Destination floor registration system and control method

Abstract

To improve the convenience of elevator use for visually impaired or wheelchair users. [Solution] The destination floor registration system (100) for an elevator (4) equipped with multiple elevator units includes: a reception unit (112) that receives input from users of the elevator; a determination unit (113) that determines whether the user who performed the predetermined operation is visually impaired or a wheelchair user when the reception unit receives input through a predetermined operation; and an assignment unit (212) that assigns an elevator unit according to the determination result of the determination unit to the destination floor call when the reception unit receives input for a destination floor call.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator destination floor registration system and a control method for the destination floor registration system that can be used by visually impaired persons, wheelchair users, etc.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, users who have difficulty using ordinary elevators, such as visually impaired persons or wheelchair users, may use elevators. In Patent Document 1, elevator control when a visually impaired person uses an elevator is disclosed. Also, when a wheelchair user uses an elevator, it is known to use an elevator dedicated to wheelchair users.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is still room for improvement in the convenience of using an elevator for users such as visually impaired persons or wheelchair users.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to improve the convenience of using an elevator for users such as visually impaired persons or wheelchair users.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a destination floor registration system according to one aspect of the present invention is a destination floor registration system for an elevator equipped with multiple elevator units, comprising: a reception unit that receives input from users of the elevator; a determination unit that, when the reception unit receives input through a predetermined operation, determines whether the user who performed the predetermined operation is visually impaired or a wheelchair user; and an assignment unit that, when the reception unit receives input for a destination floor request, assigns the elevator unit according to the determination result of the determination unit to the destination floor request.

[0007] To solve the above problems, a control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method for a destination floor registration system of an elevator equipped with multiple elevator units, comprising: a reception step for receiving input from a user using the elevator; a determination step for determining whether the user who performed a predetermined operation is visually impaired or a wheelchair user when an input by a predetermined operation is received in the reception step; and an assignment step for assigning the elevator unit according to the determination result in the determination step to the destination floor call when an input for a destination floor call is received in the reception step.

[0008] Each aspect of the present invention may be implemented by a computer, in which case a control program for the destination floor registration system that implements the destination floor registration system by operating the computer as each part (software element) of the destination floor registration 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, the convenience of using elevators can be improved for users such as visually impaired persons or wheelchair users. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the destination floor registration system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram shows an example of the arrangement of an elevator and destination floor registration device at a single landing. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the external appearance of a destination floor registration device. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a device database. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a reference time database. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by the destination floor registration device. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of the flow of the first process. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows an example of the second processing flow. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows an example of the flow of the third process. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows an example of the flow of the fourth process. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow performed by a group control system. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow for registering destination floor requests in an elevator control system. [Figure 13] This flowchart shows an example of the processing flow related to elevator control in an elevator control system. [Figure 14] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the destination floor registration system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 15] This flowchart shows another example of the processing flow performed by the destination floor registration device. [Figure 16] This flowchart shows another example of the processing flow performed by a group control system. [Figure 17] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the destination floor registration system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 18] This flowchart shows another example of the second processing flow.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011]

Embodiment 1

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the elevator 4 and the destination floor registration device 1 in one landing. As shown in FIG. 2, the destination floor registration system 100 includes numbers of a plurality of elevators 4 and a plurality of elevator control devices 3 that control each of the numbers of the plurality of elevators 4. Further, the destination floor registration system 100 may include at least one number of an elevator 4 with a wheelchair specification. Hereinafter, a configuration in which the destination floor registration system 100 includes six elevators 4 numbered A to F and the F number is a wheelchair-specification number will be described as an example.

[0013] When the destination floor registration system 100 receives a predetermined operation, it determines whether the user is a visually impaired person or a wheelchair user, and performs control according to the determination result. Further, the destination floor registration system 100 may determine whether the user corresponds to an attribute different from both a visually impaired person and a wheelchair user. The destination floor registration system 100 assigns a number of an elevator 4 suitable for the user according to the above determination result.

[0014] <Destination Floor Registration Device 1> The destination floor registration device 1 is a device used by users to register their destination floor. The destination floor registration device 1 may be installed at the landing of each floor. Alternatively, multiple destination floor registration devices 1 may be installed on a single floor. For example, as shown in Figure 2, four destination floor registration devices 1 may be installed on a single floor. As shown in Figure 1, the destination floor registration device 1 comprises a control unit 11, a first input unit 12, a display unit 13, a second input unit 14, an imaging unit 15, a first output unit 16, and an acquisition unit 17.

[0015] Figure 3 shows an example of the external appearance of the destination floor registration device 1. As shown in Figure 3, in the destination floor registration device 1, the first input unit 12, the display unit 13, the second input unit 14, the first output unit 16, and the acquisition unit 17 may be configured as an integrated device. Also, the first input unit 12 and the display unit 13 may be an integrated device as shown in Figure 3, or they may be separate devices. In the following explanation, we will use as an example a configuration in which the first input unit 12 and the display unit 13 are an integrated device such as a touch panel.

[0016] The first input unit 12 is a device such as a touch panel and accepts input operations from the user. The first input unit 12 can accept destination floor input operations, which are operations to input the destination floor. The display unit 13 may be a display device such as a display provided by the destination floor registration device 1, or it may be a touch panel that also functions as the first input unit 12. The display unit 13 displays various screens according to the control of the display control unit 111. For example, the display unit 13 may display a screen such as a numeric keypad for accepting floor input, or a screen showing the assignment result to the user's destination floor call.

[0017] The second input unit 14 receives a predetermined operation, which is an input operation for controlling the system according to the user's attributes. For example, the second input unit 14 may be a physical button provided on the destination floor registration device 1. The predetermined operation may also be an operation to press the second input unit 14. The second input unit 14 is also called a handicap button.

[0018] The imaging unit 15 is a component such as a camera for capturing images of the user. The imaging unit 15 is installed in a position that allows for the determination of the user's attributes based on the image captured by the imaging unit 15. The imaging unit 15 may be provided as an integrated device with the first input unit 12, display unit 13, and second input unit 14, etc., or as a separate device. For example, the imaging unit 15 may be installed in a position that allows for capturing images of a user operating the destination floor registration device 1 from above. The imaging unit 15 outputs the captured image to the determination unit 113.

[0019] The first output unit 16 is a component such as a speaker that can output a predetermined sound according to the control of the first output control unit 114. For example, if the user is visually impaired, the first output unit 16 can output a sound prompting the user to input voice and a sound indicating the assignment result. The acquisition unit 17 is a component such as a microphone that can acquire the user's voice. The acquisition unit 17 outputs the acquired voice to the reception unit 112.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 11 comprises a display control unit 111, a reception unit 112, a determination unit 113, a first output control unit 114, and a registration unit 115.

[0021] (Display control unit 111) The display control unit 111 controls the screen display on the display unit 13. As shown in Figure 3, the display control unit 111 displays a screen on the display unit 13 that includes a numeric keypad for receiving destination floor input operations. Furthermore, when the display control unit 111 receives allocation result information from the group management control device 2, it displays a screen on the display unit 13 that includes information indicating the allocation result. This screen includes information indicating the allocated machine number and information indicating the destination floor. Note that if the user is visually impaired, the display control unit 111 does not need to display a screen including information indicating the allocation result when it receives allocation result information from the group management control device 2.

[0022] (Reception desk 112) The reception unit 112 receives input from users of the elevator 4 regarding requests for destination floors. For example, the reception unit 112 can receive destination floor input operations, which are input operations to specify a destination floor to the first input unit 12. For example, a destination floor input operation may be an operation to input a number indicating the destination floor to the first input unit 12.

[0023] When the reception unit 112 receives a destination floor input operation, it identifies the floor specified by the destination floor input operation as the user's destination floor. If the reception unit 112 receives only the destination floor input operation and does not accept any predetermined operations, it outputs information indicating that the user is a general user and information indicating the destination floor based on the destination floor input operation to the registration unit 115. A general user is a user who only performs a destination floor input operation and registers a destination floor call without performing any predetermined operations.

[0024] Furthermore, the reception unit 112 can accept predetermined operations, which are operations performed on the second input unit 14. When the reception unit 112 accepts a predetermined operation, it outputs information indicating that the predetermined operation has been accepted to the determination unit 113. As a result, the determination unit 113 determines the user's attributes.

[0025] When the reception unit 112 obtains a determination result from the determination unit 113 indicating that the user is a wheelchair user or a designated user, it waits to receive a destination floor input operation. When the reception unit 112 receives a destination floor input operation, it outputs information indicating that the user is a wheelchair user or a designated user, and information indicating the destination floor based on the destination floor input operation, to the registration unit 115.

[0026] A "specified user" refers to a user who is neither visually impaired nor a wheelchair user, but who requires more time than usual to travel to the boarding area for the elevator. Examples of specified users include elderly people or those with injuries.

[0027] If the reception unit 112 obtains a determination result from the determination unit 113 indicating that the user is visually impaired, it accepts the user's voice input for calling out the destination floor. In addition, the reception unit 112 acquires the user's voice while the user is performing a predetermined operation and accepts input based on that voice. Specifically, when the reception unit 112 obtains the determination result, it starts acquiring the user's voice using the acquisition unit 17. The reception unit 112 performs voice recognition based on the acquired voice and identifies the user's destination floor. The reception unit 112 outputs information indicating the identified destination floor to the first output control unit 114.

[0028] After the first output unit 16 outputs an audio message confirming the destination floor under the control of the first output control unit 114, the reception unit 112 determines whether the state of accepting a predetermined operation continues. If the state of accepting a predetermined operation continues, the reception unit 112 again acquires the user's voice using the acquisition unit 17 and newly identifies the user's destination floor. The reception unit 112 repeats voice acquisition and destination floor identification until it is determined that the state of accepting a predetermined operation does not continue, and each time a new destination floor is identified, the first output unit 16 outputs an audio message confirming the destination floor.

[0029] If the reception unit 112 determines that it has not received the prescribed operation, that is, if the user stops the prescribed operation after an audio message confirming the destination floor is output, it outputs information indicating that the user is visually impaired and information indicating the specified destination floor to the registration unit 115.

[0030] With the above configuration, users can use voice input to specify their destination floor at a time that is more convenient for them, such as avoiding noisy surroundings.

[0031] (Judgment unit 113) The determination unit 113 determines the attributes of the user who performed the predetermined operation. When the reception unit 112 receives input from the predetermined operation, the determination unit 113 determines to the second input unit 14 whether the user who performed the predetermined operation is visually impaired or a wheelchair user. The determination unit 113 may also determine whether the user falls under attributes other than being visually impaired or a wheelchair user. The determination unit 113 outputs information indicating the determination result to the reception unit 112 and the first output control unit 114.

[0032] When the determination unit 113 obtains information from the reception unit 112 indicating that a predetermined operation has been received, it obtains an image including the user from the imaging unit 15 and determines the user's attributes based on the image. If the determination unit 113 determines that the user is in a wheelchair based on the obtained image, it determines that the user is a wheelchair user. If the determination unit 113 determines that the user is not using a wheelchair but is using a white cane, or if it can identify other characteristics that allow it to identify the user as visually impaired, it determines that the user is visually impaired.

[0033] Furthermore, the determination unit 113 may determine whether the user falls under an attribute different from both a visually impaired person and a wheelchair user. For example, the determination unit 113 may determine that a user who performs a predetermined operation and does not fall under either a visually impaired person or a wheelchair user is a specific user.

[0034] (First output control unit 114) The first output control unit 114 controls the audio output in the first output unit 16. When the first output control unit 114 obtains a determination result from the determination unit 113 indicating that the user is a wheelchair user or a specific user, it causes the first output unit 16 to output an audio prompt to input the destination floor. The audio prompting the user to input the destination floor may include a message such as "Please register your destination floor."

[0035] Furthermore, when the first output control unit 114 obtains a determination result from the determination unit 113 indicating that the user is visually impaired, it causes the first output unit 16 to output a voice prompt for voice input. The voice prompt for voice input may include messages such as, for example, "Please press the handicap button and speak your destination floor," or "You can register your destination floor by voice while pressing the handicap button."

[0036] When the reception unit 112 identifies the destination floor based on the user's voice, the first output control unit 114 obtains information indicating the identified destination floor from the reception unit 112. Upon obtaining this information, the first output control unit 114 causes the first output unit 16 to output an audio message confirming the destination floor. For example, if the destination floor identified by the reception unit 112 is the 3rd floor, the audio message confirming the destination floor may include a message such as, "If the 3rd floor is correct, please release your hand from the handicap button."

[0037] When the first output control unit 114 receives assignment result information from the group control device 2 indicating the assignment result to a destination floor call from a visually impaired user, it causes the first output unit 16 to output an audio message indicating the assignment result. The audio message indicating the assignment result includes information indicating the assigned machine number and destination floor.

[0038] (Registration Section 115) The registration unit 115 registers the user's destination floor call. When the registration unit 115 obtains information indicating the user's attributes and destination floor from the reception unit 112, it generates an assignment request, which is information for requesting an assignment for the destination floor call, and transmits it to the group management control device 2. The assignment request includes identification information of the destination floor registration device 1, information indicating the user's destination floor, and flag information.

[0039] The registration unit 115 sets the flag indicated by the flag information according to the user's attributes. If the registration unit 115 obtains from the reception unit 112 information indicating that the user is a general user, along with information indicating the user's destination floor, the registration unit 115 sets the flag to 0.

[0040] When the reception unit 112 receives a predetermined operation, the registration unit 115 sets a flag according to the attribute identified based on the determination result of the determination unit 113. If the determination unit 113 determines that the user is visually impaired, the registration unit 115 sets the flag to 1. If the determination unit 113 determines that the user is a wheelchair user, the registration unit 115 sets the flag to 2. Furthermore, if the determination unit 113 determines that the user is a specific user, the registration unit 115 sets the flag to 3.

[0041] <Group Management Control Device 2> The group control device 2 receives destination floor requests from users and manages the operation of the elevator 4 based on the received destination floor requests. As shown in Figure 1, the group control device 2 comprises a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and an input / output interface 23. The input / output interface 23 is a communication module for the group control device 2 to communicate with each device of the destination floor registration system 100 and exchange information.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1, the storage unit 22 stores the device DB (database) 221, the reference time DB (database) 222, and the allocation result DB (database) 223.

[0043] Figure 4 shows an example of the device DB221. The device DB221 is a database containing information about the destination floor registration device 1. As shown in Figure 4, in the device DB221, identification information of the destination floor registration device 1, information indicating the floor on which the destination floor registration device 1 is installed, and information indicating the elevator number of the elevator 4 located near the destination floor registration device 1 are associated for each destination floor registration device 1. The elevator number of the elevator 4 located near the destination floor registration device 1 may be the single elevator closest to the destination floor registration device 1, or it may be an elevator number located within a predetermined range from the destination floor registration device 1. If the destination floor registration device 1 is located between two elevators, these two elevators may be considered the elevator numbers of the elevator 4 located near the destination floor registration device 1.

[0044] Figure 5 shows an example of the reference time DB222. The reference time DB222 is a database that stores reference times, which are the times used by users to calculate the estimated travel time when moving from the destination floor registration device 1 that they have operated to each unit. As shown in Figure 5, in the reference time DB222, identification information of the destination floor registration device 1 is associated with information indicating the reference time, which is the time it takes to move from the destination floor registration device 1 to each unit on the floor where the destination floor registration device 1 is installed. The reference time from a certain destination floor registration device 1 to a certain unit may be, for example, the time it takes for an adult of average height to walk from the destination floor registration device 1 to that unit.

[0045] The allocation result DB223 is a database that stores information about registered destination floor calls. In the allocation result DB223, the identification information of the destination floor registration device 1 used by the user to register the destination floor call is associated with information indicating the departure floor and destination floor, and information indicating the assigned train car number.

[0046] As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 21 includes a specification unit 211 and an allocation unit 212.

[0047] (Specific Department 211) The identification unit 211 identifies various pieces of information used for allocation. The identification unit 211 identifies the user's departure floor, candidate train cars that are candidates to be assigned to the destination floor call, the estimated travel time which is the travel time for the user from the destination floor registration device 1 to each candidate train car, and the estimated departure time for each candidate train car. The identification unit 211 outputs the identified information to the allocation unit 212.

[0048] When the identification unit 211 receives an assignment request from the destination floor registration device 1, it refers to the device DB 221. Based on the identification information of the destination floor registration device 1 included in the assignment request, the identification unit 211 identifies the floor where the destination floor registration device 1 is installed as the user's departure floor.

[0049] Furthermore, the identification unit 211 identifies candidate machines. If the flag information indicates 0 or 3, that is, if the user is a general user or a designated user, the identification unit 211 identifies all machines as candidate machines.

[0050] If the flag information indicates 1, that is, if the user is visually impaired, the identification unit 211 refers to the device DB 221. The identification unit 211 identifies the elevator 4 unit associated with the identification information of the destination floor registration device 1 included in the assignment request in the device DB 221, that is, the elevator 4 unit located near the destination floor registration device 1 operated by the user. The identification unit 211 then identifies the elevator 4 unit located near the destination floor registration device 1 used by the user as a candidate unit.

[0051] If the flag information indicates 2, that is, if the user is a wheelchair user, the identification unit 211 identifies the wheelchair-accessible elevator among the elevator units 4 as a candidate unit. If there are multiple wheelchair-accessible elevators, the identification unit 211 considers all wheelchair-accessible elevators as candidate units.

[0052] The identification unit 211 identifies the estimated travel time from the destination floor registration device 1 operated by the user to each candidate machine. Hereinafter, the estimated travel time from the destination floor registration device 1 operated by the user to a certain machine will simply be referred to as the estimated travel time to that machine. The identification unit 211 refers to the reference time DB 222 and extracts the reference time to each machine. Once the identification unit 211 identifies a candidate machine, it identifies the estimated travel time to each candidate machine based on the extracted reference time and flag information indicating the user's attributes.

[0053] The estimated travel time is calculated by adding an additional time according to the determination result of the determination unit 113 to a predetermined base time. If the flag information indicates 0, the identification unit 211 identifies a value obtained by multiplying the base time to a certain candidate machine by 1.0 as the estimated travel time to that candidate machine. In other words, if the user is a general user, the identification unit 211 identifies the estimated travel time by adding 0 as an additional time to the base time.

[0054] If the flag information indicates 1, the identification unit 211 identifies a value obtained by multiplying the reference time to a certain candidate machine by 2.0 as the estimated travel time to that candidate machine. In other words, if the user is visually impaired, the identification unit 211 identifies the estimated travel time by adding the same amount of time as the reference time to the reference time.

[0055] If the flag information indicates 2, the identification unit 211 identifies a value obtained by multiplying the reference time to a certain candidate machine by 1.5 as the estimated travel time to that candidate machine. In other words, if the user is a wheelchair user, the identification unit 211 identifies the estimated travel time by adding half of the reference time as an additional time to the reference time.

[0056] If the flag information indicates 3, the identification unit 211 identifies a value obtained by multiplying the reference time to a certain candidate machine by 1.2 as the expected travel time to that candidate machine. In other words, if the user is a specific user, the identification unit 211 identifies the expected travel time by adding 20% ​​of the reference time as an additional time to the reference time.

[0057] Furthermore, the identification unit 211 determines the estimated departure time for each candidate elevator based on the operating status of elevator 4 and the registration status of destination floor calls. For example, the identification unit 211 identifies the estimated arrival time of a candidate elevator that has not yet arrived at the user's departure floor, and determines the estimated departure time of that candidate elevator by adding a predetermined door opening time to that estimated arrival time. In addition, the identification unit 211 determines the estimated departure time of a candidate elevator that has already arrived at the user's departure floor based on the elapsed time since the doors opened.

[0058] (Allocation section 212) The allocation unit 212 assigns a machine number to a user's destination floor call. When the reception unit 112 of the destination floor registration device 1 receives input of a destination floor call, the allocation unit 212 assigns a machine number to the destination floor call according to the determination result of the determination unit 113.

[0059] Users who require special consideration when assigning elevator units have various attributes, and the preferred method of consideration differs depending on the user's attributes. For example, if a user uses a wheelchair, it is preferable to assign a wheelchair-accessible elevator unit to their destination floor. On the other hand, if a user is visually impaired, it is not necessary to assign a wheelchair-accessible elevator unit to their destination floor, and it is preferable to assign the closest elevator unit.

[0060] According to the above configuration, when a predetermined operation is performed, such as pressing a designated button (second input unit 14), it is determined whether the user is visually impaired or a wheelchair user, and an elevator unit is assigned based on the result of the determination. This makes it possible to provide more favorable control according to the individual attributes of the user. In this way, the above configuration can improve the convenience of users using the elevator 4.

[0061] Furthermore, with the above configuration, whether the user is visually impaired or a wheelchair user, performing a common predetermined operation will initiate control tailored to the user's attributes. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility of situations that would decrease user convenience, such as requiring users to select the button corresponding to their attributes.

[0062] The allocation unit 212 obtains information from the identification unit 211 indicating the user's departure floor, candidate elevators, estimated travel time to each candidate elevator, and estimated departure time for each candidate elevator. Based on this information, the user's destination floor, the operating status of elevator 4, and the registration status of destination floor calls, the allocation unit 212 selects the most suitable elevator from the candidate elevators and assigns the selected elevator to the user's destination floor call. The allocation unit 212 may exclude from the candidate elevators elevators any elevators that, after arriving at the user's departure floor, move in the opposite direction to the user's travel from the departure floor to the destination floor.

[0063] If a user is visually impaired, uses a wheelchair, or is a designated user, it is likely that they will require more time to reach their assigned vehicle than other users (general users). According to the above configuration, the assigned vehicle is determined after increasing the estimated travel time for the user based on the assessment results. This reduces the possibility of situations where a visually impaired or wheelchair user is unable to board their assigned vehicle in time.

[0064] If the allocation unit 212 determines that the user is visually impaired, it assigns a train car based on the voice acquired by the acquisition unit 17. The allocation unit 212 also assigns a train car based on the voice acquired by the acquisition unit 17 during the period in which a predetermined operation is being performed. If the user is determined to be visually impaired, the reception unit 112 of the destination floor registration device 1 acquires the user's voice via the acquisition unit 17 during the period in which a predetermined operation is being performed and identifies the destination floor based on that voice. The registration unit 115 of the destination floor registration device 1 generates an allocation request that includes information indicating the destination floor identified based on the voice and transmits it to the group control device 2. Therefore, if the user is determined to be visually impaired, the allocation unit 212 assigns a train car based on an allocation request that includes information indicating the destination floor identified based on the user's voice acquired during the period in which a predetermined operation is being performed.

[0065] If the user is visually impaired, it may be difficult for them to input their destination floor using buttons. Furthermore, in a system where destination floors are announced one by one via voice guidance, there were instances where it took a considerable amount of time for the user to be guided to their desired floor.

[0066] According to the above configuration, if a user is visually impaired, the elevator number will be assigned based on the voice output of the user. The user can specify their destination floor without performing any prescribed operations such as pressing buttons. Furthermore, the user does not need to wait until their desired destination floor is announced via voice guidance. In this way, the above configuration improves convenience for visually impaired users.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, a machine number is assigned based on the voice recordings made by the user during the period in which they are performing a predetermined operation. This allows the user to make voice inputs to specify their destination floor at a time that is more convenient for them, such as avoiding noisy surroundings.

[0068] If the user is determined to be visually impaired, the allocation unit 212 prioritizes assigning elevators that are closer to the destination floor registration device 1 that allows the user to input predetermined operations. If the user is determined to be visually impaired, the flag information indicates 1. In this case, the identification unit 211 identifies elevators 4 located near the destination floor registration device 1 used by the user as candidate elevators for the user's destination floor call. The allocation unit 212 assigns the most suitable elevator from the identified candidate elevators to the user's destination floor call.

[0069] If the user is visually impaired, it is preferable that a machine closer to the user be assigned. With the above configuration, if the user is visually impaired, a machine closer to the destination floor registration device 1 that the user has entered information into will be preferentially assigned, thus improving convenience.

[0070] Furthermore, if it is determined that the user is a wheelchair user, the flag information will show 2. In this case, the identification unit 211 identifies a wheelchair-accessible elevator as a candidate elevator for the user's destination floor call. Therefore, if the assignment unit 212 determines that the user is a wheelchair user, the assignment unit 212 assigns a wheelchair-accessible elevator from among the elevators 4. According to the above configuration, if the user who performs the predetermined operation is a wheelchair user, a wheelchair-accessible elevator will be assigned.

[0071] The allocation unit 212 may exclude from the candidate units any unit in which the user's movement will not be completed by the expected departure time. In this case, the allocation unit 212 may determine whether the user can arrive at each candidate unit by its expected departure time, based on the expected departure time of each candidate unit and the expected travel time to each candidate unit. Specifically, the allocation unit 212 determines the user's arrival time at each candidate unit by adding the expected travel time to each candidate unit to the time the determination was started or the time the allocation request was received from the destination floor registration device 1. The allocation unit 212 may also make a determination based on the arrival time and the expected departure time of each candidate unit. If the arrival time at a certain unit is later than the expected departure time of that unit, i.e., the user will not be able to make it by the expected departure time of that unit, the allocation unit 212 may remove that unit from the candidate units and determine which unit to assign to the destination floor call from the remaining candidate units.

[0072] If there is a train car that will not be able to complete the user's journey by the most recent estimated departure time, the allocation unit 212 may instruct the identification unit 211 to specify the estimated departure time when the candidate train car arrives at the same departure floor after it has departed from the user's departure floor. Upon receiving this instruction, the identification unit 211 may specify a new estimated departure time for the specified train car. The allocation unit 212 may then determine the assigned train car based on the newly specified estimated arrival time or estimated departure time.

[0073] (Specific examples of methods for identifying candidate aircraft and estimated travel times) A specific example of how the identification unit 211 identifies candidate elevators and estimated travel times will be explained. As an example, we will consider the case when the destination floor registration device 1 with identification information 0103 is operated. If the user is a general user or a designated user, the identification unit 211 identifies all elevators A to F as candidate elevators. If the user is a wheelchair user, it identifies elevator F, which is wheelchair accessible, as a candidate elevator. Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the elevators located near the destination floor registration device 1 with identification information 0103 are elevators A and B. Therefore, if the user is visually impaired, the identification unit 211 identifies elevators A and B as candidate elevators.

[0074] Next, we will explain how to determine the estimated travel time using the case where Unit A is identified as the candidate unit as an example. As shown in Figure 4, the standard travel time from destination floor registration device 1, whose identification information is 0103, to Unit A is 1 second. If the user is a general user, the identification unit 211 identifies 1 second, which is 1.0 times the standard time, as the estimated travel time to Unit A. If the user is visually impaired, the identification unit 211 identifies 2 seconds, which is 2.0 times the standard time, as the estimated travel time to Unit A. If the user is a wheelchair user, the identification unit 211 identifies 1.5 seconds, which is 1.5 times the standard time, as the estimated travel time to Unit A. If the user is a designated user, the identification unit 211 identifies 1.2 seconds, which is 1.2 times the standard time, as the estimated travel time to Unit A.

[0075] <Elevator control device 3 and elevator 4> Each of the elevator units 4 is equipped with a car 41 and a second output unit 42 (output unit). The car 41 is capable of accommodating passengers and can open and close its doors and move between floors according to the control of the elevator control device 3.

[0076] The second output unit 42 operates according to the control of the second output control unit 312 of the elevator control device 3 and outputs a predetermined sound. For example, the second output unit 42 is a speaker installed at the landing of each floor and capable of outputting guidance sounds to guide users to the elevator corresponding to the second output unit 42. The second output unit 42 may be installed near the landing for boarding the corresponding elevator 4. The guidance sound may be an audio message including a message such as "Elevator A is this way," or it may be a predetermined sound without a message.

[0077] The elevator control device 3 controls the operation of the elevator 4 based on information acquired from the group control device 2. As shown in Figure 1, the elevator control device 3 comprises a control unit 31 and a storage unit 32. The storage unit 32 stores the destination floor call DB (database) 321 and the car call DB (database) 322.

[0078] The destination floor call DB321 is a database that stores information about destination floor calls assigned to elevator unit 4 controlled by the elevator control device 3. In the destination floor call DB321, information indicating the departure floor and destination floor for a destination floor call assigned to elevator unit 4 controlled by the elevator control device 3 is stored in association with flag information indicating the attributes of the user who registered the destination floor call.

[0079] The car call DB322 is a database that stores information to identify the floor (stopping floor) where elevator 4 will stop. The car call DB322 stores information indicating the stopping floor for each registered car call. A car call is registered when elevator 4 responds to a registered destination floor call and a user boards. Elevator 4 stops at the departure floor registered in the destination floor call DB321 and the floors registered in the car call DB322.

[0080] As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 31 comprises an elevator control unit 311 and a second output control unit 312 (output control unit). The elevator control unit 311 controls the operation of elevator 4. When the elevator control unit 311 receives registration information from the group control device 2, it registers the user's destination floor call based on the registration information. The registration information includes information indicating the departure floor and destination floor in the destination floor call to which the elevator unit controlled by the elevator control device 3 is assigned, and flag information indicating the attributes of the user who registered the destination floor call. The elevator control unit 311 stores the information indicating the departure floor and destination floor in the user's destination floor call and the flag information indicating the user's attributes in the destination floor call DB 321, associating them.

[0081] The elevator control unit 311 controls the operation of the elevator 4 based on the registered destination floor call and car call. If at least one of the destination floor call and car call is registered in the destination floor call DB 321 or car call DB 322, the elevator control unit 311 identifies the next stopping floor for the car 41 based on the stopping floor in the registered destination floor call or car call. The elevator control unit 311 moves the car 41 to the identified stopping floor, and when the car 41 arrives at the stopping floor, it opens the doors of the car 41.

[0082] Furthermore, the elevator control unit 311 registers car calls based on destination floor calls where the stopping floor is the departure floor. Specifically, if the stopping floor where the car 41 stops is a stopping floor based on a destination floor call, and the elevator control unit 311 detects that a user has boarded the car 41 at that stopping floor, it extracts a destination floor call where the stopping floor is the departure floor. The elevator control unit 311 may determine that a user has boarded the car 41 based on the detection results of a photoelectric sensor (not shown) or the like installed on the car 41. The elevator control unit 311 registers the destination floor in the extracted destination floor call as the stopping floor in the car call DB 322. Also, if the elevator 4 responds to a destination floor call, the elevator control unit 311 deletes the destination floor call that the elevator 4 responded to from the destination floor call DB 321.

[0083] If the floor to which car 41 stops is a floor based on a car call, the elevator control unit 311 deletes the responded car call from the car call DB 322.

[0084] The second output control unit 312 controls the output of the second output unit 42. When the allocation unit 212 of the group management control device 2 assigns a machine according to the determination result of the determination unit 113 of the destination floor registration device 1, it causes the second output unit 42 to output a sound to guide the user to the assigned machine.

[0085] When the second output control unit 312 receives registration information indicating a flag of 2 from the group control device 2, that is, when it receives information regarding a destination floor call from a visually impaired user, it controls the second output unit 42. The second output control unit 312 causes the second output unit 42, which is installed on the departure floor for the destination floor call, to start outputting guidance sounds. As a result, when a visually impaired user registers a destination floor call, guidance sounds are output from the second output unit 42 corresponding to the train car assigned to that user's destination floor call. Therefore, the user can more easily determine the location of the train car they intend to board.

[0086] When the second output unit 42 is outputting guidance sounds, if the elevator 4 responds to a destination floor call from a visually impaired user whose stopping floor is the floor on which the second output unit 42 is installed, the second output control unit 312 stops outputting guidance sounds. Specifically, when the elevator car 41 stops at the stopping floor based on the destination floor call, the second output control unit 312 obtains information from the elevator control unit 311 indicating that the elevator car 41 has arrived at the user's departure floor. When the second output control unit 312 obtains this information while the second output unit 42 installed on the stopping floor of the elevator car 41 is outputting guidance sounds, it determines whether the elevator 4's response is a response to a destination floor call from a visually impaired user. If the elevator car 41 stops at an end floor, that is, the top or bottom floor of the building, or a reversal floor where the direction of movement of the elevator car 41 reverses, the second output control unit 312 determines that the response of the elevator 4 is a response to a destination floor call from a visually impaired user. Also, if the elevator car 41 stops at an intermediate floor and the direction of movement of the elevator car 41 is the same as the direction of movement of the user from the departure floor to the destination floor, the second output control unit 312 determines that the response of the elevator 4 is a response to a destination floor call from a visually impaired user. An intermediate floor is a floor where the direction of movement of the elevator car 41 does not change before or after arriving at that floor. If the response of the elevator car 4 is a response to a destination floor call from a visually impaired user, the second output control unit 312 stops the output of guidance sound from the second output unit 42 installed at the stopping floor of the elevator car 41. As a result, when the elevator car 41 that a visually impaired user should board arrives at the user's departure floor, the guidance sound stops. After the elevator car 41 arrives at the visually impaired user's departure floor, the second output unit 42 may be controlled to output an audio announcement to the user encouraging them to board, such as "Please board."

[0087] <An example of the processing flow performed by the destination floor registration system 100> Figures 6 to 13 are flowcharts illustrating examples of the processing flow performed by the destination floor registration system 100. The following explanation will use Figures 6 to 13 to describe the processing flow performed by the destination floor registration system 100.

[0088] [Processing related to destination floor call registration] First, we will explain the processing flow related to destination floor call registration using Figures 6 to 12. Figures 6 to 10 are flowcharts showing the processing flow performed by the destination floor registration device 1. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the processing flow performed by the group control device 2. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the processing flow related to destination floor call registration in the elevator control device 3.

[0089] At the start of the process shown in Figure 6, the display control unit 111 of the destination floor registration device 1 displays a screen including a numeric keypad for receiving destination floor input operations on the display unit 13. The reception unit 112 is also in a state where it can wait for destination floor input operations or predetermined operations. General users can specify a destination floor by performing a destination floor input operation on the first input unit 12. Visually impaired persons, wheelchair users, and specific users can perform predetermined operations on the second input unit 14.

[0090] When the reception unit 112 receives a destination floor input operation (YES in S1: reception step), the destination floor registration device 1 performs the first process (S2). Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first process, which is the process related to the destination floor call of a general user. The first process will be explained using Figure 7.

[0091] When the reception unit 112 receives a destination floor input operation, it identifies the floor specified by the destination floor input operation as the user's destination floor. The reception unit 112 outputs to the registration unit 115 information indicating that the user is a general user and information indicating the destination floor based on the destination floor input operation. When the registration unit 115 receives the information indicating that the user is a general user along with the information indicating the user's destination floor from the reception unit 112, it assigns 0 to the variable FLG which indicates flag information (S11). Subsequently, the registration unit 115 generates an assignment request including the identification information of the destination floor registration device 1, the information indicating the user's destination floor, and the flag information, and transmits the assignment request to the group management control device 2 (S12).

[0092] As a result, the group control device 2 assigns a machine number to the destination floor call of a general user based on the assignment request. When the display control unit 111 receives information indicating the assignment result from the group control device 2 (YES in S13), it displays the information indicating the assignment result on the display unit 13 (S14).

[0093] Returning to Figure 6, if the reception unit 112 does not accept the destination floor input operation (NO in S1) and accepts a predetermined operation (S3: reception step), it outputs information to the determination unit 113 indicating that the predetermined operation has been accepted.

[0094] When the determination unit 113 acquires the information, it acquires an image of the user captured by the imaging unit 15 (S4). Based on the acquired image, the determination unit 113 determines the user's attributes (S5, S7: determination steps). First, the determination unit 113 determines whether or not the user is a wheelchair user (S5: determination step). If the determination unit 113 determines that the user is a wheelchair user (YES in S5), the destination floor registration device 1 performs the second process (S6).

[0095] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second process, which is the process for calling for a destination floor after determining that the user is a wheelchair user. The second process will be explained using Figure 8. The determination unit 113 outputs information indicating the determination result that the user is a wheelchair user to the reception unit 112 and the first output control unit 114. When the first output control unit 114 receives this information, it causes the first output unit 16 to output an audio prompt to input the destination floor (S21).

[0096] Furthermore, once the reception unit 112 acquires the information, it waits for the destination floor input operation to be received. When the reception unit 112 receives the destination floor input operation (YES in S22: reception step), it outputs to the registration unit 115 information indicating that the user is a wheelchair user and information indicating the destination floor based on the destination floor input operation. When the registration unit 115 acquires from the reception unit 112 information indicating the user's destination floor along with information indicating that the user is a general user, it assigns 2 to the variable FLG which indicates flag information (S23).

[0097] The processing of S24 to S26 following S23 is the same as the processing of S12 to S14 in the first process shown in Figure 7, except that the flag information included in the allocation request indicates 2, so the explanation is omitted.

[0098] If the determination unit 113 determines that the user is not a wheelchair user (NO in S5), it determines whether the user is visually impaired (S7: determination step). If the determination unit 113 determines that the user is not visually impaired (NO in S7), the destination floor registration device 1 performs the third process (S8). Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the third process, which is the process related to calling the destination floor for a user determined to be a specific user. The third process shown in Figure 9 (S31-S36) is the same as the second process shown in Figure 8 (S21-S26), except that the flag information included in the assignment request indicates 3, so the explanation is omitted.

[0099] If the determination unit 113 determines that the user is visually impaired (YES in S7), the destination floor registration device 1 performs the fourth process (S9). Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the fourth process, which is the process related to calling the destination floor for a user determined to be visually impaired. The fourth process will be explained using Figure 10.

[0100] The determination unit 113 outputs information indicating the determination result that the user is visually impaired to the reception unit 112 and the first output control unit 114. Upon receiving this information, the first output control unit 114 causes the first output unit 16 to output a voice prompt for voice input (S41).

[0101] When the reception unit 112 acquires the information, it determines whether or not a predetermined operation has been accepted at the time the information was acquired (S42). If the reception unit 112 has not accepted the predetermined operation (NO in S42), it outputs the determination result to the first output control unit 114, and the first output control unit 114 performs the process in S41 again.

[0102] If the reception unit 112 has received the information and has accepted a predetermined operation (YES in S42: reception step), the reception unit 112 accepts the user's voice input for the destination floor (S43: reception step). Specifically, if YES in S42, the reception unit 112 starts acquiring the user's voice via the acquisition unit 17. Based on the acquired voice, the reception unit 112 performs voice recognition to identify the user's destination floor.

[0103] When the reception unit 112 recognizes the user's destination floor based on the acquired voice (YES in S44), it outputs information indicating the recognized destination floor to the first output control unit 114. Upon acquiring this information, the first output control unit 114 causes the first output unit 16 to output a voice message confirming the destination floor recognized by the reception unit 112 (S45).

[0104] After the first output unit 16 outputs an audio message confirming the destination floor under the control of the first output control unit 114 (after S45), the reception unit 112 determines whether the state of accepting a predetermined operation continues (S46). If the state of accepting a predetermined operation continues (YES in S46: reception step), the process returns to S44. The reception unit 112 again acquires the user's voice using the acquisition unit 17 and recognizes the user's destination floor anew. The first output control unit 114 also outputs an audio message confirming the newly recognized destination floor.

[0105] If the reception unit 112 is not in a state of accepting a predetermined operation (NO in S46), the reception unit 112 outputs to the registration unit 115 information indicating that the user is visually impaired and information indicating the recognized destination floor.

[0106] When the registration unit 115 obtains information from the reception unit 112 indicating that the user is a general user, along with information indicating the user's destination floor, it assigns 1 to the variable FLG, which indicates the flag information (S47). Subsequently, the registration unit 115 generates an assignment request that includes the identification information of the destination floor registration device 1, the information indicating the user's destination floor, and the flag information, and transmits the assignment request to the group management control device 2 (S48).

[0107] As a result, the group control device 2 assigns a machine number to the destination floor called by a visually impaired user based on the assignment request. When the first output control unit 114 receives information indicating the assignment result from the group control device 2 (YES in S49), it causes the first output unit 16 to output an audio message indicating the assignment result (S50).

[0108] Next, the processing performed in the group control device 2 will be explained using Figure 11. When the identification unit 211 of the group control device 2 receives an assignment request from the destination floor registration device 1 (YES in S51), it refers to the device DB 221 based on the identification information of the destination floor registration device 1 included in the assignment request and identifies the user's departure floor (S52). Subsequently, the identification unit 211 determines what the flag information included in the assignment request indicates (S53), and identifies the candidate train car and estimated travel time based on the flag information.

[0109] If the flag information indicates 0 or 3 (0 or 3 in S53), the identification unit 211 identifies all units that can be assigned to the destination floor call as candidate units (S54). Next, the identification unit 211 determines whether the flag information indicates 3 or not (S55). If the flag information does not indicate 3 (NO in S55), i.e., if the flag information indicates 0, the identification unit 211 identifies the estimated travel time to each candidate unit as estimated travel time = reference time × 1.0 (S56). If the flag information indicates 3 (YES in S55), the identification unit 211 identifies the estimated travel time to each candidate unit as estimated travel time = reference time × 1.2 (S56).

[0110] In S53, if the flag information indicates 1 (1 in S53), the identification unit 211 refers to the device DB 221 and identifies the unit corresponding to the identification information of the destination floor registration device 1 included in the assignment request, that is, the unit located near the destination floor registration device 1. The identified unit is the unit close to the destination floor registration device 1 where the user performed the predetermined operation, that is, the unit close to the user's location. The identification unit 211 identifies the unit close to the user identified in this manner as a candidate unit (S58). Subsequently, the identification unit 211 identifies the estimated travel time to each candidate unit as estimated travel time = reference time × 2.0 (S59).

[0111] In S53, if the flag information indicates 2 (2 in S53), the identification unit 211 refers to the device DB 221 and identifies a wheelchair-accessible unit as a candidate unit (S60). Subsequently, the identification unit 211 determines the estimated travel time to each candidate unit using the formula: estimated travel time = standard time × 1.5 (S61).

[0112] After identifying candidate elevators and estimated travel times (after S56, S57, S59, or S61), the identification unit 211 identifies the estimated departure time for each candidate elevator based on the reference time DB 222, the operating status of elevator car 41, and the registration status of destination floor calls (S62). The identification unit 211 outputs information indicating the identified candidate elevators, the estimated travel time to each candidate elevator, and the estimated departure time for each candidate elevator to the allocation unit 212.

[0113] The allocation unit 212 assigns the most suitable unit from among the candidate units to the user's destination floor call based on the information obtained from the identification unit 211 (S63: allocation step). When the reception unit 112 of the destination floor registration device 1 receives a predetermined operation, the allocation unit 212 assigns a unit based on the information identified based on the user's attributes determined by the determination unit 113. In other words, when the allocation unit 212 receives input for a destination floor call in the reception step, it assigns a unit to the destination floor call according to the determination result of the determination unit 113.

[0114] The allocation unit 212 registers the allocation result, which includes information indicating the assigned elevator number, information indicating the user's departure and destination floors, and flag information indicating the user's attributes, in the allocation result DB 223. The allocation unit 212 then transmits the information indicating the allocation result to the destination floor registration device 1 used by the user (S64). As a result, the processing after receiving the information indicating the allocation result in the first to fourth processes (S14, S26, S36, S50) is performed, and the user can understand the allocation result.

[0115] Furthermore, the allocation unit 212 transmits registration information to the elevator control device 3 that controls the allocated elevator (S65). The registration information transmitted by the allocation unit 212 includes information indicating the user's departure floor and destination floor, and flag information indicating the user's attributes.

[0116] Next, the control in the elevator control device 3 will be explained using Figure 12. When the second output control unit 312 of the elevator control device 3 receives registration information from the group control device 2 (YES in S71), it determines whether the flag information indicates 1 or not (S72). If the flag information indicates 1 (YES in S72), the second output control unit 312 controls the second output unit 42 to start outputting the guidance sound (S73).

[0117] If the flag information does not indicate 1 (NO in S72), or after processing in S73, the elevator control unit 311 registers the user's destination floor call in the destination floor call DB 321 (S74).

[0118] (Processing related to elevator control) Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the processing flow related to the control of the elevator 4 in the elevator control device 3. The following explanation of the elevator control processing flow in the elevator control device 3 will use Figure 13 as a reference.

[0119] If a destination floor call or car call is registered in the destination floor call DB321 or car call DB322 (YES in S81), the elevator control unit 311 controls the movement of car 41 based on the registered destination floor call or car call (S82). When car 41 arrives at a stopping floor (YES in S83), the elevator control unit 311 determines whether the movement of car 41 was a response to a car call (S84). If the movement of car 41 was a response to a car call (YES in S84), the elevator control unit 311 deletes the responded car call from the car call DB322 (S85). Specifically, the elevator control unit 311 deletes car calls from the car call DB322 whose destination floor is the stopping floor of car 41.

[0120] If the movement of car 41 is not in response to a car call (NO in S85), or after processing in S85, the elevator control unit 311 determines whether the movement of car 41 was in response to a destination floor call (S86). If the movement of car 41 is not in response to a destination floor call (NO in S86), the elevator control unit 311 terminates processing and restarts processing from S81.

[0121] If the movement of car 41 is in response to a destination floor call (YES in S86), the elevator control unit 311 determines whether or not a user has boarded car 41 (S87). If a user has boarded (YES in S87), the elevator control unit 311 registers a car call corresponding to that destination floor call (S88). Specifically, the elevator control unit 311 refers to the destination floor call DB 321 and extracts a destination floor call where the stopping floor of car 41 is the departure floor. The elevator control unit 311 registers the destination floor in the extracted destination floor call as the stopping floor in the car call DB 322.

[0122] After processing in S88, the elevator control unit 311 deletes the responded destination floor call (S89). Specifically, the elevator control unit 311 deletes destination floor calls registered in the destination floor call DB 321 that have the stopping floor of the elevator car 41 as the destination floor. Also, if the movement of the elevator car 41 was in response to a destination floor call (YES in S86), and no passenger boarded (NO in S87), the elevator control unit 311 deletes the responded destination floor call (S89).

[0123] When the second output unit 42 is outputting a guidance sound, if the elevator 4 responds to a destination floor call with the floor on which the second output unit 42 is installed as the stopping floor, the second output control unit 312 stops outputting the guidance sound. Subsequently, the elevator control unit 311 outputs information to the second output control unit 312 indicating that the car 41 has arrived at the user's departure floor.

[0124] When the second output control unit 312 acquires this information, it determines whether the second output unit 42 is outputting guidance sounds at the stopping floor (S90). If the second output unit 42 installed at the stopping floor among the second output units 42 provided by the elevator control unit 311 is outputting guidance sounds (YES in S90), the second output control unit 312 controls the second output unit 42 to stop the guidance sounds (S91).

[0125] If no guidance sound is output at the stopping floor (NO in S90), or after processing in S91, the elevator control device 3 terminates the elevator control processing and restarts processing from S81.

[0126] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0127] Figure 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the destination floor registration system 100A according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by the destination floor registration device 1A of the destination floor registration system 100A. Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by the group control device 2A of the destination floor registration system 100A. The processing S101 to S104 in Figure 15 is the same as the processing S1 to S4 in Figure 6. Also, the processing S111 to S112 and S116 to S123 in Figure 16 is the same as the processing S51 to S52 and S58 to S65 in Figure 11.

[0128] As shown in Figure 14, the destination floor registration system 100A differs from the destination floor registration system 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that it includes a destination floor registration device 1A and a group management control device 2A instead of the destination floor registration device 1 and group management control device 2. The destination floor registration device 1A differs from the destination floor registration device 1 in that it includes a control unit 11A instead of the control unit 11. The control unit 11A differs from the control unit 11 in that it includes a determination unit 113A instead of the determination unit 113.

[0129] The determination unit 113A determines whether the user is visually impaired or a wheelchair user. As shown in Figure 15, the determination unit 113A determines whether the user who performed the predetermined operation is a wheelchair user (S105: determination step). If the determination unit 113A determines that the user is not a wheelchair user (NO in S105), it determines that the user is visually impaired, and the destination floor registration device 1A performs a second process based on the determination result (S107). In this way, when the determination unit 113A determines which of the two types of attributes the user's attribute falls under, the determination unit 113A may determine whether the user falls under one of the attributes, and if the user does not fall under one attribute, it may consider the user to fall under the other attribute.

[0130] The determination unit 113A only determines whether the user is visually impaired or a wheelchair user; therefore, the determination unit 113A does not determine that the user is a specific user. Consequently, the reception unit 112 and the first output control unit 114 obtain a determination result indicating that the user is visually impaired or a wheelchair user, but they do not obtain a determination result indicating that the user is a specific user. Therefore, the destination floor registration device 1A does not perform the third process. In addition, the flag information included in the assignment request that the registration unit 115 transmits to the group management control device 2A indicates 0, 1, or 2.

[0131] The group control device 2A differs from the group control device 2 in that it includes a control unit 21A instead of a control unit 21. The control unit 21A differs from the destination floor registration device 1 in that it includes a specific unit 211A instead of a specific unit 211.

[0132] As shown in Figure 16, the identification unit 211A determines whether the flag information indicates 0, 1, or 2 (S113). The identification unit 211A does not determine whether the flag information indicates 3 or not, and if it determines that the flag information indicates 0 (0 in S113), it processes the user as a general user. Specifically, if the identification unit 211A determines that the flag information indicates 0 (0 in S113), it identifies all units as candidate units (S114) and determines the estimated travel time to each candidate unit using the formula: estimated travel time = reference time × 1.0 (S115).

[0133] [Embodiment 3] Figure 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the destination floor registration system 100B according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the second processing performed by the destination floor registration device 1B of the destination floor registration system 100B.

[0134] As shown in Figure 17, the destination floor registration system 100B differs from the destination floor registration system 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that it includes a destination floor registration device 1B instead of the destination floor registration device 1. The destination floor registration device 1B differs from the destination floor registration device 1 in that it includes a control unit 11B instead of the control unit 11. The control unit 11B differs from the control unit 11 in that it includes a reception unit 112B and a first output control unit 114B instead of the reception unit 112 and the first output control unit 114.

[0135] If the determination unit 113 determines that the user is a wheelchair user, the destination floor registration device 1B performs the second process shown in Figure 18. The second process shown in Figure 18 is the same as the fourth process shown in Figure 10, except that the flag information included in the assignment request by the registration unit 115 is 2 instead of 1, so a detailed explanation is omitted. As shown in Figure 18, the reception unit 112B accepts voice input not only when the user is determined to be visually impaired, but also when the user is determined to be a wheelchair user. If the first output control unit 114B determines that the user is a wheelchair user, it causes the first output unit 16 to output a voice prompting voice input, a voice confirming the destination floor recognized by the reception unit 112B based on the user's voice, and a voice indicating the assignment result.

[0136] As described above, if it is determined that the user is a wheelchair user, the destination floor registration device 1B performs the second process shown in Figure 18. As a result, if it is determined that the user is a wheelchair user, the assignment unit 212 can assign a unit to the user's destination floor call based on the voice acquired by the acquisition unit 17.

[0137] If a user is a wheelchair user, it may be difficult for them to perform operations by inputting information into the first input unit 12. In this embodiment, the destination floor registration system 100B accepts voice input of the destination floor from the user when it is determined that the user is a wheelchair user. This makes it easier for wheelchair users to input information to call their destination floor, thereby improving convenience.

[0138] In this embodiment, the reception unit 112B may be capable of receiving input to the first input unit 12 in addition to acquiring the user's voice. In this case, a wheelchair user can register a destination floor call by either making a voice input to the acquisition unit 17 or making an input to the first input unit 12.

[0139] [Variation] <Example 1> In each of the embodiments described above, the identification unit 211 identified the expected departure time for each candidate bus. Here, the identification unit 211 may also identify the expected arrival time for a candidate bus that has not yet arrived at the user's departure floor and output it to the assignment unit 212. The assignment unit 212 may determine the assigned bus based on the expected departure times of candidate buses that have already arrived at the user's departure floor and the expected arrival times of candidate buses that have not yet arrived at the departure floor.

[0140] <Modification 2> The allocation unit 212 may also extend the expected departure time by extending the door opening time if the user's arrival time at the unit, which is determined based on the expected travel time, is later than the expected departure time of that unit. The allocation unit 212 may also determine which unit to assign to the user's destination floor call by adding a predetermined time to the expected departure time and using that time as the new expected departure time for that unit.

[0141] If there are candidate buses where the user's arrival will not be completed in time for the estimated departure time of the candidate bus, the allocation unit 212 may extend the estimated departure time of the candidate bus where the user's arrival will not be completed in time for the estimated departure time. Specifically, the allocation unit 212 may calculate a new estimated departure time for each candidate bus by adding a predetermined extension time (for example, 10 seconds) to the estimated departure time identified by the identification unit 211. The allocation unit 212 may then determine the assigned bus based on the new estimated departure time.

[0142] If the allocation unit 212 assigns a candidate elevator with an extended estimated departure time to a user's destination floor call, the allocation unit 212 may also transmit extension instruction information to the elevator control unit 311, along with the registration information it transmits, to further extend the door opening time. The extension instruction information may include information indicating the extension time added when calculating the new estimated departure time.

[0143] Furthermore, in the group control device 2, if a candidate elevator with an extended estimated departure time is assigned to a destination floor call, the elevator control unit 311 receives registration information associated with the extension instruction information. The extension instruction information also includes information indicating the extension time added when calculating the new estimated departure time. When the elevator control unit 311 receives this information, and the elevator car 41 stops at the user's departure floor, it extends the door opening time of the car 41 by the amount of the extension time.

[0144] According to the above configuration, if a user's movement cannot reach the estimated departure time of the candidate bus, the estimated departure time may be extended and a bus may be assigned. Furthermore, when a user boards a bus assigned in this way, the door opening time of that bus is extended. This reduces the possibility of users having to wait for the arrival of bus 41 for an extended period.

[0145] <Variation 3> In the modified example 2 described above, the allocation unit 212 may perform the process of extending the expected departure time of candidate trains whose users will not be able to complete their journey by the expected departure time, and calculating a new expected departure time, up to once or multiple times.

[0146] If this process is performed only once, the allocation unit 212 may exclude from the candidate units any units for which the user's movement cannot be completed in time even with the new estimated departure time. Alternatively, the allocation unit 212 may instruct the identification unit 211 to specify the estimated arrival time or estimated departure time after the unit has departed the user's departure floor and is arriving at the same floor again. In this case, the allocation unit 212 may assign a unit based on the newly identified estimated arrival time or estimated departure time of each candidate unit by the identification unit 211. This configuration reduces the possibility that the door opening time of the assigned unit will be too long, thereby reducing the convenience for other users.

[0147] On the other hand, if the process may be performed multiple times, the allocation unit 212 may repeatedly extend the expected departure time for each candidate elevator until the user can arrive at each candidate elevator in time. The elevator control unit 311 may extend the door opening time at the user's departure floor to match the extended expected departure time. This configuration reduces the possibility that the user will have to wait for the arrival of the elevator car 41 for an extended period of time.

[0148] <Modification 4> In the modified example 2 described above, an upper limit may be set on the extension of the expected departure time for one floor of each unit. The upper limit on the extension of the expected departure time may be, for example, 20 seconds. An example will be given in which a unit assigned to a destination floor call of a first user is included in the candidate units for a destination floor call of a second user. The identification unit 211 identifies the expected departure time of the unit, taking into account the destination floor call of the first user. For example, if the expected departure time of the unit has been extended by 20 seconds and it has already been assigned to a destination floor call of the first user, the identification unit 211 identifies the expected departure time of the unit by extending it by 20 seconds. If there is a unit in which the user's movement will not be completed in time for the expected departure time, the assignment unit 212 identifies how many seconds the expected departure time of that unit has been extended. If the expected departure time of a unit in which the user's movement will not be completed in time for the expected departure time has been extended by a predetermined time or more, the assignment unit 212 may exclude that unit from the candidate units. For example, if the predetermined time is 20 seconds, and the second user's movement will not be completed by the expected departure time, then the assigned elevator for the first user's destination floor call will have its expected departure time extended by 20 seconds, the assignment unit 212 may exclude that elevator from the list of candidate elevators.

[0149] <Variation 6> In the embodiments described above, the guidance sound for guiding the user to the assigned elevator was output from the second output unit 42 of the elevator 4 under the control of the second output control unit 312, but is not limited to this. For example, the first output unit 16 of the destination floor registration device 1 may output the guidance sound. In this case, the first output unit 16 may output a voice message indicating the direction of the assigned elevator, such as "Elevator A is to your right," as the guidance sound.

[0150] Furthermore, the second output unit 42 may output guidance sounds according to the control of devices other than the elevator control device 3. For example, the destination floor registration system 100 may include a separate device from the elevator control device 3 that is communicatively connected to the group control device 2 and capable of controlling the second output unit 42. When an elevator unit is assigned to a destination floor call of a user who is subject to guidance by guidance sounds, such as a visually impaired person, the group control device 2 may transmit information indicating the assignment result to the device. Upon receiving the information indicating the assignment result, the device may cause the second output unit 42 to output guidance sounds to guide the user to the assigned elevator unit. Also, in the destination floor registration system 100, the group control device 2 may include a processing unit equivalent to the second output control unit, and this processing unit may control the second output unit 42. When the assignment unit 212 assigns an elevator unit to a destination floor call of a user who is subject to guidance by guidance sounds, the processing unit of the group control device 2 may cause the second output unit 42 to output guidance sounds to guide the user to the assigned elevator unit.

[0151] [Examples of implementation using software] The functions of the destination floor registration systems 100, 100A, and 100B (hereinafter referred to as "the system") are programs that cause a computer to function as the system, and these can be realized by programs that cause a computer to function as each control block of the system (particularly each part included in the control units 11, 11A, 11B, 21, 21A, and 31).

[0152] 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.

[0153] 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.

[0154] 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.

[0155] 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).

[0156] 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.

[0157] 〔summary〕 A destination floor registration system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a destination floor registration system for an elevator having multiple elevator units, comprising: a reception unit that receives input from users of the elevator; a determination unit that, when the reception unit receives input through a predetermined operation, determines whether the user who performed the predetermined operation is visually impaired or a wheelchair user; and an assignment unit that, when the reception unit receives input for a destination floor request, assigns the elevator unit according to the determination result of the determination unit to the destination floor request.

[0158] In the destination floor registration system according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in aspect 1, the determination unit may determine whether the user who performed the predetermined operation is a wheelchair user, and if it determines that the user who performed the predetermined operation is not a wheelchair user, it may determine that the user is visually impaired.

[0159] In the destination floor registration system according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, if it is determined that the user is visually impaired, the allocation unit may prioritize assigning the user to the machine that is closest to the input device that allows the user to input the predetermined operation, among the available machines.

[0160] The destination floor registration system according to embodiment 4 of the present invention may further include, in any of embodiments 1 to 3 above, an output control unit that causes the output unit to output a sound to guide to the assigned floor unit when the allocation unit has allocated the floor unit according to the determination result of the determination unit.

[0161] A destination floor registration system according to aspect 5 of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires voice signals emitted by the user in any of aspects 1 to 4 above, and the assignment unit may, if it is determined that the user is visually impaired, assign the floor number based on the voice signals acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0162] The destination floor registration system according to embodiment 6 of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires voice uttered by the user in any of embodiments 1 to 5 above, and the assignment unit may, if it is determined that the user is a wheelchair user, assign the unit number based on the voice acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0163] In the destination floor registration system according to embodiment 7 of the present invention, in embodiment 5 or 6 above, the allocation unit may assign the unit number based on the voice acquired by the acquisition unit during the period in which the predetermined operation is performed.

[0164] In the destination floor registration system according to embodiment 8 of the present invention, in any of embodiments 1 to 7 above, the plurality of units include a unit with wheelchair specifications, and if it is determined that the user is a wheelchair user, the allocation unit may assign the unit with wheelchair specifications from among the units.

[0165] In the destination floor registration system according to embodiment 4 of the present invention, in any of embodiments 1 to 8 above, the assignment unit may further determine which unit to assign to the user's destination floor call based on the estimated travel time required for the user to move from the input device that causes the user to input the predetermined operation to each of the units, and the estimated arrival time when each of the units arrives at the user's departure floor or the estimated departure time when the unit departs from the user's departure floor.

[0166] In the destination floor registration system according to embodiment 10 of the present invention, in embodiment 9 above, the estimated travel time may be a predetermined reference time plus an additional time according to the determination result of the determination unit.

[0167] In the destination floor registration system according to aspect 11 of the present invention, in aspect 8 or 9 above, if the time of arrival of the user to the previous designated machine, which is identified based on the estimated travel time, is later than the estimated departure time of the machine, the machine may determine which machine to assign to the user's destination floor call by adding a predetermined time to the estimated departure time and using that time as the new estimated departure time for the machine.

[0168] A control method according to aspect 12 of the present invention is a control method for a destination floor registration system of an elevator having a plurality of elevator units, comprising: a reception step for receiving input from a user using the elevator; a determination step for determining whether the user who performed a predetermined operation is visually impaired or a wheelchair user when an input by a predetermined operation is received in the reception step; and an assignment step for assigning the elevator unit according to the determination result in the determination step to the destination floor call when an input for a destination floor call is received in the reception step. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0169] 100, 100A, 100B Destination Floor Registration System 1, 1A, 1B Destination Floor Registration Device (Input Device) 112 Reception Department 113, 113A Judgment section 114 First Output Control Unit (Output Control Unit) 16. First Output Section (Output Section) 17 Acquisition Department 212 Allocation Section 312 Second Output Control Unit (Output Control Unit) 4 Elevators 42 Second Output Section (Output Section) S1, S3, S22, S32, S42, S43, S46, S101, S103, S132, S133, S136 Reception Step S5, S7, S105 Judgment Steps S63, S121 Assignment Step

Claims

1. A destination floor registration system for elevators with multiple units, A reception area that accepts input from users of the elevator, When the reception unit receives input through a predetermined operation, a determination unit determines whether the user who performed the predetermined operation is visually impaired or a wheelchair user. When the reception unit receives input for a destination floor call, the assignment unit assigns the unit number according to the determination result of the determination unit to the destination floor call, A destination floor registration system equipped with the following features.

2. The determination unit, It is determined whether the user who performed the predetermined operation is a wheelchair user or not. If it is determined that the user who performed the aforementioned predetermined operation is not a wheelchair user, then it is determined that the user is visually impaired. The destination floor registration system according to claim 1.

3. If the user is determined to be visually impaired, the allocation unit will prioritize assigning the user to the machine that is closest to the input device used to input the predetermined operation among the available machines. The destination floor registration system according to claim 1.

4. The system further includes an output control unit that, when the allocation unit assigns a machine according to the determination result of the determination unit, causes the output unit to output a sound to guide the user to the assigned machine. The destination floor registration system according to claim 1.

5. The system includes an acquisition unit that acquires the voice emitted by the user. If the allocation unit determines that the user is visually impaired, it will assign the unit number based on the voice acquired by the acquisition unit. The destination floor registration system according to claim 1.

6. The system includes an acquisition unit that acquires the voice emitted by the user. If the allocation unit determines that the user is a wheelchair user, it will assign the unit number based on the voice acquired by the acquisition unit. The destination floor registration system according to claim 1.

7. The allocation unit assigns the unit number based on the voice acquired by the acquisition unit during the period in which the predetermined operation is performed. The destination floor registration system according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The aforementioned numbered units include a wheelchair-accessible unit. If it is determined that the user is a wheelchair user, the allocation unit will allocate the wheelchair-accessible unit from among the aforementioned units. The destination floor registration system according to claim 1.

9. The allocation unit further determines which unit to assign to the user's destination floor call based on the estimated travel time required for the user to move from the input device that prompts the user to input the predetermined operation to each of the units, and the estimated arrival time when each unit arrives at the user's departure floor or the estimated departure time when the unit departs from the user's departure floor. The destination floor registration system according to claim 1.

10. The aforementioned estimated travel time is calculated by adding an additional time according to the determination result of the determination unit to a predetermined reference time. The destination floor registration system according to claim 9.

11. If the user's arrival time at the previous designated machine, determined based on the estimated travel time, is later than the estimated departure time of the machine, the allocation unit determines which machine to assign to the user's destination floor call by adding a predetermined time to the estimated departure time and using that time as the new estimated departure time for the machine. The destination floor registration system according to claim 9.

12. A control method for a destination floor registration system for an elevator with multiple elevator units, A reception step for receiving input from users of the elevator, When input is received through a predetermined operation in the reception step, a determination step is made to determine whether the user who performed the predetermined operation is visually impaired or a wheelchair user. When a destination floor call is received in the reception step, an assignment step is performed to assign the machine number corresponding to the determination result in the determination step to the destination floor call. A control method including

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