Elevator system, control method

Abstract

This improves user convenience by allowing them to enter their destination floor in the elevator. [Solution] The display system (200) includes a display control unit (113) that displays a numeric keypad (302) including buttons (301) associated with single-digit numbers on a display unit (13), and an operation reception unit (111) that accepts one or more operations on the buttons as input operations for the destination floor. At each stage in which the operation reception unit can accept an operation, if the floor whose number associated with the button is in the ones place corresponds to a restricted floor where destination floor calls are restricted, the display control unit makes the first display mode (Q) of the button different from the second display mode (P) of the other buttons.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display system for registering a destination floor call of an elevator, an elevator system including the display system, and a control method of the display system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a building where an elevator is installed, access to a predetermined floor may be restricted. Patent Document 1 discloses a system that determines whether a passenger's access by elevator is permitted and transports the passenger to a desired destination floor when the access is permitted.

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 a system for registering a call for an elevator installed in a building where access to a predetermined floor is restricted.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to improve the convenience of users who input the destination floor of an elevator.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a display system according to one aspect of the present invention is a display system for an elevator system that operates an elevator based on a destination floor call, comprising: a display control unit that displays a numeric keypad including buttons associated with single-digit numbers on a display unit; and an operation reception unit that accepts one or more operations on the buttons as input operations for a destination floor, wherein each floor is pre-set to either a registrable floor that can be registered as a destination floor or a restricted floor where destination floor calls are restricted, and the display control unit, at each stage in which the operation can be accepted by the operation reception unit, if the floor whose number associated with the button being operated is one digit is one of the restricted floors, makes the first display mode of that button different from the second display mode of the other buttons.

[0007] To solve the above problems, a display system according to one aspect of the present invention is a display system for an elevator system that operates an elevator based on a destination floor call, comprising: a display control unit that displays a keypad including buttons associated with a specific floor on a display unit; and an operation reception unit that accepts a single operation on the buttons as an input operation for a destination floor, wherein each floor is pre-set to either a registrable floor that can be registered as a destination floor or a restricted floor where destination floor calls are restricted, and the display control unit, at each stage in which the operation can be accepted by the operation reception unit, if the specific floor associated with the button being operated is a restricted floor, makes the first display mode of that button different from the second display mode of the other buttons.

[0008] To solve the above problems, a control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method for a display system in an elevator system that operates an elevator based on a destination floor call, comprising: a display control step of displaying a numeric keypad including buttons associated with single-digit numbers on a display unit; and an operation reception step of accepting one or more operations on the buttons as input operations for a destination floor, wherein each floor is pre-set as either a registrable floor that can be registered as a destination floor or a restricted floor where destination floor calls are restricted, and in each stage where the operation can be accepted in the operation reception step, if the floor whose number associated with the button being operated has a ones digit corresponds to the restricted floor, the display control step makes the first display mode of that button different from the second display mode of the other buttons.

[0009] To solve the above problems, a control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method for a display system in an elevator system that operates an elevator based on a destination floor call, comprising: a display control step of displaying a keypad including buttons associated with a specific floor on a display unit; and an operation reception step of accepting a single operation on the button as an input operation for a destination floor, wherein each floor is pre-set as either a registrable floor that can be registered as a destination floor or a restricted floor where destination floor calls are restricted, and in each stage where the operation can be accepted in the operation reception step, if the specific floor associated with the button being operated is a restricted floor, the display control step makes the first display mode of the button different from the second display mode of the other buttons.

[0010] Each aspect of the present invention may be implemented by a computer, in which case a control program for the display system that implements the display system by a computer by operating the computer as each part (software element) of the display system, 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]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the convenience of users who input the destination floor of the elevator can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of floor information. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of the first screen. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of the second screen. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of the third screen. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing another example of the second screen. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of an allocation result screen. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing another example of the first screen. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing yet another example of the second screen. [Figure 10] It is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing related to authentication. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing related to screen display and identification of the destination floor. [Figure 12] It is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing performed after the destination floor is identified. [Figure 13] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing an example of a screen including a specific floor button according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 15] It is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 16] It is a diagram showing an example of the fourth screen. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing an example of the fifth screen. [Figure 18]It is a diagram showing yet another example of the second screen.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] 〔Embodiment 1〕 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The elevator system 100 is a system that operates an elevator based on destination floor registration. As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator system 100 includes a group management control device 2, an elevator control device 3, an elevator 4, an authentication device 5 (authentication unit), a reading device 6, and a display system 200.

[0014] In the elevator system 100, each floor of the building is preset as either a registrable floor where destination floor registration is possible or a restricted floor where destination floor calls are restricted. When a user is authenticated by the authentication device 5, registration of a destination floor call with a restricted floor as the destination floor is permitted. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the elevator 4 is installed in a building having floors from the third basement floor to the 16th floor, and the third basement floor, the 7th to 9th floors, and the 14th to 15th floors are restricted floors.

[0015] The display system 200 is a system that performs displays related to destination floor registration and authentication. As an example, the display system 200 includes a destination floor registration device 1. The display system 200 causes a numeric keypad 302 including buttons (numeric buttons 301) associated with single-digit numbers to be displayed on the display unit 13. Further, the display system 200 accepts an operation on the numeric button 301 once or a plurality of times as an input operation for the destination floor.

[0016] Furthermore, at each stage in which the display system 200 can accept input of a destination floor, if the floor whose last digit corresponds to the operated number button 301 is a restricted floor, the display mode of the number button 301 is made different from the display mode of the other number buttons 301. The display mode of the number button 301 corresponding to the number of a restricted floor is referred to as the first display mode. The first display mode is a display mode that includes restricted floor information indicating that the corresponding floor is a restricted floor. The display mode of the number buttons 301 other than the number button 301 corresponding to the number of a restricted floor is referred to as the second display mode. The second display mode is a display mode that does not include restricted floor information.

[0017] According to this configuration, users of elevator 4 can determine whether the floor corresponding to each number button 301 is a restricted floor simply by looking at the screen displaying the number buttons 301.

[0018] <Group Control Device 2> The group control device 2 registers a call request for a destination floor based on the call request from the destination floor registration device 1. When the group control device 2 receives a call request from the destination floor registration device 1 that includes information indicating the departure floor and destination floor, it assigns the optimal elevator 4 based on the call request and the operating status of the elevator 4.

[0019] The group control device 2 transmits the assignment result information to the destination floor registration device 1, which is the source of the call request. The group control device 2 also transmits information indicating the departure floor and destination floor based on the registered destination floor call to the elevator control device 3, which controls the elevator assigned to the destination floor call.

[0020] <Elevator control device 3 and elevator 4> The elevator control device 3 controls the operation of the elevator 4 based on information received from the group control device 2. The elevator control device 3 also transmits information indicating the operating status of the elevator 4 to the group control device 2. The elevator 4 moves between floors and opens and closes its doors based on the control of the elevator control device 3. A single building may have multiple elevator units 4 and multiple elevator control devices 3 that control each unit.

[0021] <Reading device 6 and authentication device 5> The reader 6 and authentication device 5 are devices for authenticating users.

[0022] The reader 6 is a device that reads information for user authentication. For example, when authentication is performed using a card, the reader 6 may be a card reader or the like that can read identification information attached to the card held by the user. The reader 6 reads the information attached to the card held over the reader 6 and transmits the read information as user information about the user to the authentication device 5. The authentication method is not limited to the method using a card; for example, authentication using biometric information such as face, fingerprint, or vein patterns may also be used. In this case, the reader 6 may be a device that can acquire the user's biometric information. The reader 6 may be installed near the destination floor registration device 1. As an example, the reader 6 may be configured as a device integrated with the destination floor registration device 1.

[0023] The authentication device 5 authenticates the user based on the user information read by the reader 6. The authentication device 5 may be, for example, a cloud server, and is communicated with the reader 6 and the destination floor registration device 1. The authentication device 5 includes a control unit 51 and a storage unit 52.

[0024] The memory unit 52 stores registration information 521. Registration information 521 is information for authenticating users, and identification information for each registered user is stored to identify registered users who are permitted to access restricted floors. If the authentication method is biometric authentication, the registration information 521 stores the registered user's identification information in association with the registered user's biometric information.

[0025] The control unit 51 authenticates the user based on the information read by the reader 6. Specifically, when the control unit 51 receives user information read by the reader 6, it refers to the registration information 521. If the user information matches any of the registrant's identification information or biometric information included in the registration information 521, the control unit 51 determines that the user authentication was successful. On the other hand, if the received information is not included in the registration information 521, the control unit 51 determines that the user authentication failed. The control unit 51 transmits information indicating whether or not the user authentication was successful to the destination floor registration device 1 corresponding to the reader 6.

[0026] <Destination Floor Registration Device 1> The destination floor registration device 1 is a device that registers destination floor calls based on input operations by the user. There may be only one destination floor registration device 1 in a building, or there may be multiple devices. There may be one destination floor registration device 1 on each floor of the building. Furthermore, there may be multiple destination floor registration devices 1 on a single floor of the building.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the destination floor registration device 1 comprises a control unit 11, an input unit 12, a display unit 13, and a storage unit 14. The destination floor registration device 1 is also communicated with the authentication device 5 and the group control device 2.

[0028] The input unit 12 receives input operations from the user and outputs a signal indicating the content of the received input operation to the control unit 11. The display unit 13 displays a predetermined screen based on the control of the display control unit 113 (described later) of the control unit 11. The input unit 12 and the display unit 13 may be an integrated device or separate devices. In the following example, the configuration in which the input unit 12 and the display unit 13 are an integrated device such as a touch panel will be used as an example.

[0029] The storage unit 14 stores various information used in the destination floor registration device 1. As shown in Figure 1, the storage unit 14 stores authentication result information 141, destination floor information 142, and floor information 143. The authentication result information 141 indicates whether or not the user has been authenticated by the authentication device 5. The destination floor information 142 is information used to identify the user's destination floor when a call is made, and indicates a number entered by the user.

[0030] Figure 2 shows an example of floor information 143. Floor information 143 is information indicating the floors present in a building. As shown in Figure 2, floor information 143 associates information indicating each floor present in the building with either information indicating that it is a registrable floor or information indicating that it is a restricted floor.

[0031] The control unit 11 includes an operation reception unit 111, an update unit 112, a display control unit 113, and a registration unit 114.

[0032] (Operation reception unit 111) The operation reception unit 111 receives input operations from the user to the input unit 12. The operation reception unit 111 can receive input operations corresponding to predetermined stages. In this embodiment, the stages for which the operation reception unit 111 can receive operations include, for example, the first stage and the second stage.

[0033] Furthermore, the operation reception unit 111 may be capable of receiving operations for the basement floor button 303 in either the first or second stage. Hereinafter, operations for the basement floor button 303 will be referred to as "basement floor input operations." Also, hereafter, floors that are not described as "basement floor" or "basement floor X" refer to above-ground floors.

[0034] The first stage is the stage in which the operation reception unit 111 can accept the first operation for the number button 301. Hereinafter, the operation for the number button 301 that the operation reception unit 111 can accept in the first stage, that is, the first operation for the number button 301 in a series of call registrations, will be referred to as the "first number input operation". The period in which no operation for the number button 301 has been performed in a series of call registrations corresponds to the first stage. When the processing related to the registration of the immediately preceding destination floor call is completed, the first screen (described later) is displayed on the display unit 13 under the control of the display control unit 113. When the first screen is displayed, the operation reception unit 111 becomes able to accept the first number input operation or the basement floor input operation. The period from when the first screen is displayed until the operation reception unit 111 accepts the first number input operation or the basement floor input operation corresponds to the first stage. When the operation reception unit 111 accepts the first number input operation in the first stage, the second screen is displayed under the control of the display control unit 113. When the second screen is displayed, the process moves to the second stage.

[0035] The second stage is the stage following the first stage in the call registration series, and is the stage in which the operation reception unit 111 can accept a second operation on the number button 301. When the first number input operation is performed in the first stage, the second screen (described later) is displayed on the display unit 13 under the control of the display control unit 113. When the second screen is displayed, the operation reception unit 111 can accept either a second number input operation or a basement floor input operation. The period from when the second screen is displayed until a predetermined time has elapsed, or until either a second operation on the number button 301 or a basement floor input operation is accepted, corresponds to the second stage. The predetermined time may be, for example, 2 seconds. Hereinafter, the operation on the number button 301 that the operation reception unit 111 can accept in the second stage, that is, the second input operation on the number button 301 in the call registration series, will be referred to as the "second number input operation". In the second stage, if the operation reception unit 111 receives a second digit input operation or an underground floor input operation, or if it does not receive a first digit input operation until a predetermined time has elapsed, the destination floor in the destination floor call is identified.

[0036] If the building has a basement, the operation reception unit 111 can accept basement input operations in the first or second stage. In this case, the stages in which the operation reception unit 111 can accept operations include the first and second stages, as well as the third stage. When the operation reception unit 111 accepts a basement input operation in the first stage, it proceeds to the third stage.

[0037] The third stage is the stage following the first stage, and is the stage in which the first operation on the number button 301 can be accepted. In a series of call registrations, when the basement floor input operation is performed, the third screen (described later) is displayed on the display unit 13 under the control of the display control unit 113. When the third screen is displayed, the operation reception unit 111 becomes capable of accepting the first number input operation. The period from when the third screen is displayed until a predetermined time has elapsed, or until an operation on the number button 301 is accepted, corresponds to the third stage. If the operation reception unit 111 accepts the first number input operation in the third stage, the destination floor in the destination floor call is identified. Also, if the operation reception unit 111 does not accept the first number input operation until the predetermined time has elapsed in the third stage, the acceptance of the destination floor call is canceled.

[0038] In the first stage, the operation reception unit 111 waits to receive a first number input operation or a basement floor input operation. In the second stage, the operation reception unit 111 waits to receive a second number input operation or a basement floor input operation. In the third stage, the operation reception unit 111 waits to receive a first number input operation. If the operation reception unit 111 does not receive a predetermined input operation for a predetermined period of time in the second and third stages, it releases the state of waiting to receive various input operations and returns to the first stage.

[0039] (Updated part 112) The update unit 112 acquires various information from the authentication device 5, the group control device 2, and the operation reception unit 111, and updates the storage unit 14 based on the acquired information.

[0040] When the update unit 112 receives information from the authentication device 5 indicating whether or not the user's authentication was successful, it stores the received information as authentication result information 141 in the storage unit 14.

[0041] Furthermore, the update unit 112 updates the destination floor information 142 based on the input operation received by the operation reception unit 111. When the operation reception unit 111 receives a first digit input operation in the first stage, the update unit 112 obtains information indicating the entered digit from the operation reception unit 111. The update unit 112 stores this information in the storage unit 14 as destination floor information 142 and updates the destination floor information 142. When the operation reception unit 111 receives a second digit input operation in the second stage, the update unit 112 obtains information indicating the entered digit from the operation reception unit 111. The update unit 112 stores this information in the storage unit 14 as destination floor information 142 and updates the destination floor information 142.

[0042] When the operation reception unit 111 receives an input operation for a basement floor in the first or second stage, the update unit 112 obtains information from the operation reception unit 111 indicating that information indicating a basement floor has been entered in the first stage. The update unit 112 stores this information in the storage unit 14 as destination floor information 142 and updates the destination floor information 142.

[0043] When a destination floor is called by the registration unit 114, the destination floor registration device 1 receives assignment result information from the group management control device 2. Upon receiving the assignment result information, the update unit 112 deletes the destination floor information 142.

[0044] (Display control unit 113) The display control unit 113 controls the display on the display unit 13. Figures 3 to 5 show examples of screens displayed by the display unit 13. Figure 3 shows an example of the first screen displayed by the display unit 13 in the first stage. Figure 4 shows an example of the second screen displayed by the display unit 13 in the second stage. Figure 5 shows an example of the third screen displayed by the display unit 13 in the third stage. The display control unit 113 causes the display unit 13 to display the first screen in the first stage, the second screen in the second stage, and the third screen in the third stage.

[0045] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the display control unit 113 displays a numeric keypad 302, which includes numeric buttons 301 associated with single-digit numbers, on the display unit 13. Each of the multiple numeric buttons 301 is associated with a number from 0 to 9. If the building has only single-digit floor numbers, the display control unit 113 does not need to display unnecessary numeric buttons 301, for example, numeric buttons 301 associated with numbers corresponding to floor numbers that do not exist in the building.

[0046] Furthermore, if the building has a basement, the numeric keypad 302 includes a basement button 303, which is a button for specifying the basement as the destination floor, as shown in Figures 3 to 5. In addition, if the building has an evacuation floor, the numeric keypad 302 further includes an evacuation floor button 304, which is a button associated with the floor indicating the evacuation floor, as shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[0047] Furthermore, the display control unit 113 determines the display mode for each number button 301 based on the relationship between the number indicated by the number button 301 and the restricted floor. At each stage (stage 1 to stage 3) in which the operation can be accepted by the operation reception unit 111, if the floor whose numbers correspond to the operated number button 301 have a units digit corresponds to the restricted floor, the display control unit 113 makes the display mode of that number button 301 different from the display mode of the other number buttons 301.

[0048] If the restricted floor is a single-digit floor number, the display control unit 113, in the first stage, displays the number button 301 corresponding to the number of the restricted floor in the first display mode (code Q), and displays the number buttons 301 other than the number button 301 in the second display mode (code P). If the restricted floor is a two-digit floor number, the display control unit 113, in the second stage, displays the number button 301 corresponding to the last digit of the two-digit restricted floor in the first display mode, and displays the number buttons 301 other than the number button 301 in the second display mode.

[0049] The following describes the details of the display control of the display unit 13 by the display control unit 113. After the processing related to the registration of the previous destination floor call is completed, the display control unit 113 refers to the floor information 143 and identifies the floor that corresponds to the restricted floor among the single-digit floor numbers. Once the display control unit 113 has identified the single-digit restricted floor, it displays the first screen on the display unit 13. The period from when the first screen is displayed until the first number input operation is performed corresponds to the first stage.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3, the first screen includes number buttons 301, a basement floor button 303, and an evacuation floor button 304. The first screen may also include a message prompting the user to input the destination floor. As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the restricted floors among the single-digit floor numbers of the building are the 7th to 9th floors. Therefore, the display control unit 113 displays the number buttons 301 corresponding to the numbers 7 to 9 in a first display mode (code Q) on the first screen. The display control unit 113 also displays the number buttons 301 corresponding to the numbers 0 to 6 in a second display mode (code P) on the first screen. With the above configuration, the user can understand which of the single-digit floor numbers is the restricted floor before performing the first button operation (first number input operation).

[0051] The first display mode differs from the second display mode in at least one of the following: the information superimposed on the number buttons 301, the color of the number buttons 301, the appearance of the number buttons 301, and the size of the number buttons 301. The first display mode is sufficient if it allows the user to understand that the floor indicated by the number corresponding to the number buttons 301 displayed in the first display mode, or the floor in which that number has as its units digit, is a restricted floor.

[0052] The first display mode includes restricted floor information indicating that the floor corresponding to the number indicated by the number button 301 displayed in the first display mode is a restricted floor. As an example, the number button 301 (code Q) displayed in the first display mode may have a symbol such as a rectangle superimposed on it, as shown in Figure 3. With the above configuration, the user can understand the restricted floor simply by checking the number button 301.

[0053] In the first stage, when the operation reception unit 111 receives the first digit input operation, the display control unit 113 refers to the floor information 143 and identifies the two-digit restricted floor. Once the display control unit 113 has identified the two-digit restricted floor, it displays the second screen on the display unit 13. The period from when the second screen is displayed until the operation reception unit 111 receives the second digit input operation corresponds to the second stage.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4, the second screen includes information (code 401) indicating the numbers entered in the first stage, number buttons 301, a basement floor button 303, and an evacuation floor button 304. As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the restricted floors among the two-digit floor numbers of the building are the 14th and 15th floors. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, the display control unit 113 displays the number buttons 301 corresponding to the numbers 4 and 5 in the first display mode (code Q) on the second screen. In addition, in the second stage, the display control unit 113 displays the number buttons 301 corresponding to the numbers 0-3 and 6-9 in the second display mode (code P).

[0055] With the above configuration, the user can determine which of the two-digit floor numbers is the restricted floor after performing the first button operation (first number input operation) but before performing the second button operation (second number input operation).

[0056] In the first stage, when the operation reception unit 111 receives an input operation for a basement floor, the display control unit 113 refers to the floor information 143 and identifies the limiting floor for a single-digit basement floor. Once the display control unit 113 has identified the limiting floor for a single-digit basement floor, it displays the third screen on the display unit 13. The period from when the third screen is displayed until the operation reception unit 111 receives the first digit input operation corresponds to the third stage.

[0057] As shown in Figure 5, the third screen includes input information (code 501) containing characters indicating the basement floor, a number button 301, a basement floor button 303, and an evacuation floor button 304. When the operation reception unit 111 receives a basement floor input operation, the display control unit 113 displays the number button 301 in the first display mode if the basement floor whose numbers correspond to the numbers button 301 in the ones place corresponds to the restricted floor. The display control unit 113 also displays the number buttons 301 other than the number button 301 in the second display mode.

[0058] As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the restricted floor among the basement floors of the building is the third basement floor. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, in the third stage, the display control unit 113 displays the number button 301 corresponding to the number 3 in the first display mode (code Q). Also, in the second stage, the display control unit 113 displays the number buttons 301 corresponding to the numbers 0-2 and 4-9 in the second display mode (code P).

[0059] With the above configuration, users can determine which floor of the basement is the restricted floor after performing an operation on the basement floor button 303 (basement floor input operation) but before performing an operation on the number buttons 301 that indicate numbers.

[0060] Traditionally, in buildings equipped with elevators that operate based on destination floor calls, there are sometimes restricted floors where destination floor calls are limited. With conventional keypad displays, elevator users could not know whether the floor they intended to enter was a restricted floor before performing the input operation. They only found out it was a restricted floor after entering the floor, which could be inconvenient.

[0061] In contrast, according to the configuration of the present invention, the display control unit 113 displays the display of the number button 301 whose assigned number in the units digit corresponds to a restricted floor on the display unit 13 in a different manner from the display of the other number buttons 301. This allows the user to determine whether the floor whose assigned number in the units digit corresponds to a restricted floor is a restricted floor before performing an operation on the number button 301. Therefore, the possibility of a situation occurring where an unauthenticated user unknowingly enters a floor as a restricted floor and the destination floor call is rejected can be reduced. As described above, the configuration of the present invention can improve the convenience of users entering a destination floor.

[0062] Furthermore, the display control unit 113, at each stage (first stage, second stage, and third stage) in which an operation can be received by the operation reception unit 111, changes the display pattern of the number button 301 depending on whether or not there is a floor in the building where the elevator 4 is installed whose floor number corresponds to the number button 301 being operated, with the number in the ones digit being the ones digit.

[0063] If a floor whose unit digit corresponds to the number button 301 exists in the building where the elevator 4 is installed, the display control unit 113 displays the number button 301 in either the first or second display mode. On the other hand, if a floor whose unit digit corresponds to the number button 301 does not exist in the building where the elevator 4 is installed, the display control unit 113 displays the number button 301 in a third display mode. The third display mode is a display mode that includes information indicating that the floor whose unit digit corresponds to the number button 301 displayed in the third display mode does not exist in the building where the elevator 4 is installed. With the above configuration, users can distinguish between floors that exist in a building and floors that do not.

[0064] Figure 6 shows an example of the second screen, including the display in the third display mode. If the number button 301 indicating 1 is entered in the first stage, the floors that can be specified as the destination floor are the 1st floor or floors that contain 1 in the tens place. Of the floors that contain 1 in the tens place, floors 10 to 16 exist in the building, but floors 17 to 19 do not. The numeric keypad 302 includes number buttons 301 indicating 0 to 9, but there are no floors in the building whose units digit corresponds to the number buttons 301 indicating 7 to 9. In this case, as shown in Figure 6, the display control unit 113 displays the number buttons 301 indicating 0 to 6 in the first or second display mode, and displays the number buttons 301 indicating 7 to 9 in the third display mode.

[0065] As shown in Figure 6, the third display mode may be, but is not limited to, a display mode in which a diagonal line is superimposed on the number button 301 as information indicating that the elevator 4 is not present in the building where it is installed. The third display mode should be one that allows the user to understand that the floor number whose units digit corresponds to the number button 301 displayed in the third display mode does not exist in the building where the elevator 4 is installed. For example, the display control unit 113 may gray out the number button 301 to be displayed in the third display mode. Also, the operation reception unit 111 does not have to accept input operations for the number button 301 displayed in the third display mode.

[0066] Once the registration unit 114 has completed registering the destination floor call, the display control unit 113 obtains the assignment result information from the group control device 2. Upon obtaining the assignment result information, the display control unit 113 displays the assignment result screen on the display unit 13.

[0067] Figure 7 shows an example of the assignment result screen. As shown in Figure 7, the assignment result screen includes information (reference numeral 701) indicating the elevator 4 assigned to the destination floor call and information (reference numeral 702) indicating the destination floor. This allows the user to know which elevator they should board. The display control unit 113 displays the assignment result screen for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), and then displays the first screen on the display unit 13.

[0068] Furthermore, the display control unit 113 may display an error screen on the display unit 13. For example, if the user is not authenticated by the authentication device 5, the destination floor registration device 1 receives authentication result information 141 indicating that the user was not authenticated. Upon receiving authentication result information 141 indicating that the user was not authenticated, the display control unit 113 may display an error screen on the display unit 13 that includes a message indicating that the user was not authenticated. This allows the user to understand that authentication using the reader device 6 has failed.

[0069] Furthermore, if a user enters a floor that cannot be designated as a destination floor, or if an unauthorized user designates a restricted floor as a destination floor, the display control unit 113 may display an error screen on the display unit 13. When the display control unit 113 obtains information from the registration unit 114 indicating that the registration of the destination floor call has been rejected, it displays an error screen on the display unit 13 that includes a symbol or message indicating that the destination floor call with the floor entered by the user as the destination floor has been rejected. This allows the user to understand that they were unable to register a destination floor call with the floor they entered as the destination floor. After displaying the error screen on the display unit 13 for a predetermined period of time, the display control unit 113 displays the screen that was displayed immediately before.

[0070] The display modes of the screen that the display control unit 113 displays on the display unit 13 are not limited to those described above. Figure 8 shows another example of the first screen. As shown in Figure 8, the display control unit 113 may also display a specific symbol (code 801) on the numeric button 301 that is the target of display in the first display mode (code Q).

[0071] Figure 9 shows another example of the second screen. As shown in Figure 9, the display control unit 113 may enclose the numbers displayed on the number buttons 301, which are the targets to be displayed in the first display mode (code Q), with a frame (code 901). The display control unit 113 may also display a message (code 902) indicating which floor corresponds to the restricted floor. Furthermore, the display control unit 113 may enclose information indicating the entered numbers with a frame (code 903).

[0072] (Registration Section 114) The registration unit 114 registers the destination floor call received by the operation reception unit 111. In the first stage, when the operation reception unit 111 receives the first digit input operation, a single digit number is stored in the destination floor information 142. In the second stage, the registration unit 114 determines whether or not the operation reception unit 111 has received the second digit input operation.

[0073] If the operation reception unit 111 does not accept the second number input operation in the second stage, the registration unit 114 identifies a single-digit floor number containing the number corresponding to the entered number button 301 as the destination floor. Specifically, the registration unit 114 identifies a single-digit floor number indicated by the number stored as destination floor information 142 as the destination floor.

[0074] In the second stage, when the operation reception unit 111 receives a second number input operation, the registration unit 114 identifies the destination floor as a two-digit floor number that includes the number corresponding to the input number button 301, that is, a two-digit floor number indicated by the number stored as destination floor information 142. Specifically, the registration unit 114 identifies the destination floor as a two-digit floor number that includes the number corresponding to the number button 301 entered in the first number input operation as the tens digit, and the number corresponding to the number button 301 entered in the second number input operation as the units digit.

[0075] Furthermore, when the operation reception unit 111 receives the first number input operation and the basement floor input operation, the registration unit 114 identifies a single-digit basement floor that includes the number corresponding to the input number button 301 as the destination floor. Specifically, the registration unit 114 identifies a single-digit basement floor indicated by the number stored as destination floor information 142 as the destination floor.

[0076] After identifying the destination floor, the registration unit 114 sends information to the group control device 2 requesting service floor information indicating the service floor, and receives service floor information from the group control device 2. A service floor is a floor on which any unit of elevator 4 can stop. Based on the service floor information, the registration unit 114 determines whether the identified destination floor is a service floor of elevator 4. If the identified destination floor is not a service floor of elevator 4, the registration unit 114 refuses to register the destination floor call.

[0077] If the specified destination floor is a service floor of elevator 4, the registration unit 114 refers to the floor information 143 and determines whether the specified destination floor is a restricted floor or not. If the specified destination floor is not a restricted floor, the registration unit 114 permits the registration of the destination floor call.

[0078] If the identified destination floor is a restricted floor, the registration unit 114 refers to the authentication result information 141 and determines whether the user has been authenticated or not. If the user is authenticated, the registration unit 114 permits the registration of a destination floor call to the restricted floor; if the user is not authenticated, it refuses the registration of a destination floor call to the restricted floor.

[0079] A user is considered authenticated when the authentication result information 141 indicates that the user has been successfully authenticated. In this case, the registration unit 114 permits the registration of a destination floor call with the restricted floor as the destination floor. When the registration unit 114 permits the registration of a destination floor call, it transmits a call request to the group control device 2 that includes information indicating the departure floor, which is the floor on which the destination floor registration device 1 is installed, and information indicating the specified destination floor. As a result, the group control device 2 registers the destination floor call and assigns the most suitable unit to the destination floor call.

[0080] If a user is not authenticated, it means that the authentication result information 141 indicates that the user's authentication failed, or that the authentication result information 141 is not stored in the storage unit 14. In this case, the registration unit 114 refuses to register a destination floor call with the restricted floor as the destination floor. If the registration unit 114 refuses to register a destination floor call, it outputs information to the display control unit 113 indicating that the registration of the destination floor call has been refused.

[0081] According to the above configuration, if a user is a registered user authorized to access the restricted floor, they can register a destination floor call to the restricted floor after authentication. On the other hand, if a user who is not authorized to access the restricted floor makes a destination floor call to the restricted floor, that user will not be authenticated, and therefore the destination floor call will not be registered. This reduces the possibility of unauthorized users accidentally going to the restricted floor.

[0082] <Processing flow of elevator system 100> The following describes the processing flow of the elevator system 100 using Figures 10 to 12. Figures 10 to 12 are flowcharts or sequence diagrams that illustrate the processing flow of the elevator system 100.

[0083] (Authentication-related processing) First, we will explain the processing flow related to authentication performed by the elevator system 100 using Figure 10. Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow related to authentication performed by the elevator system 100.

[0084] When a user performs authentication, they have the reader 6 read their user information. When the authentication device 5 obtains the user information read by the reader 6 (YES in S1), it refers to the registration information 521 and determines whether the user information matches any of the registration information 521 (S2).

[0085] If the user information matches any of the registration information 521 (YES in S2), the control unit 51 determines that user authentication was successful (S3). On the other hand, if the user information does not match any of the registration information 521 (NO in S2), the control unit 51 determines that user authentication failed (S4). The control unit 51 transmits information indicating the authentication result to the destination floor registration device 1 (S5).

[0086] When the update unit 112 of the destination floor registration device 1 receives information indicating the authentication result (YES in S11), it stores the received information as authentication result information 141 in the storage unit 14 (S12).

[0087] If the authentication result indicated by the authentication result information 141 indicates that the user has been authenticated (YES in S13), the display control unit 113 displays an authentication success screen on the display unit 13 to indicate that authentication was successful (S14). On the other hand, if the authentication result indicated by the authentication result information 141 indicates that the user has not been authenticated (NO in S13), the display control unit 113 displays an authentication failure screen on the display unit 13 to indicate that authentication failed (S15). After S14 or S15, the display control unit 113 displays the screen that was displayed immediately before displaying the authentication success screen or the authentication failure screen (S16).

[0088] Subsequently, if the registration of the destination floor call is completed (YES in S17), or if a predetermined time has elapsed since the authentication result information 141 was stored (YES in S18), the update unit 112 deletes the authentication result information 141 (S19). This prevents the first user's authentication result from being used when a second user registers a destination floor call after the first user who performed the authentication.

[0089] (Processing related to screen display and call registration) Next, the processing flow related to screen display and call registration performed by the elevator system 100 will be explained using Figures 11 and 12. Figures 11 and 12 are flowcharts and sequence diagrams showing an example of the processing flow related to screen display and call registration performed by the destination floor registration device 1 of the elevator system 100.

[0090] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing flow related to screen display and destination floor identification based on user input operations performed by the destination floor registration device 1. First, the display control unit 113 refers to the floor information 143 and identifies the single-digit restricted floor (S21). Next, the display control unit 113 displays the first screen on the display unit 13 (S22: display control step). Here, the display control unit 113 changes the display mode of the number buttons 301 that indicate the numbers corresponding to each floor, based on whether or not the floor provided in the building is a restricted floor. Specifically, the display control unit 113 displays the number buttons 301 associated with the numbers corresponding to single-digit restricted floors in a first display mode, and displays the other number buttons 301 in a second display mode.

[0091] When the display control unit 113 displays the first screen on the display unit 13, the operation reception unit 111 becomes capable of receiving a first digit input operation or a basement floor input operation. This initiates the first stage. In the first stage, when the operation reception unit 111 receives a first digit input operation (YES in S23: operation reception step), the operation reception unit 111 stores information indicating the entered digit as destination floor information 142 in the storage unit 14. Also, when the operation reception unit 111 receives a first digit input operation, it stops accepting input operations. This concludes the first stage.

[0092] Furthermore, in the first stage, when the operation reception unit 111 receives the first number input operation (YES in S23: operation reception step), the display control unit 113 refers to the floor information 143 and identifies the two-digit restricted floor (S24). Subsequently, the display control unit 113 displays the second screen on the display unit 13 (S25: display control step). Here, the display control unit 113 changes the display mode of the number buttons 301 that indicate the numbers corresponding to each floor, based on whether or not the floor provided in the building is a restricted floor. Specifically, the display control unit 113 displays the number buttons 301 associated with the numbers corresponding to the ones digit of the two-digit restricted floor in the first display mode, and displays the other number buttons 301 in the second display mode.

[0093] When the display control unit 113 displays the second screen on the display unit 13, the operation reception unit 111 becomes capable of receiving a second digit input operation. This initiates the second stage. In the second stage, when the operation reception unit 111 receives a second digit input operation (YES in S26: operation reception step), the operation reception unit 111 stores information indicating the entered digit as destination floor information 142 in the storage unit 14. After receiving the second digit input operation, the operation reception unit 111 stops accepting input operations. This concludes the second stage.

[0094] If the answer in S26 is YES, the registration unit 114 identifies the destination floor based on the destination floor information 142 (S29). In this case, the registration unit 114 identifies the floor indicated by a number where the tens digit is the number entered by the first digit input operation and the units digit is the number entered by the second digit input operation as the destination floor.

[0095] Furthermore, if the operation reception unit 111 does not accept the second digit input operation in the second stage (NO in S26) but accepts the basement floor input operation (YES in S27: operation reception step), the operation reception unit 111 stores information indicating that a basement floor has been entered as destination floor information 142 in the storage unit 14. Also, once the operation reception unit 111 accepts the basement floor input operation, it stops accepting input operations. This completes the second stage.

[0096] If the answer in S27 is YES, the registration unit 114 identifies the destination floor based on the destination floor information 142 (S29). In this case, the registration unit 114 identifies the underground floor whose last digit is the number entered in the first number input operation as the destination floor.

[0097] Furthermore, if the operation reception unit 111 does not accept either the second digit input operation or the basement floor input operation in the second stage (NO in S26 and S27), and a predetermined time has elapsed since the display control unit 113 displayed the second screen on the display unit 13 (YES in S28), the operation reception unit 111 stops accepting input operations. This completes the second stage.

[0098] If the answer in S28 is YES, the registration unit 114 identifies the destination floor based on the destination floor information 142 (S29). In this case, the registration unit 114 identifies the floor indicated by the number entered in the first number input operation as the destination floor.

[0099] In the first stage, if the operation reception unit 111 does not accept the first digit input operation (NO in S23) but accepts the basement floor input operation (YES in S30: operation reception step), the operation reception unit 111 stores information indicating that information indicating a basement floor has been entered as destination floor information 142 in the storage unit 14. Also, if the operation reception unit 111 accepts the basement floor input operation, it stops accepting input operations. Furthermore, if YES in S30, the display control unit 113 identifies the restriction floor for a single-digit basement floor (S31).

[0100] Next, the display control unit 113 displays the third screen on the display unit 13 (S32: display control step). Here, the display control unit 113 changes the display mode of the number buttons 301 that indicate the numbers corresponding to each floor, based on whether or not the basement floors in the building are restricted floors. Specifically, the display control unit 113 displays the number buttons 301 that correspond to the restricted floors among the single-digit basement floors in the first display mode, and displays the other number buttons 301 in the second display mode.

[0101] When the display control unit 113 displays the third screen on the display unit 13, the operation reception unit 111 becomes capable of receiving the first digit input operation. This initiates the third stage. In the third stage, when the operation reception unit 111 receives the first digit input operation (YES in S33: operation reception step), the operation reception unit 111 stores information indicating the entered digit as destination floor information 142 in the storage unit 14. After receiving the first digit input operation, the operation reception unit 111 stops accepting input operations. This concludes the third stage.

[0102] If the answer in S33 is YES, the registration unit 114 identifies the destination floor based on the destination floor information 142 (S29). In this case, the registration unit 114 identifies the underground floor whose last digit is the number entered in the first digit input operation as the destination floor. After S29, the process proceeds as shown in Figure 12.

[0103] On the other hand, in the third stage, if the operation reception unit 111 does not accept the first digit input operation (NO in S33), and a predetermined time has elapsed since the display control unit 113 displayed the third screen on the display unit 13 (YES in S34), the operation reception unit 111 stops accepting input operations. As a result, the third stage ends, and the process in S21 is performed again. Also, if neither the first digit input operation nor the basement floor input operation is accepted in the first stage (NO in S23 and S30), the process in S21 is performed again.

[0104] Next, we will explain the process that takes place after the destination floor has been identified (after the process in S29 in Figure 11) using Figure 12. Figure 12 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processes performed by the elevator system 100 after the destination floor has been identified.

[0105] When the registration unit 114 identifies the destination floor, it sends a service floor provision request to the group control device 2 (S41). When the group control device 2 receives the service floor provision request (YES in S51), it sends service floor information to the destination floor registration device 1, which was the source of the service floor provision request. When the registration unit 114 receives the service floor information, it determines whether the identified destination floor is a service floor based on the received service floor information (S42).

[0106] If the destination floor is a service floor (YES in S42), the registration unit 114 determines whether the destination floor is a restricted floor (S43). If the destination floor is not a restricted floor (NO in S43), the registration unit 114 permits the registration of the destination floor call.

[0107] On the other hand, if the destination floor is a restricted floor (YES in S43), the registration unit 114 refers to the authentication result information 141 in the storage unit 14 and determines whether the user has been authenticated or not (S44). If the user has been authenticated (YES in S44), the registration unit 114 permits the registration of the destination floor call.

[0108] When the registration unit 114 authorizes the registration of a destination floor call, it registers the destination floor call. Specifically, the registration unit 114 generates a call request that includes information indicating the departure floor, which is the floor on which the destination floor registration device 1 is installed, and information indicating the specified destination floor. Subsequently, the registration unit 114 transmits the generated call request to the group control device 2 (S45).

[0109] When the group control device 2 receives a call request (S52), it assigns the most suitable elevator 4 to the received call request (S53) and registers the destination floor call. After assigning an elevator, the group control device 2 transmits assignment result information, which includes information indicating the assigned elevator and information indicating the destination floor. The group control device 2 also transmits information indicating the departure floor and destination floor to the elevator control device 3 that controls the assigned elevator.

[0110] When the display control unit 113 receives assignment result information from the group management control device 2 (YES in S46), it displays the assignment result screen, which includes the assignment result information, on the display unit 13 (S47). After a predetermined time has elapsed since the assignment result screen was displayed (YES in S48), the display control unit 113 terminates the screen display.

[0111] If the destination floor is not a service floor (NO in S42), or if the destination floor is a restricted floor (YES in S43) and the user is not authenticated (NO in S44), the registration unit 114 refuses to register the destination floor call. If the user is not authenticated, it means that the authentication result information 141 indicates that the user is not authenticated, or that the authentication result information 141 is not stored in the storage unit 14.

[0112] If the registration unit 114 rejects the registration of the destination floor call, the display control unit 113 displays an error screen on the display unit 13 containing information indicating that the registration of the destination floor call could not be completed (S49). After a predetermined time has elapsed since the error screen was displayed (YES in S48), the display control unit 113 terminates the screen display.

[0113] After the screen display ends, the process returns to S21 as shown in Figure 11. As a result, after the assignment result screen or error screen is displayed, the first screen is displayed, and it becomes possible to register the next destination floor call.

[0114] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention are 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.

[0115] Embodiment 1 describes a configuration in which the display patterns of the number buttons 301 are varied, but it is not limited to this. Embodiment 2 describes a configuration in which buttons, which are different from the number buttons 301 and are associated with any floor of the building, are displayed on the screen, and the display patterns vary depending on whether or not the floor associated with the button is a restricted floor.

[0116] Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the elevator system 100A according to Embodiment 2. As shown in Figure 13, the elevator system 100A according to Embodiment 2 includes a display system 200A instead of a display system 200. The display system 200A includes a destination floor registration device 1A instead of a destination floor registration device 1. The destination floor registration device 1A includes a control unit 11A and a storage unit 14A instead of a control unit 11 and a storage unit 14.

[0117] In addition to authentication result information 141 and destination floor information 142, the memory unit 14A stores floor information 143A for each specific floor, which includes information indicating whether the floor is a restricted floor or a registrable floor within the building. A specific floor is a floor represented by something other than a number, and may be, for example, a floor where a lobby, garage, rooftop, or helipad is located. A specific floor may also include an evacuation floor. Specific floors are not limited to those described above. For example, a building may have multiple lobby floors.

[0118] The control unit 11A differs from the control unit 11 in that it includes a display control unit 113A instead of a display control unit 113. The display control unit 113A displays a numeric keypad 302A, including a specific floor button associated with a specific floor, on the display unit 13 at each stage in which the operation reception unit 111 can accept an input operation.

[0119] Figure 14 shows an example of a screen that includes specific floor buttons. As shown in Figure 14, the specific floor buttons include a button corresponding to the floor where the lobby is located (reference numeral 1401), a button corresponding to the floor where the garage is located (reference numeral 1402), a button corresponding to the floor where the rooftop is located (reference numeral 1403), a button corresponding to the floor where the helipad is located (reference numeral 1404), and an evacuation floor button 304. As shown by reference numerals 1401 to 1404, each specific floor button is associated with and displays a symbol or character indicating the specific floor corresponding to that button. The evacuation floor button 304 may also be included in the specific floor buttons. Furthermore, if there is only one basement floor that can be specified as a destination floor, the basement floor button 303 may also be included in the specific floor buttons. Note that the specific floor buttons shown in Figure 14 are examples, and other specific floor buttons may be displayed, or only some of the specific floor buttons shown in Figure 14 may be displayed. For example, if a building has multiple lobby floors, a separate button for each specific floor, each marked with a symbol indicating the respective lobby floor, may be displayed individually on the display unit 13.

[0120] Note that while Figure 14 shows an example of a screen where the numeric keypad 302A includes numeric buttons 301 and specific floor buttons, the screen displayed by the display control unit 113A is not limited to this. For example, the display control unit 113A may display a numeric keypad 302A on the display unit 13 that includes only specific floor buttons and not numeric buttons 301.

[0121] Each floor associated with a specific floor button is set as either a restricted floor or a registrable floor. The display control unit 113A refers to the floor information 143A and displays the specific floor buttons in either the first or second display mode. Let's take the case where the floor where the garage is located and the floor where the helipad is located are restricted floors as an example. In this case, the display control unit 113A displays the buttons (reference numerals 1402 and 1404) associated with the restricted floors among the specific floor buttons in the first display mode (reference numeral Q). The display control unit 113A also displays the buttons (reference numerals 303, 304, 1401, and 1403) associated with the registrable floors among the specific floor buttons in the second display mode (reference numeral P).

[0122] When the operation reception unit 111 receives an input operation for a specific floor button, the registration unit 114 identifies the floor corresponding to the specific floor button for which the input operation was performed. If the identified floor is a floor where registration is possible, or if the identified floor is a restricted floor and the user is authenticated, the registration unit 114 permits the registration of the destination floor. If the identified floor is a restricted floor and the user is not authenticated, the registration unit 114 rejects the registration of the destination floor.

[0123] As described above, the display system 200A displays a screen that includes a specific floor button associated with each specific floor, and each specific floor button is displayed in a different manner depending on whether the corresponding specific floor is a restricted floor or not. This allows the user to understand which floors among the specific floors are restricted floors before performing any input operations.

[0124] [Embodiment 3] Embodiment 1 describes a configuration in which the authentication device 5 transmits information indicating the user's authentication result to the destination floor registration device 1, but the configuration is not limited to this. Embodiment 3 describes a configuration in which the destination floor registration device 1 acquires information indicating the authentication result from the group management control device 2B.

[0125] Figure 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the elevator system 100B according to Embodiment 3. As shown in Figure 15, the elevator system 100B according to Embodiment 3 is equipped with a group control control device 2B and an authentication device 5B instead of the group control control device 2 and authentication device 5. The authentication device 5B is also referred to as a security server.

[0126] The authentication device 5B comprises a control unit 51B and a storage unit 52B. In addition to the registration information 521, the storage unit 52B stores the device DB (database) 522. The device DB 522 is a database in which information is stored for each identification information of the reader device 6, with the identification information of the reader device 6 and the identification information of the destination floor registration device 1 corresponding to the reader device 6 being associated.

[0127] When the control unit 51B of the authentication device 5B obtains user information read by the reader 6, it authenticates the user. Furthermore, the control unit 51B refers to the device DB 522 and identifies the identification information of the destination floor registration device 1 that corresponds to the identification information of the reader 6, which is the source of the user information. The control unit 51B transmits the identified identification information of the destination floor registration device 1, along with information indicating the user authentication result, to the group management control device 2B.

[0128] The group control device 2B receives information indicating the user's authentication result and identification information for the destination floor registration device 1. The group control device 2B transmits the information indicating the user's authentication result to the destination floor registration device 1, which is identified by the received identification information. As a result, the update unit 112 of the destination floor registration device 1 can receive the authentication result information 141.

[0129] In the example described above, the authentication device 5B and the group management control device 2B are described as separate devices, but this is not the only configuration. For example, the group management control device 2B may have the same configuration as the authentication device 5B. In this case, the reader 6 transmits user information to the group management control device 2B. The group management control device 2B also authenticates the user and identifies the destination floor registration device 1 corresponding to the reader 6, and transmits information indicating the authentication result to the identified destination floor registration device 1.

[0130] [Variation] <Example 1> In the embodiments described above, the case in which the building has two-digit floors was used as an example, but it is not limited to this. For example, the building may have three-digit floors. Also, a restricted floor may be set on at least one of the three-digit floors. In this case, the stage in which operation on the number button 301 can be accepted includes the fourth stage.

[0131] The fourth stage is the stage after the second stage, and is the stage in which the operation for the third number button 301 can be accepted. In a series of call registrations, the fourth stage corresponds to the period after the first number input operation and the second number input operation have been performed, until a predetermined time has elapsed, or until the operation reception unit 111 accepts the operation for the third number button 301.

[0132] If the restricted floor is a three-digit floor number, the display control unit 113, at the stage when the operation reception unit 111 is able to accept the input operation for the third number button 301, changes the display pattern of the number button 301 associated with the units digit of the restricted floor to be different from the display patterns of the other number buttons 301.

[0133] Specifically, in the fourth stage, the display control unit 113 displays the fourth screen on the display unit 13. Figure 16 shows an example of the fourth screen. As shown in Figure 16, the fourth screen includes input information (code 1601) entered in a stage prior to the fourth stage, number buttons 301, basement floor buttons 303, and evacuation floor buttons 304. As shown in Figure 16, in the fourth screen, the display control unit 113 displays the number button 301 corresponding to the last digit of the three-digit floor number that corresponds to the restricted floor in a first display mode (code Q), and displays the number buttons 301 other than the said number button 301 in a second display mode (code P).

[0134] With the above configuration, the user can determine which of the three-digit floor numbers is the restricted floor after performing the second input operation on the number button 301 (second number input operation) and before performing the third input operation on the number button 301 (third number input operation).

[0135] <Modification 2> In the embodiments described above, the example of a building having two-digit floors was used, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the building may have two-digit basement floors. Also, a restricted floor may be set on at least one of the two-digit basement floors. In this case, the stages in which operations on the number buttons 301 can be accepted include the fifth stage.

[0136] Stage 5 is a stage that follows Stage 2 or Stage 3, and is the stage in which a second operation on the number button 301 can be accepted. In a series of call registrations, Stage 5 corresponds to the period after the basement floor input operation and the first number input operation have been performed, until a predetermined time has elapsed, or until the operation reception unit 111 accepts a second operation on the number button 301. An operation on the number button 301 that the operation reception unit 111 can accept in Stage 5 is the second operation on the number button 301 in a series of call registrations, and therefore corresponds to a "second number input operation".

[0137] In the fifth stage, the operation reception unit 111 waits for the reception of the second digit input operation. Also in the fifth stage, the display control unit 113 displays the fifth screen. Figure 17 shows an example of the fifth screen. As shown in Figure 17, the fifth screen includes input information (code 1701) entered in a stage prior to the fifth stage, digit buttons 301, basement floor buttons 303 and evacuation floor buttons 304.

[0138] The display control unit 113 displays the number button 301 corresponding to the last digit of the two-digit basement floor number that corresponds to the restricted floor in the fifth screen in the first display mode (code Q), and displays the other number buttons 301 in the second display mode (code P). This allows the user to understand which floor of the two-digit basement floor number is the restricted floor after performing the first number input operation and the basement floor input operation, but before performing the second number input operation.

[0139] <Variation 3> In the embodiments described above, the display system 200 was described using a configuration in which it includes a destination floor registration device 1 as an example, but it is not limited to this. For example, the elevator system 100 may separately include a first device comprising an operation reception unit 111, a display control unit 113, an input unit 12, and a display unit 13, and a second device comprising the other components of the destination floor registration device 1, and the display system 200 may consist only of the first device.

[0140] In this case, the operation reception unit 111 transmits information indicating the content of the received operation to the second device. The second device, based on the various information, appropriately transmits information indicating the content to be displayed on the display unit 13 to the first device. The display control unit 113 displays a screen on the display unit 13 based on the received information. With the above configuration, the processing performed in the display system 200 can be simplified.

[0141] <Modification 4> In the embodiment 1 described above, a configuration was described in which the display control unit 113 displays the number buttons 301 corresponding to the numbers included in the restricted floor in a second display mode, but the invention is not limited to this. Figure 18 shows yet another example of the second screen. Figure 18 illustrates the second screen that is displayed after 3 is entered in the first number input operation when the third basement floor of the building is the restricted floor. The second screen shown in Figure 18 includes the input information (reference numeral 1801) entered in the first stage, the number buttons 301, the basement floor button 303, and the evacuation floor button 304.

[0142] As shown in Figure 18, after the operation reception unit 111 receives a number input operation, the display control unit 113 may display the basement floor button 303 in a second display mode (symbol P) if the basement floor containing the entered number is a restricted floor. This allows the user to understand that the basement floor containing the entered number is a restricted floor after performing the number input operation.

[0143] Furthermore, if the building has a double-digit number of basement floors, the display control unit 113 may perform similar control on the fifth screen. For example, if the 13th basement floor is the limiting floor, and 1 is entered in the first digit input operation and 3 in the second digit input operation, the display control unit 113 may display the basement floor button 303 on the fifth screen in the second display mode (symbol P).

[0144] [Examples of implementation using software] The functions of the elevator systems 100, 100A to 100B and the display systems 200, 200A (hereinafter referred to as "the system") can be realized by a program that causes a computer to function as the system, and by a program that causes a computer to function as each control block of the system (particularly each part included in the control units 11 and 11A).

[0145] In this case, the system includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., 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.

[0146] 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 system. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0147] 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.

[0148] 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).

[0149] 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.

[0150] 〔summary〕 A display system according to aspect 1 of the present invention is a display system in an elevator system that operates an elevator based on destination floor calls, comprising: a display control unit that displays a numeric keypad including buttons associated with single-digit numbers on a display unit; and an operation reception unit that accepts one or more operations on the buttons as input operations for destination floors, wherein each floor is pre-set to either a registrable floor that can be registered as a destination floor or a restricted floor where destination floor calls are restricted, and the display control unit, at each stage in which the operation can be accepted by the operation reception unit, if the floor whose number associated with the button being operated is one digit is one of the restricted floors, makes the first display mode of that button different from the second display mode of the other buttons.

[0151] In the display system according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in aspect 1 above, if the restricted floor is a single-digit floor number, the display control unit may, at the stage in which the operation reception unit can receive the first operation, display the button corresponding to the number corresponding to the restricted floor in the first display mode, and display the other buttons in the second display mode.

[0152] In the display system according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, in embodiment 1 or 2 above, if the restricted floor is a two-digit floor number, the display control unit may, at the stage in which the operation reception unit can receive the second operation, display the button corresponding to the units digit of the restricted floor in the first display mode, and display the other buttons in the second display mode.

[0153] In the display system according to embodiment 4 of the present invention, in any of embodiments 1 to 3 above, if the restricted floor is a three-digit floor number, the display control unit may, at the stage in which the operation reception unit can receive the third operation, display the button corresponding to the units digit of the restricted floor in the first display mode, and display the other buttons in the second display mode.

[0154] In the display system according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 4 above, the numeric keypad includes a button indicating a basement floor, and when an operation is received for the button indicating a basement floor, the display control unit may, at each stage in which the operation can be received by the operation reception unit, display the button in the first display mode if the basement floor whose numbers correspond to the button being operated are the ones digits of the basement floor, and display the other buttons in the second display mode.

[0155] In the display system according to embodiment 6 of the present invention, in any of embodiments 1 to 5 above, the first display mode may differ from the second display mode in at least one of the following: the information superimposed on the button, the color of the button, the appearance of the button, and the size of the button.

[0156] In the display system according to embodiment 7 of the present invention, in any of embodiments 1 to 6 above, the display control unit may, at each stage in which the operation can be received by the operation reception unit, change the display manner of the button depending on whether or not there is a floor in the building where the elevator is installed whose unit digit corresponds to the button being operated.

[0157] A display system according to aspect 8 of the present invention is a display system in an elevator system that operates an elevator based on destination floor calls, comprising: a display control unit that displays a numeric keypad including buttons associated with specific floors on a display unit; and an operation reception unit that accepts a single operation on the buttons as an input operation for a destination floor, wherein each floor is pre-set to either a registrable floor that can be registered as a destination floor or a restricted floor where destination floor calls are restricted, and the display control unit, at each stage in which the operation can be accepted by the operation reception unit, if the specific floor associated with the button being operated is a restricted floor, makes the first display mode of that button different from the second display mode of the other buttons.

[0158] An elevator system according to aspect 9 of the present invention is an elevator system including a display system according to aspects 1 to 8 above, comprising: a registration unit that registers destination floor calls for destination floors received by the operation reception unit; and an authentication unit that authenticates the user of the elevator, wherein the registration unit permits the registration of a destination floor call with the restricted floor as the destination floor if the user is authenticated, and refuses the registration of a destination floor call with the restricted floor as the destination floor if the user is not authenticated.

[0159] A control method according to aspect 10 of the present invention is a control method for a display system in an elevator system that operates an elevator based on a destination floor call, comprising: a display control step of displaying a numeric keypad including buttons associated with single-digit numbers on a display unit; and an operation reception step of receiving one or more operations on the buttons as input operations for a destination floor, wherein each floor is pre-set as either a registrable floor that can be registered as a destination floor or a restricted floor where destination floor calls are restricted, and in each stage where the operation can be received in the operation reception step, if the floor whose number associated with the button being operated is in the units digit is the restricted floor, the display control step makes the first display mode of the button different from the second display mode of the other buttons.

[0160] A control method according to aspect 11 of the present invention is a control method for a display system in an elevator system that operates an elevator based on a destination floor call, comprising: a display control step of displaying a keypad including buttons associated with a specific floor on a display unit; and an operation reception step of accepting a single operation on the button as an input operation for a destination floor, wherein each floor is pre-set as either a registrable floor that can be registered as a destination floor or a restricted floor where destination floor calls are restricted, and in each stage where the operation can be accepted in the operation reception step, if the specific floor associated with the button being operated is a restricted floor, the display control step makes the first display mode of the button different from the second display mode of the other buttons. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0161] 4 Elevators 5.5B Authentication device (authentication unit) 13 Display section 111 Operation Reception Section 113, 113A Display Control Unit 114 Registration Department 100, 100A, 100B Elevator System 200, 200A display system 302, 302A numeric keypad P Second display mode Q 1st display mode S22, S25, S32 Display control steps S23, S26, S27, S30, S33 Operation Acceptance Step

Claims

1. A display system in an elevator system that operates elevators based on destination floor calls, A display control unit that displays a numeric keypad, including buttons with single-digit numbers associated with them, on the display unit, The system includes an operation reception unit that accepts one or more operations on the aforementioned button as input operations for the destination floor, Each floor is pre-configured as either a registerable floor that can be registered as a destination floor, or a restricted floor where destination floor calls are limited. The display control unit, at each stage in which the operation can be received by the operation reception unit, if the floor whose numbers correspond to the button being operated are the restricted floors, will make the first display mode of that button different from the second display mode of the other buttons. Display system.

2. If the aforementioned restricted floor is a single-digit floor, The display control unit, at the stage when the operation reception unit can receive the first operation, displays the button corresponding to the number corresponding to the restricted floor in the first display mode, and displays the other buttons in the second display mode. The display system according to claim 1.

3. If the aforementioned restricted floor is a two-digit number of floors, The display control unit, at the stage when the operation reception unit can receive the second operation, displays the button corresponding to the last digit of the restriction floor in the first display mode, and displays the other buttons in the second display mode. The display system according to claim 1.

4. If the aforementioned restricted floor is a three-digit floor, The display control unit, at the stage when the operation reception unit can accept the third operation, displays the button corresponding to the last digit of the restriction floor in the first display mode, and displays the other buttons in the second display mode. The display system according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned keypad includes a button indicating the basement floor, When the display control unit receives an operation for the button indicating the basement floor, at each stage in which the operation can be received by the operation reception unit, if the basement floor whose number corresponds to the button being operated is the restricted floor, the display control unit displays the button in the first display mode, and displays the other buttons in the second display mode. The display system according to claim 1.

6. The first display mode differs from the second display mode in that at least one of the following is different: the information superimposed on the button, the color of the button, the appearance of the button, and the size of the button. The display system according to claim 1.

7. The display control unit, at each stage in which the operation can be received by the operation reception unit, changes the display pattern of the button depending on whether or not the floor corresponding to the button being operated, whose unit digit is the floor number, exists in the building where the elevator is installed. The display system according to claim 1.

8. A display system in an elevator system that operates elevators based on destination floor calls, A display control unit that displays a numeric keypad, including buttons associated with a specific floor, on the display unit, The system includes an operation reception unit that accepts a single operation on the aforementioned button as an input operation for the destination floor, Each floor is pre-configured as either a registerable floor that can be registered as a destination floor, or a restricted floor where destination floor calls are limited. The display control unit, at each stage in which the operation can be received by the operation reception unit, if the specific floor associated with the button being operated corresponds to the restricted floor, makes the first display mode of that button different from the second display mode of the other buttons. Display system.

9. An elevator system comprising the display system described in claim 1 or 8, A registration unit that registers the destination floor call of the destination floor received by the aforementioned operation reception unit, The elevator includes an authentication unit for authenticating the user of the elevator, The aforementioned registration unit is If the user is authenticated, permission will be granted to register a destination floor call with the restricted floor as the destination floor. If the user is not authenticated, the registration of a destination floor call with the restricted floor as the destination floor will be refused. Elevator system.

10. A control method for a display system in an elevator system that operates an elevator based on a destination floor call, A display control step that displays a numeric keypad, including buttons associated with single-digit numbers, on the display unit, The process includes an operation reception step that accepts one or more operations on the aforementioned button as an input operation for the destination floor, Each floor is pre-configured as either a registerable floor that can be registered as a destination floor, or a restricted floor where destination floor calls are limited. In the operation reception step, at each stage in which the operation can be accepted, if the floor whose numbers correspond to the button being operated are the restricted floors, the display control step shall make the first display mode of the button different from the second display mode of the other buttons. Control method.

11. A control method for a display system in an elevator system that operates an elevator based on a destination floor call, A display control step that displays a numeric keypad, including buttons associated with a specific floor, on the display unit, The process includes an operation reception step in which a single operation on the aforementioned button is accepted as an input operation for the destination floor, Each floor is pre-configured as either a registerable floor that can be registered as a destination floor, or a restricted floor where destination floor calls are limited. In each stage of the operation acceptance step in which the operation can be accepted, if the specific floor associated with the button being operated corresponds to the restricted floor, the display control step makes the first display mode of the button different from the second display mode of the other buttons. Control method.

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