Information processing system and control method

Abstract

To improve convenience in elevators where humans and robots can ride together. [Solution] The information processing system (100) includes a identification unit (113) that identifies the movement route when an autonomously mobile robot (4) using the elevator (6) gets on and off the elevator car (61), and a display control unit (513) that causes information indicating the robot's movement route to be displayed on a display unit (62) inside the elevator car where the robot gets on and off.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system including an elevator that can be used by a robot and a control method for the information processing system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an elevator, there has been a case where a person and a robot can ride together in a car. Patent Document 1 discloses a control device for preventing contact between a robot and a passenger in an elevator in which a human passenger and a robot can ride together.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an elevator in which a person and a robot can ride together, when the robot moves inside the car, the movement may be obstructed by a person.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to improve the convenience in an elevator in which a person and a robot can ride together.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] [[ID=*46]]To solve the above problems, an information processing system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a specifying unit that specifies a movement route when an autonomously traveling robot that uses an elevator gets on and off the elevator car, and a display control unit that causes a display unit inside the car where the robot gets on and off to display information indicating the movement route of the robot.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, a control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method performed by one or more information processing devices, comprising: a identification step of identifying a movement route when an autonomously mobile robot using an elevator boards or alights from the elevator car; and a display control step of causing information indicating the robot's movement route to be displayed on a display unit inside the elevator car where the robot boards or alights.

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

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of elevators in which a person and a robot can ride together. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a call registration database. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of shopping cart information. [Figure 4] This figure shows another example of shopping cart information. [Figure 5] This figure shows yet another example of basket information. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a route information database. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a screen that is displayed before a robot boards. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a screen that appears after the robot has completed its ride. [Figure 9]It is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed before the robot gets off the elevator. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed before a new robot gets on the elevator when the robot is already on the elevator. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow performed by the destination floor registration device. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing the process flow performed by the group management control device when registering a destination floor call. [Figure 13] It is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process flow performed by the robot and the robot management device when registering a second destination floor call. [Figure 14] It is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow related to the operation of the elevator in the elevator control device. [Figure 15] It is a sequence diagram showing an example of robot getting-off control. [Figure 16] It is a sequence diagram showing an example of robot getting-on control.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] 〔Embodiment 1〕 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 100 includes a group management control device 1, a destination floor registration device 2, a robot management device 3, a robot 4, an elevator control device 5, and an elevator 6.

[0012] The information processing system 100 is a system that receives a destination floor call made by a person or a robot 4 and operates the elevator 6 based on the received destination floor call. Also, in the information processing system 100, the robot 4 is an autonomously mobile robot and can move between floors using the elevator 6. Hereinafter, a destination floor call made by a person is referred to as a "first destination floor call", and a destination floor call made by the robot 4 is referred to as a "second destination floor call". Hereinafter, when not distinguishing between the first destination floor call and the second destination floor call, these calls are referred to as "destination floor calls".

[0013] When the information processing system 100 according to the present embodiment receives a second destination floor call, it identifies the route when the robot 4 gets on and off the car 61 of the elevator 6. Further, the information processing system 100 causes a display unit 62 in the car 61 of the elevator 6 of the unit number on which the robot 4 gets on and off to display information indicating the identified route.

[0014] <Destination floor registration device 2> The destination floor registration device 2 is a device used by a user to register a landing destination floor call. The destination floor registration device 2 may be provided at the landing of each floor. Also, a plurality of destination floor registration devices 2 may be provided on one floor.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the destination floor registration device 2 includes a control unit 21, an input unit 22, and a display unit 23. The input unit 22 is a device such as a touch panel and receives an input operation by a user. The input unit 22 can receive a call operation, which is an input operation including an operation of inputting a destination floor for registering a first destination floor call. The display unit 23 may be a display device such as a display included in the destination floor registration device 2, or may be a touch panel having a function as the input unit 22.

[0016] The display unit 23 displays various screens according to the control of the control unit 21. For example, the display unit 23 displays a screen such as a numeric keypad for receiving floor number input, or a screen showing the assignment result for the user's destination floor call. The input unit 22 and the display unit 23 may be an integrated device or separate devices. In the following example, the configuration in which the input unit 22 and the display unit 23 are an integrated device such as a touch panel will be used as an example.

[0017] When the input unit 22 receives a call operation, the control unit 21 identifies the content entered in the call operation and registers a first destination floor call. The control unit 21 generates a call request using the floor entered in the call operation as the destination floor and transmits the generated call request to the group control device 1. The call request includes information indicating the destination floor and identification information of the destination floor registration device 2.

[0018] As a result, the group control device 1 receives the first destination floor call and assigns a machine number to the first destination floor call. When the control unit 21 receives assignment result information, including information indicating the assigned machine number, from the group control device 1, it displays the assigned machine number on the display unit 23. In this way, a human user can register the first destination floor call by operating the destination floor registration device 2.

[0019] <Robot Management Device 3> Robot management device 3 is a device that manages robot 4. Robot management device 3 stores the identification information of robot 4 and the current floor of robot 4 in association with each other.

[0020] When robot 4 needs to use elevator 6, robot management device 3 receives an elevator use request from robot 4, which includes identification information and information indicating the destination floor. Upon receiving the elevator use request from robot 4, robot management device 3 registers a call for a second destination floor. Based on the identification information of robot 4, robot management device 3 identifies the current floor of robot 4 and sets it as the departure floor for robot 4. Robot management device 3 generates a call request including information indicating the departure and destination floors, and the identification information of robot 4, and registers the call for a second destination floor by transmitting it to the group management control device 1.

[0021] The request may also include size information indicating the size of the robot 4. This size information may, for example, indicate the area the robot 4 occupies on the floor when viewed from above. The size information may be stored by each robot 4 and included in the elevator usage request and transmitted to the robot management device 3, or the robot management device 3 may store it in advance.

[0022] When the robot management device 3 receives assignment result information from the group management control device 1, including information indicating the assigned elevator unit for the second destination floor call, it transmits the said assignment result information to the robot 4, which is the source of the elevator usage request.

[0023] Furthermore, the robot management device 3 relays information between the robot 4 and the elevator control device 5. In this relaying process, when the robot management device 3 receives information from the robot 4, it transmits the received information to the group management control device 1. This then transmits the information from the group management control device 1 to the elevator control device 5. Also, when the robot management device 3 receives information transmitted from the elevator control device 5 to the group management control device 1, it transmits that information to the robot 4.

[0024] <Group Control Device 1> The group control device 1 receives destination floor calls from a person or robot 4 and registers the received destination floor calls. Furthermore, when the group control device 1 receives a second destination floor call, it identifies the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4. As shown in Figure 1, the group control device 1 comprises a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and an input / output interface 13. The input / output interface 13 is a communication module for communication and information exchange between the group control device 1 and each device included in the information processing system 100.

[0025] [Storage section 12] The storage unit 12 stores various types of information used in the group control device 1. As shown in Figure 1, the storage unit 12 stores the call registration DB (database) 121, car information 122, route information DB (database) 123, and device DB (database) 124. The device DB 124 is a database that associates identification information of the destination floor registration device 2 with information indicating the floor on which the destination floor registration device 2 is installed.

[0026] Figure 2 shows an example of the call registration DB 121. The call registration DB 121 is a database that stores information related to destination floor calls. As shown in Figure 2, the call registration DB 121 stores information indicating the departure floor, destination floor, and assigned elevator unit for registered destination floor calls, with these information being associated. Furthermore, if the destination floor call is a first destination floor call, the information indicating the departure floor, destination floor, and assigned elevator unit is further associated with the identification information of the destination floor registration device 2 that sent the call request. Furthermore, if the destination floor call is a second destination floor call, the information indicating the departure floor, destination floor, and assigned elevator unit is further associated with the identification information of the robot 4 that is scheduled to use the elevator 6, the route information of the robot 4, and the stopping position information of the robot 4.

[0027] Figures 3 to 5 show the cage information 122. The cage information 122 is information indicating at least one area within the cage 61 where the robot 4 can stop. In this embodiment, the robot 4 may stop in any area of ​​the floor of the cage 61. If a part of the floor of the cage 61, for example, a button that accepts input operations by a user is installed inside the cage 61, the robot 4 may not be able to stop in a predetermined area near the button. The following explanation will use the case where the robot 4 can stop in any area of ​​the floor of the cage 61 as an example.

[0028] Figure 3 shows an example of cage information 122 that includes 12 areas where the robot 4 can stop. As shown in Figure 3, in the cage information 122, the floor of the cage 61 may be divided into multiple areas where the robot 4 can stop. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the storage unit 12 may store a map showing the floor of the cage 61 divided into 12 sections as cage information 122. As shown in Figure 3, in the cage information 122, each area is assigned a different identification number. The robot 4 may occupy and stop in at least one of the multiple areas. For example, 12 robots 4 may be able to stop in each of the 12 areas shown in Figure 3.

[0029] Note that the number of divisions is not limited to 12; for example, it could be 8 or 6. Figure 4 shows an example of cage information 122 containing 8 regions, and Figure 4 shows an example of cage information 122 containing 6 regions. Also, in a single map, each region may be divided equally or unevenly.

[0030] Furthermore, the storage unit 12 may store multiple basket information sets 122. For example, in addition to a map showing the floor of a basket 61 divided into 12 sections (Figure 3), the storage unit 12 may store a map showing the floor of a basket 61 divided into 8 sections (Figure 4), and a map showing the floor of a basket 61 divided into 6 sections (Figure 5) as a set of basket information sets 122.

[0031] If the size of each elevator car 61 is the same, the storage unit 12 may store one set of car information 122 corresponding to the size of one car 61. If there are cars 61 of different sizes, the storage unit 12 may store multiple sets of car information 122 corresponding to the size of each car 61. In the following explanation, we will use as an example a configuration in which the size of each elevator car 61 is the same and the storage unit 12 stores the three sets of car information 122 shown in Figures 3 to 5.

[0032] Figure 6 shows an example of the route information DB123. The route information DB123 is a database in which route information and stopping position information of robots 4 registered for each destination floor call are stored. As shown in Figure 6, the route information DB123 associates the identification information of robot 4 with the assigned unit number for the destination floor call of robot 4, route information indicating the movement route when robot 4 boards or alights from the elevator car 61, and stopping position information indicating the stopping position of robot 4 inside the elevator car 61.

[0033] [Control Unit 11] The control unit 11 executes various processes performed by the group control device 1. As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 11 includes a reception unit 111, an allocation unit 112, and a specification unit 113. When the control unit 11 receives predetermined information from the elevator control device 5, it transmits that information to the robot management device 3. The predetermined information is, for example, information that associates a signal instructing robot 4 to board or alight from elevator 6 with the identification information of the robot 4 to be instructed. When the control unit 11 receives predetermined information transmitted from robot 4 to the robot management device 3 from the robot management device 3, it transmits that information to the elevator control device 5. The predetermined information is, for example, a signal indicating that robot 4 has completed boarding or alighting from elevator 6.

[0034] (Reception Desk 111) The reception unit 111 receives destination floor calls. In this embodiment, the reception unit 111 is capable of receiving a first destination floor call, which is a human destination floor call, and a second destination floor call, which is a robot 4 destination floor call.

[0035] When the reception unit 111 receives a call request from the destination floor registration device 2, it accepts the destination floor call based on the call request as the first destination floor call. Upon receiving the first destination floor call, the reception unit 111 outputs to the assignment unit 112 information indicating that the first destination floor call has been received, along with the information included in the call request.

[0036] When the reception unit 111 receives a call request from the robot management device 3, it accepts the destination floor call based on that call request as a second destination floor call. Upon receiving the second destination floor call, the reception unit 111 outputs to the assignment unit 112 information indicating that the second destination floor call has been received, along with the information included in the call request.

[0037] (Allocation section 112) The allocation unit 112 assigns an elevator unit to a destination floor call. When the reception unit 111 receives a first destination floor call, the allocation unit 112 assigns the most suitable elevator unit from among the available units to the first destination floor call, stores the allocation result in the call registration DB 121, and registers the first destination floor call. The allocation unit 112 also transmits the allocation result information, including information indicating the assigned elevator unit, to the destination floor registration device 2, which is the source of the first call request. The allocation unit 112 also transmits information indicating the departure floor and destination floor for the registered first destination floor call to the elevator control device 5, which controls the assigned elevator unit.

[0038] When the reception unit 111 receives a call for a second destination floor, the allocation unit 112 assigns the robot 4 the most suitable robot from among the available robots. First, the allocation unit 112 selects the most suitable robot from among the available robots and outputs information indicating the selected robot to the identification unit 113.

[0039] Subsequently, the allocation unit 112 obtains identification result information from the identification unit 113. If the identification unit 113 is able to identify the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 in the selected unit, the identification result information includes route information indicating the identified movement route and stopping position information indicating the stopping position. If the identification unit 113 is unable to identify the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 in the selected unit, the identification result information includes information indicating that the movement route and stopping position could not be identified. An example of a case where the movement route and stopping position cannot be identified is when there is no space in the selected unit for the robot 4 to ride in.

[0040] If the identification unit 113 is unable to determine the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 in the selected unit, the assignment unit 112 designates the selected unit as one that the robot 4 cannot ride in, and selects a new selected unit from the remaining units. The assignment unit 112 outputs information indicating the new selected unit to the identification unit 113.

[0041] If the identification unit 113 can identify the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 in the selected elevator, the assignment unit 112 determines the selected elevator as the assigned elevator for the second destination floor call. The assignment unit 112 registers the assignment result in the call registration DB 121 and transmits the assignment result information, including information indicating the assigned elevator, to the robot management device 3. The assignment unit 112 also transmits the information indicating the departure floor and destination floor for the registered second destination floor call, along with the identification information, route information, and stopping position information of the robot 4 that registered the second destination floor call, to the elevator control device 5 that controls the assigned elevator.

[0042] (Specific Section 113) The identification unit 113 identifies the movement route when an autonomous robot 4 using the elevator 6 boards and alights from the elevator car 61. The identification unit 113 may also identify the stopping position of the robot 4 inside the elevator car 61. When the identification unit 113 obtains information indicating the selected elevator car from the assignment unit 112, it identifies the movement route when the robot 4 boards and alights from the elevator car 61 of the selected elevator car, and the stopping position inside the elevator car 61 of the selected elevator car.

[0043] The travel route may include a boarding route P, which is the route taken by robot 4 from its entry position into the car 61 to its stopping position inside the car 61 when it boards the car 61. The travel route may also include a disembarking route Q, which is the route taken by robot 4 from its stopping position inside the car 61 to its exit position when it disembarks from the car 61.

[0044] Furthermore, the stopping position may be any one of several regions obtained by dividing the floor of the cage 61 into multiple regions. Also, the specific unit 113 may determine the number of divisions based on the size of the robot 4.

[0045] The identification unit 113 identifies cage information 122 that includes an area large enough to accommodate the robot 4, based on the size information of the robot 4. The identification unit 113 selects one of the multiple areas shown in the identified cage information 122 that is large enough to accommodate the robot 4, and sets the selected area as the stopping position for the robot 4. Each of the multiple areas may be assigned a priority, and the identification unit 113 may identify the area with the higher priority as the stopping position for the robot 4.

[0046] The identification unit 113 identifies the movement route of the robot 4 based on the identified stopping position. The identification unit 113 identifies the boarding route P from the entry position to the stopping position, and the disembarking route Q from the stopping position to the exit position. The entry position and exit position may be set in advance. For example, the entry position and exit position may be the center of the door of the elevator car 61. If a second destination floor call for another robot 4 to which the selected unit has already been assigned has been registered, the identification unit 113 may identify the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 to be identified in a manner that does not interfere with the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 that has already been identified.

[0047] Furthermore, if a second destination floor call has already been registered, and the reception unit 111 receives a new second destination floor call, and the assignment unit 112 selects a robot as the assigned robot for the registered second destination floor call, the identification unit 113 determines the movement route and stopping position of the robots 4 so that these robots 4 do not interfere with each other within the cage 61 of the optimal robot.

[0048] When the identification unit 113 identifies the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 in the selected unit, it outputs identification result information to the assignment unit 112, which includes route information indicating the identified movement route and stopping position information indicating the stopping position. If the identification unit 113 is unable to identify the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 in the selected unit, it outputs identification result information to the assignment unit 112, which includes information indicating that the movement route and stopping position could not be identified. One example of a case where the identification unit 113 cannot identify the movement route and stopping position is when there is no space in the selected unit for the robot 4 to ride.

[0049] <Robot 4> Robot 4 is an autonomously mobile information processing device that can move between floors using the elevator 6. The information processing system 100 according to this embodiment may include a plurality of robots 4. As shown in Figure 1, robot 4 comprises a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, and an operating unit 43. The operating unit 43 is a component such as a wheel. The operating unit 43 operates according to the control of the control unit 41 and moves robot 4 to a desired location.

[0050] The control unit 41 executes various processes performed by the robot 4. When the robot 4 needs to use the elevator 6, the control unit 41 sends an elevator usage request to the robot management device 3, which includes the robot 4's identification information and information indicating the destination floor. As a result, an elevator is assigned to the second destination floor call. When the control unit 41 receives assignment result information, including information indicating the assigned elevator, from the robot management device 3, it stores this information in the storage unit 42. After that, the control unit 41 operates the operation unit 43 to move to the landing on the departure floor and waits for the arrival of the assigned elevator car 61.

[0051] The control unit 41 may exchange information regarding boarding and alighting from the elevator 6 with the elevator control device 5 that controls the assigned elevator via the robot management device 3 and the group management control device 1, or it may communicate directly with the elevator control device 5. When the robot 4 and the elevator control device 5 communicate directly, a wireless communication device connected to the elevator control device 5 may be installed inside the elevator car 61 of the elevator 6. By establishing communication between the wireless communication device and the robot 4, the robot 4 and the elevator control device 5 can communicate directly and exchange information. In the following explanation, a configuration in which the robot 4 and the elevator control device 5 exchange information via the robot management device 3 and the group management control device 1 will be used as an example.

[0052] When the assigned elevator car 61 arrives at the robot 4's departure floor and opens its doors, the display unit 62 inside the car 61 displays the robot 4's boarding route P and stopping position. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 41 receives a boarding instruction, which is information instructing the robot to board the car 61, along with route information including information indicating the boarding route P and stopping position information including information indicating the stopping position, from the elevator control device 5 via the group control device 1 and the robot control device 3. Upon receiving this information, the control unit 41 operates the operation unit 43 to begin boarding the car 61. Here, the control unit 41 controls the operation unit 43 to move along the boarding route P indicated in the route information and stop at the position indicated in the stopping position information. When the robot 4 stops at the stopping position, the control unit 41 transmits a boarding completion signal to the elevator control device 5 via the robot control device 3 and the group control device 1, indicating that boarding the car 61 is complete.

[0053] When the assigned elevator car 61 arrives at the destination floor of robot 4 and opens its doors, the display unit 62 inside the car 61 displays the robot 4's disembarking route Q. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 41 receives route information indicating the disembarking route Q, along with a disembarking instruction, from the elevator control device 5 via the group control device 1 and the robot control device 3. Upon receiving this information, the control unit 41 operates the operating unit 43 to begin disembarking from the car 61. Here, the control unit 41 controls the operating unit 43 to move along the disembarking route Q indicated in the route information. When robot 4 has completed disembarking from the car 61, the control unit 41 transmits a disembarking completion signal to the elevator control device 5 via the robot control device 3 and the group control device 1, indicating that disembarking from the car 61 has been completed.

[0054] <Elevator control device 5 and elevator 6> As shown in Figure 1, the information processing system 100 comprises a plurality of elevators 6 and a plurality of elevator control devices 5 that control each of the plurality of elevators 6. Each elevator 6 comprises a car 61 and a display unit 62. The car 61 is capable of accommodating passengers and robots 4, and moves between floors and opens and closes its doors according to the control of the elevator control device 5. The display unit 62 is a display device such as a display. The display unit 62 is installed inside the car 61 and displays various images according to the control of the elevator control device 5.

[0055] The elevator control device 5 controls the operation of the elevator 6 based on information received from the group control device 1. As shown in Figure 1, the elevator control device 5 comprises a control unit 51 and a storage unit 52. The control unit 51 comprises a registration unit 511, an elevator control unit 512, and a display control unit 513. A single building may have multiple elevator units 6 and multiple elevator control devices 5 that control each unit.

[0056] The memory unit 52 stores information regarding the destination floor call to which the elevator 6 controlled by the elevator control device 5 is assigned. The information regarding the destination floor call includes information indicating the departure floor and destination floor in the destination floor call to which the elevator 6 controlled by the elevator control device 5 is assigned. If the destination floor call is a second destination floor call, the information regarding the destination floor call further includes identification information of the robot 4, route information of the robot 4, and stopping position information.

[0057] (Registration Section 511) The registration unit 511 registers information regarding the destination floor call in the storage unit 52. When the assigned elevator unit is determined in the group control device 1, the registration unit 511 of the elevator control device 5 that controls the assigned elevator unit receives the information regarding the destination floor call registered in the group control device 1. The registration unit 511 stores this information in the storage unit 52.

[0058] If the destination floor call received by the group control device 1 is a first destination floor call, the information regarding the destination floor call includes information indicating the departure floor and destination floor. If the destination floor call received by the group control device 1 is a second destination floor call, the information regarding the destination floor call includes identification information of the robot 4 that registered the second destination floor call, information indicating the departure floor and destination floor, and route information and stopping position information of the robot 4.

[0059] (Elevator control unit 512) The elevator control unit 512 controls the operation of the elevator 6 based on the information stored in the memory unit 52. Specifically, the elevator control unit 512 moves the elevator car 61 and stops it at the departure floor or destination floor of the information stored in the memory unit 52 regarding each destination floor call. Hereinafter, the floors where the car 61 stops will be referred to as stopping floors. When the car 61 arrives at a stopping floor, the elevator control unit 512 opens the doors of the car 61.

[0060] If the stopping floor is a stopping floor based solely on a first destination floor call, and is neither the departure floor nor the destination floor of the robot 4, the elevator control unit 512 closes the doors of the car 61 and moves the car 61 to the next stopping floor after a predetermined time has elapsed since the doors opened. The elevator control unit 512 may extend the door opening time based on operation of a button (not shown) provided on the car 61 or detection by a photoelectric device (not shown).

[0061] If the stopping floor is the departure floor of robot 4 based on the second destination floor call, the elevator control unit 512 outputs information indicating that it is the departure floor of robot 4 and identification information of robot 4 scheduled to board to the display control unit 513. As a result, the boarding route P and stopping position of robot 4 are displayed on the display unit 62 inside the car 61.

[0062] After a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of displaying the boarding route P and stopping position of robot 4, the elevator control unit 512 transmits identification information of robot 4 that is scheduled to board the car 61 and a boarding instruction to the group control device 1. Along with the boarding instruction, the elevator control unit 512 transmits route information, including information indicating the boarding route P of robot 4, and stopping position information, including information indicating the stopping position, to the group control device 1. As a result, the group control device 1 transmits the boarding instruction, route information, and stopping position information to robot 4 that is scheduled to board the car 61 via the robot management device 3, and robot 4 boards the car 61. When robot 4 has completed boarding the car 61, the elevator control unit 512 receives a boarding completion signal from robot 4 via the robot management device 3 and the group control device 1. Upon receiving the boarding completion signal, the elevator control unit 512 determines whether there are other robots 4 that are scheduled to board. If there are other robots 4 that are scheduled to board, the elevator control unit 512 outputs the identification information of those robots 4 to the display control unit 513.

[0063] If the stopping floor is the destination floor of robot 4 based on the second destination floor call, the elevator control unit 512 outputs information indicating that it is the destination floor of robot 4 and identification information of robot 4 scheduled to disembark to the display control unit 513. As a result, the disembarking route Q and stopping position of robot 4 are displayed on the display unit 62 inside the car 61.

[0064] After a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of displaying the disembarking route Q for robot 4, the elevator control unit 512 transmits identification information of robot 4 scheduled to disembark from car 61 and a disembarking instruction to the group control device 1. Along with the disembarking instruction, the elevator control unit 512 transmits route information, including information indicating the disembarking route Q for robot 4, to the group control device 1. As a result, the group control device 1 transmits the disembarking instruction and route information to robot 4 scheduled to disembark from car 61 via robot management device 3, and robot 4 disembarks from car 61. When robot 4 has completed disembarking from car 61, the elevator control unit 512 receives a disembarking completion signal from robot 4 via robot management device 3 and group control device 1. Upon receiving the disembarking completion signal, the elevator control unit 512 determines whether there are other robots 4 that are disembarking. If there are other robots 4 that are disembarking, the elevator control unit 512 outputs the identification information of those robots 4 to the display control unit 513.

[0065] Once all robots 4 scheduled to disembark at a stopping floor have completed their disembarkation and all robots 4 scheduled to board at a stopping floor have completed their boarding, the elevator control unit 512 opens the doors of the elevator car 61 and moves the elevator car 61 to the next stopping floor.

[0066] (Display control unit 513) The display control unit 513 causes the display unit 62 inside the elevator car 61, where the robot 4 enters and exits, to display information indicating the robot 4's travel route. With this configuration, when the robot 4 uses the elevator 6, the robot 4's travel route is displayed on the display unit 62. This allows users (people) inside the elevator car 61 to know in advance what route the robot 4 will take before it moves.

[0067] Furthermore, by allowing users to know the robot 4's movement route in advance, it is possible to expect users to move to a position that does not obstruct the robot 4's movement before the robot 4 actually moves. Therefore, the possibility of the robot 4 being obstructed by users when using the elevator 6 can be reduced, and the convenience of the elevator 6, where people and the robot 4 can ride together, can be improved.

[0068] Furthermore, the display control unit 513 may display information indicating the stopping position identified by the identification unit 113. With the above configuration, the user can understand where the robot 4 will stop inside the cage 61.

[0069] The display control unit 513 displays information indicating the boarding route P on the display unit 62 a predetermined time before the robot 4 begins boarding the elevator car 61. When the elevator car 61 arrives at the robot 4's departure floor, the display control unit 513 obtains information from the elevator control unit 512 indicating that the stopping floor is the robot 4's departure floor and identification information of the robot 4 that is scheduled to board. Upon obtaining this information, the display control unit 513 refers to the storage unit 52 based on the robot 4's identification information and identifies the robot 4's route information and stopping position information. Based on the identified information, the display control unit 513 displays information indicating the robot 4's boarding route P and information indicating the robot 4's stopping position on the display unit 62 inside the elevator car 61. A predetermined time after the display of this information begins, the robot 4 boards the elevator car 61 according to instructions from the elevator control unit 512.

[0070] With the above configuration, users inside the car 61 can know in advance what route the robot 4 will take when it boards, and can move to a position that does not obstruct the boarding route P. This reduces the possibility that the robot 4's movement will be obstructed by users when it boards.

[0071] Furthermore, the stopping position of the robot 4 displayed on the display unit 62 may be any one of several areas into which the floor of the cage 61 is divided. With the above configuration, users inside the cage 61 can understand how much of the cage 61 the robot 4 occupies.

[0072] Once robot 4 has boarded and a boarding completion signal is received from robot 4, the display control unit 513 switches the information displayed on the display unit 62. For example, the display control unit 513 stops displaying the information indicating robot 4's boarding route P and displays only the information indicating the stopping position.

[0073] The display control unit 513 may also display information indicating the destination floor of the robot 4 in addition to the information indicating the stopping position. During the period in which the boarding route P of the robot 4 is displayed, the display control unit 513 may display information indicating the destination floor along with the stopping position of the robot 4 on the display unit 62.

[0074] With the above configuration, passengers inside the elevator car 61 can know which floor robot 4 will disembark on, and can move away from robot 4 in advance before the elevator car 61 arrives at robot 4's destination floor. This reduces the possibility of robot 4 being obstructed by passengers when it disembarks.

[0075] The display control unit 513 displays information indicating the disembarking route Q on the display unit 62 a predetermined time before the robot 4 begins to disembark from the car 61. When the car 61 arrives at the destination floor of the robot 4, the display control unit 513 obtains information from the elevator control unit 512 indicating that the stopping floor is the destination floor of the robot 4 and identification information of the robot 4 that is scheduled to disembark. Upon obtaining this information, the display control unit 513 refers to the storage unit 52 based on the identification information of the robot 4 and identifies the route information and stopping position information of the robot 4. Based on the identified information, the display control unit 513 displays information indicating the disembarking route Q of the robot 4 on the display unit 62 inside the car 61. A predetermined time after the display of this information begins, the robot 4 disembarks from the car 61 according to instructions from the elevator control unit 512. When the disembarking of the robot 4 is complete and a disembarking completion signal is received from the robot 4, the display control unit 513 terminates the display of the disembarking route Q and stopping position of the robot 4 on the display unit 62.

[0076] With the above configuration, passengers inside the elevator car 61 can know in advance what route the robot 4 will take when it disembarks and move to a position that does not obstruct the disembarking route Q. This reduces the possibility that the robot 4's movement will be obstructed by passengers when it disembarks.

[0077] (Specific examples of display) The following explanation of the display control performed by the display control unit 513 will be given as an example, where the second destination floor call shown in Figure 2 is registered and the route information and stopping position information shown in Figure 6 are registered. Figure 7 shows an example of the screen displayed on the display unit 62 before the robot 4 boards. A predetermined time before the robot 4, whose robot ID is "X1", boards the car 61, the display control unit 513 displays information indicating the boarding route P1 and stopping position of the robot 4 on the display unit 62 inside the car 61 in the manner shown by reference numeral 701 in Figure 7. Specifically, the display control unit 513 displays an image simulating the inside of the car 61 (reference numeral 702), an image showing the boarding route P1 when the robot 4 boards (reference numeral 703), and an image showing the stopping position (boarding position) of the robot 4 (reference numeral 704) on the display unit 62.

[0078] Here, the stopping position of the robot 4 displayed on the display unit 62 may be any one of several regions obtained by dividing the floor of the cage 61 into multiple regions. Specifically, as shown by reference numeral 704 in Figure 7, an image showing the range of the region corresponding to 12H in Figure 3 may be displayed as the stopping position of robot 4 whose robot ID is "X1".

[0079] Figure 8 shows an example of the screen displayed on the display unit 62 after the robot 4 has completed boarding. When the robot 4 has completed boarding, the display control unit 513 ends the display of information indicating the boarding route P1 and displays information indicating the robot 4's stopping position and the robot 4's destination floor on the display unit 62. Specifically, the display control unit 513 displays information indicating the robot 4's destination floor and information indicating the robot 4's stopping position in the manner shown in Figure 8. Specifically, as shown by reference numeral 801 in Figure 8, the display control unit 513 displays an image (reference numeral 802) that simulates the inside of the elevator car 61, and an image (reference numeral 803) that shows the robot 4's stopping position and destination floor on the display unit 62.

[0080] Figure 9 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 62 before the robot 4 disembarks. A predetermined time before the robot 4 disembarks, the display control unit 513 displays information indicating the disembarking route Q of the robot 4 on the display unit 62 inside the car 61 in the manner shown in Figure 9. Specifically, as shown by reference numeral 901 in Figure 9, the display control unit 513 displays an image simulating the inside of the car 61 (reference numeral 902), an image showing the disembarking route Q1 when the robot 4 disembarks (reference numeral 903), and an image showing the stopping position of the robot 4 (reference numeral 904) on the display unit 62.

[0081] Furthermore, when the display control unit 513 displays new route information and stopping position information for robot 4, if other robots 4 are present in the cage 61, it may display the new route information and stopping position information together with the stopping position information of those other robots 4.

[0082] The following describes a specific example. Figure 10 shows an example of the screen displayed on the display unit 62 before a new robot 4 boards when robot 4 is already on board. Robot 4 with robot ID "X1" (first robot 4) departs from the 1st floor and heads to the 8th floor. Robot 4 with robot ID "X2" (second robot 4) departs from the 4th floor and heads to the 10th floor. Therefore, when the second robot 4 boards, the first robot 4 is already inside the elevator car 61. Figure 10 shows an example of the screen displayed on the display unit 62 when the second robot 4 boards. As shown by reference numeral 1001 in Figure 10, the display control unit 513 may display an image simulating the inside of the elevator car 61 (reference numeral 802), the stopping position of the second robot 4 (reference numeral 1003), and the boarding route P2 (reference numeral 1004) at the departure floor of the second robot 4. Furthermore, the display control unit 513 may also display an image (reference numeral 1005) indicating the stopping position of the first robot 4 along with this information.

[0083] Furthermore, when the first robot 4 disembarks, the second robot 4 is inside the elevator car 61. Therefore, the display control unit 513 may display the disembarking route Q of the first robot 4 along with the stopping position of the second robot 4 at the destination floor of the first robot 4.

[0084] If there are multiple robots 4 boarding or alighting on the same floor, the display control unit 513 may display the route information and stopping position information of the multiple robots 4 in order. For example, the display control unit 513 may display only the boarding route P and stopping position of the robot 4 that boards first. Once the robot 4 has completed boarding, the display control unit 513 may end the display of the boarding route P of the robot 4 and display the boarding route P and stopping position of the robot 4 that boards later, along with the stopping position of the robot 4. The display control unit 513 may also display the stopping position of each of the multiple robots 4 along with the alighting route Q of the robot 4 that alights first. Once the robot 4 has completed alighting, the display control unit 513 may end the display of the alighting route Q and stopping position of the robot 4 and display the alighting route Q of the robot 4 that alights later.

[0085] <Processing flow performed by information processing system 100> Figures 11 to 16 are flowcharts and sequence diagrams illustrating examples of the processing flow performed by the information processing system 100. The processing flow of the information processing system 100 will be explained below using Figures 11 to 16.

[0086] (Processing related to registering destination floor calls) First, the processing flow for registering the first destination floor call will be explained using Figures 11 and 12. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by the destination floor registration device 2. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the group management control device 1 when registering a destination floor call.

[0087] A user of elevator 6 makes a call operation to the input unit 22 of the destination floor registration device 2, which includes inputting information indicating the floor. When the control unit 21 of the destination floor registration device 2 receives the call operation to the input unit 22 (YES in S1), it registers the first destination floor call (S2). Specifically, the control unit 21 identifies the input floor as the destination floor and generates a call request that includes the identification information of the destination floor registration device 2 and information indicating the destination floor. The control unit 21 transmits the generated call request to the group control device 1.

[0088] When the reception unit 111 of the group management control device 1 receives a call request from the destination floor registration device 2, it accepts the destination floor call based on the call request as the first destination floor call. When the reception unit 111 accepts the first destination floor call (YES in S11), it outputs information indicating that the first destination floor call has been accepted, along with the information included in the call request, to the assignment unit 112.

[0089] When the allocation unit 112 obtains information indicating that it has received a call for the first destination floor and information included in the call request, it refers to the device DB 124 and identifies the floor on which the destination floor registration device 2, the source of the call request, is installed as the departure floor for the first destination floor call. Based on the departure floor, destination floor, and the operating status of the elevator 6, the allocation unit 112 assigns the most suitable elevator from among the available elevators to the first destination floor call (S12). The allocation unit 112 transmits information indicating the allocation result to the destination floor registration device 2, the source of the call request.

[0090] When the control unit 21 of the destination floor registration device 2 receives assignment result information, including information indicating the assigned unit number, from the group management control device 1 (YES in S3), it displays the assigned unit number on the display unit 23 (S4). As described above, a human user can register a first destination floor call by operating the destination floor registration device 2.

[0091] Next, the processing flow for registering the second destination floor call will be explained using Figures 12 and 13. Figure 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow performed by the robot 4 and the robot management device 3 when registering a destination floor call.

[0092] When robot 4 needs to use elevator 6 (YES in S21), the control unit 41 of robot 4 transmits an elevator use request to robot management device 3, which includes the identification information of robot 4 and information indicating the destination floor. When robot management device 3 receives the elevator use request from robot 4 (YES in S31), it registers a call for a second destination floor (S32). Specifically, robot management device 3 identifies the current floor of robot 4 based on the identification information of robot 4 and sets this as the departure floor for robot 4. Robot management device 3 generates a call request that includes information indicating the departure floor and destination floor, as well as the identification information of robot 4, and transmits it to the group control device 1.

[0093] When the reception unit 111 receives a call request from the robot management device 3, it accepts the destination floor call based on that call request as a second destination floor call. When the reception unit 111 accepts a second destination floor call (YES in S13), it outputs information indicating that it has accepted a second destination floor call, along with each piece of information included in the call request, to the assignment unit 112.

[0094] When the reception unit 111 receives a call for a second destination floor, the allocation unit 112 assigns the robot 4 to the most suitable elevator from among those it can ride. First, the allocation unit 112 selects the most suitable elevator from among those that can be allocated (S14) and outputs information indicating the selected elevator to the identification unit 113. When the identification unit 113 receives the information indicating the selected elevator from the allocation unit 112, it identifies the route the robot 4 will take when boarding and alighting from the elevator car 61 of the selected elevator, and the stopping position inside the elevator car 61 of the selected elevator (S15: identification step).

[0095] When the identification unit 113 identifies the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 in the selected unit, it outputs identification result information to the assignment unit 112, which includes route information indicating the identified movement route and stopping position information indicating the stopping position. If the identification unit 113 is unable to identify the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 in the selected unit, it outputs identification result information to the assignment unit 112, which includes information indicating that the movement route and stopping position could not be identified.

[0096] The assignment unit 112 obtains identification result information from the identification unit 113. If the identification unit 113 is able to identify the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 in the selected elevator, the identification result information includes route information indicating the identified movement route and stopping position information indicating the stopping position. If the identification unit 113 is able to identify the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 in the selected elevator (YES in S16), the assignment unit 112 assigns the selected elevator to the second destination floor call (S17). The assignment unit 112 registers the assignment result in the call registration DB 121 and transmits the assignment result information, including information indicating the assigned elevator, to the robot management device 3. The assignment unit 112 also transmits the information indicating the departure floor and destination floor in the registered second destination floor call, as well as the identification information, route information, and stopping position information of the robot 4 that registered the second destination floor call, to the elevator control device 5 that controls the assigned elevator.

[0097] If the identification unit 113 is unable to identify the movement route and stopping position of robot 4 in the selected unit, the identification result information includes information indicating that the movement route and stopping position could not be identified. If the identification unit 113 is unable to identify the movement route and stopping position of robot 4 in the selected unit (NO in S16), the assignment unit 112 designates the selected unit as one that robot 4 cannot ride in, removes the selected unit from the assignment candidates (S18), and returns to the process in S14.

[0098] When the robot management device 3 receives assignment result information from the group control device 1, including information indicating the assigned elevator car for the second destination floor call (YES in S33), it transmits the said assignment result information to the robot 4, which is the source of the elevator use request. When the control unit 41 of the robot 4 receives assignment result information from the robot management device 3, including information indicating the assigned elevator car (YES in S22), it stores the information in the storage unit 42. Subsequently, the control unit 41 operates the operation unit 43 to move to the landing of the departure floor (S23) and waits for the arrival of the assigned elevator car 61.

[0099] (Processing related to elevator operation and display of travel routes) The following describes the processes related to the operation of elevator 6 and the display of the robot 4's movement route, etc., using Figures 14 to 16. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow related to the operation of elevator 6 in the elevator control device 5. Figure 15 is a sequence diagram showing an example of robot disembarking control. Figure 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of robot boarding control. Although information is exchanged between elevator control device 5 and robot 4 via the group control device 1 and robot management device 3, the group control device 1 and robot management device 3 are not shown in Figures 15 and 16.

[0100] When the elevator car 61 of elevator 6 comes to a stop, elevator 6 transmits a stop signal to the elevator control device 5 indicating that the car 61 has stopped. When the elevator control unit 512 of the elevator control device 5 receives the stop signal (YES in S41), it transmits a door open instruction to elevator 6 (S42) instructing it to open the doors. The doors of the car 61 open in accordance with the door open instruction.

[0101] Next, the elevator control unit 512 determines whether the stopping floor is the destination floor of any of the robots 4 (S43). If the stopping floor is the destination floor of a robot 4 (YES in S43), that is, if there is a robot 4 that will disembark at the stopping floor, the elevator control device 5 performs robot disembarkation control (S44). Robot disembarkation control is the control that displays the disembarkation route Q of the robots 4 inside the car 61 and the control that causes the robots 4 to disembark.

[0102] The robot disembarkation control will be explained using Figure 15. If the stopping floor is the destination floor of robot 4 based on the second destination floor call, the elevator control unit 512 outputs information indicating that it is the destination floor of robot 4 and identification information of robot 4 scheduled to disembark to the display control unit 513.

[0103] When the display control unit 513 acquires the information, it refers to the storage unit 52 based on the identification information of the robot 4 and identifies the route information and stopping position information of the robot 4 (S51). Based on the identified information, the display control unit 513 displays information indicating the disembarking route Q of the robot 4 on the display unit 62 inside the car 61 (S52: display control step). If the robot 4 is inside the car 61, the stopping position of the robot 4 is also displayed on the display unit 62. Therefore, when the robot 4 disembarks, the stopping position of the robot 4 and the disembarking route Q are displayed on the display unit 62.

[0104] When a predetermined time has elapsed since the display of the disembarking route Q for robot 4 began (YES in S53), the elevator control unit 512 transmits identification information of robot 4, which is scheduled to disembark from car 61, and a disembarking instruction to the group control device 1 (S54). Along with the disembarking instruction, the elevator control unit 512 transmits route information, including information indicating the disembarking route Q for robot 4, to the group control device 1. Upon receiving this information, the group control device 1 transmits this information to the robot management device 3. Upon receiving this information, the robot management device 3 transmits the disembarking instruction and route information to robot 4, as indicated in the identification information.

[0105] When the control unit 41 of robot 4 receives this information (YES in S61), it operates the operating unit 43 to disembark from the car 61 (S62). Here, the control unit 41 controls the operating unit 43 to move along the disembarkation route Q indicated in the route information. When robot 4 has finished disembarking from the car 61, the control unit 41 transmits a disembarkation completion signal to the robot management device 3 to indicate that disembarkation from the car 61 is complete. The robot management device 3 transmits the identification information of robot 4 and the disembarkation completion signal to the group control device 1. When the group control device 1 receives this information, it transmits this information to the elevator control device 5 that controls the car 61 from which robot 4 disembarked.

[0106] When the display control unit 513 receives a disembarkation completion signal from the group control device 1 (YES in S55), it terminates the display of information indicating the disembarkation route Q and stopping position of the robot 4 that has completed disembarkation (S56). Also, when the elevator control unit 512 receives a disembarkation completion signal, it determines whether or not there are other robots 4 that are disembarking (S57). If there are other robots 4 that are disembarking (YES in S57), it returns to the process in S51. If there are no other robots 4 that are disembarking (NO in S57), that is, if all robots 4 that are scheduled to disembark at the stopping floor have disembarked, the elevator control device 5 terminates the disembarkation control process and returns to the process shown in Figure 14.

[0107] After the robot disembarkation control is completed (after S44), or if the stopping floor is not the destination floor of any of the robots 4 (NO in S43), the elevator control unit 512 determines whether the stopping floor is the departure floor of any of the robots 4 (S45).

[0108] If the stopping floor is the departure floor for any of the robots 4 (YES in S45), that is, if there is a robot 4 scheduled to board at the stopping floor, the elevator control device 5 performs robot boarding control (S46). Robot boarding control is the control that displays the boarding route P and stopping position of the robot 4 to board the car 61, and the control that allows the robot 4 to board.

[0109] Robot boarding control will be explained using Figure 16. If the stopping floor is the departure floor of robot 4 based on the second destination floor call, the elevator control unit 512 outputs information indicating that it is the departure floor of robot 4 and identification information of robot 4 scheduled to board to the display control unit 513. Upon receiving this information, the display control unit 513 refers to the storage unit 52 based on the identification information of robot 4 and identifies the route information and stopping position information of robot 4 (S71). Based on the identified information, the display control unit 513 displays information indicating the boarding route P and stopping position of robot 4 on the display unit 62 inside the car 61 (S72: display control step).

[0110] When a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the display of the robot 4's boarding route P began (YES in S73), the elevator control unit 512 transmits identification information of the robot 4 that is scheduled to board the car 61 and a boarding instruction to the group control device 1 (S74). Along with the boarding instruction, the elevator control unit 512 transmits route information, including information indicating the robot 4's boarding route P, and stopping position information to the group control device 1. Upon receiving this information, the group control device 1 transmits this information to the robot management device 3. Upon receiving this information, the robot management device 3 transmits the boarding instruction, route information, and stopping position information to the robot 4 indicated in the identification information.

[0111] When the control unit 41 of robot 4 receives this information (S81), it operates the operating unit 43 to board the car 61 (S82). Here, the control unit 41 controls the operating unit 43 to move along the boarding route P indicated in the route information and to stop at the stopping position indicated in the stopping position information. When robot 4 has completed boarding the car 61, the control unit 41 transmits a boarding completion signal to the robot management device 3 to indicate that boarding the car 61 has been completed. The robot management device 3 transmits the identification information of robot 4 and a disembarking completion signal to the group management control device 1. When the group management control device 1 receives this information, it transmits this information to the elevator control device 5 that controls the car 61 from which robot 4 has disembarked.

[0112] When the display control unit 513 receives a boarding completion signal from the group control device 1 (YES in S75), it terminates the display of the boarding route P of the robot 4 that has completed boarding. The display control unit 513 displays information indicating the destination floor of the robot 4 along with the robot 4's stopping position on the display unit 62 (S76). When the elevator control unit 512 receives the boarding completion signal, it determines whether there are any other robots 4 that are about to board (S77). If there are other robots 4 that are about to board (YES in S77), it returns to the process in S71. If there are no other robots 4 that are about to board (NO in S77), that is, if all robots 4 that are scheduled to board have boarded at the stopping floor, the elevator control device 5 terminates the boarding control process and returns to the process shown in Figure 14.

[0113] After the robot boarding control is completed (after S46), or if the stopping floor is not the departure floor of any of the robots 4 (NO in S45), the elevator control unit 512 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the doors opened at the stopping floor (S47). Note that NO in S45 includes cases where the stopping floor was the destination floor of the robot 4 (YES in S43) and cases where the stopping floor was not the destination floor of the robot 4 (NO in S43), i.e., the stopping floor was based only on the call for the first destination floor. If a predetermined time has elapsed since the doors opened (YES in S47), the elevator control unit 512 instructs the elevator car 61 to close the doors (S48), and after the doors have closed, instructs it to move to the next stopping floor.

[0114] [Variation] <Example 1> In the embodiment described above, the identification unit 113 of the group control device 1 identified the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4, and the display control unit 513 of the elevator control device 5 performed display control on the display unit 62, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0115] For example, the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 may be determined by a device other than the group control device 1. In this case, a device that is communicably connected to the group control device 1 may have a determination unit 113 and store the cage information 122. When the determination unit 113 of the device receives information regarding a second destination floor call from the group control device 1, it may determine the movement route and stopping position of the robot 4 based on that information and the cage information 122, and transmit the route information and stopping position information to the group control device 1.

[0116] Furthermore, the display control for the display unit 62 may be performed by a device different from the elevator control device 5. In this case, the device connected to the display unit 62 of the group control device 1, the elevator control device 5, and the elevator car 61 may include a display control unit 513 that stores the route information DB 123. When this device receives identification information, route information, and stopping position information of the robot 4 from the group control device 1, it may store this information in the route information DB 123. In addition, the display control unit 513 of this device may receive information from the elevator control device 5 indicating that the elevator car 61 has stopped at the departure floor or destination floor of the robot 4, and based on this information, it may display the robot 4's movement route and stopping position on the display unit 62.

[0117] <Modification 2> In the embodiment described above, the display control unit 513 displayed the robot's movement route and stopping position along with an image resembling the cage 61, but it is not limited to this. For example, the display control unit 513 may superimpose the robot's movement route and stopping position onto an image captured inside the cage 61. In this case, the user can more accurately understand the relationship between themselves and the robot's movement route and stopping position and avoid the robot 4.

[0118] <Variation 3> In the embodiment described above, the identification unit 113 identified one of a plurality of regions as the stopping position for the robot 4, but it is not limited to this. If the size of the robot 4 exceeds the range of one region, the identification unit 113 may identify a plurality of regions capable of accommodating the robot 4 as the stopping position for the robot 4.

[0119] [Examples of implementation using software] The functions of the information processing system 100 (hereinafter referred to as "the system") are programs that cause the computer to function as the system, and these programs can be realized by programs that cause the computer to function as each control block of the system (particularly each part included in the control unit 11 and the control unit 51).

[0120] 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.

[0121] 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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).

[0124] 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.

[0125] 〔summary〕 An information processing system according to embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a specification unit that identifies the movement route of an autonomous robot using an elevator when it boards or alights from the elevator car, and a display control unit that causes the display unit inside the elevator car where the robot boards or alights to display information indicating the robot's movement route.

[0126] An information processing system according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in aspect 1 above, the movement route includes a boarding route which is the route the robot takes from the entry position into the basket to the stopping position inside the basket when the robot boards the basket, and the display control unit may cause the display unit to display information indicating the boarding route a predetermined time before the robot starts boarding the basket.

[0127] An information processing system according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in aspect 1 or 2 above, the movement route includes a disembarking route which is the route the robot takes from a stopping position inside the basket to an exit position when disembarking from the basket, and the display control unit may cause the display unit to display information indicating the disembarking route a predetermined time before the robot begins to disembark from the basket.

[0128] In the information processing system according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 3 above, the display control unit may further display information indicating the destination floor of the robot.

[0129] In the information processing system according to embodiment 5 of the present invention, in any of embodiments 1 to 4 above, the identification unit may identify the stopping position of the robot within the cage, and the display control unit may display information indicating the identified stopping position.

[0130] In the information processing system according to embodiment 6 of the present invention, in embodiment 5, the stopping position may be any one of the multiple regions obtained by dividing the floor of the cage into a plurality of regions.

[0131] In the information processing system according to embodiment 7 of the present invention, in any of embodiments 1 to 6 above, the identifying unit may determine the number of divisions of the region based on the size of the robot.

[0132] A control method for an information processing system according to aspect 8 of the present invention is a control method performed by one or more information processing devices, comprising: a identification step of identifying a movement route when an autonomously mobile robot using an elevator boards or alights from the elevator car; and a display control step of causing a display unit inside the elevator car where the robot boards or alights to display information indicating the robot's movement route. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 100 Information Processing Systems 1. Group Control System 113 Specific section 4 Robots 5. Elevator control device 513 Display Control Unit 6 Elevator 61 baskets 62 Display section P, P1, P2 boarding routes Q, Q1, Q2 Disembarking Route S15 Specific Step S52, S72 Display control step

Claims

1. A unit that identifies the movement route when an autonomous robot using an elevator boards or alights from the elevator car, The system includes a display control unit that displays information indicating the robot's movement route in a display unit inside the cage into which the robot enters and exits. Information processing system.

2. The aforementioned travel route includes a boarding route, which is the route taken by the robot from the entry position into the basket to the stopping position inside the basket when the robot boards the basket. The display control unit causes the display unit to display information indicating the boarding route a predetermined time before the robot begins to board the basket. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned movement route includes a disembarking route, which is the route the robot takes from its stopping position inside the cage to its exit position when it disembarks from the cage. The display control unit causes the display unit to display information indicating the disembarking route a predetermined time before the robot begins to disembark from the basket. The information processing system according to claim 1.

4. The display control unit further displays information indicating the destination floor of the robot. The information processing system according to claim 1.

5. The specified unit identifies the stopping position of the robot within the cage, The display control unit displays information indicating the identified stopping position. The information processing system according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned stopping position is one of several regions obtained by dividing the floor of the cage into multiple regions. The information processing system according to claim 5.

7. The specified unit determines the number of divisions of the region based on the size of the robot. The information processing system according to claim 6.

8. A control method performed by one or more information processing devices, A specific step of determining the movement route when an autonomous robot using an elevator boards or alights from the elevator car, The method includes a display control step that causes information indicating the robot's movement route to be displayed on a display unit inside the cage into which the robot enters and exits. Control method.

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