Destination floor registration device and control method

Abstract

To provide a destination floor registration device that improves convenience for users who require voice guidance. [Solution] The destination floor registration device (1) includes a reception unit (111) that receives input operations from the user, an output control unit (116) that causes an output unit (14) capable of outputting sound to output sound including information indicating the floor when the reception unit receives an input operation that instructs the start of voice guidance, and a measuring unit (114) that measures the distance between the user's face and the output unit during the period when the output unit is outputting sound, and the output control unit controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit according to the measured distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a destination floor registration device that registers a destination floor call based on an operation of a user using an elevator, and a control method for the destination floor registration device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a call registration device for registering an elevator destination floor call when a visually impaired person uses an elevator has been known. When a predetermined button is pressed in the call registration device of Patent Document 1, notification by voice guidance of the floor where the elevator car can stop is started. Further, in the call registration device of Patent Document 1, when a predetermined button is pressed again when the destination floor is notified, the floor notified by voice is registered as the destination floor call of the elevator car.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is still room for improvement in the convenience of the destination floor registration device that provides voice guidance.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides a destination floor registration device that improves the convenience for users who require voice guidance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a destination floor registration device according to one aspect of the present invention is a destination floor registration device that registers destination floor calls based on the operation of a user using an elevator, and comprises: a reception unit that receives input operations from a user; an output control unit that, when the reception unit receives an input operation instructing the start of voice guidance, causes an output unit capable of outputting voice to output voice containing information indicating the floor; and a measuring unit that measures the distance between the user's face and the output unit during the period in which the output unit is outputting voice, wherein the output control unit controls the volume of the voice output from the output unit according to the measured distance.

[0007] To solve the above problems, a control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method for a destination floor registration device that registers destination floor calls based on the operation of a user using an elevator, and includes: a reception step of receiving an input operation from a user; an output control step of causing an output unit capable of outputting sound to output sound including information indicating the floor when an input operation instructing the start of voice guidance is received in the reception step; and a measurement step of measuring the distance between the user's face and the output unit during the period in which the output unit is outputting sound, wherein the output control step controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit according to the measured distance.

[0008] Each aspect of the present invention may be implemented by a computer. In this case, a control program for the destination floor registration device that enables the computer to implement the destination floor registration device by operating the computer as each part (software element) of the destination floor registration device, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a destination floor registration device that improves convenience for users requiring voice guidance can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an elevator system including a destination floor registration device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a destination floor registration device. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of distance information stored in the memory unit. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of floor information. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the relationship between the user's face and the distance between them and the destination floor registration device. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow for the first call registration performed by the destination floor registration device. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow for the second call registration performed by the destination floor registration device. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow related to volume adjustment performed by the destination floor registration device. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a destination floor registration device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow related to volume adjustment performed by the destination floor registration device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] [Embodiment 1] One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an elevator system 100 including a destination floor registration device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the elevator system 100 comprises a destination floor registration device 1, a group control device 2, an elevator control device 3, and an elevator 4.

[0012] The destination floor registration device 1 is a destination floor registration device that registers a destination floor call based on the operation of a user who uses the elevator 4 and presents the allocation result by the group management control device 2. Further, the destination floor registration device 1 includes an output unit 14 capable of outputting sound, and outputs a sound indicating various information related to call registration from the output unit 14. Furthermore, the destination floor registration device 1 measures the distance between the user's face and the output unit 14, and controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 according to the measured distance. Hereinafter, the distance between the user's face and the output unit 14 is also referred to as the "user distance". The details of the destination floor registration device 1 will be described later.

[0013] The group management control device 2 allocates an elevator number of the elevator 4 to the destination floor call received from the destination floor registration device 1. Further, the group management control device 2 transmits allocation result information to the destination floor registration device 1 that is the transmission source of the destination floor call. The allocation result information includes information indicating the elevator number allocated to the destination floor call. In addition, the group management control device 2 transmits information instructing to operate the elevator 4 based on the registered destination floor call to the elevator control device 3 that controls the elevator number of the elevator 4 allocated to the destination floor call.

[0014] The elevator control device 3 controls the movement between floors and the opening and closing of the doors of the elevator 4 based on an instruction from the group management control device 2. The elevator 4 is installed in a building and operates based on the control of the elevator control device 3. The elevator 4 installed in one building may be one unit or a plurality of units. Hereinafter, a configuration in which a plurality of elevators 4 are installed in one building and the group management control device 2 allocates an optimal elevator number to the destination floor call will be described as an example.

[0015] <Destination Floor Registration Device 1> FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the destination floor registration device 1. The destination floor registration device 1 is a device used by a user who uses the elevator 4 to register a destination floor call. The destination floor registration device 1 transmits a destination floor call based on the input operation of the user to the group management control device 2 and presents the allocation result based on the destination floor call.

[0016] The destination floor registration device 1 is installed, for example, at the landing of the elevator 4. The number of destination floor registration devices 1 included in the elevator system 100 may be one or plural. As an example, the destination floor registration device 1 may be installed at the landing on each floor of the building. Also, plural destination floor registration devices 1 may be installed at the landing on one floor.

[0017] The destination floor registration device 1 can display a predetermined screen and register a destination floor call based on a user's input operation with respect to the content of the displayed screen. Also, the destination floor registration device 1 can output a predetermined voice and register a destination floor call based on a user's input operation with respect to the content of the output voice. Hereinafter, call registration based on screen display is referred to as first call registration. Also, destination floor call registration based on voice guidance is referred to as second call registration.

[0018] When performing processing related to second call registration, the destination floor registration device 1 notifies, by voice guidance, the floors that can be specified as the destination floor. The user can register a destination floor call having the notified floor as the destination floor by performing an operation of specifying any one of the notified floors. For example, when the user is a person who has difficulty performing first call registration such as a visually impaired person, the user can register a destination floor call without relying on vision by performing second call registration.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the destination floor registration device 1 includes a display unit 13, an output unit 14, a first operation reception unit 15, a second operation reception unit 16, a sensor 17, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 11. The display unit 13 displays a screen based on the control of a display control unit 113 (described later). The display unit 13 may be, for example, a display capable of displaying a predetermined screen. Also, the display may have a function as a touch panel. The output unit 14 outputs voice based on the control of an output control unit 116 (described later). The output unit 14 may be, for example, a speaker.

[0020] The first operation reception unit 15 receives input operations related to the first call registration and outputs a signal to the control unit 11 corresponding to the received input operation. The first operation reception unit 15 receives input operations to specify the destination floor. The operation to specify the destination floor may be an operation to specify any of the floors displayed on the display unit 13. The first operation reception unit 15 may be a button capable of receiving input operations to specify the destination floor. Alternatively, the first operation reception unit 15 may be, for example, a touch panel. If the first operation reception unit 15 is a touch panel, the touch panel may also perform the functions of the display unit 13 and the first operation reception unit 15.

[0021] The second operation reception unit 16 receives input operations related to the second call registration and outputs a signal to the control unit 11 corresponding to the received input operation. The second operation reception unit 16 may be a button that can receive input operations from the user. The second operation reception unit 16 receives an input operation that instructs the start of voice guidance. Specifically, this input operation may be an operation to press the button that is the second operation reception unit 16. When the second operation reception unit 16 receives this input operation, the destination floor registration device 1 starts processing related to the second call registration. Hereinafter, the period during which processing related to the second call registration is being performed will also be referred to as the "period during which voice guidance is being provided by the output unit 14".

[0022] Furthermore, during the period when voice guidance is being provided by the output unit 14, the second operation reception unit 16 accepts input operations to specify the destination floor. The input operation to specify the destination floor may be an input operation to specify a floor that has been announced by voice from the output unit 14. Specifically, this input operation may be an operation to press a button on the second operation reception unit 16.

[0023] Sensor 17 is a sensor capable of outputting a signal corresponding to the distance between the user's face and the output unit 14. Sensor 17 may be, for example, a Time-Of-Flight (TOF) distance measuring sensor.

[0024] The memory unit 12 stores various information used in the destination floor registration device 1. As shown in Figure 1, the memory unit 12 stores distance information 121, reference volume information 122, volume control information 123, and floor information 124. The reference volume information 122 is information indicating the reference volume when providing voice guidance. The volume control information 123 is information indicating the modified volume determined based on the user distance.

[0025] Figure 3 shows an example of distance information 121 stored in the storage unit 12. The distance information 121 includes information indicating the user distance corresponding to the user performing the operation related to the second call registration. As shown in Figure 3, the storage unit 12 may store information indicating the user distance and information indicating the time when the distance was measured in association with each other as distance information 121. During the period in which the processing related to the second call registration is being performed, new distance information 121 is stored each time the user distance is measured.

[0026] Figure 4 shows an example of floor information 124 stored in the memory unit 12. Floor information 124 is information indicating the floor of the building in which the elevator 4 is installed. As shown in Figure 4, the floor information 124 stores a floor name indicating the floor of the building and an identification number (N) for identifying the floor name, associated with each floor.

[0027] The control unit 11 performs various controls performed by the destination floor registration device 1. As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 11 includes a reception unit 111, a registration unit 112, a display control unit 113, a measurement unit 114, a determination unit 115, and an output control unit 116.

[0028] (Reception desk 111) The reception unit 111 receives input operations from the user. The reception unit 111 acquires a signal indicating the content of the input operation from the first operation reception unit 15 or the second operation reception unit 16, and identifies the input operation performed to the first operation reception unit 15 or the second operation reception unit 16. If the identified input operation is in a state where it can be received, the reception unit 111 receives the input operation and performs predetermined processing based on the content of the received input operation.

[0029] During periods when processing related to the second call registration is not being performed, the reception unit 111 can receive operations to specify a destination floor performed to the first operation reception unit 15, or operations to initiate the second call registration performed to the second operation reception unit 16.

[0030] When an operation to specify a destination floor is performed to the first operation reception unit 15, the reception unit 111 accepts the operation. At this time, the reception unit 111 obtains information indicating the destination floor entered by the user from the first operation reception unit 15. The reception unit 111 outputs the information indicating the destination floor obtained from the first operation reception unit 15 to the registration unit 112. As a result, the destination floor registration device 1 starts processing related to the first call registration. Hereinafter, the operation to specify a destination floor performed to the first operation reception unit 15 will also be referred to as the "first specification operation".

[0031] Furthermore, during periods when processing related to the second call registration is not being performed, the reception unit 111 can receive an operation to instruct the second operation reception unit 16 to start voice guidance. Hereinafter, the operation to instruct the second operation reception unit 16 to start voice guidance will also be referred to as the "start operation".

[0032] When a start operation is performed on the second operation reception unit 16, the reception unit 111 accepts the start operation. Upon receiving a signal indicating that a start operation has been performed, the reception unit 111 transmits a service floor acquisition request to the group control device 2. The service floor acquisition request is information requesting the provision of service floor information, which indicates the floors on which the elevator 4 can stop. Upon receiving the service floor acquisition request, the group control device 2 transmits the service floor information to the destination floor registration device 1. The group control device 2 excludes the floor on which the destination floor registration device 1, the source of the service floor acquisition request, is installed from the service floors. Upon receiving the service floor information, the reception unit 111 stores the service floor information in the storage unit 12. Subsequently, the reception unit 111 decides to start the second call registration and outputs information indicating the start of the second call registration to each part of the control unit 11. As a result, the destination floor registration device 1 starts processing related to the second call registration. Furthermore, after the processing for the second call registration has started and until that processing is completed, the reception unit 111 will be in a state where it cannot accept start operations. However, once the processing for the first call registration or the processing for the second call registration is completed, the reception unit 111 will be in a state where it can accept the first designation operation and the start operation.

[0033] While processing for the second call registration is underway, the output unit 14 broadcasts an audio message indicating each of the floors that can be designated as destination floors. When the user hears their desired floor, they perform an input operation to the second operation reception unit 16 to specify the broadcasted floor as their destination floor.

[0034] The reception unit 111 can receive input operations to specify a reported floor from the time one floor is reported by the output unit 14 until the next floor is reported. Hereinafter, the input operation performed on the second operation reception unit 16 to specify the reported floor as the destination floor will also be referred to as the "second designation operation". When the reception unit 111 receives a second designation operation, it outputs information indicating the floor specified by the second designation operation to the registration unit 112. This registers a destination floor call with the specified floor as the destination floor. The reception unit 111 also outputs information indicating that it has received the second designation operation to the output control unit 116.

[0035] (Registration Section 112) The registration unit 112 registers destination floor calls based on user input. When the reception unit 111 receives the first designation operation, the registration unit 112 registers the destination floor call. Specifically, the registration unit 112 generates a destination floor call with the floor specified by the first designation operation as the destination floor and the floor where the destination floor registration device 1 is installed as the departure floor, and transmits the generated destination floor call to the group control device 2.

[0036] Furthermore, if the reception unit 111 receives a second designation operation between the time one floor is notified by the output unit 14 and the time the next floor is notified, the registration unit 112 registers the destination floor call. Specifically, the registration unit 112 generates a destination floor call with the floor specified by the second designation operation as the destination floor and the floor where the destination floor registration device 1 is installed as the departure floor, and transmits the generated destination floor call to the group control device 2.

[0037] According to the above configuration, if the reception unit 111 receives a predetermined operation between the notification of one floor and the notification of the next floor, the registration unit 112 registers a destination floor call with that floor as the destination floor. For example, a user can register a destination floor call with the 2nd floor as the destination floor by performing a predetermined operation between the notification of "2nd floor" by the output unit and before the notification of the next floor, for example, "3rd floor". In this way, since the user can register a destination floor call simply by performing a predetermined operation, there is no need to search for a button corresponding to the desired floor in order to make a destination floor call. Therefore, the above configuration improves convenience for the user.

[0038] (Display control unit 113) The display control unit 113 controls the screen display on the display unit 13. Specifically, while the reception unit 111 is not accepting user input, the display control unit 113 displays the destination floor registration screen on the display unit 13. The destination floor registration screen is a screen that includes information indicating the floors that can be specified as destination floors.

[0039] When the display control unit 113 is displaying the destination floor registration screen on the display unit 13, the reception unit 111 can accept the first designation operation. When the reception unit 111 accepts the first designation operation, a destination floor call with the selected floor as the destination floor is registered. When the group control device 2 assigns elevator unit 4 to the destination floor call, the display control unit 113 receives assignment result information from the group control device 2. The assignment result information includes information indicating the elevator unit assigned to the destination floor call.

[0040] When the display control unit 113 receives assignment result information from the group control device 2, it displays the assignment result screen on the display unit 13. The assignment result screen is a screen that includes information indicating that the registration of the destination floor call has been completed and the machine number assigned to the destination floor call.

[0041] The display control unit 113 displays the assignment result screen for a predetermined time, then decides to terminate the processing related to the first call registration, and outputs information indicating the termination of the processing related to the first call registration to each part of the control unit 11. This terminates the processing related to the first call registration in the destination floor registration device 1. Once the processing related to the first call registration is completed, the display control unit 113 displays the destination floor registration screen on the display unit 13.

[0042] (Measurement section 114) The measurement unit 114 measures the distance between the user's face and the output unit 14 during the period when the output unit 14 is outputting sound. The measurement unit 114 acquires the signal output by the sensor 17 and measures the user distance based on the signal. The measurement unit 114 associates the information indicating the measured distance with the information indicating the time when the measurement was performed and stores it in the storage unit 12 as distance information 121. Note that the period during which the output unit 14 is outputting sound is not limited to the period during which sound is actually being played from the output unit 14, but includes the entire period during which sound could be played from the output unit 14, i.e., the entire period during which processing related to one second call registration is being performed.

[0043] The measuring unit 114 may measure the user distance each time it receives a signal from the sensor 17, or it may measure it at predetermined time intervals. For example, the measuring unit 114 may measure the user distance every second. The time interval at which the measuring unit 114 performs measurements may be longer than one second or shorter than one second.

[0044] The measurement unit 114 starts measuring the user distance when the destination floor registration device 1 starts processing related to the second call registration. When the processing related to the second call registration is completed, the measurement unit 114 stops measuring the user distance. At this time, the measurement unit 114 may delete the distance information 121 stored in the storage unit 12. As a result, when the second call registration is performed again after the processing related to the second call registration is completed, the distance information 121 related to the user who performed the completed second call registration will be deleted. This reduces the possibility that the distance information 121 related to the user who performed the previous second call registration will be mistakenly used when determining which user will perform the second call registration.

[0045] (Judgment unit 115) The determination unit 115 determines a change in user distance based on the measurement results from the measurement unit 114. When the determination unit 115 obtains information from the measurement unit 114 indicating that the distance information 121 has been updated, it makes a determination based on the distance information 121 from the storage unit 12. If the user distance changes so that the user moves closer to the output unit 14, in other words, if the user distance changes to a smaller size, the determination unit 115 determines that the user has moved closer to the output unit 14. If the user distance changes so that the user moves away from the output unit 14, in other words, if the user distance changes to a larger size, the determination unit 115 determines that the user has moved away from the output unit 14. If the user distance has not changed, the determination unit 115 determines that the user distance has not changed.

[0046] Furthermore, if the determination unit 115 determines that the user distance has not changed if the change in user distance is less than a predetermined value (for example, 2 cm), it may determine that the user distance has not changed. While a user is operating the destination floor registration device 1, the user distance may change in response to the user's actions, even if the user does not wish for a change in volume. According to the above configuration, if the change in user distance is less than a predetermined value, the determination unit 115 determines that the user distance has not changed. For example, if the user's posture changes slightly in conjunction with operating the destination floor registration device 1, or if there is a change in user distance that is not considered to be desired by the user, the determination unit 115 determines that the user distance has not changed. This reduces the possibility of unnecessary volume adjustments being made to the user.

[0047] Furthermore, the determination unit 115 makes a determination at predetermined intervals regarding the change in user distance during the predetermined time period. The determination unit 115 makes the determination of the change in user distance based on the distance information 121 at two points in time. The interval at which the determination unit 115 makes the determination may be, for example, 1 second. In this case, the determination unit 115 may make a determination every 1 second regarding the change in user distance over a 1-second period.

[0048] For example, the determination unit 115 makes a determination about the change in the user's distance over a one-second period based on the latest distance information 121 and the distance information 121 from one second prior to the latest. In this case, the determination unit 115 uses the time when the distance information 121 from one second prior to the latest was measured as the reference time, and determines whether the user's distance has decreased, decreased, or remained unchanged between the reference time and the time when the latest distance information 121 was measured.

[0049] For example, if the distance information 121 shown in Figure 3 is stored in the storage unit 12, the determination unit 115 acquires the latest distance information 121 (code 301) and the distance information 121 (code 302) from one second prior to the latest. In this case, the user distance shown in the latest distance information 121 (code 301) is greater than the user distance shown in the distance information 121 (code 302) from one second prior to the latest. In other words, the distance between the user's face and the output unit 14 has changed in the direction of moving away during the one-second interval. Therefore, based on the distance information 121 at the two acquired points in time, the determination unit 115 determines that the user has moved away from the output unit 14.

[0050] As another example, if the distance information 121 shown as reference numeral 303 in Figure 3 is stored in the storage unit 12 as the latest distance information 121, the determination unit 115 acquires the latest distance information 121 (reference numeral 303) and the distance information 121 (reference numeral 304) from one second prior to the latest. In this case, the user distance shown in the latest distance information 121 (reference numeral 303) is smaller than the user distance shown in the distance information 121 (reference numeral 304) from one second prior to the latest. In other words, the distance between the user's face and the output unit 14 has changed in a direction that makes them closer during the one-second interval. Therefore, based on the distance information 121 at the two acquired points in time, the determination unit 115 determines that the user has moved closer to the output unit 14.

[0051] The interval at which the determination unit 115 makes a determination is not limited to 1 second; it may be longer or shorter than 1 second. The determination unit 115 may also make a determination based on the latest distance information 121 and the distance information 121 from 1 second prior to the latest, or based on the latest distance information 121 and the distance information 121 from a different point in time. For example, the determination unit 115 may use the point in time used as the basis for its determination as the time when the distance information 121 from 1 second prior to the latest was measured, as described above, or it may use an even earlier point in time. Furthermore, if the measurement unit 114 updates the distance information 121 at intervals shorter than 1 second, the determination unit 115 may use a point in time closer to the time when the latest distance information 121 was measured than the time when the distance information 121 from 1 second prior to the latest was measured.

[0052] Furthermore, the determination unit 115 may determine the degree of change in the user distance. The determination unit 115 may determine how far the distance between the user's face and the output unit 14 has increased or decreased between the two points in time used for the determination. Specifically, the determination unit 115 may determine how many centimeters the distance between the user's face and the output unit 14 has increased or decreased.

[0053] The determination unit 115 outputs information indicating the determination result to the output control unit 116. The information indicating the determination result includes information indicating whether the distance between the user's face and the output unit 14 has decreased, decreased, or remained unchanged. The information indicating the determination result may also include information indicating the degree of change in the user's distance.

[0054] Furthermore, while the output unit 14 is outputting audio, the determination unit 115 refers to the distance information 121 and determines whether the user distance indicated in the distance information 121 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. This determination may be made each time the determination unit 115 obtains information from the measurement unit 114 indicating that the distance information 121 has been updated. If the user distance is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (for example, 1 m), the determination unit 115 decides to terminate the process related to the second call registration and outputs information to each part of the control unit 11 indicating that the process related to the second call registration has been terminated. This terminates the process related to the second call registration in the destination floor registration device 1.

[0055] (Output control unit 116) While the destination floor registration device 1 is performing control related to the second call registration, the output control unit 116 performs control related to voice output and volume adjustment.

[0056] First, let's explain the control of voice output performed by the output control unit 116. When the reception unit 111 receives an input operation to instruct the start of voice guidance, it causes the output unit 14 to output voice containing information indicating the floor. Specifically, the output control unit 116 causes the output unit 14 to output voice containing information (floor information) indicating one floor that can be specified as the destination floor.

[0057] After outputting audio containing floor information indicating a floor, if the reception unit 111 has not received an input operation to specify the announced floor, the output unit 14 outputs audio containing floor information indicating a floor that can be specified as a destination floor but has not yet been guided.

[0058] For example, if, after the output control unit 116 outputs audio from the output unit 14 that includes floor information indicating the 2nd floor, and no operation to specify the destination floor is performed to the second operation reception unit 16 within a predetermined time (for example, within 1 second), the reception unit 111 will not accept the second specification operation to specify the 2nd floor as the destination floor. In this case, the output control unit 116 will then output audio from the output unit 14 that includes floor information indicating the 3rd floor.

[0059] The output control unit 116 repeatedly outputs voice messages containing floor information until all floors that can be designated as destination floors have been announced, or until the reception unit 111 accepts the second designation operation. As a result, the output unit 14 announces each floor that can be designated as a destination floor one by one. The output control unit 116 may also control the output unit 14 so that the floors that can be designated as destination floors are announced in order from the lowest floor.

[0060] If the output control unit 116 has output audio containing floor information for all floors that can be designated as destination floors, and the reception unit 111 has not received a second designation operation, it decides to terminate the process for registering the second call. In this case, the output control unit 116 outputs information to each part of the control unit 11 indicating that the process for registering the second call has ended. This terminates the process for registering the second call in the destination floor registration device 1. Once the process for registering the second call is completed, the output control unit 116 stops the output of audio by the output unit 14.

[0061] If the reception unit 111 receives an input operation specifying a floor that has been notified by the output unit 14 between the time a floor is notified and the time when the next floor is notified, the output control unit 116 stops the output by the output unit 14.

[0062] Furthermore, when the reception unit 111 receives a second designation operation specifying a floor that has been notified, the registration unit 112 registers a destination floor call with the designated floor as the destination floor. When a second designation operation is performed, a destination floor call based on that operation is registered, so the user does not need to hear any further voice guidance for floors. With the above configuration, after the destination floor is specified by the user, voice guidance regarding floors stops. As a result, unnecessary voice guidance does not continue, reducing annoyance for the user.

[0063] Furthermore, after the output unit 14 stops outputting floor information, the output control unit 116 may output the floor designated as the destination floor and an audio message indicating that the floor has been designated as the destination floor. This allows the user to confirm the floor they have designated as their destination floor.

[0064] Furthermore, the output control unit 116 receives assignment result information from the group control device 2. Upon receiving the assignment result information, the output control unit 116 outputs audio from the output unit 14 that includes information indicating the assignment result. Specifically, the output control unit 116 outputs audio from the output unit 14 that indicates that the registration of the destination floor call has been completed and that the elevator 4 assigned to that destination floor call has been identified.

[0065] The output control unit 116 outputs audio containing information indicating the assignment result from the output unit 14, then decides to terminate the processing related to the second call registration, and outputs information indicating the termination of the processing related to the second call registration to each part of the control unit 11. As a result, the processing related to the second call registration in the destination floor registration device 1 is completed, and the output control unit 116 stops the output of audio by the output unit 14. Once the processing related to the second call registration is completed, the measurement unit 114 finishes measuring the user distance, and the reception unit 111 becomes ready to receive a new first designation operation or start operation.

[0066] Next, the volume control performed by the output control unit 116 will be described. While the output unit 14 is performing output control, that is, while the destination floor registration device 1 is performing control related to the second call registration, the output control unit 116 performs control to adjust the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14. If volume control information 123 is stored in the storage unit 12, the output control unit 116 will output sound from the output unit 14 at a volume based on the volume control information 123. If volume control information 123 is not stored in the storage unit 12, the output control unit 116 will output sound from the output unit 14 at a volume based on the reference volume information 122.

[0067] Furthermore, the output control unit 116 controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 according to the distance between the user and the output unit 14, as measured by the measurement unit 114. Based on the distance between the user and the output unit 14, the output control unit 116 determines how much to change the volume output from the output unit 14. In this way, the output control unit 116 controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 based on the distance between the user and the output unit 14.

[0068] In the destination floor registration device 1 that provides voice guidance, the appropriate volume varies depending on the user and the surrounding environment of the destination floor registration device 1. For example, depending on the user's hearing ability, the voice at a preset volume may be easy or difficult for the user to hear. Also, if the area around the destination floor registration device 1 is crowded, or if there are other sounds around the destination floor registration device 1, the voice at a preset volume may be difficult for the user to hear. Furthermore, if the area around the destination floor registration device 1 is quiet, the user may find the voice at a preset volume annoying. In such cases, it is preferable to adjust the volume of the output voice.

[0069] Users who request voice guidance are likely to be visually impaired or have other vision problems, so a system where volume can be changed by pressing buttons or other input operations may be inconvenient for them. For example, if volume adjustment is required, the voice guidance for the desired floor may end while the user is searching for the button to adjust the volume or while performing the input operation to adjust the volume.

[0070] According to the destination floor registration device 1 of the present invention, the output control unit 116 controls the volume of the voice output according to the user's distance. As a result, if a user finds the voice guidance difficult to hear or the volume of the voice guidance too loud, they can adjust the volume of the voice guidance by changing their distance from the output unit 14. Therefore, by using the destination floor registration device 1 of the present invention, convenience for users who require voice guidance can be improved.

[0071] The volume control by the output control unit 116 will be described in detail below. The output control unit 116 may adjust the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 according to the measured change in user distance. Specifically, the output control unit 116 decides to increase or decrease the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 based on the determination result of the determination unit 115 according to the measured change in user distance.

[0072] The output control unit 116 stores information indicating the determined volume as volume control information 123 in the storage unit 12. If volume control information 123 is already stored in the storage unit 12, the output control unit 116 updates the volume control information 123 based on the newly determined volume. This allows the output control unit 116 to control the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 based on the distance between the user and the output unit 14.

[0073] The output control unit 116 may perform volume adjustment control each time it obtains a determination result from the determination unit 115. The output control unit 116 outputs sound at a volume based on the updated volume control information 123, so the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 is adjusted according to the change in the measured distance.

[0074] The output control unit 116 controls the volume of the audio output from the output unit 14 when it determines that a user has approached the output unit 14. Specifically, when it determines that a user has approached the output unit 14, the output control unit 116 decides to increase the volume and updates the volume control information 123. As a result, the output control unit 116 controls the volume of the audio output from the output unit 14 to increase.

[0075] If the output control unit 116 determines that the user has moved away from the output unit 14, it controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14. Specifically, if the output control unit 116 determines that the user has moved away from the output unit 14, it may decide to reduce the volume and update the volume control information 123. As a result, the output control unit 116 controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 to decrease.

[0076] If the output control unit 116 determines that the distance between the user and the output unit 14 has not changed, it decides not to change the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14. In this case, the volume control information 123 is not updated. Therefore, if the distance between the user and the output unit 14 has not changed, the volume of the sound output by the output control unit 116 from the output unit 14 will not change.

[0077] Figure 5 shows an example of the relationship between the distance between the user's (code P) face and the destination floor registration device 1. In the example shown in Figure 5, the user distance (code L2) in the state indicated by code 502 is smaller than the user distance (code L1) in the state indicated by code 501. Therefore, the determination unit 115 determines that user P has approached the output unit 14 when the positional relationship between user P and the destination floor registration device 1 changes from the state indicated by code 501 to the state indicated by code 502. In this case, the output control unit 116 controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 to increase.

[0078] In the example shown in Figure 5, the user distance (L3) in the state indicated by reference numeral 503 is greater than the user distance (L2) in the state indicated by reference numeral 502. Therefore, the determination unit 115 determines that user P has moved away from the output unit 14 when the positional relationship between user P and the destination floor registration device 1 changes from the state indicated by reference numeral 502 to the state indicated by reference numeral 503. In this case, the output control unit 116 controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 to decrease.

[0079] Furthermore, the output control unit 116 may change the degree to which it changes the volume according to the degree of change in the user's distance. For example, in the example shown in Figure 5, when user P and destination floor registration device 1 change from the state shown by reference numeral 502 to the state shown by reference numeral 501, and when the user changes from the state shown by reference numeral 502 to the state shown by reference numeral 503, in both cases the user is farther away from the output unit 14. However, in the latter case the user is farther away from the output unit 14 than in the former case. Here, the output control unit 116 may control the output so that the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 in the latter case is lower than the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 in the former case. Also, the output control unit 116 may control the output so that the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 is higher when the user changes from the state shown by reference numeral 503 to the state shown by reference numeral 502, compared to when the user changes from the state shown by reference numeral 501 to the state shown by reference numeral 502.

[0080] When the user moves further away from the output unit 14, it is assumed that the user is requesting a lower volume of sound. Conversely, when the user moves closer to the output unit 14, it is assumed that the user is requesting a higher volume of sound. With the above configuration, the output control unit 116 can change the volume of the sound output according to how close or farther the user is from the output unit 14.

[0081] Furthermore, the output control unit 116 may adjust the volume of the audio output from the output unit 14 in steps. For example, at least one threshold value may be set in advance, and the output control unit 116 may adjust the volume of the audio output from the output unit 14 based on the change in user distance and the said threshold value. The number of threshold values ​​to be set may be 1, 10, or more.

[0082] As an example, three thresholds may be set. If the user's face and the output unit 14 are closer than or equal to the smallest threshold but less than the second smallest threshold, the output control unit 116 may decide to increase the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 by one level. As another example, if the user's face and the output unit 14 are further apart than or equal to the second smallest threshold but less than the third smallest threshold, the output control unit 116 may decide to decrease the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 by two levels.

[0083] The degree to which the volume changes based on the threshold can be set as appropriate. For example, the degree of volume change in one step when there are 10 thresholds set within a predetermined distance may be smaller than the degree of volume change in one step when there is 1 threshold within the same distance. By setting more finely divided thresholds, the output control unit 116 can make more precise adjustments to the volume.

[0084] As described above, the output control unit 116 controls the volume of the outputted voice in accordance with changes in the user's distance. This allows the user to adjust the volume of the outputted voice without performing any special operations, such as pressing a specific button, which may be difficult for some users. For example, the volume of the voice guidance is adjusted simply by the user performing natural actions such as moving closer to the output unit 14 when the sound is difficult to hear, or moving away from the output unit 14 when the sound is too loud.

[0085] Furthermore, if the distance between the user's face and the output unit 14 exceeds a predetermined value during the period when the output unit 14 is outputting sound, the output control unit 116 may stop outputting from the output unit 14. During the period when the output unit 14 is outputting sound, the determination unit 115 refers to the latest distance information 121 and determines whether the user distance indicated in the distance information 121 is above a predetermined value. If the user distance is above a predetermined value, the determination unit 115 decides to terminate the process related to the second call registration and outputs information to each part of the control unit 11 indicating that the process related to the second call registration has been terminated. This terminates the process related to the second call registration in the destination floor registration device 1. Once the process related to the second call registration is terminated, the output control unit 116 stops outputting from the output unit 14.

[0086] During the period when voice guidance is being provided by the output unit 14, the user may leave the destination floor registration device 1 before registering their destination floor call. With the above configuration, if the user leaves the output unit 14 of the destination floor registration device 1 while voice guidance is being provided by the output unit 14, the voice guidance will end. This reduces the possibility that a loud voice will continue to be output and cause discomfort to other users if the user stops registering their call while voice guidance is being provided by the output unit 14.

[0087] As described above, during the period in which processing related to the second call registration is being performed, the destination floor registration device 1 controls the volume of the voice output from the output unit 14 to a volume adjusted based on the user's distance, and provides voice guidance. As a result, while the user is performing the operation related to the second call registration, voice guidance is output at a volume appropriate for the user, adjusted based on the distance between the user and the output unit 14.

[0088] Furthermore, when the measurement unit 114 completes the processing related to the second call registration, it deletes the volume control information 123. Therefore, after the processing related to one second call registration is completed, the volume of the voice output from the output unit 14 next will be the volume based on the reference volume information 122, i.e., the preset volume. A volume appropriate for the first user is not necessarily appropriate for the second user. In this configuration, if the second user initiates voice guidance after the first user has registered the second call, the output unit 14 will output voice at the preset volume, and the volume will be adjusted based on the distance between the second user and the output unit 14. As a result, the destination floor registration device 1 can provide voice guidance at an appropriate volume for each user.

[0089] <An example of the processing flow performed by the destination floor registration device 1> Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow for the first call registration performed by the destination floor registration device 1. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow for the second call registration performed by the destination floor registration device 1. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow for volume adjustment performed by the destination floor registration device 1. The processing flow performed by the destination floor registration device 1 will be explained below using Figures 6 to 8.

[0090] (Processing related to the first call registration) First, an example of the processing flow for the first call registration will be explained using Figure 6. During a period when no user operations are being accepted and the destination floor registration device 1 is not performing any processing related to the first call registration or the second call registration, the display control unit 113 displays the destination floor registration screen on the display unit 13. Also during this period, the reception unit 111 can accept the first designation operation or start operation.

[0091] The reception unit 111 waits for processing until it accepts the first designation operation (YES in S1) or the start operation. The user can perform the first designation operation to the first operation reception unit 15 while the destination floor registration screen is displayed on the display unit 13. When the reception unit 111 accepts the first designation operation performed to the first operation reception unit 15 (YES in S1: reception step), it identifies the floor specified as the destination floor by the first designation operation. The reception unit 111 outputs information indicating the identified floor to the registration unit 112. The reception unit 111 also stops accepting the first designation operation.

[0092] When the registration unit 112 obtains floor information from the reception unit 111, it registers a destination floor call. Specifically, the registration unit 112 generates a destination floor call that uses the floor included in the obtained information as the destination floor. The destination floor call may include information indicating the destination floor, information indicating the departure floor which is the floor on which the destination floor registration device 1 is installed, and identification information for identifying the destination floor registration device 1. Subsequently, the registration unit 112 transmits the generated destination floor call to the group control device 2 (S2).

[0093] When the group control device 2 receives a destination floor call, it assigns the optimal elevator unit to that destination floor call based on the destination floor call and the operating status of elevator 4. The group control device 2 transmits assignment result information, including information indicating the assigned elevator unit, to the destination floor registration device 1, which is the source of the destination floor call. The group control device 2 also transmits information indicating the departure floor and destination floor corresponding to the destination floor call to the elevator control device 3, which controls the elevator unit assigned to the destination floor call. As a result, the elevator control device 3 controls the operation of elevator 4 according to the registered destination floor calls.

[0094] The display control unit 113 waits for processing until it receives assignment result information from the group control device 2 (until it becomes YES in S3). When it receives assignment result information from the group control device 2 (YES in S3), the display control unit 113 displays an assignment result screen on the display unit 13, which includes the assignment result based on the said assignment result information (S4). The assignment result screen includes information indicating that the registration of the destination floor call has been completed, and information indicating the assigned machine number.

[0095] The display control unit 113 displays the assignment result screen for a predetermined time, and then outputs information to each part of the control unit 11 indicating that the processing related to the first call registration is complete. This completes the processing related to the first call registration in the destination floor registration device 1. Once the processing related to the first call registration is complete, the display unit 13 displays the destination floor registration screen on the display unit 13. The reception unit 111 also becomes ready to receive the first designated operation or start operation.

[0096] (Processing related to the registration of the second call) Next, an example of the processing flow for the second call registration will be explained using Figure 7. During periods when no user operations are being accepted and the destination floor registration device 1 is not performing any processing related to the first call registration or the second call registration, the reception unit 111 can accept the first designated operation or the start operation.

[0097] The reception unit 111 waits for processing until it accepts the first designated operation (YES in S1) or accepts the start operation (YES in S11). At this time, the user can perform a start operation to the second operation reception unit 16. When the reception unit 111 accepts a start operation performed to the second operation reception unit 16 (YES in S11: reception step), it transmits a service floor acquisition request to the group control device 2 (S12). When the group control device 2 receives the service floor acquisition request, it transmits the service floor information to the destination floor registration device 1. When the reception unit 111 receives the service floor information (YES in S13), it stores the service floor information in the storage unit 12. After storing the service floor information in the storage unit 12, the reception unit 111 decides to start processing related to the second call registration and outputs this decision to each part of the control unit 11. As a result, processing related to the second call registration is started in the destination floor registration device 1. Furthermore, if the reception unit 111 does not receive information indicating the service floor after sending a service floor acquisition request (NO in S13), it performs the process in S12 again.

[0098] When processing for the second call registration begins, the reception unit 111 stops accepting the start operation. When the measurement unit 114 receives information from the reception unit 111 indicating that processing for the second call registration has begun, it receives a signal from the sensor 17 at predetermined intervals and starts measuring the user distance and updating the distance information 121.

[0099] When the output control unit 116 receives information from the reception unit 111 indicating the start of processing related to the registration of the second call, it starts outputting voice via the output unit 14 (S14). When it starts outputting voice, the output control unit 116 assigns 0 to the variable N (S15). Next, the output control unit 116 refers to the floor information 124 and assigns a value indicating the floor identified based on the variable N to the variable X (S16). For example, if the variable N is 0, the X floor indicates the basement 1st floor. Subsequently, the output control unit 116 determines whether the X floor can be specified as a destination floor based on the service floor information (S17). For example, if the floor information 124 shown in Figure 4 is stored and the X floor indicates the basement 1st floor, the output control unit 116 determines whether the basement 1st floor is a floor that can be specified as a destination floor. If the X floor can be specified as a destination floor (YES in S17), the process proceeds to S18. If floor X cannot be specified as the destination floor (NO in S17), proceed to processing in S21.

[0100] If the answer in S17 is YES, the output control unit 116 causes the output unit 14 to notify the system of a specific floor. Specifically, the output control unit 116 causes the output unit 14 to output audio containing floor information indicating the Xth floor (S18: output control step). For example, if the Xth floor is the basement floor, the output control unit 116 causes the output unit 14 to output audio containing floor information indicating the basement floor.

[0101] The reception unit 111 can receive input operations to specify the announced floor from the time one floor is announced by the output unit 14 until the next floor is announced.

[0102] If the predetermined time has not elapsed after S18 (NO in S19), the reception unit 111 can accept the second designation operation. If the user performs the second designation operation to the second operation reception unit 16 before the predetermined time has elapsed after a floor has been announced in S18, the reception unit 111 accepts the second designation operation to designate the floor announced in S18 as the destination floor (YES in S20).

[0103] If, after S18, the second designated operation is not performed to the second operation reception unit 16 within a predetermined time (NO in S19), the reception unit 111 does not accept the second designated operation (NO in S20). After S18, if the reception unit 111 does not accept the second designated operation and a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S19), or if NO in S17, the output control unit 116 determines whether or not all floors that can be designated as destination floors have been guided (S21). If not all floors that can be designated as destination floors have been guided (NO in S21), in other words, if there are still floors that have not yet been notified to the output unit 14, the output control unit 116 increments N by 1 (S22). After the processing in S22 is completed, the process returns to S16.

[0104] A concrete example of voice output control will be explained using the case shown in Figure 4, where floor information 124 is stored, the destination floor registration device 1 is installed on the first floor of the building, and the service floors are the basement 1st floor and the 2nd to 6th floors above ground. If N=0 in S18, floor X indicates the basement 1st floor. After outputting voice containing floor information indicating the basement 1st floor from the output unit 14, if the reception unit 111 does not accept the second designation operation within a predetermined time, the output control unit 116 then sets N=1. If N=1, floor X indicates the 1st floor. Since the 1st floor cannot be designated as a destination floor, the output control unit 116 then sets N=2. If N=2, floor X indicates the 2nd floor. Since the 2nd floor can be designated as a destination floor, the output control unit 116 outputs voice containing floor information indicating the 2nd floor from the output unit 14. As a result, the floors are announced one by one by voice until the reception unit 111 accepts the second designation operation (YES in S20) or all floors that can be designated as destination floors are announced (YES in S21).

[0105] If the predetermined time has not elapsed after S18 (NO in S19), and the reception unit 111 has received the second designation operation (YES in S20), the reception unit 111 outputs information to the output control unit 116 indicating that the second designation operation has been received. The reception unit 111 also outputs information to the registration unit 112 indicating the floor designated as the destination floor by the second designation operation. The floor designated as the destination floor by the second designation operation is the floor that was reported in the preceding S18.

[0106] When the output control unit 116 receives information indicating that the second designated operation has been received, it stops outputting audio from the output unit 14 (S23). When the registration unit 112 receives information indicating the floor designated as the destination floor by the second designated operation, it generates a destination floor call with that floor as the destination floor and the floor where the destination floor registration device 1 is installed as the departure floor. Subsequently, the registration unit 112 transmits the generated destination floor call and the identification information of the destination floor registration device 1 equipped with the registration unit 112 to the group control device 2 (S24).

[0107] When the group control device 2 receives a destination floor call, it assigns the most suitable elevator 4 to that destination floor call. The group control device 2 also transmits assignment result information, including information indicating the elevator assigned to the destination floor call, to the destination floor registration device 1, which is the source of the destination floor call. Furthermore, the group control device 2 transmits information to the elevator control device 3, which controls the elevator 4 assigned to the destination floor call, instructing it to operate the elevator 4 based on the registered destination floor call. Based on the instructions from the group control device 2, the elevator control device 3 controls the movement of the elevator 4 between floors and the opening and closing of the doors.

[0108] When the output control unit 116 receives assignment result information from the group control device 2 (YES in S25), it outputs the assignment result, which includes information indicating the assigned machine number for the destination floor call, from the output unit 14 (S26). The display control unit 113 may also display the assignment result on the display unit 13.

[0109] After S26, the output control unit 116 decides to terminate the processing related to the second call registration. Subsequently, the output control unit 116 outputs information to each part of the control unit 11 indicating that the processing related to the second call registration has been terminated. As a result, the destination floor registration device 1 terminates the processing related to the second call registration.

[0110] On the other hand, if a predetermined time has elapsed after S18 (YES in S19), and the output unit 14 has guided the user to all floors that can be designated as destination floors under the control of the output control unit 116 (YES in S21), the output control unit 116 decides to terminate the process related to the second call registration. In other words, if the second designation operation is not performed to the second operation reception unit 16 before voice guidance is completed for all floors that can be designated as destination floors, the output control unit 116 decides to terminate the process related to the second call registration. Subsequently, the output control unit 116 outputs information to each part of the control unit 11 indicating that the process related to the second call registration has been terminated. As a result, the destination floor registration device 1 terminates the process related to the second call registration.

[0111] Once the processing related to the second call registration is complete, the output control unit 116 stops the output from the output unit 14 (S27). The measurement unit 114 also finishes measuring the user distance and deletes the distance information 121 stored in the storage unit 12. Furthermore, the display control unit 113 displays the destination floor registration screen on the display unit 13, and the reception unit 111 becomes ready to receive the first designation operation or start operation.

[0112] (Processing related to volume control) In the following section, an example of the processing flow related to volume adjustment performed by the destination floor registration device 1 while output is being made by the output unit 14 will be explained using Figure 8. While processing related to the second call registration is being performed, the destination floor registration device 1 performs the processing shown in Figure 8. As a result, in S18 and S26, the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 is controlled based on the user distance.

[0113] While the processes S14 to S27 in the flowchart shown in Figure 7 are being performed, in other words, while the output unit 14 is outputting sound, the measurement unit 114 acquires a signal from the sensor 17 and measures the user distance (S31: measurement step). The measurement unit 114 also updates the distance information 121 in the storage unit 12 based on the measured user distance. When the measurement unit 114 updates the distance information 121, it outputs information to the determination unit 115 indicating that the distance information 121 has been updated.

[0114] When the determination unit 115 receives information from the measurement unit 114 indicating that the distance information 121 has been updated, it determines whether the user distance is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (S32). If the user distance is less than the predetermined value (NO in S32), the determination unit 115 makes a determination based on the change in the user distance and outputs information indicating the determination result to the output control unit 116.

[0115] Specifically, the determination unit 115 acquires the latest distance information 121 and distance information 121 from a predetermined time ago, and determines whether the user has approached the output unit 14 based on this distance information 121 (S33). If the user has approached the output unit 14 (YES in S33), the determination unit 115 outputs information including the determination result indicating that the user has approached the output unit 14 to the output control unit 116.

[0116] When the output control unit 116 obtains a determination result from the determination unit 115 indicating that a user has approached the output unit 14, it controls the volume output from the output unit 14 to increase (S34). Specifically, the output control unit 116 decides to increase the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 and updates the volume control information 123 to increase the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14. The volume of the sound output by the output control unit 116 from the output unit 14 is based on the latest volume control information 123. Therefore, if the answer in S33 is YES, the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 after the volume control information 123 is updated is controlled to be higher than before the volume control information 123 was updated.

[0117] On the other hand, if the user is not approaching the output unit 14 (NO in S33), the determination unit 115 determines whether or not the user has moved away from the output unit 14 (S35). If the user has moved away from the output unit 14 (YES in S35), the determination unit 115 outputs information to the output control unit 116 that includes the determination result indicating that the user has moved away from the output unit 14.

[0118] When the output control unit 116 obtains a determination result from the determination unit 115 indicating that the user has moved away from the output unit 14, it performs control to reduce the volume output from the output unit 14 (S36). Specifically, the output control unit 116 decides to reduce the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 and updates the volume control information 123 so that the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 is reduced. The volume of the sound output by the output control unit 116 from the output unit 14 is based on the latest volume control information 123. Therefore, if the answer in S35 is YES, the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 after the volume control information 123 is updated is controlled to be lower than before the volume control information 123 was updated.

[0119] If the answer in S35 is NO, that is, if the user neither approaches nor moves away from the output unit 14, the determination unit 115 determines that the user distance has not changed. After S34 or S36, or if the answer in S35 is NO, the process returns to S31.

[0120] In S32, if the user distance is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (YES in S32), the determination unit 115 decides to terminate the process for registering the second call and outputs information to each part of the control unit 11 indicating that the process for registering the second call has been terminated. This terminates the process for registering the second call in the destination floor registration device 1. Once the process for registering the second call is completed, the output control unit 116 stops the output by the output unit 14. The measurement unit 114 also terminates the measurement of the user distance and deletes the distance information 121 stored in the storage unit 12. Furthermore, the display control unit 113 displays the destination floor registration screen on the display unit 13, and the reception unit 111 becomes ready to receive the first specified operation or start operation.

[0121] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0122] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an elevator system 100A equipped with a destination floor registration device 1A according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Elevator system 100A differs from elevator system 100A according to Embodiment 1 in that it is equipped with a destination floor registration device 1A instead of a destination floor registration device 1. As shown in Figure 9, destination floor registration device 1A differs from destination floor registration device 1 according to Embodiment 1 in that it is equipped with a control unit 11A and a storage unit 12A instead of a control unit 11 and a storage unit 12, and is further equipped with an imaging unit 18. In addition to volume control based on user distance, destination floor registration device 1A according to Embodiment 2 performs volume control based on actions (gestures) performed by the user.

[0123] The imaging unit 18 is a camera capable of capturing images of the user. The imaging unit 18 is positioned to capture images of the user operating the destination floor registration device 1A. For example, the imaging unit 18 may be located near the sensor 17. The imaging unit 18 may be a camera capable of capturing moving images or a camera capable of capturing still images. In the following explanation, we will use the case where the imaging unit 18 is a camera capable of capturing moving images as the image of the user as an example.

[0124] The memory unit 12A stores the estimation model M and the action information 125 in addition to the information stored by the memory unit 12 according to Embodiment 1. The estimation model M is a trained estimation model trained using a dataset in which video images of a person performing a specific action are used as explanatory variables for training, and information indicating the type of the specific action is used as the target variable for training. The action information 125 is information that associates information indicating the type of action with information indicating whether the action is an action that increases the volume or an action that decreases the volume. The information indicating the type of action may be information indicating the name of the type of action.

[0125] The control unit 11A differs from the control unit 11 in Embodiment 1 in that it includes an output control unit 116A instead of an output control unit 116, and also includes a detection unit 117.

[0126] The detection unit 117 detects the type of action performed by the user. Specifically, when the process for registering the second call is started in the destination floor registration device 1A, the detection unit 117 acquires a video image of the user captured by the imaging unit 18. The detection unit 117 uses the video image of the user captured by the imaging unit 18 as input data and uses the estimation model M stored in the storage unit 12A to detect the type of action performed by the user. When the detection unit 117 detects that the user has performed a specific action, it outputs information indicating the type of action performed by the user to the output control unit 116A.

[0127] Furthermore, if the imaging unit 18 is a camera capable of capturing still images, the detection unit 117 may use the still image of the user captured by the imaging unit 18 as input data to detect the type of action performed by the user. In this case, the estimation model M may be a pre-trained estimation model trained using a dataset in which still images of a person performing a specific action (gesture) are used as explanatory variables for training, and information indicating the type of that specific action is used as the target variable for training.

[0128] The output control unit 116A controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 based on the type of action performed by the user. Specifically, when the output control unit 116A obtains information indicating the type of action performed by the user from the detection unit 117, it refers to the action information 125 in the storage unit 12A and identifies information indicating how to control the volume corresponding to the detected type of action. Based on the identified information, the output control unit 116A updates the volume control information 123 and controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14.

[0129] A specific action may be, for example, an action indicating difficulty hearing. In addition, in the action information 125, information indicating the type of action indicating difficulty hearing may be associated with information indicating that it is an action to which the volume should be increased. When the user performs an action indicating difficulty hearing, specifically an action such as putting a hand to the ear or tilting the head, the detection unit 117 detects the action. When the detection unit 117 detects the action, the output control unit 116A updates the volume control information 123 and controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 to increase.

[0130] Furthermore, a specific action may be, for example, an action indicating a loud sound. Also, in the action information 125, information indicating the type of action indicating a loud sound may be associated with information indicating that it is an action that will reduce the volume. When the detection unit 117 detects that the user has performed an action indicating a loud sound, specifically an action such as covering one's ears, the output control unit 116A updates the volume control information 123 and performs control to reduce the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14.

[0131] If a user is already close to the destination floor registration device 1A, moving any closer may interfere with operation. With the above configuration, even if a user is in the aforementioned position, the user can hear a louder volume of sound without changing their distance from the output unit 14 by performing a predetermined action.

[0132] Furthermore, if the user is already far from the destination floor registration device 1A, moving further away from the device may interfere with operation. With the above configuration, even if the user is in such a position, they can hear an even lower volume of sound without changing their distance from the output unit 14 by performing a predetermined action.

[0133] As described above, the output control unit 116A can adjust the volume according to the user's actions. This allows the output control unit 116A to output sound at an appropriate volume from the output unit 14 based on the user's actions, even if the distance between the user and the output unit 14 does not change.

[0134] <An example of the processing flow performed by the destination floor registration device 1> Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow related to volume adjustment performed by the destination floor registration device 1A. The processing flow performed by the destination floor registration device 1A will be explained below using Figure 10.

[0135] While processing for the second call registration is being performed, the destination floor registration device 1A performs the processing shown in Figure 10 in addition to the processing for adjusting the volume based on the user distance shown in Figure 8, and can control the volume of the voice output by the output unit 14. The destination floor registration device 1A repeats the processing shown in Figure 10 until the voice guidance by the output unit 14 is finished.

[0136] While the processes S14 to S27 in the flowchart shown in Figure 7 are being performed, the detection unit 117 acquires an image of the user captured by the imaging unit 18 (S41). Based on the acquired image, the detection unit 117 uses the estimation model M to detect the actions being performed by the user. Subsequently, the detection unit 117 determines whether or not a specific action by the user has been detected (S42). If no specific action by the user is detected (NO in S42), the process returns to S41.

[0137] If a specific action is detected (YES in S42), the detection unit 117 outputs information indicating the type of action performed by the user to the output control unit 116A.

[0138] When the output control unit 116A obtains information from the detection unit 117 indicating the type of action performed by the user, it refers to the operation information 125 in the storage unit 12A. The output control unit 116A determines whether the identified action is an action that increases the volume (YES in S43) or an action that decreases the volume (NO in S43). If the action detected by the detection unit 117 is an action that increases the volume (YES in S43), the output control unit 116A controls the output to increase the volume output from the output unit 14 (S44). The specific control details for increasing the volume are the same as the process in S34 in Figure 8, so the explanation is omitted here.

[0139] On the other hand, if the operation detected by the detection unit 117 is not an operation that increases the volume (NO in S43), that is, if the operation is an operation that decreases the volume, the output control unit 116A controls the output volume from the output unit 14 to decrease (S45). The specific control for decreasing the volume is the same as the process in S35 in Figure 8, so the explanation is omitted here. After S44 or S45, the process returns to S41.

[0140] [Variation] (Variation 1) In embodiments 1 and 2, the measurement unit 114 measured the user distance based on the signal acquired from the sensor 17, but the method by which the measurement unit 114 measures the user distance is not limited to this. For example, the destination floor registration device 1 may include an imaging unit 18 that images the user. Alternatively, the measurement unit 114 may measure the user distance based on the moving image captured by the imaging unit 18.

[0141] (Modification 2) In embodiments 1 and 2, when the reception unit 111 receives a start operation, the output control units 116 and 116A may control the volume of the sound output from the output unit 14 based on the user distance at the time the reception unit 111 receives the start operation.

[0142] The distance from the output unit 14 to the user's ear varies depending on the user's height. Therefore, even in the same environment, at the same volume, and with the same hearing ability, the way sound is perceived may differ from user to user.

[0143] According to the above configuration, the volume is adjusted based on the user's distance at the time the input operation to instruct the start of voice guidance is received. For example, if the user is tall, or if the user's distance when the user stands in front of the destination floor registration device 1 is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance, the output control units 116 and 116A control the volume to increase even if the distance between the user's face and the output unit does not change. Also, if the user is short, or if the user's distance when the user stands in front of the destination floor registration device 1 is less than the predetermined distance, the output control units 116 and 116A control the volume to decrease even if the user's distance does not change. As a result, the output control units 116 and 116A can output voice at an appropriate volume according to the user's height.

[0144] (Variation 3) In embodiments 1 and 2, the output unit 14 may be a directional speaker having directionality directed toward the direction in which a user performing an input operation may be located.

[0145] If the sound output from the output unit 14 is too loud, it may cause discomfort to people in the vicinity. With the above configuration, since the output unit 14 is a directional speaker, even if the volume of the output sound is increased, it will be difficult for people other than the user to hear the sound. This makes it possible to output sound at an appropriate volume for the user while reducing the possibility of causing discomfort to others.

[0146] (Modification 4) In embodiments 1 and 2, during the period in which processing related to the second call registration is being performed, the reception unit 111 may or may not be able to accept the first designated operation.

[0147] If the reception unit 111 is able to accept the first designated operation during the period in which processing for the second call registration is being performed, the display control unit 113 will display the destination floor registration screen on the display unit 13 during that period. Users who utilize voice guidance are not limited to those who cannot see the screen displayed on the display unit 13 at all; some may be able to confirm the contents of the display unit 13 while listening to the voice guidance and perform input operations to the first operation reception unit 15. With the above configuration, while voice guidance is being provided, the reception unit 111 is able to accept both the first designated operation and the second designated operation by the user. Therefore, users can register their destination floor call in a way that is easy for them to operate.

[0148] On the other hand, the reception unit 111 may be unable to accept the first designated operation during the period in which processing for the second call registration is being performed. In this case, during that period, the display control unit 113 may display a message on the display unit 13 indicating that voice guidance is in progress, instead of the destination floor registration screen. With the above configuration, even if another user interrupts a user listening to voice guidance and performs the first designated operation to the first operation reception unit 15, the reception unit 111 will not accept the first designated operation. This reduces the possibility of a situation occurring where a user listening to voice guidance is unable to register a destination floor call.

[0149] (Variation 5) In Embodiment 2, the user actions detected by the detection unit 117 are not limited to those described above. For example, the detection unit 117 may detect actions by the user that move closer to the output unit 14, or actions by the user that move away from the output unit 14. If the detection unit 117 is capable of detecting these actions, the determination unit 115 may determine a change in the user distance based on the detection result of the detection unit 117.

[0150] (Experimental variation 6) In Embodiments 1 and 2, the output control units 116 and 116A were described as having an example configuration in which they output voice guidance from the output unit 14 for floors that can be designated as destination floors based on the service floor information and floor information 124, but the system is not limited to this. For example, the output control unit 116 may output voice guidance from the output unit 14 for each floor included in the floor information 124 one by one until the second designation operation is performed on the second operation reception unit 16.

[0151] In the above configuration, if the reception unit 111 receives a second designation operation before a predetermined time has elapsed after the output unit 14 has notified a floor number under the control of the output control unit 116, the registration unit 112 determines whether the floor number specified by the second designation operation is a service floor (whether it can be designated as a destination floor). If the floor number specified by the second designation operation is a service floor, the registration unit 112 generates a destination floor call with the specified floor number as the destination floor. The process then proceeds to S23 shown in Figure 7.

[0152] On the other hand, if the floor specified by the second designation operation is not a service floor, the registration unit 112 does not generate a destination floor call and rejects the registration of the destination floor call. The registration unit 112 outputs information to the output control unit 116 indicating that it has rejected the registration of the destination floor call. Upon receiving this information, the output control unit 116 causes the output unit 14 to output an audio message indicating that the floor specified by the second designation operation cannot be designated as a destination floor, such as "The registered floor cannot be stopped at this time." After that, the destination floor registration device 1 may proceed to the process shown in S22 in Figure 7, or it may terminate the process.

[0153] According to the above configuration, if a user specifies a floor other than the service floor in the second designation operation, they will understand that elevator 4 will not stop on the floor they specified, thus improving usability.

[0154] [Examples of implementation using software] The functions of the destination floor registration devices 1 and 1A (hereinafter referred to as "devices") are programs that cause a computer to function as the device, and these programs can be realized by programs that cause a computer to function as each control block of the device (especially each part included in the control units 11 and 11A).

[0155] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., memory) as hardware for executing the program. By executing the program using this control device and storage device, the functions described in each of the embodiments are realized.

[0156] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not temporary ones. These recording media may or may not be provided by the above device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the above device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0157] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can also be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which logic circuits functioning as each of the above control blocks are formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the above control blocks by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0158] Furthermore, each process described in the above embodiments may be performed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may operate on the control device described above, or it may operate on other devices (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0159] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0160] 〔summary〕 A destination floor registration device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a destination floor registration device for registering destination floor calls based on operations by users of an elevator, comprising: a reception unit that receives input operations from a user; an output control unit that, when the reception unit receives an input operation instructing the start of voice guidance, causes an output unit capable of outputting voice to output voice containing information indicating the floor; and a measuring unit that measures the distance between the user's face and the output unit during the period in which the output unit is outputting voice, wherein the output control unit controls the volume of the voice output from the output unit according to the measured distance.

[0161] The destination floor registration device according to embodiment 2 of the present invention further comprises a determination unit that determines a change in the distance between the user's face and the output unit based on the measurement results of the measurement unit, and the output control unit may control the volume of the sound output from the output unit to increase when it is determined that the user has approached the output unit, and control the volume of the sound output from the output unit to decrease when it is determined that the user has moved away from the output unit.

[0162] The destination floor registration device according to embodiment 3 of the present invention may, in embodiment 1 or 2 above, include a sensor capable of outputting a signal corresponding to the distance between the user's face and the output unit, and the measuring unit may measure the distance between the user's face and the output unit based on the signal.

[0163] The destination floor registration device according to embodiment 4 of the present invention includes, in any of embodiments 1 to 3 above, an imaging unit for imaging the user, and the measuring unit may measure the distance between the user's face and the output unit based on the image captured by the imaging unit.

[0164] The destination floor registration device according to embodiment 5 of the present invention includes a detection unit capable of detecting the type of action performed by the user in any of embodiments 1 to 4, and the output control unit may control the volume of the sound output from the output unit based on the type of action performed by the user.

[0165] The destination floor registration device according to embodiment 6 of the present invention, in any of embodiments 1 to 5 above, when the reception unit receives an input operation to instruct the start of voice guidance, the output control unit controls the volume of the voice output from the output unit based on the distance between the user's face and the output unit at the time the input operation to instruct the start of voice guidance is received. The destination floor registration device according to claim 1.

[0166] In the destination floor registration device according to embodiment 7 of the present invention, in any of embodiments 1 to 6 above, the output unit may be a directional speaker having directionality toward the direction in which the user performing the input operation may be located.

[0167] In the destination floor registration device according to embodiment 8 of the present invention, in any of embodiments 1 to 7 above, if the distance between the user's face and the output unit becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined value during the period in which the output unit is outputting sound, the output control unit may stop outputting by the output unit.

[0168] A destination floor registration device according to aspect 9 of the present invention further comprises a registration unit for registering a destination floor call based on the user's input operation, wherein the reception unit can receive an input operation to specify the notified floor from the time the output unit notifies one floor until the next floor is notified, and when the reception unit receives the input operation to specify the notified floor, the output control unit may stop the output by the output unit, and the registration unit may register a destination floor call with the specified floor as the destination floor.

[0169] A control method for a destination floor registration device according to aspect 10 of the present invention is a control method for a destination floor registration device that registers a destination floor call based on the operation of a user using an elevator, and includes: a reception step for receiving an input operation from a user; an output control step for causing an output unit capable of outputting sound to output sound including information indicating the floor when an input operation for instructing the start of voice guidance is received in the reception step; and a measurement step for measuring the distance between the user's face and the output unit during the period in which the output unit is outputting sound, wherein the output control step controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit according to the measured distance. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0170] 1. 1A Destination Floor Registration Device 4 Elevators 14 Output section 17 CM 18 Imaging Unit 111 Reception Department 112 Registration Department 114 Measuring section 115 Judgment section 116, 116A Output control unit 117 Detection Unit S1, S11 Registration Steps S18 Output control step S31 Measurement Step

Claims

1. A destination floor registration device that registers destination floor requests based on the operations of elevator users, A reception area that accepts input operations from users, When the reception unit receives an input operation to instruct the start of voice guidance, the output control unit causes the output unit capable of outputting voice to output voice containing information indicating the floor level, The system includes a measuring unit that measures the distance between the user's face and the output unit during the period when the output unit is outputting sound, The output control unit controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit according to the measured distance. Destination floor registration device.

2. The system further includes a determination unit that determines the change in distance between the user's face and the output unit based on the measurement results of the measurement unit, The output control unit, If it is determined that the user has approached the output unit, control is performed to increase the volume of the sound output from the output unit. If it is determined that the user has moved away from the output unit, control is performed to reduce the volume of the sound output from the output unit. The destination floor registration device according to claim 1.

3. The system includes a sensor capable of outputting a signal corresponding to the distance between the user's face and the output unit, The measuring unit measures the distance between the user's face and the output unit based on the signal. The destination floor registration device according to claim 1.

4. The system includes an imaging unit for imaging the user, The measuring unit measures the distance between the user's face and the output unit based on the image captured by the imaging unit. The destination floor registration device according to claim 1.

5. The system includes a detection unit capable of detecting the type of action performed by the user, The output control unit controls the volume of the sound output from the output unit based on the type of action performed by the user. The destination floor registration device according to claim 1.

6. When the reception unit receives an input operation to instruct the start of voice guidance, the output control unit controls the volume of the voice output from the output unit based on the distance between the user's face and the output unit at the time the input operation to instruct the start of voice guidance is received. The destination floor registration device according to claim 1.

7. The output unit is a directional speaker that has directionality directed toward the direction in which the user performing the input operation may be located. The destination floor registration device according to claim 1.

8. If, during the period in which the output unit is outputting sound, the distance between the user's face and the output unit exceeds a predetermined value, the output control unit stops outputting sound from the output unit. The destination floor registration device according to claim 1.

9. The system further includes a registration unit that registers destination floor calls based on the user's input operations. The reception unit is capable of receiving input operations to specify the announced floor from the time the output unit announces one floor until the next floor is announced. When the reception unit receives the input operation specifying the floor number that has been notified, The output control unit stops the output from the output unit. The registration unit registers a destination floor call with the specified floor as the destination floor. The destination floor registration device according to claim 1.

10. A control method for a destination floor registration device that registers destination floor requests based on the operation of elevator users, A reception step that accepts input operations from the user, If an input operation instructing the start of voice guidance is received in the reception step, an output control step is performed to cause an output unit capable of outputting voice to output voice containing information indicating the floor level, The measurement step includes measuring the distance between the user's face and the output unit during the period in which the output unit is outputting sound, In the output control step, the volume of the sound output from the output unit is controlled according to the measured distance. Control method.

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