Elevator monitoring device, elevator monitoring system, and control method

Abstract

To provide a technology that can reduce the number of cases where people are trapped in elevators during earthquakes and reduce the burden on maintenance staff in responding to earthquakes. [Solution] A communication interface 313 receives information about an earthquake detected by an earthquake sensor 40 from each of at least one elevator system 1. When the magnitude of the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, a processor 311 generates a restriction request to restrict travel in an express zone, where the distance between floors at which the car 10 can stop is equal to or greater than a specified distance, for a certain period of time after the earthquake sensor 40 detects the earthquake. The communication interface 313 transmits the restriction request to an elevator system 1 equipped with an earthquake sensor 40 that detected an earthquake equal to or greater than the predetermined level.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] When an earthquake occurs and the earthquake detector installed in the elevator detects a certain level of shaking, the elevator will operate under earthquake control, which will cause the elevator car to travel to the nearest floor and then open the doors, allowing passengers to take shelter outside the car in the event of an earthquake.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-46953 (Patent Document 1) discloses an earthquake monitoring device for elevators that, upon receiving detection information of an earthquake of a predetermined level or greater from a building where earthquake sensors are installed, issues a command to perform earthquake controlled operation to elevators in that building and elevators installed in geographically nearby buildings. This makes it possible to reliably perform earthquake controlled operation even in buildings where earthquake sensors are not installed.

[0004] During earthquake control operations, if certain conditions are met, such as an elevator malfunction, the car will be unable to travel to the nearest floor, trapping passengers inside the car and preventing them from exiting. In this case, maintenance personnel from the elevator maintenance company will rush to the building on-site and move the car to the nearest floor to rescue the passengers.

[0005] If an earthquake causes many buildings around the epicenter to become trapped, maintenance personnel may be insufficient, resulting in people being trapped for long periods of time. When a large earthquake occurs, there is a high possibility that large aftershocks will occur for a certain period of time, and if these aftershocks cause people to be trapped, this could further increase the burden on maintenance personnel and cause people to be trapped for long periods of time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-46953 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In particular, if an earthquake (aftershock) occurs while an elevator is traveling in the express zone, which has a long ascending / descending process between floors, there is a high possibility that the elevator will become trapped. In addition, if the elevator becomes trapped in the middle of the express zone, the distance to the nearest floor is long, so rescue operations will take a long time. The elevator earthquake monitoring device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not consider the relationship between aftershocks and the express zone and the occurrence of trapped situations, and in this regard, there is room for improvement.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide technology that can reduce the number of cases where people are trapped in elevators when an earthquake occurs and reduce the burden on maintenance personnel in responding to earthquakes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The elevator monitoring device according to the present disclosure is a device configured to be able to communicate with at least one elevator system. Each of the at least one elevator system includes an earthquake sensor and an elevator control device. The earthquake sensor detects an earthquake. When the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake while the elevator car is traveling, the elevator control device controls the car to run to the nearest floor and then open the car doors. The elevator monitoring device includes a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit receives information about the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor from each of the at least one elevator system. When the magnitude of the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, the control unit generates a restriction request to restrict travel in express zones where the distance between floors at which the car can stop is equal to or greater than a specified distance, for a certain period of time after the earthquake sensor detects the earthquake. The communication unit transmits the restriction request to elevator systems equipped with earthquake sensors that detected an earthquake equal to or greater than the predetermined level.

[0010] If an earthquake occurs while a train is traveling in the express zone, there is a high possibility that a train will become trapped. Furthermore, if the magnitude of the earthquake detected by an earthquake sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, there is a high possibility that aftershocks will occur for a certain period of time after the earthquake is detected. By restricting operation in the express zone for a certain period of time after the earthquake is detected when the magnitude of the earthquake detected by an earthquake sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, the probability of a train becoming trapped due to an aftershock while traveling in the express zone can be reduced, and the burden on maintenance personnel of performing long-distance rescue operations from a trapped position in the middle of the express zone to the nearest floor can be reduced. This reduces the number of cases of people becoming trapped in elevators during earthquakes and reduces the burden on maintenance personnel of responding to earthquakes.

[0011] The elevator monitoring system according to the present disclosure includes an elevator monitoring device and at least one elevator system. When an earthquake is detected by an earthquake sensor in each of the at least one elevator system, the elevator monitoring device transmits information about the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor. When a restriction request is received, the elevator control device of each of the at least one elevator system controls the car to restrict travel in the express zone for a certain period of time based on the restriction request. This configuration reduces the number of cases of passengers being trapped in elevators when an earthquake occurs and reduces the burden on maintenance personnel in responding to earthquakes.

[0012] A control method according to the present disclosure is a control method for an elevator monitoring device configured to communicate with at least one elevator system. Each of the at least one elevator system includes an earthquake sensor and an elevator control device. The earthquake sensor detects earthquakes. When the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake while the elevator car is traveling, the elevator control device controls the car to travel to the nearest floor and then open the car doors. The control method includes the steps of: receiving information about the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor from each of the at least one elevator system; generating a restriction request, if the magnitude of the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, to restrict travel in express zones where the distance between floors at which the car can stop is equal to or greater than a specified distance, for a certain period of time after the earthquake sensor detects the earthquake; and transmitting the restriction request to elevator systems equipped with earthquake sensors that detected earthquakes equal to or greater than the predetermined level. This configuration reduces the number of cases of people being trapped in elevators during earthquakes and reduces the burden on maintenance personnel in responding to earthquakes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the number of cases in which people are trapped in elevators when an earthquake occurs and to reduce the burden on maintenance personnel in responding to earthquakes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a monitoring system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a monitoring system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining floors at which the train can stop when there is no stop restriction. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing stop restriction information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining floors at which a train can stop when there is a stop restriction. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by the monitoring system. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing stop restriction information according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining floors at which elevators can stop when only elevator C has a stopping restriction. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by the monitoring system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of these components are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0016] [First embodiment] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a monitoring system 100 according to the first embodiment. The monitoring system (also referred to as an "elevator monitoring system") 100 includes a monitoring device (also referred to as an "elevator monitoring device") 300 and at least one elevator system 1. The monitoring system 100 may include one elevator system 1 or two or more elevator systems 1, but the following description of this embodiment will be given assuming that the monitoring system includes multiple elevator systems 1.

[0017] The monitoring device 300 is installed in an information center 3 of a maintenance company that maintains elevators. The monitoring device 300 managed by this maintenance company manages a plurality of elevator systems 1 installed in a plurality of buildings (in this example, buildings 2, 2a, 2b, etc.). The monitoring device 300 is configured to be able to communicate with these plurality of elevator systems 1. The monitoring device 300 monitors the occurrence of earthquakes in each elevator system 1 and manages earthquake recovery responses in each elevator system 1.

[0018] When an earthquake occurs and the earthquake sensor 40 installed in the elevator detects a certain level of shaking, if the elevator car 10 is in motion, the car 10 is controlled to travel to the nearest floor (execution of earthquake control operation). When the car 10 arrives at the nearest floor, the doors open, allowing passengers to disembark. For example, if the above-mentioned shaking is detected while the car 10 is traveling between the sixth and seventh floors, the doors open after the car 10 has traveled to the nearest floor, the sixth or seventh floor. After that, if a predetermined condition is met, the elevator (car 10) becomes available for use again.

[0019] On the other hand, if an earthquake of a certain magnitude or greater occurs, or if an elevator malfunction or power outage occurs as a result of the earthquake, car 10 may stop between floors. In this case, passengers may become trapped inside car 10 and be unable to disembark. If the elevator cannot land at the nearest floor, elevator maintenance personnel will rush to the building on site and move car 10 to the nearest floor to rescue passengers.

[0020] After a large earthquake occurs, there is a high possibility that large aftershocks will occur for a certain period of time. These aftershocks may also cause people to become trapped. When a trapped state occurs, as described above, maintenance personnel will carry out rescue operations, but if the distance to the nearest floor is large (for example, if car 10 is stopped in the express zone, which has a long ascending and descending process, as described below), the rescue operation will take a significant amount of time. Furthermore, if an earthquake (aftershock) occurs while the car is traveling in the express zone, there is a high probability that people will become trapped.

[0021] For this reason, in this embodiment, when an earthquake of a predetermined level or greater is detected by earthquake sensor 40, control is implemented to restrict car 10 from traveling in the express zone for a certain period of time. This prevents as much as possible situations in which car 10 becomes trapped in the express zone. In this way, it is possible to reduce the number of cases in which people become trapped in elevators when an earthquake occurs and also reduce the burden on maintenance personnel in responding to earthquakes.

[0022] Each of the multiple elevator systems 1 (elevator systems 1 in buildings 2, 2a, 2b, etc.) includes an earthquake sensor 40 that detects earthquakes, a control device 20 as an elevator control device, and a communication device 50. When the earthquake sensor 40 detects an earthquake while the elevator car 10 is traveling, the control device 20 controls the car 10 to run to the nearest floor and then open the doors of the car 10. When the elevator system 1 includes multiple elevators, each elevator is provided with an earthquake sensor 40, a control device 20, and a communication device 50.

[0023] The following is a detailed description of the elevator system 1, which is installed in the seven-story building 2 shown in Fig. 1. The elevator system 1 includes an elevator 1a (also referred to as "Elevator A"), an elevator 1b (also referred to as "Elevator B"), and an elevator 1c (also referred to as "Elevator C").

[0024] Each of the elevators 1a to 1c (Elevators A to C) is provided with a control device 20, an earthquake sensor 40, a communication device 50, and an elevator device 30 (see FIG. 2 described later).

[0025] The control device 20 is a control board that controls the elevator device 30. The elevator device 30 includes a hoisting machine 250, hall devices (not shown) installed at halls on each floor from the first floor (1F) to the seventh floor (7F), a car device (not shown) installed in the car 10, and various sensors and switches used in the elevator system 1.

[0026] The hoist 250 is a motor that drives the elevator car 10 to raise and lower it. The car device is various devices installed in the car 10, including a destination floor button (car call button) (not shown) for registering a destination floor. The hall device is various devices installed at the halls on each floor, including a hall call button (not shown) for registering a hall call.

[0027] Cages 10 are installed in elevator shafts 8 provided in building 2. Cages 10 move up and down in elevator shafts 8 to move between multiple floors. In this embodiment, cars 10 of cars A to C can stop at each of the first floor (1F), fifth floor (5F) to seventh floor (7F).

[0028] A machine room 5 is provided directly above the hoistway 8. In the machine room 5, a hoisting machine 250, a control device 20, an earthquake sensor 40, and a communication device 50 are provided.

[0029] In this embodiment, the elevator is a traction elevator. A traction elevator is one type of rope elevator. This elevator further comprises, as an elevator device 30, a car 10, a counterweight (balance weight) 12, a rope 11, and a deflector sheave 13. A rope (main rope) 11 is hung on the hoist 250 and the deflector sheave 13. The car 10 and the counterweight 12 are suspended from both ends of the rope 11.

[0030] The elevator can drive the hoisting machine 250 to make the car 10 installed in the hoistway 8 travel in an upward direction (also referred to as the "UP direction") or a downward direction (also referred to as the "DN direction"). A shock absorber (buffer) 14 is installed in the pit 6, which is the bottom of the hoistway 8. The shock absorber 14 is a device that absorbs the impact of the car 10 falling if an abnormality occurs.

[0031] When a hall call button in the UP or DN direction for any floor is pressed, one of cars 10 from car A to car C is assigned. The assigned car 10 responds to the hall call and travels to the registered floor. When a car call button for each destination floor provided inside the car 10 is pressed, the car 10 travels to the destination floor of the pressed car call button.

[0032] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the monitoring system 100. The monitoring device 300 includes a processor 311 as a control unit, a memory 312 as a storage unit, a communication interface 313 as a communication unit, a display unit 321, and an input unit 322. These are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other.

[0033] The processor 311 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 312 may be configured to include a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage unit. The storage unit is a non-volatile storage device. The storage unit may be, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0034] The processor 311 loads programs stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes them to realize various functions of the monitoring device 300. The ROM stores programs that describe the processing procedures of the monitoring device 300. The RAM serves as a working area when the processor 311 executes the programs, and temporarily stores the programs, data used to execute the programs, and the like.

[0035] The monitoring device 300 can be connected to a communication device 50 provided in each elevator installed in each building via a communication interface 313. The display unit 321 displays various information. The display unit 321 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or a display. The input unit 322 accepts input from a user to the monitoring device 300. The input unit 322 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse.

[0036] The monitoring device 300 monitors the elevator system 1 in each building. The communication device 50 transmits (issues an alert) various elevator information acquired from the control device 20 of the car 10 to the monitoring device 300. The communication device 50 also includes a processor (CPU), memory (ROM, RAM), and a communication interface (not shown). These are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other.

[0037] The control device 20 also includes a processor (CPU), memory (ROM, RAM), and a communication interface (not shown). These are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other. The control device 20 of each of the elevators A to C controls its respective elevator device 30. The control device 20 of the elevator A is also configured to be able to communicate with the control devices 20 of the elevators B and C, and can send and receive information between the elevators.

[0038] When a hall button is pressed and a hall call is registered, the control device 20 of car A assigns the hall call to one of the cars 10 of cars A to C. For example, when a hall call for the 1st floor UP direction is registered, the control device 20 of car A assigns the hall call to car B. In this case, the control device 20 of car A transmits a response command for the hall call to the control device 20 of car B. The control device 20 of car B causes the car 10 of car B, which has been assigned the 1st floor UP hall call, to travel to the 1st floor and respond to the hall call.

[0039] The control device 20 of Unit A may be configured as a single board. Alternatively, the control device 20 of Unit A may be configured as an individual car control board that controls the elevator device 30 of Unit A and a group management control board that communicates with the individual car control boards of Units A to C. In this case, the control devices 20 of Units B and C function as individual car control boards that control the respective elevator devices 30.

[0040] The group management control board of vehicle A communicates with each of the car control boards of vehicles A to C, and makes allocations to the hall calls mentioned above. For example, when the group management control board of vehicle A allocates a hall call to vehicle C, it sends a response command for the hall call to each of the car control boards of vehicle C.

[0041] In this embodiment, each elevator car is configured to have an earthquake sensor 40 and a communication device 50. However, when a group management control board is provided as described above, one communication device 50 and one earthquake sensor 40 may be connected to the group management control board. In this case, the group management control board may be configured to collectively collect information on elevators A to C and information from the earthquake sensors 40, and transmit this information to the monitoring device 300 via the communication device 50.

[0042] The earthquake sensor 40 is a device that detects earthquakes. The control device 20 acquires earthquake signals from the earthquake sensor 40 (for example, a signal that identifies P waves or S waves and a signal that identifies the strength of the earthquake (seismic intensity, weak, strong, etc.)).

[0043] The control device 20 can cause the car 10 to perform an operation (earthquake controlled operation) based on an earthquake signal detected by the earthquake sensor 40. Specifically, when the control device 20 detects an earthquake signal, it causes the car 10 to travel to the nearest floor. When the earthquake is large or when the control device 20 detects some kind of abnormality, it stops the car 10 on the spot without traveling to the nearest floor. In this case, a trapped state may occur.

[0044] Furthermore, the monitoring device 300 can communicate with the elevator systems 1 (control devices 20) installed in each building, such as buildings 2a to 2e, managed by the information center 3, via the communication devices 50 of each elevator. The communication devices 50 can issue (transmit) various elevator signals, including earthquake signals detected by earthquake sensors 40, to the monitoring device 300. The communication interface 313 of the monitoring device 300 acquires various elevator information, including earthquake signals, from the earthquake sensors 40 installed in each building.

[0045] This allows the monitoring device 300 to acquire various types of elevator information and to know that an earthquake has occurred in the building the elevator is installed in. The signals acquired by the monitoring device 300 are not limited to earthquake signals (P waves, S waves, earthquake magnitude, etc.), but may also include signals indicating that the elevator is out of service due to the occurrence of an earthquake, signals that can identify the state of entrapment, etc.

[0046] As described above, the communication device 50 may be installed for each car, or one may be installed for the elevator system 1. The earthquake sensor 40 may be installed for each car, or one may be installed for the elevator system 1.

[0047] The memory 312 of the monitoring device 300 stores building information 367 and history information 368. The building information 367 records specifications and the like related to each building, such as buildings 2a to 2e, managed by the information center 3 (maintenance company), and the elevator systems 1 installed in each building. The building information 367 includes information on the installation area of ​​each elevator system 1. The information on the installation area is, for example, the location (address) of the building in which the elevator system 1 is installed.

[0048] The history information 368 records information issued by each earthquake sensor 40 (for example, earthquake signals such as P waves and S waves), abnormality information acquired from the elevator system 1, history of whether or not someone is trapped, and the like.

[0049] Furthermore, the monitoring device 300 collects and manages earthquake information, area information, maintenance staff information, etc. Area information is map information around each building managed by the information center 3. The monitoring device 300 accesses a weather information server 500 (for example, a server of the Japan Meteorological Agency) that distributes earthquake information for the area, and acquires earthquake information for the area (seismic intensity information for each area).

[0050] The monitoring device 300 receives alarm information from the earthquake sensor 40, and if the magnitude of the received earthquake is equal to or greater than a predetermined level (the earthquake's seismic intensity is equal to or greater than a specified value), it transmits a restriction request (described in detail below) to the elevator in which the earthquake sensor 40 is installed and to elevators installed in the surrounding area where an earthquake of equal to or greater than the predetermined level is occurring (the area around the epicenter), restricting the floors at which the car 10 can stop (stop restriction). In the example of Fig. 2, the restriction request is transmitted to the elevator systems 1 in buildings 2, 2a, and 2b, which are determined to be within the area. On the other hand, the restriction request is not transmitted to the elevator systems 1 in buildings 2c and 2d, which are determined to be outside the area.

[0051] 3 is a diagram for explaining floors at which elevators can stop when there are no stop restrictions. As described above, each car 10 of elevators 1a to 1c (A to C) can stop at the first floor and the fifth to seventh floors, but cannot stop at the second to fourth floors, which are non-stop floors.

[0052] Building 2 is further equipped with elevators D, E, and F (not shown). Elevators D to F serve the low-rise zone, servicing floors 1 to 4. Elevators A to C serve the high-rise zone, servicing floors 1 and 5 to 7.

[0053] The travel paths of cars A to C include express zones (zones with long ascent / descension processes) where the distance between floors at which cars 10 can stop is equal to or greater than a specified distance. In this example, building 2 has 1st to 7th floors, of which cars A to C can stop on the 1st, 5th, 6th, and 7th floors.

[0054] For example, suppose the distance between floors 1 to 7 is 3.5m. In this case, the distance between floors 1 and 5 where the train can stop is 14m (4 floors x 3.5m). The distance between floors 5 and 6 where the train can stop is 3.5m. The distance between floors 6 and 7 where the train can stop is also 3.5m. For example, suppose the above "specified distance" = 10m. In this case, the area between floors 1 and 5 where the train can stop is an express zone (the distance between floors 1 and 5 is 14m ≥ 10m).

[0055] In addition, when the travel time of the car 10 between floors where the car 10 can stop is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, this may be defined as an express zone. Alternatively, when there is one floor (or multiple floors) where the car 10 cannot stop between the floors where the car 10 can stop, this floor interval may be defined as an express zone, and in this embodiment, a zone with a long ascending / descending stroke is defined as an "express zone" for convenience.

[0056] When there are no stop restrictions (restrictions on stopping floors) (normally), the cages 10 of each of cars A to C can stop on the first floor and floors 5 to 7. Therefore, when a hall call occurs on the first floor or any of floors 5 to 7, the control device 20 of car A can assign the hall call to any of cars 10 of cars A to C.

[0057] For example, if car 10 of car A (hereinafter also referred to simply as "car A"; the same applies to cars B and C) is stopped on the first floor and car A is assigned to a hall call that occurs on floors 5 to 7, car A will pass through the express zone to respond to the hall call.

[0058] For example, if Locomotive B is stopped on the 7th floor and is assigned to an UP hall call that occurs on the 1st floor, Locomotive B will pass through the express zone to respond to the hall call. On the other hand, if Locomotive C is stopped on the 5th floor and Locomotive B is assigned to an UP hall call that occurs on the 6th floor, Locomotive B will not pass through the express zone.

[0059] If an earthquake occurs while the train is traveling in the express zone, car 10 may stop midway through the express zone, resulting in passengers being trapped. In this case, maintenance personnel must move car 10 to the nearest floor, the first or fifth floor, to rescue passengers. If passengers are trapped midway through the express zone, car 10 must travel a longer distance than if they were trapped between the fifth and seventh floors, which increases the time required for rescue.

[0060] In particular, there is a high possibility of aftershocks occurring for a certain period of time after a large earthquake. For this reason, this embodiment is configured as described below so that even if an aftershock occurs, the car 10 will not stop in the express zone as much as possible.

[0061] 4 is a diagram showing the stop restriction information 90. The stop restriction information 90 is information indicating the stop restrictions that are applied to Units A to C of Building 2 immediately after an earthquake of a predetermined level or higher (an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or higher than a specified value) occurs.

[0062] When one or more of the earthquake sensors 40 installed in building 2 detects an earthquake, earthquake information is issued (transmitted) to monitoring device 300 via communication device 50. If the seismic intensity of the earthquake is equal to or greater than a specified value, monitoring device 300 transmits a restriction request to elevator systems 1 of buildings in the area surrounding the epicenter, including building 2. Upon receiving the restriction request, elevator system 1 imposes a stop restriction based on the stop restriction information.

[0063] The stop restriction information 90 applied to locomotives A to C in Building 2 indicates non-restricted locomotives, restricted locomotives, and restricted floors corresponding to the time elapsed (time limit) since the occurrence of an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value. A non-restricted locomotive indicates a locomotive that is capable of allocating (registering) platform calls for trains traveling in the express zone and registering car calls for trains traveling in the express zone. A non-restricted locomotive does not impose any restrictions on the allocation of platform calls or the registration of car calls. In this case, movement to the first, fifth, sixth, and seventh floors is possible.

[0064] On the other hand, a car that is not a non-restricted car (referred to as a "restricted car") is not permitted to be assigned platform calls for travelling through the express zone or to register car calls for travelling through the express zone. Specifically, the registration of a 1st floor UP platform call and a 5th floor DN platform call that pass through the express zone is not permitted, and the registration of car calls from the 1st floor to the 5th floor, car calls from the 1st floor to the 6th floor, car calls from the 1st floor to the 7th floor, car calls from the 7th floor to the 1st floor, car calls from the 6th floor to the 1st floor, and car calls from the 5th floor to the 1st floor is not permitted. In other words, car 10 is prohibited from stopping at the 1st floor, and in this case, car 10 is only allowed to move between the 5th and 7th floors.

[0065] That is, a car number that is permitted to provide service to the first floor (can move between floors 1, 5, 6, and 7) is an "unrestricted car number," and a car number that is not permitted to provide service to the first floor (can move between floors 5, 6, and 7) is a "restricted car number." Note that for restricted cars, only the allocation of hall calls may be restricted without the registration of car calls, or only the registration of car calls may be restricted without the allocation of hall calls.

[0066] The stop restriction information 90 records that if the elapsed time T from the occurrence of an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value is TA seconds or less (0≦elapsed time T≦TA), the number of non-restricted units is set to one (in this case, unit A), the number of restricted units is set to two (in this case, units B and C), and the restricted floor is floor 1. The stop restriction information 90 also records that if the elapsed time T exceeds TA, the number of non-restricted units is all (units A to C), in other words, the stop restriction is lifted.

[0067] That is, the elevator system 1 restricts the elevators from stopping until TA seconds after the occurrence of an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value, with only one elevator (e.g., elevator A) being the only elevator that is not restricted (FIG. 5). FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining floors at which the elevators can stop when there is a stop restriction.

[0068] As shown in Figure 5, even when there is a stop restriction, Locomotive A can respond to hall calls for any of the 1st floor and floors 5 to 7, and can also register car calls for any of the 1st floor and floors 5 to 7. In other words, Locomotive A is a non-restricted locomotive that can run in the express zone.

[0069] On the other hand, when there is a stop restriction, cars B and C are prohibited from providing service to the first floor. As a result, even if a hall call occurs on the first floor, cars B and C will not be assigned to it, and will not be able to register a car call for the first floor. In other words, cars B and C are restricted cars that cannot run in the express zone.

[0070] In the TA seconds after an earthquake of seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value occurs, the number of cars that can travel in the express zone is limited to one (car A), as described above, in order to minimize the possibility of passengers becoming trapped in the express zone due to aftershocks. Note that in the TA seconds after an earthquake of seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value occurs, the number of cars that can travel in the express zone may be limited to zero, or the number of cars that can travel in the express zone may be limited to two.

[0071] The stop restriction information 90 may be held by the control device 20 or may be held by the monitoring device 300. For example, when the control device 20 holds the stop restriction information 90, a maintenance terminal carried by a maintenance person may be connected to the control device 20, and the stop restriction information 90 may be set in advance from the maintenance terminal. For example, the maintenance terminal may set non-restricted unit A, restricted units B and C, restricted floor 1, and TA 1800 seconds, and the control device 20 will hold the stop restriction information 90 generated based on these settings. When the control device 20 receives a restriction request from the monitoring device 300, it executes the stop restriction in accordance with the stop restriction information 90 it holds.

[0072] When the monitoring device 300 holds the stop restriction information 90, the monitoring device 300 can set and hold the stop restriction information 90. In this case, the monitoring device 300 can transmit a restriction request including the stop restriction information 90 to the control device 20. The control device 20 executes the stop restriction in accordance with the received stop restriction information 90. Below, an example will be described in which the monitoring device 300 holds the stop restriction information 90.

[0073] The following description will be given using flowcharts. Figure 6 is a flowchart of the processing executed by the monitoring system 100. The elevator-side processing is processing executed by the elevator system 1. The monitoring device-side processing is processing executed by the monitoring device 300. Hereinafter, "step" may also be simply referred to as "S".

[0074] When the earthquake sensor 40 of each of the multiple elevator systems 1 detects an earthquake, it transmits information about the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor 40 to the monitoring device 300. In this example, a case will be described in which the earthquake sensor 40 of the elevator system 1 in building 2 detects an earthquake.

[0075] In the elevator-side processing, when the corresponding earthquake sensor 40 of one of elevators A to C in the elevator system 1 in the building 2 detects an earthquake (S101), the control device 20 transmits (issues an alert) earthquake information about the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor 40 to the monitoring device 300 via the communication device 50 (S102). For example, the earthquake information transmitted may include information that P waves and S waves have been detected, and the seismic intensity of the earthquake (or information indicating the strength of the earthquake, such as "low" or "high").

[0076] In the monitoring device-side processing, the communication interface 313 of the monitoring device 300 receives earthquake information from the elevator system 1 of the building 2 (S201). For example, if all of the earthquake sensors 40 in elevators A to C detect an earthquake, earthquake information is issued from all of the communication devices 50 corresponding to these sensors.

[0077] In this example, we will explain an example in which the monitoring device 300 receives earthquake information from building 2, but the monitoring device 300 can also receive information about earthquakes detected by earthquake sensors 40 from each of multiple elevator systems 1 installed in multiple buildings other than building 2.

[0078] When the magnitude of the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, the processor 311 of the monitoring device 300 generates a restriction request to restrict travel in the express zone for a certain period of time after the earthquake sensor 40 detects the earthquake. When the magnitude of the earthquake is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, this may be, for example, when the seismic intensity of the earthquake is equal to or greater than a specified value, or when the earthquake sensor 40 detects a "high (high gal)" earthquake, or when it detects an earthquake of such magnitude that a safety check by diagnostic driving after the earthquake occurs.

[0079] Specifically, in the monitoring device side processing, if the seismic intensity (magnitude of the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor 40) in the earthquake information received from the elevator system 1 is equal to or greater than a specified value (predetermined level) (YES in S202), the processor 311 of the monitoring device 300 proceeds to S203, and if it is less than the specified value (NO in S202), the monitoring device side processing ends.

[0080] In S203, the processor 311 of the monitoring device 300 extracts an area including a building in which an earthquake sensor 40 that detected a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value is installed, and in S204, the processor 311 of the monitoring device 300 extracts the elevator system 1 of the building included in the extracted area.

[0081] Specifically, the processor 311 of the monitoring device 300 extracts elevator systems 1 installed in buildings in areas where earthquakes with seismic intensity above a specified value have occurred, based on installation area information (location of each building) stored in the building information 367 and area earthquake information (areas where earthquakes with seismic intensity above a specified value have occurred).

[0082] For example, assume that building 2 is located in district C of city B in prefecture A (building information 367). In this embodiment, monitoring device 300 accesses weather information server 500, which distributes earthquake information for an area (region), to acquire earthquake information for the area. Assume that the area earthquake information obtained indicates that an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value has occurred in district C in city B in prefecture A and in neighboring district D. Districts C and D in city B in prefecture A are areas that include building 2 and where an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value has occurred.

[0083] The monitoring device 300 extracts elevator systems 1 installed in buildings managed by an information center 3 (maintenance company) in districts C and D (the area around the epicenter) of city B, prefecture A. In the example shown in Fig. 2, elevator systems 1 in buildings 2, 2a, and 2b are managed in districts C and D (the area around the epicenter) of city B, prefecture A, and these are extracted.

[0084] The processor 311 of the monitoring device 300 generates a restriction request for the elevator system 1 of the extracted building based on the stop restriction information (S205). The communication interface 313 of the monitoring device 300 transmits the generated restriction request to the elevator system 1 of the extracted building (S206). In this example, the restriction request is transmitted to each of the elevator systems 1 of buildings 2, 2a, and 2b. For example, a restriction request including the stop restriction information 90 shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted to the elevator system 1 of building 2.

[0085] In this way, the communication interface 313 of the monitoring device 300 transmits a restriction request to the elevator system 1 of the building 2 equipped with the earthquake sensor 40 that detected an earthquake of a specified magnitude or greater. In addition, by utilizing the earthquake information for the area, a restriction request is also transmitted to the elevator systems 1 of the buildings 2a and 2b that are located in the area where an earthquake of a specified magnitude or greater occurred.

[0086] When the restriction request is received, the control device 20 of each of the plurality of elevator systems 1 controls the car 10 to restrict travel in the express zone for a certain period of time based on the restriction request.

[0087] Specifically, in the elevator-side processing, when the control device 20 of the elevator system 1 in building 2 receives a restriction request (S103), it sets the restricted car number, restricted floor, and restricted time based on the stop restriction information 90 (S104). It implements the stop restriction based on the above settings (S105), and ends the elevator-side processing. Stop restrictions are implemented not only in building 2, but also in buildings 2a and 2b in a similar manner.

[0088] The cars 10 controlled by the control device 20 of the elevator system 1 in the building 2 that receives the restriction request include cars B and C as the first cars and car A as the second car. The "restriction request" is a request to prohibit the allocation of hall calls, including travel in the express zone, and the registration of car calls in cars B and C for a certain period of time after the earthquake sensor 40 detects an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value.

[0089] Specifically, in Building 2 in this example, Units B and C are set as restricted units, the first floor is set as the restricted floor, and 0 to TA seconds are set as the time limit. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, until TA seconds have passed since the occurrence of an earthquake that detects an earthquake of a specified magnitude or greater, only Unit A can service all floors (1st floor, 5th to 7th floors), while Units B and C can service floors 5th to 7th floors (they cannot service the first floor, which runs in the express zone).

[0090] As described above, in the first embodiment, the monitoring device 300 is a device configured to be able to communicate with at least one elevator system 1. Each of the at least one elevator system 1 includes an earthquake sensor 40 and a control device 20 as an elevator control device. The earthquake sensor 40 detects an earthquake. When the earthquake sensor 40 detects an earthquake while the car 10 of an elevator (elevators 1a to 1c (A to C), etc.) is traveling, the control device 20 controls the car 10 to run to the nearest floor and then open the door of the car 10. The monitoring device 300 includes a communication interface 313 as a communication unit and a processor 311 as a control unit. The communication interface 313 receives information about the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor 40 from each of the at least one elevator system 1. When the magnitude of the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, the processor 311 generates a restriction request to restrict travel in express zones where the distance between floors at which the car 10 can stop is equal to or greater than a specified distance for a certain period of time after the earthquake sensor 40 detects the earthquake. The communication interface 313 transmits the restriction request to the elevator system 1 equipped with the earthquake sensor 40 that detected an earthquake equal to or greater than the predetermined level.

[0091] The monitoring system 100 also includes a monitoring device 300 and at least one elevator system 1. When an earthquake is detected by an earthquake sensor 40 in each of the at least one elevator system 1, the monitoring device 300 transmits information about the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor 40. When a restriction request is received, the control device 20 in each of the at least one elevator system 1 controls the car 10 to restrict travel in the express zone for a certain period of time based on the restriction request.

[0092] If an earthquake occurs while the elevator is operating in the express zone, the likelihood of a passenger becoming trapped increases. Furthermore, if the magnitude of the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, there is a high likelihood of aftershocks occurring for a certain period of time after the earthquake is detected. By restricting operation in the express zone for a certain period of time after the earthquake is detected when the magnitude of the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, the likelihood of a passenger becoming trapped due to an aftershock while the elevator is operating in the express zone can be reduced, and the burden on maintenance personnel of performing long-distance rescue operations from a trapped position in the middle of the express zone to the nearest floor can be reduced. This reduces the number of passengers trapped in elevators during earthquakes and reduces the burden on maintenance personnel in responding to earthquakes.

[0093] The monitoring device 300 further includes a memory 312 as a storage unit. The memory 312 stores information about the installation area of ​​at least one elevator system 1. The communication interface 313 accesses a weather information server 500, which distributes earthquake information for the area, to acquire the earthquake information for the area. The processor 311 extracts elevator systems 1 installed in areas where an earthquake of a predetermined magnitude or greater has occurred, based on the installation area information and the earthquake information for the area. The communication interface 313 transmits a restriction request to the elevator systems 1 extracted by the processor 311. As a result, not only elevator systems 1 in buildings 2 equipped with earthquake sensors 40 but also elevator systems 1 in buildings not equipped with earthquake sensors 40 are restricted from operating in the express zone for a certain period of time after the detection of the earthquake. This further reduces the number of elevators trapped in elevators during earthquakes and the burden on maintenance personnel in responding to earthquakes.

[0094] The cars 10 controlled by the control device 20 of the elevator system 1 that receives the restriction request include a first car (cars B and C) and a second car (car A). The restriction request is a request to prohibit the allocation of hall calls, including those traveling in the express zone, and the registration of car calls in cars B and C for a certain period of time after the earthquake detector 40 detects an earthquake. This ensures convenience for passengers by allowing car A to travel in the express zone (allowing it to go to the first floor), while prohibiting cars B and C from traveling in the express zone, thereby reducing the number of cases of passengers becoming trapped in elevators when an earthquake occurs and reducing the burden on maintenance personnel in responding to earthquakes.

[0095] [Second embodiment] Next, a monitoring system 100 according to a second embodiment will be described. The monitoring system 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the monitoring system 100 according to the first embodiment in terms of stop restriction information. Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below, and explanations of parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0096] In the second embodiment, the cars 10 controlled by the control device 20 of the elevator system 1 that receives the restriction request include car C as the first car 10, car B as the second car 10, and car A as the third car 10. The restriction request is a request to prohibit car C and car B from allocating hall calls including travel in the express zone and registering car calls for a first time period (0 to time T1) after the earthquake detector 40 detects an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value, and then prohibit car C from allocating hall calls including travel in the express zone and registering car calls for a second time period (time T1 to T2). This will be explained in detail below.

[0097] 7 is a diagram showing stop restriction information 91 according to the second embodiment. The stop restriction information 90 according to the first embodiment records that the number of non-restricted vehicles is limited to one (Vehicle A) until TA seconds have elapsed since the occurrence of an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value. In contrast, the stop restriction information 91 according to the second embodiment is configured to reduce the number of non-restricted vehicles when an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value occurs, and then gradually increase the number of non-restricted vehicles as time passes.

[0098] The stop restriction information 91 indicates the non-restricted units, restricted units, and restricted floors corresponding to the elapsed time (time limit) since the occurrence of an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value. If the elapsed time T since the occurrence of an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value is T1 seconds or less (0≦elapsed time T≦T1), the non-restricted units are set to one unit (unit A in this case), the restricted units are set to two units (units B and C in this case), and it is recorded that the restricted floor is the first floor. If the elapsed time T thereafter is T2 seconds or less (T1<elapsed time T≦T2), it is recorded that the non-restricted units are set to two units (units A and B), the restricted unit is set to one unit (unit C), and the restricted floor is the first floor. If the elapsed time T exceeds T2 seconds, it is recorded that the non-restricted units are all units (units A to C), that is, the stop restriction is lifted. Here, T1 <T2である。

[0099] The elevator system 1 may set the number of non-restricted elevators to 0 for a predetermined time after the occurrence of an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value. In this case, the elevator system 1 may be configured to increase the number of non-restricted elevators to 1, 2, 3, etc. as time passes.

[0100] 8 is a diagram for explaining floors at which a train can stop when only Unit C has a stopping restriction. As described above, when T1 < elapsed time T ≦ T2, the non-restricted units are set to two (Units A and B), the restricted unit is set to one (Unit C), and the restricted floor is the first floor.

[0101] Units A and B can respond to hall calls for either the 1st floor or floors 5 to 7, and can also register car calls for either the 1st floor or floors 5 to 7. In other words, units A and B are non-restricted units that can operate in the express zone. On the other hand, unit C is prohibited from providing service to the 1st floor and is a restricted unit that cannot operate in the express zone.

[0102] Immediately after a large earthquake, there is a high possibility of aftershocks occurring. For this reason, if the time elapsed since the occurrence of an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value is T1 seconds or less, the number of non-restricted locomotives is limited to one, thereby minimizing the probability of people being trapped in the express zone. As time passes and the possibility of aftershocks decreasing, the number of locomotives that can travel in the express zone is gradually increased. Note that the number of non-restricted locomotives may be limited to zero for a specified period of time immediately after the earthquake occurs, which makes it possible to completely prevent people from being trapped in the express zone for a specified period of time.

[0103] Fig. 9 is a flowchart of the process executed by the monitoring system 100. The process itself in this flowchart is the same as that in the flowchart in Fig. 6, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0104] However, in S205 of this flowchart, stop restriction information 91 is used instead of stop restriction information 90. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, immediately after the occurrence of an earthquake with a seismic intensity equal to or greater than a specified value, a restriction request is transmitted to reduce the number of vehicles that can travel in the express zone to one, and then increase the number of vehicles that can travel by one over time (changing from one vehicle to two vehicles to all vehicles). The elevator system 1 implements stop restrictions based on this restriction request.

[0105] As described above, the cars 10 controlled by the control device 20 of the elevator system 1 that receives the restriction request include the first car 10 (car C), the second car 10 (car B), and the third car 10 (car A). The restriction request is a request to prohibit the allocation of hall calls and the registration of car calls that include travel in the express zone in cars C and B for a first time period (from time 0 to time T1) after the earthquake detector 40 detects an earthquake, and then to prohibit the allocation of hall calls and the registration of car calls that include travel in the express zone in car C for a second time period (from time T1 to T2).

[0106] Immediately after an earthquake of a seismic intensity above a specified value, there is a high probability of aftershocks occurring, and the probability of aftershocks decreasing over time. By reducing the number of vehicles that can operate in the express zone immediately after the earthquake, and then gradually increasing the number of vehicles that can operate in the express zone over time, it is possible to balance ensuring passenger convenience (being able to go to the first floor) with the risk of being trapped in the express zone, thereby reducing the number of cases where people are trapped in elevators when an earthquake occurs and reducing the burden on maintenance staff in responding to earthquakes.

[0107] [Note] The above-described embodiment is a specific example of the following additional notes.

[0108] (Appendix 1) 1. An elevator monitoring device configured to communicate with at least one elevator system, comprising: Each of the at least one elevator system comprises: An earthquake detector that detects earthquakes; an elevator control device that, when the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake while the elevator car is traveling, controls the car to run to the nearest floor and then open the car door, The elevator monitoring device a communication unit that receives information about the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor from each of the at least one elevator system; a control unit that generates a restriction request to restrict travel in an express zone where the distance between floors at which the car can stop is equal to or greater than a specified distance for a certain period of time after the earthquake sensor detects the earthquake, when the magnitude of the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined level; The communication unit transmits the restriction request to an elevator system equipped with the earthquake sensor that has detected an earthquake of the predetermined level or higher.

[0109] (Appendix 2) Further, a storage unit is provided to store information on the installation area of ​​each of the at least one elevator system; the communication unit accesses a server that distributes earthquake information for an area, and acquires the earthquake information for the area; the control unit extracts elevator systems installed in areas where earthquakes of a predetermined level or greater have occurred, based on the installation area information and earthquake information for the areas; The elevator monitoring device described in Appendix 1, wherein the communication unit transmits the restriction request to the elevator system extracted by the control unit.

[0110] (Appendix 3) the cars controlled by the elevator control device of the elevator system that receives the restriction request include a first car and a second car; 3. The elevator monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the restriction request is a request to prohibit the allocation of hall calls and the registration of car calls, including those for travel in the express zone, in the first car for a certain period of time after the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake.

[0111] (Appendix 4) the cars controlled by the elevator control device of the elevator system that receives the restriction request include a first car, a second car, and a third car; The elevator monitoring device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the restriction request is a request to prohibit the allocation of hall calls and the registration of car calls, including travel in the express zone, in the first car and the second car, for a first time period after the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake, and then to prohibit the allocation of hall calls and the registration of car calls, including travel in the express zone, in the first car, for a second time period.

[0112] (Appendix 5) An elevator monitoring system comprising the elevator monitoring device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4 and the at least one elevator system, When the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake, each of the at least one elevator system transmits information about the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor to the elevator monitoring device; When the restriction request is received, the elevator control device of each of the at least one elevator system controls the car to restrict travel in the express zone for a certain period of time based on the restriction request.

[0113] (Appendix 6) 1. A method for controlling an elevator monitoring device configured to be able to communicate with at least one elevator system, comprising: Each of the at least one elevator system comprises: An earthquake detector that detects earthquakes; an elevator control device that, when the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake while the elevator car is traveling, controls the car to run to the nearest floor and then open the car door, The control method includes: receiving information about the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor from each of the at least one elevator system; a step of generating a restriction request to restrict travel in an express zone where the distance between floors at which the car can stop is equal to or greater than a specified distance for a certain period of time after the earthquake sensor detects the earthquake, when the magnitude of the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined level; and transmitting the restriction request to an elevator system equipped with the earthquake sensor that has detected an earthquake of the predetermined level or greater.

[0114] The embodiments disclosed herein are merely examples and are not limited to the above. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1 elevator system, 1a to 1c elevators, 2, 2a to 2e buildings, 3 information center, 5 machine room, 6 pit, 8 elevator shaft, 10 car, 11 rope, 12 counterweight, 13 deflector car, 14 buffer, 20 control device, 30 elevator device, 40 earthquake detector, 50 communication device, 90, 91 stop restriction information, 100 monitoring system, 300 monitoring device, 311 processor, 312 memory, 313 communication interface, 321 display unit, 322 input unit, 367 building information, 368 history information, 500 weather information server.

Claims

1. 1. An elevator monitoring device configured to communicate with at least one elevator system, comprising: Each of the at least one elevator system comprises: An earthquake detector that detects earthquakes; an elevator control device that, when the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake while the elevator car is traveling, controls the car to run to the nearest floor and then open the car door, The elevator monitoring device a communication unit that receives information about the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor from each of the at least one elevator system; a control unit that generates a restriction request to restrict travel in an express zone where the distance between floors at which the car can stop is equal to or greater than a specified distance for a certain period of time after the earthquake sensor detects the earthquake, when the magnitude of the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined level; The communication unit transmits the restriction request to an elevator system equipped with the earthquake sensor that has detected an earthquake of the predetermined level or higher.

2. Further, a storage unit is provided to store information on an installation area of ​​each of the at least one elevator system; the communication unit accesses a server that distributes earthquake information for an area, and acquires the earthquake information for the area; the control unit extracts elevator systems installed in areas where earthquakes of a predetermined level or greater have occurred, based on the installation area information and earthquake information for the areas; The elevator monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the communication unit transmits the restriction request to the elevator system extracted by the control unit.

3. the cars controlled by the elevator control device of the elevator system receiving the restriction request include a first car and a second car; 3. The elevator monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the restriction request is a request to prohibit the first car from allocating hall calls including those traveling in the express zone and from registering car calls for a predetermined period of time after the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake.

4. the cars controlled by the elevator control device of the elevator system receiving the restriction request include a first car, a second car, and a third car; 3. The elevator monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the restriction request is a request to prohibit, in the first car, the allocation of hall calls including travel in the express zone and the registration of car calls, for a first time period after the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake, and then to prohibit, in the first car, the allocation of hall calls including travel in the express zone and the registration of car calls, for a second time period.

5. An elevator monitoring system comprising the elevator monitoring device of claim 1 and the at least one elevator system, When the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake, each of the at least one elevator system transmits information about the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor to the elevator monitoring device; When the restriction request is received, the elevator control device of each of the at least one elevator system controls the car to restrict travel in the express zone for a certain period of time based on the restriction request.

6. 1. A method for controlling an elevator monitoring device configured to communicate with at least one elevator system, comprising: Each of the at least one elevator system comprises: An earthquake detector that detects earthquakes; an elevator control device that, when the earthquake sensor detects an earthquake while the elevator car is traveling, controls the car to run to the nearest floor and then open the car door, The control method includes: receiving information about an earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor from each of the at least one elevator system; a step of generating a restriction request to restrict travel in an express zone where the distance between floors at which the car can stop is equal to or greater than a specified distance for a certain period of time after the earthquake sensor detects the earthquake, when the magnitude of the earthquake detected by the earthquake sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined level; and transmitting the restriction request to an elevator system equipped with the earthquake sensor that has detected an earthquake of the predetermined level or greater.

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