Elevator management device, management method, management program, and elevator system

Abstract

To provide an elevator management device, a management method, a management program, and an elevator system capable of confirming a state in a car even when the car is not provided with a camera.SOLUTION: The elevator system 1 includes a management device 14. The management device 14 includes an acquisition unit 16 and a generation unit 17. The acquisition unit 16 acquires a plurality of planar images of the inside of the basket 6 photographed by the mobile apparatus 10 carried by the user. The generation unit 17 generates a three dimensional image of the inside of the car 6 by combining a plurality of planar images of the inside of the car 6 acquired by the acquisition unit 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an elevator monitoring system. In the monitoring system, images taken at predetermined time intervals by a camera installed in the elevator car are stored. From the stored images, a reference image is extracted based on the timing when the lights inside the car are turned off. Abnormalities inside the car, such as dirt, are detected based on the difference between the reference image and the currently captured image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-68440 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The monitoring system of Patent Document 1 performs monitoring using images from a camera installed inside the car, and therefore cannot be applied to elevators that do not have cameras installed.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to solving such problems, and provides an elevator management device, a management method, a management program, and an elevator system that enable checking the status inside an elevator car even when a camera is not installed in the car. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The elevator management device according to the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires multiple planar images of the interior of the car taken by mobile devices carried by each of multiple users, and a generation unit that combines the multiple planar images of the interior of the car acquired by the acquisition unit to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car.

[0007] The elevator management method of the present disclosure is a method in which a computer acquires multiple planar images of the interior of the car taken by mobile devices carried by each of multiple users, and combines the multiple acquired planar images of the interior of the car to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car.

[0008] The elevator management program of the present disclosure causes a computer to acquire multiple planar images of the interior of an elevator car taken by mobile devices carried by each of multiple users, and combine the acquired planar images of the interior of the elevator car to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the elevator car.

[0009] The elevator system according to the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires multiple planar images of the interior of the car taken by portable devices carried by each of multiple users, a generation unit that combines the multiple planar images of the interior of the car acquired by the acquisition unit to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car, and an operation management unit that manages the allocation of calls to the car. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the elevator management device, management method, management program, or elevator system of the present disclosure, the condition inside the car can be confirmed even if a camera is not installed in the car. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a three-dimensional image of the inside of an elevator car according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a three-dimensional image of the inside of an elevator car according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing an example of generation of a three-dimensional image by a generation unit of the management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing an example of specifying a location requiring a planar image by a specifying unit of the management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image of the inside of a car displayed on the viewing device in accordance with the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the elevator system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

[0014] The elevator system 1 is a system including one or more elevators 2. Each elevator 2 is installed in a building 3 having multiple floors. A single building 3 may be provided with a single elevator 2, or multiple elevators 2. A hoistway, which is a space spanning multiple floors, is provided in the building 3 to which the elevator 2 is applied. In this example, each elevator 2 includes a hoisting machine 4, a main rope 5, a car 6, a counterweight 7, and a control panel 8.

[0015] The hoisting machine 4 includes a motor that generates driving force and a sheave that rotates by the driving force generated by the motor. The hoisting machine 4 is disposed, for example, at the upper or lower part of the hoistway. Alternatively, if a machine room is provided, for example, above the hoistway, the hoisting machine 4 may be disposed in the machine room.

[0016] The main ropes 5 are ropes that support the loads of the car 6 and counterweight 7 in the hoistway. The main ropes 5 are wound around the sheaves of the hoisting machine 4. The main ropes 5 support the load of the car 6 on one side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 4. The main ropes 5 support the load of the counterweight 7 on the other side of the sheaves of the hoisting machine 4.

[0017] The car 6 is a device that transports multiple passengers between multiple floors by traveling up and down the hoistway. The car 6 is equipped with a car door 6a, a car operation panel 6b, and a car display panel 6c. The car door 6a is a door that separates the inside and outside of the car 6. The car operation panel 6b is a device that accepts car call operations that specify the passenger's destination floor within the car 6. The car display panel 6c is a device that displays information to passengers within the car 6. The counterweight 7 is a device that balances the loads applied to both sides of the sheave of the hoisting machine 4 with the car 6. The car 6 and counterweight 7 travel in opposite directions within the hoistway by the driving force generated by the motor of the hoisting machine 4.

[0018] The control panel 8 is a device that controls the operation of the elevator 2. The operation of the elevator 2 includes, for example, the running of the car 6 in the hoistway. The control panel 8 is disposed, for example, at the top or bottom of the hoistway. Alternatively, if a machine room is provided above the hoistway, for example, the control panel 8 may be disposed in the machine room.

[0019] In cases where multiple elevators 2 are installed in a single building 3, a group control panel 9 may be installed in the building 3. The group control panel 9 is a device that manages the allocation of calls to the cars 6 of the multiple elevators 2. The group control panel 9 is an example of an operation control unit. In this example, the group control panel 9 is a device within the elevator system 1.

[0020] Each user of the elevator 2 carries a mobile device 10. The mobile device 10 is, for example, a portable, general-purpose information processing device such as a smartphone. The mobile device 10 is connected to a communication network 11 via wireless communication so that it can communicate with external devices. The communication network 11 includes, for example, a wide-area network such as the Internet or a telephone network, or a local network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). A user may register a call for the elevator 2 through the mobile device 10. At this time, the call information is input to the control panel 8 or the group control panel 9, for example, via the communication network 11.

[0021] The mobile device 10 is equipped with a function for capturing planar images. A planar image is, for example, a normal image captured by a camera or the like and projected onto a two-dimensional plane. The mobile device 10 is equipped with a function for acquiring the capture location and capture time when capturing a planar image. Information about the capture location of a planar image represents the location of the mobile device 10 when the mobile device 10 captured the planar image. The capture location information is acquired by the mobile device 10, for example, using a satellite positioning system such as a GPS (Global Positioning System), an indoor positioning system using a wireless beacon or other device, or an autonomous navigation system using a sensor or the like mounted on the mobile device 10. The capture location information may be detailed information such as longitude and latitude or coordinate values ​​on a map, or may be information identifying a building 3 including the capture location. The mobile device 10 acquires information identifying the building 3, for example, using a wireless signal transmitted by a wireless beacon (not shown) installed in the building 3. Information about the capture time of a planar image represents the time when the mobile device 10 captured the planar image. Information on the photographing position and the photographing time may be included in the data of the photographed planar image.

[0022] The elevator system 1 includes one or more remote monitoring devices 12. Each remote monitoring device 12 corresponds to one of the elevators 2. The remote monitoring device 12 is a device that remotely monitors the status of the corresponding elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 12 is, for example, located in a building 3 in which the corresponding elevator 2 is installed. The remote monitoring device 12 may be part of the corresponding elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 12 is connected to equipment in the elevator 2, such as a control panel 8, so as to be able to acquire status information of the corresponding elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 12 is connected to a communication network 11 so as to be able to communicate information collected from the elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 12 has a function of issuing an alert to the outside via the communication network 11, for example, when an abnormality such as a malfunction occurs in the elevator 2. The remote monitoring device 12 also has a function of outputting commands input from the outside via the communication network 11, for example, to the control panel 8.

[0023] The elevator system 1 includes one or more tags 13. Each tag 13 corresponds to one of the elevators 2. The tag 13 is a tag such as a label or plate on which access information for the corresponding elevator 2 is written. The access information is information used to access the elevator system 1 via the communication network 11. The access information is, for example, a uniform resource locator (URL). The access information includes an identifier of the elevator 2. When multiple elevators 2 are installed in a single building 3, a unique identifier is assigned to each elevator 2. When the access information is a URL, the identifier of the elevator 2 is included in the access information, for example, as a query parameter. In this example, the access information is printed on the tag 13 as an encoded image. Here, the encoded image may be, for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code.

[0024] The elevator system 1 includes a management device 14. The management device 14 is a device that performs information processing for managing one or more elevators 2. The management device 14 is connected to a communication network 11 so as to be able to communicate with external devices. The management device 14 is, for example, a computer system including one or more server devices. Here, a computer system including one or more devices may be simply referred to as a computer. The multiple server devices that make up the management device 14 may be located in different locations. In this case, the multiple server devices communicate information with each other, for example, via the communication network 11. Some or all of the functions of the management device 14 may be implemented, for example, by processing or storage resources on a cloud service. The management device 14 includes a memory unit 15, an acquisition unit 16, a generation unit 17, an identification unit 18, an issuance unit 19, and a presentation unit 20.

[0025] The storage unit 15 is a part that has a function of storing information. For example, the storage unit 15 stores an identifier for each elevator 2, a position on a map where the car 6 of the elevator 2 is installed, and information that identifies the building 3 where the car 6 of the elevator 2 is installed.

[0026] The acquisition unit 16 is a part equipped with a function for acquiring a planar image of the interior of the car 6 captured by a user using the mobile device 10. The acquisition unit 16 acquires planar images of the interior of the car 6 from each of the mobile devices 10 carried by multiple users. The acquisition unit 16 acquires multiple planar images for a single car 6. The acquisition unit 16 may acquire information on the photographing position and photographing time of the planar image along with the planar image.

[0027] The generation unit 17 is a component equipped with a function for generating a 3D image of the interior of the car 6. The generation unit 17 generates a 3D image of the interior of the car 6 by combining multiple planar images of the interior of the car 6 acquired by the acquisition unit 16. A 3D image is an image that includes information on the three-dimensional interior of the car 6, such as the ceiling, floor, front, back, and left and right sides of the car 6. A 3D image is also sometimes called a 360-degree panoramic image. A 3D image is represented, for example, in an equirectangular format, a cube map format, or other format. A 3D image is, for example, an image projected onto a curved surface or a polyhedron in three-dimensional space.

[0028] The identification unit 18 is a part that has a function of identifying a location in a 3D image of the interior of the car 6 that requires a planar image to be combined. For example, when a location in the 3D image generated by the generation unit 17 is missing a corresponding planar image, the identification unit 18 identifies the location as a location that requires a planar image. For example, when the capture time of the corresponding planar image in the 3D image generated by the generation unit 17 is earlier than a preset reference, the identification unit 18 identifies the location as a location that requires a planar image. The location that requires a planar image may be identified as a range such as the ceiling, floor, front, back, and left and right side surfaces of the car 6, or may be identified by the range of a solid angle as seen from the center of the interior of the car 6.

[0029] The issuing unit 19 is a component that has a function of issuing a reward to a user who photographs, with the mobile device 10, the planar image used by the generation unit 17 to generate a 3D image. The reward does not have to be monetary. For example, the reward may be points that can be used at a store in the building 3 where the elevator 2 is installed, points that can be exchanged for prizes such as novelties, or points that can be used to receive other services. The reward may also be points that prioritize the registration of a call for the elevator 2. For example, a user consumes points earned as a reward when registering a call for the elevator 2 through the mobile device 10. At this time, the call of the user is assigned to the car 6 with priority over calls of other users who do not consume points. For example, the group management panel 9 may allocate a prioritized call before allocating other calls, or may allocate the call so that a user of the prioritized call does not ride in the car 6 with a user of another call. The group management panel 9, the control panel 8, or the like may prioritize calls of users who have consumed points using other methods. The reward information issued by the issuing unit 19 may be stored in the user's mobile device 10, or may be stored in the storage unit 15 in association with the user's identifier or the like.

[0030] Presentation unit 20 is a part equipped with a function of presenting a 3D image of the interior of car 6 generated by generation unit 17. Presentation unit 20 presents the 3D image to viewing device 21 in response to a viewing request from viewing device 21. Viewing device 21 is, for example, an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) used by a manager, monitor, or maintenance inspector of building 3 or elevator 2. Viewing device 21 transmits the viewing request to presentation unit 20 via communication network 11. Presentation unit 20 presents a 3D image of the interior of car 6 via communication network 11. Presentation unit 20 may transmit data of the 3D image itself of the interior of car 6 to viewing device 21, or may transmit data for displaying the 3D image on a screen to viewing device 21. Presentation unit 20 may function as, for example, a web server that returns a response in response to a request from viewing device 21.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car 6 of the elevator 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0032] The three-dimensional image is, for example, an image in a cube map format. The three-dimensional image includes, for example, information such as a car door 6a, a car operating panel 6b, and a car display panel 6c on the front of the car 6, information such as a light 6d on the ceiling of the car 6, information such as a handrail 6e on the side of the car 6, information such as baseboards 6f on the sides and back of the car 6, and information such as tiles on the floor of the car 6. Note that, although it is preferable that each projection surface in the cube map format coincides with each inner surface of the car 6, such as the front of the car 6, each projection surface does not necessarily have to coincide with each inner surface of the car 6.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car 6 of the elevator 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0034] The three-dimensional image is, for example, an equirectangular image. The equirectangular format and the cube map format can be converted into each other.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a three-dimensional image generated by the generating unit 17 of the management device 14 according to the first embodiment.

[0036] 4 shows planar images A, B, and C each captured by a mobile device 10. Planar image A captures a handrail 6e on the side of the interior of the car 6, among other things. Planar image B captures a baseboard 6f on the side of the car 6 and the floor of the car 6, among other things. Planar image C captures a car door 6a on the front of the car 6, among other things. These planar images may be captured by different mobile devices 10. These planar images may also be captured at different capture times.

[0037] The generation unit 17 reads the multiple captured images acquired by the acquisition unit 16. The generation unit 17 detects overlapping portions between planar images using an image processing technique based on the similarity of the images. In this example, planar image A and planar image B partially overlap. Furthermore, planar image B and planar image C partially overlap. The generation unit 17 performs transformations such as translation, rotation, scaling, and homography on each planar image so that the overlapping portions overlap, and combines the planar images. For the overlapping portions of the planar images, the generation unit 17 uses, for example, the planar image captured more recently. The generation unit 17 generates a three-dimensional image by, for example, projecting the multiple combined planar images onto a curved surface or polyhedron in three-dimensional space. The generation unit 17 may also generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car 6 using other techniques.

[0038] The generation unit 17 may verify the consistency of the planar image when generating a three-dimensional image. For example, if the position of the car 6 and the shooting position of the planar image do not match, the generation unit 17 may discard the planar image without using it to generate the three-dimensional image. For example, if the distance between the position of the car 6 and the shooting position is greater than a preset distance, the generation unit 17 determines that the position of the car 6 and the shooting position do not match. Furthermore, for example, if the building 3 identified as the building 3 including the shooting position does not match the building 3 in which the car 6 of the elevator 2 is installed, the generation unit 17 determines that the position of the car 6 and the shooting position do not match.

[0039] For example, generation unit 17 generates or updates a three-dimensional image every time acquisition unit 16 acquires a planar image. Alternatively, generation unit 17 may generate a three-dimensional image when viewing device 21 sends a viewing request to presentation unit 20.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of specifying a location where a planar image is required by the specifying unit 18 of the management device 14 according to the first embodiment.

[0041] The identification unit 18 identifies, for example, a location in the 3D image generated by the generation unit 17 where a corresponding planar image is missing. For example, if the plurality of planar images acquired by the acquisition unit 16 does not include a planar image capturing the ceiling light 6d of the car 6, the identification unit 18 identifies the location corresponding to the ceiling light 6d as a location requiring a planar image. The identification unit 18 may also identify, for example, a location in the 3D image generated by the generation unit 17 where the corresponding planar image was captured at a time earlier than a preset reference time. For example, even if the plurality of planar images acquired by the acquisition unit 16 includes a planar image capturing the rear of the car 6, the capture time of the planar image may be earlier than the reference time. In this case, the identification unit 18 identifies the location corresponding to the rear of the car 6 as a location requiring a planar image. The identification unit 18 may have a function of, for example, mapping the location identified as a location requiring a planar image onto the 3D image. In FIG. 5, examples of locations requiring a planar image identified by the identification unit 18 are indicated by gray hatching.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image of the inside of car 6 displayed on viewing device 21 according to the first embodiment.

[0043] The manager or the like of elevator 2 transmits a viewing request to presentation unit 20 via viewing device 21. The viewing request includes information such as an identifier that identifies car 6. In response to the viewing request, presentation unit 20 presents to viewing device 21 a 3D image generated by generation unit 17 for car 6 identified in the viewing request. Viewing device 21 displays an image of the interior of car 6 based on the presented 3D image. Because the image of the interior of car 6 is generated as a 3D image, the manager or the like can check the interior of car 6 from any direction. At this time, the viewing request from viewing device 21 may include information such as the position and direction of the viewpoint. This makes it easier for the manager or the like to discover dirt, damage, and other abnormalities inside car 6.

[0044] The viewing request may also include a time specification. In this case, the generation unit 17 generates a 3D image of the interior of the car 6 by combining planar images captured before the specified time. The generation unit 17 may generate a 3D image when a viewing request is received, or may generate multiple 3D images of a single car 6 for each capture time in advance. The presentation unit 20 presents to the viewing device 21 a 3D image based on the planar images captured before the specified time. This allows the manager of the elevator 2 or the like to check the state of the interior of the car 6 going back in time. The manager or the like can narrow down the time at which an abnormality or the like inside the car 6 occurred.

[0045] Next, an example of the operation of the elevator system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the elevator system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0046] In step S11, the mobile device 10 carried by the user of the elevator 2 reads access information from the coded image attached to the tag 13 placed inside the car 6. In this example, the access information is a URL including the identifier of the elevator 2 as a query parameter. Then, in step S12, the mobile device 10 accesses the management device 14 of the elevator system 1 based on the read access information. In this example, the mobile device 10 requests an interface that provides a two-dimensional image from the acquisition unit 16 of the management device 14 via the communication network 11 based on the read URL.

[0047] In step S21, the acquisition unit 16 of the management device 14 determines whether there is a request for an interface from the mobile device 10. If there is no request, the processing of the management device 14 proceeds to step S21 again. On the other hand, if there is a request from the mobile device 10, the processing of the management device 14 proceeds to step S22.

[0048] In step S22, the identification unit 18 identifies a portion of the three-dimensional image of the car 6 in which the user is riding, for which a planar image is required. The elevator 2 in which the user is riding in the car 6 is identified, for example, by a query parameter of a URL from which the mobile device 10 has requested an interface. The identification unit 18 may have previously identified a portion of the three-dimensional image of the interior of the car 6 for which a planar image is required. At this time, the identification unit 18 reads, for example, information on the previously identified portion of the car 6 that is identified by the request from the mobile device 10, for which a planar image is required. Thereafter, the processing of the management device 14 proceeds to step S23.

[0049] In step S23, the acquisition unit 16 presents an interface for providing a planar image to the user's mobile device 10 via the communication network 11. At this time, the acquisition unit 16 may function, for example, as a web server that returns a response in response to a request from the mobile device 10. The interface for providing the planar image includes, for example, information on the area identified by the identification unit 18 that requires a planar image. This information may be presented to the user as information mapped on a three-dimensional image as shown in FIG. 5, or as text information identifying areas such as the ceiling, floor, front, back, and left and right sides of the car 6. Thereafter, the processing of the management device 14 proceeds to step S24.

[0050] The mobile device 10 displays the interface presented by the management device 14. The interface may also display an image that the mobile device 10 can capture as a two-dimensional image, such as an image of the area in which the camera of the mobile device 10 is pointed. Then, in step S13, the mobile device 10 captures a two-dimensional image of the interior of the car 6 in response to an operation by the user. For example, the user uses the mobile device 10 to capture a two-dimensional image of the location identified by the identification unit 18. Then, in step S14, the mobile device 10 uploads the captured two-dimensional image to the management device 14 via the communication network 11 in response to an operation by the user on the presented interface.

[0051] In step S24, the acquisition unit 16 of the management device 14 acquires the planar image uploaded via the communication network 11. The generation unit 17 determines whether the photographing position of the planar image acquired by the acquisition unit 16 matches the position of the car 6. If it is determined that they do not match, the processing of the management device 14 proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, if it is determined that they match, the processing of the management device 14 proceeds to step S26.

[0052] In step S25, the generation unit 17 discards the acquired planar image without using it to generate a three-dimensional image. Thereafter, the issuing unit 19 notifies the mobile device 10 that the planar image was not used due to an inconsistency. Thereafter, the processing of the management device 14 proceeds to step S21.

[0053] In step S26, the generation unit 17 generates a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car 6 using the acquired planar image. The generation unit 17 may generate the three-dimensional image by combining planar images of the car 6 previously acquired by the acquisition unit 16. At this time, the identification unit 18 may identify areas in the three-dimensional image of the interior of the car 6 that still require planar images. Thereafter, the processing of the management device 14 proceeds to step S27.

[0054] In step S27, the issuing unit 19 issues a reward to the user who provided the flat image. The issuing unit 19 notifies the mobile device 10 of the user that the reward has been issued. Thereafter, the processing of the management device 14 proceeds to step S21.

[0055] As described above, the elevator system 1 according to the first embodiment includes the management device 14. The management device 14 includes the acquisition unit 16 and the generation unit 17. The acquisition unit 16 acquires a plurality of planar images of the interior of the car 6 taken by the mobile device 10 carried by the user. The generation unit 17 combines the plurality of planar images of the interior of the car 6 acquired by the acquisition unit 16 to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car 6.

[0056] With this configuration, a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car 6 is generated based on a planar image captured by the mobile device 10 carried by the user. Therefore, even if a camera is not installed in the car 6, a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car 6 can be generated. By displaying the three-dimensional image generated in this manner, it becomes possible to check the condition inside the car 6 even if you are not inside the car 6. Furthermore, because the planar image used to generate the three-dimensional image is captured by the mobile device 10, blind spots due to the camera position are less likely to occur. Therefore, it becomes possible to check the interior of the car 6 more effectively.

[0057] The acquisition unit 16 also presents an interface that provides a planar image of the interior of the car 6 to the portable device 10 that has read the encoded image provided in the elevator 2. The acquisition unit 16 acquires the planar image of the interior of the car 6 from the portable device 10 through the interface.

[0058] This configuration makes it possible to acquire planar images from users who have actually used the elevator 2. This reduces the risk of erroneous transmission of irrelevant images from people who have not actually used the elevator 2, thereby further increasing the reliability of the generated 3D image of the car 6.

[0059] The management device 14 also includes an identification unit 18. The identification unit 18 identifies a location in the 3D image of the interior of the car 6 that requires a planar image to be combined. The acquisition unit 16 presents an interface that provides the planar image of the interior of the car 6 to the mobile device 10. The acquisition unit 16 acquires the planar image of the interior of the car 6 from the mobile device 10 through the interface. The interface includes information indicating the location, identified by the identification unit 18, that requires a planar image in the 3D image of the interior of the car 6.

[0060] This configuration allows users to capture the 2D images by selecting the areas necessary to generate a 3D image, thereby reducing the occurrence of blind spots in the 3D image.

[0061] The acquisition unit 16 also acquires information about the position of the mobile device 10 when the planar image was captured, along with the planar image of the interior of the car 6. If the position of the car 6 and the position of the mobile device 10 when the planar image of the interior of the car 6 was captured do not match, the generation unit 17 does not use the planar image to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car 6.

[0062] This configuration makes it possible to acquire planar images that are actually taken inside the car 6. This reduces the risk of erroneous transmission of unrelated images taken at locations other than the car 6, thereby further increasing the reliability of the generated three-dimensional image of the car 6.

[0063] The management device 14 also includes an issuing unit 19. The issuing unit 19 issues a reward to a user, among the multiple users, who has taken a planar image of the interior of the car 6 that the generating unit 17 has used to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car 6.

[0064] With this configuration, the rewards issued act as an incentive for users to take 2D images, which is expected to encourage users to take more 2D images, thereby improving the accuracy of the generated 3D images.

[0065] The elevator system 1 also includes a group control panel 9 that manages the allocation of calls to the cars 6. The issuing unit 19 issues points as a reward to prioritize the registration of calls for the elevator 2 having the car 6. The group control panel 9 prioritizes the registration of a user's call that is made by consuming points over the registration of other calls.

[0066] With this configuration, it becomes possible to give rewards to users of the elevator 2 that improve the convenience of the elevator 2. This allows the issued rewards to function as more effective incentives.

[0067] Management device 14 also includes presentation unit 20. Presentation unit 20 presents the three-dimensional image of the interior of car 6 generated by generation unit 17 to viewing equipment 21 in response to a viewing request from viewing equipment 21.

[0068] With this configuration, a three-dimensional image of the inside of the car 6 can be viewed from a remote location through the viewing device 21. This makes management or maintenance work, such as checking for abnormalities inside the car 6, more efficient.

[0069] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 16 acquires information about the time when the planar image was captured together with the planar image of the interior of the car 6. The generation unit 17 generates a 3D image of the interior of the car 6 by combining the planar images captured before the specified time. When a time is specified in the viewing request, the presentation unit 20 presents to the viewing device 21 the 3D image of the interior of the car 6 generated by the generation unit 17 by combining the planar images captured before the specified time.

[0070] This configuration makes it possible to check time-series changes in the three-dimensional image inside the car 6. This makes it possible to narrow down the timing of occurrence if an abnormality occurs inside the car 6. This makes it possible to respond to the abnormality that has occurred and take measures including prevention of said abnormality.

[0071] The elevator system 1 may be applied to an elevator 2 in which a camera is provided in the car 6. In this case, the generation unit 17 may generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car 6 by combining a planar image captured by the camera provided in the car 6 and a planar image captured by the user's mobile device 10.

[0072] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the elevator system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram of the main parts of the elevator system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0073] Each function of the elevator system 1 may be realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit includes at least one processor 100 a and at least one memory 100 b. The processing circuit may include at least one dedicated hardware 200 in addition to or in place of the processor 100 a and the memory 100 b.

[0074] When the processing circuit includes a processor 100a and a memory 100b, each function of the elevator system 1 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. The program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a realizes each function of the elevator system 1 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 100b. The program may be a program package including multiple subprograms, modules, libraries, or the like. The program may also be called a program product.

[0075] The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing device, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 100b is configured by, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.

[0076] Where the processing circuitry comprises dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuitry may be implemented, for example, as a single circuit, multiple circuits, a programmed processor, parallel programmed processors, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0077] Each function of the elevator system 1 can be realized by a processing circuit. Alternatively, each function of the elevator system 1 can be realized collectively by a processing circuit. Some of the functions of the elevator system 1 may be realized by dedicated hardware 200, and other parts may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit realizes each function of the elevator system 1 by dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0078] To summarize the above explanation, possible configurations of the technology according to the present disclosure include the configurations listed below as appendices. (Appendix 1) an acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of planar images of the interior of the car taken by a mobile device carried by each of a plurality of users; a generation unit that combines a plurality of planar images of the interior of the car acquired by the acquisition unit to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car; An elevator control device comprising: (Appendix 2) the acquisition unit presents an interface that provides a planar image of the interior of the car to the portable device that has read the encoded image provided in the elevator having the car, and acquires the planar image of the interior of the car from the portable device through the interface; 10. The elevator control device of claim 1. (Appendix 3) A specifying unit that specifies a location in the three-dimensional image of the interior of the car that needs to be combined with a planar image. Equipped with the acquisition unit presents an interface that provides a planar image of the interior of the car to the portable device, and acquires the planar image of the interior of the car from the portable device through the interface; The interface includes information indicating a portion of the three-dimensional image of the interior of the car that is identified by the identification unit and that requires a planar image to be combined. 10. The elevator control device of claim 1. (Appendix 4) the acquisition unit acquires a planar image of the interior of the car together with information on a position of the mobile device when the planar image was captured, When the position of the car and the position of the mobile device when the planar image of the interior of the car is captured do not match, the generation unit does not use the planar image to generate the 3D image of the interior of the car. An elevator control device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3. (Appendix 5) an issuing unit that issues a reward to a user, among the plurality of users, who has taken a planar image of the interior of the car that is used by the generating unit to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car; An elevator management device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4, comprising: (Appendix 6) The reward issued by the issuing unit is a point that prioritizes the registration of a call for the elevator having the car. 10. An elevator control device as described in Appendix 5. (Appendix 7) a presentation unit that presents the three-dimensional image of the interior of the car generated by the generation unit to the viewing device in response to a viewing request from the viewing device; An elevator control device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 6, comprising: (Appendix 8) the acquisition unit acquires information about a time when the planar image of the interior of the car was captured together with the planar image, the generation unit generates a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car by combining planar images taken before a specified time, When a time is specified in the viewing request, the presentation unit presents to the viewing device a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car generated by the generation unit by combining planar images captured before the time. 8. An elevator control device as described in Appendix 7. (Appendix 9) The computer acquiring a plurality of planar images of the interior of the car taken by a mobile device carried by each of a plurality of users; combining the acquired planar images of the interior of the car to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car; How to manage elevators. (Appendix 10) On the computer, acquiring a plurality of planar images of the interior of the car taken by a mobile device carried by each of a plurality of users; combining the acquired planar images of the interior of the car to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car; An elevator management program that executes the following: (Appendix 11) an acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of planar images of the interior of the car taken by a mobile device carried by each of a plurality of users; a generation unit that combines a plurality of planar images of the interior of the car acquired by the acquisition unit to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car; an operation control unit that manages the allocation of calls to the cars; An elevator system comprising: (Appendix 12) an issuing unit that issues points as a reward to a user, among the plurality of users, who has taken a planar image of the interior of the car that is used by the generating unit to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car; Equipped with The operation management unit prioritizes the registration of a call made by consuming the points over the registration of other calls. 12. The elevator system of claim 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 elevator system, 2 elevator, 3 building, 4 hoist, 5 main rope, 6 car, 6a car door, 6b car operation panel, 6c car display panel, 6d lighting, 6e handrail, 6f baseboard, 7 counterweight, 8 control panel, 9 group management panel, 10 portable device, 11 communication network, 12 remote monitoring device, 13 tag, 14 management device, 15 memory unit, 16 acquisition unit, 17 generation unit, 18 identification unit, 19 issuance unit, 20 presentation unit, 21 viewing device, 100a processor, 100b memory, 200 dedicated hardware

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of planar images of the interior of the car taken by a mobile device carried by each of a plurality of users; a generation unit that combines a plurality of planar images of the interior of the car acquired by the acquisition unit to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car; An elevator control device comprising:

2. the acquisition unit presents an interface that provides a planar image of the interior of the car to the portable device that has read the encoded image provided in the elevator having the car, and acquires the planar image of the interior of the car from the portable device through the interface; The elevator control device according to claim 1.

3. A specifying unit that specifies a location in the three-dimensional image of the interior of the car that needs to be combined with a planar image. Equipped with the acquisition unit presents an interface that provides a planar image of the interior of the car to the portable device, and acquires the planar image of the interior of the car from the portable device through the interface; The interface includes information indicating a portion, identified by the identification unit, of the three-dimensional image of the interior of the car that needs to be combined with a planar image. The elevator control device according to claim 1.

4. the acquisition unit acquires a planar image of the interior of the car together with information on a position of the mobile device when the planar image was captured, When the position of the car and the position of the mobile device when the planar image of the interior of the car is captured do not match, the generation unit does not use the planar image to generate the three-dimensional image of the interior of the car. The elevator management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. an issuing unit that issues a reward to a user, among the plurality of users, who has taken a planar image of the interior of the car that is used by the generating unit to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car; The elevator management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

6. The reward issued by the issuing unit is a point that prioritizes the registration of a call for the elevator having the car. The elevator control device according to claim 5.

7. a presentation unit that presents the three-dimensional image of the interior of the car generated by the generation unit to the viewing device in response to a viewing request from the viewing device; The elevator management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

8. the acquisition unit acquires information about a time when the planar image of the interior of the car was captured together with the planar image, the generation unit generates a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car by combining planar images taken before a specified time, When a time is specified in the viewing request, the presentation unit presents to the viewing device a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car generated by the generation unit by combining planar images captured before the time. The elevator control device according to claim 7.

9. The computer acquiring a plurality of planar images of the interior of the car taken by a mobile device carried by each of a plurality of users; combining the acquired planar images of the interior of the car to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car; How to manage elevators.

10. On the computer, acquiring a plurality of planar images of the interior of the car taken by a mobile device carried by each of a plurality of users; combining the acquired planar images of the interior of the car to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car; An elevator management program that executes the following:

11. an acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of planar images of the interior of the car taken by a mobile device carried by each of a plurality of users; a generation unit that combines a plurality of planar images of the interior of the car acquired by the acquisition unit to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car; an operation control unit that manages the allocation of calls to the cars; An elevator system comprising:

12. an issuing unit that issues points as a reward to a user, among the plurality of users, who has taken a planar image of the interior of the car, which the generating unit has used to generate a three-dimensional image of the interior of the car; Equipped with The operation management unit prioritizes the registration of a call made by consuming the points over the registration of other calls.

12. The elevator system of claim 11.

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