security gate 11. The authentication database 400 is a database for authenticating users Ma to Mn. The attribute database 500 is a database that registers the average movement speed for each attribute.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a management table 300 stored in the elevator control device 21 of the first embodiment.

[0030] The management table 300 stores information based on the platform call, such as the "time of registration of the platform call," "travel time to the platform," and "estimated arrival time at the platform," in correspondence with the ID numbers of each of users Ma to Mn.

[0031] The "hall call registration time" is the time when the hall call is registered. In other words, the "hall call registration time" is also the time when each of the users Ma to Mn passes through the door 12 of the security gate 11 or the time when the gate operating device 13 reads the security cards 33a to 33n.

[0032] The "travel time to the landing" is the time it takes for each of users Ma to Mn to travel from the security gate 11 to the landing 3. The "travel time to the landing" is calculated from the relationship between the distance from the security gate 11 to the landing 3 and the average travel speed of each of users Ma to Mn. The average travel speed of each of users Ma to Mn is identified using the authentication database 400 and the attribute database 500, which will be described later.

[0033] The "estimated arrival time at the platform" is the time at which each of users Ma to Mn who has passed through the security gate 11 is expected to arrive at the platform 3. The above-mentioned "travel time to the platform" and "estimated arrival time at the platform" are calculated by the estimated arrival time calculation unit 213, which will be described later, and stored in the management table 300.

[0034] FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of the authentication database 400 stored in the elevator control device 21 of the first embodiment.

[0035] The authentication database 400 stores the ID numbers of users Ma to Mn, authentication information such as passwords, and attributes of each of users Ma to Mn, in association with each other. In the authentication database 400 according to this embodiment, in addition to associating authentication information with ID numbers, attributes are also associated with ID numbers. Here, in this embodiment, attributes refer to characteristics that affect the movement speed of user M, such as adult, child, elderly person, wheelchair user, etc. For example, when user Ma passes through the security gate 11 and is successfully authenticated, the attribute corresponding to user Ma's ID number "1" is identified as "adult." This attribute makes it possible to identify user M's average movement speed.

[0036] FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of the attribute database 500 stored in the elevator control device 21 of the first embodiment.

[0037] The average moving speed for each attribute is registered in the attribute database 500. For example, the average moving speed of a user whose "attribute" is "adult" is 5 km / h, the average moving speed of a user whose "attribute" is "wheelchair" is 4 km / h, and the average moving speed of a user whose "attribute" is "elderly" is 1 km / h.

[0038] The predicted arrival time calculation unit 213 calculates the predicted arrival time at which each of the users Ma to Mn who has passed through the security gate 11 will arrive at the platform 3. Specifically, the predicted arrival time calculation unit 213 calculates the travel time for each of the users Ma to Mn from passing through the security gate 11 to arriving at the platform 3, based on the distance from the security gate 11 to the platform 3 (approximately 40 m in the example of FIG. 1) and the average travel speed of each of the users Ma to Mn.

[0039] The predicted arrival time calculation unit 213 identifies the average travel speed of each of the users Ma to Mn based on the authentication database 400 and the attribute database 500.

[0040] Specifically, for example, assume that user Ma passes through the security gate 11 at 9:00:00. The predicted arrival time calculation unit 213 authenticates user Ma by determining whether the ID number and authentication information of user Ma read from the security card 33a are both registered in the authentication database 400. If the ID number and authentication information of user Ma read from the security card 33a are both registered in the authentication database 400, the predicted arrival time calculation unit 213 determines that the authentication is successful and identifies the attribute of user Ma registered in the authentication database 400 for user Ma's ID number as "adult." The predicted arrival time calculation unit 213 identifies from the attribute database 500 that the average travel speed corresponding to user Ma's attribute is 5 km / h. The predicted arrival time calculation unit 213 calculates the travel time (30 seconds) of user Ma to the landing 3 based on the distance (40 m) from the security gate 11 to the landing 3 and user Ma's average travel speed (5 km / h). Then, the predicted arrival time calculation unit 213 calculates the predicted arrival time (9:00:30) of user Ma at platform 3 from the calculated travel time, and records this in association with the ID number (1) of user Ma in the management table 300. User Ma is an example of a second user.

[0041] The predicted arrival time calculation unit 213 performs the above-described process of calculating the predicted arrival time for each of the users Ma to Mn. By calculating the predicted arrival time at the hall 3 for each of the users Ma to Mn in this way, it is possible to individually identify the waiting time for each of the users Ma to Mn.

[0042] The waiting time calculation unit 214 calculates a waiting time from when each of users Ma to Mn arrives at the hall 3 until car A starts opening its doors at the hall 3, based on the predicted arrival time calculated for each of users Ma to Mn. The time at which car A starts opening its doors at the hall 3 is identified based on operation information including information such as the current position of car A and the driving direction of car A, and a predetermined driving speed of car A. Specifically, for example, the waiting time calculation unit 214 calculates the waiting time of user Ma from when user Ma arrives at the hall 3 until car A starts opening its doors at the hall 3. The waiting time of user Ma waiting for car A is an example of a first waiting time.

[0043] Here, "door open" means that the car door is in an open state, and "door close" means that the car door is in a closed state.

[0044] The congestion determination unit 215 determines whether the occupancy rate of car A before the doors start opening at the hall 3 exceeds a predetermined occupancy rate. Specifically, the congestion determination unit 215 first analyzes the captured image received from the imaging device 23a (see FIG. 1 ) and calculates the occupancy rate of car A before the doors start opening at the hall 3. The calculation of the occupancy rate uses, for example, the number of passengers in car A identified based on the captured image, the area occupied by passengers, etc. If the calculated occupancy rate exceeds a predetermined occupancy rate, for example, 80%, the congestion determination unit 215 determines that car A is in a crowded state. If car A is in a crowded state, it may not be possible for passengers to board car A even if the doors of car A open at the hall 3.

[0045] The arrival determination unit 216 compares the door opening start time when car A starts opening the doors at hall 3 with the predicted arrival time at hall 3 of user Mb, who is the first user to pass through the security gate 11 after user Ma, to determine whether user Mb will be able to arrive at hall 3 before car A starts opening the doors. In this embodiment, determining whether user Mb will be able to arrive at hall 3 before car A starts opening the doors is also determining whether user Mb can board car A.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the correlation between the predicted arrival time of user Mb and whether user Mb can board car A. In FIG.

[0047] In Figure 5, "time" indicates the time axis, and "movement of car A" schematically indicates the speed at which car A moves toward either the up or down destination. That is, in the example of Figure 5, car A starts to decelerate at time T1, and starts opening the doors at time T2. At time T3, a certain time after the doors open, car A starts to close the doors. At time T4, car A reaches its rated speed and heads toward the next destination.

[0048] In the example of Fig. 5, car A responds to hall calls from the door opening start time (time T2) to the door closing start time (time T3). For example, the response of car A can be delayed by slowing down the door opening start time and door closing start time of car A or the door opening and closing operation speed of car A.

[0049] Here, using examples of cases 1 to 3, the correlation between the predicted arrival time of user Mb and whether user Mb can board car A will be described.

[0050] Case 1 is a case where the predicted arrival time of user Mb is before the door opening start time of car A (time T2), that is, a case where the arrival determination unit 216 determines that user Mb will be able to arrive at hall 3 at the door opening start time of car A. In such a case 1, user Mb can board car A.

[0051] Case 2 is a case where the predicted arrival time of user Mb falls between the time when the doors of car A start to open (time T2) and the time when the doors of car A start to close (time T3). In this case, the arrival determination unit 216 determines that user Mb will not be able to arrive at hall 3 at the time when the doors of car A start to open. In such a case 2, there is a possibility that user Mb will not be able to board car A.

[0052] Case 3 is a case where the predicted arrival time of user Mb is after the time when the doors of car A start to close (time T3). In this case as well, the arrival determination unit 216 determines that user Mb will not be able to arrive at hall 3 at the time when the doors of car A start to open. In such a case 3, user Mb cannot board car A.

[0053] 2, the control unit 217 executes a process to control the operation of the car A so that the user Mb can board the car A based on the determination result of the arrival determination unit 216. The specific control process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the control process of the car A in the elevator control device 21 of the first embodiment.

[0055] Figure 6(a) is a diagram explaining the control processing of car A in case 1 described in Figure 5, Figure 6(b) is a diagram explaining the control processing of car A in case 2 described in Figure 5, and Figure 6(c) is a diagram explaining the control processing of car A in case 3 described in Figure 5.

[0056] 6(a), when the predicted arrival time T11 of user Mb is before the door opening start time (time T12) of car A, the control unit 217 first obtains a determination result indicating whether or not the occupancy rate of car A exceeds a predetermined occupancy rate from the congestion determination unit 215. When it is determined that the occupancy rate of car A exceeds the predetermined occupancy rate, the control unit 217 controls the allocation control unit 211 to perform a first control process of ignoring hall calls for car A from other floors.

[0057] Specifically, for example, when car A is ascending from the first floor toward the fourth floor, which is the departure floor, the control unit 217 controls the allocation control unit 211 to ignore hall calls from the second and third floors, which are intermediate floors. As a result, since no one is boarding car A from the intermediate floors, even if the occupancy rate of car A is crowded, user Mb is more likely to be able to board car A.

[0058] At this time, the waiting time for user Mb until the doors of car A start to open is, for example, 2 seconds, and the waiting time for user Ma who arrives at hall 3 before user Mb is, for example, 10 seconds.

[0059] As shown in Figure 6(b), if time T14, which is the predicted arrival time of user Mb, is between the time when the doors of car A start opening (time T12) and the time when the doors start closing (time T13), the control unit 217 executes a second control process to delay the response of car A to the extent that the waiting time of user Ma does not exceed the first threshold.

[0060] Specifically, the control unit 217 delays the response of car A by stopping car A at a floor on the way to the departure floor and delaying the door-opening start time of car A from time T12 to, for example, time T14. As a result, user Mb arrives at hall 3 at the same time as the door-opening start time of car A (time T14), and user Mb can board car A. At this time, user Ma's waiting time does not exceed a first threshold value, for example, 20 seconds.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6(c), if the predicted arrival time T17 of user Mb is after the time when the doors of car A start to close (time T13), the control unit 217 performs the same processing as the processing of case 2 described above as the second control processing.

[0062] Specifically, for example, the control unit 217 delays the door-opening start time of car A from time T12 to time T15, and starts closing the doors at time T16, a certain time after time T15, thereby delaying the response of car A. As a result, user Mb will arrive at hall 3 between the door-opening start time (time T15) and the door-closing start time (time T16) of car A, so there is a possibility that user Mb will be able to board car A. Also, at this time, the waiting time of user Ma does not exceed a first threshold value, for example, 20 seconds.

[0063] Returning to Fig. 2, the elevator control device 21 is connected to control panels 22a to 22c corresponding to the cars A to C. For example, the control panels 22a to 22c are configured to be able to change the operating speeds of the doors of the cars A to C for opening and closing based on instructions from the control unit 217.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the elevator control device 21 of the first embodiment.

[0065] Prior to step S11, for example, a user Ma opens the door 12 of the security gate 11 and enters the building 1. A hall call is generated by the gate control device 14 and sent to the elevator control device 21. The elevator control device 21 registers the registration time of the hall call in the management table 300.

[0066] When a hall call is registered, the allocation control unit 211 allocates a car A as a first car from among a plurality of cars (step S11).

[0067] Next, when user Mb passes through the security gate 11 (step S12: Yes), the predicted arrival time calculation unit 213 calculates the predicted arrival time of user Mb from the distance to the platform 3 and the attributes of user Mb, and records it in the management table 300 (step S13).

[0068] The arrival determination unit 216 compares the door opening start time when the car A starts opening the doors at the hall 3 with the predicted arrival time of the user Mb (step S14). Next, the arrival determination unit 216 determines whether the user Mb can arrive at the hall 3 before the car A starts opening the doors (step S15).

[0069] If it is determined that user Mb can arrive at platform 3 before the doors of car A begin to open (step S15: Yes), the congestion determination unit 215 calculates the occupancy rate of car A (step S16) and determines whether the occupancy rate exceeds a predetermined occupancy rate (step S17).

[0070] If it is determined that the occupancy rate of car A exceeds the predetermined occupancy rate (step S17: Yes), the control unit 217 controls the allocation control unit 211 to execute a first control process of ignoring hall calls for car A from other floors (step S18), and the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the occupancy rate of car A does not exceed the predetermined occupancy rate (step S17: No), the control unit 217 does not execute the first control process, and the process ends. After this, the door of car A opens at hall 3, and users Ma and Mb can board car A.

[0071] On the other hand, if it is determined that user Mb cannot arrive at platform 3 before the doors of elevator A start to open (step S15: No), the waiting time calculation unit 214 calculates the waiting time for user Ma from the time user Ma arrives at platform 3 until elevator A starts to open its doors at platform 3 (step S19).

[0072] The control unit 217 executes a second control process to delay the response of the car A within a range in which the waiting time of the user Ma does not exceed the first threshold, and the process ends (step S20). After this, the door of the car A opens at the hall 3, and the user Ma and the user Mb can board the car A.

[0073] [Summary] The elevator control device 21 of the embodiment calculates the predicted arrival time at which each of users Ma to Mn passing through the security gate 11 will arrive at the hall 3. The elevator control device 21 compares the door-opening start time at which the car A starts opening its doors at the hall 3 with the predicted arrival time of user Mb, and determines whether user Mb will be able to arrive at the hall 3 before the doors of car A start opening. Based on the result of the determination, the elevator control device 21 controls the operation of car A so that user Mb can board car A.

[0074] This allows user Mb to board car A, thereby increasing the number of people that can be transported in one trip. If the number of people that can be transported in one trip increases, the number of floors that cars A to C all stop at can be reduced, thereby shortening the overall waiting period for users Ma to Mn. As a result, the discomfort felt by users Ma to Mn can be reduced. Furthermore, since more people can be transported in one trip, transportation costs can be reduced.

[0075] In addition, the elevator control device 21 of the embodiment executes a first control process to ignore hall calls from other floors for car A if user Mb can arrive at hall 3 before the doors of car A start opening and the occupancy rate of car A exceeds a predetermined occupancy rate.

[0076] In this way, by performing a process to prevent any more passengers from boarding car A when the occupancy rate of car A is high, user Mb can board car A more reliably.

[0077] On the other hand, in the embodiment, when it is determined that user Mb cannot arrive at the landing 3 before the doors of car A start to open, the elevator control device 21 executes a second control process to delay the response of car A to the extent that the first waiting time of user Ma does not exceed the first threshold.

[0078] In this way, by performing a control process such as delaying the response of car A within an acceptable range for the waiting time of user Ma and allowing user Mb to board car A, it is possible to equalize the waiting times of users Ma and Mb. In other words, it is possible to avoid a situation where user Ma's waiting time becomes longer due to excessive consideration of user Mb, for example.

[0079] [Embodiment 2] The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0080] In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the control process of car A is described, taking into consideration the waiting time of user M when assuming that user M boards car A. In contrast, in embodiment 2, the control process of car A is described, taking into consideration the waiting time of user M when user M is to board car B, which is allocated next to car A. Note that in the following, the description of the same configuration as that of embodiment 1 may be omitted.

[0081] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the control process of the car A in the elevator control device 21 of the second embodiment.

[0082] Figures 8(a) to (c) are diagrams corresponding to Figures 6(a) to (c), and each of Figures 6(a) to (c) is supplemented with the movement of car B and the waiting time of user Mb when it is assumed that car B starts opening its doors at hall 3. Car B is the car assigned next to car A, and is an example of a second car.

[0083] The waiting time calculation unit 214 calculates the waiting time of user Mb from the time user Mb arrives at hall 3 until car B starts opening its doors at hall 3. The waiting time of user Mb waiting for car B is an example of a second waiting time.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 8(a), when the predicted arrival time T11 of user Mb is before the door opening start time of car A (time T12), the control unit 217 further determines whether the waiting time of user Mb waiting for car B exceeds a second threshold. In this case, the waiting time of user Mb until car B starts opening its door is, for example, 65 seconds. In this way, when the waiting time of user Mb exceeds the second threshold, for example, 20 seconds, and the occupancy rate of car A exceeds a predetermined occupancy rate, for example, 80%, the control unit 217 controls the allocation control unit 211 to execute the first control process.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 8(b), when time T14, which is the predicted arrival time of user Mb, is between the door opening start time (time T12) and the door closing start time (time T13) of car A, the control unit 217 further determines whether the waiting time of user Mb waiting for car B exceeds a second threshold value. In this case, the waiting time of user Mb until car B starts opening its doors is, for example, 60 seconds. In this way, when the waiting time of user Mb exceeds the second threshold value, for example, 20 seconds, the control unit 217 executes a second control process.

[0086] Also, as shown in Figure 8(c), if the predicted arrival time T17 of user Mb is after the time when the doors of car A start to close (time T13) and user Mb's waiting time exceeds a second threshold value, for example, 20 seconds, the control unit 217 executes a second control process.

[0087] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the elevator control device 21 of the second embodiment.

[0088] Prior to step S31, also in the second embodiment, a hall call is registered when, for example, a user Ma passes through the security gate 11. The elevator control device 21 registers in the management table 300 the registration time of the hall call.

[0089] The processes in steps S31 to S35 correspond to the processes in steps S11 to S15 in FIG. 7, respectively, and therefore will not be described here.

[0090] If it is determined that user Mb can arrive at hall 3 before car A starts opening its doors (step S35: Yes), and car B is assigned to hall 3 next after car A (step S36: Yes), the waiting time calculation unit 214 calculates the waiting time of user Mb from when user Mb arrives at hall 3 until car B starts opening its doors at hall 3 (step S37). If the waiting time of user Mb exceeds the second threshold (step S38: Yes), the processing proceeds to step S39. On the other hand, if the waiting time of user Mb does not exceed the second threshold (step S38: No), the control unit 217 does not execute the first control processing, and the processing ends.

[0091] Note that the processing of steps S39 to S41 corresponds to the processing of steps S16 to S18 in Fig. 7, respectively, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. After step S41 is completed, the processing ends. After this, the doors of car A open at hall 3, and users Ma and Mb can board car A.

[0092] On the other hand, if it is determined that user Mb cannot arrive at hall 3 before the doors of car A start to open (step S35: No) and car B is assigned to hall 3 next after car A (step S41: Yes), the waiting time calculation unit 214 calculates the waiting time of user Mb waiting for car B (step S42). If the waiting time of user Mb exceeds the second threshold (step S43: Yes), the process proceeds to step S44, and if the waiting time of user Mb does not exceed the second threshold (step S43: No), the process ends.

[0093] The processing of step S44 corresponds to the processing of step S20 in Fig. 7, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. After the processing of step S44 is completed, the processing of embodiment 2 ends. After this, the doors of car A open at hall 3, and users Ma and Mb can board car A.

[0094] [Summary] The elevator control device 21 of the second embodiment calculates the waiting time of user Mb at the hall 3 until car B starts opening its doors. The elevator control device 21 executes a first control process when it is determined that user Mb can arrive at the hall 3 before car A starts opening its doors, when it is determined that the occupancy rate of car A exceeds a predetermined occupancy rate, and when the waiting time of user Mb at the hall 3 exceeds a second threshold. On the other hand, the elevator control device 21 executes a second control process when it is determined that user Mb cannot arrive at the hall 3 before car A starts opening its doors, and when the waiting time of user Mb at the hall 3 exceeds the second threshold.

[0095] As described above, if the waiting time when user Mb is made to wait for a response from car B is expected to exceed the second allowable threshold, the first and second control processes are performed to have user Mb board car A instead of car B. In other words, the first and second control processes are performed only when there is a necessity for user Mb to board car A. This makes it possible to avoid, for example, having other users who are boarding car A or other users waiting at intermediate floors wait unnecessarily. This makes it possible to equalize the waiting time of user M, thereby reducing the discomfort of user M.

[0096] [Embodiment 3] The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0097] In the above-described first embodiment, it is assumed that a hall call has already been registered when user Mb passes through the security gate 11. In contrast, in the third embodiment, a control process will be described for a case in which a hall call has not yet been registered when user Mb passes through the security gate 11. Note that, in the following, a description of the same configuration as that of the above-described first embodiment may be omitted.

[0098] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the elevator control device 21 of the third embodiment.

[0099] In step S51, if car A has already been assigned (step S51: Yes), the process proceeds to step S58. The processes of steps S58 to S66 correspond to the processes of steps S12 to S20 in FIG. 7, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0100] In step S51, if the car A has not been assigned (step S51: No), the process proceeds to step S52.

[0101] When the user Mb passes through the security gate 11 (step S52: Yes), the allocation control unit 211 allocates the car A as the first car based on the registered hall call (step S53).

[0102] The predicted arrival time calculation unit 213 calculates the predicted arrival time of the user Mb from the distance to the hall 3 and the attributes of the user Mb, and records it in the management table 300 (step S54).

[0103] The waiting time calculation unit 214 calculates the waiting time of user Mb from the time user Mb arrives at hall 3 until car A starts opening its doors at hall 3. The waiting time of user Mb waiting for car A is an example of the third waiting time (step S55).

[0104] If the waiting time of user Mb exceeds a third threshold, for example, 20 seconds (step S56: Yes), the allocation control unit 211 changes the allocation of car A or another car so that one of the multiple cars is positioned in front of the departure floor just before the predicted arrival time of user Mb at platform 3 (step S57), and the processing ends.

[0105] [Summary] The elevator control device 21 of the third embodiment assigns car A based on a hall call registered when user Mb passes through the security gate 11. The elevator control device 21 calculates the waiting time from when user Mb arrives at hall 3 until when car A starts opening its doors at hall 3, and determines whether the waiting time exceeds a third threshold. If the third waiting time exceeds the third threshold, the elevator control device 21 changes the assignment so that car A or another car is positioned in front of the departure floor just before the predicted arrival time of user Mb at hall 3.

[0106] This allows user Mb to board car A or another car without waiting for a long time at platform 3, even if car A has not been assigned to user Mb when user Mb passes through security gate 11.

[0107] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, the elevator control device 21 uses a method of stopping the car A at a floor on the way to the departure floor and delaying the door-opening start time of the car A as the second control process for delaying the response of the car A, but the method for delaying the response of the car A is not limited to this. For example, the elevator control device 21 may delay the response of the car A by controlling the control panels 22a to 22c to slow down the operating speed of the doors opening and closing at the landing 3 of the car A.

[0108] In the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that user Mb cannot arrive at hall 3 before car A starts opening its doors, the elevator control device 21 allows user Mb to board car A by delaying the response of car A. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the elevator control device 21 may assign car C, which can open its doors at hall 3 and can arrive at hall 3 after car A, instead of car A. That is, when it is determined that user Mb cannot arrive at hall 3 before car A starts opening its doors, the control unit 217 of the elevator control device 21 may control the allocation control unit 211 to execute control to assign car C, which can open its doors at hall 3, within a range in which the first waiting time of user Ma does not exceed the first threshold. By delaying the response of the car in this manner, user Mb can board a car with a short waiting time.

[0109] In the above embodiment, the elevator control device 21 calculates the waiting time of each user M waiting for a car and compares the individual waiting times with a predetermined threshold value, but the comparison method is not limited to this. For example, the elevator control device 21 may calculate a fluctuation range of the waiting time of each user Ma to Mn and compare the fluctuation range with a predetermined threshold value.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the predetermined threshold value to be compared with the waiting time of user M is described as a predetermined value, but this is not limited to this. For example, a real-time average unanswered time or a variable threshold value calculated using learning may be used.

[0111] The above-described embodiment can also be applied when a DCS (Destination Control System) is used. In a DCS, a registration device such as an HDC (Hall Destination Controller) that can directly specify a destination floor is installed at the hall, and users register their destination floor in the HDC at the hall. In a DCS, hall calls can be registered individually, so the unanswered time for each user M can be evaluated, but the installation location of the registration device and whether or not it is registered vary. Therefore, even when DCS control is used, the present invention can be applied to evaluate the waiting time for each user M.

[0112] In the above-described embodiment, the elevator control device 21 determines whether or not user Mb can board car A based on whether or not the user Mb has arrived at the hall 3 at the door-opening start time, but the determination criterion is not limited to this. For example, the elevator control device 21 may determine whether or not user Mb can board car A based on whether or not the user Mb has arrived at the hall 3 at the door-closing start time.

[0113] In the above-described embodiment, the elevator control device 21 identifies the attributes of the users Ma to Mn based on the authentication information and the like acquired via the security cards 33a to 33n, but the method of identifying the attributes is not limited to this. For example, an imaging device may be installed between the security gate 11 and the hall 3, and the attributes of the users Ma to Mn may be determined based on images acquired by the imaging device. The "attributes" are registered in advance in the authentication database 400 in association with ID numbers, and may be updateable. For example, if user Ma temporarily uses a wheelchair, the "attributes" in the authentication database 400 can be updated.

[0114] In the above-described embodiment, the allocation control unit 211, memory unit 212, predicted arrival time calculation unit 213, waiting time calculation unit 214, congestion determination unit 215, arrival determination unit 216, and control unit 217 are all described as being located in the elevator control device 21, but they do not necessarily have to be located in the same device, and may be configured to be located in separate devices.

[0115] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1...building, 2...elevator, 3...landing, 11...security gate, 21...elevator control device, 22a-22c...control panel, 211...allocation control unit, 212...memory unit, 213...predicted arrival time calculation unit, 214...waiting time calculation unit, 215...congestion determination unit, 216...arrival determination unit, 217...control unit, 300...management table, 400...authentication database, 500...attribute database, Ma-Mn...user, SS...elevator control system.

Claims

1. An elevator control device for controlling an elevator having a plurality of cars, an allocation control unit that allocates a first car from the plurality of cars based on a hall call that specifies a departure floor; a predicted arrival time calculation unit that calculates a predicted arrival time at a landing based on a distance from a security gate to the landing and attributes of each of the users when each of the users using the elevator passes through a security gate installed at an entrance side of the landing of the plurality of cars; an arrival determination unit that compares a door-opening start time at which the first car starts opening its doors at the landing with a predicted arrival time of a first user among the plurality of users to determine whether the first user will be able to arrive at the landing before the first car starts opening its doors; a control unit that controls the operation of the first car based on the result of the determination so that the first user can board the first car; Equipped with Elevator control device.

2. a waiting time calculation unit that calculates a waiting time from when each of the plurality of users arrives at the landing until when the first car starts opening a door at the landing, based on the predicted arrival times of the plurality of users; a congestion determination unit that calculates an occupancy rate of the first car and determines whether the occupancy rate exceeds a predetermined occupancy rate; Furthermore, The control unit when the arrival determination unit determines that the first user will be able to arrive at the hall before the doors of the first car start opening, and when the congestion determination unit determines that the occupancy rate of the first car exceeds the predetermined occupancy rate, the allocation control unit controls to execute a first control process of ignoring hall calls for the first car from other floors; When the arrival determination unit determines that the first user cannot arrive at the landing before the door of the first car starts to open, a second control process is executed to delay the response of the first car within a range in which a first waiting time from when a second user who arrived at the landing earlier than the first user arrives at the landing until when the first car starts to open the door of the landing does not exceed a first threshold. The elevator control device according to claim 1 .

3. The waiting time calculation unit calculating a second waiting time of the first user at the landing from when the first user arrives at the landing until when a second car assigned next to the first car starts opening its door; The control unit when the arrival determination unit determines that the first user will be able to arrive at the landing before the doors of the first car start opening, when the congestion determination unit determines that the occupancy rate of the first car exceeds the predetermined occupancy rate, and when the second waiting time calculated by the waiting time calculation unit exceeds a second threshold, the allocation control unit is controlled to execute the first control process; executes the second control process when the arrival determination unit determines that the first user cannot arrive at the landing before the door of the first car starts to open and the second waiting time exceeds the second threshold. The elevator control device according to claim 2.

4. The allocation control unit assigning the first elevator car based on the hall call registered when the first user passes through the security gate; The waiting time calculation unit calculating a third waiting time from when the first user arrives at the landing until when the first car starts opening its door at the landing; The control unit when the third waiting time exceeds a third threshold, controlling the allocation control unit to change the allocation of the first car or another car so that one of the plurality of cars is positioned in front of the departure floor immediately before the predicted arrival time at which the first user arrives at the hall; The elevator control device according to claim 2.

5. The control unit a control panel that controls the operation of each of the plurality of cars, and changes the operation speed of the door opening and closing at the landing of the first car, thereby delaying the response of the first car; The elevator control device according to claim 2.

6. The control unit delaying the response of the first car by stopping the first car at a floor midway to the departure floor; The elevator control device according to claim 2.

7. a waiting time calculation unit that calculates a waiting time from when each of the plurality of users arrives at the landing until when the first car starts opening a door at the landing, based on the predicted arrival times of the plurality of users; a congestion determination unit that calculates an occupancy rate of the first car and determines whether the occupancy rate exceeds a predetermined occupancy rate; Furthermore, The control unit when the arrival determination unit determines that the first user will be able to arrive at the hall before the doors of the first car start opening, and when the congestion determination unit determines that the occupancy rate of the first car exceeds the predetermined occupancy rate, the allocation control unit controls to execute a first control process of ignoring hall calls for the first car from other floors; when the arrival determination unit determines that the first user cannot arrive at the landing before the first car starts to open its doors, the allocation control unit controls the allocation control unit to allocate a car different from the first car that can open its doors at the landing, within a range in which a first waiting time from when a second user who has arrived at the landing earlier than the first user arrives at the landing until when the first car starts to open its doors at the landing does not exceed a first threshold; The elevator control device according to claim 1 .

8. An elevator control method executed by an elevator control device that controls an elevator having a plurality of cars, allocating a first car from the plurality of cars based on a hall call specifying a departure floor; a step of calculating a predicted arrival time at a landing based on a distance from the security gate to the landing and attributes of each of the users when each of the users using the elevator passes through a security gate installed at an entrance side of the landing of the plurality of cars; a step of comparing a door-opening start time at which the first car starts opening its doors at the landing with a predicted arrival time of a first user among the plurality of users to determine whether the first user will be able to arrive at the landing before the first car starts opening its doors; controlling the operation of the first car based on the result of the determination so that the first user can board the first car; An elevator control method comprising:

9. An elevator control system including an elevator control device that controls an elevator having a plurality of cars, and a security gate installed at an entrance side of a landing of the plurality of cars, The elevator control device includes: an allocation control unit that allocates a first car from the plurality of cars based on a hall call that specifies a departure floor; a predicted arrival time calculation unit that calculates a predicted arrival time at the landing based on the distance from the security gate to the landing and attributes of each of a plurality of users using the elevator when the users pass through the security gate; an arrival determination unit that compares a door-opening start time at which the first car starts opening its doors at the landing with a predicted arrival time of a first user among the plurality of users to determine whether the first user will be able to arrive at the landing before the first car starts opening its doors; a control unit that controls the operation of the first car based on the result of the determination so that the first user can board the first car; Equipped with Elevator control system.

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