Elevator passenger guidance system

Abstract

When a passenger boards the elevator car, causing the total load inside the car to exceed the car's maximum load capacity, this system helps to prevent that passenger from attracting attention from other passengers who boarded the car before them. [Solution] The system includes a load measuring unit 30 for measuring the total load inside the car, a detection unit 4 for detecting the position of the last passenger 12 to board the car, a display unit 5 for displaying a first indicator indicating that the total load measured by the load measuring unit 30 is greater than a first set value T1 which is the maximum load capacity of the car, and a display control unit 8a for controlling the display unit 5 so that, when the total load measured by the load measuring unit 30 is greater than the first set value T1, the display unit 5 displays the first indicator in the vicinity of the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator boarding guidance device.

Background Art

[0002] In a conventional elevator boarding guidance device, in order to notify passengers whether the elevator is in a state where they can board, the sound notified by the notification control means is changed according to the load weight in the elevator car. Specifically, a set value X2 corresponding to the load weight when the car is full and a set value X1 smaller than the load weight when the car is full are set. The notification control means maintains a constant music volume when the load weight in the car is less than the set value X1, gradually decreases the music volume when the load weight is greater than or equal to the set value X1 and less than the set value X2, and sounds a buzzer when the load weight is greater than or equal to the set value X2 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional elevator boarding guidance device, it notifies by sound whether the elevator is in a state where passengers can board, and sounds a buzzer when the load weight is greater than or equal to the set value X2. When a passenger boards the car and the car becomes full, that is, when the total load in the car becomes greater than the maximum load capacity of the car, the buzzer sounds. Therefore, the passenger may be noticed by other passengers who boarded the car before the passenger, and may feel a psychological burden.

[0005] This disclosure is made to solve the problems described above, and aims to provide an elevator passenger guidance device, an elevator passenger guidance method, and an elevator passenger guidance program that prevent a passenger from attracting the attention of other passengers who boarded the elevator car before them when the total load inside the elevator car exceeds the maximum load capacity of the elevator car due to the passenger boarding the car. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The elevator passenger guidance device according to this disclosure includes: a load measuring unit for measuring the total load inside the car; a detection unit for detecting the position of the last passenger to board the car; a display unit for displaying a first indicator indicating that the total load measured by the load measuring unit is greater than a first set value which is the maximum load capacity of the car; and a display control unit for controlling the display unit so that, when the total load measured by the load measuring unit is greater than the first set value, the display unit displays the first indicator in the vicinity of the position of the last passenger detected by the detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the elevator passenger guidance system described herein, when a passenger boards the elevator car and the total load inside the car exceeds the maximum load capacity of the car, the system prevents the passenger from attracting attention from other passengers who boarded the car before them. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows the elevator car floor and its surroundings in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the elevator passenger guidance device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of the elevator control panel in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the elevator passenger guidance device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 5]This diagram shows the passenger's boarding position on the elevator car floor in Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This is a modified example of the elevator passenger guidance device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the elevator passenger guidance device in Embodiment 2. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the elevator passenger guidance device in Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] This figure shows the passenger's boarding position on the elevator car floor in Embodiment 2. [Figure 10] This figure shows the passenger's boarding position on the elevator car floor in Embodiment 2. [Figure 11] This figure shows the passenger's boarding position on the elevator car floor in Embodiment 2. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the elevator passenger guidance device in Embodiment 3. [Figure 13] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the elevator passenger guidance device in Embodiment 3. [Figure 14] This figure shows the passenger's boarding position on the elevator car floor in Embodiment 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiment 1. The configuration of the elevator car floor 1 and its surroundings in Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 1 shows the elevator car floor 1 and its surroundings in Embodiment 1. Figure 1(a) is a cross-sectional view of the car when the car floor 1 is viewed from above. Figure 1(b) is a front view of the car floor 1 viewed from the car entrance 2 side. Note that the car wall 3 is not shown in Figure 1(b).

[0010] In Figure 1(a), the elevator car floor 1 is installed in the elevator car, and the upper surface of the elevator car floor 1 is roughly rectangular in shape. One side of the upper surface of the elevator car floor 1 forms part of the elevator car entrance 2, and the three sides that do not form part of the elevator car entrance 2 are in contact with the elevator car wall 3. The upper surface of the elevator car floor 1 in Figure 1(b) is called the upper surface 1a, and the lower surface in Figure 1(b) is called the lower surface 1b. The upper surface 1a is the loading surface of the elevator car floor 1 on which passengers sit.

[0011] The upper surface 1a of the elevator car floor 1 has grid-like divisions into grid regions 1c. One of the divided regions within the grid region 1c is called a block region 1d. As shown in Figure 1(a), the grid region 1c is located on the side of the elevator car entrance 2 from the center of the elevator car floor 1 in the depth direction of the elevator car floor 1. The grid region 1c is, for example, an area that occupies one-third of the upper surface 1a of the elevator car floor 1. The grid region 1c is set assuming the position where the feet of the final passenger 12, described later, first touch when boarding the elevator car. Also, as shown in Figure 1(b), multiple detection units 4 and multiple display units 5 are arranged on the lower surface 1b of the elevator car floor 1. Each detection unit 4 and each display unit 5 is located on the lower surface 1b of each block region 1d of the elevator car floor 1. Note that each detection unit 4 and each display unit 5 only needs to be located on the lower surface 1b side of each block region 1d, and for example, there may be a space between each block region 1d and each detection unit 4 and each display unit 5. In Figures 1(a) and (b), the block region 1d of the grid region 1c is shown with dashed lines for illustrative purposes. The depth direction of the cage floor 1 refers to the vertical direction on the plane of Figure 1(a).

[0012] The detection unit 4 detects the position of the last passenger 12 who boarded the car among the passengers in the car. The detection unit 4 is, for example, a pressure detection device. The pressure detection device is a device that detects the pressure applied to the upper surface 1a of the car floor 1. When the last passenger 12 gets on the grid area 1c of the car floor 1, the detection unit 4 arranged on the lower surface 1b of the block area 1d where the last passenger 12 is located detects the pressure, and the detection unit 4 detects the position of the last passenger 12. That is, the detection unit 4 detects that the position of the last passenger 12 is at least partially on the upper surface 1a of the block area 1d where the pressure is applied. Here, at the lower left of the paper surface of Fig. 1(a), the positions of both feet of the last passenger 12 are simply illustrated by enclosing them with a dotted line, and the right foot of the last passenger 12 is grounded on the grid area 1c. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 1(a), the position of the last passenger 12 is, for example, the position where the foot of the last passenger 12 touches the upper surface 1a of the car floor 1. When the detection unit 4 detects pressure, it transmits a signal indicating that the pressure has been detected to a display control unit 8a described later.

[0013] In addition, the detection unit 4 can detect the position of the last passenger 12 even when the last passenger 12 walks and moves in the grid area 1c of the upper surface 1a of the car floor 1. Specifically, the detection unit 4 analyzes the pattern of the timing when the pressure disappears when the last passenger 12 lifts the foot from the upper surface 1a and the timing when the pressure occurs when the foot is lowered onto the upper surface 1a, so as to determine whether the position where the pressure occurs is the position of the last passenger 12. For example, after detecting the positions of both feet of the last passenger 12, that is, after detecting the pressure at two positions, if the pressure at one of the detected pressure positions disappears and a new pressure occurs at a position about one step away from that position, it can be determined that the position where the new pressure occurs is the position of one foot of the last passenger 12.

[0014] Even when multiple passengers are in the car and on the grid area 1c, the detection unit 4 can detect the positions of each passenger. In addition to the pressure disappearance and generation timings described above, the detection unit 4 analyzes using parameters such as the moving direction, moving distance, and stationary position of the passengers to detect the positions of each passenger, thereby detecting where each passenger has moved after boarding. That is, since the detection unit 4 can grasp the current positions of each passenger, each passenger can be identified. And since it can be grasped who is about to pass through the car entrance 2 last, the already boarded passengers 11 and the last passenger 12 can be identified. Note that the configuration for such analysis may be possessed by the detection unit 4 itself, or the function may be realized by another device and data may be transmitted to the detection unit 4.

[0015] Also, at the lower left of the paper surface of FIG. 1(a), an area 13 straddling four block areas 1d is shown as the position of the last passenger 12 and the area in the vicinity of the position of the last passenger 12. Here, the position of the last passenger 12 and the area in the vicinity of the position of the last passenger 12 are continuous, and the area in the vicinity of the position of the last passenger 12 indicates a portion of the upper surface 1a of the block area 1d where a part of the foot of the last passenger 12 touches but the foot of the last passenger 12 does not touch.

[0016] The display unit 5 displays a first display visible to the last passenger 12. The display unit 5 is, for example, a lighting device that lights up or blinks light. The display unit 5, for example, blinks red light as the first display. Note that when the display unit 5 is a lighting device, the car floor 1 is formed of a transparent or translucent member that allows light to pass through so that the last passenger 12 can visually recognize the light emitted by the display unit 5 from the upper surface 1a of the car floor 1. Also, only the grid area 1c of the car floor 1 may be formed of a transparent or translucent member that allows light to pass through.

[0017] The elevator car is equipped with load detection sensors 6 to detect the load inside the car. The load detection sensors 6 are installed at the four corners of the lower surface 1b of the car floor 1, as shown in Figure 1(a), and detect the load applied to each of the four corners. The load detection sensors 6 are, for example, differential transformers. A differential transformer is a type of displacement sensor that measures the amount of displacement due to the elastic deformation of a spring (not shown) in the differential transformer and converts it into a voltage corresponding to the total load inside the car.

[0018] Next, the configuration of the elevator passenger guidance device 100a in Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of the elevator passenger guidance device 100a in Embodiment 1. The elevator passenger guidance device 100a includes a detection unit 4, a display unit 5, a load detection sensor 6, a door opening / closing detection unit 20, a door opening / closing control unit 21, a load calculation unit 7, and a display control unit 8a. The functions of the door opening / closing detection unit 20, the load calculation unit 7, and the display control unit 8a are realized by the elevator control panel 10a.

[0019] The door opening / closing detection unit 20 is attached to the car or car frame, etc., and detects the open / closed state of the car door. When the door opening / closing detection unit 20 detects that the car door has opened, it transmits a door open signal to the door opening / closing control unit 21 indicating that the car door has opened, and when it detects that the car door has closed, it transmits a door closed signal to the door opening / closing control unit 21 indicating that the car door has closed.

[0020] The door opening / closing control unit 21 receives a signal from the elevator's operation control unit (not shown) instructing it to open or close the elevator car door, and controls the opening and closing of the car door based on that signal. The door opening / closing control unit 21 also determines the open or closed state of the elevator car door based on the door open signal or door closed signal transmitted by the door opening / closing detection unit 20.

[0021] The load calculation unit 7 is connected to the load detection sensor 6 in a communicative manner and calculates the total load inside the car from the detection results of the load detection sensor 6. For example, if the load detection sensor 6 is a differential transformer, when the load calculation unit 7 receives the voltage converted by the differential transformer, it converts that voltage into a load corresponding to that voltage and calculates the total load inside the car. The load calculation unit 7 outputs the information of the total load inside the car to the display control unit 8a.

[0022] Note that the load detection sensor 6 and the load calculation unit 7 do not necessarily have to be installed separately; a single device may be used to detect the load inside the car and calculate the total load inside the car. Hereafter, the configuration that has the functions of the load detection sensor 6 and the load calculation unit 7 and measures the total load inside the car will be referred to as the load measurement unit 30.

[0023] The display control unit 8a is connected to the detection unit 4, the display unit 5, and the load calculation unit 7 in a communicative manner. The display control unit 8a determines whether the total load inside the car measured by the load measurement unit 30 is greater than the first set value T1. Here, the first set value T1 is set to the maximum load capacity of the car. The maximum load capacity of the car is the maximum load that the car can move with passengers and other luggage loaded inside.

[0024] If the total load inside the car is greater than the first set value T1, the display control unit 8a determines whether the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12. If the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12, the display control unit 8a controls the display unit 5 to display the first display in the region 13 that includes the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 and its vicinity.

[0025] In other words, if the total load measured by the load measuring unit 30 is greater than the first set value T1, the display control unit 8a controls the display unit 5 to display the first display in the region 13 which includes the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 and its vicinity.

[0026] Here, the first indicator can be said to be an indicator that shows the total load inside the car is greater than the first set value T1, which is the maximum load capacity of the car. Therefore, in order to draw the attention of the last passenger 12, it is desirable that the first indicator be a visually clear indicator. For example, if the display unit 5 is a lighting device, the display unit 5 may flash a red light as the first indicator.

[0027] Furthermore, if the detection unit 4 does not detect the position of the last passenger 12, the display control unit 8a will not control the display unit 5. Also, if the total load inside the car is less than or equal to the first set value T1, the display control unit 8a will not control the display unit 5.

[0028] Here, the hardware configuration of the elevator control panel 10a in Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the elevator control panel 10a in Embodiment 1. The elevator control panel 10a is implemented by a computer, such as a personal computer or a microcontroller.

[0029] The elevator control panel 10a comprises a processor 41, memory 42, interface 43, and secondary storage device 44, all connected to each other via a bus 40.

[0030] The processor 41 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 41 reads the operation program stored in the secondary storage device 44 into the memory 42 and executes it, thereby realizing each function of the elevator control panel 10a.

[0031] Memory 42 is a main memory device, for example, composed of RAM (Random Access Memory). Memory 42 stores programs read by the processor 41 from the secondary memory device 44. Memory 42 also functions as work memory when the processor 41 executes programs.

[0032] Interface 43 is an I / O (Input / Output) interface such as a serial port, USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, or network interface. Interface 43 receives input from the detection unit 4 and the load detection sensor 6, and outputs to the display unit 5.

[0033] The secondary storage device 44 is, for example, flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The secondary storage device 44 stores various information necessary for the operation of the elevator passenger guidance device 100a and programs executed by the processor 41.

[0034] Next, the operation of the elevator passenger guidance device 100a in Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the elevator passenger guidance device 100a in Embodiment 1. Figure 4(a) is an overall view of the flowchart, and Figure 4(b) is a detailed view of S10. It will be explained that the detection unit 4 is a pressure detection device, the display unit 5 is a lighting device, and the load detection sensor 6 is a differential transformer. In the lighting device, the first display is a display that flashes with red light. The position of the last passenger 12 and the area near the position of the last passenger 12 are continuous and are considered to be an area 13 that spans four block areas 1d.

[0035] In step S1, the door opening / closing control unit 21 determines whether the elevator car door is open or not based on the door opening signal transmitted by the door opening / closing detection unit 20. When the door opening / closing control unit 21 receives a door opening signal from the door opening / closing detection unit 20, it determines that the elevator car door is open and proceeds to step S2. When the door opening / closing control unit 21 does not receive a door opening signal from the door opening / closing detection unit 20, it determines that the elevator car door is not open and repeats the process in step S1.

[0036] In step S2, the load measurement unit 30 measures the total load inside the car. Specifically, the load calculation unit 7 receives the voltage converted by the differential transformer, which is the load detection sensor 6, converts it into a load corresponding to that voltage, and calculates the total load inside the car. The load calculation unit 7 transmits the total load inside the car to the display control unit 8a.

[0037] In step S3, the display control unit 8a determines whether the total load inside the car measured by the load measuring unit 30 is greater than the first set value T1. If the display control unit 8a determines that the total load inside the car is greater than the first set value T1, the process proceeds to step S10. If the display control unit 8a determines that the total load inside the car is not greater than the first set value T1, that is, the total load inside the car is less than or equal to the first set value T1, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0038] Here, the display control of the first display (S10) will be described. Step S10 is a process in which the display control unit 8a controls the display unit 5 to display the first display, and consists of four steps from steps S11 to S14. In step S11, the display control unit 8a determines whether or not the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12. If the display control unit 8a receives a signal from the detection unit 4 indicating that pressure has been detected, it determines that the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12, and proceeds to step S12. If the display control unit 8a does not receive a signal from the detection unit 4 indicating that pressure has been detected, it determines that the detection unit 4 has not detected the position of the last passenger 12, and proceeds to step S2.

[0039] In step S12, the display control unit 8a controls the display unit 5 to display the first display in the region 13 which includes the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 and its vicinity. By controlling it in this way, the display unit 5 displays the first display. Since the region 13 transmits the light emitted by the display unit 5, the first display is displayed on the upper surface 1a of the block region 1d of the elevator car floor 1, and the last passenger 12 can see the first display.

[0040] Step S12 will be explained with a specific example. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the passenger boarding positions on the elevator car floor 1 in Embodiment 1. In Figure 5, the positions of the passengers' feet are simply illustrated to show the passenger boarding positions. The car has one final passenger 12 and five passengers 11 who boarded the car before the final passenger 12. The feet of each passenger 11 and the final passenger 12 inside the car are shown enclosed by dotted lines. Here, the right foot of the final passenger 12 is in contact with at least a portion of each of the four block regions 1d. These four block regions 1d correspond to the region 13 described above.

[0041] In the state shown in Figure 5, when the last passenger 12 places their right foot on area 13, the total load inside the car is greater than the first set value T1, and the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12. In this case, the display control unit 8a controls the display unit 5 so that the display unit 5 corresponding to area 13, which includes the position of the last passenger 12 and its vicinity where the detection unit 4 detected pressure, displays the first display. Specifically, the display unit 5 displays the flashing of a red light, which is the first display. Since area 13 transmits the light emitted by the display unit 5, the first display is displayed on the upper surface 1a of the block area 1d of the car floor 1, and the last passenger 12 can see the flashing red light. Even if the last passenger 12 walks and moves on the grid area 1c of the upper surface 1a of the car floor 1, the detection unit 4 can still detect the position of the last passenger 12. Therefore, even after the last passenger 12 has moved on, the display control unit 8a controls the display unit 5 to display the first display in the block area 1d that is in contact with at least a portion of the last passenger 12's feet.

[0042] Furthermore, since the detection unit 4 can also detect the positions of passengers other than the last passenger 12 present on the grid region 1c, i.e., passengers who have already boarded 11, it is possible to distinguish between the last passenger 12 and other passengers. Therefore, in areas of the grid region 1c other than the block region 1d in which the feet of the last passenger 12 are at least partially in contact, the display control unit 8a does not control the display unit 5 to display the first display. Specifically, in Figure 5, there are two passengers who have already boarded 11 on the grid region 1c, but in the block region 1d in which the feet of these two passengers who have already boarded 11 are at least partially in contact, the display control unit 8a does not control the display unit 5 to display the first display.

[0043] Returning to Figure 4, we will continue explaining the operation of the elevator passenger guidance device 100a. In step S13, the display control unit 8a determines whether the total load inside the car measured by the load measuring unit 30 is greater than the first set value T1. If the display control unit 8a determines that the total load inside the car is greater than the first set value T1, step S12 is repeated. If the display control unit 8a determines that the total load inside the car is not greater than the first set value T1, that is, the total load inside the car is less than or equal to the first set value T1, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0044] In step S14, the display control unit 8a instructs the display unit 5 to stop displaying the first display. Then, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0045] Next, in step S4, the door opening / closing control unit 21 determines whether the elevator car door is closed based on the door closing signal transmitted by the door opening / closing detection unit 20. When the door opening / closing control unit 21 receives a door closing signal from the door opening / closing detection unit 20, it determines that the elevator car door is closed and terminates the process. When the door opening / closing control unit 21 does not receive a door closing signal from the door opening / closing detection unit 20, it determines that the elevator car door is not closed and proceeds to step S2.

[0046] As described above, in the elevator passenger guidance device 100a of Embodiment 1, the display control unit 8a controls the display unit 5 to display the first display in the region 13 that includes the vicinity of the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 when the total load measured by the load measuring unit 30 is greater than the first set value. When the first display is displayed in the region 13 that includes the vicinity of the position of the last passenger 12, the last passenger 12 can easily see the first display and recognize that the total load inside the car has become greater than the maximum load capacity of the car. Furthermore, since the display unit 5 displays the first display at the position of the last passenger 12 and the vicinity of that position, it is difficult for passengers who have already boarded 11 to see the first display. Therefore, when the total load inside the car becomes greater than the maximum load capacity of the car due to the last passenger 12 boarding the car, it is possible to suppress the last passenger 12 from attracting the attention of passengers who have already boarded 11.

[0047] Furthermore, the display unit 5 displays the first display in the area on the side of the car entrance 2 rather than the center of the car floor 1 in the depth direction of the car floor 1. This makes it difficult for passengers 11 who have already boarded and are located on the opposite side in the depth direction of the car floor 1 to see the first display, while making it easier for the last passenger 12 to board the car from the car entrance 2 to see the first display.

[0048] The grid region 1c is any region of the elevator car floor 1 that includes the position where the last passenger 12 is expected to first touch the elevator car floor 1 when boarding the car, and the extent of this region may be set as appropriate. In addition, the elevator car floor 1 may have regions divided into other shapes instead of the grid region 1c.

[0049] Furthermore, the detection unit 4 is not limited to a pressure detection device, as long as it is a device that detects the position of the last passenger 12. For example, the position of the last passenger 12 may be detected by a camera installed inside the car or at the landing.

[0050] Furthermore, the display unit 5 is not limited to a lighting device, as long as it is a device that displays a first display visible to the last passenger 12. For example, a projector that can project onto the floor 1 and is installed on the ceiling, wall 3, or landing of the car may be used. In addition, the first display may indicate, using text or illustrations, that the total load inside the car is greater than the first set value T1.

[0051] Furthermore, the display unit 5 may be displayed not on the upper surface 1a of the car floor 1, but in the height direction of the car wall 3, below the center of the car wall. The lower part of the car wall 3 refers to, for example, a part of the car wall 3 that is within 1m or less of the upper surface 1a of the car floor 1. By displaying the first display at a position lower than the eye level of passengers 11 who have already boarded, it becomes difficult for passengers 11 to see the first display, while it becomes easier for the last passenger 12 to board the car from the car entrance 2 to see the first display.

[0052] The range of the vicinity area of ​​the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 can be set as appropriate. For example, the vicinity area may be set as shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 is a modified example of the elevator passenger guidance device in Embodiment 1, and shows the passenger boarding positions on the elevator car floor 1. In Figure 6, the number of passengers already on board 11 and the last passenger 12 are the same as in Figure 5, but it differs from the above explanation in that the area 13 including the position of the last passenger 12 and its vicinity area consists of 16 block areas 1d. In this way, when area 13 includes block areas 1d that the feet of the last passenger 12 are not touching, the first display is displayed over a wider area compared to when area 13 includes only block areas 1d that at least a part of the feet of the last passenger 12 are touching. Therefore, when the total load inside the car becomes greater than the maximum load capacity of the car due to the last passenger 12 boarding, it is possible to suppress the last passenger 12 from attracting the attention of the passengers already on board 11, and the last passenger 12 can more easily see the first display.

[0053] The area near the position of the last passenger 12 may be defined as, for example, the area within 10 cm of the position where the last passenger 12's feet touch the upper surface 1a of the elevator car floor 1. Furthermore, the area near the position of the last passenger 12 does not have to be continuous with the position of the last passenger 12.

[0054] In addition, while an example has been described in which the display control unit 8a controls the display unit 5 to display the first display in the region 13 including the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 and its vicinity, the display control unit 8a may also control the display unit 5 to display the first display only in the vicinity of the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4. In other words, the display unit 5 may not display the first display at the position of the last passenger 12, but only in the vicinity of the position of the last passenger 12. For example, the display unit 5 may not display the first display in the block region 1d to which the feet of the last passenger 12 are touching, but may display the first display in the block region 1d to which the feet of the last passenger 12 are not touching. In this case, the block region 1d to which the feet of the last passenger 12 are not touching becomes the vicinity of the position of the last passenger 12.

[0055] Although the functions of the door opening / closing detection unit 20, door opening / closing control unit 21, load calculation unit 7, and display control unit 8a are said to be realized by the elevator control panel 10a, this is not limited to that. For example, these functions may be realized by connecting a separate computer different from the elevator control panel 10a or by using an elevator control server.

[0056] Embodiment 2. The configuration of the elevator passenger guidance device 100b in Embodiment 2 will now be described. Figure 7 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the elevator passenger guidance device 100b in Embodiment 2. Components identical to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0057] In Embodiment 2, the elevator passenger guidance device 100b differs from the elevator passenger guidance device 100a in Embodiment 1 in that the operation of the display control unit 8b, whose function is realized in the control panel 10b, is different.

[0058] In addition to the operation of the display control unit 8a, the display control unit 8b determines whether the total load inside the car measured by the load measuring unit 30 is greater than or equal to the second set value T2, provided that the total load inside the car is less than or equal to the first set value T1. Here, it is desirable that the second set value T2 be set to a value smaller than the first set value T1, and to be a value smaller than the maximum load capacity by the weight of several passengers. That is, it is desirable that the second set value T2 be less than or equal to the first set value T1 and to be the maximum load capacity of the car minus the weight of a predetermined number of passengers. In the following explanation, the second set value T2 will be described as less than or equal to the first set value T1 and to be the maximum load capacity of the car minus the weight of one passenger. Note that the weight per passenger may be a value specified by laws and regulations. When setting the value of the second set value T2, the number of passengers whose weight is to be subtracted may be appropriately determined based on the size of the car and the actual number of passengers used.

[0059] If the total load inside the car is less than or equal to the first set value T1 and greater than the second set value T2, the display control unit 8b determines whether or not the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12. If the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12, the display control unit 8b controls the display unit 5 to display the second display in the region 13 that includes the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 and its vicinity.

[0060] In other words, if the total load measured by the load measuring unit 30 is less than or equal to the first set value T1 and greater than the second set value T2, the display control unit 8b controls the display unit 5 to display the second display in the region 13 which includes the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 and its vicinity.

[0061] Here, the second indicator can be said to be an indicator that shows the remaining load until the total load reaches the first set value is less than the weight of a predetermined number of passengers. In other words, it can be said to be an indicator that is approaching the maximum load capacity of the car. Therefore, when displaying the second indicator, the priority of attracting the attention of the last passenger 12 is lower compared to when displaying the first indicator, but it is desirable to have a visually clear indicator. For example, if the display unit 5 is a lighting device and the first indicator flashes a red light, the second indicator may illuminate a yellow light. The remaining load is the value obtained by subtracting the total load measured by the load measuring unit 30 from the first set value, and indicates the load that can be loaded from the current total load up to the maximum load capacity.

[0062] Furthermore, if the detection unit 4 does not detect the position of the last passenger 12, the display control unit 8b does not control the display unit 5. Also, if the total load inside the car is less than or equal to the second set value T2, the display control unit 8b does not control the display unit 5.

[0063] Next, the operation of the elevator passenger guidance device 100b in Embodiment 2 will be described. Figure 8 is a flowchart of the operation of the elevator passenger guidance device 100b in Embodiment 2. Figure 8(a) is an overall view of the flowchart, and Figure 8(b) is a detailed view of S20. Note that the explanation of steps similar to those of the elevator passenger guidance device 100a in Embodiment 1 will be omitted. The second indicator is a yellow illuminated indicator. Note that the position of the last passenger 12 and the area near the position of the last passenger 12 are continuous and constitute an area 13 that spans six block areas 1d.

[0064] In step S3, the display control unit 8b determines whether the total load inside the cage measured by the load measuring unit 30 is greater than the first set value T1. If the display control unit 8b determines that the total load inside the cage measured by the load measuring unit 30 is greater than the first set value T1, the process proceeds to step S10. If the display control unit 8b determines that the total load inside the cage measured by the load measuring unit 30 is not greater than the first set value T1, that is, the total load inside the cage is less than or equal to the first set value T1, the process proceeds to step S21. In step S10, the display control unit 8b performs display control for the first display. In step S21, the display control unit 8b determines whether the total load inside the cage measured by the load measuring unit 30 is greater than the second set value T2. If the display control unit 8b determines that the total load inside the cage is greater than the second set value T2, the process proceeds to step S20. If the display control unit 8b determines that the total load inside the car is not greater than the second set value T2, that is, the total load inside the car is less than or equal to the second set value T2, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0065] Here, the display control of the second display (S20) will be described. Step S20 is a process in which the display control unit 8b controls the display unit 5 to display the second display, and consists of four steps from step S22 to step S25. In step S22, the display control unit 8b determines whether or not the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12. If the display control unit 8b receives a signal from the detection unit 4 indicating that pressure has been detected, it determines that the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12, and proceeds to step S23. If the display control unit 8b does not receive a signal from the detection unit 4 indicating that pressure has been detected, it determines that the detection unit 4 has not detected the position of the last passenger 12, and proceeds to step S2.

[0066] In step S23, the display control unit 8b controls the display unit 5 to display the second display in the region 13 which includes the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 and its vicinity. By controlling it in this way, the display unit 5 displays the second display. Since the region 13 transmits the light emitted by the display unit 5, the second display is displayed on the upper surface 1a of the block region 1d of the elevator car floor 1, and the last passenger 12 can see the second display.

[0067] Step S23 will be explained with a specific example. Figure 9 shows the passenger boarding positions on the elevator car floor 1 in Embodiment 2. The car has one final passenger 12 and four passengers 11 who boarded the car before the final passenger 12. Here, the left foot of the final passenger 12 is in contact with at least a portion of each of the six block regions 1d. These six block regions 1d correspond to region 13.

[0068] In the state shown in Figure 9, when the last passenger 12 places their right foot on area 13, the total load inside the car is less than or equal to the first set value T1 and greater than the second set value T2, and the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12. In this case, the display control unit 8b controls the display unit 5 so that the display unit 5 corresponding to area 13, which includes the position of the last passenger 12 and its vicinity where the detection unit 4 detected the pressure, displays the second display. Specifically, the display unit 5 displays the illumination of a yellow light, which is the second display. Since area 13 transmits the light emitted by the display unit 5, the second display is displayed on the upper surface 1a of the block area 1d of the car floor 1, and the last passenger 12 can see the illumination of the yellow light. As in Embodiment 1, each passenger is identified by the detection unit 4, so thereafter, in the block area 1d of the grid area 1c that is in contact with at least a part of the last passenger 12's feet, the display control unit 8b controls the display unit 5 to display the second display. Furthermore, in the block region 1d of the grid region 1c, where at least a portion of the feet of the passengers 11 who have already boarded are in contact, the display unit 5 is not controlled by the display control unit 8b to display the second display.

[0069] Returning to Figure 8, we will continue explaining the operation of the elevator passenger guidance device 100b. In step S24, the display control unit 8b determines whether the total load inside the car measured by the load measuring unit 30 is greater than the second set value T2. If the display control unit 8b determines that the total load inside the car is greater than the second set value T2, the process proceeds to step S23. If the display control unit 8b determines that the total load inside the car is not greater than the second set value T2, that is, the total load inside the car is less than or equal to the second set value T2, the process proceeds to step S25.

[0070] In step S25, the display control unit 8b stops the display of the second display on the display unit 5. Then, the process proceeds to step S2. The subsequent processing is the same as the operation of the elevator passenger guidance device 100a in Embodiment 1.

[0071] Here, we will explain with a specific example the case where, in step S20, the display control unit 8b controls the display unit 5 to display the second display, and the process proceeds to step S2, and then in step S10, the display control unit 8b controls the display unit 5 to display the first display. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the passenger boarding position on the elevator car floor 1 after Figure 9, and Figure 11 is a diagram showing the passenger boarding position on the elevator car floor 1 after Figure 10.

[0072] In Figure 10, there are five passengers 11 already inside the elevator car. One of these passengers 11 is the last passenger 12 in Figure 9, who has moved within the car since Figure 9 and is now located in the lower right corner of Figure 10. That is, passenger 14a, located in the lower right corner of Figure 10, is the same person as the last passenger 12 in Figure 9. At the time passenger 14a boarded the car in Figure 9, the total load inside the car was less than or equal to the first set value T1 and greater than the second set value T2. Therefore, in Figure 10, even though passenger 14a has moved, the area 13a including passenger 14a's position and its vicinity is displayed in the second display. Also in Figure 10, there is a passenger 14b, who is newly boarding the car, i.e., passenger 12 in Figure 10.

[0073] In Figure 11, passenger 14a has not moved from the state in Figure 10, and passenger 14b has placed their right foot on one of the four block areas 1d on the upper surface 1a of the elevator car floor 1. Assuming that the total load inside the car is greater than the first set value T1 when passenger 14b enters the car, the area 13b including passenger 14b's position and its vicinity is displayed as the first display. Similarly in Figure 11, the area 13a including passenger 14a's position and its vicinity is displayed as the second display. Thus, after performing the process in step S20, if the process in step S10 is performed, both the first and second displays may be shown.

[0074] Based on the above, in the second embodiment, the elevator passenger guidance device 100b displays a second indication in the display unit 5 that the remaining load until the total load reaches the first set value T1 is less than the weight of a predetermined number of passengers, and the display control unit 8b controls the display unit 5 to display the second indication in the vicinity of the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 when the total load measured by the load measuring unit 30 is less than or equal to the first set value T1 and greater than the second set value T2, which is obtained by subtracting the weight of a predetermined number of passengers from the maximum load capacity of the car. With this control, the last passenger 12 can decide whether to wait and get on the next elevator, or try to get on to see if they can fit. Also, when neither the first nor the second indication is displayed, the last passenger 12 can determine that there is sufficient weight margin and can get on without feeling anxious about exceeding the weight limit.

[0075] In addition, while it was stated that the elevator passenger information device 100b may display the first and second displays simultaneously, in such a state, the second display may be turned off and only the first display may be shown.

[0076] Embodiment 3. The configuration of the elevator passenger guidance device 100c in Embodiment 3 will now be described. Figure 12 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the elevator passenger guidance device 100c in Embodiment 3. Components identical to those in Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0077] In Embodiment 3, the elevator passenger guidance device 100c differs from the elevator passenger guidance device 100b in Embodiment 2 in the operation of the display control unit 8c, whose function is realized in the control panel 10c.

[0078] In addition to the operation of the display control unit 8b, the display control unit 8c determines whether the total load inside the car measured by the load measuring unit 30 is greater than the second set value T2, if the total load inside the car is less than or equal to the first set value T1. If the total load inside the car is not greater than the second set value T2, that is, if the total load inside the car is less than or equal to the second set value T2, the display control unit 8c determines whether the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12. If the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12, the display control unit 8c controls the display unit 5 to display the third display in the region 13 that includes the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 and its vicinity.

[0079] In other words, if the total load measured by the load measuring unit 30 is less than or equal to the second set value T2, the display control unit 8c controls the display unit 5 to display the third display in the area 13 that includes the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 and its vicinity. If the detection unit 4 does not detect the position of the last passenger 12, the display control unit 8c does not control the display unit 5.

[0080] Here, the third indicator can be said to indicate that the remaining load until the total load reaches the first set value T1 is greater than or equal to the weight of a predetermined number of passengers. In other words, the third indicator can be said to indicate that there is still room before the maximum load capacity of the elevator car is reached. Therefore, compared to the case where the first or second indicator is displayed, the priority of attracting the attention of the last passenger 12 is lower when the third indicator is displayed, but it is desirable to provide a visually clear display. For example, if the display unit 5 is a lighting device and the first indicator flashes red light, the third indicator may illuminate green light.

[0081] Next, the operation of the elevator passenger guidance device 100c in Embodiment 3 will be described. Figure 13 is a flowchart of the operation of the elevator passenger guidance device 100c in Embodiment 3. Figure 13(a) is an overall view of the flowchart, and Figure 13(b) is a detailed view of S30. Note that the explanation of steps similar to those of the elevator passenger guidance device 100b in Embodiment 2 will be omitted. The third indicator is a green illuminated indicator. Note that the position of the last passenger 12 and the area near the position of the last passenger 12 are continuous and constitute an area 13 that spans seven block areas 1d.

[0082] In step S21, if the display control unit 8c determines that the total load inside the cage measured by the load measuring unit 30 is less than or equal to the second set value T2, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0083] Here, the display control of the third display (S30) will be described. Step S30 is a process in which the display control unit 8c controls the display unit 5 to display the third display, and consists of two steps, S31 and S32. In step S31, the display control unit 8c determines whether or not the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12. If the display control unit 8c receives a signal from the detection unit 4 indicating that pressure has been detected, it determines that the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12, and proceeds to step S32. If the display control unit 8c does not receive a signal from the detection unit 4 indicating that pressure has been detected, it determines that the detection unit 4 has not detected the position of the last passenger 12, and proceeds to step S4.

[0084] In step S32, the display control unit 8c controls the display unit 5 to display the third display in the region 13 which includes the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 and its vicinity. By controlling it in this way, the display unit 5 displays the third display. Since the region 13 transmits the light emitted by the display unit 5, the first display is displayed on the upper surface 1a of the block region 1d of the elevator car floor 1, and the last passenger 12 can see the third display. After step S32, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0085] Step S32 will be explained with a specific example. Figure 14 shows the passenger boarding positions on the elevator car floor 1 in Embodiment 3. The car has one final passenger 12 and three passengers 11 who boarded the car before the final passenger 12. Here, the left foot of the final passenger 12 is in contact with at least a portion of each of the seven block regions 1d. These seven block regions 1d correspond to region 13.

[0086] In the state shown in Figure 14, the total load inside the car is less than or equal to the second set value T2 when the last passenger 12 places their right foot on area 13, and the detection unit 4 has detected the position of the last passenger 12. In this case, the display control unit 8c controls the display unit 5 so that the display unit 5 corresponding to area 13, which includes the position of the last passenger 12 and its vicinity where the detection unit 4 detected the pressure, displays the third display. Specifically, the display unit 5 displays the illumination of a green light, which is the third display. Since area 13 transmits the light emitted by the display unit 5, the second display is displayed on the upper surface 1a of the block area 1d of the car floor 1, and the last passenger 12 can see the illumination of the green light. As in Embodiment 2, each passenger is identified by the detection unit 4, so thereafter, the display control unit 8c controls the display unit 5 to display the third display in the block area 1d of the grid area 1c that is in contact with at least a portion of the last passenger 12's feet. Furthermore, in the block area 1d of the grid area 1c, where at least a portion of the feet of the passengers 11 who have already boarded are in contact, the display unit 5 is not controlled by the display control unit 8c to display the third display.

[0087] Returning to Figure 13, in step S4, the door opening / closing control unit 21 determines whether the elevator car door is closed based on the door closing signal transmitted by the door opening / closing detection unit 20. When the door opening / closing control unit 21 receives a door closing signal from the door opening / closing detection unit 20, it determines that the elevator car door is closed and proceeds to step S33. When the door opening / closing control unit 21 does not receive a door closing signal from the door opening / closing detection unit 20, it determines that the elevator car door is not closed and proceeds to step S2.

[0088] In step S33, the display control unit 8c instructs the display unit 5 to stop displaying the third display. Then, the process ends.

[0089] Based on the above, in the elevator passenger guidance device 100c of Embodiment 3, the third display indicates that the remaining load until the total load reaches the first set value T1 is equal to or greater than the weight of a predetermined number of passengers. The display control unit 8c controls the display unit 5 to display the third display in the vicinity of the position of the last passenger 12 detected by the detection unit 4 when the total load is less than or equal to the second set value T2. In this way, when the third display is displayed in the region 13 including the vicinity of the position of the last passenger 12, the last passenger 12 can easily see the third display, recognize that the total load inside the car is well within the car's maximum load capacity, and board the car quickly without feeling anxious about being overweight.

[0090] In step S4, if it is determined that the cage door is closed, the process proceeds to step S33, and the display control unit 8c stops the display of the third display on the display unit 5. However, the display control unit 8c may also be configured to stop the display of the third display on the display unit 5 immediately before the cage door closes.

[0091] The configurations shown in the embodiments described above are examples of the content of this disclosure. The embodiments can be combined with other known technologies. Some parts of the configurations of the embodiments can be omitted or modified without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 1 Car floor, 1a Top surface, 1b Bottom surface, 1c Grid area, 1d Block area, 2 Car entrance / exit, 3 Car wall, 4 Detection unit, 5 Display unit, 6 Load detection sensor, 7 Load calculation unit, 8a, 8b, 8c Display control unit, 10a, 10b, 10c Control panel, 11 Passengers already on board, 12 Last passenger, 13, 13a, 13b Area, 14a Passenger, 14b Passenger, 20 Door opening / closing detection unit, 21 Door opening / closing control unit, 30 Load measurement unit, 40 Bus, 41 Processor, 42 Memory, 43 Interface, 44 Secondary storage device, 100a, 100b, 100c Passenger guidance device

Claims

1. A load measuring unit that measures the total load inside the cage, A detection unit for detecting the position of the last passenger to board the car among the passengers in the car, A display unit that displays a first indication that the total load measured by the load measuring unit is greater than a first set value which is the maximum load capacity of the basket, If the total load is greater than the first set value, the display control unit controls the display unit to display the first display in the vicinity of the location of the last passenger detected by the detection unit, An elevator passenger guidance system equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

2. The display unit displays a second indication that the remaining load until the total load reaches the first set value is less than the weight of a predetermined number of passengers. The display control unit controls the display unit to display the second display in the vicinity of the location of the last passenger detected by the detection unit if the total load is less than or equal to the first set value and greater than the second set value obtained by subtracting the weight of the predetermined number of passengers from the maximum load capacity of the basket. The elevator passenger guidance device according to claim 1.

3. The display unit displays a third indication that the remaining load until the total load reaches the first set value is equal to or greater than the weight of a predetermined number of passengers. The display control unit controls the display unit to display the third display in the vicinity of the location of the last passenger detected by the detection unit when the total load is less than or equal to the second set value. The elevator passenger guidance device according to claim 2.

4. The display unit displays the location of the last passenger and the adjacent area continuous with that location. An elevator passenger guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The display unit is positioned in the depth direction of the elevator car floor, in an area closer to the elevator car entrance than the center of the elevator car floor. An elevator passenger guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The display unit is positioned below the center of the cage wall in the height direction of the cage wall. An elevator passenger guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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